gardening

Rainy Rhythms and Warm Connections

Yesterday was the kind of rainy day that makes you want to curl up with something warm—and thankfully, there was plenty of that to go around. I eased into the day with my usual morning routine, cozy and slow, and noticed something that made me smile: a few of my sprouts had pushed up their first leaves.

I had a therapy session in the morning, though I’ll admit it was a bit disrupted by baking—my timing could definitely use some work! Still, it was grounding to talk things through and check in with myself. The loaf itself turned out beautifully (with a lot of help from my new bread sling!), though my scoring could use some work.

After knocking out a few chores, I headed to a friend’s house for a lovely little visit. We enjoyed homemade baked goods, shared some tea, and even worked on our crochet projects together.

Once I got back home, it was back to the rhythm of the house. Someone stopped by to pick up the grill we’d offered on our local Buy Nothing page, and then another neighbor came by to pick up the loaf of sourdough I’d baked—part of a little exchange for an honest critique. I’m excited (and nervous) to hear what they think!

Before dinner, I caught a peaceful moment in the backyard: a bunny nibbling clover just beyond the window. It was such a quiet, tender pause in the day.

Dinner came and went, and I finally tackled the mountain of dishes that had been looming. It wasn’t glamorous, but it felt good to clear that space. Just as I was finishing up, my sister-in-law arrived to drop off my oldest, who had been visiting her. It was sweet to see them both.

Now I’m looking ahead—my in-laws are coming tomorrow to spend the weekend with us before my husband leaves for the summer. It’s going to be bittersweet, but I’m glad we’ll all get time together before the next chapter begins.

Small Wins, Big Dreams

Yesterday started with a little excitement—I woke up to find that my wooden UFO lame and round bannetons had arrived overnight! There’s something so satisfying about upgrading your tools, especially when they align with new rhythms and routines you’re falling in love with again. I dove right into the morning routine, then checked on the starter I’d left overnight—it had risen perfectly. I mixed up a new dough, gave it time to autolyse, then got in a good round of slap-kneading before heading out with my husband to run a few errands.

We picked up probiotic yogurt to kick off a new batch of homemade yogurt and a pot for the mint plant I had nearly given up on. It’s bounced back unexpectedly, and I wanted to give it a better chance to thrive. When we got home, I transplanted the mint and spent some time tidying up the raised beds in the front yard. The big trees overhead had scattered dead leaves into the spider plants, so I started to clear them out.

The biggest news of the day? I got permission from our landlord to keep a small number of Coturnix quail! There are still a few steps to take before it’s official, but this was a major hurdle—and a big step toward making a long-time dream come true. I’m excited, a little nervous, and already imagining what their tiny chirps might sound like.

My youngest came home early for an appointment, and afterward, she headed out to play with friends. Meanwhile, I made country ribs using this BBQ rub and mashed potatoes for dinner—definitely a hit. My husband kindly took care of the dishes while I rested. Before bed, I fed the sourdough starter again, keeping the rhythm going.

It was one of those days where everything felt steady and aligned—a good mix of nurturing routines, small joys, and the first real movement toward something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time.

Slow Starts and Sweet Company

Even though the kids didn’t have school yesterday, I naturally woke up early, as did my youngest. We slipped into a quiet morning rhythm together, tackling a bit of organizing in the craft room before settling into some hands-on creating.

The morning chores followed: I fed the animals, gave the sourdough starter its daily attention, and checked on the plants to see who was thirsty. I also moved the white chicken chili—frozen flat, just the way I like it—into the storage freezer, and moved the prepped beef and broccoli from the fridge to the main freezer. Then, finally, I made myself a much-needed cup of coffee and took a breath.

Later, I hung a new jewelry organizer in my bedroom and took time to sort through my pieces. So many memories are wrapped in those little things—gifts, keepsakes, pieces tied to moments and places I’d almost forgotten until I held them in my hands again.

Midday, I got ready to meet someone new for coffee. We’d never met in person before, but it was an easy, open conversation. We talked over our drinks for over an hour, and before we parted, we’d already made plans for tea and crochet next week. It was my first time out with a friend since my friend Valerie passed, and while there was some bittersweetness in that, there was also warmth and hope.

Back home, I cleaned up the kitchen and started on something I’ve been wanting to try again: making yogurt from whey I’d frozen in tablespoon-sized cubes before we moved here. I popped them out of the easy release ice cube tray, mixed everything up, and hoped for the best. (I’ll let you know if it worked!)

Dinner was simple—just leftovers—but satisfying. I headed to bed early so I could be up in time to transfer the yogurt to the fridge.

It wasn’t a flashy day, but it was full of life and connection, and that’s more than enough.

Lessons and Little Wins

Yesterday was a full day—not busy in a frantic way, but satisfying.

The morning started in the usual way: getting the kids ready for school. My husband was home for the day, which made everything run more smoothly. Our youngest was extra excited—she had a field trip! Once everyone was out the door, I took a few minutes to transfer the cooled white chicken chili into freezer bags and stash them away. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a row of homemade meals tucked into the freezer.

After that, I got dinner going early in the Instant Pot on slow cooker mode. I messed it up a bit (I put the broccoli in at the beginning … oops!), but it was edible. More importantly, I learned something new for next time. I also fed my sourdough starter. It’s almost ready for baking!

Later in the morning, I had a dentist appointment and then came home and puttered around, knocking out a few chores. But the real joy came when I got to plant herb seeds in my new seed starting tray—basil, chives, oregano, and thyme. It felt like the first true step toward growing this season’s kitchen garden.

Later, I snuck in some sewing and called some family before joining the family for dinner. After the kids were settled and the kitchen was clean(ish), I dug into a project I’ve been thinking about for a while: turning a fake succulent display into a real one. Last night, I finally gutted the artificial arrangement and started planning how to give it new life with real soil and real plants. It’s a small thing, but it feels so symbolic—swapping the fake for something living.

I can’t wait to see what today has in store!