Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Morning Joys

As I went about my morning work yesterday, I snapped some photos.


As the bread was rising, I stepped outside to gather some lettuce.



While picking the lettuce in the quiet of the morning, I could hear the buzzing above my head of the busy paper wasps flying around their beautiful nest just above my head.

Upon heading back inside, I spotted a couple of chickens just inside the front door that I had to shoo back outside.  I headed in to finish the morning baking, wash the lettuce that would go with our supper, and help the little ones with breakfast.           I reflected on the fact that so much of my energy each day is devoted to growing and preparing food for my family.   What an honorable job, though, as food is truly so very important.  Eating healthy and respecting our earth by growing as much as we can and then buying local and then finally to make as much as possible from scratch - those are our goals.      A blog that is particularly inspiring is Farmama.  She preserves so much food for her family from her farm so that her family can eat much of their own food the year round.  That is our goal. To accomplish this though, we take steps and make new goals each year. The old goals truly do become habit.  For example, baking two loaves of bread each morning is just part of my morning.

Warm wishes for a joy filled day,
Tonya

(Thank you so much for all that are joining in on the Handmade Holiday - this is lots of fun and so wonderful to be creating for those we love.)

19 comments:

  1. Sounds like a very peaceful and productive morning! I second you on the inspiring Farmmama blog----- I've heard it takes a few years to become totally and completely self sufficiant--- working each bit every year until you can live off your own land. I believe Sara from FM has been living on her farm for upwards of 5 years. It is completely achievable and it sounds like you are so well on your way!!!

    I love your pictures and descriptions your blog is def. inspirational too!

    ~Samantha

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  2. I love your blog and your lovely handwritten newsletter. It's lovely when you get moments of peacefulness and you feel so lucky isn't it? I had one of those out walking this afternoon. It's such a beautiful late summer day in England today, the wildlife was amazing and I felt so happy :)

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  3. Thank you for sharing part of your day...sometimes when I get up I am wondering if I am the only one called to a simpler life. We had a wonderful holiday weekend..we cleaned trying to get ready for the winter monthes coming... always something to do:)

    I am still working on making items for Etsy and also trying to make items for Christmas presents. I think I might have to focus on one or the other...although I thought about taking some of my items to a Christmas craft fair? I am not sure if I have enough to put out on a table? I might have to wait until next year?

    Many Blessings to you Tonya,

    Renee

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  4. Sounds like a lovely morning. So nice that you captured it with beautiful photos.

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  5. You are so right. We do spend an amazing amount of time preparing food. I like the way you think about it. I'll have to remember that on the days I am so tired and cooking for the third time is starting to feel like a chore. This usually happens when I feel like I am running out of time or when I haven't had time to recharge. This is a wonderful reminder of the privilege I have to have food and to be able to prepare it for my family.
    On another note, I am floored by all that 'Farmama' preserves. Thanks so much for sharing. I will take your wise words with me as I go about my work today! Peace, Angela

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  6. Sounds like a great morning. I haven't seen a paper wasp nest in years- how cool!

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  7. so lovely! It's a wonderful thing to do these tasks with love and intention to provide wholesome food for your family. it's an art! I need to get back to my morning bread baking but am feeling daunted by developing a vegan/gluten free bread recipe...

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  8. Seeing the picture of the Hornets nest reminds me of a time my uncle retreived a nest while quail hunting and took it home and hung it in the den. About a week later several Hornets started flying out of the nest, apparently the warmth of the den brought them out of hibernation. My aunt was so mad and would never allow another one in the house. I have two hanging in my house but made sure they were empty first.

    Tim

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  9. It sounds like such a peaceful and quiet morning, Tonya. We have the same goals as you: to provide our own food for ourselves. We're getting there step by step.
    Beautiful photos!

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  10. I love reading your posts. Thanks for sharing this peek into your morning :)

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  11. Chickens are lovely. And having to shoo them out of your house is just charming, if they've been shooed away before leaving any "traces".

    My husband also bakes two loaves of bread each morning :-) I, on the other hand, just brew two pots of coffee...

    Blessings...

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  12. Love the beautiful photos! Yes, and that is definitely a hornet nest (I'm allergic!). My hubby found us an abandoned one in our den near our nature table, but it fell and busted. The paper wasps have lovely honey-combed open nests they guard from the outside and my boys love to get old ones for the nature table. I enjoy reading the great posts. We're getting ready to preserve blueberries, apples,etc. We'll be glad to have a bounty even close to Farmama Sara!

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  13. What lovely reflection. I've also noticed that new goals often become habit. One step at a time...

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  14. I love the daily bread baking, we have been doing this for 10 years, it is such a natural part of our day.
    Still just a small garden though, but with big goals, and of course nice to have Sara nearby to share wisdom and inspiration.
    I very much enjoyed your morning thoughts and moments Tonya :)

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  15. What a truly wonderful fall day...what better way to spend it...with nature. How fun to do a homemade Christmas...we have done that a couple of times with our kids and extended family...makes you have to really think and be creative.

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  16. What simple but beautiful mornings you have Tonya. Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse. I think that growing and preserving our own food has so much value, and I love sharing reading about your journey.

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  17. I read once that 80% of a pioneer woman's day was spent procuring and preparing food for her family. You are in excellent company.

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  18. Tonya,
    Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I too enjoy reading Farmmama's blog -you both inspire me to keep rolling up my sleeve and press onward with gardening and living mor sustainably.
    Blessings,
    Michelle

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  19. Farmama is how I stumbled on to you. =)

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