A walk, a worry and a tree.

I was in a blue mood yesterday.  Not entirely, just enough to put me in the back 40.  You see I go for walks to think.  A.A. Milne wrote about such things as "thinking spots" to ponder and to work out problems in one's brain...out in the woods.  So I walked.  I took in the fall colors, I reminisced the days I went for picnics as a kid this time of year.  Still, the ache that was pushing me into the woods still lingered and I could not shake it.  I thought about how we all have those worries...maybe a few at a time, or maybe one big one, that keeps us from focusing on anything else.  I had one such worry.  I tried to think about other things...no such luck.  I was stuck. 

Then it happened, in a split second everything changed.  As if I had been brought back to reality... I turned the corner and  I saw it...this years Christmas tree...A perfect Christmas tree!  Standing in all it's glory amid the yellow Aspens and wise old Cedars.  I know I know, a bit early to be thinking of a Christmas tree, but as my Father, Mother, Husband, sisters and dog will tell you it usually takes me a very long time to find the perfect tree.  It always has to feel right, I will inspect a tree from every angle, imagine it with my ornaments, check for any dead needles, and quite simply I have to LOVE it.  And trekking through 40 acres inspecting every hopeful prospect, imagining it in my living room.  Usually this is all taking place in over 2 feet of snow right at the first of December.

But here it was today.  When I needed it the most, not for the fact that I can take this off my to do list.  But it was a 7 foot Grand Fir that gave me hope, hope out of this worry that brought me here in the first place.  Nothing else seemed to matter as I began the wheels turning in my head.  I will come back with the family after thanksgiving dinner and cut it down, which got me thinking how wonderful it is that I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner!  Which got me thinking of all the wonderful things I need to do before then, And little things like the excitement of using my grandmother's "friendly village china" and how the little cousins will play like the old ones years past.  Then I was giddy, truly giddy about winter, family, home...and My Christmas tree. 


So, I gathered a branch softly in my hand, I took in the smell of the bough and I thanked my tree for this gift today.  I told it to hold on another month and I will be back to get it and make it the Grandest of Grand Fir Christmas trees.  Then I walked back up to the house...with a smile.

Office Cottage part 3 - Update



This week the dream became a reality when construction started on the new building!  Here are a few shots to show the progress.  Surprisingly the cost is about half of what I thought it would be with building supplies way down! And October has had some glorious days for being outside! It is coming along very nicely!

1st things 1st...the supplies, my new friends from Home Depot Todd and Robby!  Glenn is happy to help too!



The foundation.  The building is on skids in case we want to move it around someday.  This is Tim Kelly, he is the awesome saving grace who has put this all together for us!  He is an amazing builder and wonderful friend!

I am telling Tim I already love it just like this!   We can have it as a dance floor!

The walls go up! 

Everyone gets involved, this is our friend Sandy getting a lesson from Tim on using a nail gun. 

Our friend Ken who is helping too.  I am a very blessed girl to have such amazing friends.  The guys are even going along with all my crazy ideas on re-using old material after the frame is made!  Ken is providing me with old galvanized roofing with the perfect amount of rust!  Love it!

Well, here is the frame.  Next is the wrap, windows, roof and siding. 

I am excited to move on to the next steps and show you the finished project!  See you then, thanks for visiting!  Love, Jennifer 

Office Cottage part 2: The sad news and the great news!

The Sad news: Well, the crew went down to Bayview on Thursday to move my shed...by mid-morning I received a phone call telling me that when they went to lift it, the entire bottom was rotted out from water damage.  It was not going to be able to move from the spot it sits.  So, there goes that. Luckily, The man I bought it from gave me a full refund.

The GREAT news! When the guys got back they said they are putting together a work party and in a couple weeks we will spend a weekend putting together a building that will be even better, and with a bit more room too!  The best part is that we can use recycled materials such as old barn wood and boards from the once loved buildings of this very farm that have fallen over the past hundred years.  I love giving new life to such cherished things.  I love that the next building will be put up with that kind of heart, so it will have a better story and a lot more love!  I will keep you posted.  Until then here is a view from the location for the new building...stay tuned.  Love Jennifer