Field Notes 5/26/25

Way back when, I used to write a weekly update about what all was happening around the homestead. And while I don’t have a homestead anymore I do like a weekly or biweekly update to keep up with everything I’ve been doing in life. So instead of homestead update, I think we’ll call it ‘field notes’. Sounds pretty appropriate, right?

I’m not sure what my categories will be for keeping everything organized. It might change over the next few weeks until I can figure out what makes the most sense. For today we’ll start with: In the Field; Lessons in Progress; Tried & Tested; Noted & Saved; On My Radar. Let’s see how this all shakes out! Onwards!

In the Field

This will be where I keep track of anything that is growing or happening on the farmstead! For this week, I haven’t done much in the way of growing or planting. I do have a big list of projects to get done in the next few weeks. Check back next week. Maybe I will have made progress. LOL.

Lessons in Progress

This section is about what I’m learning, how I’m growing, lessons I’ve learned from the past week. I’ve definitely been growing a lot this past week. I’ve thought a lot about reconnecting with people and people who deserve a seat at my table. There have been times in my life where I’ve walked away from people because I had to at the moment, whether it was because I was scared, ashamed, or just felt it was the right decision at that moment. Over these past few weeks I’ve been reconnecting with people, or connecting with people in general. I think I’ve had a lot of clarity in my life lately and it’s allowed me to open myself back up to those neglected or lost friendships. But not all of these connections have been good for me. Most of them have. But a couple of those reconnections have made me question the intent behind them. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and that people are in our lives to teach us a lesson. Mostly good lessons but sometimes the lessons we learn are not the ones we expected to learn. I thought I had dealt with a lot of the trauma from my past, and I have! But there’s always something lurking just beneath the surface that makes itself known. These particular connections came back to show me there were still parts of my past I hadn’t fully faced. I’ll be honest. It’s not been easy. It never is. But I think I see things for what they are and some people just no longer have a reservation for a seat at my table.

Interestingly enough I toyed with the idea of calling my next business ‘A Seat at my Table’. I love the idea of it being kind of what I was doing with Chicken Librarian-teaching people how to get back to the basics, cook, set a table, etc. but it also had a double entendre, if you will. It also stands for the growth it’s taken to say: not everyone deserves a seat at my table. At any rate, I will be carrying that little saying into my future. And I am thankful that almost all of my reconnections and connections have been absolutely positive ones. I think at the end of the day we want people to see how much we’ve grown and changed and to consider us worthy, but we have to consider that perhaps that person hasn’t grown and is not capable of seeing us for who we are and maybe they are the ones who are not worthy of a seat at our table.

Tried & Tested

This section is just that-things that I’ve tried and tested and any results. Again, not much to report here yet. Although if you recall the Coffee and Pie Chat that Daenel from Living Outside the Stacks and I used to do, there will be some fun pies coming your way soon!! And I have a list of things to share with you in terms of cooking and making. So stay tuned!!

Noted & Saved

This section will be about anything that’s caught my attention this past week. It could be music, a book, a website, something beautiful that I witnessed. Anything really! I’ve mostly been listening to Ryan Bingham on repeat and Chase Rice’s acoustic album. I have had this song on repeat (non-acoustic) and this one as well. Both have resonated deeply with me this past week. I drive around the back roads where I live, delivering groceries, and one of those two artists blasting through my speakers! I am even planning on going to see Ryan Bingham in concert. I am treating myself, y’all. And yes I am going by myself. Because that’s what we do when we are single, independent women and we’ve been working hard these past few weeks. Speaking of working hard, I took most of today off! I can’t believe I did it. It feels good. I have processed through a lot lately, had some really good interviews for jobs, and just felt the need to rest today. It’s cold and rainy and I am snuggled up on the couch with the dog.

I’ve also been back on the trail with Anna Lee. We made it out to Norris 3 times this past week. Anna is feeling very frisky lately so she is in need of some off leash time! We have a play date with our Daisy girl scheduled for this week so stay tuned for a full update about our Daisy. Just know that she is doing so, so well in her new home! I get periodic updates, photos, and videos from her new mom!

I haven’t been reading any books lately. I don’t know what that’s about but it’s true. I will keep you posted if I find anything worth mentioning.

Oh! Before I forget to mention it, I did go to a One Knox Soccer game and then volunteered to work the Southern Skies Festival hosted by Dogwood Arts so I could see the Dirty Guv’nahs! Both events were a lot of fun and I can’t wait for more adventures!

On My Radar

This will be my projects, adventures, and ideas section! Anything that is upcoming will live here! And for today? This is the section where there’s a lot happening! I need to keep track of all my upcoming projects. You know how I love a good To-Do list! And it help keeps me accountable. I also have a lot more to share with you in terms of blog posts. I haven’t shared about my trip to Nashville, the rodeo, or my nephews graduation yet. So be on the lookout for those.

Here’s my latest To-Do List:
1. powerwash house (have started this. Would like to complete it by the end of this week, weather dependent)
2. Fix wall in kitchen and paint
3. Fix wall in dining room, paint entire room, rehang photos, etc.
4. Have a yard sale
5. Plan my birthday bash!!
6. Clean out front flower beds, plant flowers
7. Garden: create raised beds, maybe grow something this year
8. Clean out the attic in both garages
9. Make Red, White, and Blue flowers for the graves. Check on all the family graves.

What else? I think I’ve mentioned it but I have been applying on and interviewing for jobs around the country. It’s such an odd thing to be able to say ‘that sounds interesting’ or ‘that really resonates with me’ and then I can apply on it or think about how it fits into my future. I am not beholden to any one area. As long as there are jobs and places to live, Anna Lee and I are pretty much free agents and can entertain any possibilities. I also think I mentioned this here, but I’ve been making all my meals at home, including my coffee! My friend Elizabeth and I were talking about using our French presses to make coffee and boy I am addicted now! I put the coffee pot into storage and use my electric kettle and my French press. In fact, I am making another pot as we speak. I’ve been keeping my meals pretty simple. Last night I had salmon, roasted potatoes, and zucchini. Mostly I’ve been making granola, protein bites, cheese and apples to take with me when I am out and about. I did make some good taco salad bowls last week. They were so good, I am making them again this week. Except today is so cold and rainy that I made a kind of veggie chili. I put beans, spinach, butternut squash, corn, and canned tomatoes in the crockpot and some chili spices. It will be easy to reheat and take for my lunches this week.

Oh! I will be back on WATE Living East Tennessee this week! I am so excited. I always look forward to seeing Amber and the crew there. We have such a good time and I’ve really made some good connections from doing the show. I’ll post more about that in next week’s roundup.

I think this is a good place to stop for today. I’m so glad to get all this out of my brain and have a space to keep track of it all again. I hope you enjoy reading all about my daily life. LOL. Oh. Before I go, I did want to mention my little visitor I had a couple of weeks ago. I was bee-bopping around the house with the windows open and heard this strange bird calling. I looked out my front window and there was a little quail under my dogwood tree just a calling up a storm! I took this video and these pictures of him. Turns out he’s a Bob White Quail. I suspect someone near me is raising them and either released them or he escaped. I couldn’t catch him (I was going to keep him) but I came close. He seemed pretty domesticated. At any rate, I kept an eye on him until he disappeared. Poor guy.

‘til next time
-k
xoxo