My Morning View

 I generally like to be up for the day by 5AM. I've always been a very early morning riser.

My days are better just by watching the sun rise over the hills. 

I never tire of the beautiful morning colors. 

It goes something like this...

The Girasole Lady

Remembering November, and Other Thoughts

If one word could described November for me,
 it's Plenty. 

*We had the precious addition of a Gran-SON, yes a BOY, on the 13th.  

Noah Bryce Edwards. 

*Mia had a trip to the ER for respiratory distress, Bronchitis.
she's fully recovered and feeling like her perfect self now

*All the Gran-kids had been sick with colds. 

*I've been watching Harper 4 days a week, she's BUSY and has learned to WALK.
She will be a year old on the 22nd!!!

*I almost warded off two attempts of the cold virus attack on myself, which sadly ended in a relentless cough for 2 weeks. 

*My baby, Beth, turned 27 on the 12th. 

*My sis, Jen, came for a weekend visit (pre-Thnksgiving) the first weekend in November.
Together we put up 3 batches of Pomegranate jam.

*I planned and executed a very successful Thanksgiving Turkey meal,

 -cooking for somewhere around 20ish adults and 6 babies-

*I cooked 2 turkeys this year- one 23lb and another 12lb
(which we demolished for turkey sandwiches on Friday) 

*I repeated the same hustle and bustle for a Saturday Ham meal.  

*Not only were the usual family members able to be with us this year, we had an extra special visit from my cousin, his beautiful wife, and their adorable 6 month old baby girl. 

*My brother, sis in law, two nephews, and my Sis in laws Mom, were able to join us this year as well.

*I cooked.

*I cleaned. 

*I took care of people.

*It's what I do. 

*It's who I am.  

*We finished the back porch addition, just in time for all the festivities, 

the weather was amazing, and we were able to fully enjoy the extra space outdoors for socializing and eating. 

*Our home was filled with love, laughter,and loved ones, making memories to last a lifetime. 

*I couldn't have asked for more. 

*Well maybe except, that I have absolutely NO pictures of any the above.
It just wasn't in me this year to take the extra time out for picture taking.
-unless you count the turkey brine in the stock pot that I made on Tuesday evening-

I started out with the best of intentions...
 Yep- it's true.

Right after Thanksgiving the weather turned COLD...

It seems each year in November I spend a fair amount of time in thought to myself.

I thought about how the last two plus years have been at home since leaving my office job...

I thought how I'd noticed the shadows in my home, as the sun changes them from day to day, especially in the late afternoons. Something I had not taken the time to notice while I was busy working.
I know that must sound a little weird, but in the absolute quiet and stillness
(you know that moment that rarely happens)
I notice how the inside looks, all the while barely noticing it for so many years.

I thought about sewing, quilting, gardening, books, and my family and all the babies that surround my daily life.
That how when I left my job I had only one gran-baby, and now I have FOUR.
Laci-4
Mia-3
Harper-1
Noah- 1 mo.
It's only been 2 1/2 years since then.

I thought about people who have passed through my life,
some staying that I thought would go,
and others drifting that I thought would never leave.
Sometimes, it's painful.
 I learned that this year.
It's ok, I'm ok too.

I thought about some changes I would like to make for myself.
Not big, just small things.

Learning that I just cannot be ALL the things.
Each night I pray for kindness, patience, and compassion.
Each day striving to do better than the day before. 

I thought about spiritual things....
am I religious person?- No I am not
am I a spiritual person?-yes I am
Is there a difference?
To me there is..
I personally do not feel the need for an external validation of my spirituality.
Does that make me a bad person? - No-
It makes me a quiet person...

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands. 
~1 Thess. 4:11

The Girasole Lady

This & That

We have a 30% chance of rain here and there for the next few days, so I went out to the garden this morning and scattered some seeds of Marigolds, Carrots and Radishes, in the raised garden beds. 

I'm settling into the comfort zone of having a smaller garden and less work. 

