at the root of everything

Late yesterday afternoon, after such a hot and dusty day, I suggested to the family that we go and pick some beetroot to bring home and preserve. Late yesterday afternoon everyone was hot and tired and bothered and not for one second did I expect anyone to agree. But they did. And four out of the five of us headed down the hill to the short creek paddock. One in the ute, one on the back of the ute, and two walking.

And straight away, as if by magic, everything felt lighter and easier. A little bit of family farming at the end of the day fixes everything, or at least puts things in perspective.

This afternoon Indi left all her new high school issues up at the house. She didn't think too much about homework or on-demand testing or swimming trials. Pepper stopped being the new school girl and went back to being our odd boot wearing farmer girl. And me and my farmer boy were just present with them. Laughing and joking and feeling right in the moment. All the business stuff we had been talking about all day was left back up at the house.

We picked beetroot, we taste tested fennel, we told stories, took photos and we laughed.

In the end we stayed too long in the market garden picking beetroot and enjoying one another. By the time we came back up to the house it was almost dark and we were hungry. I whipped up a batch of french toast as my girls sat up at the bench with me and chatted. It was a cheaty quick dinner, but it was also a bit of a reward because I was so happy that they had come.

And I watched them and thought about how different they seemed after our beetroot adventure. How much nicer and happier and more patient they were with one another. And I realised that farming is what's going to get us through this school year and this pre-teen time. It's unrealistic to think that they'll come with me everyday, but I'd be happy with a few times a week. We'll all be happier I think.

We've been talking a lot lately about our farm, where we've been and where to go from here. Farming is hard work and often not very well paid. Yesterday evening though, I felt very well paid. I felt rich. I felt like the luckiest.

Happy Friday peeps!
May yours be filled with love and good food and adventure.

xx