Wicked Rural Homestead
Live Simply
Tag: blended families
What Produce Section are They Shopping In?!
I am expecting my first biological child this spring. We had been trying for many years. Just when I had decided it was not in the cards and turned my attention to enjoying all the advantages that came with my step children getting older, we… Continue Reading “What Produce Section are They Shopping In?!”
It’s a… Middle Finger!?
My husband and the boys had me brainwashed into thinking it was going to be a boy. All the conversations we had about the new baby used the pronoun “he.” My husband kept insisting that he “only makes boys” (he was kidding, kind of) and with two… Continue Reading “It’s a… Middle Finger!?”
A Little Big News
It might be a bit of a shock that over the last four years of this blog I have left out one of the major aspects of our life together. One of the main reasons behind leaving my job for a simpler life after my… Continue Reading “A Little Big News”
On Giving and Getting
More then a decade ago, this picture was taken. I was a line cook on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf in a high-end Mexican restaurant. I would come in first thing in the morning, prep for the day, work the line at lunch and stay… Continue Reading “On Giving and Getting”
I Met a Young Man
I met a young man this morning, staring out of my stepson’s eyes. When had they started looking so wise?! What happened I can not say, only that I know for sure it was different yesterday. Or… Had that been last week? Maybe the one before? Hard to… Continue Reading “I Met a Young Man”
Photo Challenge 2016- Summer
When you are a student, the word summer is synonyms with freedom. At least it was for me. My last day of Kindergarten I thought, “Ok, cool. That was fun. Thank god it’s over! Back to real life.” Then came the next fall’s rude awakening; this whole ‘school… Continue Reading “Photo Challenge 2016- Summer”
Best Present EVER!
This week is my birthday and yesterday I got the most amazing gift I have ever received. We have a tradition of handmade gifts here on the homestead. Money is always tight and gifts are usually better when thought and effort create them, rather than a factory somewhere… Continue Reading “Best Present EVER!”
Eastward Ho! Part V. New Beginnings At The End Of The Road
This April will mark five (six, oh my god!) years since we packed up the truck and headed the wrong way across the country. After half a decade of winters I can promise you that people headed west for more than the chance to strike it… Continue Reading “Eastward Ho! Part V. New Beginnings At The End Of The Road”
TBT- Ode To Honey
Honey is somewhere around 15 years old. (Now 16!) This is a ball park estimate since her age at the time my husband adopted her was uncertain. She has been such a blessing in our lives and rather than singing her praises after she… Continue Reading “TBT- Ode To Honey”
Because It Is Still True
On our third wedding anniversary I was looking over some older writing and found a poem that still says it perfectly. Happy anniversary to us 🙂
TBT #2
I wrote this almost 10 years ago now. Sitting on my mountain top back home, looking over Big Basin to the Pacific. Alone. Watching hummingbirds fight like jets, smelling manzanita, reveling in the blooming Indian Paint Brush. It was a good day.
The Amazing Adventure Of The Underwear Wizard.
On our drive home, the boys and I started talking about a character the Little One invented during the week we were snowed in, the Underwear Wizard. Things got out of hand (as all good stories do) and the next thing I knew; we… Continue Reading “The Amazing Adventure Of The Underwear Wizard.”
Life’s A Trip, Enjoy The Fall.
This April will mark five (oh my god!) years since we packed up the truck and headed the wrong way across the country. After half a decade of winters I can promise you that people headed west for more than the chance to strike… Continue Reading “Life’s A Trip, Enjoy The Fall.”
No Candy, No Cards, No Diamonds; No Problem.
For Valentine’s Day we got- another blizzard. Shocking, I know but great for snow forts! I have already posted my feelings about today’s holiday and they have not changed one bit. In fact, I am ever more convinced with each passing year that romance is overrated. It… Continue Reading “No Candy, No Cards, No Diamonds; No Problem.”
Wisdom From The Lakota.
My sister and I were raised by a pack of rabid surfers and hippies. When we were very young our Godfather, Todd discovered the world of Ishi-The Last Yahi. Todd was already one of the most accomplished outdoorsman you will every meet. For instance;… Continue Reading “Wisdom From The Lakota.”
The Mysterious Case Of The Squirrel Bunny
Fresh snow is a wonderful opportunity to see what is going on in the woods that surround us. We all love to go walking around the woods; following animal trails and trying to figure out where they were going and what they were doing.… Continue Reading “The Mysterious Case Of The Squirrel Bunny”
Parenting With Eggs and Snow Forts.
I don’t claim any kind of special parenting proficiency but every once in a while I make a point that sticks. Hey, even a blind squirl occasionally finds a nut. “Sorry” is a concept that we all try to teach our kids from a… Continue Reading “Parenting With Eggs and Snow Forts.”
Pyramids- The Snowman’s Angular Cousins.
Last week’s pre-Thansgiving snow storm left us with over a foot of frozen clouds in our yard. I thought to myself- “self, I bet we could make a snow pyramid. WAIT!!! I bet I could get the boys to help me make the whole… Continue Reading “Pyramids- The Snowman’s Angular Cousins.”
Throwback Wednesday (Yes, I am THAT impatient!)
I wrote this two years ago after our trip back home for our West Coast wedding blessing ceremony. It was the first time we got to show the boys where they were born and the last time they saw my dad, their “Grandpa Wise-man”… Continue Reading “Throwback Wednesday (Yes, I am THAT impatient!)”
What IS Homesteading Anyway?
When we tell people that we live on a homestead we get a verity of reactions. They range from “oh, you live on a farm” to “so, you are like one of those doomsday preppers.” While both reactions are not wrong they do miss the mark- for… Continue Reading “What IS Homesteading Anyway?”
