farm + soup

We are getting back into a routine, but not quite the one we had before our little journey out west. This one has a lot to do with getting ready...and waiting.

For this:

Plus this:

Using these and other crazy equipment (I can't wait to see it happen):

To an eventuality called:

We've had some glitches along the way, which are to be expected but are still frustrating. We flex patience muscles. Some of us are better at it than others, but then some of us (me) are quite protected from all the messy details. That way, I can save my energy for important things like looking on Pinterest for hours trying to figure out what kind of kitchen inspires me. This house has no kitchen, so we have to give it one. I've got some basic ideas of what I want (the fact that the term 'dishwasher safe' will mean something to me is quite lovely), but if anyone has any input, I'd love to hear it. (appliances/countertops/cabinets/organizing systems you love/hate, etc.) Details are good. I love them, as I'm sure you have figured out. 

In other news, we've spent lots of time at the in-laws' (in-laws's?) (so thankful for those folks!), had a couple of mild rounds of illness (the boys) which involved much forcing of tinctures, teas, and rest...and even managed to squeeze in some fun.

And in the mail today, came many servings of SOUP! I am stoked for the boy to read these. They aren't easy to find around here, and I wanted them for keeps, so I ordered them from Better World Books. This series is pretty near and dear to me, perhaps because of my dad's love for his childhood home, or because I lived there when I was in third grade (just like the main character) when I first read them. I am a proud Texas girl for sure, but the year I spent in Vermont runs deep. (Forewarning: these aren't exactly PC. In the first book, as I re-read, there are several ass-whoopins with a switch, and some not cool racial comments. Which will be something we'll talk about.)

A flashback from last month in the west, one of my favorites:

Closing on the land is next Friday. It was supposed to be November 30 of last year. So...fingers crossed. 

holy snow day!

Well, we had us-a here a storm!

Jake the Dog thinks it's tasty.

You might be from Texas if:

Make a wish!

sláinte!

Tomorrow, barring that we are not snowed in(!), we make our exit from this place. I have a hard time with "when things are over"...I only like goodbyes because they are often collated with great hugs, multiple rounds of them if you work it right.

I know two things: that it is time for what is next, and that we will come back.  

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the time we've spent here: for the opportunity itself, for the dude who traveled thousands of miles back and forth, for the friends and community here and the breaking of bread, for the kid who really took it on and flourished with his new freedoms and responsibilities. For this frontier land that is still so vast and raw. For my parents, who planted the seed by experience what it is to go and see what is out there. 

And to catch us up a bit:

We had a visitor! 

We spent a day at Balmorhea, where one of us was nuts enough to get in:

We gathered together.

And we raised a glass.

And danced in the streets.

And stood at the point of the circle where end meets begin, and said HELL YES.