Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas A. Edison

We bought this place so that we could be gentleman farmers.  And it is a great place to do that but not without a little work.  We know that come spring we've got to reinforce the rafters in the barn and replace most of the roofing.  Once that's done we can start cleaning out all of the old horse poop and miscellaneous junk.  And then we need to add on a pen for the pigs and a coop for the chickens.  Next there is the fencing.  We've got fencing surrounding our entire property but some of it is leaning pretty far to one side and some is hanging so loose that the deer and Yogi just hop right over or under it's barbed wire.  That won't do - if we were to put a couple rambunctious milk goats in there - they'd be trotting down the road in no time.  At least that's what we've heard.  We keep saying maybe we'll put off getting those goats because we just don't know where to start.  Then there are piles of rotted wood to remove or chip, apple trees that haven't been properly pruned in decades, an eight foot deer proof fence that needs to go up around our proposed garden area, and then that spring that I mentioned needs a little work.  It runs into an old bath tub in the front pasture.  It's always running but we need to get to it's source and clean it out all of the mud and mineral build up to make it run even faster.  What that means is that 50 yards uphill of where it comes out is a holding tank underneath a "floor" of boards.  If we get those up we can get down there and get that done.  

But before all of that gets done we need to build a treehouse.  We have been talking about and promising a treehouse to our boys for years and years.  And this spring we really need to make good on that.  We figure we'll start simple and over time add on to it.  How are we going to get all of this done?  Who knows.  For now, we wander out and pick up pine cones.  They make the perfect kindling once they dry and gathering them makes us feel like we are playing "farm" or at least like pioneers.

 It is a lot of work - especially when there is a lot to do inside the house as well.  But there are days like today when the snow has melted and the breeze is high and the eagles play and roll in the sky above us.  A few days back we sat on our deck as the sun set and watched a bald eagle circle - and each time he turned toward the sun the white on his head and tail caught the bending light and glowed bright pink.  It was truly breathtaking.   And today we found hundreds of lady bugs camped out all over a tree trunk in the sun.  And my boys get to grow up seeing things like that all the time.  I can't wait to see how that will affect who they will become.

January Snowflakes.

There are few things as beautiful and magical as perfectly formed snowflakes falling from the sky.  The intricacy of each one makes you catch your breath.  You can't help but feel that they are little gifts to remind you that you're not alone - that Someone cares and made sure that little snowflakes falling from the sky would remind you of that.  I know that's cheesy but I mean it.

Last week I took the dog out for a walk across the street in the 40 acre woods and took my camera along.  I left feeling uptight and stressed but came back quiet and happy.  Following the deer tracks, the snow was fluffy and deep, Yogi was in complete bliss, and all was still and beautiful.  Here are some pictures...

Weston & Alison Get Married.

On December 3rd, 2010 my little brother Weston tied the knot with Alison Rasmussen. He is the youngest and last one in the family to get married - as is Alison in hers - which meant that it was a really meaningful and really fun wedding and reception.  And since it's my own brother's wedding I couldn't help but take a MILLION pictures which means that choosing my favs for this post was near impossible.  So, this is going to be a long long post.  Here goes...

 Seriously guys, it was the happiest, funnest, best wedding I've ever been to.  And I'm so glad I got to take pictures of it!  A special thanks goes out to Marisa for coming and taking all of the shots that I wanted to be in.  Marisa is an amazing friend and photographer.  She's got a workshop for beginning photography in a couple of weeks.  You should check it out!