4.27.2018

it's FRIDAY!

I want to start off this morning by talking about gratitude and fear. I used to be real comfortable with saying things like "I am a creature of habit" and similar things that basically meant I ran on autopilot, never took risks, and was pretty militant with lists... I am still pretty big on my lists, I make one any day I am off work that maps out how I am gonna get it all done.

That being said, I did not realize how much I was limiting myself with that kind of thinking. Think about it.... "I am a creature of habit." What does that really say? It says that I am not up for anything that is not my everyday norm. It used to also instill fear in me when something did disrupt my 'routine'... Fear. Anxiety. All the things that if you focus on them, is basically like making them your mantra. Your prayer.

Well, towards the end of the summer last year, I opened up a bit. Broadened my horizons and allowed some new growth. Got okay with getting out of my comfort zone. Baby steps. It is how you grow after all, right? So I started by seeking out a new prospect for an acre out on the farm. I wanted to do something good for myself, the universe, and cultivating some good stuff on a chunk of land that had caused me so much anxiety for several months, seemed like a good place to start... 

I have said it before, and I will say it again. Last year, I got totally consumed, obsessed, and fixated on things that were causing me major frustrations - and all those things physically bordered that acre of land that I decided to cultivate. Hard pill to swallow, but it worked. I found myself doing that ol' (eye-rolling, easier said than done)] cliche, I let go and let God. AND IT WORKED. Yep. I shifted my focus on helping out a friend, learning something new, and BOOM! all my troubles went away... Seriously. 

I watched nervously as we broke ground last fall, and felt the change as we continued to cultivate the land and sow seeds of change. Yes... Crazy as it sounds, I could have done this waaaaaaay earlier and been at peace sooner, BUT I was meant to see the hard truth of how getting fixated on something negative can and will cause negative things to happen to you in return. I needed this 'in your face' blunt example. I always thought I was such an optimist - even preach about being positive - but I wasn't living by that... Now, after my slap in the face from reality, I am once again, reset, and awakened by the good energy that is brewing out here. 

I spend most of the day sitting at a desk at my 9-5er, but when I get home, the last few weeks, I go out into the garden and pick... or weed.... and remember how this all happened.... because I STILL have the same surroundings as before, but my energy shifted, therefor I attract different energy for myself. It is wonderful, really! Even Christian has noticed the HUGE shift and change in how it feels out here at the farm. Life lessons. Even though I am one of those stubborn people that thinks I know it all, I am humbled when I get a clear wake up call and see how I was mucking up my own life... 

This is one of the reasons I decided to do the #100HappyDays challenge again. I am pretty good at posting on IG - too good really - I post a LOT, and obviously I am posting things that I think are beautiful, or inspiring...but to actually think about how that one moment made me happy, and hashtagging it, just makes the focus on good energy a little bit more sustainable. It lasts longer - I am sure it is all mind game, but it is one I need. It helps keep me in check. I strongly encourage you to try this challenge if you have a struggle with staying positive - we can all fake it, but this challenge makes it harder to fake... 

Here is the weekly roundup of my last week of #100HappyDays... Enjoy! 

Day 19: 
Day 20:

Day 21:
Day 22:
Day 23:
Day 24:
Yowza!! Happy Friday! Lots of farm fun planned for this weekend - Lots of gardening, mowing, a little painting, and a bit of sewing! Gonna dust off the machine and get going on some colorful curtains for the outbuilding made from vintage fabric! 

xo!
-s




4.26.2018

thursday's mixtape!

I am pleased to present to you, anther Thursday Mixtape. One of my weekly highlights .... I hope you enjoy it as well! Christian has a way with making these and feeding off the energy here at the farm. Each week they are absolutely PERFECT. Happy Thursday, and I'll be back tomorrow with the Friday 'weekly roundup'! This was the time of year that one of my biggest dreams came true back in 2014. Finding this perfect piece of property for my dream farm. Things have been slow, and there have been a few hiccups here and there, but I am back on track with the flow of gratitude and the good vibrations out here! Cultivating not only the land but the best of energies! Sowing seeds for food and personal growth. Learning to live and let go. Loving the outcome!

*as always, if you want to access all of the mixtape by Christian, you can click the icon in the top left corner of this page*

xo

-s


4.22.2018

saturday snapshots

 It's Sunday and I am just getting around to posting the Saturday Snapshots because last night I got in late from a night out! Yes! This gal. OUT. Was totally fun, and I got to see tons of people I haven't seen in ages, and supported a good cause. 

It is really easy to become a hermit when you live at the place you've always dreamed of, but last night was good for my soul.... anyway, here are the snapshots....

