Simple things.

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Good morning. Good morning. 

It's cold here. This temperature in the spring will feel balmy, but
now it just feels Really Quite Cold. This is my favorite time of year for
canning and stocking up on bone broth, since I'm desperate for the
warmth in the kitchen.

Oh, yes. Fall is most definitely upon us.

Today I am cultivating appreciation for all things right and sweet in my world. It's a practice that blesses me everytime I take a moment to count a few blessings.

This morning I am thankful for…

1.The pantry that is brimming with canned tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and this season's most exciting experiment – homemade siracha (hot sauce)! There are plenty of things I didn't get around to putting by, but today I'm feeling deep appreciation for all that did get squirreled away. (I'll share the siracha recipe if you are interested.)

2. The arrival of autumn and the painted leaves that have appeared everywhere around here in the past week. I love fall and the turning inward that it brings each season. Because it is so fleeting, autumn encourages me to be present, put aside the to-do list and get outside to enjoy it.

3. Family. We just returned from a weekend visiting my parents and I do appreciate them so. I was also blessed with an uninterrupted afternoon with a friend who's known me since I was a 16-year old hippie kid. I like being with people who know where I've been.

4. Our farm dream, which we still hold tight to even as the seasons
turn. I am dreaming of curling up beside a woodstove and looking out on
snow-covered Driftless hills. I am open to grace and letting it come.

5. Our bossy chickens who have just woken and are on the back steps, loudly proclaiming that it is time for their servant (me) to feed them their breakfast.

What blessings are you counting today?

Love,
Rachel

15 thoughts on “Simple things.”

  1. Tameka says:
    Reply

    I am grateful for… so many things, but to name a few…
    1. My son did not have appendicitis. I am planning to change our diet to GAPS (awaiting some information, including a cookbook in the mail), which I first read about on your blog.
    2. This blog. It means so much to me and words cannot fully express how much. I don’t comment a whole lot, but I do read it almost everyday. Although we’ve never met, I consider you a friend (hope that doesn’t sound creepy).
    3. My family and I are all well and enjoying life.
    4. I was able to can applesauce yesterday. My first time. Again, thanks to this blog — recipe and all.
    5. My job. Although I plan to leave it so that I can stay at home and unschool and be as creative as I want to be, this job was once my dream job and I have learned so much from it.
    6. Waking up so such a beautiful crisp fall morning and I am having a great day!

  4. Christina says:
    Reply

    Yes, please share the hot sauce recipe! I have been gifted a whole pile of hot peppers from friends and several from our CSA. They are in desperate need of a purpose 🙂

  5. Christa says:
    Reply

    I *just* looked at fermented hot sauce recipes, before heading over here…that idea must be floating out there in space right now….can’t wait to see how it turns out!

  12. Pamela R says:
    Reply

    I vote yes on that crazy rooster sauce! Looking forward to giving it a try! Love you! p.s. Have I mentioned lately how wonderful it was that you shared your love of knitting? My family is freezing in this house of ours and we are LOVING our hand-knits! Come visit soon. We’ll give you an extra quilt! 🙂

  14. Tracy says:
    Reply

    Rachel,
    I am happy to hear that you are keeping your farm dream alive. I think it takes guts to tell the world your dream. By the way, it is a dream that’s totally and entirely worth it (in my opinion, anyway). Thanks again for your openness.
    So many blessings here… fabulous husband and kids, beautiful land and community, good food!
    Tracy

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