Happy Full Moon!

I have just had the most amazing and wondrous evening.  So wondrous in fact, that I've had to break with danberly tradition and write in the first person (I'm much to at peace with the world right now to rack my brains trying to change all my pronouns into the third person.)  I've just come out of a steaming bath in the great outdoors.  I'm here at MaryJanesFarm, and one of the tent cabins here has an antique cast iron tub set up on the deck, looking out over the rolling hills of the Palouse. As I lay in the warm water, I watched as the big golden Solstice Moon rose up through the pine trees to take it's place in the sky.  It was mesmerizing.  Beyond mesmerizing... it was magic.  I laid in the tub for well over an hour, never taking my eyes off that beautiful moon except to look up at the stars, for fear of breaking the spell.  I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed and peaceful.  I swear that as I pulled the plug on the tub, all my worries and tensions went down the drain.  

I have settled in well in the two weeks that I've been here on the farm.  I can't remember ever having worked so hard (well, WWOOFing on Jeremy's farm in New Zealand does come to mind, but my days were shorter there!), but the work is good and fulfilling, and I find it strangely difficult to stop.  I love living in my little tent.  I light a fire in my woodstove every night to keep me warm, and snuggle under my down comforter to fall asleep to the sounds of crickets and coyotes.  It's a good feeling to not be surrounded by electricity and plumbing, and to feel the wind on my face as I sleep.   

I've been cooking (and eating!) a lot, testing recipes for MaryJane's magazine.  Please pick up a copy when it comes out in July to see some of my food creations, and a little bit of me as well!  I feed the hens morning and night, and in return they feed me the most delicious eggs.  I may be living in out in the country, but that doesn't mean that I live without an espresso machine!  Mmmmmm... yummy lattes all day long!  I make a big salad every day with lettuce and radishes from the greenhouse.  I just picked the last of the asparagus out of the garden and made a quiche out of it (thanks again, chickens!).  The strawberries are just beginning to take on some color, and I just can't wait until I'm up to my ears in them!  I made and canned some amazing strawberry jam out of last year's frozen berries, and I'm anxious to try it with the fresh ones.  Seriously, you've never had strawberry jam until you've had this strawberry jam... it's unbelievable.  Honest to god, I was dipping my hand in the jar to get every last bit out!  I used to make biscuits from scratch just because I love biscuits so much.  Now I make biscuits from scratch just so I can eat that dang strawberry jam!  After today's lunch (I had leftovers of the garden greens lasagna that I made last night) I opened a prized jar of my Grandma Emi's home-canned peaches, and drizzled organic cream all over them.  Good God.  I shared them with MaryJane and her daughter, Megan, so I was not alone in experiencing that divine combination.  After one bite, MaryJane proclaimed that we must can peaches this year.  It's a good thing, because I'm down to my last jar of peaches, and I've got them chilling in the fridge... next to the cream.  

I hope you all have a happy Summer Solstice!  Go out and celebrate the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year this Friday, June 20.  We're having a wedding down here on the farm, and I'm helping to cook for the rehersal dinner that evening.  So I'll be celebrating with a big, juicy organic burger, and hopefully another moonlit bath!   

Love,
Kim  

p.s.  And for all my Aussie and Kiwi friends, I hope you have an equally wonderful Winter Solstice!  

p.p.s  To get into my mood, please watch the following video:


And another, for my Japanese brethren... Take Me Home, Countly Loads
 

Jane posted on 2008-09-24 at 9:39 am

I'm crying with delight right now. I love you Thank you for sharing that.

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katerina posted on 2008-08-31 at 8:55 pm

first of all, how AWESOME is this photo??!!!! secondly, yet incredibly important....why did i NOT know that danberly was still going??? or going again??? GRRRRR! i have so much catching up to do and once again i have achy cheeks from your amazing adventures and experiences......that's all for now, i have too many more photos and stories to read....but big Big BIG love to you and DAN (in where? argentina???? ~ too much at one time........)

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amy raichert posted on 2008-08-29 at 9:40 pm

KIm!!!! GOod for you. Traveling for your soul ..again.I am inspired ..again. I am living in Santa Cruz,Ca so if you want to come on out and visit anytime..give me a ring.480-326-3529. I am envious of your farm life ,it sounds like it is doing you well. Keep enjoying the blessings!!Love Amy

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Marble posted on 2008-06-27 at 8:27 am

Come visit Bend next time you're passing through Oregon, I live in what you & John Denver would count as the counrty. I'd love to have you stop through! As, John Denver was the very 1st album I owned back in the 3rd grade. Yeah for John!

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Jeremy posted on 2008-06-25 at 2:19 am

Time- you got back to work !! All the best to y'both. Jeremy 'Okainamu'. 'the bastard slavedriver' PS my green mate Ralf has moved into the 'Loft"

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KK posted on 2008-06-21 at 8:59 am

Basking in the full moon in a pink bathtub under the night sky! sounds perfect. I'm glad you are able to savor every moment of this beautiful experience. It sounds so lovely.

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Anna posted on 2008-06-20 at 7:31 am

Kim, I agree with Monica: you described it so perfectly, it made me feel at peace for a short while. It sounds like you really are happy, loving and appreciating the good there is in nature, in life... take care and thanks for sharing, as always! :) I have to say, though, I am certainly NOT looking forward to my own lunch now ;)!!

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Monica posted on 2008-06-19 at 11:40 pm

I am so, so happy for you Kim! I love what you are doing and it makes me wonder why I am doing what I am doing--the whole rat race thing. I miss you and I am so glad you have shared a piece of your peaceful existance. You write so beautifully and I felt, for a moment, that I was right there with you--well, not in the tub with you, but you know what I mean. Enjoy your moonlit baths and the wonderful farm life. Save some strawberry jam for me! Does it go well with chocolate? :)

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