Okay I know, you are going to say, “Plan!” Or “Look through seed catalogs!”

Both of which are lovely, and I find myself doing from time to time. But winter is longgg. And dark and dreary and cold and at times a little depressing.

I need things to keep me occupied and make me feel like one day isn’t the same as the last. In the summer, we get to see those changes in nature. Watch our plants grow and produce, watch the weather go through its changes and feel the breeze on your face and the sun on your shoulders.

I still close my eyes and soak in the rays when they come in through my window. And let me tell you, they seem intense! I do need to get out on more walks. But it seems we had our winter wonderland weather early this year. And by the time Christmas came around there was barely any snow in sight. And then there was rain. Which made it muddy.

I think my only issue with all the mud is in the chicken yard. I laid down a bunch of cardboard boxes but it seemed they didn’t even make it a day before they were soggy and covered in mud all over again.

I finally gave in and got some more wood shavings. And it was perfect timing because the weather got colder so there wasn’t as much mud.

Also excited to show off these new waterers I finally gave in to getting. I’m still a little nervous that the chickens aren’t all knowledgeable on how to get water out of them, but I have watched a few of them use it. They are great. Definitely a step up from the old school metal one. I was hesitant to use plastic, but I think the metal one might actually not be made out of the best metal, and if I can’t keep it clean, then my birds aren’t as healthy as they could be.

I know everyone has their own experiences and knowledge. And their own journey, for that matter. I think at this point I may very well just be writing this as something to do. Along with the other things to keep one occupied and a little more sane during the cold months.

Freeze dried caramel M&M

When you look on YouTube videos of people with freeze dryers, they will warn you that you get “newbie paralysis” And yes, I am still totally in awe of, and terrified by this incredibly smart easy to use machine.

I have huge plans for it. But my excuse at the moment is that I don’t like how loud it is to use in my house and so I am creating a special space for me to use it.

Awesomely enough this space will probably be pretty magical for all the other projects I do and want to do as well.

It is called

The Garden Kitchen.

My husband just dug through two feet of frozen dirt for us to get a power upgrade to make it happen. Not to mention building the entire thing whilst having to listen to me be incredibly particular and indecisive all at the same time. Bless that man. He deals with me and all my insane ideas, while also doing everything in his power to make my dreams come true. Sometimes I push him too hard and I think it backfires, but hey, nobody is perfect, myself included!

So I wrote this months ago but never published it because I was afraid it was “oversharing” Oh well! Here it goes! I need an outlet to share all of this. I would say I actually need more friends, or need to get in touch and hang out with the ones I have, but I have found myself either too engulfed with my projects, or too exhausted. 😅 And if it’s not either of those two, then I probably should be spending more time with my kids. (Who also would very likely benefit from some more social interaction. 😳)

Regardless, just going to take each day as it comes and be grateful for every moment. Try to give myself a little grace in the moments that aren’t so “perfect” and fly by the seat of my pants for the rest of it!