On the average day I spend 15-30 minutes pulling a few weeds, mulching up the soil, and adjusting the sprinkler heads. I have a timer on the faucet, sorta like a kitchen timer, that I turn to whatever amount of time the plants need watering, and then it shuts off automatically. 

I'm coming to terms in regards to my limitations as to what I can, and cannot, accomplish. 

Our local farmer's Market, and surrounding road side fields, have been filled to the brim with all sorts of local berries. 

A Summertime favorite here at Girasole Farm is Blackberry pie...

Fresh berries...

Homemade pie crust...

YUMMY pie! 

I made some yummy Blueberry muffins too--- (sorry no pictures) 

and while I was in the baking mode, I made some homemade pizza too...

I'm not really sure what happened, but I started to take pictures of the pizza process, but apparently only got as far as the recipe. hmmmm  

My nephew, my sisters boy, graduated from High School this year, so we headed to the Bay Area last weekend for a graduation party!    

Whaoo---- I took 2, as in  t.w.o., pictures-

Bubbles

(my sister was obsessed with the bubble machine)

and Miss Mia swinging in her night clothes, with crazy morning hair.

Way to go...NOT... 

I just couldn't find the picture inspiration, which I now regret. boo-hoo

But I can say we all had a great time, and the memories will just have to stay in my heart. 

I've been sewing, and spending lots of time outside. 

The weather has been just lovely. 

Caveman and I are still working on the back porch addition. 

Last night we finished the plumbing for the water, and the line for the electrical. 

It's been a slower process than I would have liked, but Caveman has been working 73.5 hours a week. 

That's right!

 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, and 6-2:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. 

And yes, he is TIRED, really tired. 

(we're not as young as we used to be)

I hope this afternoon/evening we are able to level the gravel and set the re-bar.

That should just about finish up our part.

We have hired someone to do the concrete pour and finishing. 

As far as the roof to cover the addition, it will probably have to wait until our slower time in the Fall.

Speaking of the Fall... we will be Grandparents again! 

Tonya is having BABY # 3! 

due to arrive in November.

We get very excited about every baby that gets to join our family. 

That will make 4 Gran-babies....

we already have 3 gran-baby girls...maybe a ... boy?

Tonya will find out next month. 

Be good to yourself.

Even if that means accepting your own limitations. 

I know, for me, that I cannot DO IT ALL. 

The Girasole Lady

'Grow Your Blog' Meet & Greet

Hello

My name is Becka.

I am The Girasole Lady here at Girasole Farm.

Welcome,

and Thank You for taking the time to stop by for a visit. 

I really love to meet new friends,
and thus far have never met a stranger. 

I will be honest by saying this is my first time linking up to a 'party'

through another blog, and I'm a little nervous.

Thank you Vicki  at 2 Bags Full 
for hosting this wonderful opportunity to make new friends.

My blog is simply a place for me to come and journal my life.
To share with my family & friends, old and new.
-Aprons to Zucchini-
'Preserving A Past To Be Proud Of''

My very first post on this blog was December 31st, 2009.

You can read the beginning- HERE

A lot has changed since then, but I have remained the same. 

Let's see...

I was born in 1959.

I am married, twice, to 'Caveman'.

I/we have 3 beautiful, amazing daughters.

I have 3 precious, very precious, Gran-baby girls. 

I live in the country in Northern California.

I have 2 Quarter horses.

I have 6 cats & 2 dogs, a Mini Aussie and a Beagle.  

I love to garden.

We have a large Summer vegetable garden, and a small fruit orchard. 

I enjoy preserving the foods we grow here during the gardening season. 

I like to can or freeze the extra produce, but even more, I like to share with family, friends, and neighbors. 

I support my local/fellow farmer's as much as possible. 

I love fabric.

I love to sew.

Sometimes, well lots of times, I buy fabric for no reason at all. 

I'm a fabric hoarder collector of sorts. 

Currently, I am sewing a quilt for my daughter's birthday, coming up in February. 

I really, really, enjoy cooking, not sure love is the right word here. 

