by Krista | Jan 9, 2012 | Bootstrap Monday
His gloved hands gripped the steering wheel of the leased BMW as my brother Ryan drove along icy roads through a blizzard from Amsterdam to Maastricht in the Netherlands last Christmas.
He was determined to treat our family to an Andre Rieu Christmas concert just over the border in Belgium, and not even the wildest winter weather in recent memory could stop him.
As the afternoon darkened, we slid our way into old town Maastricht, plowing our way through snow drifts along winding streets to our room for the night. We got ready in a mad dash then headed back out into the storm. Miraculously we made it to the concert in time, and it was worth every white-knuckle moment.
Thoroughly inspired I slept like the dead that night, cozy and warm in my attic room as the storm continued to rage.
The next morning we were ravenous. Unwilling to drive unless we absolutely had to, we bundled up as warmly as we could and trudged through the snow to the town square in search of hot coffee.
Here are a few images from our Christmasy stroll.
It was a marvelous ramble, wicked cold but so beautiful and Christmasy. After warming up with coffee and breakfast we piled back in the car to brave the roads to Germany for our family Christmas at my brother Evan’s house.
Where is your favorite place to celebrate the holidays?
by Krista | Jan 5, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
It’s funny the things that make us Stronger. Braver. Wiser.
Take gardening in Australia for instance.
I grew up in a family of incredible gardeners: grandparents, aunts, Mum, brothers. Every last one of them could turn a bare patch of earth into a lush, verdant oasis in no time flat, yielding copious amounts of produce they then turned into healthy meals and jar after jar of glistening preserves.
Until I moved to Australia I assumed I hadn’t inherited that gift, mostly because I’d never actually tried. My gardening exploits consisted of weeding my Mum’s glorious plantings to earn summer vacation spending money, and growing a few wizened herbs at my water-logged, almost-no-sun apartment.
When I arrived in Australia in October, I was exhausted, sick, and utterly run down in body and spirit. Bear and my friends Katy and Ann urged me to garden, believing it would be healing for me. I knew they were probably right, but having never experienced it, I approached the task with some trepidation.
I started small with herbs and a few flowers. It felt good to dig in the earth and get soaked by accident when I forgot to attach the garden hose properly. For awhile the plants were just tiny green specks in a sea of rich black soil and then one day they started growing and all of a sudden I had basil for pesto, cilantro for curries, and mint and lemon balm for iced tea. Success there gave me courage to try some vegetables. I started with tried and true ones like beans, carrots, and cucumbers, then got brave and tried some new things like chicory, asparagus, and melons.
I definitely made some mistakes along the way. I killed a lemon tree by over-watering, lost peas and carrots by planting them in sour potting soil, and some basil by cutting it back too severely. In the past I would’ve taken those losses to heart, feeling like a failure and taking it as proof that I really shouldn’t garden. But not now.
Living on this dear ol’ farm has freed me from much self-doubt and insecurity as I’ve tackled chores and projects I’ve never attempted in my life. Sometimes my failures are a result of busyness or forgetfulness, but mostly they stem from inexperience or a lack of knowledge or simply circumstances beyond my control like weather, disease, or faulty products.
Learning these things through gardening has helped me respond so much better to trauma and mistakes in the rest of my life. Of course I still fuss at myself when I mess up, but I don’t crumple like I used to. I still get frustrated and anxious and afraid, but such dreadful feelings don’t last as long and I can laugh at myself so much easier. The best part is that learning to be kinder to myself has enabled me to be heaps more patient and understanding with others. That makes me smile.
I never imagined these lessons would be the result of sticking a few shriveled seeds into the dirt, but I’m sure glad they are.
Now I’m going to go pick some baby asparagus for an afternoon snack.
What is your favorite area of growth you’ve seen in your life lately?
by Krista | Jan 4, 2012 | Compatriot Wednesday
Yesterday dawned clear as a bell and hotter than blazes as Bear and I hopped in the ute and headed off into the wilds of of Queensland bush country just outside our home turf of the Darling Downs.
