Love Always,The Rabbitpatch

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

25507994_1893253437369986_268936336697961435_n

I am at the rabbitpatch  this weekend.  It has been a long time since I have said that.  The boxer is happy about it . . the spiders are not.  The cold winter air has passed and today does not warrant a jacket.  Southerners, for the most part are not fans of frost and only the children wish for snow.  I, on the other hand,  love frost, and dark evenings and hope against all odds for snow.  I love winter when trees tell their truth and the fields are resting.  

The kitchen is a lovely place in the winter.  Meals are hearty and cast rich aromas, that call out better than a dinner bell, that supper is ready.  Most often there are golden biscuits and creamy sauces, unlike the dainty foods of warmer seasons. In the winter, a cook is likely to spend a good deal of time in the kitchen, for soups and chowders are not made quickly, nor are dried beans, which are a staple, at the rabbit patch.  

Daddy just can not eat, as he once did, and so I have been making all sorts of soups lately.  Last week, I made a pureed broccoli and potato soup, and he had that for a supper, so today I will try more soups with a little more confidence and hope for the best.  One variety, is a tomato soup, with pureed carrots, for I am good at sneaking all sorts of healthy things in foods.  Besides, Daddy would not eat a carrot, otherwise.

956ae2560dc1eb5575c94903f1841515

Will and Jenny, Lyla and Brynn had to attend a wedding, this weekend.  It was not far from Brant and Sydneys’ home, so it was a visit with little Ryan too.  Since they had to come through the little town, where I live, we met for lunch.  I do not know the last time I went out for lunch.  I carry my lunch to school, and if I am home on a weekend, I am doing neglected chores.  What a nice change for me on this Saturday!  Lyla told me to eat slow, so we could visit longer.

I came home, and made the soup, while clothes were drying on the line.  Tres installed a dryer, while he was here, but  it seemed a shame not to take advantage of the mild day with a shining sun.  Besides, I remain committed to line drying every time I can.

07ff335ba85131e2f6dcc57944062afe

Sunday dawned bright and with a chill.  I went out and knew by noon, the day would be as mild as yesterday.  I washed the dog blankets and they were on the line shortly after.  Next, I started on a  yellow squash soup.  If such things are the bulk of daddys’ diet, then he will need variety.  He would be glad to know that I used the last of the carrots, yesterday.

I have noticed the refrigerator needs cleaning-and several of my cleaning solutions, must be concocted.  Three floors need scrubbing too.  If I dare to look hard enough, there is bound to be something else.

Many of you remember, that I always embark on different studies in the winter.  Last year, I studied horses, which was a delightful subject.  i can tell you almost every detail about Secretariat to this day.  I also studied politics, which I have done my best to stay unfamiliar with for most of my life.  It was an enlightening and disheartening subject.  . . and just about the time, I was thoroughly exhausted of it . . .the daffodils bloomed, thankfully.

This year, I am studying nutrition, which is more complex than you think, for there is enough science to it, to satisfy Tres.  Now, I have studied nutrition for decades .  It all began when my children were little, but this time around, I am focusing on the changed environment which grows our foods, the awful processing factor and the beautiful simplicity of a well balanced diet.  Of course, the study includes essential oils.  If you saw “my medicine cabinet” and my “cleaning closet”. you would know that I am  a serious student.  I am not declaring the discovery of miracles, but I will say that  if we believe fruits and vegetables are good for us, then we have to say that essential oils are really in the same sort of conversation.  Besides, when you think about it, those before us relied on medicines derived from plants.

I was also studying war-mainly the history of the world wars-and Vietnam.  It is a bleak subject, I am really focused on how they all started, in the first place.  I am happy to say that after months of research, I know all I want to. It has  been a grim and terrifying study and I am determined to study a happy subject next.

14202647_314184328929076_9043005760334530037_n

By the time, light was fading, I was cooking supper.  All that remained were those three dirty floors.  Jenny called.  She was “safe and sound”, and back at home. She told me  sweet stories about the visit.  I love being a grandmother. 

When we are growing up and full of dreams, no child ever says “I want to be a grandmother.”  Instead, we are focused on careers.  . .and houses  . . .and cars we will drive.  Then, we grow up and those same hopes evolve and become a “bigger house, more money and  now, some clout” .   Well, “when I was a child, I spoke as a child”, too.  I have reached the age , to realise how shallow, mankind dreams.  What we really want is love . . enough to last our life time.  

Now, hopefully, we will make valuable contributions to society . . .and keep that electric bill paid, in the meanwhile, but “to  love and be loved” really is a lasting happiness, and everything else just pales in comparison.   I love being a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend . ..and I love being a grandmother.  Truthfully, there is so much more to life than we could have ever dreamed.

