Early April

The sun brights shyly but this doesn´t intimidate me. I wait for this sun, patiently. I know that it will return one of these days to stay for a long time. In the meantime and while it doesn't shine to allow the flowers to bloom I have to pick those wild ones.

I love wild flowers. I love walking through the wet paths and bring inside the colours that the earth gives us with joy.

It fills me with happiness to give some charm to this nook of the caravan. This is what fills my soul when it is so small on some gray days.

There is no growth without pain and self knowledge is a long and difficult road sometimes. It is not easy to find the balance, taking the right decisions is something cloudy sometimes, being a pillar when you're in pieces might be disctructuring.

I don't know if I will reach my way by myself or if I will need help. And if I need it, when shall I find it and where to find it? Questions, so many questions and so few answers for now...

But there is long way to be opened in front of me. It is a slow process, according to my ability and strength. Trusting in God, looking inside and grasping the hand of the next. I will get there! These were my thoughts during a weekend in early April, so this was a good start of the month...

A special snack

Where have I been that I didn't know this wonderful wild flower? My farmer baker boy says that it's very frequent to see it in the countryside. Is it? And I didn't know it?! Unforgivable. But I forgave myself and kept admiring this beauty in ecstasy. Really, I was surrended.

I always feel reluctant when ripping flowers to the earth. Well, but if they are so frequent as he says, maybe there's no harm to bring some to brighten the home, right? I guess so. Because it was wonderful the bliss these flowers brought to our table.

Happiness, that's what nature gives us. Attachment to the simple things that never disappoint us and life is made of full things this way.

Cheering the table of one more special snack, as have been all the snacks of this year.

Reusing everything, everything, The old becomes new and from the almost dead we give a new use  for so long as we can give life to something that was destined for trash.

Until sunset. The ligtht is scarce as the afternoon falls but the days are already bigger by the end of March. We can work until later and the days are enjoyed in a different way, enjoying the outdoors, the free air, the games, the projects and the dreams. And long live the great days!

Sighing for Spring

We all sighed for the Spring to come by the end of March. Suddenly it came in the form of an almost Summer but it was for a short time because Winter returned quickly again leaving us with the sweet memories of nice sunny days. Happy days those when we joined together playing and working near the caravan with my little boy participating in everything.

He participated in all the small planting work, collecting water and burning twigs with full commitment and joy, making me remember my own childhood when I loved to help my parents in the labors of the field.

It was this way that I grew up - between the countryside and the town. And I love that my little boy lives this experience as well learning from both worlds the best he can in order to become a special human being in values and attitudes.

A dirty but happy child entranced by the power of the fire, committed to help loading the cut branches of the trees to the fire. I always heard that the child's work may be rather but those who don't take it are insane. I could see that on that evening since my child gave us his precious help, heager to return on the next day and keep working.

Buckets

No special beautiful photos today. Only one that portrays an afternoon of fatigue and happiness. This day we began to collect the water to fullfill our irragation reservoir. I had to walk to the brook that still run free by this time in the middle of March with one bucket in each hand to fullfill two canisters of 150l each. This way we would have 300l to use in our garden and future vegetable garden. The idea was also to take the rainwater to be conveniently reused in the productive land. My body aches by the lack of habit of walking so many kms with the weight of two buckets of water in every walk but my soul is grateful for such a gift of nature.

Small wonders make a wonderful day

The Flower progresses in beauty. I covered the wall of the right side of the door with floral paper making a cozy entry to those who get in and a joyful view to those who stay in. Both gas hobs are working already and we're planning some wonderful meals here. The skylight is also fixed by this time, middle March. We have lots of projects, all low cost because we're not living good times, besides nature thanks us the sustainability we offer to it. We always leave the caravan with a full soul, surrounded by birdies during the day and the moonlight at night. I keep trying to find all kinds of birds around us there. And I find out, with no surprise, that my patience rate is in its lower levels, which is manifested by the looooong waiting for the birds alight on a  branch of an olive tree or a cork tree. Some are impossible to photograph because they are so fast but they are so funny to be watched. It was because of them that I thought of what God tells us: it´s not worth worrying too much with the problems of life and suffering from anxiety for the day of tomorrow because we are worth much more than the birds and God takes care of them so carefuly - just see them so happy flying and singing, each one in his life and task - wouldn't He take care of us with much more care, we His beloved children? This is when it all seems so simple to me...

