Adventures Archives - Page 16 of 16

In Adventures/ Clear Day Farm/ Country Life/ Life/ Our Family

Storm Day Take 2

Well, here we go again. Storm Day Take 2. Blogs, coffee, snuggles. Bad roads. Postponing the Shelter Tour we had planned?!?! I guess so… 🙁 School’s been cancelled again so I’ll be playing referee again, too. There has been wrestling matches on the couch. Coffee has been consumed. I think everyone has actually eaten breakfast, too. Hannah got dressed today…..unlike yesterday….. Pyjama days are okay once in a while but not two days in a row. I didn’t cook or make anything exciting….I used up all my ‘snow day enthusiasm’ for that yesterday.

Hannah

The girls went out to play in the snow and since they like to have me close by, I headed to the Studio. They needed to burn off some energy, it came to them having wrestling matches on the couch….which ended badly, of course. I did have to play referee…when Lena fell on Hannah’s snow fort and crushed it. Hannah was broken hearted. So she went to her ‘garage’ snow fort and that was the end of it. They coasted in the back yard. I love hearing their laughter and chatter as they sled outside my window.

I had a few things to work on while in the studio….of which I did none. I played with paint instead. And had so much fun!! I’ll share my projects in the next day or two. (Usually stuff appears on Instagram, if you’d like to follow along!!) My nails are dirty from the antique wax and I have dried paint on my hands, which makes my heart happy. I completed a few projects and carried on with others. Lena and I are working on a project together for her bedroom, so it’s fun to work together on that.

Lena

We also finally have enough snow for a snowshoe!! We’ve been working on getting our trails in shape for snowshoe season and they really are prime! Mom and Dad came over and we headed out back for a trek. Loads of little bunny tracks in the snow, plus some deer, as well. The girls are really getting into being in the woods. Michael is so good for teaching them neat things while they are out wandering around and Lena has taken every bit of it in.

I’m amazed in the difference a year makes in Lena’a ability to snowshoe. She can run past people through the deeper snow and take little scenic routes….all without complaining!! Hannah got about half way and started on about tired legs…so we have a few years left to go for her….

Snowshoe

I know life will return to normal tomorrow. The kids will go their separate ways for the day and my work is piling up. But its days like this that are such treasures. Days where there’s no rush to leave, where the schedule is flexible and everyone is kicking around. So, far now, I’ll take every snow day and max that sucker out!

To be continued,

Lori

January 28, 2015 By lori@farmfreshstyle.ca

In Adventures/ Faith/ Life

Brr, It’s Cold Out There

Temperatures have dropped and we are in full-on Winter. Wind chill has kept the kids in at school during lunch and recess. We had a crazy storm the other day that left roads a sheet of ice and more cars in the ditch…. But I don’t want to talk to you about the weather or driving.

I want to talk to you about something bigger, something we CAN change.

Photo credit – Christine of Wonkyeye Photography

I was given the opportunity to be Event Director for the Coldest Night of the Year, a WALK that is done locally to raise funds for our homeless shelter. Our local shelter is called The Life Shelter and they have two different components, the Emergency Winter Shelter for displaced individuals and the Community Breakfast Program. These are two very vital services in our town. And the use of the The Life Shelter is up this year so the need is greater than ever.

Can you imagine not having anywhere left to turn? Can you imagine not having a bed to call your own? Or can you imagine not having food in your cupboard to feed your children breakfast? No, nether can I. When I was chatting with one lady about getting our church’s youth group involved, she said to me, “We are all 6 bad decisions away from disaster.” That really struck home with me. This is what the organizer of the Coldest Night of the Year, Brian Carney, is talking about in this video. You just never know.

So, what can you do to help? If you are local, come, WALK with us on February 21st to raise funds and awareness. If you feel like you can’t do the actual walk, then donate your time or money to the event. Lots of volunteers are needed to make this event happen and run smoothly. Your financial donations will go to things like food, staff, and much needed supplies. If you aren’t from here and want to take part, log onto the website and find the closest city or town that is taking part and get involved. There are 82 cities and towns across Canada that will be walking the same evening. Plus, if you WALK, you could get yourself this awesome toque!!

