Gratitude Lounge

I’m grateful this morning for the smells of my husband’s cooking wafting up the stair. Sometimes on the weekend he will get up early and make a “cookie breakfast,” as he calls it (he’s Scottish). I always thought it a shame it doesn’t actually involve cookies… haha… but it will be a delicious breakfast with bacon and orange juice as a treat, toast and homemade jams and marmalade, and something called, “fried breid,” which is literally fried bread, which turns out so crispy that it melts in the mouth! It is a textural experience impossible to describe, it gets so light and airy. My husband is allergic to eggs so he doesn’t make those for our table but sometimes I make pancakes or French Toast with maple syrup, or some kind of breakfast baked good, using an egg replacer if needed. But waking up slowly, knowing breakfast is cooking and the table is being set already… that’s the best!

Everyone can have something special once in a while to break the sameness of the days and to have something to look forward to. I remember when Mike posted a photo of some delicious pastry when he and his wife went out to a cafe, and he said, “but we can’t do this every day,” and he is so right, because if it were every day, then it would cease to be special!

I’m also grateful for warm fuzzy red socks!

Good morning, friends,

This morning there was a “snow surprise” on the ground. It is already starting to melt away with fine rain. Some neighbors will wake this morning and never know it was here. Mr. Hopeful sang on my roof again this morning, just outside my bedroom window. He and his mate relocated their nest after the Starling incident, but I don’t know where they are… close, though. Very close.

I have had a little more communication about the garden, but incomplete. My friends did not sell the farm but have rented out the house on the farm, rented the back field, and he transferred the LLC of the farm to his wife to lower their taxes. There might actually be a chance I can still farm there, but I haven’t been able to find out, and I would now need to go through her, and she can be… difficult in partnerships… so we will see. But I can pick up my things, at least, so that is a good thing! I am still worried that my friends might move away after this year, because would like to see them more this year. We’ll just have to see. But I have learned a lesson in this. Yes, I was misinformed (my husband didn’t mean to), but my heart and head went straight to the worst case scenario, and in truth, it went to past experiences and did not stay present. I am used to experiencing losses, and have come to readily to expect them. But I have also been savoring the kind words friends here have offered. Your words have been very true. Losses do lead to new opportunities. Change can be good. I am very grateful for wise and loving advice, and the sympathy that comes from true friendship. Here is another photo from my garden at the farm.