I'm not afraid to try new recipes, or use ingredients I have never used before. 

I am a cook from scratch kinda gal, it's all I've ever known.

I'm also not afraid to throw away a meal I have prepared, that doesn't turn out as tasty as I had imagined. 

Once, I made Taramisu cupcakes from scratch, yes including the Lady Fingers. 

I say this because the recipe was 3 PAGES long, and it took 2 days to complete the process. 

By far, it has been my greatest dessert accomplishment to date.  

It was amazingly delicious. 

Oh- and I fell in love with Leeks about a year ago. 

I love, honestly love, to 'shop for junk' as Caveman calls it. 

I'm a Vintage Faire, Thrift shop, estate/garage sale junkie enthusiast. 

I am currently in love with ASCP (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint). 

Reading- I love reading. 

Books, magazines, NO- I haven't converted to any type of E-Reader. 

Sometimes I collect books, much in the way like I collect fabric. 

I enjoy photography. 

I know just enough to take a decent picture, but overall the whole learning about ISO, white balance, f-stop, aperture, and shutter speed are overwhelming to me. 

I stick to the auto setting. 

I truly believe there is more joy in giving than in receiving.

I am a dreamer-
list maker-
peacemaker-
& procrastinator.

I believe, in spite of all the evil and sadness in the world,

it is still a beautiful place, and there are very good, kind, and loving people among us. 

If you've made it this far and want to learn more about me, or why I blog 

go HERE and HERE

If you've found something here that strikes your fancy, please feel free to say 'hi" and visit often.
I would love the company. 

The Girasole Lady

Unmotivated

                                      I wish I could say that I was productive this past week. 

I'm not really sure why, but for the better part of the week I was totally unmotivated. 

I had plenty of time, and opportunity, to get busy.

I just didn't. 

I managed to pin together the strips for the the quilt I am working on,

and that's about all I got done. 

I failed at having early dinners, except for two of the days.

I hardly even cooked at all this week.

I am pretty sure caveman was disappointed, even though he doesn't say so. 

I spent November and December gathering up new hopes, anticipation, making Holiday plans,  

being surrounded by my family and friends. 

Moving from the lights and glitter of Christmas into the January bitterness of Winter,

the cold, and barren landscape. 

Left over corn in the garden that never got the attention it needed after the gardening season. 

Freezing temperatures....

this hose normally keeps a slow drip,

but this morning was frozen solid. 

I have a Susan Branch calendar hanging in my kitchen. 

I've had her calendars hanging in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. 

They just make me feel good.

'Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:

it is the time for home'

-Edith Sitwell

The Girasole Lady

Sisters- This One's For You Fire Ball...

To:  Fire Ball

From:  Skippy

This is my sister, Jen, she was born when I was 15 years old.  

 This is her newest son, Justin. Jen has 3 boys, Brandon-17, Ryan-7, Justin-3months. 

When I was 17 and she was 2, I got married. Shortly after I married my Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister moved 180 miles away, back to the Bay Area. Though we saw each other frequently, usually once a month or so, we never created a sister bond between us. Rather Jen was more to me like one of my own daughters. 

Circa 1982

When my sister Jen was 5 years old, I had my first daughter, Tonya. In the above picture- Jen is on the far left, she was 7 then.  Kristina is in the middle, she was 1, and then Tonya, she was 2.

She played with my daughters, and my relationship with her was mother-like.
As a matter of fact she was more of a sister to my girls. They grew up together creating the memories that sisters often do. There were camping trips, Country Fairs, bicycle riding, playing at parks, trips to the zoo, swimming, eating ice cream outside on hot Summer days, and lots of sleep overs.

When Tonya was 7, and Kristina was 5, I had my third daughter, (1986) Beth. 

Tonya and Kristina came to see me in the hospital when Beth was born. 

When Beth was born she joined the circle of sisterhood. 

I continued to be a second mother to my sister. 

As time passed, Jen and I lived very different lives. While Jen grew up in the big city, I was safe in my country life tending to my family. 

