Maple Alps

farm life

Intentionality Spotlight: Blog Love: Azure Farm

Intentionality SpotlightAmanda Walter | Maple Alps5 Comments

This month we are talking with Annette from Azure Farm! I've been following her on her amazing Instagram for a while now, and it is so much fun to see what goes on at the farm! Keep reading - I'll let her tell you more about herself and how she practices intentionality in her life. 

Intentionality Spotlight: Blog Love: Azure Farm | www.maplealps.com
 

First some easy stuff: Tell us a bit about yourself. What is your work, your passions and interests?

 

Hi friends! I am Annette and I live on a tiny homestead in Georgia. I am an ICU nurse a few days a week and the rest of the time you can find me on the farm caring for our animals and pulling weeds in the garden. Being a homesteader and taking care of animals is quickly becoming my favorite thing. I am so passionate about gardening, learning to live off the land, and caring for animals. Being in nature and surrounding myself with it has been such an amazing learning experience.

Apart from farming and animals I love photography, traveling, spending time with my family, and eating yummy plant-based food!

 
Intentionality Spotlight: Blog Love: Azure Farm | www.maplealps.com
Intentionality Spotlight: Blog Love: Azure Farm | www.maplealps.com
 

I love that your blog is about your exciting farm life! How did starting a blog come about and what were your goals for it? Has that focus shifted at all and where do you see it going?

 

When we moved to the farm I wanted a way to document what we were doing. I felt like others would benefit from seeing our journey and hopefully learn something along the way. Capturing life and God’s creations has always been my goal. I have been great about documenting our farm journey on Instagram, but when It comes to the blog I have been a tad slow on posting! There is so much more I want to post and do! Coming soon I will have tutorials on how to garden, tips on homesteading and resources for those wanting to learn. I hope for the blog to one day be a true wealth of knowledge for those wanting to live in the country.

 
Intentionality Spotlight: Blog Love: Azure Farm | www.maplealps.com
 

As someone who has so much going on, what does your typical day look like? How do you make time for all of your responsibilities?

 

I definitely have busy days! A typical day involves me spending about an hour or more doing some sort of chore on the farm. Whether its filling water troughs, pulling weeds in the garden or cleaning the chicken coop. I usually plan out my day the night before so I know what to expect. I also have specific chores assigned to different days. That way I’m not scrambling to accomplish certain tasks. For example, On Fridays, it’s clean the chicken coop day! On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I fill the hay bins. And so forth. I have to be intentional and make time for what’s important and matters most.

 
Intentionality Spotlight: Blog Love: Azure Farm
 

What is one other specific area in your life you find that intentionality is absolutely critical? How do you exercise mindfulness in it?

 

Being intentional is so important. The older I get the quicker time passes and I want to hold on to every moment. I have learned to be very intentional with family time and taking one day a week to rest. This day is Saturday for me. It's my family and church day. On Sabbath, I don't do work. On that day I just feed the animals, but I leave all other chores aside. It’s a day to breathe deep and reflect on the week, spend time with God, and family. I have to be mindful and specific on Sabbath and truly live in the moment and not let other things in the world and life take over my thoughts and plans. Being present at the moment so your family has your undivided attention is so crucial. I have come to truly love this day so much and it re-charges me and gets me ready to start another busy week.

 

If you could give one piece of advice about giving undivided attention to someone who struggles with it, what would you tell them?

 

Stay off your phone when you’re trying to be intentional and are with others. Don’t let it distract you and interfere with being present and available to others. This is a hard one and I struggle with this myself. Trust me though, you’ll be happy you did. 

 

Find Annette on her website and Instagram


 

Women of Intention Week Ten: Simple Living

Women of IntentionAmanda Walter | Maple AlpsComment

Welcome to week ten of the series, Women of Intention! We are just over halfway through and Maple Alps will continue to feature a woman every week who will talk about intentionality in specific areas in her life. So glad you've decided to stop by! For more information, and a list of topics, visit our introduction post HERE

How does living simply tie into intentional living? #WomenOfIntention16 #MapleAlps

THIS WEEK'S INTENTIONAL WOMAN:

Today, we are going to meet Stefanie of Simple Acres, an inspiring blog full of natural health, farming,home decor, art and humour!

Today, Stefanie will be talking to us about simple living and how it has benefitted her and her family.

After reading this post, be sure to check out Stefanie's blog and share this post :)

Find Stefanie on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.


Tell us a bit about yourself: What are you passions, work and interests?

My name is Stefanie. I am a very passionate person. I'm a mom of three, wife to my high school sweetheart, Registered Dietitian and entrepreneur . I'm passionate about my family first. Secondly, I find value in helping people find quality of life and success through self care and simple living.

 

What would you say simple living is and how does it tie into your intentional living?

Simple living is deeper to me than how to up cycle an old spoon or make an affordable yummy meal...simple living is leaning into that inner voice that guides your life to truth, joy and purpose. At Simple Acres I DO offer simple ways to be creative and nourish yourself and family but I also write about being present, intentional and grateful in life.

How can one adapt a simple lifestyle - what does it practically look like, and how can it be of benefit?

First off I believe to simplify lifestyle requires perspective. Perspective of what truly matters in the grand scheme of life. To me relationship is the most important thing we have as well as the memories we create with the people we love. With that perspective it makes reducing the excess is life easier, whether it is too many things that stress us out or steal our time or over commitment that robs our joy in the present.

 

On your blog, you talk about country living being in your blood. How has nature played a role in this lifestyle of yours? Do you think things would be different if you lived or grew up or lived in the city?

I was born in Wyoming. I have endless memories of fishing with my parents and being in the mountains hiking and viewing animals. Those type of memories stick with me. They created a sense of oneness with nature and ultimately a connection with the Creator Himself. No matter where I am I definitely crave open space and nature because that is where I feel the best in life. I grew up later in life in the city so id say for me it's the first foundation of life that created who I feel I am related to nature. This is what inspires me to raise my kids on a farm setting.

What would you say to encourage someone who wishes to live simply but is having a hard time?

First I'd like to say, I feel your struggle as I do to. Simple living and the mindset of focusing on less to ultimately have more (peace, joy and presence)is a learning journey I am on as well. I would say take it one day at a time, reflect on gratitude and SAVOUR the moment you are in! Every aspect of life offers joy from a delicious meal with a friend to the kiss of your sweet child. The details in life like organizing, spending, decorating, cooking...whatever you feel the need to simplify start in one area of your life at a time... It's a journey worth being patient with yourself with. 


What about you? What helps you be intentional in your life? What do you think about simple living? Why don't you tell us about it in the comments, and connect with us on social media?

(Don't forget to use the hashtag #WomenOfIntention16 so no one misses it!)