It’s a wildly blustery morning with aΒ  hint of Autumn in the air. I love waking up early and needing a blanket with my morning cuppa, then switching to sundresses and sandals for the rest of the day.

I’ve missed writing here over the last week, hampered first by computer issues, then by illness. But I’m back now and it feels good.

Our exciting news on the farm is the arrival of 12 Muscovy ducklings who are so darn cute they make us smile every day.

Muscovy duckling

I can see their pen from the kitchen window and love hearing their little peeps while I do dishes and make meals. They’re especially sweet when they’re first born, still damp from their shells, laying in the sunshine to warm up and dry off.

duckling resting

They were so tiny at first, timid and easily spooked, but now they’re brave as can be, exploring their pen, splashing in the water, and devouring as much mash as they can handle.

ducklingSeveral times a day I open the lid to their pen just to watch them, grinning at their darling little faces as they crane their necks up to inspect the giant human looming above them.

inquisitive duckling

They bring my focus back from the whirl of deadlines and responsibilities and help me linger in the moment enjoying sunshine on my shoulders, the softness of downy feathers, and the amazing gift of being alive.

Muscovy ducklingsThere are other good things to be thankful for this week: time to wood-burn new items for my shoppe and a new market next month, being interviewed for my book launch which is being held on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Freestone Memorial Hall, and time to think through my life and goals and talents and figure out my next step.

Now it’s time to step out into the wind and start planting more seeds for my winter garden, check on Bear’s progress in building frames for our beehives, and say hello to the ducklings

What are you looking forward to doing today? xo