Life

I started my Joy Journal. Some people have gratitude journals, some people document their day-to-day life and others note the weather.  But I don’t want to hold myself to anything that requires a daily commitment, either.  I have learned a few things about myself over the years.

I wanted to start documenting things that brought me Joy.  I’ve posted my ‘found Joy’ on Instagram but sometimes it isn’t photo worthy.  Or something that can be captured in a picture even.  But I want to be more aware of the things that bring me Joy so I decided I wanted to start a Joy Journal.  I mentioned it HERE.

I shopped for a blank journal that spoke to me.  I bought two.  A sweet little red one and this bigger turquoise one with a shiny J on the front.  I took a poll an Instagram and now I can’t even remember the results.  I decided on the turquoise Journal and away I went.  The red journal is kicking around here somewhere…..I’m sure someday I’ll need a little red journal and then I’ll have the perfect one on hand!

I started with some quotes about Joy and some entries early in the month.  In theory I’d love to add an entry each night before bed but I know I’d do better first thing in the morning, posting about the previous day.  I need to have it handy, or it just doesn’t happen.

Colour brings me joy and so do yummy Macarons.  How pretty are these? I love how they pair with the turquoise cover, but I’m getting sidetracked! Oh, but before I forget, you can join my FB group where we semi-publically share what has brought us Joy, click on the sunflower picture on the main page of this site and it’ll bring you to us!

I know someday I will be very thankful that I took notice and made notes of the little things in my daily life that made me smile, made me feel special or made me take notice of the beauty and splendor around me.

Are you someone who makes daily documentation of life?  Do you have a Gratitude Journal? Or do you want to join me with a Joy Journal?  I’d love to hear about it!

Colourfully yours,

Lori

I remember my bedtime when I was a kid and I hope that my kids have the same fond memories….but as the mom it feels very different from how it was as the kid, right?

When I think of my bedtime as a child things like chatting with Dad about his day and goofing off with my sister come to mind.  I felt safe, and loved.  Which is exactly how you want to feel at the end of the day, as a child but even still as an adult.

One of the best things about bedtime as a kid was asking Dad, day after day, what he did that day, after he tucked me in and either him or Mom said prayers with me.  There is not a doubt in my mind that it started as a stalling tactic – what kid wants to go to bed?  But I asked and he answered night after night.  “I got up, milked the cows and came in for breakfast….”  I’m sure what followed changed from day to day, maybe he had a meeting or had to go to the Co-op for supplies or to the sales barn to drop off a cull cow or some bull calves.  But everyday, year after year, he started the day the same, he told me every night I asked and that stuck with me.  My days start differently, depending on the day of the week, my work schedule, the season, etc. so I wouldn’t be able to give the same answer on repeat like Dad.

By the end of my day, when bedtime hits for the girls, I’m ready to send them on their merry way so I can find a few moments of peace.  Does that make me nice at bedtime? Nope, probably not.  I’m not one for dilly-dallying – get your pyjamas on, brush your teeth and hurry your hinny into bed.  Now is not the time to contemplate the meaning of life or hash out anything.  And I realize that I am probably missing out on a great time to connect with my children.  I’m not a night owl so by bedtime, which here is 8 pm, I’m pretty much toast.

I remember when we lived in our last house, both girls shared a room and were much tinier, I would sit in the door way and sing to them.  I had a list of songs I would sing and then I’d wander off down the hall and leave them to their sweet dreams.

They do like Michael or myself to lay down with them at bedtime, but my problem is that I usually fall asleep and wake up sore at some odd hour and I’d stagger off to my own bed, or just roll over and call it a night.  But I found I didn’t sleep well, which isn’t a huge surprise, I guess.

I need to relax to be more open to things that force me out of the routine we’ve created for bedtime here, so that if there are conversations that need to take place, I’m in-tune with that.  Or if someone needs an extra snuggle, then I can.  Even thought they are older and so much more capable to do things on their own, they do still need me and rely on us for comfort and support.  And I’d honestly hate to miss out on that with them because I know as we enter the teenage years, I want them to be able to talk things through with us.

Do you have a bedtime routine that works awesomely with your family? Do you remember your bedtime as a kid fondly? Tell me all about it!

Colourfully yours,

Lori

{ B&W photo is an oldie by Christine of Wonkyeye Photography of Lena }

Names are an interesting thing.   They can mean so much and yet how often do we even think about the meaning behind a name? Rarely.  So let’s talk about names!

Let’s start with the name of this blog – seems like a good place to start as any.  Farm Fresh Style.  Well, I knew the blog needed to have a nod to my country roots and the lifestyle in which I was raised.  That landed me on Farm but I didn’t want it to scream ‘country’ so paired with Fresh, it takes on a slightly different meaning – Farm Fresh – fresh off the farm, country with an updated twist.  And the Style is for my own personal style in our home which I share on the blog and socials but also to my career path of interiors.  I’ve had people try to get me to change it to something more distinguished or classic but I think it truly suits me and what I’m doing over here in the blog.

People know me as Lori but you might be surprised to hear that my given name is actually Lorraine.  Mom wanted me named after her best friend, Laurie, and her sister, Anne. So, Mom and Dad named me Lorraine but with the intention of calling me Lori.  I can tell how important a phone call is based on what they address me as – only the most formal of documentation is under my given name.  So, it is rare that I am addressed as Lorraine, except when the handsome Mr. Byrne calls me that….or Rainie, which I really do love 🙂

Our daughters are both named after their great grandmothers or even great great grandmothers.  I love a name with roots and history.  Lena is named after my grandmother who was an amazing artist.  I talk a little about her HERE.  And poor Lena, no one pronounces her name correctly if they see it in writing, they think it is the traditional way of saying it Lee-nah but the Dutch pronunciation is Lay-nah, just like her Great Grandma.

Hannah was named after Michael’s side of the family and the cutest was when his Nanny informed us that her middle name was Mae – she didn’t realize we had named Hannah after her!  She was pretty tickled when she did find out, though.

When Penny arrived in our lives, she needed a new name to start her new life with us.  I’m not one who believes in ‘luck’ but she showed up like a ‘Lucky Penny’ and I have to say, I’m not sure who the lucky one is – her or us.  And with her pretty copper colouring, it seemed like a good fit.  I was looking up dog names the other day to help out a friend and so I looked up Penny as a dog name, which means ‘flower’ and it suits an independent dog….which made me laugh, Penny is a such a good girl when she has boundaries but let her off leash { read: escapes } and it’s hours or much longer before she’s ready to come back…

Our farm name is Clear Day Farm and it isn’t the name we named it, it came with that name.  The pervious owners loved this property very much and it was hard for them to let it go.  So, to honour them, we kept the name.  I’m not sure the background of it, but I do know that on a clear day, you can see so far away!  The hills that surround us are goregous.

I’d love to hear the story or meaning behind your name or your children’s name or your farm name!  I find this is interesting and such a meaningful way to connect to our past!

Colourfully yours,

Lori