Hi!

The hard drive is blown on my computer.  I'll be back when I can!

One Yearish

It is hard to believe we have been here for about a year. What can I say? I haven't written mostly because this anniversary is a big deal in my life, but probably no one else's. I have written a lot about what is going on around here, but there is also a lot left unsaid.

I know that I often write about the positive things and not the negatives. This drives certain people who know me nuts. But still, this is a blog. It isn't a confessional. I fight myself daily on the need to focus on the good, not the bad. To focus and write about more of the challenges would make my day to day life even harder, I think.

I have been colder, sicker, lonelier and sadder this year for more than probably any other year I can remember. I have had more struggles and disappointments and challenges that I would have thought possible for something as simple as a move. But this has been no ordinary move.

I am tired of feeling stupid and that all that I know and am good at just don't really matter here. I am tired of being laughed at by people who have lived this life for so long that they don't remember any other way, or have simply never lived any other way. I am tired of the endless chores, the projects that are never finished, that nothing is easy here, that fixing one thing usually results in the need to fix ten other things.  I am tired of bugs, cow poop landing on me, not knowing what to do in all of these totally new circumstances.  I miss my family, my friends, my stores, and other conveniences.  I miss a lot of things.

But......

I have learned a lot.  Boy, have I ever!  Think about it all.  Really.

I also have just over five beautiful acres to wander and dream about.  I have apple trees, plum and pear trees, and a cherry tree that I hope to get to have cherries from this year.  I have plenty of room to plant anything I want.

I have chickens and a cow.  A cow, people.  Who would have believed it?  Poor cow.

I have a little pond, a quiet grove of trees to hide in, and a barn.  Empty pastures are all that separate us from National Forest land.  I have fresh air to breathe (though cold) and good, clean water to drink.

There is so much work to do to get to do all the things we want to do (!) but we have done a lot already.  I keep trying to remind myself that this is just a period of time and that it will get better and projects will get done.  I don't want to waste my writing time whining, especially since I am already too good at it.

This isn't a perfect life, or an easy life.  It is hard when people have told me they think it all sounds so perfect.  Hah. It is far from it.

I am not sure where the balance lies.  I have never wanted to present an image like I see on too many blogs of everything picture perfect.  Neither do I read those that simply complain all the time.

Yes, I go quiet usually when things are hardest simply because that's what I do.  I am a rather private person and take things very personally.  Very.  I know this about me.  It is simply a part of who I am.  I don't want to spew anger and negativity all over everyone's screens.  I don't want to write what I might later regret.  I don't want my kids to look back on this some day and wish I could change my words.

Also, my not writing coincides with the fact that when things are really hard, I simply don't have the time to write!  I have too much work to do to sit and blog.  I can't be sitting here in front of the screen when my family needs me.  Sometimes, I am simply having trouble with my computer as rural internet access can leave a lot to be desired.  These last several weeks service has been very spotty and is a real reason I haven't written much.

I don't know.  I don't have all the answers.  I am simply trying to live this life the best I can.

And I am still looking for friends here.  *sigh*  Let me know if you are interested in the position.  ;)

Linking up to Barn Hop #48.  Go visit and see what everyone else is up to!

Welcome New Year

I am still here and all is well.  I have both enjoyed my self-imposed break and missed being here as well.  My mind is full of all sorts of things to write and think about, but the days are filled with work and children and chores and children and cleaning and children and cooking and children and schooling.  And those are the important things and exactly what I should be doing.  I find that in spite on all my racing thoughts, now that I am sitting here, my mind is pretty blank!
If you have noticed me scarce in other places-FB, Pinterest, commenting on your blogs, etc.--please understand that I have had to simply take a step back and focus on those here.  In fact, I have discovered that Pinterest will only work long term for me if I use it for just pinning the things I am already reading.  So I dropped nearly all the boards I was following.  It is not anything personal.  I have also dropped to a small handful of blogs in my reader simply because I was spending too much time reading.
And so we've started a new year.  I wish I could make a million resolutions and keep them all perfectly.  But, I can't.  Instead, I am working on a few tweaks to life here and there, hoping for more "success" that way.  I don't know.  If anything seems to work long term, I am sure I'll share it later.
I just wanted to pop in for a moment, and say that I am still around.  Our internet hasn't been working properly for the last week, or so and I am not sure this will even publish.  But since the connection seemed to be working and everyone else is upstairs, I thought I would grab a few minutes here on Sweetheart's computer.  Sadly, I am too tired for any really interesting writing and I know that I should be cleaning the kitchen and putting away the last load of laundry so I will end this really pathetic post now.
If this is your first visit, I hope it won't be the last!  Come back soon and I will try to do better.  ;)  And be on my own computer where all the pictures are...

