~~~Gratitude~~~ SPRING!

FINALLY! Yes, finally we have some signs of spring around here.  Yesterday was sunny and in the mid 40's so things started to melt.  Hoping the Polar Vortex is ready to hibernate for the spring, summer, autumn!  Runa and I took a nice walk on the road...the land will not be walkable until we have a serious amount of thawing!  Here is some of the sights we enjoyed...

Sap is finally running for our neighbors!

Don't think I have ever been so happy to see our driveway muddy & rutty!!!

  Today's weather is just as wonderful....PLAIN RAIN...not freezing, not sleeting, good old fashion snow eating plain rain!  Runa and I took a walk, we both got soaked but it felt great!  Look out my window and there is it folks...the beginning of bare ground!!

So a great day to run the cookstove...maybe for the last time until fall.  

This fire really great on a raw damp day like today.

I made good use of the cookstove today with a big pot  Beet Borscht using the last of the beets & potatoes from the cold room (link will take you to my recipe). I also cleaned out a stash of grains and flours to may a slow cooking yeast batter bread.  I didn't really keep track of what I did...so sorry no recipe.  It was more of a spontaneous combustion bread idea.                                                                    

So grateful for real signs of spring and the enjoyment of the last of winter activities.  Soon it will be hot to bake bread and simmer a soup all day.  I'll be in the gardens before I know it!  

Happy Happiness Everyone!  Think it is soup time!

It is my intention, each Sunday, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 

I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 

I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 

~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

---Shop News--- Spring?

Well, folks this is how it looks out of my window today.  Yes, that is snow falling out of the sky...again.  It feels so odd to be this late into March with such a snowpack.  The Polar Vortex continues~~~~ I have to admit I feel a bit of wanderlust, lately.  I have been home on this land for 14 days without leaving.  But it is not leaving I desire, it is getting off my beaten path.

 On Tuesday it was a brilliantly sunny day but it felt like I was in refrigerator when I stepped outside.  With the cold I thought I might venture off my packed snow path.  It was great to be somewhere else!  I went into the field and stayed close to the woods edge.  I took my steps carefully....

Finally, I needed to head back into the woods in order to get back home...

I sunk repeatedly up to my knees....this is not pleasant and a bit uncomfortable since you never know which step will be a sinking one...(my snowshoes are broken)

So back to my well worn path.

Today I was reluctant to go for my walk even though it is above frigid today...I  went out with a lightweight hat!  Just weary of winter, I guess?  But, Runa must have her romp and her joyful spirit helped me along.  The snow is starting to rot.  So even on my packet path a slight misstep and wham-O I am down.  Akkk!  Finally, I made it to my sitting place and sat.  Some quiet and breathing restored my spirit.    Out of the Polar Vortex of the Mind!

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
Albert Camus

Oh yes...SHOP NEWS!  (It is 2 blogs for the price of one today!)

There are some signs of SPRING ~~

Bunnies!  Bunnies!  Bunnies  Bunnies!  Bunnies!

Easter Bunny puppets have been multiplying like Rabbits!  

There are a dozen available in my shop!

Vintage Rubber Stamps in InJoyTreasures Shop

For a bit of a Summer Feeling Fresh Sea Glass in the InJoyGatherings Shop

And Finally some Spring Haiku!  April IS Poetry Month!!

Celebrate with my Haiku Obsession ~ buy 1 Haiku get 1 FREE!

All Haiku's are buy 1 get 1 until they are gone!

~~~Gratitude~~~ a point of view

I don't know if it is the record breaking cold or what....but I just can't seem to keep to my schedule when it comes to blogging or anything these days.  Maybe, I actually have a sort of spring fever?  I am not usually afflicted, the winter loving creature that I am.  But, I am off these days~~~ discombobulated is the word lately.  It was wicked cold yesterday...broke records...below 0...not quite right for this late in March.  A warming trend starts tomorrow...but enough of my excuses!  On to what I intended to write about on Sunday.

