Happy Friday!
Each week in the facebook group, I highlight a favorite kitchen tool, cookbook, recipe, or anything that I'm currently fangirling over. This week I'm sharing a couple of quick favorite happy hour recipes: rosemary cashews and a gin & tonic. These are tough times for all, but the extrovert in me is really missing a party... any party. Some modifications were made due to supplies on hand, but the end result is still celebration-worthy. T.G.I.F.

Get your copy of the recipe at here 

Like everyone else on the planet, we're reeling at the rapidly changing norms caused by the coronavirus.  We are all trying to do the best we can, but it is far from easy.  There are many uncertainties, but today we are grateful for the things we know.  God is in control, we are safe and healthy at home, technology is helping us feel connected to our work, school, and church communities; as well as providing a platform for a few virtual cocktail parties.  There are plenty of chores to do as we prepare the barn, garden and property for the warmer days ahead.  
Although we had planned to begin the barn workshop series in April, that now seems as likely as kids going back to school.  We've rescheduled the April workshops (barn and kitchen) to the first week of June; as the date approaches we will revise as necessary.  We thank you for your patience and grace as we navigate these unchartered waters.
We are so grateful for your continued support and thrilled to be a part of your "re-entry into society" process.  Intimate, interactive experiences have always been our signature and we couldn't be more grateful for that model now. 

I'm so excited to share what is on the calendar of events for 2020, but first an explanation of what is not.  For the past few years I've had the absolute privilege of working closely with the talented, grounded, super kind, Barbara Rietscha of Field & Vase by Stow Greenhouses.  She has shared her vast knowledge of floral design as well as the bounty of her flower farm with us over the course of almost 20 workshops.  After multiple years as a farmer, floral designer, and operator of TWO retail outlets in Boston she has finally come to her senses and decided to retire.  Her gain of rest and balance is most certainly our loss!  Thank you Barbara, for your wisdom and support of the PWH community; you will be missed.

Thankfully the dinner-plate-dahlia sized hole that Barbara's absence has created is about to be filled up!  I'm thrilled to announce a new collaboration with two local creatives, Joya Mutti and Brittany Peck, who will be presenting multiple workshops and a summer camp!  You can check out their bios on the about page.

The barn workshop season opens on Friday, April 24!  Sign up early to secure your spot.  I'm eager to learn with you!
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I heard a quote last fall that affected me in a profound way. “Extra time doesn’t allow you to do more, it allows you to be more.” Ever since, I’ve tried to add a 30 minute buffer to when we need to leave the house. This has allowed me to model grace and kindness to Amelia through my words (tone!) and deeds.
My mum, always said, “impatience is never attractive.” As evidenced by anyone raging in the car behind you! Or me, if we’re running late.
Today, instead of busting out the super long list of outdoor chores, I built a fort with this silly girl. After 29 years in Southern California and 15 in the SF Bay Area, I love that I finally live in a place with space to play, explore and live my very best life.

I would love to have you host a milestone event in this dreamy space.  For you to look back on this fabulous perfect day with all the feels; falling in love, surrounded by your favorite people, your whole life ahead of you...

but what would really fill my tank is for you to find your time here restorative; an escape from your to-do list or the routines that overwhelm. 
I want this to be a place where you can be.
Be present.
Be celebrated. 
Be encouraged. 
Spend a few hours in my dream life, without the chores and the hard parts and the utility bills. 

In conversations with people in town who realize which house is ours, they are quick (and kind) to say how beautiful it is.  My immediate response is "thank you.  At 30mph it looks great!"  Up close, it is far from perfect.  Just like me.  It is also worlds apart from any place I've ever lived.  It is dreamy and inspiring and fabulous.  I have always felt this place is too much goodness for one family; and so I invite you to come.  I invite you to be.  And in your creative pause from all that makes up your day to day, YOU are making my dream job a reality.

With loads of gratitude,
Wendy
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Welcome to a new year, a new decade, and a new refined focus of what I hope to accomplish in 2020.  I've done quite a bit of soul searching, praying, and investigating about what is next for the Phineas Wright House.  Attempting to balance work and life when they occur at the same street address can be a challenge.  The demands of life as well as managing the needs of this old lady (I'm referring to the house and barn, not myself!) can feel equally overwhelming and inspiring.  I've received motivation and encouragement from trusted friends, enthusiastic workshop attendees, as well as favorite  podcasters Kelsey Murphy  (Whiskey and Work) and Cathy Heller (Don't Keep Your Day Job).  I say all this to add context to why you will be hearing more from me in the coming months.  More dreaming, more vision casting, more workshops added to the calendar with the overarching goal of celebrating you!  If there is a workshop you'd be interested in, let me know and we'll add it to the growing list.   Leave your ideas in the comments; let's learn together in 2020!
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The Rustic Wreath Workshop was really the catalyst for all the floral design workshops offered.  For years, my dear friend Sharon and I  would meet up one October Saturday paper bag, clippers, and step stool in hand to walk around the Stanford Campus foraging for fall goodness.  Any yellow, orange or brown foliage was lovingly transported back to her cottage to be attached to a grapevine wreath.  When I moved to New England I dreamed of doing the same thing in my very own barn.  This event is my dream come true!
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We had a wonderful time last night making new friends and working with gorgeous sunflowers, euphorbia, rudbeckia, marigolds and amaranthus.  
There are a few spots left for the September Dahlia workshop.  Come join the fun!

​Thinning peaches has to be one of the most challenging tasks of late spring for me.  Seeing a bounty of 20 baby peaches on a limb knowing that I should only leave 2 is painful and almost scary.  Why is it so hard for me to trust the process?  Do I really want 1000 small peaches or do I want 75 perfect ones?  Part of the challenge is that I don’t really know the answer to that question.  Is there a lesson to be learned here?  When my calendar is jammed packed am I really doing anything well or am I just trying to get through to the next to-do?  Do I crave that busyness?  Do I consider it a badge of honor? When I am intentional about what I say yes to and I am truly present in that task, I hardly think about the satisfaction of crossing it off the list.  The luxury of lingering in a good moment is a gift I don’t give myself often enough.  Am I the only one missing out because of my willingness to overcommit?
 
This year has turned into an opportunity to be intentional about how I spend my days.  Realizing this has caused me to be even more intentional about my intentionality.  Savoring time with AJ before she starts kindergarten, dreaming and scheduling events and workshops in the barn, being available to spend quality time with Keith’s Aunt, investing in friendships new and old.
 
And so, as I look at the huge pile of peaches that will never be I’m reminded of all the things I could be doing, but most likely should not be doing.  Saying no to good things and saving my yes’s for the best.

One thing I've learned living in New England is that the change of season is highly anticipated; none more than spring.  Surviving another winter is something that bonds us to our neighbors and there is a true sense of glee when the trees remind us of what has been hidden away for such a long time.  It is a magical time of year with bright yellow forsythia and light pink cherry blossoms, daffodils and tulips and the fresh green of new leaves.  It is cool air and warm sunshine, baby farm animals, rapidly growing grass and longer days.  It seems that this is the shortest of the four seasons so it is a good practice to take time to bask in the beauty.  The humidity and mosquitos of summer will be here soon enough!