Spring Trip to Moondance Organic Gardens

"You always get what you need in a day." ~Susan (new farm volunteer)

Nothing says spring like the first visit of the season to Moondance Organic Gardens in Angus. We have been volunteering there for several years now and no matter how far we roam, we always find ourselves going back!

I would say, first and foremost it's Kim, the owner, with her warm, nurturing spirit, who draws us in.

Everyone feels welcomed and comfortable at Moondance. It doesn't matter what kind of a day you are having or what is going on in your life-you always leave the farm feeling loved, valuable and honoured.

It's a safe place, brimming with the healthiest food around and gentle people who care about the Earth.

The kids can have the freedom to run around and explore, plant, transplant and harvest- gather eggs...they meet new people but always love being reunited with familiar faces.

On this day, the sun was shining and the temps rose to 8 degrees celcius. Perfect day to start to think about garden beds and the upcoming growing season.

I was struck by how we just slip back into the ways of Kim's farm. Also, learning from some new volunteers. I met a woman who had such calm energy it was astounding. As, I talked to her, she shared some of her recent story. She expressed that for the first time in her life after years of doing what she thought she SHOULD do, she is now doing what she WANTS to do-what she's PASSIONATE about. She's taking the time to photograph, learn about gardening, do yoga and focusing on growth and the earth. I felt happy for her. And, while I was talking to her, I felt happy for myself and our boys. Our boys have this JOY now...have the ability to experience freedom-to discover-to play-to learn from life whatever they are ready for, whatever they are interested in. I am so thankful to my husband for working so hard for our family-giving us these opportunities to live such a Wonderful Life. I am so thankful that our children don't have to wait until they are older, ailing or retired to have this or to recognize late in life its significance. What a gift!

Chudleigh's Apple Picking Day

Once again, I have left posting too long! Eek!

These photos reflect the fun we had at Chudleigh's with the Platt family on the Labour Day weekend. We had never been to Chudleigh's but had heard how much fun it was and of course how great the apples were!

I have memories from going to Drysdale's Tree Farm where they sold Chudleigh's pies.... yummmm!

We did find it rather expensive for a family to get in the door in order to have the privilege to pick their delicious apples, play in the play area and view the cute farm animals. However, it ended up being a memorable and tasty experience!

mapleton's organic farm fun!

if i could project happiness, excitement and warm fuzzies right through the computer, i would!

as josh put it, "this has been the best time out we've had since we have moved to the farm! thank you so much for taking us mom!"

~

on friday night, we went with the platt family to mapleton's organic farms in moorefield, ontario.

we had been invited by an old friend of laura and mykl's when i'd dropped them off at their next destination on their vacation route.

what wonderful timing to meet martin who knows the area, the people, homeschoolers, events, contacts for farming etc. we had heard about he and his family for years and that they had a lovely strawbale home. laura had always said we should go there someday to meet them... so, kismet, fate, whatever you want to call it, this was when i was meant to go there.

martin passionately coordinates friday night fun at mapleton's in the summer... a barbeque, tractor ride, corn maze, labyrinth, farm animals, live music, organic veggies, baked goods and dairy including great ice cream!

this is one of those places, when you get out of the car, the kids just run off in all directions to investigate... but what is unique is that you feel from the onset, that this is a safe environment despite us never visiting before. the kids were free to roam around and meet new people, play, explore and discover.

this evening had the makings of everything good. good weather, nice people, fun activities, delicious food and blue grass playing in the background.

so, not only did we meet new people-but laur, mykl, osha and soma came! an old friend lisa-kristine and her daughter cypress made a long drive out from mt. albert! what a treat! and i was ever so pleased to meet martin's endearing wife, kathy and see their sweet boys again.

new and old alike-what a gang we had!

the kids loved having the opportunity to see the farm animals and hold the baby bunnies! i held a 1 month old bunny for the first time too! so soft and cuddly!

lisa and i agreed, this is what it's all about...

love it!

once a year visits are extra special!

last week, our family had a lovely visit with our friends laura, mykl, osha and soma. they had traveled from Nanaimo, B.C. and were doing the rounds with family and friends. pretty amazing that our first overnight guests at the farm, came from such a distance!

actually, over the years, some of the most memorable memories with friends have been these, short, concentrated visits when quality time is spent together. we have other friends in our lives who have moved far away... whenever they would come home, we would ensure that our plans revolved around seeing them. somehow, it took them leaving for us to recognize the preciousness of our time together and that an effort needed to be made to see each other physically. we can remember all of our visits with them well. this is partly because it doesn't happen often, we tend to go to new places, meet new people, eat at a different restaurant, do activities we wouldn't normally and so on. we savour the conversation, the interaction, the awe of how much bigger the children have become and look forward to our next meeting. this visit was no exception!

so, as much as we'd like to have all of our friends close by-we also love having them far away-cuz seeing them when we do makes it all the sweeter!!!!

it's time...we're home!

Well, it certainly has been a long time since I posted last.

I had issues uploading pics and then we moved!

Life has been busy and exciting of late.

We are thrilled to be 'HOME' at last!

While we were on the road, we had a real sense of happiness as we were free to explore, free to be ourselves and free to see new places with each other as a family and with our friends who have really become a part of our family.

Now that we are back in Ontario, we are thrilled to be continuing the adventure sharing a wonderful farm property with our friends.

There is a sense of calm, awe and wonder here which is enhanced by the location as much as it is by the fact that we are close to our friends. The whole scenario is rather dream-like for us and we are looking forward to many years of memories, fun, discovery, learning and growth.

Life is good!

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer! :)

as spring approaches...

the weather has been refreshingly mild. the sun has been out and the jackets have come off. when it rains, you don't mind so much because you can see buds emerging-a promise for new growth, change and warmer days to come.

we have been out and about here and there investigating a farm, playing and walking at the forest, visiting friends and family, discovering ice crystals and how they sound when they crash and splay on a frozen pond, getting wet and muddy, playing hockey, trading pokemon cards and pitching and organizing our things in between.