Here We Are

Oh! The snow has been amazingly crazy! It is the worst this area has seen for some time and the temps are not getting above freezing in our little cabin, though the wood stove keeps pumping, with a little love. We got a sled after payday, which is a must-have in the mountains where it snows and sticks around. We also got Kat some real snow boots, because the one's we had just gotten here are all-weather BUT deep snow! We invested in some good hiking, climbing, messing around boots right before the snow came and, though they offer a good cover and her feet are in good care, can you imagine being a 9 year old girl being all suited up, with only nearly perfect shoes, having your mom repeatedly holler at you to come out of the heavy snow and onto the path? Now, thank God, we have proper boots AND we got them on sale! She is happier, drier, and less nagged...

We have been walking as daily as we can muster, which is nearly each day after breakfast, rain, snow, shine, or blizzard. We are becoming rather acquainted with our new 'backyard', of sorts, and enjoying all that there is to offer. The other day, tuesday, I think, we went walking all suited up for the weather, but it was the first day of real, bright sun, after all that grey and whiteness. We went wandering down a familiar path that had been snowed over and unplowed, until people began driving it again. We found a patch of sun that happens to illumine a hillside. Kat decided to slide down head first, on her belly, calling it 'penguin sledding'. Next day, we went promptly out with the sled we had left behind day before, to sled and sled. We found ourselves running the main road at our turn off to the clearing, which was loads of fun, then we went to what we will now refer to as 'Penguin Hill'. What fun we had on our sledding day yesterday, it was exactly what we all needed. The dogs all think that we are being whisked away by something unnatural, because they would chase after barking with serious intent, only to realize that the sled was not an invader or person of harmful consequence.

Wet, cold, and sparkly, that is our home right now. Beautiful and amazing, as we begin to learn more about its joy and peace. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be where we are. We have noted Jay's health more stable than ever these past 4+ years, with few-to-zero migraines, a massive change from even just before we left the city. Kat is growing like a weed, maturing into a young lady, but I am not sure how we got there. She has been into making food for us and is rather good at it. She has a dear heart and kindness within her that is a joy to encounter. Jay says that he is sure it is all my influence, but I know she has some gems due to his input, I am sure of it! They like a lot of the same things and I expect that will be a portion of her continued shaping in the future. I have often reminded him that a girl's papa is so magnanimously important, though it may not always appear that way, that she will measure men that she considers having in her life by what she finds admirable and acceptable in her own papa. Such lessons in life!

Now that the hectic season of holiday craziness is coming to a close, we are finally seeing a bit of respite on the horizon. There have been so many adjustments, both to settling in as a family and having some routine and also just getting to know our surroundings and schedules at church, etc. All is well, but we are only just recently beginning to find a true bit of consistency in what we are doing. Piece by piece, we will find more stability and more will be natural parts of our lives, but only time will tell.

I think that is all for now, so I will sign off. Peace and love to all!

Magnificent Mountains

Mountains are so quietly kept. Their secrets lie dormant in the silence of their bold and staunch settlement. So many have tread and come to know her pieces of beauty, though ever changing, in her long-suffering and steadfast calm. She happily gives all that she can from Creations magnificence she has been given. So quietly bearing all until she can no longer keep herself from calling out. When she speaks, there is none who does not hear, and so many can feel her pain, knowing her distress. Though ragged and reformed, she continues on in quiet peacefulness and firm solitude.

So, This Is Christmas

We are planted here and settling in. We have discovered that our morning walks after breakfast fit nicely in our routine, though they have been mostly snow covered this past week. So much that we nearly couldn't get off the mountainside to town for the feast of Nativity. Thankfully, we have made it and the day has been glorious, however cold. We will have the liturgy in the morning in celebration of God becoming Man, what a joyous feast! Jay has been serving in the altar and he is really liking it and his health finally allows for it. He is there as I write this, due to Kat being exhausted. Apparently, she was too excited for coming to town, church, and to see family and friends, she hardly got any quality sleep and wore her little self out in anticipation, so we came home to my folks' early to let her rest.

Tomorrow following the liturgy there will be a meal and fellowship. It will be nice to see people and celebrate the feast together. After so many days of fasting, a person can really use some cheer and warmth found with caring souls. Though the calendar has shifted for our festal celebrations liturgically, I thought it may take more adjustment than it has. Fact is, a fast is a fast is a fast, no matter your date. 40 days without meat and dairy is one thing, but entering into a fast spiritually as we have come to know, is certainly familiar regardless. We will also be enjoying the company of family and friends at my folks' in the late afternoon to feast and be together. Such a wonder it can be sometimes, just to be together. I have missed that familial sense of holidays with my family; it has truly been ages. Many of our family traditions and whatnot are still here, no matter how old I get. I hope to pass that along to Kat as she grows, but more so, I pray she has a deeper connection with what has barely begun to touch my heart.