Thanks!

I went with the first picture for my sidebar profile and jAne's picture for the other project I needed a head shot for.  More details on that project next week.  :)  I am excited about it.

Buried

2 gallons of plums, 23# of cucumbers, sewing projects, homeschooling, living, etc.  I would like to blog, but my regular computer is misbehaving these days and the little thing I am typing on is ok for some stuff, but I can't do pictures and the keyboard is kind of a pain.  Alas.  It will all work its way out.  Bet you thought I was still stuck in my hammock...

Thank You, Dear Readers

It's been amazing to me to see all the new and beautiful faces smiling back at me in the little Follower box thingy and on Facebook. Thank you. I know we're all busy and it means a lot to me that you would take time out of your busy days to follow our lives on the farm. 

If you were here, we could go pick currants together, or can cherries in the kitchen, or just sit on the porch with our tea and visit. I would love it all! 

So, again, thank you for reading. It makes this new place a much less lonely place.  I appreciate each and everyone of you.

 

i miss blogging.

maybe someday soon...

How's This One?

I tried to just put the fancy font on the extras and leave the posts plain, but haven't figured out how to yet.  So, until then I'll just be plain.  Is this font ok?  Size? Color?

I finished up painting the dining room today.  That took toooooo long.  But I learned a lot and hopefully we can figure out an easier way to do the rest of the house.  90 year old lathe and plaster that's been patched repeatedly just isn't easy to paint.  It looks better, but I think it could still look even better.  Just not by me and not right now. 

I'm still working on wallpaper removal, so the kitchen looks fantastic, let me tell ya.  No.  Not really.  It's one of those things that you wish you never started.  Kinda like removing the areas in the bathroom where they put wallpaper and contact paper over woodish paneling.  And the random picture of the puppy from the toilet paper package they'd glued on.  Dumpling was a bit sad when I ripped that one off.

I could go on and on about all sorts of lovely things were done to improve the house somewhere around the 60's, but I'm going cross-eyed and need to try and wash the paint out of my hair before I go to sleep.

Questions?

Our Pond

I've got a few questions for you all.

I changed the font awhile back.  I think it is pretty, but I agree that it is harder to read.  I enlarged the font size and darkened it just now.  Does that help?  Should I just switch it back to the plain font?  I am hoping the changes work.

Also, I became an Amazon Affiliate when we moved to Idaho as Colorado residents are not allowed due to state tax regulations.  I have been approved to join another affiliate program as well.  Here's the issue at hand.  I am looking for ways to add to our income as Sweetheart does not have a regular job now.  Every little bit helps.  I would be in control, I believe, about what ads and how many may appear in the side bar.  I don't want to become and endless commercial, nor do I want to drive away readers.  What are your thoughts?

And finally, what are you interested in reading about?  I think this place is pretty random.  It mirrors me, I know.  Life had changed a lot since I started blogging over four years ago.  Should I just keep on keeping on, writing about whatever strikes my fancy when I have ten free minutes?  Are you interested in more about the farm, what I'm chasing this day, how many eggs we've gotten (4!!!), what we're planting????  Are you  interested in more simple living things, making stuff from scratch, homemade herbal goodies and cleaners?????  Pictures of my adorable kids, updates on the kiddos, (Cupcake is rolling everywhere all the time!) silly things they say and do, (Remind me to show you the Lego Limited Edition Wives & Daughters Collection that Pumpkin built.) ????  Tea things?????

Just curious.  Thanks for any feedback you give me.

Fly Free

I have been intrigued these last few years by other people, mostly bloggers, who have a theme word or phrase for the new year. I have not done this myself, just because nothing really came to mind. With the new year, I've been seeing quite a few people sharing again. This time a phrase keeps sticking in my mind: Fly Free.

I'm not entirely sure why this is, but I can't get it out of my mind. Fly Free. For this nest-loving person, it's a bit of an odd idea. I'd much rather just cozily sit in my perch and fluff the stuffin' and love on my little chickadees.

