I know it’s been awhile, y’all, and I’m sorry it’s been so quiet around here! There’s been a lot going on and in addition to all that my brain has needed a little break. I always seem to need to slow down as Advent approaches and get refreshed with some quiet space. I’ve got a list of things I want to write about and it’s a mile long, but I’ve just needed some quiet.
As I’ve been working towards getting better from this flare up of my chronic illness, I’ve realized that I don’t have much space in my life for quiet. Not that I’m PHYSICALLY always moving (in fact, I could use a little more of that) but I’m mentally always whirring. If I’m not engaged with the kids, then I’m writing or answering emails or on social media or podcasting. Since we moved I’ve had very little time to just relax and not be doing, so I’ve just needed to step back and take a deep breath.
I’m am SO looking forward to Advent and I’m trying to figure out the best disciplines to pick up that will help me maintain some quiet space in my life. Long walks around the farm. Waking up early to pray before the kids get up. Date nights with Daniel. I need more of that sort of thing.
The good news is that more sleep, more quiet, and all that I’ve been doing to improve my health is working. I’m starting to feel SO much better and I’m able to eat real people food again and not just smoothies and broths. Some days I feel almost back to normal if I’m still careful about what I eat. So I feel encouraged. And if I could just re-introduce coffee in my life, I wouldn’t have much to complain about. But that’s still a little ways off.
A week before we left TX to visit home for Thanksgiving we had a huge farm-to-table dinner for 250 people at the farm. They built this awesome fire pit and we roasted ALL THE THINGS. Including four lambs. It was serious.
Then the next night after all the hard work of the event, all the farmies set up under the lights on the farm road with all the flowers and leftovers from the event and had our own little farm-to-fork meal. It was pretty magical.
And I FINALLY got to meet these lovely ladies who were the previous inhabitants of our apartment at the farm. Karli and I have been social media friends for a year so it was awesome to hang out in the flesh and chat babies, and farms, and essential oils. I SO wish our time at the farm had overlapped! #crunchymamatime
On My Bookshelf:
Currently reading Hannah Coulter in preparation for our Fountains of Carrots discussion in our next book episode. It’s really a beautiful, beautiful book. And not very long, either, so you still have time to read it before the episode comes out!
Sponsors:
Be sure to give some love to this month’s sponsor! They keep the lights on around here.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving week!
Haley
P.S. We’re offering 30% off on our liturgical year ebooks to celebrate new Christian Year starting next Sunday. Just use the discount code ADVENT2015 at checkout! (The code expires Dec. 1st.)
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Wow, that farm-to-table dinner sounds amazing!!!!! What a cool experience! Also, I’m so happy that you and Christy will be covering “Hannah Coulter.” I had never heard of it (I’m not familiar with the works of Wendell Berry), but I read it the other day and fell absolutely in love with it. Such a magnificent piece of work, with so many lovely messages! I look forward to the podcast about it 🙂
Haley, have you tried Dandy Blend? It’s made from dandelion and chicory, and although it doesnt *smell* like coffee, it’s a really pleasant coffee tasting substitute. Check with your naturopath maybe? I quite like it and drink it in addition to coffee. It’s safe for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, and it is a gentle liver cleanse.
I second the Dandy Blend idea-I love that stuff! Definitely not identical to coffee, but it is so delicious!
Great to hear you’re feeling better. Congratulations for sticking to the diet.
The farm looks awesome…. the picture of the table looks beautiful. I guess you’re all part of the membership – just like in Hannah Coulter!
re: Quiet time – I love going to Quaker meeting because an hour of silence definitely recharges my batteries.
Have a happy Thanksgiving week and take care.
Best wishes to you and all the family
Can’t wait to hear y’all chat Hannah Coulter…and I’m so glad you are feeling better these days!
Oh no, broths and smoothies! So glad you can eat real food again. But sad about the coffee. I’m back in Wales for the time being. So, no more Starbucks Refreshers. SOLIDARITY.
Hi Haley!
I just stumbled across your blog via a Pinterest post about Fanny Price (Austen fans unite!). I am so glad I found you! After seeing that you’re a book-reading, homesteading southern girl like me I couldn’t follow you fast enough! Lovely blog 🙂
-Sarah
Hi Sarah!
I’m so glad you’re here! I clicked over to your blog and I’ll have to share it with Daniel, he’ll love it too.