We are essentially broke, but not because of buying gifts, it just is that way. I feel most blessed in having practically no money for most of the month, yet have the most rewarding and moving season I can remember. It is yet another reminder of how we do not need things to occupy our hearts and lives, but people, moments, benevolence, kindness, peace, mercy, and most certainly love are key to survival! I struggle and am absolutely imperfect, but in my weakness I have found strength. In darkness there is beauty and light to be found in shades and tones of splendor, for every night has its morning just as each night has its stars.

Peace be unto you all and much love!

Forest Walking

It is a muddy clay that is underfoot in these hills and mountains. The very same that has molded the prints of the creatures that wander these woods. Today, on our daily outing following breakfast, we went the road less travelled in these parts, which is saying something, because you have to know them in order to navigate them without losing your way. In frozen mud we found cougar tracks and also bobcat. There were deer also, but the most exciting were the cats.

There is a curiosity to see them with one's own eyes, but knowing that is less than advisable, at least for the mountain lion. It was wondrous to see such perfectly made feet, in a full set of its paws, set in the mud. We are learning to distinguish the times from our rains, freezes, thaws, snows, etc. that would give opportunity to a creature for making such prints.

I am in awe of the beauty and magnificence, but also the sheer magnitude of the awakening of the piece of ourselves that we cannot hear in the bustle of the cities and towns. We are quietly beginning to hear the voice that calls from down within, which speaks to each of us in turn. To be so near all this life is truly breathtaking and humbling.

Slava Bogu

Since living on the little farm, which Katherine has aptly dubbed "The Lord's Land", our lives have taken an unexpected turn, however it is as good as ever. We are decidedly learning the season of change and what they bring, naturally following the daily cycle of rhythm for wake and sleep, and figuring out a balance for work, play, pray, and relax.

It isn't any wonder that we have been given a new perspective on a great many things. We are grateful for all the land produces and dream in seedlings and harvests, chicks and goats, berries and orchard offerings. The rise and set of the sun and moon ushers a great peacefulness into an otherwise busy and hectic day. We wake, spend the morning as a family over breakfast, do schoolwork, dishes, housework, let chickens out and check their food, dogs in and out, perhaps a nature walk, all the while planning greater projects for the afternoon's engagement.

The warm, long days of plenty have given way to the cool, darker days of quiet solitude. Yes, there is always something to be done, but it can be metered more easily in the autumnal winter-scape where fewer balls are left to juggle and priorities can be made. This is the home of my heart on this world and should passing into Eternity resemble any of what we are so blessed to encounter here, may God have mercy on us all, that we should be so fortunate to partake of then.

I am so full in all my senses being immersed in such tangible Divinity, I find I have fewer places within me with need. There is little left to need, when all is such a beautiful provision. It is work, but it is good work. It is hard, but it is a struggle worth battling. It is always something, but it is everything we never knew it could be, and more.

Life and Times

I have begun knitting my own sweater for the first time. I have made other things for myself that I wear, but never a full sweater. I have made them for others, but never for myself. My dear friend and fellow knitter, Val, gave me some delicious rust colored yarn and I have finally come up with an idea of what to make with it. I have designed the pattern myself and I am looking forward to seeing what comes of it. So far, it is actually pretty good. I am pleasantly surprised by the way it is working up and will share pictures when I am done.

I have ever so many knitting projects that I need to finish, I have just not found my rhythm with knitting since our move and it has become a little bit difficult, at times. Knitting has been a source of peace and comfort, while creating useful, beautiful items, in moments of struggle. I truly love knitting, even though my hands have begun to cooperate less than in the past. I have to finish two other sweaters: one for Kat (the sleeves have yet to get on the needles), and doing the neck edge for a family member, which requires some focus and concentration I have not been able to really muster lately. Oh well, in due time.

In other news, things are coming along on the farm. We have encountered some bumps, but they were to be expected, though it has left little down time from work. We will get there, especially after a calendar year of seasons to be acquainted with and the rhythm of the farm, not to mention, the addition of goats in the springtime! Kat is especially excited about the prospect of the goats coming. She has had her life dream come true at such a young age. I asked where she saw herself when she was grown up and she told me that she might have some more animals, go to town for a few things, and church. Yeah, she does not anticipate much change in her life and I do hope she is able to follow her dream as long as possible.

The weather is yet another thing to contend with, since the rain and snow makes or interesting mud and a couple weeks ago, we had awful wind. The wind was so violent it kept most of us in restless and fitful sleep the entire night. I remember waking a number of times and only knowing I had been asleep, because I opened my eyes and was conscious of the blasted wind and would fall off again into a sleep of little comfort and peace. That day was a rough one to be had, though we came out of it better in the end.

Well, that is about it for now, but I am supremely glad to be back on here. I had searched for a blogger app, but to no avail, until today. I had been trying to post from being signed in through our web browser, but it kept having a malfunction and not allowing me to do anything. So, this makes all the difference in the world! Yay!

Happy Time

I adore autumn! The beauty in the colors of change are amazing and majestic!