Bushel And A Peck

Our family has been sick for the last two weeks, as I mentioned in an earlier post a vicious cold has moved through each of us and has not been in a hurry to leave, so today, on such a glorious day, we decided it was time to leave the den. Giving into Grace's eager pleas to take her into the woods and show her "where our new house is coming from" (the lumber anyways), we headed out on what became a 2.5 hour hike, with the ever exuberant and adventurous Grace leading the way, and I, the lumbering, puffing overly laden mule elected to haul the sleigh which carried her sister over the rotting and slushy snow, bringing up the rear. It was an absolutely wonderful day and we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest, in one direction. As we meandered farther and farther into the woods, I repeatedly reminded Grace as to how far our return trip had yet to take us, to which she cheerfully replied, "I know Mom, I know, just settle down" and kept on walking. Finally at our destination she insisted we continue until I finally convinced her that the sled could not go over the rougher road ahead and after a bit of illegible mumbling she steered her course for home. I'm not sure if it was simply that we were heading home and our adventure in her mind was over, or if all the walking finally knocked the pluck out of her, but her enthusiasm waned and I became a bit wary when she began collecting firewood "just in case". Finally after several stops for the purpose of hunting and gathering, a few stops simply because the concept multi-tasking by walking and talking eluded her in her exhaustion, and finally a stop because, well, everyone knows what a novelty peeing in the woods is, the farm came into view and she found her second wind.

THE GREAT ADVENTURER AND HER LOYAL COMPANION

A QUICK PUDDLE JUMP IN THE BARNYARD

LOVING THE WALK IN THE WOODS

I'm always amazed, or entertained at least, by what one hears when they stay quiet. As I lay on the couch unable to function in my semi-conscious state waiting for my second wind to kick in, Grace, who had found her giddy-up and operating at full capacity, was making her cat Boots an Ice Cream Sunday out of play-dough. After much conversation as to how much she was "just going to love this" and "oh Boots, this is gonna be yummy", she gasps as though some life altering thought just occurred to her and says "Oh Booty's, I hope you aren't allergic to nuts, I've already put them in." Thankfully the disaster was averted when Boots informed her that she, in fact, "loves nuts and was very happy that Grace had thought to put them in". As she happily continued building her Sunday, she began to sing, which is her usual sign of contentment, and which, just for a nano second, I allowed to feed my ego with a tiny "Me.Inc." for taking her on the hike. She particularly loves the song "Go Rest High On That Mountain" by Vince Gil and launching into her most soothing rendition with the beginning lyrics "I know this life on earth was troubled, only you could know the pain", she paused briefly and interjects with, "you'll never have to suffer the pain of waxing your facial hair again, nor suffer the embarrassment of a stranger waxing your bikini line, say hello to No No from Radiancey, guaranteed with a triple money back guarantee", she then chuckles a brief and understated "ha ha" and continued mixing play-dough. This in itself was enough to give me my second wind and after a good chuckle we had a PB&J kind of supper and got ready for the girls baths.

FUSE, HICCUP AND TILLY WATCHING US STRIKE OUT ON OUR ADVENTURE(PICTURE COURTESY OF GRACE)

Jamie and his uncle have been spending what time they can working together in the woods, we are incredibly grateful for the help, together they have pulled out approximately 2/3 of the lumber we will need for our house, and a good bit of firewood besides. Jamie is still trucking as well and while he is happy for the extra income, it is currently 10:00pm and he is out doing chores. While I haven't been quite as involved with the farm since Grace was born, the last few years I've been able to take her with me to do the basic chores, such as putting in hay and giving the calves their grain, during the times that Jamie is working. This year with Miss Bethany being so tiny this isn't a practical option so it adds a bit more time on his days, however we both realise the time will fly by us far to quickly and she too will be out around with me. The cattle have been holding their own and (thank you Lord) staying healthy. They've managed to fend off any advances from Pablo and have settled into an instant defence of chasing him off with their heads low ready to ram him if he doesn't move, if he even glances in their direction, which seems to have placed him promptly back to his spot on the totem pole, although he still occasionally makes suggestions.