Friday, November 21, 2014

the happy amidst the mayhem

It's been a wild road here this week. I have been hormonal to the max- overwhelmed and battling the feeling that I'm failing at it all- with not enough time to give anyone or anything my full efforts or attention. Throw in a little stomach bug and I'm about maxed out. 

Of course, I realize I am not failing, there's just a lot on my plate right now.  




In lulls like these, I find it's important to take a moment to reflect on the happiness that has been going on here, write down the beautiful snippets- it's a great reminder for me to see how blessed I am and how much I love this life of ours.

So here goes. . .

I made homemade laundry detergent! One of those things on my list to really becoming that homeschool mom you all picture in your heads. I just need to get out my long denim skirt and throw my hair in a low bun. I kid, the poor homeschoolers- we get such a bad rap! Making this detergent is something I've been meaning to attempt for quite some time and hadn't ever got around to. I've only been using it for about a week, but if I like it and keep it up, I'll share the recipe and tidbits.




We have been doing a family painting time in the evenings. Introducing the little bits to acrylic paints and some unfamiliar styles and techniques has been such fun. The wild ones love any sort of orchestrated family activity, and it's mind blowing how calm and engaged they become.

Kaleb hung my Giving Thanks sign, and it makes me feel deliriously happy and fallish. I found it in pottery barn years ago but didn't have the extra cash flow so decided to make one for myself! They don't sell it anymore or I would show you a picture but they do have this one that's crazy cute.




We got a new hog- it is a HUGE boar, mildly terrifying, and to avoid an onslaught of questions, you have to keep the kids away because there is a lot of pig lovin going on out there. Still, we should have baby piglets come mid-march and we can't wait to see those little chubsters!

My little girl turns eight this weekend. I wouldn't exactly put that on my happy list, but she is so excited and I have had fun planning and plotting. I think we're going to go with the ever popular woodland creature-ish theme. I found the most amazing party plans here. Yeah, yeah, mine will look nothing like that, but you get the idea!




Also, in keeping with the upcoming birthday, Kaleb and I have been putting the little bits to bed then sitting ourselves at the dining room table, cutting and painting little crafts and banners for the big day. He is so good to me. That time spent crafting, with music playing softly in the background, scissor in one hand, coffee in the other, has been such a sweet time.

I got an entire day off yesterday! Kaleb watched the kids, cooked, cleaned up, folded laundry, accomplished their schooling and piano lessons, and gave baths. My best friend drove into town and we literally did nothing, except sit in one coffee shop after the next eating and talking. It was complete heaven!




I have been blown away, completely baffled by my crazies creativity lately. I'm not sure where it comes from but it is truly something to behold. 

Isaac had been feeling so left out at school time so we've asked Aussie if she will start working with him. she has taken this job very seriously for this is her dream come true- to get to finally be in charge and boss her little brother about- she could not be happier. She has made charts and graphs and somehow managed to make an erasable white board out of a tin of mints.




See- I needed this. 

I got this. 

Our little life is too good to not be fully enjoyed. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend! What's been making your life happy this week?

p.s. pictures are leftover from various adventures and random little moments here on the farm.





29 comments :

  1. I made detergent once while we were in the US. I have to say I didn't love it. It was ok and I might do it again one day. I don't know that I can get the ingredients in England or if it would be any cheaper. I'd like to know how yours turns out.

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  2. These pictures are gorgeous! Life is too good not be enjoyed... so true!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  3. I'm sorry you haven't been feeling yourself for a little while now, however it sounds as though you've snapped yourself into focus and you're so right.. life is too good not to be enjoyed! Thanks for the reminder! :)

    http://aglassofice.blogspot.co.uk

    x

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  4. Oh these photos are so gorgeous, especially that first one. I just can't get over it! I never thought you could make your own detergent, if you do end up liking it I'd be very interested to hear the recipe! It sounds like you have so many good things going on in your life right now!

    prosecco in the park

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  5. first, WOW, your photography is amazing. second, Hello! Hi! new reader here! glad to have found you. ;) sounds as though you had a lovely day off yesterday - my kind of day, in fact - with all the coffee shop-hopping and friendly convo. i've been happy for so much this week, but most of it stems from my sweet little boy (18mos) who fascinates me with every new thing he's learning. happy weekend!

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    1. So happy to have you!! Hope you continue to follow along, love that 18 mo stage, my little one is 18 months too and she is hilarious!

