Winter Is Coming

We had snow on Halloween. I believe that is a first for me. I've experienced blazing hot Halloweens, cold and rainy Halloweens, but I don't ever remember experiencing a snowy Halloween. Gotta tell ya... it wasn't disappointing.

The snow looked absolutely stunning against the vibrant fall leaves, and although I'm in no rush to rid of the fall colors, it did put me in the winter holiday spirit. I'm excited about Christmas this year, because by then I will finally be able to have this new view everyday. No that's not the farm... Wait what? I know... I know... let me back up to July when this adventure all began.

We loved the farm in Southern Illinois, and were honored to be the stewards of those ten acres for three years. We babied the property, bringing it back to life with proper maintenance and an array of beautiful flowers and vegetables. It was a joy to get to experience what we did, and we feel we've done our part for conservation. We savored every minute of wildlife and wildflowers, but this past year was a rough one, and we started getting antsy. So much was changing for us, and we felt a tide turning, but it was going to involve focus and determination. We were torn because we loved the farm, and my new church, but we were being called away... again. We've never turned down adventure.

Professionally, we never felt settled in Southern Illinois. So it came as no surprise that our hearts were calling us back to Normal... Illinois that is. Bloomington-Normal to be exact, which is The Mighty Oak's hometown... and my adopted hometown. It's in Central Illinois and considered one of the best towns in the state.

The Lord works in mysterious ways, you know. And in July, TMO was offered a position at the innovative Rivian Motors, who bought and was now housed in the old Mitsubishi factory. The same Mitsubishi factory that TMO worked at for twelve years, the same place that closed down sending us to Southern Illinois in the first place. We were being brought full circle! Rivian is building the world's first electric adventure vehicles.

So, TMO left for Bloomington-Normal at the end of July, while Sophia started her senior year and I took care of the farm. With a heavy heart, but a knowing that we were doing the right thing, we put the farm up for sale in September, both in agreement that we were okay whether it sold quick or we were to keep it for another year or two. It sold in four days! Which was wonderful, but we were suddenly scrambling to find a new house to buy in Blo-No. Thankfully, our daughter-in-law Sarah is a Realtor, and after a marathon weekend of house hunting we decided on one and closed in 30 days, the same day we closed on the farm. Y'all... we don't mess around. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to the farm, and of course the last thing to be gathered up was Poppycat. He didn't make it easy for us, but he is at the new house, back in the town where he came from and acclimating quite nicely.

So now we are happily snuggling into what we have coined The Regal Beagle. It's on half an acre and in one of the most beautiful subdivisions in Bloomington. We are so blessed and grateful! We are busy planning renovations of the exterior and interior, as well as deciding what to do with our cozy backyard come spring... y'all know there will be flowers and plenty of them!

Suffice it to say it is going to be a joyous holiday season, and although the journey to get to this point was not an easy one, it was so worth it. And now you know. Also... it's typically a ten degree difference between the farm in Southern Illinois and Central Illinois. So maybe snow on Halloween isn't so strange after all.

I'm looking forward to exploring Central Illinois and blogging about it. This website and my biz is undergoing some renovation too, as I find my place in the world and get my life back to Normal. Follow my IG for our everyday adventures. 

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