After a dark and dismal winter, it was such a wonderfully productive spring and summer! Huge shifts of heart and better weather helped us meet and overcome challenges and made it possible to get so much accomplished! We focused our combined energies on creating some new outside spaces, like a “catio” for our four fur babies (or occasional visitor!)
and a new fence to keep our energetic pup, Katie, contained.
The new fence let in so much more sunlight and made our garden larger and happier! We filled all the places we could with food and flowers and enjoyed the magic and intrigue of watching so much life and beauty appear. Together, it was a daily responsibility and a daily joy to care for all the flourishing life!
Our garden has become my favourite place to take pictures and, since May of 2020, I have been enjoying the role of Yopp photographer, letting sunshine and nature (and my cell phone) provide all the ingredients necessary for share-worthy pictures! (#nofiltersneeded) I love capturing some of the wide variety of beauty available! As the weather changes, I will have to find some alternatives, but I have collected some beautiful outdoor shots and I have some great new recipes ready to post in the coming weeks! (Sneak preview of Pumpkin Blackberry Scones! Katie was supervising!)
Inside, our kitchen finally got the attention it deserved, as we patiently refinished the beautiful old solid wood oak cabinetry and rebuilt the well-used countertops. Fortunately, my husband, Bill, is a talented and creative maker. After many months, it is now a beautiful space and there is a deep sense of pride and satisfaction in having accomplished this together!
This is where all those wonderful Yopp recipes are created and tested before they make it to the website!
Katie is loving her beautiful matching food bowl! Thanks, Bill! (Watch for a post on making vegan dog food – coming soon!)
As the harvest season begins, the freezer and pantry are filling up with garden goodness to see us through the winter ahead. We have some late crops still adding fresh greens to our meals, but it’s time to be inventive with frozen tomatoes! The seasons are shifting but there is always something new to explore and learn, always new challenges to embrace, always so much to be grateful for!
May the days ahead be filled with health and happiness! May you find the joy in every season!
