A little late, but the sentiment is the same

Hoping everyone's holiday was peaceful, enjoyable and filled with a lifting of spirits.

Here, we had a beautiful day. I worked Thanksgiving eve, and so my cooking was done after 4:30pm. It was a whirlwind, and not too extravagant, but I was really in the spirit and didn't mind the hastiness of the preparation. I wasn't hosting, so I had no pressure. Just made some traditional things to have here for that holiday feeling. My apple crisp was super easy and turned out really tasty. But, you know, sugar and apples- how can you screw that up anyway?

I am thankful for so much right now. It has been a very trying year around here, and this coming year may be even harder. There are a great many unknowable variables at this point. So this may the first Thanksgiving I have felt so deeply for all the blessings I have had.

I have learned so much this past year. And I am so thankful for it. I am so thankful for the loving family we are surrounded by, and our good health. I am so thankful for my husband, who is a wonderful man and so supportive. I hold strong hope in my heart that the pain we are experiencing as a country will make us stronger, more resolute, and perhaps more mature.

Here's to hoping the Christmas season will keep you and yours well!

The reality...

No, I'm kidding. I wish. But I did get out there and commune with my nature girl self. At least a little. This idyllic place is called Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, and we are truly fortunate to have it here in my region. It's one of the most perfectly bucolic settings I think one could witness- and you can stay there and eat truly beautiful food there too. So- not exactly roughing it, but hey- a girl can't turn down an invitation to perfection, can she?

The next weekend I found a nature conservancy and historical homestead here that is only 15 minutes away- that I had never explored before! It's lovely too- and much more truly rustic. Lots of trails and woodland. I think it will be a place we frequent often.

Have you gotten out there lately?

The fantasy...

This is the barn that my great-grandfather built when he was a young man and he owned this land. Someone else owns the land now, and I'm sure has no idea who built this derelict old barn on their land. My parents own land not too far from this barn, and it is land that has been in our family for several generations, it is just that this piece of land has passed out of our hands.

So I wonder at myself. I wonder if this is not the root of this fantasy life I am so fascinated by. You know, the "living on a farm, growing a great garden, being more rooted, more connected to the earth" fantasy. I've been intrigued with the urban/rural question most of my life. I grew up living in Dallas, and traveling to my grandparent's farm for a couple of weekends every month, helping them tend the cattle. So that is definitely straddling the two worlds. But, since high school, I have been an urban being. I suppose it is longing for that balance I once had. How lucky was I?

Well, I am a decided urbanite now- in a suburb, in the middle of a city. I have a job, two children and lots of commitments. There is very little time for nature. And that is wrong. But, it's pretty tough to carve space to fit in more of the fantasy.

But, I'd like to. So, the question now is- how do I go about it?

Trunk or treating

My daughter's school had their first annual Trunk-or-Treat this evening. Beautiful evening, good time had by all. My favorite trick-or-treaters are the really little ones and the babies. Particularly the babies- something about how at the mercy of others they are- swaddled in exaggerated ridiculousness, peering helplessly out from overstuffed pumpkin suits, ladybugs and whatever else. Not begging for mercy, just blithely unaware. It's adorable.

Of course, some of the husbands looked that way too. Not the adorable part, but certainly stuffed into pumpkin suits, bee suits, exaggerated ridiculous, and blithely unaware would apply...

The world is a lovely, wide open place

I've been reading blogs for quite awhile now- it just seems time to step out there and do my own thing too. There's a full household here; me, Hubby, Sunshine-my very talkative and enthusiastic 6 yr. old daughter, and...hmm...what name would he like? Maybe StigJr.? Or Stig2? I'll go with Stig2. He's my 12 year old son, who loves all things boy, and is quite fond of Top Gear on BBCAmerica. Seems appropriate for him.

We're also hosts to one dog, three cats and a couple of Betta fish. I'd say we own them, but of course, it's more the other way around. I like Rita Mae Brown's saying, "Dogs have owners, cats have STAFF." Except, it seems to apply across the animal spectrum at our place.

So I'm joining the party, stepping out of my comfort zone, you know. And, I think this should be fun. If I can just stop reading other folks' blogs endlessly so I can attend to my own...