My brother, Matt, enjoys outdoor acitivies as much as I do.  We tend to ski at least once a week together at the local weekly community ski race called Mountain Meisters.  The race is on a Nastar course at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, NH.  Both of us are new to the sport and racing, both beginning in our 30s, but having fun and learning quickly.  Watch out hot jocks.

Just loving the bluebird day

There is nothing like driving 5 miles down the road to a beautiful tree farm to choose my holiday tree.  My friend Kevin and I went to get trees yesterday.  What fun!  It definitely put me in the holiday spirit.  As we drove home with our beautiful trees, I realized that not everyone drives the 5 miles from their home to a tree farm that is pristinely taken care of by a wonderful friend, Ward Simonton.  I love living rural and having the opportunity to enjoy the seasons, forest, weather and simple things in life.

There are so many things to be grateful for this year.  I am grateful for a new president, my home, my job, my friends and the wonderful snow on the ground.

I encourage you to take a moment, look at all your blessings, and tell someone why you love and appreciate them.

What are you grateful for this year?  Have a wonderful holiday season.  Remember it is the quality of time spent by loved ones, not the quanity spent on loved ones.

Love, Jen

After my morning ritual of Earle Grey tea with Yerba Mate and journal writing, I mosey up the hill to feed my Nubian goats. (I have been raising goats for 10 years using their milk for soap , cheese and drinking). They are adorable. Each with a different personality. As I approach their pen, they bleat to say hello. They are looking for their grain and in the fall apples or extra hay. In the summer there is a movable electric fence. They are moved around the field eating brush, grass and leaves. When they are enclosed around a stone wall, they devour the tiny saplings leaving the large trees to continue to grow. Their presence is calming and connects me to the earth as well as reminds me of the simple things in life.

The building in the photos is their summer home. It protects them from the sun and rain when they feel they need a break from the weather. Goats are very hardy and are fine under a tree for shelter from the rain and harsh weather.
In the winter they are housed inside. On nice days in the winter, I enjoy taking them for a walk. Yes, they follow me. Why would they run away from the person who not only loves them, but feeds and waters them?

Yesterday I was informed that my reliable sturdy old friend, Ruby the Astro Van is terminal. Ruby’s transmission is very sick. So we talked and agreed that I needed to move on. She got me to many artisan shows in Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I sell my products via the website, stores and artisan shows.

Ruby actually went to Ohio and Illinois on a few occasions. Out for a few family gatherings like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Cousin Rachel’s wedding.

I will miss her, but know that she will be glad that I am that going to purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle.

It is funny how some of us can grow attached to our mode of transportation and others buy and sell their car like trading futures.

I am looking at a 1998 Volvo AWD Wagon. I am quite excited to get back into a car.

Love, Jen

My skin is going to be so smooth after this Clay Face Mask

During the summer I tried to go to the ocean once a week.  Living in Northern New Hampshire that prospect was easy.  A drive to the Maine coast took about an hour and half.  The ocean purifies the soul, the salt water refreshes the skin and the sun warms the body. I enjoyed walking the beach looking for sand dollars, sea glass and other treasures.  One day I decided to try my Clay Face Mask at the beach. I used sea water to reconstitute the clay and applied it to my face and body.  It is easy to put all over because I was in my swim suit and washing it off require me to run into the waves and splash water on my face and clay covered body.  The Maine Coast is known for cool water, but it was refreshing none the less.  The experience left my face soothe and free of dead skin, my soul uplifted and ready to face the daily stresses in life.

It is so important to take time for ourselves and have fun with friends.  This picture was taken by my good friend Kevin who made a pact with me in early summer. We would go together to the ocean once a week. We had a wonderful time.

I would suggest purchasing my clay face mask and trying it out at home, girls’ night in, or on your next trip to the ocean. Love, Jen

I am very excited to start blogging daily life of a woman entreprenuer in Northern New Hampshire.  Events happen everyday that I would like to share with my friends, customers and potential customers.

Life is too short to forget what is important.  Enjoying living life.
More to come. www.gardendreams.org

Living Large at Monday Night Dinner

Rhonda and I are busy making products and wrapping gift sets in preparation for the Folk Art Festival of New England show in Marlborough, Massachusetts at the Royal Plaza Trade Center.  The nerve healing oil has been very popular at the shows.  Cindy of North Conway, NH writes that “with her restless leg syndrome, she doesn’t know how she lived without the Nerve Healing Oil.  Thanks Jen!”