For so many years I couldn't grasp her lifestyle and she thought mine one of mere simplicity and dullness. 

During those years we never talked much. She stopped coming to the country to visit, only on rare occasion,  and when we traveled to the city for a visit, she was busy with her social activities and had little time to hang out with us anymore. 

Time just moved on, as it always does. 

One Summer (1999) my safe content country life fell apart. 

(Caveman - yes the same one I now share my life with-walked away from me and the life we created, after 22 yrs of being together. We divorced /2000, and re-married /2005/ 5 years later. Another story for another time.)

I don't remember how or when it happened but I called my sister, who was then 25. She had been married and divorced herself, with a 5 year old son, and I needed someone to talk to. She listened while I cried my heart out. She never judged me and I never judged her, we just listened to each other. We talked almost every day, she was my confidant, and we talked about unspeakable things. Somehow the gap between us vanished, as if it never existed, and for the first time in my life I had a sister, a real sister. 

Jen pleaded with me to come to the Bay Area for a visit. I had never spent time with her since she lived on her own. I desperately needed to get away, away from the small country town, where is seemed everybody knows everybody, and everything. I couldn't wait to get out of town and head to the city where no one knew me, or my story.  I packed my bags, and Beth and I headed out for the 3 hour drive ahead. 

Jen decided she was taking me out on the town, in true "city life" style. 

This is us together getting ready for our very first "sisters" date. 

One of many, many, to follow. 

Jen was 26, I was 41. 

Summer of 2000

Oh- the times we had. 

(umm... stories never to be revealed)

The city became my grown-up play ground with my sister by my side.  

The stories from the city never traveled to the small country town. 

  

I love you Sis. 

I love that we can tell each other anything. 

I love that we can call each other and if we're not in the mood to talk, we can just say it, and agree that we'll chat later. I love that we can just sit on the porch swing, eating Corn Chex, not saying a word to each other at all, then get up to leave and feel as though we both just had the best time. I love that we don't care about money or things, and that family is all that matters. I love that we both agree NEVER to combine your telephone, cable or internet services, because when you only have a couple of nickles to rub together you want to have a choice of which one to keep for the month. I love you because if we only had a dollar, we'd split in in half and be happy with 50 cents.

 I love you too because you are a sister to my daughters as well. 

I love you because one day we're gonna take that Road Trip together that we've always talked about. 

When we do, the world better look out because FireBall and Skippy will be on the road together. No plans, just where ever the wind takes us, wild and free, following the sun during the day and the moon at night. Who knows Fire Ball, we just may end up in White Rock. 

Love- Skippy

p.s. see you tomorrow sis

The Girasole Lady

In Hopes Of More Blogging

I'm trying to inspire myself to blog almost every day. Not because it's expected of me or I feel it's necessary, Simply put, it's because My Blog serves as a place for me to store my stories and memories, and one day, leave for my family, and all those still yet to come.

In November 2011 I challenged myself to post each day for the entire month, in retrospect it's heart warming to look back and remember the happenings of each day.

Today is the 1st of June. 

I have my first ever Hydrangea Flower. 

The Girasole Lady

"Things"

Saturday, I sold my car, a VW Bug. Long ago I dreamed of having a VW Bug, way before becoming a wife and mother. In 2007 I traded in my Ford Ranger for the new Bug. The first few weeks I had my new Bug I loved it.

Quickly after that I realized how much I desperately missed my Ranger. I had taken for granted all the times I had plenty of hauling room, you know like when you go to Costco to pick up a few things and end up coming home with a new kitchen table. Unique garage sale finds that were simply too big to fit inside of the Bug.

For now I am without a car, although I have Caveman's old blue truck to drive in the meantime. However, I would only drive it if necessary due to "Old Blue" being very finicky, at times, even a little unpredictable. The possibility of being stranded in town somewhere is way worse than being stuck at home.

