Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Trail Blazing

I love Autumn at Blessings Farm

I love walking the trails

I love trail blazing with our friends…
the dreaming of..
and actual making of new trails on our land..

last year a vision was cast…
and all this year.. bit by bit
we've all been trying to contribute in our own ways

Mr. & Mrs. Treegardener and their fabulously FUNSON
came up this past weekend for one FINAL push for 2014

due to so many health issues
and blah blah blah things that have come up,
we've leaned heavily upon the support and encouragement
and nitty gritty WORK of Mr. Treegardener

and he's only proven himself 
FAITHFUL

we can see hidden spots of our land
we never saw before
or could only get to with great effort.

we have a nice lean walking trail 
that connects to our main trail system

we hope to map this out in due course
for family and friends who enjoy 
Blessings Farm with us
and for the kids
in their games!
oh…
I can just SEE the paint ball games to come!

so many wonderful landmarks

so many glorious views

super spots for deer stands

and with some of this bramble cleared away…
pretty soon, this will be green grass..
we've seen it happen in other areas we've worked on in the forest.
so exciting!

I love quiet wandering trails

I love the colors that Autumn brings

the low leaning trees we have to lean down
to get beyond

the fallen logs to climb over
make it a bit of an adventure…
never boring walking a dog
or a four year old!

walking the trails is SO much fun..
there are so many more trails we are eager to blaze..
but there is 2015 and beyond to begin those
but alas my friends
those are all little in comparison with 
the great
the magnificent
the most AMAZING trail view yet

This was the finale..
The Lane
This is bliss… 
the genesis of the Perimeter 
I LOVE this lane..
Thank you Mr. Treegardner
for your friendship
your faithfulness
and for holding fast to the vision…
not everyone can see beyond

24 hours and painting floors with Mrs. O

Remember Mrs O?
well she and I had a fun 24 hour rush fellowship
paint attack!

yep…
we attacked the kitchen floor

it needed a freshening up…
with winter boots
and hunting season JUST around the corner
I needed to seal it up…
some day I sure hope to get that lounge finished..
better still 
TILE the whole space

wood floors in a country kitchen don't make this mama happy..
but it sure looks pretty!
we ate the BEST pizza,
drank some good wine
painted a floor
and got to bed
only to wake up to 

a BEAUTIFUL day!

coffee time lasted a VERY long time!
we had a fantastic breakfast out on the porch..
JUST Mrs. O and I..
no kids
no husbands
it was fabulous
and weird…
Then
we were off!

we adventured to the cheese maker
(BEST in the world!)
(no they don't pay me to say that, but they should…)
the Amish Baker 
(oh how we love her!)
the Chocolate Shoppe
(but of course!)
The town store
the antique store
and all the way to Mauston!
to the BEST Butcher in Wisconsin!
(no they don't pay me to say that, I wish they would)

and then a fun ride home…
I love girl time!
Our families were thrilled with the goodies we brought home,
and we were thrilled for the break !
LOVE my time with my dear friend

walking amongst fungi

Remember Aqua Man?
well..
he's now very officially 
Aquaponic's Man…
he's my shroom expert..
or rather my friend that is MORE knowledgeable than ME friend!
My father knew a LOT about fungi
but alas…
I don't think there is fungi in heaven.. but I don't know
it SURE is beautiful!
like little trumpets!
so many shapes 
sizes 
and colors

I adore walking in my woods
and searching out these woodland growths

they are magical
mysterious…
will they hold murder
or healing properties…
I just honestly don't know

I don't touch
because..
I need to learn

There are great books on mushrooming
and I plan on getting some and enjoying long winter of reading.

which ought to make next years identification 
a bit more than just wonder

and amazement

some look like pancakes

some looked fluorescent

the ridges on these made me want to imprint them in concrete

so pretty
so delicate
just WOW!

this one looks like a leaf!

see!  here were more of them!
but the ones below
look like balls of pastry!

the artistry AMAZES me!

poof balls!

up close, they capture the imagination!

these look like fallen leaves!

or eggy pancakes...

wild?

very very wild

burnt on the edges wild wild mushrooms!

and some critter took a bite out of this one!  
hope it was ok to do that!