Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Slow & Steady


Autumn, my busiest time of year, made more so this year with all the changes around these parts.  I am hoping I have finally found my footing again and will be back to the blogosphere on a more regular basis.  So here is a little...or not so little photo journal walk through of what has been going on and keeping me more than just occupied!


If you are a follower you know my biggest change is that my one and only son has gone off to college...nearly a month has passed.  There is very little communication from the boyo...I always say~"No News is Good News" and in this case it is, he is getting all A's, making friends and when a message comes it says, "I love college, it is awesome!" What more can a mother ask?  

But we, his Dad and I, needed some sort of closure, I guess?  So we rehabbed the teen tower or The Owl's Nest as we call it. It is the cool attic room that gave our son privacy in our open floor plan house.  We told ourselves that we would use his room to practice laying a cork floating floor that we plan to put in other parts of our house.


This is the truth but, the deeper truth is that we did feel some sort of transition had transpired when we completed the job.  It is all ready for his first visit home...nicer than ever!

That was Labor Day weekend!  Your supposed to labor, right?  Next was my husbands 2 week "vacation".  Now that the teen who needed long showers had departed we embarked on a long planned bathroom rehab.  (we have been collecting materials for months...my husbands job allows for a super discount on the supplies making it affordable for us...we always say...half the job is getting the materials here!)




Some vacation!  It was good.  We ARE project people.  But this shower job has been stretching us to the edge of our DIY skills.  Each morning was spent watching YouTube videos of that days tasks.  In the beginning there were a few Pandora's Boxes...and some swearing at the people who built this house...oh yeah...US!   When we finally figured out one of the studs was a 2 x 3 instead of a 2 x 4 things went more smoothly. (20 years ago we must have been short a stud...never thinking we would open this wall again...)  

We did have some fun during the 2 weeks.  We visited some friends that included a nice drive to the east.  We tried to stop working early and just relax here at our bit o' paradise. One night we had a fun campfire.  There were "fun" trips to the Home Improvement Centers.  We went to the Common Ground Fair...first time in 3 years...even though it is only 7 miles away!

Then the night before the installation of the waterproofing membrane for the shower, I got a scratchy throat.  I managed to do my part the next day but it was downhill from there.  I did all my holistic voodoo magic healing and I still ended up with a very bad cold or a weak flu.  Time to quiet down.  Gratefully, my DH did not get as sick as I did...He did all the voodoo before he had any symptoms!


Took my cues  from Vern and Runa~~~rest & relax. (contents of the coat closet were on the couch for a week in order to access plumbing---Vern did not seem to mind)




I am still coughing a bit & sleeping is my favorite activity.  Slow and Steady is my motto as I plod through the work that needs doing.  Autumn is beautiful and glorious but, all the work makes me crave winter and the leisure it brings to my life.



I stacked half the wood you see here (half of that today)  Usually, I stack it all but, I was sick.  Only the smaller cookstove wood to go then move on to finishing the harvest and  putting the gardens to bed.


There is Etsy work that is on going too.  I am not in any sort of panic or anxiety over the tasks ahead.  I have circled the years enough times that I know I will somehow manage to get it all done or just forget about what didn't get finished.

I wrote a new list today circling it with my turtle icons to remind me of my Autumn motto.  