I was amused by the reactions from a few friends:
"You don't have a car! What are you going to do?"
"I can't believe you can do without a car"
"I would die without my car"

My response:
"I'm going to be home, a lot" (means I will be getting way more done at home)
"I will manage fine without a car, I've been through worse"
"Die? I hardly think so. Again, I've been through worse"

I would like to mention that, more than likely, the reason this is really ok, is being currently I do not work outside of my home and Farm. I also have 3 grown daughters with vehicle's, should the need arise. It's not all that dismal.
However, I am not in a financial situation to purchase another car, at least not right now. In time I will have another vehicle, but for a while I'm going to enjoy the financial freedom of NOT owning a car. My Bug needed new tires, badly, and the registration was coming up for renewal in July. I took good care of my Bug while I had it, now it has a new driveway to nest in.

Having a car is a material possession, something I'm not deeply attached to in the first place. Sure I "love" my home, and the things inside my home, but the items will never "love" me in return. They will never make me "happy", the happiness my home gives me comes from family and friends that share it with me, the memories made here are kept in our hearts, where they remain safe inside.

We all have our "Junk", yes, even Girasole Farm.

I'm not afraid to admit that I am less than perfect.

                                                                            The Girasole Lady                                                                                      

Vintage Egg Basket

Roses & Rust Vintage Market was lots of fun. Beth and I had a wonderful time, browsing and dreaming, through all the beautiful booths.

I managed to picked up a few items to bring home. 

I love old milk jars, it must have began in my early childhood I suppose, living on a Dairy Farm in Valley Ford, CA. Most of my milk bottles are used as vases for garden flowers.
I also spotted a ceramic bowl, and a small blue enamel ware pitcher.
Oddly enough, I really do use all my old things, like bowls and pitchers.
From time to time, I use my milk jars for serving milk at the table. 
They're not just for looks. Of what use is an item, if not to be used and enjoyed?
I would rather use it, and take the small risk of damaging it, rather than leave it upon the shelves collecting dust.

I haven't decided where to set them in my home, yet. Usually, I  look at them for a while, and try them out here or there before they find a good resting spot.

 

The dish towel on my table is one my Dad embroidered when he was a young boy, living in Point Reyes Station, CA.  The fabric is from an old feed sack. My Dad's family owned a dairy farm, and farmed for many years out on the Pacific Coast. I'm guessing he stitched this in the 1940's sometime. My Dad was born at the Ranch in Point Reyes Station in 1935. Later, when I was a child, he farmed in Valley Ford, CA.  Unfortunately, he passed away in 1992, at the age of 56. He suffered a heart attack, which claimed his life.  

Inspiration was ten fold at the Vintage Market. 

I saw several vendors with vintage egg baskets, which then reminded me that I had three of them at home myself!  I retrieved them years ago out at the ranch where my husband grew up, just right down the road from where we live now. 

I dug the egg baskets out of the barn this morning and decided to plant some Alyssum and Johnnie Jump 

Ups in one of them.

(Do you see that planter to the left... it's the inside tub of washing machine.)

I lined the bottom with some newspaper, and laid some Alyssum around through the holes of the egg basket.

Filled in with some dirt. 

Layered some more, repeating the same process, mixing up the varieties of Alyssum and Johnnie Jump Ups. 

(Which I have been informed are called Pansies) All my life I've called them Johnnie Jump Ups.

I put a strip of brown paper bag around the top edge to hold in the soil, and also help to retain moisture. 

I use old newspaper and brown bags a lot in my gardening projects, it makes a great weed barrier and moisture holder. 

When I took this picture I thought to myself, "why is it these projects always look just sorta yucky to me when they are first finished?". I know, in time, it will fill in, and spring up, and cover up the yukiness, and then I'll be sure to take a picture again when it looks much better. 

Really, it's quite ugly.

So until next time, I hope everyone is enjoying their piece of garden.

Where ever that may be. 

The Girasole Lady

Please Be Kind

I'm typically not one to share video's on my blog, as a matter of fact this is the first time ever I have chosen to do so.

I was so moved by this performance, the message it sends is very powerful.

