As much as I love sunrise on our farm, late afternoon might be my most favorite time of all.

It’s when the bustling part of the day is done. When I can get away from my computer, away from tinkering in the kitchen, away from photo shoots and other projects, and can stroll through the farm finishing off the chores and enjoying the luscious warmth and rich gold light.

It’s my time to collect the eggs and cheer on the chooks when they have some for me even in winter.

As soon as I make an appearance in the yard all the animals converge from their various grazing spots, bleating, honking, quacking, barking, and clucking in chorus for hay, pellets or grain. It’s quite the cacophonous greeting committee and makes me grin.

My dog Luna accompanies me as I pitch hay over fences, give hearty scratches and nuzzles to the other dogs, and attempt to divide over thirty birds into four separate pens.

It’s amazing the silence that falls over the farm as the animals all tuck into their dinner then settle down for a snooze in the late afternoon sunshine.

Once they’re all taken care of, Luna and I can go gallivanting. Yesterday we headed straight for the dam yard where sunlight sparkled and glistened on the pond.

It was gorgeous with light reflecting everywhere, bathing trees and grass and us in washes of silvery brilliance.

Luna ran around like mad, gleefully soaking herself and pelting me with mud and water.

Normally I like to stretch my legs, feeling my muscles as I trek up one hill and down another, climbing through fences and clambering over logs, but today I just wanted to stand there and soak it in. To close my eyes and feel warmth seep into my bones, throw my head back and let the cold wind toss my hair and cool my face, and feel so very, very grateful to live here with my Love and our animals, safe and free and happy.

As I got back to the house Bear drove up and we sat down for a cuppa – my new favorite healthy drink: Maple Cream Soda.

I’ve loved Italian cream sodas for years, and this is a decadent yet totally healthy version that we both love. Just mix real maple syrup and a few dashes of maple extract with a Tbsp of coconut cream then top it up with chilled soda water. It foams up beautifully and tastes so refreshing and cold and like you’re getting away with something naughty. Mmm.

What is your favorite cold drink after time in the sun?

Healthy Maple Cream Soda
serves two

Ingredients:

2 tsp real maple syrup
1/2 tsp maple extract
2 Tbsp coconut milk
2 cups chilled soda water

Directions:

1. Divide first three ingredients between two glasses.
2. Pour in soda water slowly (it will foam up) and leave about 1/2 space at the top to allow for foam.
3. Serve immediately.