Melanie Gets Grateful

Jumping in on Curious Georgi's Thankful Thursday challenge to share 10 things I am grateful for this week.


It has been a challenging week, but I really find that each challenge reveals unrealized blessings.

This week I am grateful for:

1. East of Eden Farms - Suburban farmers that pasture raise super yummy chickens, so I can eat really yummy chicken with out feeling bad.

2. The car angels that kept me on the road when my power steering went out and kept my car running long     enough to coast to a stop in a parking lot.

3. Good ol' boys that make you feel like a princess when they ride out to your rescue.

4. That even though it wasn't entirely comfortable, we had enough money in the bank to pay for all my car repairs without freaking out.

5. My neighbors mom, who brought her twin sister to see our chickens, and their delightful childhood farm stories Sunday morning.

6. Doggies that try to 'help' with an endless barrage of puppy dog kisses when I'm doing yoga.

7. My daughter's impromptu Broadway songs as she unloads the dishwasher.

8. Wonderful friends that make sure I know they will always be there.

9. A week of rain mixed with sun shine.

10. My crazy husband, who bravely challenges authority in ways I would never dream, but always comes away with the best stories.

Abundant Gifts from the Earth

Summer

It is that time again, when our house becomes overrun with gifts from nature and loving generous families that surround us.

Yesterday, we spent a few hours at a local family farm plot gathering beans, petting ponies, feeding weeds to goats, and picking blueberries.

In the midst of picking the blueberries, you know how that goes right, one in your mouth, one for the bucket, one in your mouth one in the bucket; it struck me this is how we are meant to live out in the sunshine with family gathering food to be set aside for later.

Petting the ponies on the way to the field.

Taking a moment to share a weed with an attentive goat as we gather beans.

Working our way down the row, picking and making fun of one another, investigating interesting bugs and bleating at the goats.

Eating as we are harvesting, tasting the goodness that has been provided even as we labor.

What a great day! Can't wait until each and everyday can hold that kind of right peacefulness, even if it can't be everyday. Can't wait til it outweighs most others!

Honeybee Hive Inspection May 8 2010

This past Saturday we recorded part of our hive inspection.

Lots of yummy honey, good pollen stores, we even got a new bee emerging from her cell :)

But we also saw some strange things we are having problems positively identifying.

Check out our video, you'll need to turn your volume up to hear the sound.