Winter comes with it’s own waylay of monotony. Between the mud and manure and day-to-day feeding of cows, it can all get overwhelming. My winter may look different than your winter, but I bet a lot of us feel the drudgery of shorter days, colder weather and lack of “life” for lack of a better way of putting it. Sometimes it takes a change of perspective to change, well, our perspective. I wrote about finding winter’s joy for Hyco Magazine this month and I hope you’ll find some encouragement in these thoughts. See excerpt below and read full article here. Let me know how winter is treating you and know you have a friend in the fight to find and keep the joy!

xx,
m

Yes, winter can have its trials. The lack of daylight, the colder temps, the mud, (and here, manure) and the seeming monotony of it all. But, oh, what joy winter can also bring. A reminder that without the weight of winter, we would lose the purpose in the wait for spring. And I believe there is purpose in it. It’s in the wait we can tend to what needs tending in preparation to bloom. There’s a reason God made leaves to fall, animals to hibernate, and plants to go dormant. We need the same at times. We sometimes need pruning for future growth. We need slower seasons in life to focus on the now, while building a stronger foundation for what’s coming later. It’s the difficult days that can make the best days even sweeter.

I don’t doubt that I’ll still complain this winter.  It’s human nature in us all. But I’m going to try harder to see more of what’s in front of me, learn from what’s behind me, and be hopeful for what’s ahead. Knowing that each season carries its own lessons and beauty when we see them for what they are. And I’m really hoping we get to make snow cream at least once this winter. Because there’s no cream like snow cream. Have I made that point clearly enough?!

Here’s to whatever winter brings for us all and the peace of mind to hold it carefully for the joy it can give if we open our hands and hearts to it.

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When I first started taking photography seriously I did a much better job of taking photos of our everyday. It was new and fun learning to use my “big girl” camera. Turns out we all have cameras in our pockets all the time now and I’ve gotten worse about doing this. Taking time to snap photos of all the little things that add up to all the big things. Because that’s how this equation of life works.

So today I decided to snap photos of the little things. The moments that made this day special. And really there are moments each and every day that make them all special, because each and every moment of every day is a gift.

Even in the midst of an ice storm, dirty dishes and losing power, there was laughter, kids playing (and fighting), and time together. There was memories made. And now documented.

I’d challenge you to use that camera in your pocket more, too. Because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and the only photo you’ll regret not having is the one you didn’t take.

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Johnny said it well. I wear a lot of grey. Because I’m comfortable in it. Whatever makes you comfortable, wear it. Whatever your passion, share it. Your way. Be your own amazing light and you’ll be an amazing light for others.

I’m a pretty easy going gal, but some things can really trip my trigger. (It happens, y’all. ) Like seeing too many people telling too many other people they are doing things wrong, because they are doing things different. Different isn’t wrong. Wrong would be trying to be someone you’re not to appease someone who can’t see the good in you as you are. And what good is that? Not a lot, I think. But maybe that’s just me. Either way, I’m comfortable enough these days in my forty-something-sometimes-too-thin-skinned-but-soul-full to say it.

Keep doing and striving to be the best version of you. The world needs you just the way you are.

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What makes you…you? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what makes me, me. Sure, I wear a lot of hats and I’m not going to take time to list them. Most women I know where a lot of the same ones. Altogether, I reckon they make me, me.

Sometimes I feel lost under them. Sometimes all the roles get to be all too much. But under all the hats is a woman who has her own set of values, goals, desires and dreams. Under all the hats is a woman who loves her God, her family, her freedoms and her place in this life she gets to call hers. I also reckon we all probably share a lot of those in common.

Under all the hats is a woman trying to live and do the best she can given all God has given her to do the things He’s called her to. With as much grace as she can muster, and often not giving enough grace to herself or others. But trying nonetheless.

I don’t know a lot. But I know we all matter. Our stories matter. How we show up for those we love matters. And tonight I’m just thinking how important being true to ourselves matters. Whatever that is for you. Whatever that is for me. And thinking maybe if we focused on that all the rest may tend to matter a little more.

If any of this makes any sense to you, God bless you. Thank you for being here and letting me ramble from my kitchen. (Where tonight beef and butter is going to continue to matter. )

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I told my girl recently the best way to learn was by doing. I believe that, because I’ve lived it. ⁣
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If my 42 year-old self could go back to my 22⁣ year-old self, at first thought I’d tell her what she should do different. But then again, I wouldn’t. ⁣
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Because every move has led me to where I am today and I’m better for the lessons I’ve learned.⁣
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The only things I’d change are things I had no control over. I’d rather not have lived through hard losses, but I’m thankful for the years I had building memories and knowing love that made the voids so great. ⁣
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Instead of telling my younger self to take a different path, I’d tell her to walk it more carefully. ⁣
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I’d tell her to take more time to savor the small, because one day she’d realize that’s where the big really lies. ⁣
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I’d tell her to dream big, because no dream was too big for her God. ⁣
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I’d tell her it’s ok to be scared, but to jump the cliffs anyway – she has more strength than she realizes. ⁣
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I’d tell her to stop measuring herself against others and stand tall in the unique person she was created by a God who doesn’t make mistakes. ⁣
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I’d tell her to soak up the present, because the present is a gift. ⁣
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I’d tell her to keep her circle small, tightly knit and treasure her true friends. ⁣
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I’d tell her to not give up when things get hard, but let the hard be fuel to reap the rewards of pressing on. ⁣
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I’d tell her that things in life worth having don’t come free. Handouts build dependence; hard work builds character. And the best things in life can’t be bought, so be content with what you have. Your treasures have hearts and souls (but it’s ok to splurge on boots. They have soles, too.)⁣
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I’d tell her to give herself and others more grace, it smooths our flaws. (And speaking of smoothing flaws, start using moisturizer on your face now. You’ll thank me.)⁣
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I’d tell her to just keep going and today I’m telling myself and anyone listening the same. ⁣
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Today is a gift, y’all. Every day we open our eyes and take a breath is a gift. Let us use the time we have, living full while fully alive. If I get 42 more minutes or 42 more years, I pray I don’t forget that. ⁣
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I should be looking down, but I’m usually looking up or out. Hubs is looking for green shoots on the ground and I’m chasing thoughts, per usual. I’ve been chasing a lot of them lately. And writing them down. Here’s my current list of things I’m (still) learning. Happy to hear what’s on your mind, too. Do you have a favorite thinking place?