Sunday, September 15, 2013

~~~Gratitude~~~



Today's GRATITUDE will be quick!

This is the beginning of week 2 of my husbands vacation and we are taking a day off today...much needed!  
So this is what we did in a week.....





There were countless pandora's boxes and cursing the people who built this house...oh yeah us!!!  Anyways, our almost 34 year marriage survived the week...actually was mostly enjoyable!  So I am grateful for all of the above!


Now for a day of R & R before we tackle the next week!

(I may need a vacation after his vacation!)


It is my intention, each Sunday, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 
I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 
I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 


~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

Monday, September 9, 2013

***Tuesday's Tip***



I made a wicked good cucumber pickle relish this past week!  I will share my recipe...but first...I stumbled upon the greatest idea I have had in a loooooong time.  I am very excited about it....but prepare yourself....it is unusual and a bit on the goofy side.

I make my relish with a nice quantity of my homegrown onions.  Onions are a key ingredient.  Grating my very strong Copra Onions can be quite a task...unless you really need a a good cry and even though my son just went off to college I was in no mood for tears!  I started to grate them up for the relish then the suffering began.  Tears were flowing, I had to step away to catch my breath.  I thought, I could really use a pair of goggles...then I remembered I had some!!!





My New Swim Mask and Snorkel!  They worked like a charm, not another tear was shed and the grating was finished lickety-split!  I will definitely do this again....I have a few other onion heavy recipes where this would work wonders!



ME!  VERY HAPPY!!!

MY SWEET CUCUMBER RELISH ~ mask and snorkel highly recommended!

Makes 19 - 20 half pints (I never feel making small batches is worthwhile)

So sterilize your jars ahead of time...I use the sani-cycle on my dishwasher.

12 cups grated cucumbers
5 cups grated onions
4 cups grated sweet pepper (red looks nice)
1 or 2 grated hot peppers...goggles good for this too!
3/4 cup canning salt
2 Tbsp turmeric powder
5 Tbsp dill weed
6 cups organic sugar
2 Tbsp celery seed
3 Tbsp mustard seed
6 cups apple cider vinegar

Combine grated veggies in a large non-reactive bowl (glass or stainless steel) sprinkle with the salt, turmeric, & 3 tbsp of dill weed.  Cover with cold water and 2 trays of ice. Let stand for 2 hours.

Drain Veggies thoroughly; press out the liquid.  Combine sugar, vinegar, the rest of the dill weed, celery, & mustard seeds in a large stockpot; bring to a boil.  Add drained veggies; simmer for 10 minutes.  Pack hot relish into hot jars, leaving 1/4 -inch head space.  Adjust lids.

Process for 10 minutes in boiling water bath canner.

Enjoy!!!





Sunday, September 8, 2013

~~~Gratitude~~~




Well the first week of College has passed.  All is Well!  That is what I am grateful for this week.  All the messages I have received from my boy speak to the awesome-ness of college.  He wrote that everything is great even the classes!  What more could a mother wish for?

Last Friday was the big moving in day.  We got there early enough so we were before the big crowds.  We (his grandparents came too...Dad couldn't get off work) had a leisure time of watching him unpack. It was a beautiful day so we took an enjoyable walk around the campus.




I had thought I would be leaving pretty quickly after getting him settled but, he seemed to want me to stay.  So stay I did.  His Grandparents left but I stayed and waited for his roommate to arrive...a very nice young man and a great match for my boyo...happiness.  After that we had dinner together   During our meal my son received a text from a High school chum that had just arrived.  Suddenly, my kid no longer "needed" me!  I could feel him become restless...so I offered to leave.  After a private hug in the dorm room I left with an arm load of stuff not staying....including me!  As we parted ways I set down my burdens and took out my camera to shot a picture of my son off in the distance...symbolic I thought...


I zoomed in for the next picture.  He turned towards me just as I snapped the photo!  


PERFECT!  I let out a little yelp and did a little happy dance (far enough away as not to embarrass the boy) It was just the perfect end to a perfect day!

I spent a lot of time last night trying to find a poem that expressed how I am feeling.  I AM feeling.  But not in the "traditional" empty nest way.  I have moments of crying but there is NO Story...I have moments of unease still NO story attached to those feelings...I am just feeling.  But, mostly, I am feeling content and happy that the day of transition has come.  We were both over ripe for this change.  So a good day, a good turn down the path of life.

So I will share a poem I wrote in the 12th grade when I was 18.  It was for an assignment in English Class.  We were asked to write about Maturity.  So here it is in my original hand on notebook paper!



