the simple life

Farmhouse Project: The Front Steps

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The long list continues to be tackled one item at a time as time and money allows, and with the help of the Lord. This project has been waiting for a while, mostly because we were not sure of what to do with the steps, and what would be the best economical way to fix them. If you know anything about construction or masonry, you will know that this type of work is very expensive, and we did not want to spend a lot on these steps that were functional but needed some help. My husband came up with a good solution, as well as under budget.

When we first bought the old farmhouse, the steps were broken as well as the entire porch, so we decided to patch things up as best as possible and paint them. For the purpose of this post, I will share the steps/porch from the beginning so the reader can appreciate the development so far. Most important is that we are happy with the results, and I think that my husband did a great job at it. I did not work directly on this particular last project, only appreciated the process and took pictures.

Here is a photo of the early days, as it was when we bought the derelict farmhouse.

The porch and steps of the old farmhouse, as it was when we bought it. The cement was broken, well, everything was. (Photo by M.A.D.)

In order to move things along the way, we fixed the porch and steps as best we could and painted them. Here is a picture of what we did in the meantime.

We knew that we needed a more permanent solution, eventually. Here is where we are today, and the process my husband followed to level the steps and build new steps.

First, he measured and built the steps using cement, and tiles that we had bought from a builder but did not use in the house remodel. (Photo by M.A.D.)

This is what the steps look like once the cement has cured. The steps are thick and heavy.

He measured, leveled, and filled the old steps in order to place the new ones.

The final result. Eventually, we will have to fix the porch floor by adding slate, but that is another project in its own time.

In the meantime, I was admiring a gigantic but beautiful slug that I saw by the side entrance. The next project will be fixing that area a bit better.

I hope that you enjoyed this project and became inspired with a little DIY.

Love and light.

Critters and Veggies

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The garden just started to give its loveliness; we had a late start, but this autumn seems promising. Lettuce is all done by now, and so are the potatoes, and the blueberries. Carrots are on the way. We are awaiting the ripening of the grapes, but the deer have been busy around the vine. (Photo by M.A.D.)
The hummingbirds have been very busy this year. Since moving here, this is the year when I have seen more of them feeding. That is just wonderful. (Photo by M.A.D.)
The tail end of a black snake on the porch. One thing I have learned since I moved here is to look before I step outside. On one occasion, as I was stepping outside by the side entrance, I almost got rammed by a leaping deer running from barking dogs I heard at a distance. His companion followed. It missed me by a few inches. The scared couple flew through the air. I thank God that I did not step out a second before. (Photo by M.A.D.)
And here is the black beauty going about her day. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Mama Turkey and her darlings made another visit. They have grown fast, and now they are less likely to follow her in a straight line. They are adorable. (Photo by M.A.D.)
And of course, my lovely crows, for whom I named this place “Black Crow Cottage.” I have observed different families raising the babies this year (at least three families, that I could tell apart by the size of the babies). They have been nesting nearby in the back woods. At times, the families are near to each other teaching the babies how to forage for food. In this picture you can see Mama Crow to the left; she is larger. (Photo by M.A.D.)

Hope you enjoy the images.

Love and Light.

At that Age

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photo by Maria Antonia Diaz

I find myself at “that age,” when I finally feel that a bridge has been crossed, and the perspective from the other side of the bridge is very different from the side left behind. I can surely say that life takes a different meaning from that point of view. The things I wanted then are very different from the things I want now. One of “those things” that I have learned is to stop trying to “fix” people. What I thought in my younger years that people needed to hear, was not necessarily what needed to be said. Advice should not be given unless it is requested. Pretending to know what people need in their lives, how they should live or fix their problems, even when it is meant with a good heart, is wrong, especially when the advice isn’t requested. When we are young, we want to change the world and we might take that feeling and desire and translate it to offering wisdom from our “fresh” point of view, especially when the person is happy and satisfied with how a life is being lived. Why assume another person’s life is broken? Because it is not suitable to our standards? Why assume that our way is the only way, and the other person needs anything from us to be fulfilled, not left behind? Why “fix” their existence?

