Sarah J. Newton

Dear Readers,

You’d think I was a hard-lined Republican with my views of responsibility, but I believe that if you say you’re going to do something, you do it. That if you want something, you save up and buy it. That you shouldn’t assume that things will be given to you just because you are a good person, but that you need to earn them.

However, I am also a person that believes that mistakes happen, and we have to do what we can to correct the situation. For example, that new volunteer organization that I have joined has a 7 a.m. meeting. When I woke up at 7:34 this morning… I knew that it was more important that I show up, apologize, and just about turn right back around because the meeting was over, than to not show up at all.

The positive side of the mishap this morning is that although I left the house mad at myself, the reception wasn’t disdain and anger – it was understanding and gratitude that I wanted to be there. When I came home and was still upset at myself, it was the realization that I could still do good for the organization even if I hadn’t been there myself, and that is what has made the morning better. (Perhaps also kind words from my understanding husband, and the sunshine).

I suppose the ‘moral of the story’ here is that even if you think it would be easier not to do the right thing and go to the very end of an engagement you may have, honoring your responsibilities and showing up will serve your soul better than shrinking away in anger at yourself and fear of the world. Live up to your commitments, even if you think it’s too late. Sometimes intention makes all the difference.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah J. Newton

Dear Readers,

The Pacific NorthWest is reminding me these last few days why you have to be a NorthWesterner at heart… You have to love the rain. I love the rain for what it does for my yard, how it cools the air, and especially for that wonderful smell when it rolls in. But I have a confession that goes against my NorthWesterner roots… I want a cold frame right under the porch roof!

It isn’t that the garden is that far away from the house, in fact, most days it’s a lovely little walk out to the massive garden that my husband tilled up for me. But when it rains… Well it’s… WET! My feet get wet, the bottom of my pants get wet, usually it’ll start sprinkling when I’m out there, and then my whole self is wet.

So, when time and my back injury permits, I’m going to be building a small cold frame that I can put right next to the back deck. Spare window for a door, old pallets for sides, and just put it in the dirt that’s within reach. Fresh spinach in winter anyone?

Sincerely,

Sarah J. Newton

Dear Readers,

My husband and I have been very interested in becoming more sustainable in our eating practices, buying local, growing veggies, and now… raising chickens for eggs! The proverbial question of course, “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” in our situation is definitely answered with ‘The chicken’…

Most of the literature that we’ve read says that chickens should start to lay their first eggs at 16 weeks. Well, that was three weeks ago. I coo to them, I coax them, I glare at them… Nothing seems to be bringing out an egg.

In the meantime, we’re enjoying their continued antics as they experience the world for the first time (we’ve still not had rain since they moved to the outdoor chicken run) and establish their pecking order.

(Below: Learning to use the chicken coop ladder, and one getting the most out of the feeder)

Dear Readers,

As a fairly new housewife, I find that I ‘grade’ myself often on what I think I should be doing around the house, what others are able to get done around their houses, and the reality of what I actually get done. I find I’m trying to keep up with this standard that hasn’t even been set for how I take care of the home. I’ve had a nerve injury in my upper back that has really forced me to look at what I do in the home that’s important vs. what I like to get done to ‘feel’ like a good wife. For instance, the fact that my husband is fed, has clean clothes, and I’m staying mostly on top of the dishes, is pretty much a victory in itself right now. So I’m trying to learn that although I may not have a job, and therefore could be doing housework all day, eight hours a day, I don’t have to. This little pat on the back to relax when I need to, and be creative when I need to is important to me.

As for giving myself a break, I’ve found out recently that I can do that by giving to my future self. What I mean is storing prepped foods! My bread recipe makes four loaves of bread, so I used to make just 1/4 or 1/2 the recipe. It dawned on me after we got a chest freezer for the home, that I could freeze the baked bread, and have it when I’m feeling ill, pregnant, don’t have the time, etc!

Bread ready to go!

(Recipe from Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes A Day)

6.5 Cups flour

3 Cups warm water

1.5 Tbs. salt

1.5 Tbs. yeast

The other thing that I’ve found to keep a little perspective and sanity, is that I have to have ‘dates’ with other people. Women are social creatures, and being home 24/7 had been getting to me without me even realizing it. My husband works from home, but he can easily be a hermit in training, and doesn’t seem to need the same stimulus that I do. (He also chats during the day with colleagues on the phone or IM, so he gets more interaction most days than I do).

To solve this problem, I make ‘dates’ with friends and family. I have three girlfriends now that I have lunches with throughout the month. Most of the time we do a potluck so that we keep expenses down. Then as a couple, we have dinner dates with two different couples every month or so. As a hostess, I have a monthly dinner party that allows me to see more of our friends at once. Finally though, I realized that I can be helping people at this point in my life, so I’ve joined a service organization. So far I’m just getting my feet wet with the group, but their main purpose is to help bring joy to kids through their projects.

We’ll see how things turn out for me in the future with these changes being made!

Sincerely,

Sarah

Dear Readers,

Things are awakening, in the garden, in our lives, and in my imagination. I have dialogues swimming around in my mind, and I sit in my new home and just imagine.

I imagine writing my characters for hours and hours. I imagine what they are doing as I wait to write the rest of their lives. I imagine being pregnant with our first child. I imagine sunny days with shadows in the sky wherever I am so I don’t need sunscreen. I imagine myself being productive in my daily life, and I imagine myself lounging in the serenity of our new home.

I hope that you are imaging good things for yourself as well.

Sincerely,

Sarah