Evening

Above are a few photos I took on my stroll around the farm yesterday evening. It's so beautiful out here. I really can't quite get over how peaceful it is, even with the kids running around and playing.

Yesterday was sunny, warm, and windy. The way the wind was blowing through the giant pine trees reminded me of ocean waves. This is all so new to me, having never lived out in the country before, and I'm constantly noticing the quiet, or the little patch of green moss, or the way the sun shines through the trees at sunrise or sunset, or that silly thing the chicken does.

I hope I never forget to pay attention, to stop and look and listen. Being present in each moment, using all my senses to experience this place, has made me incredibly grateful. I've always been one to be discontent - to wonder, "What is the next thing?? Surely it's better than what I have now!" But now. Oh, now. I'm living in the moment! I'm happy right here, right now. I'm so thankful for what I have right here, right now. It isn't perfect by any means - in fact, *right now* the smell of cow manure is coming in through the windows! Blech! - but it's my life and I'm choosing to live in gratitude and contentment. I mean, if I'm smelling cow manure, then it means my windows are open because it's finally warm! It means we live on a farm and next to a farm! It means our dream of homesteading has come true - at least for a couple years.

I love this place. I'm so excited to really begin gardening as we near the last frost, to learn how to can our fruits and vegetables, to grow culinary and medicinal herbs and save them. So many things to learn, and I love that the kids can learn right along with Adam and me.

Oh! And chickens! Our friends who own a little homestead in our old town have offered to incubate eggs for us. We should have at least 15 chicks in a few weeks! So exciting! The kids have already named them all. :)