An anniversary and weekend reading

Today Grant and I celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary, we have been together for 19 years. (Well, Technically it was yesterday, but today we are together.) 

Unlike many people of our generation, we married young and children followed soon after. Grant and I have grown up together in a sense, and I think that is one of the things that make us strong. We have learned over the years about give and take, and we have adapted and adjusted to each other's ways. 

We first met at my best friend's birthday party (now my SIL, so lucky!) and over time we got to know each other better and eventually we became a couple. We were 20 at the time and we have been inseparable ever since. There is nothing I like better than the two of us hanging out. It's rare these days with 4 kids but fortunately, they are pretty great sidekicks.

 
Grant is the kind of person who is endlessly patient, he is hard to ruffle and quick with a smile. He sees the humour in even the most frustrating situation and often dispels tension with his cheerful chuckle. Because of his easygoing nature, people sometimes mistake him for being a pushover, which couldn't be further from the truth. He's as steady as a rock and once his mind is made up there is no changing it. 

When we owned the general store and post office, I remember many times he would extend credit to people in a tight spot, usually regulars. No cigarettes, but food and essentials. Especially if they had children. Being the postmaster in a small country town, he knew everyone and most things that went on. 

Occasionally people would be caught out when our eftpos system would be down and they didn't have cash on them. Grant would extend credit to them too. People nearly always paid it back as soon as they could. Occasionally someone would disappear and not show their face for a year or so. But eventually, thinking enough time has passed that the loan had been forgotten, they would return. But he never forgot an amount or a face. He would cheerfully pop their order through and then ask "do you have the x amount you owe me from x months ago now?" They would look stunned for a second, before sheepishly handing over the amount. Their shock at being caught would amuse him no end, and he would always chuckle to himself as he cheerfully bid them farewell. 

Grant is also quick with his words, though always polite and calm about it. He doesn't get flustered easily if someone decides to take their bad mood out on him. More than once I have watched him neatly return a serve at an obnoxiously rude customer with such style they would be left spluttering in embarrassment before storming out, leaving Grant to chuckle as he got on with his work. It's a true delight to watch.

He's also one of the hardest workers I know. He doesn't believe hard work should be a bad thing and he's happy to spend a day swinging on a shovel if that's what's needed. Though to be fair, he prefers to drive his excavator these days. He's like a kid in a sandpit with that machine.

The years haven't always been easy. Eleven years ago we lost our home and virtually all our belongings in a flood, and then we very nearly lost Grant in a bushfire several years later. I was chronically unwell for two years with a heart condition that left me struggling to get out of bed and unable to walk 100m without needing a rest, and though we have been blessed with the arrival of 4 wonderful children, two pregnancies were sadly not meant to be. Despite the challenges, we have been so incredibly blessed. When things have been tough, we have been able to nurture a sense of gratitude and thankfulness for all we do have rather than focus on what we don't. Our strong Christian faith has given us a sense of hope and security in something bigger than us, it has helped us keep our perspective.

 
There won't be an anniversary celebration as such, as this is an uncomfortably tight fortnight due to one thing or another. But we will sit as a family and enjoy a nice home-cooked meal,  escape for a short bushwalk by ourselves and once the kids are in bed we will sneak some chocolate and no doubt reflect on how lucky we are and dream about what the future might hold for us on Barradale Farm. 

Much love,
Emma
xx

Weekend links to explore

Left BBC's Planet Earth to start a dream family homestead-YouTube
I loved this family and their enthusiasm for establishing a diverse permaculture farm and inviting people in. 

Ukrainian mountain weavers reduce to surrender their traditions - YouTube

Beautiful traditional weaving. Such skill.

My Threadbare Life: A Catchup post

Julie has revamped the most beautiful little table and chairs. I'm hoping to do something similar with Elsies wardrobe.

Talasbuan - Finishing their cellar before everything freezes

Talasbuan would have to be my favourite YouTube channel. I was thrilled to see they have finished their cellar before winter. Like us they are establishing their property on a shoestring budget. Their filming is beautiful. 

Zen Habits - When you're overwhelmed, simplify 

Simplifying is always a good thing. Many people are overwhelmed at the moment and I thought this might be encouraging. 

GDonna - Living like the past 

I have spent quite a lot of time over the last couple of days poking through Grandma Donna's blog. It is full of excellent content. Stories, recipes and reflections. It has it all. Especially if you are passionate about old-fashioned simple living like I am. 

Down to Earth -Creating a safe haven

A beautiful blog post by Rhonda about the comfort and refuge to be found in the home.