Switz or bust!

buy Katie Daisy's awesome art here

Tomorrow I'll leave for Switzerland with my mom and kids.

Due to 22"+ expected total snow, who knows if we'll make it out.

Although I hear that, much like Sochi,

it's warmer there with less snow!

I was born in Geneva, Switzerland.

My parents were there pursuing degrees, and working.

We moved to the States soon, but travelled frequently.

My Father was British so I spent considerable time in England as well.

He worked for World Health Organization and we visited many wonderful countries.

 "The World is a Book and those who do not travel read only one page".

~ St. Augustine

When I was a kid I did NOT appreciate it.
I wanted to be home for the holidays and build friendships.
We moved back to Switzerland when I was in 6th grade.
That's where I really became a rider as my folks allowed me free range 
riding a friends ponies through the Swiss countryside, bareback.
Then we moved back to a new part of Maryland .
I was bribed to agree with promises of my first horse...
That I had to work and save to buy and care for myself.
(but that's another story)

 `

I think that it's because of so much travelling at a young age, that I've become a real homebody.
My kids, they just love the farm.

Just over a year ago the kids drew our farmhouse with crooked chimney while travelling with Gramma JoJo in Williamsburg. I LOVE these pics!

I've been back to Europe since to visit old friends, but it's been too long.

And my generous mother felt it important that my kids see where I came from

(and have fun skiing real mountains AND MEET THEIR BABY COUSIN in Austria)

It's very hard to leave my farm.

Emotionally and practically.

The Farmer is staying behind to ease the latter.

but that just makes the former worse...

Please say a prayer for every.body~ staying n going!

(I'm quite worried about the 21bodies staying n coping with snowmageddon)

XO!

Firewood and Food

"There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace." 

~Aldo Leopold

Painting~ "Hauling Firewood"

by Bernard Safran

Wishing you all an abundance of warmth n comfort during these "Polar vortex" days!

My weatherman kept saying he thought it sounded like the name of a new vodka... 

Use your potatoes as you will! ;-)

Where to next?

“There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.” 

John Adams

While at a stop sign I watched an older gentleman carefully set up his political sign and flag...

Regardless of election outcome, I'm praying for all Americans to have a brighter tomorrow.

Just Do it!

I loooove quotes.  Here's one of my most favoritest!  ;-)


"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

-- Theodore Roosevelt

"Citizenship in a Republic,"

Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Or, as paraphrased by Nike... 

(And posted in my barn aisle)

Just DO it!

Are you chasin' your dreams?
We are, and it can be a wild (& scary) ride...