Neo Hippie Mama - Archive

For 11 weeks

Seth returned to school last week. We are counting down days and I threatened to make a paper chain 77 long that would help us cling to hope as we rip off each chain.

I cant help but feel a bit poorly about my attitude for the last 4 years. Waiting. Holding out. Looking to the future. And very rarely living fully in the present.

I will be a better parent when Seth is home more.

I will spend more time with friends after Seth graduates.

We will do more things as a family when this season is finished.

I cant wait to start _____ when we have more money.

All those statements are true. But they have also been excuses. Excuses not to be fully present.

My seed order came in over the weekend and I am bursting with excitement. I love reading the description of each packet, dreaming of almost purple Gypsy tomatoes, of Jet black Hollyhock, golden yellow zucchini and sweet crisp peas. (I ordered from Bakers Creek Heritage seed company, this is my second year ordering from them and I am so pleased with their company!)

My mind wanders to the day we will own land and how I will fill the pastures with Scottish Highland cattle, Kinder milking goats, Codswold and Icelandic sheep. Trailing behind them will be Indian Runner ducks and a variety of chickens. My children will swing from fruit trees and play games between rows of veggies.

Immediately I feel discontent. My small 1/2 acre yard with little southern sun exposure and its close proximity to the road are disappointing. My small flock of chickens, 1 angora rabbit and bored Great Pyrenees seem to mock my dreams.

How quickly I forget my joy in these pleasures. It was only 2 years ago that I had no garden at all (or at least not one to speak of) 3 little hens and hardly more than a patch of grass for the boys to run on. My dreams were of a bigger yard, a bigger garden, and some distance from the city. And here I am, living my dream of 2 years ago and I can hardly wait for my dream of 5 years in the future to begin. This realization is more depressing than anything. I realize that in 5 years, if I do not change my heart, I will be eventually disappointed with the future as it becomes reality. Something grander and greater will fill my mind and I’ll lose interest with the current. Such is the demise of a dreamer. It is so wonderful to have married a realist that keeps my head from floating away into the clouds.

So as I hold my seed packets, I allow myself to feel the simple joy of knowing I have space for them to grow. I am thankful that I have this opportunity to experiment and learn. I am thankful we live in a place that we are allowed to make our own and do with as we please as long as it benefits the land and the upkeep of our rental. I am so thankful my boys have a yard, that I have an extra bedroom to craft and knit in. I am thankful we have a shop for Seth to build in and share the space with friends.

And after this reflection, I am brimming with grateful tears at what blessings surround me. My dreams have been realized.

So for these next 11 weeks (1 having been finished) I would like to make it my focus to live in my present. To feel the magnitude of all that I have and to face my challenges head on, rather than hide in the hope of the future.

Around this farm… and life

Posted by Lacey in Crafts & Projects | DIY | gardening/compost | simplifying | thoughts - (3 Comments)

Clouds at sunset going over the 405 bridge in Portland

I dont envy the rest of the country. Currently it is 60 and overcast and I prefer the clouds, the rain and the occasional sun. And my tomatoes are actually doing alright with it too. Slowly they continue to extend and swell. And my mouth salivates with the very thought of gorgeous heirloom slices in pale pinks and yellows, brilliant scarlet and deep purpley-black.

Depps Pink Firefly tomato

The plants were beginning to sag and lay down, so instead of purchasing tomato cages, I constructed some with straight sticks and twine. Hopefully it will hold when the fruit becomes heavy and plentiful!

Without much hope, I had planted a few tobacco plants. I doubted they would survive the rain and humid weather, but surprisingly one has survived and is thriving!

My pipe smoking Man will hopefully appreciate my efforts to grow his habit!

Purslane has made its home in the garden, as well as Lambs Quarter in abundance! Both native and wild, they are delicious and packed full of nutrients including Omega 3′s, beta carotene, folic acid and much more!

Purslane. Slightly crunchy, Mild and watery. A nice snack in the garden

Lambs Quarter. A great alternative to spinach!

As the days of summer tick by, I realized the other day that if I don’t act quickly to gather, harvest and prepare while the gettins good, that I will be left with jars and tins empty this winter. Which ultimately means I would be left with no other choice but to buy and source for my herbal and medicinal needs elsewhere. So I started a list.

: I’m a list person. There’s no denying it.

Please remember, I’m a complete beginner at the art of gardening, gathering and concocting. So my thoughts on it are rather primitive! I’ve decided to go with making simple recipes. Meaning, only tincturing or decocting (etc..) one plant in a recipe. I think this will help me understand each plant and it’s various attributes, and give me an idea of how potent it is, how it works for our family… etc. Once I feel comfortable with that, I can move on to creating mixtures and potions of various ingredients. Ya know, like salamander tails and eye of newt.

