those poor country folk

 a friend sent this to me and if you're like me you'll appreciate the perspective.  i don't live in the country anymore but i sure do miss it.  and for all the reasons mentioned. 


One day , the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the ranch of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip , the father asked his son , "How was the trip?"
"It was great , Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah , " said the son.
"So , tell me , what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool  that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us , but they serve others.
We buy our food , but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us , they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added ,   "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

 

my place of sorcery

Enter our home from either door and you enter the kitchen. My country kitchen is homey, amply sized and somewhat eclectic. We don’t have a separate dining area, so the kitchen truly is the central place in our home where the majority of my day’s activities take place and where people seem to gather when they visit. It’s where the action is and where magic happens, where cupboards are filled with a myriad of ingredients and items for magic making.

The antique medicine cupboard on the east wall is abundantly full of herbs and spices to conjure up a most scrumptious meal or culinary treat.


The farmhouse cupboard on the southwest wall is stocked with more herbs most specifically for tea and medicinal use.

Behind the glass doors reside essential oils as well for aromatherapy potions and massage oils. There are bottles and jars both empty and full, and crystals tucked in baskets along with books on herbs and oils as well as my own secret recipes written into my book of shadows.

The bakers rack in the southeast corner hosts my most loved and most used cookbooks.

A small wooden chest houses those more rarely used herbs and you can see soap curing on another shelf. Beside the bakers rack resides my wicker chair at the window, situated intentionally for reading, recipe browsing or simply relaxing with a cup of tea.

Above the stove is a plaque purposefully chosen for that space. It shows the Kanji symbol representing love.

I believe the energy of words and thought are as real as anything.

I consider love a most essential ingredient and a constant in any sorcery that takes place here. Therefore, it’s most assuredly all good.

Last but certainly not least, there is my kitchen table where much if not most of the magic happens. You’ve seen it time and time again in photos I’ve shared. Appropriately it takes center stage. We purchased it in early 93, specifically for this kitchen during our first residence here and just shortly before we learned we had to move. Eventually it was passed on to our son. When his family no longer needed it was put to use at our daughter’s house. It has had fifteen years of steady use, of dough rolling, cookie cutting, kid climbing, card playing and dinner eating. It may look rough and in need of refinishing, but it’s imbued with all fifteen years worth of good vibes from family and friends gathering round it, so to me how it appears doesn’t really matter. It's value is in memories and function. Like me, it’s a bit careworn and weathered, but like me it has come home and together we make magic happen.

The Smallest of Pleasures

Over the years I have learned to recognize more acutely the significance in the small, seemingly inconsequential things. In taking note, I find that much of my love of our simple life is encapsulated in these small pleasures…

The sound of jar lids popping, letting me know my jars of jam and vegetables have sealed successfully.

A seed sprouting, showing signs of life and green, making one aware of the continuous cycle of nature.

The aroma (and anticipation) of whatever may be simmering on the stove top or baking in the oven.

Watching our garden grow.

Moments sitting in the sun with a cat occupying my lap or winding around my legs.

Allowing the jars of newly canned jams to sit on the table for longer than necessary just so I can admire them a little while longer before storing them away.

Watching the antics of birds and insects as if there is nothing better to do, because in that moment there is nothing better to do.

The sight of clean laundry willowing in the breeze on a sunny day and the smell of air and sunshine as I take it down and fold it, drawing the occasional piece to my face to breathe it in.

Our muscovy ducks appearing at my feet when I step out back in case I might have a treat for them and hand tossing them scraps to catch in their beaks like puppy dogs.

Adding to and organizing rows of home canned goods on my cellar shelves.

The myriad of colors in a patch of zinnias.

The evening sounds of life in the woods.

Choosing colors for my next yarn project, next bead project, next sewing project....

Putting the clean dishes in their proper places.

Gathering food fresh from the vine and making a homegrown meal.

Watching storms move in and never ceasing to be in awe of the power of nature.

The truth is, I find pleasure in most aspects of life, not only pleasure but also a great sense of appreciation for our lifestyle, our family and friends and for what we have. And when I say for what we have I mean that in the largest sense, from the love of others to the plants and trees that make oxygen , from the earth in which our food grows to the sun for it's warmth and life sustaining rays, from the food, dishes and utensils that inhabit the cupboards and drawers to the hot running water, from the view out the kitchen window, to the earth’s tokens that decorate our home There is so much that we can inadvertently take for granted, but when we practice slowing down and taking notice we find ourselves surrounded with blessings. I've found that practicing awareness brings appreciation and practicing appreciation brings awareness.

around the house

Finally I managed to get some housework caught up! The kitchen has been a motley mess of canning kettles, vegetables, jars, pots and pans. It's August that's why! Today I actually swept the floors and let me tell ya, they needed it in a bad way. Tomorrow I'll do some laundry because when your canning and cooking, well, you use up a whole lot of kitchen towels. Well, at least I do.

When I get some free time, (hahaha!) I have been working on this afghan. The colors and the pattern give it a southwestern look don't you think?

The herb bed is in its August glory. I love when it's full and lush in late summer.

From the front porch...one of the things I love about living in the country...except when they visit my garden.

Hungarian hots and (mostly) Cherokee Purples...

21 jars of hot sauce, 7 pints of pickles and two pints of dried tomatoes.
Not a bad days work!

Uno heard me coming to the door and hurries away from the cat's food.
Bad duck!