A Chickie story
When I was young, my dad used to tuck me in at night and tell me a “Chickie Story.” He would make these stories up on the spot with me as “Chickie.” Most of the time these stories consisted of him rehashing what I had… Continue Reading “A Chickie story”
Pancake Rorschach Test- Take at Your Own Risk.
While looking through iPhoto found some of the pancake shapes the boys have requested for breakfast over the past year. Can you tell what they are? . . . . . .The answers: . . Sonic the Hedge Hog, Sponge Bob with bacon seaweed and… Continue Reading “Pancake Rorschach Test- Take at Your Own Risk.”
Have You Ever Seen A Lobster Roll/Taxidermy Stall? I Have!
Look Closely At All The Ways Acton Town Fair ROCKED! Each picture is worth at least 1,000 words!
“All Things Are Difficult Before They Are Easy.”
8/20/09 Boys, It is just so very hard- hard to see you both smiling in pictures knowing that it’s not for me, that you don’t even remember me anymore. It is hard to know that I am not wanted in your lives, hard to know… Continue Reading ““All Things Are Difficult Before They Are Easy.””
Letting Go of Giving Everything Up.
I feel now that so much of what I am looking for, the patience, the peace, the calm can only be found though my ability to let go. I have realized that when I try to change things I have no influence over, I find my greatest unhappiness. The concept… Continue Reading “Letting Go of Giving Everything Up.”
“Know When To Hold ‘Em. Know When To Fold ‘Em.” Know When To Rip Them All Out And Start Over.
Once uopn a time my husband and I went to the store. When we left our corn was tall and happy: While we were gone there was a pocket thunderstorm and when we returned to the homestead, we found this had happened: My husband had… Continue Reading ““Know When To Hold ‘Em. Know When To Fold ‘Em.” Know When To Rip Them All Out And Start Over.”
Wait, I Have to leave My Home to go House?! Ouch, My Head Hurts…
In the next few days we will head West for my sister’s wedding. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Where the theme will be fighting Marmots (weird runs all over this family.) It is the oddest feeling in the world to have to travel thousands of miles from home- to go home,… Continue Reading “Wait, I Have to leave My Home to go House?! Ouch, My Head Hurts…”
Weekend Mommy
Life now only matters two days a week. The remainder pass with anticipation and preparation like a dream. Sleep is hard to come by so full of thoughts of you both. Waiting, wishing, hoping, missing. Then your here smiling and laughing. Both so open… Continue Reading “Weekend Mommy “
Where is Dr. Doolittle When You Need Him?!
I have never subscribed to the notation that I am the “mother” of our many animals. As I have written before our animals are not our children. Though they are our familiars. (Try saying that sentence five times fast.) They know you by your intimate… Continue Reading “Where is Dr. Doolittle When You Need Him?!”
Home
I have spent a lot of time writing about what we left behind in Ca: Family Friends My hometown The redwoods Our lives as we knew them I feel it is time to move on and give thanks today for where I woke up… Continue Reading “Home”
Once upon a time we lived on a boat.
A 27′ Hunter sail boat, I don’t count the bowsprit if you ask my love he will say it was a 30 footer- it. was. not. We lived in Santa Cruz harbor and life was…well, never boring (not that it is now) When he… Continue Reading “Once upon a time we lived on a boat.”
“Officially unemployed, homeless and in debt. Time to start all over again, here we go…”
I posted that Facebook status four years go yesterday. My how things change. Well- not the debt part. And right now I am unemployed, so I guess the “more things change the more they stay the same”? OWW my head hurts… All I know… Continue Reading ““Officially unemployed, homeless and in debt. Time to start all over again, here we go…””
Your Pets Are Not Your Children, They Are Your Grandparents.
Your animals should not be like your children. They should be your grandparents. I say this for one specific and important reason- it is unnatural to outlive your offspring. Barring some unforeseen tragic event, it will be your privilege to preside over the passing of your critters. I… Continue Reading “Your Pets Are Not Your Children, They Are Your Grandparents.”
Eastward Ho! PartII. Our little mine.
When we drove across the country four years ago- one of the only things we DID plan was to stop in Montana and mine for sapphires. Both of us totally dig (no pun I swear!) rocks and minerals. There are few better ways to spend… Continue Reading “Eastward Ho! PartII. Our little mine.”
The First Step in a New Direction…Maybe. AHHHAGAHH!!! ^&^%$##$ &(&(*& !! (breath, breath, breath)
Confucius say: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” I have not always gotten along with Confucius but here and now I find some solice in his words. I have been cooking professionally for more than half my life now.… Continue Reading “The First Step in a New Direction…Maybe. AHHHAGAHH!!! ^&^%$##$ &(&(*& !! (breath, breath, breath)”
Late night trouble with the iPad
4 am. Currently in our bed there are; two humans, one cat and two dogs. I would love to tell you that Isis is not here too because we learned our lesson after the first two; that dogs should sleep on the floor. … Continue Reading “Late night trouble with the iPad”
Quickening Moon
I do not believe in Valentines day, the Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, or that unicorns fart rainbows. (A Unicorn’s fart is just like all other horse farts, silly. They SNEEZE confetti AND rainbows. Now you know.) The difference is that I can’t remember ever… Continue Reading “Quickening Moon”
Sometimes the chocolate box of life gives you the best kids in the world.
We got married over an year and a half ago and it was perfect. Not because everything went the way we planned but because it didn’t. The only thing I really cared about was having the kids there with us. They dressed as they… Continue Reading “Sometimes the chocolate box of life gives you the best kids in the world.”
7/13/2010 -Today you said you love me.
Without preamble or question, today you said you love me. My heart leapt out of my chest and my breath stopped in my throat. All I did was build a fort and my reward was a unsolicited statement of affection. I could only answer… Continue Reading “7/13/2010 -Today you said you love me.”
