A New Beginning?
Hi there! I know, it’s been a while. I was sick in September (hello, round 4 of Covid?) and I had a lot of making up lost time and work to do. I had a couple of yard sales and then had to sort through the leftovers. And then I just kept moving forward and lost track of time, I guess. And then every time I’d sit down to write I would panic. This past year has been so, so hard but I have pushed through and worked through a lot of things. And for that I am grateful. I don’t think I’m out of the woods yet (still no full time job, but I’ve been applying and interviewing again). I still don’t think I’ve decided 100% on what I want to do with my life, but I am exploring all my options. And oh the options! So fun!
I was really enjoying the daily journal entries here. I am going to push myself through my discomfort and start those again (I think). It was fun sitting and writing a few words about my day-the good, the bad, and the ugly. And taking a couple of photos to share too. I’ve been decorating the house lately with things that I have found. I’ve potted a bunch of plants and potted up some as well. I can’t believe how many plants I have now. It’s a little out of control. I’ve also rearranged some furniture and now have a cozy sitting area in the bedroom. It’s a nice place to sit and knit (which I’ve been doing more of! I even met one of the Wal-mart employees and talked her through how to knit. She’s a crocheter and wanted to learn to knit but was struggling a little with it). Speaking of Wal-Mart employees, it’s funny how you get to know them. I had another one tell me she got engaged over the weekend! YAY!
I also had my first Sunday Supper Club last night. I had 3 wonderful ladies over to the house. We all enjoyed a good, home-cooked seasonal meal. We had a roast pork tenderloin with a mushroom gravy, roasted root veg (turnips, beets, potatoes, butternut squash, daikon radish and figs). I made a barley, cranberry, and goat cheese salad. And we also had a very seasonal and refreshing corn salad! We even lit a fire and had s’mores before everyone headed home for the evening. Having people over also meant I got to give the house a deep clean it deserved. I’ve missed entertaining. I told the ladies that I don’t feel like I’ve really connected to my community here and I want to find that, no matter how long or short of a time I have left in Knoxville.
I even put eggs in the incubator. I decided to raise barred rocks again. I love them! They are so hardy and so personable. And they are considered a heritage breed so that fits my new farmstead criteria as well! I put 22 eggs in the incubator 3 weeks ago and ended up taking 6 out that just didn’t grow. I have 3 eggs that I want to open and see if I can figure out what happened. They were fertilized and started to grow but then stopped. Out of the 16 left, I have 12 that have hatched, 1 that is trying to hatch, and the other 3 have pipped. I’m not sure if the last 3 will make it though. I am going to take about 11 of them out tonight and put them into the brooder. I’m just a little concerned about the brooder this go round because it’s in the unheated garage. I think they’ll be fine and if it’s too cold for them, I’ll figure it out. I’ll have to keep the garage doors closed mostly. And no parking the van in the garage for a couple of weeks.
What else? I’ve been doing some freelance blogging for the ladies over at Destination TN Valley. Go check them out and read all about Knoxville and the surrounding areas. I’ve been having a lot of fun and meeting a lot of new people! I start work for an estate sale company tomorrow. It’s very part time and will be more for fun and learning than anything else. I hope to learn how to source and price antiques and vintage items mostly.
I don't think I have too much more to report at the moment. I have literally been quiet. I have needed to cut the noise in my life so I could sit with myself and start processing through a lot of things. I’m ready to make some moves. Those moves might not come for a little bit but I’m ready.
‘til next time
-k
xoxo
