Spent this morning laying irrigation and planting about a million dahlias.
With all there is to do with the store build and just general life, planting so many flowers feels like a luxury. But as I prepped the beds before my kids woke for school, in the cool and quiet of dawn, I wondered - is it?
The last few weeks have been a blur of birthing babies of the four legged persuasion and running my two legged babes hither and yon, game to practice, practice to game and game and game again.
In between I've been spec'ing lighting fixtures, trolling antique markets, labouring over the new website, sourcing products and agonizing over paint colours.
I'm exhausted. I am also absolutely exhilarated.
Found myself daydreaming this morning when I was supposed to be working, drinking in the quiet with my coffee.
Instead of writing, I watched two crows dutifully go about their work as they gathered nesting materials in the rain.
I've been reading a lot about creativity lately. I've been struck by how broad the definition has become for me as I've grown older.
As I sit down to write today, I'm kept company by a little ladybug on my keyboard, one of many busy in my old window frame - a loveliness of ladybirds. They're always here at this time of year - that space between sleep and the waking of spring.
I've found myself unable to write write of late.
Together with the ladybirds it's had me thinking about the power of liminal spaces and how reluctant we often are to both embrace and honour them.
Since I turned 40, I have committed myself to reclaiming my joy and my personhood - separate and apart from the joy of others and all those labels we collect as we grow older; some badges of honour, some burrs.
In that spirit, a while ago I did something I don't do often - I spent good money on myself for something strictly rooted in JOY.
It's happening!! It's really, finally, honest-to-goodness HAPPENING!
Those of you who've been with me for a while know that I've been talking about getting the heck off the dang porch fooooor-eva.
Today, after years of talkin' (and grumbling) about it . . . we are pouring concrete for the foundation of a brick-and-mortar STORE.
So I did a thing last week.
My introverted, shy self got up (without notes or preplanning or even knowing I was gonna do it beforehand) in front of 300+ strangers and a panel from the Agricultural Land Commission to speak in defence of soil.
Whelp, that's it for sleeping in, enjoying bevvies with your breakfast and living in pjs 24/7. It was fun while it lasted.
And just like that, I've got seeds and plant starts to think about. (Even though I'm not done canning the tomatoes from last year - whoops.)
Just wanted to say thank you to all of you for another great year.
We just sell meat and eggs here. We aren't solving world hunger or I don't know what else . . .
But I feel like especially over these past few years now, we've done important work together.
Speaking of shifting priorities during the holidays - After my 'you don't have to do all the things' email, I got a great nugget of wisdom from one of our Farm Family, Marian (love you!).
She broke my mind a bit when she pointed out that doing NONE of the things is an option, too.
Well, are you ready?? We are about to launch into the chaos that is the height of the holiday season.
From one (slightly frazzled) human to another, I just want to say - This holiday season, you don't have to do all the things.
No, really.