With age comes maturity. Many steps have been taken and the soles of one’s shoes are worn enough. I’ve stopped giving advice that is not solicited. I’ve stopped thinking that I have the right answer. I’ve learned that there is no need to prove a point, unless someone asks for my opinion. I’ve learned to love and shut up, to enjoy my way while accepting other people’s right to live their way without harming others, even when I don’t share their opinion of how they handle situations. There is a modern say, “You do you.” In a way, I understand it. It is not to say that I don’t care about what goes on, consequences, moral issues, the illnesses of a society … all of that is real, and needs to be addressed, first, in our life and circle, then by supporting the agencies that fight against the injustices and crimes committed in society, however, that is another subject, and very different from the topic of this article.

Crossing the bridge gave me a sense of peace and understanding of having been once at the other side. With peace comes understanding, with understanding, acceptance, with acceptance comes the realization that what I thought was good for me is not necessarily good for another in their own journey. Although many suggestions and opinions come from a place of love and genuine concern; however, it is not a “one fits all” reality. I might be hot-tempered at times, maybe somewhat opinionated, still dreaming of a better world, but no longer do I give or take unsolicited advice. The bridge has been crossed.

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye.”

Matthew 7:3 ESV

Farmhouse Project Update

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Finally, the stump of the old tree that was taken down is being honored. I felt so sad when I had to get rid of the very old tree. It was a liability and dangerously close to the house; besides, it was showing signs of disease. But the tree refused to go down; it came to life again. I thought of a way in which to make us both happy.

I trimmed its new branches. My husband built a replica of the farmhouse, and we placed it atop the trunk. He decided to paint the window trim blue as well. Our window trim is white, but we thought it would look better that way. The inside painted in yellow suggests that the lights are on. We added a few woodland critters, a welcome sign, a mailbox, and sitting arrangement on the porch. I recycled those miniatures from the faerie garden. I think he did a great job and I love it. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Side view. All materials, with the exception of the gray paint and clear coat, are recycled. We want to build or paint a faerie door on the trunk. (Photo by M.A.D.)
We added a color changing spotlight. I took this picture from indoors through the window glass at night (too many night crawlers around). The rosebush gives a nice touch to it. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Same view during the day. (Photo by M.A.D.)

This is a project that we had scheduled for some time this year. The original plan was to add faerie lights and a Clematis plant or a type of vine to the trunk; however, we thought that a spotlight would be better, and the tree branches that grew again took the place of the Clematis plant. Hope you enjoy reading about this project.

UPDATE

My husband finished the faerie door. All materials used are recycled. I think he did an awesome job. Love it!

Faerie door using recycled materials. Photo by M.A.D.

The Life that We Dream

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“I’m standing here in summer sun, where rabbits hide, and small quail run… I listen to the prairie’s song in every breeze that comes along.” – Betty Lou Hebert, “Prairie Gentian.”

In our youth, we imagine life turning out a certain way; we are full of dreams and less experienced. We set out to conquer the world. As we mature, experiences, good and bad, have placed some weight on us, influenced our desires and dreams, and our footsteps hold firmly to the ground. Steps become steadier and more careful, less rushed, and bit more planned. Some of us find ourselves living the life we dreamed, while some of us might not, and others might be half-way there. For many of us, the life that we dreamed once might not be the life that we want to live now. Whatever the case might be, dreams remain. The adage, “When you stop dreaming you stop living,” might have a bit of truth.

From small dreams to larger dreams, it all seems to propel us forward in life, whether we want a fancy life or a simpler life. There are setbacks, new dreams, and things don’t always turn out the way we dreamed or planned for, but this doesn’t diminish the preciousness of life, and each day presents a new opportunity to dream again; each day, an opportunity to do a bit better than we did yesterday. After all, and on the way to a dream, we become our own judges, that is, in relation to our dreams in life.

