Week one is over and this woman in the woods is seriously
wondering if she really signed up for taking care of four of her brothers. The
calm, cool and collected soul inside of me knows, they are merely a reflection
of myself, but my vengeful ego would like to see some heads roll. No it is not
that bad, I am feeling emotional and perhaps have a little more wrath than
normal at this moment in time.
My days are usually actually quite nice usually. I begin my
day at 5am , before the world has risen
I get up throw on some warm clothes and skip out the door of our cabin to greet
Jenny (the Generator) and start her up. She charges up the batteries which are
usually run by solar, but alas we all know the sun does not shine at night.
After I have power I do a little meditation and try and remember that all the
people I am working with are just people and I ask that all the food I make for
them may fill them with love and nourishment. Then it is time to get set up. I
prepare the lunch table with breads and buns, meats and cheese, veggies and
snacks. Lunch has been by far my hardest meal to figure out, for someone who
does not really eat sandwiches or meat or junk, I just haven’t been able to
work it out. Alas my ego is often kicking me in the butt over not knowing what
to do for lunches but I tell it to shut up and tell the boys if they want
something they better tell. Once the lunch table is already I start up with
breakie, I try and switch it up but there is always fruit salad and yogurt,
toast with all the fixings, cereal, eggs and bacon and if I am feeling inspired
I may make some strata or pancakes or oatmeal.
After all this and cleaning it is usually about 9am and I
take a few well deserved hours to relax. Depending on the weather which has
been all over the place from glorious and sunny to -3 and frosty to torrential
rain with truck shaking winds, I have been enjoying watching movies and
knitting (have finished a toque and almost done a cowl), reading (two books at
once) , jumping on the trampoline or taking a walk to the lake. These are my
favourite times, when there is no one about and I can talk to the eagles and
run around singing or just being quiet as a mouse.
My afternoons vary based on what I am making, usually I do
lunch prep and baking in the early afternoon. So far I have made spelt and
roasted garlic; honey oatmeal and olive breads, peach pecan spices muffins and
oatmeal pecan chocolate cookies. I am totally loving making bread which is
something I have never done before but will definitely be doing in the future
now that I know how easy it is (granted I do have all day). I also use this
time to plan my recipes and check out what I am needing for groceries. I had
planned on going to town just on Saturdays for the farmers market but at the
rate these guys eat shit snacks I have been going twice a week. I am running
out of things I figured I never would run out of and am hardly using other
things. It has definitely been an interesting learning experience. Though also
the hardest part. I feel a bit like a beck and call girl granting the whims of
big boys planning in the woods. I find it hard not being appreciated for this
as when I do go to town it means I get
no break at all during the day.
However town is quite amusing. It is about a 40 min drive
along a beautiful road with magnificent red, gold, orange and green trees. The
town is small about 8000 people and main street is only about four blocks. But
the people are so friendly and helpful, even to a big city tattooed woman.
There is a little organic store with an owner who loves to talk and talk and
talk. There is also a super quaint farmers market with amazing produce, elk and
bison meat, Mennonites, seniors and high school girls with awesome painted
nails. I managed to buy almost all of my produce, meat, cheese and bread
there!! Other than that there is a Canadian tire, where a sweet old man named
Elmer helped me cut the thickest chain they had with a hacksaw because we
busted the cutter J There is also a walmart, yuck (all the towns here
have walmart and that is virtually it), safeway, lots of fast food, truck
dealerships, little local stores full of tacky clothes and furniture and a few
local food stores. I still haven’t managed to find Rocky and Bullwinkle and Dudley
do-right, but I am on the look out. One of my most and least favourite parts of
town is driving around in my half ton chevy, who knew I would love driving a
big ass truck so much, if only I had brought my cowboy hat.
After all that is said and done and I have had another break
if I didn’t go to town, I start up dinner. Dinner of course is my favourite
meal and as I am theme queen I constantly have regional or country based menus;
Jamaican, Italian, American, Thai……. Some of my favourites have been Mexican
with Fish tacos, Yam quesadillas, rice and beans and guac and salsa with chips;
Indian with Butter chicken, baijan Bharta (aka eggplant curry), quinoa dal and
chutney with peach, cardamom, rosewater lassis. Tonight I am making Italian
with a Pesto torte, chicken cacciatore with potatoes, salad and pears baked in
wine. This usually takes me from 4 to 6 to prepare and then 6:30 to 7:30 or 8 to clean and then I rest
until I fall asleep at 9pm , in order
to start all over again.
Welcome to my life!! Keeping my eye on the prize, loving
nature and meditating as much as possible.
Love and miss you
all! Xoxoxoxo M
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