Maturity

You start with a seed
it begins to grow.
struggle, struggle
through the dirt.
reaching, grasping
for the sun
roots go deeper
and the seed is now a tree
tall and straight
changing less
...yet some how
still changing
continually growing
the roots go deeper
(it's very hard to move a tree)
But, remember, the tree always 
reaches
for the 
sun




by 

18 year-old self



It is my intention, each Sunday, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 
I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 
I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 


~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

Sunday, August 25, 2013

~~~Gratitude~~~



Our world here in Freedom is full of  piles and piles.  One could see all the work or as I choose to see ~~~ the abundance!  Every 2 or 3 days I have a cart load about this size to deal with...the literal fruits of my labors!  It does keep me busy but I can't help but smile when I think of the cold winds of winter blowing and my larder full of my summer abundance.



Other piles are accumulating as well.  It is 5 more days until our son goes to college!!  I feel very grateful to live an abundant life that allows our son to pursue his education and dreams.  So you guessed it I am grateful for abundance!  You will be hearing from me more as I find my new routine that is 180 pounds lighter!






AbundanceApr 24, 2003


You can not own
a shimmering sunset,
or crystal stars of night.
You can not own
a brilliant blowing breeze,
or the spark of sweet sunlight.

You can not keep
a fragrant floral scent,
or an infant's sleepy sigh.
You can not keep
love's first embrace,
or life's ecstatic highs.

You can not possess
that time which went by
before you were even born.
You can not possess
those memories made
long after you are gone.

So experience enjoyment
in each moment,
immerse in sight, sense, and sound.
Appreciate this world
for all that it is,
that's where abundance is found.




Copywright©2006 by Laura Barrette Shannon
ToltecWarrior




It is my intention, each Sunday, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 
I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 
I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 


~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Transition Time

Sunday's Dilly Beaning


Oh where, oh where has this blogger been....Oh where, oh where can she be?

It IS a busy time of year and there are plenty of distractions.  You probably think it is all the gardening and harvesting that needs to be done right now.  Well, yes and no.  There is gardening but I have had busier years with bigger gardens.

Garlic Harvest

Things to Pick


~~~

Or maybe I am sewing up a storm getting ready for fall sales on Etsy.  Just a little bit.



Unscented Trees will be coming to InJoyEcoCutie

~~~~

Maybe, all the damp and rainy weather has fouled my blogging mood....

Never! PNW gal can love the rain~ALWAYS

~~~

Could it be that I am just goofing off and playing around in my sunflower house?



A room with a VIEW! 




This time of year, what I usually do is work all day out and about or in the sewing room.  Then after dinner I work on the computer listing Etsy items, edit photos, or write my blog.  But, lately, I have been watching a lot of movies & TV...before you start "judging" me their is more to the story!  Since my son hit his teens that has been the way we spend time together.  

Most of our watching is not what you would call very mind expanding...except NOVA...we both love NOVA!  But then again it has been pretty amazing what kind of discussions arise from watching Star Trek re-runs (I have seen them ALL...well except Voyager... something about Captain Janeway gets on my nerves).  There are human stories, science ideas, and of course adventure!  We recently watched the the movie THOR...which a comic book movie...it brought back memories for both of us of me reading aloud all the Norse Myths I could find when my son was young and an aspiring warrior.  We love any thing Sherlock Holmes..my son may have somewhat of a similar mind...at least my boyo thinks he does.  And we watch Survivor together.  This show is great for conversations with a teen about relationships~work, friends, marriage, human competition and compassion.  

I have been trying to do it "all".  Last Thursday after a very hard day of work I headed for the computer.  Then my son called, "Hey, want to watch a Star Trek?" Me, "Groan, give me one hour." 18 year old Son, "Aaaawh!"   I paused, I looked at my calender--- 1, 2, 3,....20 days LEFT until he goes to College!!  Me, "Give me 10 minutes...Do you want Popcorn?"

TV together is more than mindless entertainment.  It is the way I can lie near him like I did when he was young.  Then I read books to him that invoked discussion.  Now I watch shows with him.  We are both so ready for this transition in so many ways....but...I am going to miss him.  We banter, we discuss, we agree...more we disagree.  So blogging is on a vacation until I see my one and only child/man on his merry way.

