Our life living off the land in our log cabin, breathing fresh mountain air, and getting back to basics.

Monday, May 26, 2014

A Great Memorial Day Weekend with Jessi and Liam

I know I said I'd post at least every Sunday, but I don't have internet at the river house any more, and since this is a holiday weekend, I figure today counts:)  It was a beautifully relaxing weekend with Jessi and Liam...the first time we've been alone together for quite some time. There's something special about 1:1 time (or 1:2 time in this case).

We fished together...
...and caught fish...
 ...and de-hooked fish...
 ...and released...
Sleeping handsome...
 Liam fished...
 ...and pondered...

And then there was the awesome desert we decided to splurge on...
 ...and the full, satisfied belly that followed.

It was a fabulously relaxing weekend, and nice to meet at our river place (a happy midpoint from where I'm at now and Jessi's place).

I'm back at the Villa, and there's a thunderstorm rumbling nearby. A great ending to a great weekend. I hope your weekend was filled with family fun. In honor of Memorial Day, my heartfelt thanks go out to all those who sacrificed their lives to keep us living free.

Thanks for reading my blog, see you next week,
Lise

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Life Is Good

How shall I begin...
Everything is unfolding in the most perfect of ways, confirming for me that this is exactly where I should be.

My first week at work included lots of orientation and training, filling my brain with more information than I can effectively articulate, but it established a good foundation. Having previously worked with my boss (and friend) Eileen removed the usual nervousness one feels when starting a new job, and allowed me to walk in the door with a confidence that helped me let the periodic sense of feeling a little overwhelmed roll right off my shoulders. The orientation and training isn't complete yet, but I'm thrilled to be working for Allegany Franciscan Ministries and honored to be among a group of incredible colleagues.

The Villa I'm staying in is comfortable and will work for the next six weeks. I'm really excited about the place I'll be calling home beginning in July. The photo above is Crystal Beach at sunset, a small spot on the gulf that seems to be a well kept secret, because the only people I see around there appear to live in the area. The place I'll be living is three blocks east of the beach. There's a nice park with gnarly live oaks right across the street from the beach and the Pinellas Trail (a lovely path for walking and biking) is between the house and the beach.

This small pond is behind the house I'll be staying in (my temporary permanent home).
This bird was at the edge of the pond. It sort of looks like a heron but it's beak is short...anyone know what it is?
This is the beach in the morning, I'm facing directly west...
...now facing northwest...
...and southwest.
This heron was enjoying a snack along a walking path that parallels the gulf.

I'm excited to be here, and continue to be filled with gratitude for all that is unfolding. Thanks for all the good thoughts and positive energy you've been sharing, it makes everything that much better! I do believe I'll be publishing a post once a week, most likely on Sunday's. And I'll get back to visiting your blogs too.

FYI, all is well at the cabin. Johny's busy entertaining our friends visiting from Luxembourg, and loving every minute...it's his longest friend Guy (they've known each other since they were young boys) and Guy's wife Mariette. It's been rainy and cold enough for a fire the past few days, a big contrast to the 70's and low humidity here

Thanks for reading my blog, see you next week,
Lise

Monday, May 12, 2014

Tomorrow's The Big Day

I begin my new position tomorrow. I hope I can sleep.


Today's been filled with identifying an awesome beachy sort of place that will be my permanent temporary home, soaking in the last hours of my "sabbatical" and spending time with most of my family to celebrate my niece's birthday.

I've also been thinking about you, and how I will miss writing my blog every day. Of course I'll post about this new chapter in my life, and updates about the cabin, I'm just not sure how often. I suppose we'll be discovering that together.

The flower is an orchid my dad has in his yard; it is the only orange stem of blooms, all the rest are fuchsia. It captured my attention, somehow representing this new journey I am on...the why of that I can't say.   

Thanks for reading my blog, see you soon,
Lise

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Happy Mother's Day!

Celebrating motherhood!

Thanks for reading my blog, see you tomorrow, 
Lise

Saturday, May 10, 2014

My New Journey Begins

I'm at my temporary home (a nice little villa), where I'll be living for the next two months. The car is unloaded and I have stuff stacked everywhere. I've driven to my new office to get the driving route established, and I'm happy to say it will likely take me 15 minutes max to get there, only because I'm driving through a school zone, today it took me 4 minutes. I took a mini tour of the area, and then went to Publix to stock up on some basic supplies. I've sent Johny pictures of the villa, and he's happy it's nice; it is odd not to have him here with me, but he'll be here in a few weeks. I asked him to send me a photo of the beautiful pinkshell azalea that bloomed only after I left the cabin...
It's a beauty!

I have to say, I am so very fortunate to have this opportunity, but even more so, that my life keeps unfolding in such an incredible way. I am blessed, truly blessed, and grateful for it all.

It's a strange and exciting experience all at the same time!!!

Thanks for reading my blog, see you tomorrow,
Lise

Friday, May 9, 2014

Red Sun In The Morning...


 
 
 
 

Thanks for reading my blog, see you tomorrow,
Lise

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Remember The Mute Swan Nest?

The last time I was here, I wrote about the nesting Mute Swans. I was extremely disappointed when I returned to the lake and found the nest abandoned.

Because the nest was a popular "attraction", I searched the internet to see if I could find anything. Sure enough, the swan nest made the news, reporting six cygnets!

Photo By Kerry Palermo, SpaceCoastDaily.com.
I've not seen them on any of the lakes, but I'm happy to know the family survived:)

Thanks for reading my blog, see you tomorrow,
Lise