We head out pretty early and always make a beeline for this place where we buy Emma her weekly chocolate chip scone. This may look like a little gourmet shop but actually it is Emma's home away from home. She sometimes works there. Mostly what that means is that she gets to wear an apron and put stuff where it goes. And she gets paid in scones. She and the owner are tight. Emma even has a tab. She is the only person in the world that has that honor.
On our way to the farmer's market we pass the french bakery. Sometimes we are incapable of passing without stopping for a glazed blueberry doughnut which happens to be the best blueberry doughnut ever made. In the history of the world.
Next we head to the market where we always buy more than we intended and always see familiar faces that require us to stop and visit. We never mind.
The one constant on our farmer's market list is the fresh pasta. I will likely cry the first Saturday after the market closes for the season. We have this for dinner every single Saturday night. We love tradition baby.
Next we head to the coffee shop where Em eats her scone and Sweet Hubby and I get our breakfast. At the coffee shop they know us by name and my favorite coffee girl knows what I want without asking. We always try to get a table by the window so we can watch the goings on and sigh about how much we love life in the Village.
Growing up I lived a nomadic life going to 11 different schools. No roots, no real home. My whole life I have searched for my home. I have found it. This morning I walked the streets of my town, breathing in the brisk air, loyal pup at my side and I realized I am exactly where I should be. Sometimes I feel the need to pinch myself.
I know I appreciate it more because of everything that came before it and now I'm giving the girls a place that they can call home. As I give them that gift, I realize I am also giving it to myself.
What a precious gift indeed. And what a charming village. You have indeed been blessed. Enjoy every minute and you are so right, security and belonging...are the best gifts you could give yourself. Patty
ReplyDeleteYou are living the dream, Girlfriend. Living. The. Dream. I just love that I can picture you in your little corner of the world....in the coffee shop, strolling your streets.
ReplyDeleteMiss you!
What a fabulous life! "Your" village is so quaint and I see why your daughter loves to hang out at "her" little shop. I'm so happy for you that you have finally found "your wonderful spot" in this world!! Blessings!!!
ReplyDeleteLove, love your little village! Where are you guys located in Indiana?.......we are in North Manchester, little town south of Warsaw. I know what you mean about pinching yourself.....life doesn't get better than life in Indiana in my opinion! We moved here 8yrs ago, we try to remind ourselves every day how blessed we are and appreciate our life here and not take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteThis town looks so beautiful.....it is so nice to see how much you and your family cherish it........
ReplyDeleteI love you big sister, I'm so happy you're feeling settled and content.
ReplyDeletep.s. When are we going for said blueberry doughnut?
this is beautiful my friend.
ReplyDeletei sit here iwth a big lump in my throat....i can picture you smile as she walks over with your order.
that smile that spills out of the blessing of being known.
your life in your new village in your new home sounds like continual daily blessings for each of you
xo
I relate so much to your posts about your village life! We live in a similar village with familiar faces and shops and markets.
ReplyDeleteWe moved a lot when I was a kid too and there is something so special about giving the gift of belonging to your children. A sense of permanence and community. I'm glad you have found your home. xo
It's all so beautiful. Isn't it funny how the simple things, like friendly neighbors and a walk down the street to a coffee shop can make one so happy, and they can do it again and again and feel the same happiness each time. What a great environment for your family. I live in a suburb, but if I ever move again it will be to a village where I can walk to everything!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post. Beautiful village........I love mine as well. It is so different than living in a big city, isn't it. Your Em must be a special girl.
ReplyDeleteSweet post! Sounds like a perfect place to live and an even more perfect Saturday!
ReplyDeleteJanet
what a pleasant saturday morning. lucky emma. is your village for real? it looks like a storybook picture. enjoy every moment of it, you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteIt may have taken a long time to get 'there' but you did it, and as a family too. Way to go.
ReplyDeleteYou have described a form of Nirvana......a dream come true for sure. Someday I hope to be as blessed with where I live. :) Sandy
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteAh. Le sigh. Sounds wonderful. Is this...Noblesville? Zionsville? I can't remember.
Cheryl in Bloomington
How charming :)
ReplyDeleteyou had me at "glazed blueberry doughnut"!! i owe you an email, and now i have even more things to say! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS POST!
ReplyDelete#1 reason it means you are FOLLOWING YOUR HEART! SO happy for you ALL!
Just an FYI, I would weight 500 lbs if I lived in your Village, I have ZERO self control, LOL. However I want to come and visit YOU and your sweet village! And you make me want to RUN (not walk) to Williams Sonoma and buy a pasta maker!! :)
xoxo
Kristi
Ah Jen, what a lovely post. You are where you were meant to be.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
What a beautiful post. Sounds like a lovely place where you live. That bakery sounds divine! Nothing like good bakery food. Jacinta
ReplyDeleteLooks idyllic Jen, have followed you for a long time since you were settling in to the suburban home and then the decision to sell and move to the village. And then you ended up renting and waiting until the right place came along. And now it is exactly what you hoped for and more. Who says dreams don't come true they will if you believe. You and your story-inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. Sounds like you have found your 'forever cottage and village"....what a blessing.
ReplyDeletexo~
Jill
I love your village. Yay for you living your dream!
ReplyDeleteMy heart smiles everytime you post. You are living MY dream too! I'm glad one of us can! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Where is
ReplyDeleteyour village? It
reminds me of the
town I live in....
only 30 years ago.
When we first moved
here it was a small
quaint farming
community...then people
from other areas of the
country found our cute
little town and Franklin
has changed tremendously.
Your village looks like
the perfect place to raise
a family or for empty
nesters to settle in.
i love living in the country, but every time you post about your village. i want to pack my bags and move. absolutely charming.
ReplyDeleteYour town is idyllic, this is the kind of place that I want to live with my little wee family :) Enjoy your gift, I hope to give that to my little guy (& future kiddo's) xx
ReplyDeleteWe, too, spend our Saturday's in The Village. I'll have to try the scones... the chocolate eclairs at the French pastry shop have stolen my taste buds. You'll find us on the rocking chairs out front licking our fingers. We'll also have to try the fresh pasta. Thanks for the tip! We end our morning at the park. Our toddler thinks that's the highlight, but it might be tied with petting all the dogs at the farmer's market! We love our Saturdays!
ReplyDeletei'm sure i've said this before, but i'll say it again, how i wish i was your neighbor! i dream about a life like this...for some reason the air force doesn't seem to pick ideal little places like this though! so for now, i'll keep being inspired by you!
ReplyDeletewhat a precious journey you documented here. thank you for sharing.
Can I come? Please, pretty please? When the leaves change and crunch under your feet and the streets smell like fresh coffee beans? :-) I miss your sweetness.
ReplyDeleteYour town is absolutely dreamy! It looks like a movie set! Really. Could it get any cuter? I love that your girls and finally you and your hubby are experiencing this. "Home" feels good.
ReplyDelete...for the fun of it, i went through all your old postings..all the way to your first one! do you realize how far you have come? the burbs..really?! you have been on a "journey" for all of us ..thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve this place in your sweet little village. You paid your dues, girl! It looks absolutely enchanting. I will be moving to my new "home" next month.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
sigh....I love that you have this. You chased the dream and caught it.
ReplyDeletexoxo, Julia
gulp.
ReplyDeletei know just how you feel, my friend.
pinches and hugs
xo
elyse