summer

doesn't every orchard need an outhouse?

This double seater (yes, you read that right) was brought to our

farm's orchard from the Thompson Valley Cemetary.  It took 

about 6 people to load & move it.  It took one tornado to pick

it up and set it back down in a new spot in the orchard several 

years ago.  And that is where it now lives...storage for our 

apple picking and bird feeding supplies.

Today it got a new goose weathervane and some cleaning up.

had to be mine

I have this thing for hearts.  I also have this thing for charm.

Oh, and did I say that I have this thing for vintage sweetness?

Combine them all in an antique chocolate mold...mine, all mine!

💚💙

Never underestimate a barncat...

Meet my Lucy Lily...she is my girl. Adopted in 2015 from the 

Eau Claire County Humane Society...she was part of a litter born 

to a feral momma. She has touched my life in more ways then I can 

ever count. Such is the case with every animal that has entered our 

lives, but on this early June day....in particular, I want to testify to how 

the feral cat population should never be underestimated. Our first barncat, 

Hope, found her way to our farm about 10 years ago in the fall, a feral cat. 

It took most of the winter to earn her trust. Over the years she has blessed 

our lives with 25 kittens...one that now lives in Seattle with my Ian and 

5 that still tend to their barncat duties with our Hope. And then there is 

Midnight, Patches...and the other feral cats that ultimately found solace 

& a home at Meadowview Farm. We have taken the responsibility of their 

care seriously (they could name a wing of the Osseo-Augusta Vet Clinic 

after us)! Tomorrow is my birthday...and I plan to donate to our Humane 

Society on behalf of the feral cats. They are often misunderstood, but 

when we honor them with our trust, remarkable things happen.  💚

with thanks

I reckon a million...

          💙When I think of our woods in Winter, Wisconsin...

          the evergreens & birch are what come to mind.

          I suppose that if I attempted to count all the trees 🌲 🌲 we 

          are caretakers of....it might just be a number beyond my grasp.  

          For now, counting clouds in a blue sky is work enough. 💙

my potting shed

There is this awesome chicken coop on our property...and since I
am too chicken to raise chickens (not up for the prey that follows),
it has become my potting shed.  This Sunday was my day to get it
cleaned & organized.

In the process we untarped this beauty that has waited too 

long in our barn.  This is an antique Mail Sorter from a 

post office in Wisconsin Dells.  It is big...a good 4 feet across 

and 6 feet tall -- and is one piece AND heavy!  Somehow 

Dave & I got it from the barn to the potting shed and then in

the door (with maybe an inch to spare).  And I now wonder 

why it took so long!

The potting shed has the luxury of size....holding another 

awesome potting bench, two additional tables and a whicker

couch & chair.  And, this is a hard working area of the farm...

I am actually sitting there typing right now from the whicker couch,

having just potted about 10 containers.  

Here is my sweet potting shed...with sunflowers coming up near 

the blue chair.  And, the door faces the pasture, so goats call to me 

while I work and barn cats often pop in for a nap. 💚

looking up

I am a worker bee, naturally known for looking about for that

next task that needs doing.  I rarely just look about to take things in.

My Daisy has taught me in her sweet kitty way to look up.  She

often finds just that spot to carefully perch or nap.  Often up high.

I try to remember this kitty lesson, and take more moments to

look up.  To amaze at the clouds, to check the tree tops, to watch

for our local eagles.  Daisy Grace fills her sweet kitten days by

looking for possibility.  I like that. 🐱

little souls...be kind

On Friday, while traveling a back road home from work, I came

upon a snapping turtle that had been flipped over on its shell.  I was 

startled to see it, as spring has erupted in Wisconsin without any 

gradual getting used to.  I would not be able to live with myself if I 

didn't turn around to see if I could help.  I grabbed a sturdy stick and

took a closer look...no movement, appeared it had been grazed by a car.

I gently touched the 🐢with the stick....again no movement.  Then

slowly I saw it move the front legs.  I took the stick, lifted it back over & 

set it in the direction of the nearby field.  It moved forward then stopped 

to just gaze at me.  And, I cried. 

magic happens

The ocean reminds us of magic.  In the waves.  In rocks polished 

smooth.  In searching with my son for sea glass.  In knowing that

the gray whale sighted hours earlier may be swimming unseen

nearby.  In countless moments that become sweet memories.  

Magic happens...pay attention.

1500 miles to spring

Had to travel 1500 miles from Wisconsin to Washington state to find spring...and

a hug from my Ian is the cherry on top!  Skagit County Tulip Festival with the 

Olympic Mountains as a backdrop!  🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Morning Daisy! 💚

Hey! Hay!

Our baby goats, Benny & Joon are 8 months old...most of their days

have been in the snow.  Can hardly wait until they meet warm days &

green grass.  That's Chippewa on the bridge.

tiptoeing

Dawn & dusk feel like a whisper to me.  Our home is quietly lit.

As I travel from room to room, I feel like I am gently tiptoeing...

careful not to disturb the peaceful surround.  This is my favorite

moment at the farm.  It is free of expectations.