If you have been following this blog or know me...you know there has been a 20+ year journey building this house.  This Sunday a turning point has happened.  Well, it didn't really just happen it was created.  This is how our bathroom window has looked for about 20 years...

No trim and exposed insulation.  The funny thing is when folks would come over and I would bemoan the fact that our house wasn't done yet.  They would always look at me quizzically and say, "Your house IS finished".  Then I would counter, "What about the trim in the bathroom?  The windows have exposed fiberglass!"  I would be met with blank stares and I would have to lead them to these windows and point out their unfinishedness!  So only he & me noticed.

It is a tricky place to trim.  We spent many hours over the years discussing how we would go about it.  And then leave it for another day.  Well, the day finally came!  We are determined to finish the bathroom this year and now we are one step closer!  Ta ~ Da!!!

He did a fine job my DH carpenter man, he did!  I think it is lovely.  Some boo-boos happened but with patience & his perfectionism it got done!  But there is more to the story of these windows.  This is the view from our toilet.  A place that if you are honest with yourself can be a place of contemplation.  It is also the only view we have of our pond from the house.  (Solar gain trumped water view).  In my original plan for the house there was only the bigger window (trimming would have been easier) but as the house was being framed 20+ years ago I sat on a box where the toilet would be and stared at the wall.  I realized we needed the little awning window too.  

Imagine this...

without this

Very grateful for this little window.  It is one of my favorites.  The awning aspect allows it to be open most of the summer.  And each morning I peek out to see what might be happening at the pond.  Grateful for another step towards the house really being finished!  Grateful the trim came out so beautifully........another bit of beauty to contemplate ...well...when you know when... ;)

It is my intention, each Sunday, (OR another Day)to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 

I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 

I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 

~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

First Day of Spring ~ or ~ Vern Day

This is how the first day of Spring looks here in Freedom.  Not exactly springy!  Also, not atypical of a Maine Vernal Equinox.  Even though the weather is "gloomy" (I don't really mind ~ good light for Etsy photography, snow melting rain, 40 degrees outside!)  there is plenty to celebrate around here.  First, I seem to, finally, be over a lingering cold (that is why the blog has been quiet).  It was a good morning to sleep in, I needed the rest!  Also, today is when we celebrate Vern's Birthday!  He can into our lives 2 years ago on the Vernal Equinox, hence the name Vern.  Our best estimation is that he is now 4.

Vern's favorite perch on the back of the couch...comfy & easy access for pats 

I am eating a carrot, they are both begging...Runa got some carrot...Vern got some wet food!
Happy Birthday Vern

Runa had her real birthday on Monday, 5 years old!  I was sick so didn't blog but she got a walk and raw fish...her favorite.  Today she is languishing at my feet.  I have let her out a few times but the conditions are not pleasant, even for an Icelandic Sheepdog. Not good walking, snowshoeing, or being outside weather.... 

View from my skylight today.

There are signs of spring around here.  My little indoor garden with excellent tomato germination!  They are all leaning towards the sun.  They seem to give off an aura of yearning.  Or are they looking out the window and can't believe what they see?  What kind of world have they been born into?

Longing for Spring

O how I long again to see The vernal face of Spring, And hear, from every budding tree, Some little warbler sing.   I long to see the forest trees Clothed in their robes of green, And swaying in the gentle breeze Display their glossy sheen.   I long to wander by the stream Where sport the speckled trout, Or in the noontide's genial gleam See lambkins frisk about.   I long to see the sons of toil Perform the noble deed Of breaking up the stubborn soil To plant the fertile seed.   I long to see the meadows green Bespread with flowerets gay-- I long to have a change of scene From winter cold and gray.   It won't be long--a little while And snows will disappear And Flora with her winning smile Shall find a welcome here.