Red raspberry and motherwort hang from my 'shipwreck' herb drying under the porch

Thankfully all the raspberry plants on the farm have not flowered yet, so there were still some left to be harvested. The dried leaves will be added to teas and kombucha for its excellent ability to soothe digestive issues and relieve heavy menstrual flow.

In other news we added a Cochin Bantam Rooster to our flock. He’s the cutest little thing. Black with a greenish sheen and featherd feet. His small stature and furry feet led me to his name…. Frodo, hehehe. He’s still young and learning his role as a Roo, but I’m already impressed with him! He roosted on top of the chicken coop last night, which at its peak is a good 7 feet off ground. How he got up there, I have no idea! He even held his own in a little fight with the dominant hen, Mama. They both left with their share of battle scars, but they’ve made up and are existing peacefully now. I’ll post a pic of Frodo when he’s grown back some of the feathers on his head. The scrap with mama left him a little unsightly!

Mama wearing her battle scars

Our young pullets, Opal and Pearl, the Silkies, and Black Cherry the Polish Frizzle are soon going to be old enough to lay, which will be great, as we’ve been getting 1 egg a day right now. Broody and molting Hens mean no eggs!

Black Cherry, the Polish Frizzle

Off the farm, I’ve taken a few opportunities to enjoy my friends and moments of substance. I even was asked to model hair pieces for a new Etsy Shop! It was a fun photo shoot in North Portland in the industrial district, complete with a rave going on down the street. (why DO ravers all have backpacks? Whats in those backpacks?!)

Another hair model and myself, taking a second from posing... to pose for a self shot

The middle of nowhere. Perfect for pictures, raves and motorcycle clubs.

Colored glass. Loved the patina, textures and the blues!

I have a group of women I meet with regularly to discuss matters of the heart, soul and silly things that make us giggle like jr. girls. Moments of Substance and Memories.

Summer patio tapas and beverages on a summers eve.

I hope you are able to capture each summer day and stamp it with meaning. I hope you go to bed at night feeling like you gave that day everything you had, and were able to find something to feel gratitude for.

Summer livin’ needs intention.

My sweet boys playing with trains like its their life's work.

Unplugged

Posted by Lacey in simplifying - (5 Comments)

Lavender on Whidbey Island

The boys and I filled the back of my volvo wagon with clothes and coolers, a stroller and the camera on Sunday morning and headed north to spend a few days with my parents on the edge of the Puget Sound, giving Seth a few days to focus on school and work without the overhanging feeling that he needed to spend time with us as well.

Finding precious smooth stones, which we call 'gnome money'.

Of course the boys and I enjoyed our time exploring the islands, parks, and every crevasse and corner of my parents little cottage.

whimsical trails are everywhere on the islands...

I even managed to squeeze in some time to check out a few Dexter farms with Tereza, the farm friend. She drove up and met me and we spent a leisure day talking, listening and absorbing as much information as we could from 2 lovely wise and hardy women. I fell in love with one little bull calf, Odhran. Which is Celtic for dark haired one.


So stunning for a bovine, dontcha think?!

He’s absolutely gorgeous. His sire is an incredibly handsome and well behaved bull which I was completely smitten by too!

Mr. Montana. So much beefy sweetness rolled into one bull!

Tereza was able to see a few more farms the next day, on her own and we have yet to put our heads together and discuss our options and decisions. Cant I just have all the pretty cattle!

Farm dog at Heather Meadows Farm

During my time I was mostly without internet, mostly without phone service, and mostly free of that constant pull of technology. I really really liked it. I came home and felt an immediate disdain for facebook. Not for what it is, but what I have made it. I need more real connection. I need more solitude. I need less mindless chatter and more thoughtful dialogue. I have a tendency to feel the pull of a million projects and duties. A handful of meaningful relationships, and a bucketfull of ones that I dont foresee as life-giving.

In an effort to be more mature, and more mindful… I will at least attempt to unplug one thing. And hopefully I will have more energy for the few and wonderful interactions.

Quiet minds can focus on the simple and sweet...

I was reminded of how unaccustomed I was to real life conversations when I was able to meet and visit with some friends from up north. Long time friendships with background, meaning and substance. I walked away feeling like I had given some of my life-light to them, and in return received the same.

my dear sweet friend, with a lovely heart

More of that please. That is what my soul is craving.

So perhaps that means I will blog more…. because you have NOOOOO idea how much time I have allowed facebook browsing to suck from my life. I will likely have alot more time on my hands!

Farm boys walking Nanas dachshund on the island

May you be strong enough to push away what doesnt add substance to your life.