13872967_301336053547237_2130134113970904877_n

I did get those floors scrubbed, though at one time, I had about lost my gumption.  I went out afterwards and stood under stars the size of silver dollars. I am not sure why, but I felt so valuable to be privy to such a spectacle .   It was as if, the stars were shining, for me.   I could smell the pines in the crisp air, and so I breathed deeply to savor that fragrance. That is the way a pine loves, I thought .  The world was hushed and without a bit of hurry.  What a quiet place the world becomes  – at night . . . in winter.  I knew I was being loved . . .and I loved, right back.

a285388493955b78e8c043779a8f54c7

 

83122155_2938795542797664_7384633079295377408_n 83946933_10219146741893647_2477611717887000576_o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34 thoughts on “Love Always,The Rabbitpatch”

  1. This post was even more magical than all the others! I share your love of snow and of being a grandmother. When I was a girl, my dreams stopped at my wedding. I couldn’t imagine anything beyond it. Oh! Did I have a lot to learn! Becoming a grandmother was such a wondrous surprise. I have only two, but they fill my heart to overflowing.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you Sweet Anne- You are so tight about weddings-We really none had a clue-how could we? How nice it is to become a grandmother. One of lifes” most ‘pleasant surprises. We can not dream big enough. Your grandsons and your relationship with them-inspire me. Thank you again, for being my friend -and mentor. love Michele

      Like

      Reply

  2. Those grandchildren are beautiful. It is great to study different things. I have done a lot of studying on essential oils and I use many of them. Once again you have written a beautiful post – it is always interesting and relaxing to read your posts. Have a great week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Oh, Speaking of Love! I love this and that you take the time to write it out so eloquently. I love being a grandmother too. Its another kind of love other than the love of our children. It is so special! My first dream as a young girl was to be a mom! I had the best example, so I wanted to be like her. I love the photos too! XX

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. When those little people come running calling your name…it is the best of best times. You have heard the expression.”If I had known grand children would be so much fun I would have had them first”. An’t it the truth …however I dearly loved and still love all of my boys and even the one no longer here has a special place in my old heart. Being a wife, mother and grandmother is all I ever really wanted and I do recomend it .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Another lovely post! (I, too, have been studying up on nutrition such as knowing where my meat, poultry or pork comes from, use as many certified organic vegetables and fruits as I can find, and am dabbling in essential oils mainly by way of diffusing. There again, I only use the organic ones.) I enjoy how peaceful and calming your posts make me feel as I read.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Nutrition has gotten so complicated-The convenience of having so many options does seem to come at a cost. Well cheers to both of us for trying. I have used essential oils a lot in the last few years and am enjoying it. Best wishes my friend-and thank you so much! love Michele

      Like

      Reply

  8. Being a Grandmother is a gift that we get when we need something very special in life. A true gift from God! Our children are also the love of our lives but we are so busy that we can’t enjoy them like we do those Grandchildren. Enjoyed as always.

    Like

    Reply

  9. Out of the mouths of babes; “Eat slower so we can visit longer.” Lyla is wise beyond her years.

    I was halted when I read that line:

    “That is the way a pine loves, I thought.”

    Kindred once again in our love, reverence and personification of trees, this is a most heartwarming thought.

    Beef barley soup. In case you need suggestions.

    All my best,

    Scott

    Like

    Reply

  10. Your posts, Michele, bring such simplicity and love to the forefront. Nutrition is extremely complex and the study of it could honestly go on forever. Essential oils I use as well and in fact, just today inhaled Rose Absolute to calm my nerves and to give me a boost as I visualized Spring and flowers. I give you so much credit for studying subjects such as politics and war. I couldn’t and I won’t. I can tell you by living with a Vietnam Vet all these years that war destroys the soul.

    Bless you for these posts that continue to show how important love and family are. Thank you! xo

    Like

    Reply

    1. thank you dear one-and there is just nothing good about war-It shatters the soldiers and really everyone. Sad subject.Politics are just awful too. On to better things! Thank you for your kind comment-you know I treasure them! xo Michele

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. What a great way to give your daddy healthy food by making pureed broccoli and potato and carrot soup. I enjoy studying nutrition also. Currently, we eat mostly fruits and vegetables, for dinner, we include salmon and chicken. I love the pictures of your darling grand kids. Take care, Michele!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Love this one Michelle…so many truths! On the practical side I am now wondering about your “concoctions” for cleaning. I also concoct for my cleaning and am always on the lookout for great natural cleaning recipes that I can use my essential oils with.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Faye! I bet you know a lot more than I do about essential oils. I make counter top spray-room freshener, deodorant, toothpaste. also hand soap. Tinted moisturizer-coffee creamer- sink scour (like comet) Are you interested in any of this? Tell me what you make please, for I too love learning-oh also dog shampoo. love Michele and thank you!

      Like

      Reply

  16. You did a great research about the product and really loved reading it. I must say I’ve no idea about this post before and not even heard that word. While i’m writing this i am using buffer and hoot suite to monitor my social media’s. Both are good by the way I’ve to admit. I’m thinking to try to will share my feedback after trying it.

    Like

    Reply

I love comments

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.