Tag: bicicleta

A beleza nas coisas mais imperfeitas // The beauty in the Imperfections

Quando contamos nossa história e falamos sobre nosso estilo de vida ouvimos 2 tipos de comentários:

When we told our story to family and friends about our proposed lifestyle change here on the farm, we were met with 2 types of responses:

  1. Os românticos- que coisa mais maravilhosa largar tudo e morar no campo. Um dia vou ter coragem de fazer isso também.
  2. Os realistas- vocês são loucos e irresponsáveis. Como vão viver assim? Jamais faria isso.
  1. The romantics, what a wonderful thing, leave all the nonsense behind to live on a farm. One day I’d love to so the same.
  2. The realists – You’re mad and irresponsible, how will you survive like this? Mostly, we’ve heard from the realists more.

img_1475

img_2898

A verdade é que nenhuma das duas visões se aplicam no nosso cotidiano.

The truth is, neither of these opinions apply to our daily life here.

Passamos perrengues, temos um zilhão de dúvidas e questionamentos.

We pass through difficult times in life, it’s normal, and we’re left with a zillion doubts and questions.

Tem semana que o telefone não toca. Não vendemos um pão. Chove muito a estrada fica enterditada, a varanda cheia de lama, o bolo não cresce, e nossas reservas se esgotando.

There are weeks when the phone doesn’t ring, we don’t sell one bread. It rains, and rains and rains and the road ruts and becomes impassable, the veranda is full of mud, the cakes don’t rise and our savings are dwindling.

Ás vezes é um caos que só. Dan fica super irritado e eu choro.

Sometimes, it’s pure chaos. Dan gets stressed, I cry, it’s horrible.

img_3816

Então nos lembramos que viver essa experiência foi escolha nossa.  E toda escolha tem renúncia. Quão fortunado somos nós que temos direito de escolha? Muiiiito.

Then we remember that this life experience was our choice and every choice has sacrifices. But we can’t forget that we were lucky enough to be able to have this choice in the first place. Very lucky.

Como faz pra se recompor, centrar e fazer com que as coisas fiquem bem?

How do we do to make sure we stay composed, centered and make sure we focus on keeping things going?

O Dan pedala, faz jardinagem, faz pão… Eu faço um bolo, medito (tento), ajudo no jardim e costuro. E juntos cozinhamos.

Dan rides, he works in the garden, he makes bread… I make a cake, meditate, help in the garden and work on my machine, making home wares and dresses, and we cook together.

IMG_2573

img_2752

img_7636

Aos poucos vamos achando o nosso jeitinho de conectar-se com nós mesmos e com o mundo. O alimento tem um poder incrível de conexão. Talvez porque cozinhar faz com que você esteja presente. Vivendo o momento.

Slowly, we’ll find a way to connect better with ourselves and our public. Food is an incredible tool to bring people together, and when you cook, or prepare food, you’re present and in the moment.

E tudo passa. O dia nasce ensolarado, o telefone toca, desbloqueiam a estrada, os amigos nos visitam, tem flor, fruta e comida. É uma alegria que só.

The bad moments pass, they always do. The next day the sun rises, it’s sunny, the phone rings and the road becomes passable, friends visit, the garden is full of flowers, there are fruits on the trees, we have a roof over our head and there is food on the table. 

img_4527

img_3270

img_0677Morando na roça temos aprendido muito sobre horta, orgânicos, alimentação, café, fermentação e tantos outros assuntos que nem imaginávamos um dia saber, mas temos mesmo é aprendido muito sobre nós mesmos.

Living on the farm we have learned so much about the garden, the land, organics, food, coffee, fermentation and so many day to day things its hard to list, but what we have learned more is about ourselves, learning from our mistakes and coming out the other side. 

Aprendendo a ver beleza nos dias cinzas e nas nossas próprias imperfeições.

We are learning to see the beauty on our grey days and in our imperfections.

img_3444

The Transformation. From Wasteland to Workshop.

The Farm has been a complete construction site for weeks now, things have been trodden down, destroyed, and some things, rebuilt. We’ve found ways of reusing as much as possible and removed as little as possible, pathways have been created where once was lush flora, and our house is filled with dust, debris and sand.

All of these things have made life difficult, and, as before, the overwhelming feeling of taking on more than we can chew, niggles me in my loins.

But with each passing day, another aspect of our project gets closer to being finished. We’ve come so far, and our amazing builders have worked tirelessly, and meticulously to deliver to us our vision.

Last week, the Oficina, in its structural form, was finished. The new slab and access ramp, made up of old crushed rock from the destroyed walls upstairs, and a 6″ layer of clay, hardpacked, and then concrete screeded on top. The roof has been built and tiled, the door and frame was cleaned, treated and oiled, new locks were fitted and it was varnished, a window was recycled from upstairs to offer light and ventilation, and everything was painted, inside and out.

Although I’m not sure of this buildings original use, I believe it was a stable, the split door indicates that, but whatever it was, it was pretty much good for nothing when we began. Although one of the smaller projects on the farm, it felt like a huge accomplishment getting it to where it is today. See the snaps below to see the transformation.

A workbench is being made in the next coupe of weeks, and a workstand is on order. Electricity and water will be wired/plumbed in the next couple of weeks, too. Then it’s a go.

Now I just need to find a way of making a living out of this…

Before, West Wall.

Before, West Wall.

After. West Wall

After. West Wall

Original Frontage and Door

Original Frontage and Door

New Frontage, with restored door, new locks, and first pass at the handpainted sign.

New Frontage, with restored door, new locks, and first pass at the handpainted sign.

Before - Inside Building

Before – Inside Building

After - Inside Building. Workbench and Rack to come.

After – Inside Building. Workbench and Rack to come.