This week’s homestead update is going to be a little different.
Not every week around here is filled with big projects, overflowing canning pots, new animals, or something exciting to share.
Sometimes life simply asks us to slow down a little.
This has been one of those weeks.
We’ve kept up with the animals, the house, school, the garden, and all the normal things that need to happen each day, but I’ve also been trying to focus a little less on everything that needs to get done and a little more on simply being present.
Present with my family.
Present with my kids.
Present in the ordinary moments that can be so easy to rush through when you’re constantly thinking about the next thing on the list.
As much as I love checking things off that list, I know these days with my kids at home won’t last forever.
Sometimes it’s okay to let a few things wait.
The Garden Isn’t Giving Up Yet
Apparently, the garden didn’t get the memo that October has arrived.
We had freezing temperatures twice this week, which meant heading outside in the evening and covering everything we could in hopes of keeping the garden alive a little longer.
It worked!
The garden survived, and we’re still bringing in many, many tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
At this point, every extra day feels like a gift.
I know our growing season could come to an end at any time, so I’m incredibly thankful for everything we’re still able to harvest. I’m also not complaining about a few more tomatoes making their way into the kitchen (hello salsa!).
Hello, October
And speaking of October…
It’s my favorite month of the year.
Part of that may have something to do with the fact that both my husband and I have birthdays at the end of the month. October has always felt a little celebratory around here because of that.
Birthdays aside, I truly think October is the most beautiful month in North Idaho.
The trees begin changing into gorgeous shades of gold, orange, and red. The mornings are crisp and cool. The air feels different. You start reaching for a sweater before heading outside, but by afternoon the sunshine can still feel wonderfully warm.
It’s that perfect little window between summer and winter that I wish we could stretch out just a bit longer.
We all know what’s coming next.
I’m just choosing not to talk about snow yet.
Being Present in This Season
Maybe that’s another reason I’ve been thinking so much about slowing down this week.
October doesn’t last very long.
Neither does childhood.
Neither do gardens overflowing with tomatoes or afternoons warm enough to sit outside in the sunshine.
Life moves quickly.
There’s always another load of laundry, another project, another homeschool assignment, another meal to make, another garden chore, and another item waiting to be crossed off the list.
I’m trying to remind myself that being productive isn’t the only measure of a good day.
Sometimes a good day is sitting around the table talking with your kids.
Sometimes it’s going outside just because the sun is shining.
Sometimes it’s laughing together when you should probably be doing something else.
Sometimes it’s simply noticing the beautiful things God has placed right in front of you.
Enjoying My Favorite Month
So that’s where we’re at this week.
The garden is still hanging on.
The tomatoes keep coming.
The mornings are getting colder.
The trees are beginning their beautiful transformation.
And we’re settling into October.
I may not have a giant list of homestead accomplishments to share this week, but maybe that’s okay.
Instead, I’m trying to soak up this season, and to enjoy my kids, appreciate the ordinary days, notice the changing leaves, and thank God for the life happening right in front of me.
There will always be more work tomorrow.
We only get today once.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
Here’s to crisp mornings, changing leaves, gardens that refuse to quit, birthdays on the horizon, and enjoying every beautiful day October gives us.
From our homestead to yours,
Eliza
