Bee Tree Farm

There are a compelling assortment of objects in front of me this damp and cold, late fall evening.  I’m gazing at a chilled bottle of Viognier from a local vineyard.  This is a favorite for us and stands out amongst the overly flashy companies that ooze “cute” in such a way that I gag just a little when driving by.  Becker is fairly simple.  Rustic.  It’s got a lavendar field and harvests that crop along with the grapes, so I’m sold on this principle alone.  But their wines are delicious compared against many other Texas contenders.

Next to my chilled bottle of wine is a dutch oven filled with some bubbling concoction that I truly hope turns into a delicious soup, although its ultimate flavor is a best guess, since I deviated from the recipe.  What’s a white bean and kale soup without some spiced sausage?  So in went the meat along with fresh herbs on hand and, we’ll see.  I hope it’s passable.  It will be warm, if nothing else.

In a mesh bag near the soup pot are a pile of Clementine’s, a seasonal favorite, endearingly branded as Cuties with the image of a tangerine being unzipped. Marketing really works on this gal, so I’m sold by the little picture, but the flavors don’t hurt the overall package much, either.

It’s a pre-winter eve here in the heart of Texas.  The temperature has hovered just above 40 degrees for a few days, and it’s been damp and chilly like a late January season.  Normally, this weather would knock me down and drag me out but the promise of my sister’s holiday cookies and a Christmas tree – the nearing move – has got me fairly giddy.  Rain, cold, and gray skies?  BRING IT.  I’ve stocked up on wine and Cuties.  It’s all good here.

Cold, wet weather stirs the most primal needs in most of us, I think.  Shelter, food, and a heat source are just about all that’s needed to keep us ticking this time of year.  I guess it’s something about those basic elements that always cause me to think again about what matters and what doesn’t. And what matters most to me lately is stress relief.

Which is why we spent some time at the land yesterday for an impromptu painting bid, details of which are being reserved for their own post.  Maybe their own book.  I’m still reeling from the experience and from the multitudes of “personalities” I’ve encountered through this entire two-year long bidding process.  Let’s just say that Jeremy and I exchanged more eye rolls, and mouthed “WTF” more times during this interview than has ever occurred over the course of this long story.  The painter got the job, by the way.  Due either to poor judgment on our parts or the fact that his behavior was odd-enough that we were intrigued.  Apparently the colorful neighbors and house build itself haven’t created enough drama/humor in our lives for us to reject such a fabulous opportunity for another character story.

Which brings me to the whole stinkin’ point of this note today:

WE ARE HIRING A PROFESSIONAL PAINT COMPANY TO PAINT OUR ENTIRE HOUSE.

Do you need me to repeat that?  Because I’d be happy to oblige.  Those words just look so pretty written down.

Maybe it was our impending fate; trowels in hand and electric wires wrapped around our bodies like chain.  Maybe it was the list we created yesterday morning detailing every last piece of work we signed up for to complete this project.  Whatever “it” is caused Jeremy to breathe deeply and say with his eyes closed and mouth set firmly – “Ok.  Get paint bids.”

Oh.  Happy day.  So forgive this post which seems a little luxurious in its unnecessary description of food and drink.  But everything in my world just seems more vivid.  Brighter.  It’s like I’m alive again after months spent worrying about how to get all the painting (trim, doors – THE CATHEDRAL CEILING ROOM) finished.  I tend to exaggerate – that is correct.  But, on my honor, this is truly the best thing that’s happened in my whole entire life.  So please, wherever you are, raise a glass.  Isn’t life beautiful?