A friend that has recently moved out to these rural parts from the big city shared an observation that I always suspected was the case but just attributed to delusional hillbilly fever.

“Everyone seems so busy out here”

I’m sure busyness isn’t just a rural phenomenon but it’s definitely have a flavour that makes it seem all encompassing. It has a taste of survivor mentality to it. Life is full. Each distinct season out here has time sensitive activities everyone seems to be caught up in; a race against the sun and frost.

But now I can feel the pulse of the busy season start to settle and slow down again to my favourite tempo; the one that gets to see us eventually in a new ensemble of handmade woolens. Including little Angel (his bare belly’s pretty much makes constant contact with the snow).

It’s not that I don’t knit any other time of year. I have a project on standby at all times. But the motivation isn’t as strong as when there is a definitive chill in the air. And the whole debate whether it’s chilly enough to start a fire or not can go on for weeks between Craig and I.

But I suppose when you’re the one chopping all the firewood you’re more apt to wait until it’s more like frickin’ cold before we dive into the sacred wood stash laced with droplets of blood, sweat and tears. The fire’s roaring nicely as I type now. Mmmm…. The sweet smell of Craig liquids.

Yes the crafty part of me has awakened this weekend and is chomping at the bit to get busy in a delicious, creative and toasty way.

The shift in season, as well as the simplifying exercises in our current Simplicity Parenting module, has finally compelled me to quickly clear out my cutting table that has been consistently piled up with books, sticky notes and giant calendars that has been keeping my ecourse in cohesive flow. Funny enough it took me less than a minute but the gesture to clear the space was like a prayer to the creative muses that the garden is almost put to bed and the seed to grow wiener dog sweaters and pumpkin costumes for little pumpkins has been sown.