This week has been busy, but not necessarily with homestead projects.
In fact, we haven’t spent much time at home at all!
Between a weekend away, a concert, and my first trip to Canada, we’ve definitely been doing more adventuring than homesteading lately. It’s been a lot of fun, but you know what happens when you’re away from home…
Everything is still waiting for you when you get back.
So while the past week has been full of fun, this weekend is looking a whole lot more like laundry, canning, freeze-drying, schoolwork, and catching up on all the things.
Balance, right?
A Little Getaway
As I mentioned in my last post, my husband and I spent last weekend away at the beach with some friends.
It was such a nice little getaway, and then we came home for approximately two nights before leaving again.
This time, we headed out for a concert.
We were only about an hour and a half from home, but we both knew ourselves well enough to realize that driving home late at night on dark roads after a concert sounded absolutely miserable.
So we stayed the night instead.
My First Trip to Canada!
Yesterday was another adventure, but this time with my girlfriends!
We’ve committed to taking one day each month to get together and do something fun, and I’m so glad we’ve stuck with it.
This month’s adventure took us to Canada, which was actually my first time visiting!
We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. The sun was shining, the weather was gorgeous, and we spent the day shopping, eating, exploring, laughing, and simply enjoying being together.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: make time for your friends.
Life is always going to be busy. There will always be laundry, dishes, work, kids, gardens, animals, and a hundred other things demanding your attention.
Sometimes you need to leave the to-do list at home and go have fun with your girlfriends.
Once a month has become something I genuinely look forward to.
The Tomatoes Have Taken Over
Meanwhile, back at home, apparently the tomatoes decided September was their time to shine.
Our garden is producing more tomatoes than ever right now.
I’m certainly not complaining!
At this point in the growing season, though, I’m watching the weather a little more closely and praying we can keep those freezing temperatures away for a while longer.
The garden still has so much life in it, and I’d love to squeeze as much as possible out of this growing season before the cold weather arrives.
Every extra sunny day feels like a little bonus.
Time to Catch Up
After spending so much time away from home, this weekend is going to be all about catching up.
For me, that means more canning and freeze-drying as I try to stay ahead of everything coming out of the garden.
And then there’s the regular stuff.
The laundry pile needs some attention. The house needs to be put back in order. I need to make sure the kids are caught up on their schoolwork.
Basically, all the glamorous parts of homestead life.
I’m sure my husband has already created a weekend project list of his own. If history tells me anything, he’ll somehow accomplish more in two days than seems humanly possible.
Enjoying These Last Warm Days
Thankfully, we’re supposed to have gorgeous weather this weekend.
As much as we need to get done, I’m hoping we can find a little time to simply be outside and enjoy it.
The days are getting shorter. Fall is creeping closer. We all know those cold North Idaho days will eventually arrive.
I’m not rushing them.
For now, I’ll happily take the sunshine, the overflowing tomato plants, and an excuse to stay outside a little longer.
This week may have been busy and next week probably will be too. That’s simply the season we’re in.
Between all the chores and responsibilities, I’m thankful we’ve also made time for concerts, trips, friends, good food, laughter, and a few adventures along the way.
The laundry will eventually get done.
The tomatoes will eventually get preserved.
I’m sure another project will take their place as soon as they do.
These are good days, and I don’t want to be so busy keeping up with them that I forget to enjoy them.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
Here’s to a productive weekend, a little more sunshine, and hopefully a few more weeks before that first freeze!
From our homestead to yours,
Eliza