 | |
| My double bloom daffodils are in full glory!! |
Mother Nature plays tricks on us here in Upstate, NY! Last weekend it was 85 degrees and we were dusting off shorts and tank tops that were in storage for winter.
This weekend we are sporting jeans and coats, and the fire fully stoked ready to warm us up by after being outside. It's hard going from one extreme to the next, spring fever hits hard as we ride the ups and downs of springtime weather. We long for sun, grumble at the rain, get angry at the snow, and try to plan outdoor projects around extreme temperature flux.
Yet, the idea of spring brings us hope as we come out of hibernation, little by little, to enjoy the few moments we are blessed with spring weather perfection.
The Allen Family Homestead is buzzing with projects and long things-to-do lists this year!
As we prepare for the 2014 growing season, sometimes the to-do list is overwhelming when trying to decide what to work on first. Several projects are in progress; we are working on rebuilding our driveway, clearing out a good portion of brush and garbage trees in our side yards, chopping and stacking wood for next fall, tilling and preparing our vegetable gardens, planting fruit trees, starting plants, and caring for our new batch of baby chicks. Wow!! Just looking at that list I wonder.. are we crazy??
 |
| We removed wild multifloral rose bushes and grape vines; prepping for our new peach trees. |
It's amazing to think about a few short years ago, this City Gone Country Girl worried far less about springtime prep. The "big to-do"was hitting the mall for the springtime fashions, buying plants for my garden, and engaging in some springtime house cleaning. It's funny how my life is so much busier now, yet I prefer it. I have never been one to sit still, and I hate being bored. Moving to the Allen Family Homestead certainly has cured me from any boredom blues!
I never thought that I would ever catch the bug to be an official "Country Girl". If someone had told me that I would be doing this 15 years ago I would have told them flat out they were crazy. Somehow, I can share that living here has brought a calmness, a peace, over my spirit that I never expected. Digging in the dirt, listening to the birds, stacking wood, caring for our animals, the list goes on... each small piece that has begun to fill me in a way the "things" of this world did not. I feel an urgent sense to purge the "things" of this life; the stuff that media and television says I am supposed to own or be part of in order to be fulfilled.
This winter I have boxed up so much of the "stuff" that has been dragging me down, and donating it to charities. I feel a sense of freedom I cannot even explain!! With this I have gained more time and energy to enjoy my new life here on the Allen Family Homestead. What a unexpected blessing!
May new beginnings and new blessings bloom for you this springtime!
Jenn Allen ~ City Gone Country Girl
No comments:
Post a Comment