Birthday and presents

It was in February that my son turned 8 and it was on that day that I also received some presents! Like this pink bougainvillea, gorgeous.

And this little gardening shovel.

I think it was lovely to be spoiled this way on a day dedicated to my son.

But as life is not so pinky like that plant I was not feeling so good on that day for several reasons. And so I went outside to the middle of nature and picked some wildflowers to put in a jar that I once decorated. This way I surrounded myself with color. Bliss.

Sun rays were a little shy in this harsh winter but even though they touched everything with their life. Myself included.

And life happens outside. Wise and caring hands take care of the land and the plants and I watch, enchanted.

I believe that within a year everything is over grown and developed, with color and joy to give.

Even the apple tree, so small, maybe born from some seed brought by a passing birdie was unearthed in the woods and released to the hope of the open air, the sun and the rain, according to nature's will. And with the apple tree we have hope and renewal.

We receive the dusk sun rays with our arms wide open in gratitude. Oh it is so good trying to guess which are the birdies that are singing on the trees turning our ears according to the sound. I admit that I'm not trained in the art of recognizing all the birds, but I'll get there I'm sure. To prove it I could see by myself  a blackbird on a branch swinging in the wind and singing a beautiful melody so glad to have company near him.

There was water everywhere by this time, begining of March. The earth was soaked and we could hear the water running through the brooks and stones and also could hear the frogs croaking in an almost deafening noise in the silence of the dusk. Water, so much water around us this winter.

We enjoyed it all. And give thanks in everything because all that nature gives us is for us to take part in it. We let the land rest and produce its fruit in silence and wisdom. And also let the tools rest and rest our bodies between patchwork quilts, tea and cookies. Not everything is pinky it's true, but with the inner strength that defines us, it is possible to give color to everything we do.
And thank you to those who remember to congratulate the mothers for giving birth to the fruit of the celebrated birthday.

I could easily get used to this life

Oh yes, I could! Sitting on the chair on a chlly winter day, embroidering the name of my beauty (Flor - Flower) and observing my farmer baker boy making the ladder which will allow us to reach the roof of the caravan as well as some other higher places. He is so gifted...

I love these quiet moments we spend by the caravan, each one focused on their work, talking from time to time, smiling and hearing the birds. Yes, I could easily get used to this kind of life!

More from our weekends

I love watching kids playing around.

And I also love to watch the result of our commitment to rebuild this old caravan at the same we rebuild our lives.

Nothing like the air of the countryside to whet your appetite, your imagination and to strengthen ties between people. The contact with the earth is like returning to the place where we belong and where everything remains on track regardless of all deviations arising. And I thank God for all this.

Different weekends

I love to look outside through the window and watch the dusk while the sun sets behind the trees. I feel so quiet and peaceful.

During our rainy winter it was a great blessing to notice the sun light and we did everything to enjoy it outdoors and indoors. Even the granny quilts seem more colourful in the sunlight. I love it. So cozy.

See the cross stitch flowers that I embroidered? I love doing cross stitch, it's so relaxing as it is everything you do with your hands. The wall was originally white but I covered it with flower paper to embelish it. Decorating our caravan is a continuing process, as I said before.

This is a magpie that my sister in law crocheted for the caravan. She would like me to use it but I have no courage because I am afraid of burning it. I prefer to exhibit it in the entrance.

So quiet to seat on the sofa with the window open and let the fresh air and the sunlight to get inside and bathe every corner and my hands while they embroider a dish towel. Sigh...

Never forgetting that we were still in the winter and that the rain was almost continuous this year. We couldn't stand it anymore but we seldom remembered that this boring rain was useful to fullfill the brooks, streams and springs for the coming months of drought.

My beauty, my new girl shining under the sun. We intend to paint it blue. One side is already sanded but each piece at a time and we still have much work to do until we paint it all. But I can't wait to see it in my favourite colour.

Different life, different weekends. There is no doubt: enjoying nature, knowing it, learning from it, realizing that it may be hard to work it but it's also worth it, there's nothing better than this. This is what fullfills us. This way I believe in miracles.
Have a great weekend lovelies!