Rural Revival Turns One!

It's a new year and the perfect time to reflect on my first year of blogging. After deciding to blog and then after much procrastination, I set myself a deadline. I wanted to begin with my first post on New Year's Day, and I did with about a minute and half to spare before the clock struck midnight.

365 days later, there is a lot to reflect upon. In my first post, I talked about falling in love with the old farmhouse and the long, long list of tasks ahead of us. There are times when I feel like we haven't accomplished very much, there is still so much more to do, but then I think about all we have accomplished in the last year and I realize while we have far to travel, the road behind us no longer reveals our starting point.

We started our first garden, in what turned out to be the wettest season on record, and although our success was moderate, we had a wonderful pumpkin patch that was the epitome of sincere.

We installed a new fireplace in the kitchen; one that I can cozy up to in the wee small hours of the morning.

We renovated the male twin's bedroom, turning it from what was little more than a closet to the coolest kid's room for miles.

We decided on a long weekend to paint our living room (we thought it would be a three day job) and in the process replaced all of the trim and made it much more 'winter wind' resistant. It also took almost three weeks.

We had eleven very, very large trees, that were swallowing up the old farmhouse, removed and had a new septic system installed (with a lot of electrical and plumbing upgrades) far, far away from the pond and the wildlife that live in said pond are all breathing a huge sigh of relief.

There are also the little things like skating on our pond in the winter while watching the frogs and turtles in the pond in the summer months; we enjoyed the stillness of a quiet summer's day; we had bonfires, roasted marshmallows and made smores; we star gazed; we cross country skied around the pond; we cried over not being able to grow a single watermelon, we were amazed at the size a zucchini will grow; we saved some rabbits while others we could not; we listened to the coyotes howling and yipping; we brought home a puppy; we said good-bye to a sweet old cat and buried her under the sumac; we listened to the quiet of the country; we had an outdoor country wedding, the country girl in me started to reveal itself and the twins were introduced to a new way of life; all because we live in the country.

So rather than dwell on what we didn't accomplish, I will revel in the fact I have just spent a wonderful year of living in the country and if that isn't enough, I have people who actually read my blog and also leave comments and I have developed friendships with some amazingly kind and wonderful people. That last thing...well, it's been a surprise and a joy and I hope it continues for a long time to come!

I'd like to share with you the most precious and beautiful thing I received this Christmas. Artwork from the male twin. Art hasn't always been his thing, he's not one who's into crafting much but the odd thing can get his attention, like knitting needles and a paint brush. Unfortunately my camera and camera skills can't capture the glitter on the valley or the depth of the image, but let's just say...

 I am so in love with this.

I even made a trip to the store and bought a perfect frame for it. I've been gazing at it, admiring the detail and it got me to thinking, in my heart it portrays this blog and me. A blank white canvas, with nothing much to say at first, but then the sun sets and begins to speak with the most beautiful colours and gives depth to the valley below, while the snowflakes swirl and fill the landscape, dancing their hellos to everyone around and covering the trees with their majestic beauty. Thanks for being the beautiful snowflakes of Rural Revival.

There will be celebrating all weekend long as Rural Revival turns one. Stay tuned for a few more surprises!



Be well friends!