Photo credit – Christine of Wonkeye Photography

I’m sure my friends are getting tired of hearing about Coldest Night and the latest development in our fundraising efforts but I’m really excited about what is happening. It is amazing to watch a community get behind an event like this and run with it. Every little bit counts. Whether you’ve ‘liked’ our Facebook Page, donated $$$$ or signed up to WALK, it all helps. Please, keep up the good work and get involved wherever you are!

Remember, it’s cold out there.

To be continued,

Lori

January 11, 2015 By lori@farmfreshstyle.ca

1 In Adventures/ Blogging/ Life

A Year in Review

As 2014 winds down, I thought it would be fun to look back over the year to see what some of the highlights were. And looking back over the blog, there have been quite a few!!! { Click the highlighted areas to go back to the original blog post }

So, grab a cup of tea, settle in and let’s reflect on all the awesomeness that was 2014 over here at Farm Fresh.

Highlight #10

Everyone seems to enjoy a good Thrift Challenge!! I threw this out there and I was so happy with the results!! You guys found some great treasures and introduced me to places I hadn’t even heard of!! I plan on doing a post about the awesome places we have around here to find this kind of wicked scores in the near future so the long gap between yard sale seasons doesn’t seem as endless.

Highlight #9

I’m am thankful to have such amazing people in my life that I get to call my friends. And if we can throw a surprise party for the one and only Christine to kick off the wedding celebrations, all the better!!!

Shower

Highlight #8

I try to be a positive person and be thankful for the gifts in my life. I truly enjoy Thanksgiving Day when we set aside the day to really focus on what we have – not just things but the people who make our lives richer. My cup overflowth.

Highlight #7

My chickens. Oh, how I love having chickens again. And when they started to lay eggs – the excitement!!! There are numerous posts over the past year about my darling buzzards, you can see pictures here, here and here. They add so much to our lovely little farm.

Chick Love

Highlight #6

Years ago my sister and I would take annual camping trips together. Fast forward a lot of years and four kids later, and things take place in a s lightly different manner. Our first (but not our last!!) trip to the near by Pictou Island was EPIC!!! I’m looking forward to doing it again this summer – maybe longer, somehow – camping??

Pictou Island

Highlight #5

We celebrate my Dad’s health and are thankful to have him still with us. But it was hard to write about why we do. Hug your loved ones and be thankful for each day you get to spend together. Life is precious. Don’t take it for granted.

Photo Credit to Christine Hachey of Wonkyeye Photography for this awesome picture of Dad

Highlight #4

A huge change for me personally this past year was when I made the leap and left my job at a local decorating shop. It’s been fun, interesting and challenging and I don’t regret it one little bit. Running my own business, being home so much more with my girls and taking different opportunities that have come my way has been worth it.

Highlight #3

With making the leap into owning my own business, I needed a better blog platform and thus we are visiting here together at www.farmfreshstyle.ca and not my old blog platform over at Blogspot. This was an exciting change and one that took hours {Thanks, Christine!!! } and I love it over here!!! I hope you like it here, too!

Highlight #2

The family reunion that was held here this summer was….so amazing. I miss my cousins and their families in a way I never did before. The bonds that were established over the weekend are special and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get to know my family better. I was especially thankful for the extra day I got to spend with my cousin, Calvin and Erin, and their girls, exploring the East Coast.

Cousins

Highlight #1

Of course, the biggest highlight of the year was buying the house next door and moving over here to Clear Day Farm. We have come home. We painted, scrubbed, shuffled things around and settled into our new home. The bonus, for me, was the studio space that I now run Farm Fresh out of. And the barn, and the orchard, and the big yard, and the garden, and and and ALL the wonderful things over here, on the other side of the road. I’m thankful that this move was possible without uprooting the girls from their school and preschool and staying close to our families.

Clear Day Farm

2014 was a big year for me. Lots of change, lots of exciting things happening. I knew it was the year of change and I prepared for it the best I could. 2015 will be about settling into new routines and bringing my business further.

I wouldn’t have been able to make these changes without the continued support of the handsome Mr. Byrne, my sweet girlies and my family. Thank you for believing in what I’m doing!! And a huge shout out to you, my readers, for your support and for continuely dropping over to see what’s going on over here. Thank you!!

I can hardly wait to see what 2015 will bring!! {It’ll start by ringing in the New Year with the newly weds while the girls have a sleepover with grandparents!! Wahoo for that!! }

Happy New Year!!!

