A Little Piece of Paradise

My friend Steffi asked me, "What are you going to do tomorrow afternoon, when Rafael is with the babysitter?" In the past the answer was always, "Clean in peace." This time it was, "Visit Gerit, and take my camera with me."

I am learning to clean while Raffi is home, and enjoy hobbies and leisure while he is away. It's still not easy for me to just step out of the house, leaving behind piles of laundry and a floor scattered with toys and books. But I am getting better at it. If I want to have some balance in my life, if I want to take photos or have meaningful conversations with friends without being interrupted, this is the way I need to do things. 

My hours spent at Gerit's home were wonderful. She spoiled me with homemade chocolate cake, and showed me the ducklings, and the raised beds with tender pumpkin vines and blossoms. She also took me up to the hay loft, where she strings up herbs to dry, and generously gave me a bundle of oregano and hyssop. 

When Gerit and I meet up, we always end up talking about plants: wild edibles, herbs, medicinal uses. I learn so much from her. Often when I take walks, I'll come across a plant I don't recognize. I take a picture and send her an email: "Do you know this one?" She either answers herself or forwards my email to a few 'kräuterhexen' (which translates from German to 'herb witches') for them to help identify.

I love Gerit's home. The little kitchen cluttered with treasures: a jar of especially pretty chicken feathers, a bowl of dried rose petals, honey from the local bee-keeper, blue and white eggs from the coop, and countless jars of dried wild herbs that she has gathered from the near by fields. I love her garden, with giant forests of stinging nettles, dead nettles, and elderberry, and ducks and chickens picking quietly at the clover-covered ground. The thin winding path leading to the brook in the back, and the gigantic old pear tree where crows have nested. It truly is a little piece of paradise.

I am grateful for her friendship, and happy that there are people and places like this. 

xoxo

P.S. To see more of this little piece of paradise, click here. 

An Afternoon On The Farm

My friend Gerit lives on a tiny farm in the neighboring village. The sun was shining, there was the most refreshing breeze, and Rafael and I wanted to see chickens and ducks. So it was off to the little farm!

Flowering apple trees, a little white duck in the lush green grass, and a church tower in the back. Truly a piece of paradise.

A farm girl's work is never done. Gerit lugs water from the stream to water her vegetable garden and keep the ducks and chickens hydrated.

I was so excited to show Rafael the chicken coop, where there were light blue and white eggs tucked into the hay and feathers.

Gerit made us delicious oatmeal muffins baked in glass jars and a sweet topfen with dandelion petals and streaks of sandthorn oil. We sat in her yard, surrounded by hundred-year-old trees, and enjoyed the sound of wind through branches and birds singing.

Hope your Sunday was beautiful!

xoxo

P.S. You can see more of my visits to Gerit's lovely little farm in this old post, and this old post.

farmhouse snapshots

I thought I would share a few more photos of my friend's farmhouse, snapshots of life in the countryside. The large metal object in the picture second to last is an old saw mill, used for slicing large logs. Though it's long broken, with missing wheels and blades, I like to look at it and imagine what it took to construct such a thing back then, and how hard men worked to build their homes and care for their land.

Kiki isn't feeling well, I'm taking her to the vet. I will keep you all posted on her health. 

Have a lovely day!

My Friend's Farmhouse

Look who's waddling around all cute and fluffy! My friend has a duck couple, and recently their ducklings hatched. They are the most adorable little creatures, and sure do stick to their mama's side, especially when dogs are around.

Their mother is extremely protective, which I can appreciate. When Kiki got to close to the chicken wire fencing she hissed and flapped her wings menacingly. Her last nest of eggs were stolen by wild animals, so it's understandable that she is very cautious with her little ones.

You know fall is nearing when the first apples lay strewn in the clover. These are crunchy and sour, perfect for sauce and pies.

The wooden barn out back; isn't it charming in the sunshine? It looks beautiful in winter, too, like a stoic landmark.

It was a nice midday visit with my friend, sitting outside at a wobbly table, drinking water with elderberry syrup and ice cubes, watching Kiki gnaw on sticks and her husband prune bushes. I love their piece of land, although I am reminded every time I visit how much work it is. I keep begging her to get some chickens so I can buy fresh eggs from her. I think I'm slowly wearing her down!