Wild Moon Cottage is a small working homestead in the pristine Ozark Mountains. We have dairy goats, poultry, organic herb and vegetable gardens, a start of a tiny fruit orchard, several black walnut trees, wild berries and fields of wildcrafting goodness. We raise our own milk, our own eggs, much of our own medicine and food. I do laundry by hand, make my own vinegar, candles, soap, bread, cheese ........ For a living I am an artist and herbalist. My goal for myself and our homestead is to be as self sufficient and self sustaining as possible.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

10.23.08

The last few days have been amazing. Leaves falling like rain, sometimes dangling in the air by invisible threads, twirling and dancing in place. The ground is covered with them, like a magnificent carpet more beautifully and intricately woven then any of thread or silk. Fall is such a magical time of the year.

We've been so very busy but all good things.

I hadn't been seeing the numbers recently until Tuesday. In 24 hours I recorded 10:10 - 12:12 - 4:44 - 2:22 none at all since that tho. I even tried to catch 4:44 this morning just to see if I could and couldn't. I started typing this at 4:41 and when I next looked at the clock it was 4:46. Who knows what it may mean, maybe nothing, maybe everything, likely something in-between. I felt like, for that day anyway, it was a message to stay more aware then usual, and so I did.

We've been working hard to get the henhouse finished before these cold wet days, it didn't happen. but I did kind of rig a wall and door to at least keep them warmer and dryer then no wall at all. They still have the small henhouse of course but they don't all fit. I still haven't decided whether to take some of it apart and do it right this year or leave it rigged and finish next year. I truly think redoing it now is best because if we wait it will warp the wood further and we'll have more to disassemble next year. But I'm running out of energy and still have several other things to get done before winter, mainly firewood and getting the gardens put up properly.

I've also decided to dismantle my studio (work table in the kitchen) and use the long table for other things like counter space for blending medicinals. When I can find or afford containers I want to start selling salves and balms. I have some very good ones but no room to work. I'm also going to be adding several medicinal pet teas (topical and internal) to the listings. I have several I use and blend often and thought other people might like them as well.

It's been some time since I sold a painting and tho I will always paint, I need the space for other things. Hopefully things that will help with income. If I could afford to have the guy in the cabin move then I could take that back as my art studio and herb cottage. Even if I could afford for him to move I'm not sure he could afford it too. Things are just tough all over and we all do what we must. I actually feel quite blessed to be able to rent it out.

We have lived on so little for so long (by choice) that these harder times aren't as hard for us as they are for many who are used to much more. It can be a terrible shock to the system to discover you can no longer afford the morning latte you've come to believe you must have. I took a voluntary vow of poverty when my son was born and in exchange became one of the richest people I've ever known. But I think that having been able to choose it gave me a power and an ability to enjoy it that is much harder found when the change is against your will. Even so, forced simple living can also become a blessing if we make the choice to see and experience that way.

It rained most of yesterday (Thank the Mother!) we truly needed it. And I think it is to rain most of today so the time will be spent doing household chores, daydreaming, sewing, baking and anything else I can think of and fit in.

I came across some pictures the other day of 2 kitchens, one in a lighthouse and one in an Inn, both from 1912. What wonderful things they are, bits of both would be excellent adds to my dream kitchen. An older wood cookstove with drying bar on one side to dry hand towels and hooks on the other side to hold cooking utensils. A pull out drying rack nearby for drying clothes in winter and on the other side a wonderful deep double sink with hand pump and wooden grates on each side for drying dishes. A large walk-in pantry with screened door. A long heavy worktable for rolling out doughs and preparing feasts. A big chunky dinning table in the center with plenty of room for feasting, writing, playing games. My great Grandmother Lilly's beloved Hoosier cabinet and a door leading out to a courtyard with a lovely herb garden and a place to stack firewood by the door.

Crazy as it sounds, I even enjoy heating water to bathe with, tho I'm quite glad for indoor plumbing to drain the water out and flush the toilet. I do wish our bath and inside wash water went to a gray water system. Someday tho.

Todays menu is .... Biscuits n gravy with coffee and juice for breakfast. Ham n cheese sandwiches with honey mustard and lettuces on french bread with ice tea for lunch. Scrambled eggs with onions, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes in Pitas with hot tea for supper. Apples and peanut butter with hot tea for a snack.

Merry day all !

3 comments:

Peggy said...

I want to live with you! Life just seems more peaceful and positive at your place. Have a merry one!

oldcrow61 said...

Wow, you sound busy. I won't finish off my garden stuff until spring. Still lots of pots to put away but will manage to get to that. I have to agree, autumn is a magical time of year.
I'm afraid that a lot of people are going to be in an awful state when they realize that they can't have the things they want. I go along with you, better the simple life. I have everything I need and don't long for anything more. Although the kitchen you describe sounds marvelous, lol.
Your pet teas sound interesting. I'm looking forward to hearing more about them.
Hmmm, you're supper sounds good. I might just have that myself.

Joan@CopperCreeker said...

I love to visit your blog. While you are flitting around doing your changes and chores be sure to take care of yourself and not over do.
((((Juli))))