This will be a year though that I think I will truly need to stretch my wings. I have been uprooted and pried from my comfortable nest already. I've been trying to nest in other perches with some success and am looking forward to the upcoming migration--which sounds better than another move--to a place with room to soar.

I don't know what this will all end up like, even this blog will probably change. But I am excited. I thought the people that bought our home last spring were a bit crazy to move to a place one of them had never even walked through. Now I am the crazy one. It looks like we will be closing on the home in Idaho by the 17th and move in by the end of the month. And, no, I've never been to Idaho.

I am so looking forward to have room for all the things we've been dreaming of doing for years! We'll have just over five acres, a pond, a barn, and a beautiful grove of trees. I have all sorts of ideas and projects running through my brain, not the least of which is painting everything in sight. ;) And Sweetheart has said he'll even paint the gables green for me.

Thanks for sticking with me these last months. I know blogging has been sporadic and not as I would like. I did add a page with some of the Simple Living blogs I wrote in the past. It's not all pretty yet, but it's there. I am looking forward to sharing our new life with you all as I Fly Free.

I'm a Lucky Girl!

I won two giveaways earlier this month! The first was this book, Homemade Fun, in a giveaway from Francesca at FuoriBorgo. She's a kindred spirit on the other side of the world. I first discovered her when she started blogging at the Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op. The SGF Co-op is a great source of useful ideas for Simple Living. I enjoy most of the writers there, but Francesca is my favorite. This book is full of WONDERFUL ideas of all sorts of activities to do with the kids. The directions are clear and the illustrations a delight. Do check it out!


The second giveaway was from Steady Mom. One of her sponsors, Graham Gardens filled a basket with the most delightful treats for our skin. How wonderful to be blessed with such delightful products especially during this crazy time where I am unable to make all I would like to make. I have tried most of the things in the basket and whole-heartedly say they are FANTASTIC!!! I've gotten pretty picky over these last few years with what I will put on our skin and I am enjoying all of these with no reservations at all. It all smells so heavenly and works so well. They have so many wonderful items available.

By the way, speaking of homemade body products, I wrote last year about making Homemade Vapor Rub. It has surprisingly become one of the most popular posts on here. I wrote an update to it at the end of the post today. We're all breathing a bit easier tonight.

Summer Smiles

Just so you don't think I've disappeared entirely...

There are no further updates at this time, but just thought I'd share some fun pictures from our trip a few weeks ago.
****Grr. Blogger is not playing nice. Maybe I'll get more posted later.

Hello My Friends

Just wanted to try and post to let everyone know we are doing well. I have tried several times to post, but I am not having much luck with that because of Internet connections and computer troubles. :) I also haven't had anything new to say. We are still just waiting for the next step.

We took a few days off from everything and went to visit family and friends across Colorado and Arizona. It was a good time. I was able to see some wonderful friends I haven't seen in a long time. I even made it to my reunion which was a blast.

I'll be honest that I have been debating what to do with this blog. I have enjoyed it, but find that people's thoughtless comments really aren't necessary to my life. No, I do not personally know the person who left the one in the last post and since she chooses to not allow herself to be contacted directly, I never will.

While I am totally honest on this blog, I do not share everything about me or my life on here. There are plenty of things that remain private-including most of my prayers. God hears them and while they are not always answered as I would wish, or in my personal timing, I know that they are answered. There have been things that have happened through all of this that definitely shown that He is right alongside me. By faith I believe that He is, even when I can't see the next step, or when I have to simply wait on Him.

This has not been an easy time for me and I certainly wish that I had more answers when I have wished for them, but that is not the way life works. At least not mine. I hardly think that means I am wrong or stupid. If you disagree, you are welcome to stop reading here. I also have a direct email link on the sidebar for people wishing to really contact me and have a dialogue about anything I have written. But personal insults just aren't helpful.

I will continue to post as I am able. Thank you for the many sweet comments that have been left. They have been encouraging. I hope to be able to stop by and catch up with you all later in the week.

~Kimberly

Banners, Beauty & a Boy

I redid my banner last night following these easy instructions from Clover Lane. I just picked out a few pictures I had on hand when I had a few minutes last night. I think I will be making more of these soon!

I still need to work on some template ideas and to see about designing my own. Maybe after a nap!

I am terribly excited about this as well! Too cute!