In a fog

Posted by Lacey in simplifying | thoughts - (2 Comments)

We are, quite literally, in a fog here. The kind of fog that gives you the sense that you are cut off from the rest of the world. It is heavy and thick and very scotland highlands. You expect to find peat bogs and ancient ruins as you walk through the fields.

Fog slowly creeping over the field this evening

Despite the grey soupy mist, it has been unseasonably warm. Really, this winter has felt just like an oregon spring or fall. Damp, grey, and in the mid 50′s. I think it adds to the feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world. While other areas of our country are getting mounds of snow and icy temperatures, we continue as though winter doesn’t exist.

This week has been foggy in my head. In the way that I cannot seem to connect one thought to the other. I struggle to focus on even simple tasks, finding myself standing hands on my hips in different parts of the house, wondering what my purpose for this quest into the closet, the garage or the bedroom was.

Thank you all for your kind words. I appreciate it more than you know! Yes, this season in my life has been and is hard. Seth has been in school for about 4 years, there was a short break in there, but we are closing in on the final year (it’s a 5 year program). And it is so wonderful to feel that there is truly an end to this. However, I am so thankful for the challenges and trials we have faced, conquered wearily and pressed onwards. Without trials… what are we? We are soft and complacent and we are bored easily.

I will say this, I am hardly if ever bored.

The boys have been sniffling all day, I think this thick damp air is settling into their lungs. They have eaten soup and scrambled eggs, cultured apple kraut and warm tea. Eucalyptus was added to their evening bath and they were sent to bed with wet cotton socks on covered by thick wool ones. This is sock hydrotherapy, and oddly it works. The cold wet cotton sock forces the body to increase circulation, causing a deep sleep and helping to drain the sinuses. We have tried this several times, with success each time. You can do a quick google search on sock hydrotherapy to find several good resources and info. I also have several differentessential oils being cold-diffused into the air. Lastly I gave them both 4 x 20 minute doses of homeopathic tablets to help combat any impending sickness. Hopefully all of my efforts will nip this sickness in the bud.

I feel like my body has already let go of what should have been winter and I am yearning for spring. I have my list of seeds to order from the Seed Exchange catalogue, closets and the garage are being purged and organized, and he furniture has been rearranged. There is something about rearranging furniture that makes me feel organized. Even when life is not.

I brought the computer into the living room in hopes that it will inspire me to stay out with the boys while they play, as well as being surrounded by all my different activities rather than being holed up in my little office cave where I easily forget about the laundry and dishes.

May you find pleasure in the little simplicities of your day….

Keep the fire burning

Posted by Lacey in Hippie Tip | parenting | simplifying - (4 Comments)

Our pile of wood is gone for the winter, and so we return to central heating. I feel the difference in my bones. The heat seems superficial and I find myself feeling sweaty and feverish when it’s on and chilled as soon as it turns off. The wood fire heat was so…. uh, for lack of a better way to put it, just REAL. It felt like a real heat! I miss it. Next year, we’ll definitely have to plan ahead better.

The fire in my heart continues to smolder. Warm, but in need of more fuel. The stack of emotional, spiritual and physical encouragement seems to dwindle more often than not, and I refuse to let the flames die, but I fear that my fire will go out. My heart burns with passion for those in pain, both emotionally and physically. My soul aches for my own family as we continue on month after month of this schedule of being constantly separated. My soul feels split as my partner continues his long hours of work, school and other commitments. I admit that I find myself questioning whether this is truly beneficial to our family. Will a secure job be worth the hours and days and weeks and years that we spent in 2 different worlds? His world of education and technology. Mine of children, simplicity and house care?

I ache to begin our new adventure of being a family unit again. I long for the simplicity of family dinners and evenings of nothing.

Until then, I cherish every second I get to spend parenting WITH my husband. I savor watching him interact with the boys. Laying head propped in his hands, playing trains and blocks. The evenings Seth and I are able to go to sleep at the same time, I relish the sound of his slowing breath as he falls asleep.

These moments are rare right now.

To be honest, I’ve started posts regarding health topics, food, gardens, recipes, our dog, knits and concoctions…. but I never finish because my heart is not fully in it. I am passionate to finish this current race. I NEED to see the tape at the end and to burst through it, exhausted but triumphant.

Until then, I hardly have breath for other subject matter. In my real life, apart from the internet, I find solace in my cooking, knitting, outdoor excursions…. but to relive them and conjure them up for blogging? I hardly have braincells for it.

So, I leave you with pictures.

Moments captured that express my true sentiments towards my incredible husband. My adorable children. My sweet spirited dog, the things that keep my fire burning, low and warm…. and the lovely chaos that challenges me to live more meaningfully each day.