What does a 90-year-old person dreams of? Maybe what we all seem to take for granted – to enjoy another day. What does a person with a terminal illness dreams of? Maybe for one more day amongst friends and loved ones. A person contemplating suicide? Perhaps for a better day, each day. In the end, no matter what one’s dreams were about or how these turned out, we seem to ask for one more day. In perspective, that is all we have, one day at a time.

Photo by M.A.D.

Around the Garden

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The beauty that a garden gives in a few pictures.

Isn’t he gorgeous? (Photo by M.A.D.)
This year mushrooms grew everywhere, especially in the faerie garden. These are huge. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Size comparison. Unfortunately, these mushrooms decompose very fast, and they smell like a rotten corpse. Bees, flies, and ants are attracted to it. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Two decomposing stinky mushrooms. They will melt and disappear. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Pretty colorful ones too. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Mama Turkey and her adorable babies stopped by. Could not get a clear picture as they moved fast. (Photo by M.A.D.)
The blessing of early Mums. (Photo by M.A.D.)

All little things that make me stop and smile. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Love and Light.

A Single Flower

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Photo by M.A.D.

In as much as a single flower, exists a whole world, a world of color, patterns, texture, lines, dimension, shape and form, of beauty and awe, when you stop to carefully and mindfully observe it. It can only speak of the magnificence and magnitude of its creator.

Garden Friends

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It is always lovely to spot a few friends in the garden.

I have not seen these birds before, but they are adorable. The tail’s color is my favorite shade of blue.

The deer are always visiting.

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV

Some Things are Meant to Be

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Some things are meant to be, simplicity, findings, and awe, with all the blessings of God.

Photo by M.A.D.
Mama Bird has been teaching her four babies how to forage for food and eat on their own. Sometimes, they want her to feed them, and she keeps on walking with them until they start pecking at whatever they find on the ground. There is a little one that has been a slow learner, and follows her until sometimes, she gives in and feeds him something. Photo by M.A.D.
From the garden. Blessings come in all sizes and colors. Photo by M.A.D.

Love and Light.

A Late Start

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This year, I started the veggie garden a bit later due to changes in weather. Too late for seeds now, and all my germinated seeds died, so I had to buy a few plants at the garden center. The prices were astronomically high at $3.95 for one tiny tomato plant. There are a few squash seeds coming out in the back area. We just threw them on the ground, and they took well. This year, the veggie garden will be very simple and with little variety. We planted tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplant, potatoes, and onions. We also have a blueberry bush and planted two strawberry roots. The grape vine will produce fruit this year; right now, it is covered in tiny grapes. The lettuce came back from last year, and also a few tomato plants grew from fallen seeds. The Brussel sprouts did not produce last year but I left it alone for seeds; let’s see how that goes. Little birds have been eating them. Once it is done seeding, I will remove the old plants because these will not produce anymore.

We are planning to add a raspberry and blackberry bush, and maybe peach, pear, and apple trees in the future. The idea is to develop this garden over time, so we don’t overwhelm ourselves with maintenance; instead, ease into it slowly, and by stages. It is what we have been doing with the rest of the garden, overall. We also have to do some rearranging of the boxes and eliminate some containers that seem to be too small and not performing well enough, so we can make a better use of the space by configurating it better.

This veggie garden was built from recycled pallets. It has hold well over the years.
This is the area of the veggie garden before, when we bought the place.
The same area during cleanup, from another angle. Most of the overgrown bushes and weeds are gone; only the large cedar and ornamental grass on the picture remain today.
Now that the weather is pleasant, my husband gets lost tinkering outdoors, so I insisted on installing a dinner bell on the porch so I can ring the bell when he doesn’t hear my call. Practical, loud, and charming.

There are many other projects on the list for this year. Let’s see how many we can tackle before Autumn arrives. I will share some here. The labor of love will continue.