
I’ve been a bad, negligent, absentee writer of blog posts; of telling stories. Mea culpa. How did it get to be October? My absolute favorite time of year and I barely have time to notice.
I am loving the chilly hot chocolate mornings and reaching for my sweater. I love my sweaters, they’re so cozy comfortable. And hoodie sweatshirts. They’re right up there with sweaters.
As we welcome the brilliant colors of falling leaves, just the right number of mini marshmallows in my steamy hot chocolate, dried crunchy leaves under my shoes, flickering candles, snuggling in front of a crackling fire and simmering pots of soup on the stove, we find ourselves wrapping up a year of change.
Change is why I’ve been an absentee writer of blog posts for the past couple of weeks. As we finish transitioning into our next chapter; it’s a chapter that finds me not only learning how to live on the east coast, but also learning how to live in the country smack dab in the middle of 5 acres and all that comes with it. We are learning about well water and septic tanks and we’re gearing up to adopt feral cats. I found out the hard way that Maryland has mucky clay mud that swallows shoes whole, so I now sport Wellies. I channel Ma Kettle as I gather walnuts fallen from our trees. And these days I’m kinda dressing like Ma Kettle as well, sloshing around in my Wellies and with my clothes covered in various shades of paint. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not.
I don’t know what possessed us to buy 5 acres of land or what we’ll do with it, or even how long we’ll keep it, but it was just so dang pretty we couldn’t resist. And Abi has always said he wanted to live in the middle of 40 acres. I’m fairly certain this is as close as he’s going to get. Mostly, we love the quiet of having 5 acres as our yard. After owning, operating and living in a B&B for nearly 4 years and after having spent the past year living in a large apartment complex, the quiet will be more than welcome.
We turned our little brick house from a 2 bedroom 1 bath to a 3 bedroom 2 bath, with a brand new kitchen and a newly constructed family room. We’ve been under renovation for 2 1/2 months and if you’ve ever done any renovating or remodeling, you know it’s fun for about 5 minutes and then it becomes a royal pain in the you know what. But the end results are well-worth the effort. Even painting ceilings and painting over 300 feet of baseboard and dealing with contractors, it’s all worth the effort. This is the 8th time we’ve taken on such a project and I suspect it won’t be the last. I call us long-term flippers.
So it’s been quite the year. We drove Big Betty across the country. We’ve lived the urban apartment life for the past year. We traveled to the Czech Republic, Germany, Iran, Spain, Portugal and France. And now we’re gearing up to move – again – into our little brick house in the country. It’s a new zip code and a new chapter.
To beat the monotony of painting walls and ceilings I’m planning and plotting. Next up, Toronto. We’re on a mission to pick up a particular bag (dun, dun, duunn) so once we move into our house, in just 8 days from today, we’ll head north before the weather turns from chilly falling leaves weather to holy crap it’s cold weather! I’m thinking a side trip to Niagra Falls may be in order too.
Anyway, that’s my excuse story and me and Ma Kettle are stickin to it.
When you put it like that you have had one hell of a year! Your new home looks incredible, I’ve never renovated anything so I’m impressed that you’ve done it 8 times 🙂 We just went to Niagara, it was amazing but also slightly strange…
Amy recently posted…A Strange Trip to Niagara Falls
Thanks, Amy, it has been quite the year! We are aiming to see Niagra Falls soon so I’m looking forward to reading your post.
It’s a good time to relax and take some peace and quiet. Enjoy!

Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted…Minor triumphs in the Montana outdoors: My first fly fishing experience
Yes! Sometimes we just gotta take a break and let life take the lead for a bit.
Let life take the front seat, no harm in that. Sounds like a good life to us!

The GypsyNesters recently posted…GypsyNesters on Your TV – Watch Us on WSMV!
It is indeed a good life. We love to travel here, there and everywhere, but we also enjoy coming home in between and putting our tired feet up!
Oh Patti it sounds like you have made such a great decision with your little piece of paradise! Buying it hasn’t inhibited your adventures a bit, only added to them:) The stories may be coming a bit slower because you’re too busy creating more great material! Enjoy Toronto!!! Ontario is so pretty this time of year.

Tracey recently posted…5 Amazing Restaurants in Bucharest
I like the way you think, Tracey! Thank you!
I hope we are going to see some pictures of your handy work? Renovating a house is very hard, it took us about 5 years to renovate our house and by the end of it I was well fed up. It is a lot of land you have there, it looks so idyllic and I am sure it is lot more quiet and peaceful then your city pad. Enjoy.

Gilda Baxter recently posted…Zakynthos, Greece – A Role Reversal, the Daughter Becomes the Mother
Thank you, Gilda! It is a lot of hard work and it does get wearisome, but in the end we have what we want and now we have a comfortable nest to return to after traveling.
Good Lord! I’d swilling straight from the bottle with all that activity. This is a lovely little piece of paradise you’ve settled into and I look forward to seeing updates on the house and environs.

Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru recently posted…Peaceful Places in Istanbul
Ha! Ha! Ha! 🙂 I could use a good swill about now!
So good to see your posts again! Sounds like you had a very busy and diversified year, driving Big Betty around this country and also traveling to the Czech Republic, Germany, Iran, Spain, Portugal and France. And now moving again! Looking forward to hear more of your adventures!

Patti Morrow recently posted…Would You Dare Try Bali Jungle Cat Poop Coffee?
Thanks, Patti! It was indeed a crammed pack year of change and adventure.
The only way I’d buy land would be 5-20 acres to live in the middle of. You are on another life adventure. Look forward to seeing the renovations.

Gaelyn recently posted…On the way to Hovenweep
Thanks, Gaelyn, you and Abi have something in common as he’d like about 40 acres, but I’m good with just five! 😉
Let’s see, you moved and you’re doing a MAJOR renovation project and taking care of 5 acres of land. I haven’t been writing enough blog posts either. So, what’s my excuse? Sit down, Woman, have another cup of cocoa. Don’t forget the mini marshmallows—and maybe add a little Kahlua.

Suzanne Fluhr recently posted…Zentangle Diva #237 – Pope, Fleas and Stencils (Oh My!) Edition
I’m not a fan of Kahlua, but I like the way you think. The only problem is if I sit down for too long, I just might not get up again!
Not for the first time, nor for the last, I wish I were close enough to be in your realm of physical existence. I so appreciate your way with words and the joyful inviting way you live your life. I wish you and Abi an easy move, a pleasant setting up of house, and a peaceful fall filled with crunchy leaves. Much love!
Ah Miss Neva, you know I love you and I share your wish, we need to be closer in physical existence. Thank you for your sweet words, my sweet friend.