A beautiful day off.

When the Doctor doesn't work, I don't work....Yay! I had a wonderful and very productive day today. Here is how it went...
Started the morning with meditation in the front yard on my favorite old quilt and my favorite four legged friend by my side. 
Gazed at the sky watching the clouds drift, listened to the cranes from a nearby lake fly over, and soaked up the warm sunshine.The pines were beginning to swirl from the wind of an incoming storm. It was lovely and quiet.
Harvested the first of the broccoli from the garden. (Exciting)
Fed the chickens some stale granola and left over tuna fish from the fridge, turns out they love tuna! Who knew?
Picked out pecans, a birthday gift from a dear friend, and made my first batch of pecan butter! So easy and so yummy. Plus, I know exactly what three ingredients are in the jar. Definitely the first jar of many to come. Not to mention the money we will save. Have you seen the price of peanut butter these Days?! Sheesh
Enjoyed a margarita on the back porch while waiting for the storm to blow in. Still no sign of rain. Although I'm sure it's coming.
Musically, It was a John Mayer kinda day. He was plugged into Groove Shark most of the day.
In all, it was a perfect 'Diane Day'. It just wasn't long enough. And now I'm sleepy from this 2nd margarita.
Hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday!
Pictures from my day...in no particular order.

day dreaming

 

also daydreaming

 

 

 

Brocolli harvest....we like it roasted.  

 

roasted pecans for homemade pecan butter

 

 

the girls love granola as much as me

 

the finished pecan butter  (a little oil, salt and pecans)

 

tons of already cracked pecans from a dear friend as a birthday gift

 

A vintage sweater

I've silently and patiently been on the lookout for a beige vintage sweater. Basically a 'granny type' sweater. I frequently visit our local thrift stores and vintage boutiques and if ever I run across one of my liking, its usually in a  small size. Standing 5 foot 9 inches, I certainly do NOT wear a size 'small' in anything!

For my entire working history, I've worked in the medical field. Recently, while at work, I brought a patient back to an exam room. I noticed her beautiful beige vintage sweater with fringe. Naturally, I commented on it's beauty and spoke of my love for anything vintage. She smiled, and softly stated "Isn't it wonderful? It was my mothers". How sweet and how lucky, I thought! She told me that she had so many things that once belonged to her  mother and grandmother, things she cherished dearly. She spoke of how she wanted to keep all of it just for the memories....but knew she couldn't. I knew exactly how she was feeling, for my grandmother had passed away also. And I wanted to keep everything that I could get my hands on that my "Granny" had once touched. She talked a little more about her family and about how sentimental we both are, laughing at how silly it sometimes seems. Finally, I said to her "well it's a lovely sweater". She looked at me and said "I want you to have it". I was floored. Just shocked. Very flattered, but I couldn't dare take this sweet lady's late mothers sweater. "No way" I said! She looked at me with the kindest heart and the sweetest eyes and said "No, it would make me happy to make you happy by giving it to you". With tears in my eyes, I hugged her neck, thanked her dearly and gently took the sweater from her hands. Her mother's name was Maude Ella. A beautiful name, a beautiful sweater, a sweet daughter and a very happy me! Thank you, Ms. G. For I will cherish this sweater and always remember you both.

Almost 40.

I can't believe that 40 is the number of years that I have been alive. Where does the time go? Didn't I just graduate high school? I must say, however, I am feeling good about where I am at this moment of my life. I am truly grateful for all that I've accomplished in the least five years. I've grown so much. I've taught myself a lot about gardening, chickens, homemaking and most important to me, about being alone. Learning how to be present in every moment, to be still and quiet, to live life and to sit back and just take it all in. To simply "let it be".

I've decided for my big "40" I am going skydiving! I've thought about it for a few years now and this is it! The time is now....or atleast this year. I'm just going to go for it. Jumping out with both feet, so to speak. I honestly can't wait! Of course I'll keep you posted on that as soon as it happens. As for now, I am still in my 30's.

A New Year & A New Me!

Just 2 days after Christmas I underwent a tonsillectomy. Yes, @ age 39. What in the world was I thinking?! After battling chronic sore throats, unexplained fevers, colds, the flu, etc...for atleast an entire year, there really was no question of wether or not to have this surgery. Having one at this age, of course, I had heard horrible stories about the recovery. Let me just say, all the horror stories were in one way or another absolutely correct and so much more! Hands down, the absolute worst surgery and pain I have ever experienced in my entire life!!  I am nearing day 10 of my post-op and I still am not where I had hoped to be by now. After several set backs of dehydration, extreme swelling and violently vomiting my guts up, a one step forward and one step back kind of recovery, I'm certain  things are all down hill from here. I'm feeling pretty confident that I am toward the end. I'm ready to pick up where I left off. I know the garden is in desperate need of some TLC and I miss my four girls, the hens, terribly.
The bright side of this surgery so far? I'm down 10 pounds!! Yay! Was finally able to eat something substantial just 2 days ago. I think scrambled eggs (thanks girls) with cheese is the most amazing thing I've had to date since the surgery. It's almost like trying new foods for the first time. However, I am really ready to put this all behind me. To start fresh. To move forward. Here is to a Healthy New Year and a Happy New Me!  Or....a Happy New Year and a Healthy New Me! Either way, Cheers !

May '2013' be a great year for us all!