I wake every morning to a valley filled with mist.
And every morning I stand in awe of the beauty before me.
Every day different.
Every day inspiring.
Every day more beautiful than the last.
This day found us walking to a friend's farm and his abundant raspberry patch.
He can't keep up with picking alone and invited us to help out.
Who can refuse such an offer?
So he grows them, we pick some, and I'll trade him for his generosity with raspberry jam.
The day was hot so we headed to the creek in the afternoon.
The water hovers in the mid to high 50's (F).
It's cold.
But every time we go I dunk completely and feel myself heal a bit, awaken a bit, come to life a bit more.
And the kids always laugh with gusto when I come up, wet and cold and gasping.
And I laugh with them.
This creek is my medicine in so many ways.
And creek-side I realized we were running late!
We had a date with some sweet goats and sheep at another nearby farm. Towels are grabbed, clothes are found, and the truck rumbles to a start.
And off we go, to fall in love.
These are the ladies we get our milk from for our four varieties of goat milk soap.
And two of them are looking for a new farm to call home.
Am I a goat farmer?
I don't know. I'd like to think so. But I really don't know.
So we're thinking it over.
Planning. Dreaming.
This sweet guy, however, is coming home with us. Guinness. Our soon to be guard llama.
A gift for our flock, or farm, and our family from a new (big-hearted) friend.
It was hard to leave her magical homestead, but Sage had dinner in the slow cooker waiting.
It was time to go.
Dinner.
Dishes.
Brushing teeth.
Finding pajamas.
Beauty.
Magic.
Fading light.
Lupine emerged from bed long after lights' out to say, "Mama – I can't sleep. There's just too much beauty outside!"
So we walked out to the hayfield in our pajamas to say goodnight to the world.
And our hearts brimmed with gratitude.
And tomorrow?
We will begin again.
You live an enchanted life. I am positive it is because you choose to.
Well said!
You sweet thing! You’re so right, say yes and love the world! And the llama, you’re farm is growing, fantastic!
What a beautiful day. And Sage, he looks almost like a grown boy in the picture of the river.
Kind words.
Isn’t he a honey? I’ll sleep better with his watchful eyes over our flock.
Every day I’m surprised by how grown he has become.
This is so sweet! Thanks Rachel. Sending you and family blessings and more beauty!
Rachel, you have a crazy magical life that I find very inspiring 🙂 (and again, crying at work! Could be PMS, don’t blame yourself!) hehe
Thank you!
Good crying I hope. Because, perhaps, we live in a world that we share with raspberries AND floppy eared goats. <3
<3 Simply beautiful. This is how I hope Jen and I will raise our future children... actually, I know 'tis is and how we live now, as much as we can. Happy sigh. Lovely post, lady! I LOVE the Llama and Goats, ah!
What a sweet day! Thanks for sharing! Summer is bliss, isn’t it?
Truly beautiful. Thank you for letting us inside.
I never knew about llamas watching over sheep until we read about it in one of our children’s magazines recently. Very sweet.
Love!