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  6. The farm is truly beautiful! I cannot wait to see pictures of the piglets, I have such a soft spot for those guys! Have an amazing weekend love!

    xo

    Michaela

    http://michaelajeanblog.com

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  7. beautiful photos!) Best wishes from Russia:)

    http://alexandraclame.blogspot.com/

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  8. these photos are beautiful!! and homemade lundry detergent- that's a great idea!

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  9. It looks like you do a pretty amazing job of staying happy among thee craziness life brings! I'm excited to hear more about this detergent (fingers crossed it keeps on working well enough to share!).

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    1. Thank you- for the most part I am beyond happy, but every now and again it catches up with me:)

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    2. Don't be too hard on yourself... I think that's unavoidable, hah!

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  10. I couldn't agree with you more about finding the little bits of happiness in our days. It is so important for me to do. I have a gratitude buddy, she lives in the UK and every night we email each other our gratitude list for the day. I said to her the other day, after a particularly difficult day, that our evening ritual always lifts my spirits. Each night I reflect on the day, and no matter how difficult it was I can find a beautiful list of things that make me happy and that I am grateful for. Without a doubt, I always feel better after sending that email.

    Something I always remember...Gratitude is the open door to abundance. It is so true.

    Hope your days settle down, and that you continue to see the joy in your beautiful life. xo

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    1. Such an incredible idea! Love that you have someone you can do that kind of thing with- such a huge blessing!

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  11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your little one! aww... and yeah, you definitely have to take time to remember the happy things when life gets crazy. props on your homemade detergent!

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  12. I grew up in a small village and helped out on a farm 3 days a week. So I know the pleasures and problems of that life. I loved it and miss it to death though. Love reading your blog. Keep it up!

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  13. Ooh, perhaps your most *delicious* post yet! Sooooo sorry to hear you've not been feeling 100% - I hope you feel you did completely right listening to your body and riding your way through it (how *cute* you were given the day off!)......would *love* to know your laundry detergent recipe (and can't wait to see your 'laundry detergent pictures - I bet you can even make laundry detergent look desirable!!!)..... didn't know it was Aussie's birthday.....you can bet your bottom dollar I have two littles here who will be dying to craft something up for it..... LOVE the link to the woodland party (cannot wait to see what you and Kaleb have been crafting up)..... "Life is too good not to be enjoyed" Amen. [You've made me so happy, just from reading your post. Thank you xxx]....P.S. Is that your shack on your farm land? It's stunning, what stunning scenery.....wow! Perfect, perfect place for childhood adventures!!!!! [Sorry my comment is rather messy - I'm really tired and need my bed but I couldn't resist the temptation of reading it (I *did* try to save it for tomorrow. promise. but it was never going to work!]

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  14. I am eager to hear how the detergent works out for you too. I have been considering trying to make my own, but just haven't made myself do it yet. I would love to get your recipe if it ends up working out well. I am hoping you all recover quickly from the stomach bug. It is never easy when something like that gets piled on top of an already difficult week. I love that you made a point to remind yourself of all your blessings. It isn't usually the first thing I think to do on those hard days but it really does have the power to turn things around.

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  15. family painting time? what a wonderful idea -- i might have to borrow that tradition from you :) and that picture of the barn is so, so gorgeous - i would have to sit there and daydream for.. well.. an entire day. and then maybe come back the next day :)

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  16. What an adorable little family you have
    http://thejoifullife.com/

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  17. i'm with you on the wild road- have been feeling really just..."UGH" recently! Hang in there! x

    The Awkward Blog

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  18. Beautiful photos! Interested to hear how the detergent turns out. That's ambitious!! :)

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  19. Beautiful photos and I can't wait to read your homemade detergent recipe... it's something I have been wanting to do!! :)

    Jessica
    the.pyreflies.org

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  20. Great post! You are a blessed girl. God gave you this beautiful family. Enjoy the little moments! :)
    http://wonderfullymadebypris.weebly.com

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  21. Aw, I hope you feel better! Hormonal + Sick is awful!

    - Sarah :)
    www.thecrownbijoux.blogspot.com

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  22. This is so sweet! I get over-whelmed all the time and feel like I am failing too....hate that feeling. Things can't always be perfect or we wouldn't appreciate them when they are. Love that your husband gave you a day off, that's seriously the best thing ever for busy mama! Have a wonderful week.
    The Doctor Diva

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  23. I love the sweet way you love your children. What a gift they are even in tough spots.

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  24. we can all get overwhelmed this time of year! oh gosh...laundry detergent! do tell!!! laundry detergent is expensive. i would love to know. hahaha
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  25. We've been using homemade detergent for a couple of years now and we love it! I hope you like it as much as we do. :)

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