"Let Me Remind You..."

"...of why you live in a tent." - God (maybe)

It feels like a month, rather than just a week ago, since we left the tent to go house sit for Ryan's grandmother. I thought it would interesting to see how it'd feel to return to the tent after a week of married life in a "regular" house - after all, we've only ever lived in a tent together.

First off, we are grateful for his grandmother for letting us stay at her house during her absence, especially since I started a new semester last Monday and was stressed about that. I'm always stressed about school, the fact of Tent Life means nothing when it comes school because I'm gonna be stressed anyways. (My time management abilities are lacking.)

While being at the house, we bickered quite a bit. I'm not necessarily sure why, neither is Ryan. It could be that we're still basically newly-weds or any number of things. It's only natural that we won't agree on everything, but Ryan has another viewpoint on it: "in a strange way, the tent seems almost easier, you know? I mean, we do things a little harder but it's just more simple." It's not that we had a lot to do, but that we were much happier back in our holler living simply than we could be living any other lifestyle. This proved a little of that for us.

When we returned, the first thing Ryan noticed was the sound of the birds. We have a woodpecker we hear during the day and a whippoorwill we hear at night. I missed those two silly birds, as well as the chorus of all the others that are more apparent when you don't hear the highway.

It was weird seeing everything as we had left it. Somehow I expected something to be different at least, such as...I don't know...massive wreckage due to a bear. I know, my imagination runs wild!

Some things were different, though. The blackberry bushes and wild rose bushes are all in bloom! And it's not as muddy because the rain has been quite a bit lighter and not as often.

While at the house, Ryan and I came across a song that reminded us of our home, and you can see why by the english translated lyrics:

"This night is ours, spring in the forrest air
Let's pitch our tent among the berries over there.
Lead me, my dearest, to the grove of yesterday,
Where the brook kindly whispers and the birches sway
Light locks in motion, lingering emotion
A rose scented breeze from the Fae,
Dew drops glitter, the dale is quiet and and fair,
Dreams coming true for lovers sleeping there.
Heather blushing in the evening sun's last ray,
The cool quiet night comes after a perfect day
Light locks in motion, lingering emotion
A rose scented breeze from the Fae."
​
- "Vor í vaglaskógi" by Kaleo

Here's the video, it's hauntingly beautiful:

"...light locks in motion..."

"...let's pitch our tent among the berries over there..."

"...a rose scented breeze from the Fae..."

All of this beauty in our own home! Ryan and I are in love with the woods. I'm in love with the trees that enclose us, the animals we hear about at night, the song of the birds on the cool wind, and the running of the brook beside us. There is seriously nothing better.

Now let's discuss the new shenanigans for our organization! Ryan had the amazing idea of putting everything that is dry goods in mason jars, such as lentils or quinoa.
​

I used that label maker mom got me for Christmas, so I had my own fun with it!

Thanks to my mom-in-law for these homemade fire starters made from TP rolls and dryer lint!

I made a...I have no idea. It was supposed to be a healthy version of a cappuccino, but it's lighter than one. It's really good, though, and much healthier as it doesn't have sugar and other sweeteners.

My recipe:

• ​French Roast coffee
• Unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• Seasonings such as cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)

1. I percolated the coffee until it was really strong. I feel like I'm really getting the hang of using a percolator!
2. Pour your almond milk into a jar and shake it good until it froths, or whisk it.
3. Add any optional seasonings to the milk and froth it some more.
4. Combine milk with coffee in a mason jar, close it, and shake to combine ingredients. Enjoy!

I added the cinnamon and nutmeg and it smells like Christmas! While watching a movie in the tent with the cold it warmed me.

I also made kabobs that turned out really well. I made a marinade for the veggies and chicken out of vinegar, mustard seasoning, red pepper seasoning, and cumin.

Before the kabobs went in; I was so excited about the round cooking tray I found at Dollar General, it's perfect for our vintage The Dutchess grill!

With our happy return, there was twist of sadness that came. I guess there must be balance in the universe. Bentley, our doggie, came home hurt. We heard the story of what happened, and he's ok, but we were very worried before we found out. We took him to the Tri State Animal Clinic off of highway 23 in Greenup.

Our little bruiser has red eyes from trauma, a puncture wound from a tooth, and some scrapes. We were worried for fractures, but he seems to be eating well. We'll keep an eye on his jaw, either way.
​

I posted on my snapchat story that we thought he had gotten by by a car, that's what the vet originally thought, anyways.

A very sedated pooch.

Bentley is back to his happy, bouncy self!

​So even though there was some sadness with our first day back, we are still happy to be back. We would not have our life any other way.

Until next time, good health to you and yours!

​It's great to be home.