We headed to a sprawling sheep station run by Alan, a grazier we’d met a week or so ago at the Warwick Pig and Calf Sale . In addition to sheep, he also has a large herd of goats and we paid a visit to see if there were any good females and babies we could add to our goat family.
We knew we were getting close when the thick bush changed into rolling hills dotted with sheep and goats happily grazing or snoozing in the shade of the gum trees.
As we pulled into the yard near the house, I could hardly believe my eyes: a log house?! In Australia?!! I’m used to seeing such dwellings in the pine forests of Northern Canada, but it was the last thing I expected to see on an Australian sheep station.
Alan’s daughter welcomed us and took us across the flagstone entry and into the cool, shady interior. Walking barefoot over the smooth wood floors and into the expansive kitchen with huge wood stove made me want to move right in. And when I swiveled around in my seat and saw the wide, wrap-around porch? Well, I was smitten. 🙂
Alan arrived a few minutes later, taking a break from sheep-shearing to show us around.
I loved the water tower encased in clapboards and bordered by huge flowering bushes.
AND I loved the white-painted windows that pushed open to catch the breeze.
All too soon we had to leave my new dream house and head out to the pens to choose our newest goat family members.
Alan and Bear picked out six goats – four sturdy mamas and two sprightly babies. I learned what to check for when choosing a good goat, and what are minor issues easily solved. I learned what medicine to use and how to apply it and am now the nurse for any basic maladies our goats may get. It feels good to learn these things and not be intimidated anymore. 🙂
We got our girls and younguns loaded, then stood around awhile shooting the breeze before we shook hands and headed home.
No trip to a sheep station is complete without a stop at a real Australian roadhouse for a cuppa. We stopped at the Gore Roadhouse and indulged in iced coffees, iced chocolates, and chips with gravy. Mmm, everything tasted so good eaten on the shady porch out of the blistering afternoon sunshine.
After the last bit of ice cream was slurped up we hollered our thanks through the screen door and headed home with our goats.
It was a good day.
What is your favorite treat after a long day of outdoor labor?
by Krista | Jan 2, 2012 | Bootstrap Monday
Hello luvs! I’m writing to you by the light of my Christmas tree, sipping ginger berry tea and listening to the frogs outside. I know Christmas is long gone, but I was so sick over the holidays that I didn’t get to put my tree up until Christmas Day, so I’m breaking all holiday rules and keeping it up for as long as I like. 🙂
Although I’d never choose to be sick over the holidays, it did guarantee me my wish of a quiet Christmas. It was really nice to have time to curl up with old movies from the library, read more from the endlessly interesting “At Home” by Bill Bryson, and listen to Old Time Radio mysteries while playing solitaire.
Bear took good care of me and when I had stronger moments would take me for drives in the gorgeous countryside. From my comfy seat on the passenger side we explored side roads and small country towns, discovering whole fields of cheery sunflowers and tidy little farmsteads. I loved it. One night he took me to a nearby town and drove around showing me wonderfully gaudy Christmas lights while we nibbled on pretzels and dark chocolate and sang along to Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
One of my favorite holiday memories is from Christmas Day. Bear and I donned our wellies, called Fletcher (the lovely Belgian Shepherd who keeps me safe) and went for a Christmas Bush Walk.
The weather was perfect, gorgeous blue sky and brilliant sunshine with cool breezes rustling through the gum trees.
The meadows abounded with wildflowers and as we strode through the tall grasses we startled more than a few kangaroos and wallabies having their afternoon naps. It was grand fun to see them bounding along only a few feet ahead of us.
We found all sorts of interesting thing on our bush walk:
A tree struck by lightning, its hollow trunk providing a cozy nest for various creatures.
The old grave of an unknown settler.
And a nearly perfect circle of trees we dubbed The Sacred Grove.
One day soon I’m going to go out there again with a blanket, my journal and Fletcher for some peaceful reflection and maybe a nap.
Now, dear ones, tell me all about YOUR holidays! 🙂 What is your favorite memory?
