Choose your hard. Choose your happy.

I thought the transition into motherhood and our new life in a new place would happen somewhat seamlessly. I could picture it in my mind. It’s funny, now…. I knew there would be hard times, though I didn’t expect life to say “challenge accepted” the way that it did.

I’ve finally reached a place where I have regained the time, energy and  perspective to decide what I need to do for myself and my family to work towards waking up every day and living our best lives. 

Living our best lives doesn’t mean perfection. It means gratitude, appreciation and happiness. It means feeling fulfilled in our roles in our family. It means getting out and breathing fresh air and moving our bodies. It means eating good food. It means being proud of what we have and continuing to work toward our dreams. It’s the journey, not the destination.

I have just started my next educational venture through a Certified Dietary Supplements Professional Program. I am not one that believes that strictly medicinal or strictly holistic is the answer to everything. I believe in balance, exploring educational programs and science based research and evidence. I want alternative management options for conditions and ailments that can be used in addition to working with medical professionals to determine the safest and healthiest treatment for things like (but obviously not limited to) ADHD, PMS, asthma, migraines and the common cold. This is all in addition to understanding daily nutritional needs and deficiencies of my family.

Dale and I are in the process of getting Whiskey and Wool up and running. We will be focusing on using local and responsibly sustainable materials as much as possible. This will include leather patch hats, antler shed cowboy hat holders, cotton dishcloths, alpaca wool winter hats, souvenirs, cozies and more. Our primary sales will be at local events and maybe someday local stores but we will definitely work on making some things available online for those of you that can’t quite make it to those events in our little piece of Heaven.

Wallowa County has had our hearts for a long time but the people and places we have grown to love here are what make this place what it is. I will be sharing our appreciation for those people and places in hopes that you all can one day meet them, experience them or allow them to inspire you to be what they have been for us, for someone else.

I will include Fun for Free entries that entail different activities you can find around Wallowa County. Hiking, story time at the library, music, educational options - Ronnie and I are going to get out there and start checking them out for you. We absolutely want and encourage you to support all our small businesses and economy but we also know just how expensive traveling can be so we want to make sure you get in everything you can to make the most out of your time here for family members of all ages and all interests. This includes your four legged friends.

Gardening - Last year I got ONE tomato off my three tomato plants because a deer kept sneaking onto our deck and eating them right before they were ready to pick. Don’t hold your breath for this one but I will do what I can. Plus, I have a little guy that can eat us out of house and home with fruits and veggies so I’m going to need to figure something out!

Last but not least, RECIPES! I will share recipes that have been passed down through our families, some we have created on our own and new recipes that have become staples in our home. This will include starters, meals, sides, canning, dog treats, snacks and sweet treats! I don’t have time for my life store before each recipe so they will consist ingredients, prep and baking or cooking instruction. If you need further help - I recommend Google for everything. :)

Someone said, “when do you even have time to be doing all this?” The answer to that is that I don’t. I am 20 plus books backed up on my kindle, 20 plus pounds overweight, 20 plus minutes short on time every hour and that makes it hard…. But doing nothing and staying where you are is hard too. You have to choose your hard and make time for what matters most to you. You have to choose your happy.

-Cait