February, you snuck up on me!

I can't believe we are half way thru February already! I remember as a kid thinking it would take FOREVER to get to spring time. I hated having to wait so long to wear shorts and go swimming and play outside all day every day but now as an adult time seems to fly past me so fast! in 5 days I will have a 7 year old daughter! 7!!! Like what!?! didn't I just bring her home from the hospital!?! I sit here today trying to figure out how I can slow time down a little, make the days last a little longer, have a little more peace so that we can enjoy time....The Spring/Summer season is by far my favorite of the seasons, I love the long days, the warm evenings that can be enjoyed sitting on the back porch and watch my chickens peck around the grass. I love BBQing with friends and family, enjoying a summer breeze, seeing flowers everywhere and having most of everything that is my favorite be in season (especially those June cherries!). I like a simple life that isn't overfilled with activities or errands, I feel like too much clutter makes time waste away even faster! This past week was pure torture for me, so many things to do, so many appointments, so many places to be at particular times when all I wanted to be was at home enjoying the peace. I am a home body!!! I'm not ashamed of that fact at all!

I pride myself on making my home a sanctuary, a place that not only we like to be but also a place where we can thrive. To me that looks a lot like comfy spots on a couch that was made for sittin and loungin! A big backyard garden where I can mettle with plants, pick weeds, spend time in the morning and evening just enjoying the weather outdoors, some sunshine and the ability to feed my family with the plants I'm growing. A kitchen that has what I need so I can cook meals at home, we make the majority of our meals that are eaten in my kitchen so I like having it well stocked at all times. Home grown, homemade, and home built is how I like to roll! Being at home gives me a sense of comfort, a feeling of belonging, a special space that's ours and it's very sacred to me. I feel like I'm about to bust out in song with "a few of my favorite things" lol but honestly the simple life for me is being here with my family, loving them the best way I can, and getting back to basics of life.

This morning my little man was driving his mama crazy! I love that boy with all my heart but he has that ability to push all my buttons all at once! The springtime weather has definitely brought out more energy and sass from my kids lately....So when I put him down for a nap my brain switched over to day dream mode and I started thinking about what I think makes a perfect day? I love the weather, it couldn't be better! All sunshine but not too hot yet, the bees flying around in the air as they search for newly opening blossoms. I love that my fruit salad tree is starting to bloom and I'm hoping it gives me a whole tree full of goodness this year! The sound of my chickens enjoying the sunshine, watching them take a dirt bath in their coop and the dark green color of our backyard grass from all the lovely rain we've gotten so far. It feels like this year is going to be something special, if I can slow down and enjoy it a little more.....A perfect day to me is filled with lots of moments of peaceful enjoyment at home. Today has been such a day and it has been wonderful.

Last weekend I spent a day starting seedlings in jiffy containers to transplant into my spring garden.

Just a week later and I have babies popping up thru the soil! I am planning for a big garden this year and even some potted veggies around the house. 

One good thing about California is our mild winters. My Parsley has been thriving lately! Thankfully all my herbs did really well this year and were able to last thru the colder days. 

Speaking of warmth, this sunshine has inspired quite the egg production in my girls! They've been busy laying me eggs daily now! I love the green eggs my Easter egg hens are giving me! There's nothing like fresh eggs from your hens! 

We can't skip collecting more than a day or two or we end up with all of this! 

Even my little Cactus are happy for the sunshine! Look at this flower crown growing :-) So very pretty!!!

and 2 weeks ago my Rabbits had babies! Are they not the cutest things you've ever seen!?! I am so in love with baby bunnies! Our hearts melt daily watching these little ones grow and play! My kids have especially loved having baby bunnies to look at and love! 

My winter lettuces have started to do really well and my Broccoli are finally getting taller! I'm hoping next year to have a good crop from them! Gardening is such a wonderful hobby that yields so much from it! It relaxes me, it grounds me back to nature and helps me to focus on the now, it gives us good health and teaches many life lessons along the way. If you haven't yet, maybe consider starting a garden for your home! I guarantee you'll love it!