I’m luxuriating in a few quiet moments this morning before I must knuckle down and get to work. The goats are snoozing in the sunshine, dogs temporarily quiet after the last car drove past, and all I can hear is the tick-tocking of the clocks.
We’ve had stunning weather this week, chilly mornings followed by sun-drenched afternoons of warmth and light.
I’ve been outside every day working hard planting my gardens for winter, building a straw-bale greenhouse, and taking advantage of the sunshine to dry load after load of laundry.
Over the weekend Bear and I took some time off for day trips to celebrate his birthday. We had such a lovely time together, exploring nearby towns, treasure-hunting in thrift stores, treating ourselves to delicious things at various cafes. It’s been so marvelous to eat outside on warm afternoons, soaking up sunlight that is so cozy it nearly lulls you to sleep.
Today I’m working on writing projects and tackling in-depth house-cleaning one room at a time. I’m trying to get everything shipshape so I can start school this week without the stress of laundry piles and boxes of veggies needing to be roasted, dried, or frozen for Winter.
Yes, I’m starting school, and I am so very, very excited. I’m taking a course in Business Administration followed by one in Bookkeeping, all working towards a diploma in Business.
I know most people go to school in their teens and twenties, but back then I lived in a world where girls weren’t supposed to go to school. It simply wasn’t an option for me. Thankfully it IS an option for me now, and at 40 years old I’m embracing the “better late than never” mantra, and stepping into the world of education with a hugely grateful heart. I’m especially thankful to Bear who is supporting me fully and cheering me on every step of the way. He is a treasure.
In celebration of this occasion, I’m hosting a giveaway of one of my wood-burned necklaces (see photo below). To enter, all you need to do is leave me a message here or on Facebook telling me something you’d like to do, try, or learn this year. All contributors names will be put in a hat on Saturday, May 16, 2015 and the winner drawn by Bear.
Now I must skedaddle and get the animals fed, the laundry off the line, and the next couple of trays of tomatoes into the oven for roasting.
Wishing you a beautiful week. XO
I am so proud of you Krista! What a great time to be going back to school. =) Hurrah for you and your pluckiness. Also, I’m so intrigued by the straw bale greenhouse, will that be used for starting plants?
Thanks so much, @breannemosher:disqus 🙂 It is both thrilling and scary, but I’m excited. 🙂 Yes, the greenhouse will be used for starting tomatoes, eggplants, beans, etc. 🙂
Best of luck with your studies, lovely. xox
Thank you so much, @liz_posmyk:disqus!! XO
Krista that is super news. Wishing you all the best as you head back to school. It is hard to get motived as an adult learner (at least that is what I find) but I’m sure you will do well 🙂 I’ll be cheering you on 😉 xx
Thank you so much for the cheers, @wanderingsheila:disqus 🙂 I know I’ll need them when things get a bit overwhelming. 🙂 xo
Ooh…Alesah’s a fan of your woodburning, Krista! You and Bear seem to go around with so much fun and quiet. Cool!! Great contest!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Thank you so much, Alesah! 🙂 We do like to go to fun places, @GourmetGetaway:disqus, places that inspire and delight. 🙂
I would like to start trying to lose all of the baby weight I gained! It’s a lot, so it will be quite a journey.
I sure understand, @AndiPerullo:disqus XO With all my health issues the last couple of years, I’ve really packed on weight too. Cheering for you as I join you in building health and fitness back into our lives. XO
Good on you Krista. I was definitely raised in an era where an education was not deemed necessary for a girl. I left school at Grade 10 and have never regretted it… well I would like to be able to tell a story better on paper and one day I might take a writing course at the Sydney Writers School. But this year I have decided to explore blogging further and will be attending my first bloggers conference on the Gold Coast in August. I am filled alternately with fear and excitement. 🙂
That is brilliant, @budgetjan:disqus!! 🙂 I’m actually thankful that I get to do school now instead of when I was young. I really value it now and am actually interested in what I’m studying. I can’t wait to hear how your first blogging conference goes!
X Congratulations on going back to school. that is simply huge. give yourself a big pat on the back for having the courage and strength to take that on. I’m in my early 50’s and just completed program and hopefully will start another in the fall so even though it is hard not being a “youngster” it is totally doable. Best of luck to you.
You are so inspiring, @jacquieastemborski:disqus 🙂 Thank you for sharing a bit of your story. You really spurred me on to take courage and try. 🙂
Wawho… You rock girlfriend. 🙂 Good on you heading back to school, so impressed.
This year, I really would love to learn Spanish, I love English, writing and reading, so in theory…. I should take to language, right?! I’d also like to learn how to market a product I am creating. And lastly, I’d love to learn how to be in a relationship and stop worrying about all that could go wrong and just enjoy it.
Such good things you are working towards, @disqus_o9c9vkchcC:disqus 🙂 I can’t wait to see what product you are developing. 🙂
The photos of the camilias are gorgeous. Congrats on going back to school to earn a Diploma in Business. I don’t think there’s an age where you’re too old to go back to school xx
Thank you for your encouragement, Charlie. 🙂 I was so nervous at first, but now I’m excited. 🙂
it is never too late to study! Last year I did a graduate course in nutrition and I am older than you. Good luck, and have fun 🙂
Good for you, @tandysinclair:disqus! That must have been such an interesting course. 🙂
Congrats on going back to school!! That is SO exciting.
It really is, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus 🙂 I’m so thankful for this opportunity and am really enjoying the studying. 🙂
Happy belated birthday to your hubby! Looks like you had such a great day out, celebrating! You must be so excited, going back to studying. Good luck!
Thanks so much, @oanaadorefoods:disqus 🙂 I really enjoyed my first day of school and am looking forward to getting deep into studying and learning. 🙂
Building a straw bale greenhouse? Very curious! Will you be sharing it with us?
As soon as I get my camera back from being fixed, I’ll be sure to share it with you, @goldiegal:disqus 🙂