I am Blessed

to have such wonderful ladies who read this blog & leave such comments. Thank you all so very much. I never would have thought where blogging would take me over three years and almost 600 posts.


I have made dear, dear friends. Some have become friendships in real life. Others have expanded through the mail. It has truly been amazing. You all inspire and encourage and teach me so much.


How else would I have learned how to make all the stuff I do? I mean really. Two or three years ago I would have thought you were nuts to say I would make my own crackers, deodorant, hairspray, lotions, balms, vapor rubs, breads, bagels, mill my own flour, make almost all our food from scratch,sew aprons, and tablecloths, make journals, can food, stop using shampoo and conditioner, make my own laundry detergent & other cleaners, etc. etc. etc... Crazy.


Thank you one and all. More than anything I could learn to make, I have learned how to love and encourage and pray deeper by your examples and friendships. So again, thank you.

Your love & prayers during this special time mean so much to me and my entire (growing) family.

And, holy cow! Who would have thought over 85 of you would follow in Google Reader alone. I about fell over when I saw that one. WHO ARE YOU OUT THERE??? :) Delurk yourselves, please!

Christmas Posts

I am using Picasa for my picture files and editing. It will also upload automatically to the blog, but only posts four pictures at a time. Hence, the reason for the million posts I did this morning with just a few pictures at a time. I would have made it into just one long post, but I don't know how to make Picasa upload more than the four at time.
I am so excited we got a new lens for the camera! I really prefer to blog with pictures. This means that I should be writing and posting more regularly. Not five posts a day, mind you, but more than I have been. I've got a lot of new ideas to share and hope to do so soon!
Hope you all had a blessed Christmas and here's to a very Happy New Year!

Good Bye Anonymous

I've been getting spammed by Anonymous lately. Apparently he or she needs to get a life and I don't want to waste mine deleting the messages. So, until further notice Anonymous comments will not be allowed.

Good Morning

Oatmeal Breakfast with Pumpkin Spice Honey Toast & Caramel Coffee

Today the weather changed. Whereas, yesterday was one of those perfect Autumn days that found me out in the garden before everyone else was up, today I just wanted to stay huddled in bed snuggled down deep. Alas, I had to get up anyway.

It was so gloomy and dark I thought our breakfast needed a bit of brightening up. Breakfast by candlelight not being an everyday thing here. Of course, it was so pleasant I may have to reconsider. In fact, the candle is still burning bright scenting our home with a delicious pumpkin spice fragrance. I cooked and baked up a storm yesterday and so am just enjoying what I made and not really cooking today, my usual preferred method for making our home smell yummy. Not much beats the smell of fresh baking bread, does it?

The good news is that Sweetheart did some work this weekend on my computer so I hope I'll be posting a bit more. The setup I've been using since July has been so uncomfortable that I have not written as much as I would have otherwise. I was in fact thinking of just quitting blogging altogether.

But, for the three of you still reading this, I've decided to keep going. Besides, where else would I be able to write and dream and share?

The boys are sleeping now, some dishes are soaking in the sink and the laundry is spinning away. Gentle music is keeping me company in the background and I am enjoying the simply beauty of a quiet afternoon. I've enjoyed a little reading (Mitford) and a lot of tea.

Around the house I've been tucking bits of Autumn color with flowers from the garden and some of my leaf garlands and ribbons. Of course, one can always tell what season it is around here based on the tea set that's in use. Since Saturday I've been enjoying my Lusterware set. It's a funny process. I needed to wash the tablecloth so I pulled out a burgundy one to replace it. Then the rose centerpiece no longer matched so I got out my candles and fruit and leaf plates. That meant that the rose Tree Chintz tea set clashed and so I pulled out the Lusterware. This then meant I needed to change the curtain tiebacks in the dining room. Those ribbons didn't match the one on the Victorian crystal candy dish and so I changed that out. Sweetheart just laughed.

While I was at it I did up a new wreath for the porch and changed out the porch flag. This necessitated the need to wash down the entire porch, walls and windows. I stopped there. Of course, I still have more leaves and ribbons and will probably putter around tucking bits and pieces here and there throughout the week.

I just heard a little boy wake up, so I'll go for now. So much more to write & share!!! Maybe later.

What are you doing to welcome Autumn to your home?

Help

I'm trying a new template. Is it loading right on your screen?

Anonymous? Welcome Back!

I've decided to allow anonymous comments again. Be nice. :)