The day started with the usual walk with Eddie at dawn......


 frosted kale....
 bartered eggs....
 some friendly pups at a fellow farmer's place that I was checking on while they are out of town....
 this dog...
 was a ball of energy!!
 the majestic Eli in the morning sun upon my return to the house...
 Christian and I lazed on the lawn in the backyard with Eddie.....
 the color-burst of the milk thistle....
 snoozin' Eddie...
 The previous overgrown back acreage that is now our very own private park....
 Rose... who got a spa day yesterday. Who I was also informed..... that she is FAT. and needs to lose a few LBs..... 
 Rose and Hazel enjoying the mild and sunny day...
 Eddie-Bear protecting his gorgeous face from the sun ;)
 thank you, chickens! 
 ...perfect color combo. 
 the one pic I snapped from my night 'out' ...Ha! 
Happy Sunday, y'all! 

xo

-s

4.20.2018

weekly roundup #100HappyDays

 So here we are at Friday again! Time is flying!! I really cannot believe it!! Here is this week's weekly roundup...

Day 11:
Eli. Butthead. Lawn wrangler. Meanie. But I love him.
Day 12:
My very own private park. Made with my very own sweat, blood, & tears.
 Day 13:
Eddie showing off the garden and this crazy storm brewin' behind him....
Day 14:
Keena was an urgent case. And she had already stolen my heart. Up next for euthanization.... lucky for my heart and her, she was scooped up by a rescue at the last hour!!! Thank you sooooooo much Two Tailz Rescue!!
Day 15:
Meet Bruce. He stole my heart. He is currently housed the Athens-Clarke Animal Control in Athens, GA... To see more of Bruce, check out my Instagram feed by clicking on the icon to the left on this page...
Day 16:
Big beautiful *almost* palm sized spinach leaves....
Day 17:
Bruce's booty. He LOVES to sun....
Day 18:
Another one of my old boy, Eddie. Unfiltered, in all it's natural beauty, this one is from our early morning sunrise walk this morning....


I have big plans again for the weekend! A little painting, a little socializing, horse hoof trimming, gardening, a little more land manicuring, and I kind want to go see the new Super Troopers... we shall see what gets accomplished tomorrow evening when I post the Saturday Snapshots.... 

Happy Friday! 

XOXO
-s

4.14.2018

saturday snapshots

I woke up this morning a little more energized than I anticipated... The sun is coming up earlier now, the weather is perfect, and every morning I walk this property, I still pinch myself because I never imagined that this property could become even more beautiful than what it was when we bought it. I thought it was absolutely perfect and remote - on a quiet little dirt road, and included areas that were so overgrown, that I would just enjoy the property as a whole, and not worry about the areas I couldn't get to due to years of neglected overgrowth - brambles, saplings, and twisted, broken fences..... and now. this.... I hollowed out the center of a few acres on the backside of the property and left the natural privacy fence of privet, blackberries, and pines. 
good morning, Ellie.....
Ellie. My sweet little gal - my first goats were Eli & Ellie. Rescued from South Carolina back in January of 2011. They were both 8 months old, and little did I know, she was carrying little Ellen. Actually, I never knew until a white little cottonball showed up in the field one morning that year in late March.
Ahhhh.... seems like a perfect day for biscuits. I usually make mini biscuits - mostly because the batch size I make, either makes either 4 cathead biscuits or 14-15 minis.... these are the best too..

I use 2 Cups GF flour, 1 Tablespoon baking powder, 6-7 tablespoons cold butter (grated), and enough milk to jusssssssst have it stick all together - I'll measure out how much I use next time and post the exact recipe for these, but I am guessing it is 1/3 - 1/2 Cup? Anyway, I bake at 425 until golden....



 this morning we also had 4 eggs from the coop, so I scrambled those and for the first time in years, I cooked and ate bacon. 


 ...after breakfast, Eddie and Spirulina were all cozied up in the living room, and I headed out to the workshop to paint a desk I have been trying to get rid of, but decided if I can spiff it up good enough, I may keep it for myself! 
.... here is the desk. In all it's vintage glory. Old American Steel. Heavy as hell....and who knows how old it is?... 



 ....and here is the new and improved version.....
As you probably already know, I am a HUGE fan of bright colors. Last year I painted a few desks, sold a few to individuals, and sold a few to a local business. Last week they asked me to paint one more, and this dinosaur of a desk was calling my name. So as I would be literally waiting for the different paint to dry on the commissioned desk, I would be cleaning and taping up different sections of this one. I started out with the turquoise trim. This desk has such a nice vintage top, I felt it could be more 'showy' with a pop around the top..... then, the rest of the colors and placements of, came together quickly....



 ...after that beauty was finished, I took a little break before deciding to finish a few more desks that were started in the last week as paint was drying on the one I had to do - and there was no point in showering if I was gonna paint more this weekend......

 ...and the other two finished desks... who wants one? $125 and it's yours! 


 As I was closing up shop for the day, I decided to pick the flower weeds just outside. I added a few of the Clematis flowers that are HUGE and thought it was picture perfect. 
 I am now off to watch The Phantom Thread with Christian...
xo

-s