The past couple of weeks have been full of all sorts of 'exceptions' to regular life, but those are the things that make up our lives after all, aren't they? Thomas and I were both sick, Phillip had minor ear surgery, and on it goes. These are the times when I have to remind myself that these are simply the ebbs and flows of life, and there is no perfect point at which I will feel on top of everything. Finding contentment and peace in the midst of it all is key. And so I clip beautiful berries and bring them in the house.
I have a few favourite things about November. First, beeswax candles and the coziness that early sunset brings - it feels like the house is hugging me each evening when I close the curtains. The scent of the woods is so sweet and magical. I haven't been out in them lately at all, due to aforementioned sickness and hunting season, and that needs to be remedied, but I keep catching sweet whiffs of earth and it is heavenly. There's also anticipation of the holidays, which I haven't given a whole lot of thought to and am feeling super relaxed and easy about this year - greens and beeswax candles, a tree from our woods, a few homemade gifts and I am set - I want as low-fuss a season as possible. Honestly, it feels like Christmas morning every day when I go to the barn and collect eggs. I'm being completely serious - it's such a happy and surprising delight to discover these beautiful little gifts each morning.
Our friendlier chickens, the brown layers (in the foreground) and the Easter Eggers (they were behind me) always come running when they see me on my way to the barn, as they're looking for treats. Which is wonderful, delightful, and hilarious. Everyone should have the experience of having a flock of chickens half running, half-flying/skimming the ground to meet them. Our other dark-feathered birds are Marans and Olive Eggers, which have the most beautiful feather colours, but they're so jumpy and skittish, it's hard to get close. I have to sit still with treats for quite awhile before they'll warm up and come remotely close to me. (And then there are the Barred Rock roosters which I was hoping were hens. And that's all we'll say about them.) But I caught this picture of these two lovely ladies and couldn't help sharing. They're 16 weeks old now, and should start laying sometime over the next several weeks - I'm already excited.
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A few other odds and ends:
We have so much to learn from the bees!
This is the Christmas vibe I go for.
I've been feeling entirely too serious and grown-up lately. I need some funny podcast recommendations, and any other suggestions to bring a bit of lightheartedness and laughter would be welcome!