A new little farmgirl is joining our family this November. During Emily’s ultrasound yesterday I watched in awe as the little skeleton baby moved her knees into her chest, moved her arms, and turned her head. Is there anything more amazing than new life? My daughter is five months pregnant. Her five year old, our beloved Maryjane Rose, is overjoyed to have a sister coming. We have so much to show her!
New life is everywhere. My garden beds overflow and bees, goldfinches, and hummingbirds delight in nectar as a baby squirrel eats walnuts from the tree. I am not sure if there will be any left for us again this year. There were plenty of mulberries to go around though.
No matter what new endeavors I take on, no matter where my life and studies take us, I always end up back to this place.
“I keep asking myself what I do I want to do now? What are my goals?” I told Emily while we were waiting for the doctor. “And all I want is to be able to live on a big family farm, take the grandkids to see what is growing in the gardens, check on our general store and restaurant, and be together living sustainably.”
“That’s all I want too,” she responded.
At dinner the other night, my son has it all planned out.
In the end, all I want is to live close to the heartbeat of the earth, surrounded by family and community, and live sustainably.
It is time to can peaches today.
Farmgirl School 
Congratulations!!! And store up all these new life moments to help get through winter. That’s what I’m trying to do–winter is so hard for me. But then you’ll have an actual new life to keep you fully in the present moment. Congrats again and good luck fulfilling your dreams.
Winter is hard for me too! Luckily the baby will be coming just in time! My dream has already come true. Such a lovely house and gardens and family, I could not wish for more. Blessings to you and yours at your abode!