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Steer clear of the easy road. Strength comes on the uphill and getting back up after you fall.

Forgive others. Forgive yourself. What bitterness and shame shackle, forgiveness sets free.

No thing in life is more important than the things money can’t buy. Spend the few breaths you have left focusing on the ones that bring joy, with the people that matter the most.

Above every cloud the sun is always shining.

Love more. Judge less.

Standing firm in your beliefs – even if it means standing alone – is better than washing away in a tide of complacency. And you can stand firm without disrespecting the beliefs of others.

It’s ok to say no for a better yes.

I’ll keep adding. Because I think it’s ok to change and grow, much like these crops we window farm.

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All smiles for silage. And thinking how grateful I am for all of this and all of you.
Grateful for this way of life more than I ever knew I would or could be.

Grateful I started sharing it online – the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Grateful for the community I’ve found here (that’s you!) that encourages, inspires and supports so well.

Grateful for all the freedoms I have and those who have and continue to secure them.

Grateful for the promise of a new day, new crop, and new life about to start on the farm.

This Farm Wife turns 2 on September 19th, and I can’t help but look back over the last two years and have immense gratitude. When I hit “publish” for the first time, I never imagined that two years later this is where we’d be. As cliché as it sounds, an attitude of gratitude keeps all of this – and all of the hard and heavy – in perspective. Because at the end of the day, we all have so much to be grateful for.

What are you grateful for today? I’d love to hear.

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“Do what you can, with all you have, wherever you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt⁣

This quote speaks to me. I’ve mulled it over a lot. I’ve used it in talks. I’ve shared it with friends. As someone who for a long time felt lost and ill-equipped to follow dreams that seemed out of reach, unattainable and honestly just unseen for the fog of uncertainty of what they even were – this quote grounds me. It reminds me that if I had waited to be an “expert” before I dared to call myself a photographer…writer…speaker…vlogger…I’d still be waiting. ⁣

First steps are always the hardest, but they are the only way forward. I still don’t consider myself an expert at anything and I never will, but I do consider myself a student. And a dreamer. And more and more a doer and a tryer. (That should be a word.) Because only by doing and trying do we grow. And learn. And fail. And succeed.⁣

I had the opportunity to be interviewed by YouTube this last winter while attending Commodity Classic. They wrote up a blog post and created a short video about my channel and looking back through the footage and listening to my own words, I’m reminded why I love sharing in this way so much. I’m reminded how important our own “why” is and how important our own try is. ⁣

Do you want to be a photographer? Start taking photos. Learn the light. It will teach you. ⁣

Do you want to vlog? Turn your phone around, hit record and upload. ⁣

Do you want to blog? Download a free WordPress site and start sharing. ⁣

Do you have a book in you the world needs to read? Start writing. ⁣

Is it all easy? Nope. Does it take time? Yep. If it’s your passion, is it worth the effort? I say so. ⁣

Stop comparing your start to someone else’s place further along in their journey. Stop making excuses for why you can’t and do what you can – with all you have – where you are. Just start. ⁣

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Growing up I would often say “I wish…” and my mama would say I was going to wish my life away. Now I often say “Here’s hoping.” Either way, I know wishing and hoping aren’t always the best ways to live, but I can’t always help it. ‍

Truth is I don’t think wishing and hoping are all that bad when accompanied with some hard work (and a lot of faith.)

Truth also is I’ve jumped off a lot of proverbial cliffs the past eight years, and sometimes I’ve landed harder than others, but I’ve always landed. And learned. And found enough strength to keep going and growing. Here’s hoping the same for us all. Because we never know what will be if we don’t go for it.

Any other wishers and hopers out there?

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The days are getting longer, but I can’t help but think lately how the days are getting shorter. Maybe it’s my age. This time in life watching my kids grow too fast and time slip by even faster. Some days I let it get the best of me. Worrying the days we’ve had so far haven’t been spent the way they should have been. Worrying I haven’t done the right things to put them on the right track.

I was talking with a friend recently struggling with motherhood and I told her she was right on track. That God was still in control and what the enemy means for bad, God can turn and use for good. Then I realized I needed the same message.

Life isn’t always easy. Parenthood is hard. Life is hard. Not everyday is sunshine and flowers, more often than not it’s mud and weeds. But it takes all of that to make life whole. And without the rain that brings the mud, we’d never have anything to harvest.

These are things I’m stewing on while stirring supper tonight. If you need the reminder, this as much for you as it is for me. Just know you’re never alone and doing the best we can is the best we can do.

So keep doing and keep going.

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