by S. Moore

~~~Gratitude~~~

It has been awhile since I have walked in the woods.  Many events have conspired against such activities.  Thursday was a wick snowstorm, Friday I ran the collegeman around on various errands,  Saturday I woke up with a cold.  Plus, I wore out my snowshoes!  I can use DH's but they are trickier to strap on, I get dizzy with my head upside down while i fiddle with the straps.  Just as well...the snow is very noisy with snowshoes right now.  We are entering the tricky walking time of year. It can be all about timing.  The earlier in the day the better while things are still frozen.  I felt a bit better today and Runa was in great need of I walk so I ventured out.

The snow was frozen enough to walk on but, I have to walk like a geisha in a tight kimono.  Long strides may lead to falling on my face.  Short steps are safer when occasionally this happens....

 

A slow walk is just what my cold recovering body needed.  Here are a few sights from my walk today.

I put that quartz in this tree years ago.

Storm Litter

Looks Like a ghostly face!

I walked to the edge of the field.  I know from experience the sun soaked field snow will be fairly treacherous.  Unless some good snowshoeing snow comes along  (oh~ winter isn't over in Maine in my mind until the 2nd week of April) I will have to wait for a complete thaw before I step into the field again.  I enjoyed standing here a bit while Runa had a run about.  Grateful I did get out today, even with a cold I feel better for this little slow time among the trees.

It is my intention, each Sunday, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 

I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 

I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 

~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

---Shop News--- InJoyEcoCutie

****FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY****
 https://www.facebook.com/injoyemporium/posts/745295765490081

On Monday March 17th I will have a random drawing from the COMMENTS at the post at the provided link.  So LIKE & COMMENT at that post and you will get to choose one of these new items from my shop www.injoyecocutie.etsy.com .  Upcycled Tote bags made from my Duck food feedbag!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/181980537/shopping-tote-bag-upcycled-feedbag-eco?ref=listing-shop-header-1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182159243/shopping-tote-bag-upcycled-feedbag-eco?ref=shop_home_active_1

Bag Making in Progress!

Other News***During the snowstorm I started designing a Bunny Puppet***

*** Here is Prototype Rabbit***

Prototype Rabbit needs some more engineering so the bendy ears will stand up better. 

 AND maybe a more smiley face?  

Or is it just the weather????

Celebrating Upcycling and Eco Creations Treasury!

teamupcyclers

Extra ~~~Gratitude~~~

Seems this storm is deserving of bit of extra press. It is still happening as I type. Grateful to still have power with the winds howling like they are...so who knows I could get cut off.

My DEAR ~ DH had to go to work in this mess last night.  Which meant night plowing before he could sleep.  At times like this I wish I "did" tractors but, me and the mackaneek (<--My geekiness Gungan for droid -- Star Wars) just are not simpatico.  So the man who normally loves plowing had to do his duty so he can go work for our bread~~~THANKS DH <3!!

So here are a few views of night plowing in the pouring rain before having to get up in 2 hours to leave for work....can we have a collective sigh!

I was out there for moral support and a very, very, little shoveling.

I gave Runa a treat to go up on the snow pile...she was not exactly happy about the weather

Out my sewing room window now.  Steady light snow with blowing and drifting.  But I still love winter.  Looking forward to a snowshoe and some shoveling when it all settles down this afternoon.  Spring will be here soon enough all fast and furious.  So enjoying the peace while I can and AM!

The Winter's Spring

The winter comes; I walk alone,
I want no bird to sing;
To those who keep their hearts their own
The winter is the spring.
No flowers to please—no bees to hum—
The coming spring's already come.

I never want the Christmas rose
To come before its time;
The seasons, each as God bestows,
Are simple and sublime.
I love to see the snowstorm hing;
'Tis but the winter garb of spring.

I never want the grass to bloom:
The snowstorm's best in white.
I love to see the tempest come
And love its piercing light.
The dazzled eyes that love to cling
O'er snow-white meadows sees the spring.

I love the snow, the crumpling snow
That hangs on everything,
It covers everything below
Like white dove's brooding wing,
A landscape to the aching sight,
A vast expanse of dazzling light.

It is the foliage of the woods
That winters bring—the dress,
White Easter of the year in bud,
That makes the winter Spring.
The frost and snow his posies bring,
Nature's white spurts of the spring. 

John Clare