Featured song: “The Wind” by Cat Stevens
I am so glad I have a place of refuge I can escape to when I really need to. A place to clear my head, soak in some memories, soak in the countryside, surround myself with nature. If I didn’t have it, I might go mad. You probably have a place like this too – whether it’s your bedroom, your cottage, your study, your porch. Somewhere to go when you just need to check out.
The farm is that place for me, and after a Friday night chock full of debauchery (and some careless mistakes on my part – still hoping something very near and dear to me is returned in one piece) – I so badly needed that escape. Alcohol is an awful, awful depressant and I’m starting to dislike it more and more. Luckily for me, the farm is a fantastic mood enhancer.
The weather is starting to turn, and the majority of our population is disheartened by summer’s exit. The dampness and chill in the air make me oddly comfortable… consoled. And you get to fully experience the whole seasonal transition when you’re looking out on the fields and trees in rural Manitoba. Before you know it, it’ll be roasted vegetable season. Pumpkin-flavoured season. Heaven.
I spent my Saturday with my Dad, his girlfriend, and her grandson, Lorenzo – whose six-year-old innocence also changed my bleak attitude. I don’t spend much time with kids (I don’t know any), but this one is sure a gem. He took me exploring through our tiny forest, chanting stories and pointing out beauty in our surroundings.
My Dad is a huge fan of vintage things – anything you can imagine. He frequents auctions and estate sales and sometimes finds some stuff that I get to take home – these glasses made my day:
And also this typewriter, which belonged to my Great Aunt. I am SO excited to use it.
One of the ultimate things to uplift the soul is food. And not processed junk, which sends your body and emotions into a tailspin – whole, real, nutritious food. And I can always count on dinner at the farm to be flawless.
Today, I present you with the most beautiful and blissful of carbohydrates .. Science has proven that when you eat carbs, neurotransmitters are released which give you a fuzzy feeling inside. EAT UP. Not too much. Everything in moderation. 🙂
Homemade Pasta
You need:
Eggs / flour / herbs / pasta roller (my Dad has a gorgeous manual one from Italy that he scored from my Great Uncle)
We started off by chopping up some garden-fresh herbs & garlic to put right in the noodles – dill, basil – AMAZING.
Mix that in with all purpose flour – you can use whole wheat flour if you want a denser noodle.
Create a bed in the center to crack a few eggs into. It would be one egg for every cup of flour you use.
Whip them up.
Use your hands – get right in there! – and create a dough out of the mixture.
Slice the dough into segments and roll it up!
Feed it through the pasta roller – this thing is AWESOME. I highly suggest you get your hands on one. (Also thanks to my Dad & Lorenzo for being such fabulous hand models)
Boil for about five or so minutes – it doesn’t take long because this stuff is FRESH! Serve. Smile.
Isn’t it lovely knowing exactly what goes into your food? No preservatives, just pure goodness from the earth.
All in all, a solid day – so good for my soul. I’d love to hear about your escape, how you boost your spirits when your soul is just a tad torn..
Holy smokes this is a beautiful post. Everything about it, especially that AMAZING homemade pasta.
PS. I expect a letter from you, written via that amazing typewriter.
Love you!!