Lately I have wanted life to slow down a bit. But wait! COVID happened… hasn’t my life already slowed down? Yes, it’s definitely true that my life is much “slower” than it was this time last year. I am thoroughly enjoying less on my to-do list but what I mean by “slow down” is to actually simplify; “live off the land” type of simplify. I have been craving the hygge I referred to in my previous post. There is something soothing about this fall to winter seasonal transition; Thanksgiving, Christmas, Holidays, gratitude, family, friends, warm home cooked meals, dark nights inviting candles to be lit and fireplaces to roar. Yes, I am craving simplicity.
My favorite Instagram accounts to follow lately are farming (Ballerina Farm) or food (The Food Nanny) accounts. I look forward to their daily Instagram stories and seeing what they are making from their own home grown resources. Recently, in an Instagram story by The Ballerina Farms, the farmer, Hannah, laughed because she realized she hasn’t been to the grocery store in nearly 10 weeks… 10 WEEKS, Y’ALL! She then followed it up with a picture of her dinner plate with rice, fresh mozzarella, fresh bread, and a vegetable medley – it looked delicious. Instantly I was inspired to think of what I could make in my own farm to table way.
Before you try and give me a wake up call, I am three steps ahead of you. I am not looking to start a farm, even though I LOVE animals and grew up in the country… it’s not my desire to take care of animals all day, it is literally a full-time job. Maybe someday I can talk my husband into getting some chickens and a dog but we’d have to have a decent amount of land for those dreams to become a reality. Trust me, I am a realist.
So how can we get the farm fresh, simple, warm and cozy feel in our own lives? That is what I have been asking myself a lot lately. With holidays coming up, warm meals on repeat, and outside getting colder and darker daily… What can I do to bring warmth and resourcefulness to my family and little home?
Here’s what I have come up with so far:
Farm fresh eggs: Source eggs from someone local. I have a friend that I am going to pay for her farm fresh eggs as much as possible. Her chickens are currently laying more eggs than her and her husband can eat so my money will help pay for some of her chicken feed. Win/win!
Dutch Oven: Cast iron meals, umm yes please…I have been loving the Amazon Basics Dutch Oven – one pot can heat up amazing homemade meals. Soups, stews, pretty much anything you can think of! I will be saving for a Le Creuset at some point though.
Kamut Flour & Fresh Bread: Yes, bread made from scratch…this one is a new adventure for me, I am planning on making homemade sourdough and I am nervous and excited. I have an amazing cookbook and Instagram account I follow and every day I feel a little more ready to make the plunge. My food scale comes tomorrow and I am anxiously waiting to get started.
Dandelion Organic: Local vegetable delivery. I have been getting vegetables delivered to me for nearly two and a half years now. I skip weeks based on meal planning but I love getting fresh produce. I substitute out whatever I need and love adding in local seasonal veggies to my weekly meals.
Unscented Candles: That is right, I said unscented candles purely for the flicker and the glow. There is something that warms me up from the inside out when I burn real candles. I love the glow, the wax, the fire, the ambiance…it’s a mood… a mood I love.
Those are just a few ideas I have come up with to help myself keep it simple and find the farm fresh resources around me. I am curious if any of you out there have any other tips and tricks to enhance and embrace the basics for your life?
The Salty Exchange 