When we first arrived in Poland, we touched down in Warsaw. It was exciting. We had big plans ahead. We were going to look at our potential new home in a place called Sierpc but that is a tale for another time. Soon after, we found ourselves headed west for the medieval city of Toruń for an overnight stay on our way to Wrocław. Situated on the Wisła river, Toruń was home to Nicolaus Copernicus, one of Poland's greatest minds, a mathematician and astronomer who proved the earth revolved around the sun. 

Copernicus' home and plaque and two random architectural shots

Our willow tree

Snow is falling gently outside our kitchen window. I make a hot cup of tea, a spoonful of honey, some green tea with a dash of oat milk. Yummy. I make Renata her extra special coffee made with "wub" (love). The dogs are let out, then the puppies... it's about 7:30 AM when I head outside myself. It's so beautiful. I let the geese, ducks and chickens out. It turns out chickens aren't tremendous fans of snow.  We have a goose who is injured, a neighbor's dog attacked her. Thankfully, she is on the mend now and hobbling around. We were afraid she wouldn't make it.

What's got her goose?

Renata is outside, too, getting the birds some new bedding (straw). I am now in the barn getting hay for the sheep and laugh to myself. I still cannot believe I have thoughts like, "Hey, hey, it's time to get the hay, no time for sleep, I have to feed the sheep." I never imagined I would have a life like this. I go feed them and let them out to play for a bit.

From Left to Right: Amadeus, Lucy, Dr. Dréke, Mallory and Marcie

Bojo, our miniature ram, has take to nuzzling my leg instead of foraging for food, not a lot out here for them to eat right now. He does love his chin scratched. I have to be careful though. Never know when he might try and headbutt me. If it happens, we call that being "bojo-ed."

Bojo, the other week, during our first "big" snow.

Coco, our German Wirehaired Pointer, is running around in her own little heaven. She likes to follow me everywhere. I go to get more bedding for the chickens who, apparently, have decided to dine in this morning. We keep our straw in a large unused part of our stable. Coco is running around like a kook through the pile of straw. It's cute. I am reminded we need a new bale of straw soon.

Coco

Once the animals all have new bedding and food, I finish my cup of now lukewarm tea and stare out the window. Sitting with Renata the topic turns to the house. We need to decide on a new kitchen door soon. Should it have windows or no windows? What color? Decisions, decisions...

Our newly renovated front doors. We love this blue. Maybe for the kitchen door as well?

I head back outside to take some photos. Renata took this one yesterday when the snow started to fall. The light here is amazing.

Yesterday

As I wander around in the snow, I remember that feeling I had as a small boy. I get the goosebumps. Feel inspired. I look at the animals, the ducks, the geese, Coco... It's magic. I feel grateful and much love for them. I want to remember this feeling.

Time for another cup of tea. :)

Much love for you,

 xoxo

Jonathan (and Renata, too)

Rocking my new overalls in style

Last week, I was joking with the neighbors, I need to take a photo of me on tractor for my mom. A few days later, and here I am am on the coolest tractor I have ever seen. Thank you, Rafal!

Blueberry meets our new friends and neighbors, Rafal, Ania and little Adas.

Our friend Jarek was over yesterday as I was working on this idea for Renata's future ceramic studio. He might be helping us make it a reality, which would be awesome!

New studio idea

I am in the process of removing an old stove from the kitchen. I wish we could have saved it but it was too far gone. So in the time honored tradition of Chip from Fixer Upper, I had a mini demolition day.

Hulk smash! Hulk smash good!

Another sunset to end this post.

Good morning, afternoon or evening

Lots of love,

Jonathan and Renata

View of the barn from the Secret Garden section... shhhh....

Lilacs are blooming.... the smell is wonderful. We have purple ones and white one. Some in our designated "secret garden" area. And the majority in a row along our driveway/road. (We are the last house on the river in Masovia)

Pure Lilac goodness

The end or beginning of our row of Lilacs. Depends on your viewpoint I guess.

Now that you have had your fill of Lilacs, I wish you could smell them :( You will just have to visit next time they bloom.

Clean up is coming along nicely, slowly, but nicely

So we are in the midst of the initial clean up phase. I have never seen such a mess. CRAZY!!! But still fun. We started on the barn today. Empty beer cans, bottles, trash, broken glass and overall mess. We are looking into getting a power washer. It will definitely be a big help everywhere.

Buddy

We moved our temporary kitchen to the mudroom. (Official name of the foyer. Foyer just doesn't sound right.) I took a peek of what lies beneath the horror we like to call the Kitchen Floor. Ummmm... yup, it's not a pretty picture. Tomorrow, I will be removing said "floor" and go from there. So to spare you all the gory details, Buddy the Cat graciously offered to pose in the tiny kitchen window that is presently not a tiny kitchen window. I think he is finally getting into this whole farm life thing.

Bunny Fufu in the beginnings of our flower garden

Yellow... seriously yellow.

One of Mirek and Jola's Ducks

Yesterday, with our good neighbor and friend Mirek, we went to the farmer's market in Włocławek. A Pchełka. Renata got Pear Trees, Raspberries, Wild Roses, and more. I got a weird Siberian Berry bush and most importantly, official Polish Farmer Overalls. Green. They are awesome. (Photo to come)

Sun sets on another day. Dobranoc xoxo

Have a wonderful night!

Love,

Jonathan and Renata

Everywhere I look could be a painting.

Blueberry surveys the land and checks to see Renata is doing a good job. I found a bug.

Today is our week anniversary on the farm. It has been amazing. One of the most exciting things to was to uncover the original floor in the mudroom/foyer. Have a lot of scrubbing to do. And that's just for starters.

After cleaning up a horrible rug, and several layers of God know what we discovered the original floor.

The Toi Toi man delivers. WOOHOO!

Our farm

Moving. They say it can be stressful. I think they might be on to something there.

A checklist of sorts

A week of non stop packing while juggling freelance work.

Check.

Move to a farm at the end of the world that needs a total renovation.

Check.

A 5 hour drive with two anxious French Bulldogs, a whiny cat and a rat who was actually quite relaxed..

Check. 

Our friend, Victor drove us (thank you, Victor) as I had no idea how to get to our new home. Anyhow, we arrived safe and sound.

I must say I am so thrilled to be doing all this. It is so beautiful here.  I remember wanting life to be an adventure. I forgot one thing... adventures can be a little scary, difficult even. Really challenge you in unsuspecting ways. But..... It's great. I highly recommend one.

Kooky. Definitely... but it's awesome :)

Here are a few simple moments from today.


Blueberry and Bunny trying to look all cool this morning (so goofy, those two)



Later, our neighbors invited us for coffee at their farm. Afterwards we got to see baby piggies.

So... sending our love, well wishes, happy thoughts (take your pick) from Poland to you.

Dobranoc! (Goodnight)

xoxo

Poppies on Wisła. Photo taken with my phone on a rainy day this past summer.

Hello and welcome to our new blog, Dreaming in Polish. I am Jonathan and with me is Renata. (She says hello). What is it all about? Thoughts on life, its adventures, lessons, good and bad. Travel, people, food, Poland, art, home renovation, home decor and even agrotourism. It will be a surprise and grow as we do.  This one will be short. I have to work on a painting.

Czesc,

Jonathan