I grew up lacking in self confidence. No matter how I portray myself on this blog, I still struggle with issues of self confidence. Most of them I have been able to overcome, but a few lurk around from time to time. 

Please be kind to every person, every day.
Never  make assumptions.

The Girasole Lady
(Yes-I love Simon)

If you are reading this on my actual blog page, and not through a reader, please scroll to the bottom of my blog and click on the large round button on the Play List to turn off my blog music. 
Thank you

To Be A Child

This time of year I think a lot. 

I think of times long, long, ago when I was a child. The child I was once is still here.  She is young and innocent and believes in magic. She believes in a world of peace and happiness. She believes in love and happily ever after fairy tales.

She believes that the world is not all bad, because for every dark shadow there are a hundreds rays of sunshine. There is good in nature, good in people, good in the world.

She watches the sun rise every morning and never tires of the beauty in each and every day.

She knows that living today will bring yet another tomorrow to be filled with life.

“Know you what it is to be a child? It is to be something very different from the man of to-day. It is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief; it is to be so little that the elves can reach to whisper in your ear; it is to turn pumpkins into coaches, and mice into horses, lowness into loftiness, and nothing into everything."   -Francis Thompson

The Girasole Lady

November 21st: A Personal Story

I believe that everyone has a story to tell, including myself.

In another time I would have been a writer and a traveler, had life afforded different opportunities.

Never the less I am a fulfilled, content woman.
I have staked a beautiful lot in life.

A very long time ago I suffered a devastating emotional accident.
Just like a physical accident, I never saw it coming, not even for a second. Suddenly I found my world, and myself, shattered into pieces.
Unlike a physical accident, there was no evidence of painful wounds or debilitating handicaps. There was no tangible way for others to see the pain inside. My external appearance was illusive to the destruction taking place inside my spirit and soul.

Only those who were closest and dearest to me could see the crumbled woman.
They stood by my side every moment, until little by little, I put the pieces back together and restored both my heart and my spirit. I filled up with a new spirit and sense of who I am, and who I wanted to be.

Moving forward....
I am recovered. I am not the same. I am different.
That experience set in stone my belief that everyone has a story to tell. You can see what you want on the outside, but there is more inside, stories waiting to be told. Unless they are told, perhaps one would ever know.

"Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something"

The Girasole Lady

November 1st: Thoughts on My Facebook vs. My Blog

Seems like most people find out the latest doings on Facebook. I love seeing what everyone is up to. but for me, that is not my best way of communicating. I actually can be shy, even though this may not be reflected on my blog. I feel self conscious blurting out what I am doing at any current moment. Silly on my part, I guess. When I write I can be long winded, way too long winded for Facebook. There also is the insecure me, who tricks herself into believing not everyone is interested in what I am doing in the first place. It's not like I have a "exciting" life to share. I'm comfortable here on my blog home. Even if I had no visitors here to read my blog I would still have it. After all, it is my journal of life.

I can only thank you immensely if you have visited, and I really hope you continue, because there is this part of me that loves to share, even the smallest things of life.

I'm challenging myself to post EVERY day for the entire month of November. I will also share each link to my posts on Facebook. I'm saying this "out loud" so that I can't back out of the deal, even if I just made it with myself.

SEE YOU TOMORROW...                                       The Girasole Lady

Wild Apples & Caveman

Sunday Caveman went to the mountains motorcycle riding with his brother and other motorcycle friends. He came home with these wild apples.

Caveman is a hunter and a gatherer. Caveman is also my husband. He is my best friend, life partner, and the father to my beautiful girls. I met Caveman in the Fall of 1975, at the tender age of 16. I married him in December of 1976,  I was 17 years old. This December will be our 35th wedding anniversary (give or take). We've shared good times, bad times, and all the times in between. As weird as this sounds we were even divorced from each other for 5 years. From early 2000 until we remarried again in June of 2005. Even through the years spent apart, we still never left each others lives completely. We've spent most of our lives together, grew up together, and are getting old with each other.

Some things are just meant to be-forever.

I'm going to bake Caveman a pie today.

The Girasole Lady