pretty + simple

rewind

Even though we are well on our way into November  I didn't want to pass up October just quite yet.  It's one of my favorite months of the year.  It was full of activity, fun, and simply beautiful.  Seriously... the whole month.  It was one of the best October's that I ever remember.

In early October we went camping in northern Minnesota that included an array of fall colors, day hikes, evening campfires and perfect sunsets.

There were also many pumpkins, gourds and squash that found their way home with us from the farm.  I felt like a kid in the candy store while I was in the middle of the pumpkin patch.  There were soooo many good ones to pick from!  For the love of pumpkins.  Warty and all.  We also managed to plump up the wood shed.  Huge thanks to a friend that brought over another load for us.  Always a good feeling to have it ready before winter moves in.  And those mums.  I love their hardiness and late season showings.  This year we did not have a hard frost until late October so the flowers just kept coming.  What a nice treat!

 
And there were apples.  I know it's hard to believe isn't it?!  (wink, wink)  We've been enjoying them every single day.  There have been many put away in the freezer, more made into applesauce and many more consumed.  Did you know they are wonderful in pancakes?  A customer told me to slice them very thin and place them on top of the batter after you pour it in the pan.  Super yummy.  Its making my mouth water just thinking about it.  Apples can be added to pretty much everything.  I know I've said that before but it's true!  Meatloaf.  Chili.  Smoothies.  Casseroles.  Roasts.  Bath tub.  Kidding!  I was just making sure you are still paying attention to my apple love here!  :) 

 

Of course, October brings another celebration that involved a perfectly frosted cupcake and the number forty-two.  You know it was really good.  Both of those.

This is probably the longest post I've had since who knows when so if you're still with me and your eyes are still open... I'm leaving  you with these - the last flowers from the garden this season.  Bright and colorful ... and just for you!  A little thank you for coming back and reading this little space. 

{xoxoxo }

farm work

We are back at the farm for the season and I've fallen in love with it all over again.  This is the third year that we've helped out and by far this is the most satisfying job I've ever had.  As I've mentioned before the owners are incredible.  Always thankful.  Always grateful.  Always encouraging.  I've been working pretty much every day so that's been delaying my efforts in updating the shoppe.  Does it help if I tell you that I've brought a whole load of goods to the farm to share with the customers?  If you happen to be in the area, be sure to drop by for apples, squash, pie, pumpkins, dried flowers, honey, jam, and a treasure or two!  You might also find me behind the counter to greet you.  :)

Here are a few late afternoon photos from today.  The light was golden inside the barn.  Although I did notice that I don't have any apple photos in the bunch.  You can bet those are coming!

  
 
 
 

Have you had your apple today?

Enjoy your week!

{ xoxo }

late August

 
a little camping vacation involving a camper cabin, beautiful blue skies, late summer wildflowers, cave adventures, blood pumping hikes, spectacular views, overnight thunderstorms, small town kindness, and loads of inspiration.

we can't wait to do that again!

tippy top

From the tippy top of the old oak tree I wondered...

Was it a bird?  A plane?  Maybe it was really Superman?

 

Ah nope.  It was that courageous Gordy and that's all the Superman moves I need for a loooong time.

He had to rent a 40 foot 60 foot lift this week for a job he was working on.  A small tree removal job.  He was talking to the birds when I snapped that last photo. 

 The tree was an old cottonwood that measured over 4 1/2 feet in diameter.  That's HUGE!  These pictures don't quite capture the massiveness of it.  I think I need to take another picture using it as a table or maybe the chickens would like another photo opportunity. 

Thankfully everything went according to plan and no troubles to be found.

And no injuries.  That always worries me.  Worry wart. ;)  I can't help it.

This week has been crazy fast and it's left me feeling a little out of sorts.  I was feeling a bit under the weather last weekend and that makes for a short week.  I was hoping to bypass all ill-weather this season but somehow it found me.  Of all people!  Me.  This weekend we are working on another little wood cutting project and hopefully by Sunday we'll be ready to throw a log on the sap boiler and soak up the sun.

I'm ready for the weekend... are you?!

dog tales

This weekend we had a couple of overnight guests.  Meet Ollie and Ivy.  We met them while we worked at the apple orchard last fall so it was a real treat to see them again.  One of the first things they did was check out the front door.  

Ivy is deaf (she's the smaller one of the two) and Ollie kind of acts as her ears as well.  We went snowshoeing while they walked along and every time Ivy got near the road I'd call for her (out of habit).  The trick is to give her hand motions and that works pretty well provided she looks back.  She did manage to sneak over the embankment by the road and once I finally got my fanny up the hill, I called for her and couldn't find her so I look at Ollie and asked him about his sister's whereabouts.  I explained that we are responsible for Ivy and then wondered how fast a dog could vanish.  Just then Ivy comes up from behind me and looks at me like hey, you looking for something?!  Geez Louise.  No one told me that dog sitting involved a disappearing dog act.  :)

the other side of the picture

If you've ever wondered what Gordy does while I'm *so* busy taking pictures I thought I'd show you:

He's very patient.  And he gets a lot of vitamin D.
 

snowshoes + sunshine

It was a balmy weekend here considering that it's mid-January.  Perfect for heading to a state park with our snowshoes, meeting up with family, and blazing our own trails through the forest.  Of course after all that exercise and fresh air - a snacking tailgate party topped off the day!

So tell me, are you enjoying your winter weekends? 
 

wishes

{ from our house to yours }

 

~x~o~x~o~x~o~x~o~x~o~x~o~x~

o n e

today marks a little milestone for me.  a one year milestone of this little space.  where did the time go?  it all happened so fast.  but thankfully it's here.  on the pages.  explanations of where the year went, where i've been, and what i've done.  i've learned so many things and met so many wonderful people all because of this.  so I want to thank each of you for dropping in and taking the time to read this little, tiny space in the big, wide web.  it always makes my day to hear from you and i appreciate your friendship more than my words could ever say.  there are so many talented, amazing, like-minded people out there in the world and this is just one tiny way to share in that.

cheers to one year!

keeping it pretty + simple

 ...xoxo...

there is something you should know about today

it's October 26th

i have *always* loved this date

forty one times to be exact

but who's counting?

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