Lori

December 30, 2014 By lori@farmfreshstyle.ca

2 In Adventures/ Country Life/ Our Family

Fall Sunday Drive

Today I decided it would be a good day to escape the house { and avoid a task that is looming } and deliver a pillow to a friend of mine in Tatamagouche. Now, I love any excuse to take a drive to Tatamagouche, that little town will always have a soft spot in my heart! I lived there for two years while I was a nanny to a little guy….who is now long into the university years! The weather was great for a drive and the girls needed to be active and distracted. The lack of sleep from Friday night was catching up to us all. We decided to do a little geocaching along the way. We found a few, didn’t find a few, too. There were tears, wipe outs, laughter, treats and fun. There may also be a nasty bruise, poor Hannah found a trimmed stick with the back of her thigh. I may also have a bruise on my elbow…one must use caution while bending over and trying to not let the camera bang you on the back of the head….my elbow saved my head on that one.

Fall Sunday Drive (2) Fall Sunday Drive (3) Fall Sunday Drive (4) Fall Sunday Drive (5) Fall Sunday Drive (6) Fall Sunday Drive (8) Fall Sunday Drive (9) Fall Sunday Drive (10)

Fall Sunday Drive (11) Fall Sunday Drive (7)

The treasures we find are not all tucked away in a camo duct taped box. It is in being outdoors, where things like bird’s nests are tucked under railcars or on the tip toppy most branch. It is learning how to follow a GPS, how to be respectful of other people’s places, and how to work together as a team. It is learning not to give up, it is learning to think outside the box. It is seeing our area through fresh eyes. It is learning that trades are permanent, and we don’t go back if you aren’t happy with what you traded. And trades can range in worth. Dollar Store kazoo? Heart rock? Same value? Not to this momma!!

Thank you to whoever dreamed up geocaching for the life lessons it is teaching my children! They think we are just out there having fun…

To be continued,

Lori

November 23, 2014 By lori@farmfreshstyle.ca

6 In Adventures

Market Lessons

Market Display 2 Well, today marks the end of another successful market weekend. I have learned many things over the past year when it comes to organizing a market. Here’s a break down.

1. They are hard on your caloric intake. Deep-fried Ice Cream for lunch SOUNDS like a good idea. So does rescuing orphan cinnamon rolls. And coffee by the bucket. I’m afraid of what the scale might tell me tomorrow. My belly tells me it won’t be good.

2. You meet the best people. Strangers become friends. Acquaintances become friends. People are amazing!! I love to chit chat (just ask my girls) and so hanging out at a market for two or three days is dreamland for me! And to have friends as vendors – perfection!

3. A foot massage would go a long way. So would fresh socks. A neck rub can just about make you cry….in pain and relief.

Market Display 1

4. Stuff happens. Not everything goes smoothly. But how you deal with it can make it worse or better….just pick the right one. And learn from it. Then move on.

5. Try to earn more than you spend. It’s hard when there were so many awesome vendors to shop from. I shopped – why wouldn’t I support my vendors?

6. Stalk the cool chick across the room. She might think you are cool, too. She may also treat you to said Deep-fried Ice Cream, almost as if she knew you’d rescue her by taking care of the forgotten product. Thank you and you’re welcome.

7. Keep your vendors happy. Check in on them. Chat. Happy vendors sell more stuff and then they want to come back another time.

8. Try to remember to take pictures. Epic fail….again……

Long Point Treasures – beach glass jewelry made by these three cuties

9. Engage your customers and mind your manners. People like to be appreciated and a little acknowledgement goes a long way.

10. You won’t remember everything. Thankfully there might be the option to set up the night before and there might be a second day, too, by the end of that day, you will have stuff then you know what to do with.

11. Enjoy yourself. You want to look back and remember the laughter as you soak your tired feet.

12. Follow the rules. Be courteous to the building owners, we are in a borrowed space. Your mother taught you to clean up after yourself, didn’t she? Make her proud.

13. Remember you are selling more than just a product, sell yourself and your story. People truly are interested in other people.

14. In-laws rock. I couldn’t have done what I did without my wonderful in-laws. I think they will be happy this weekend is over, too, though!

Thank you to everyone who came out to say hello and made some purchases. Your support was greatly appreciated. I had so much fun and I know the other vendors did, too! As tired as I am now, I’m so glad I did it. And you guys are the reason why!!

To be continued,

Lori

November 17, 2014 By lori@farmfreshstyle.ca

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