I wonder how long I will leave his indentations in the couch after he leaves...?



And a Poem...new "favorite" poet as of last night...late reading after TV...

The Last Toast

Whether we like it or not,
We have only three choices:
Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

And not even three
Because as the philosopher says
Yesterday is yesterday
It belongs to us only in memory:
From the rose already plucked
No more petals can be drawn.

The cards to play
Are only two:
The present and the future.

And there aren't even two
Because it's a known fact
The present doesn't exist
Except as it edges past
And is consumed...,
like youth.

In the end
We are only left with tomorrow.
I raise my glass
To the day that never arrives.

But that is all
we have at our disposal. 

Monday, August 5, 2013

~~~Gratitude~~~

Ok~~~I am late for my gratitude date~~~I did spend yesterday in a state of gratitude ~~~just couldn't get myself to the computer~~~the day was just too nicer than nice!  

This is the time when my winter loving self feels that the back of summer has been broken!  Nights are cool and quieter...sleep is longer and sounder...energy returns...

But that is not what I wanted to write about yesterday...this is my gratitude...

Mangoes & Avocados 


This is not just about the 2 most luscious  fruits on earth, this is about love.  The simple everyday love that often goes unnoticed.  The sort of love that sustains life much more than passion or expensive gifts.  This is about love that feeds.  Love that does not require return or notice.  You see, my most favorite food on earth is the perfectly ripe avocado and my son adores the mango.  So when these beauties are ripe they magically show up at our table.  My guy returns each week from his work away bearing more than the fruits of his labors.  He brings us love with the remembrance of our appetites.  He never touches them unless they are offered.  This week I am grateful for the many small acts in a life together that mean love and I vow to not let them go unnoticed!


avocado boat

I cut an avocado in half
and give one half to the visitor;
and I carefully scoop
the avocado
gently, gently
with a teaspoon
(the Aztec records show
this is, ahem! the fertility fruit)
and I savor each scoop
and eat like a pig
(ah well, like a graceful pig):
and at last
I have the skin left
in the palm of my hand
and it’s tough
and shaped like a boat;
and it has rained
and there’s a puddle of water
on the lawn
and an ant that’s been irritating me
wandering about on my naked foot
and I put the ant
in the avocado boat
and I set the boat in the puddle
and I give it a gentle push
and I say:
“Bon voyage, Monsieur! ”
And then I look at my visitor,
and that silly guy is still staring at his half
and I ask, ever gently,
“Do you need help
with your fertility fruit there? ”
The visitor replies, “No’ –
and I wonder if I should get him brain food
or perhaps set him off on another avocado boat… 



Mango Fruits

Mango fruits are exotic fruits
They are rightly called
Mango—The King of fruits!

Mangoes are tasty fruits
The taste is “out of this world” experience
Mangoes are luscious fruits!

Mangoes are sweet fruits
Scientifically named “ Mangifera indica”
Mangoes are delicious fruits!

Mangoes are rich fruits
Rich in vitamins, minerals and anti- oxidants
Mangoes are summer fruits!

Mangoes are our childhood fruits
They bring back memories of childhood
Mangoes are comfort fruits!

Soothing to the stomach are mango fruits
They contain enzyme papain
Hence we’re better with mango fruits!

To crave for mango fruits
It’s but quite natural
Good source of fibre are mango fruits!

There are green and red mango fruits
They have an exceptional flavor
We can sniff the good mango fruits!

In orange, and yellow are mango fruits
Each has its unique texture
In a rainbow of colours exist mango fruits!

It is a great glee to eat mango fruits
They are tenderizing agents
There’s contentment in consuming mango fruits!

There are many types of mango fruits
Alphonso, Kesar, Banganapalli, Neelam
Totapuri, Malgova, Rumani, are some mango fruits!

Fruit Compote is served from mango fruits
As Sorbet, Ice-cream it takes forms
Excellent salads are made from mango fruits!

A celebration of tropics are mango fruits
In summer it is a daily ritual
And a treat to bite into mango fruits! 


 It is my intention, each Sunday, to share something that fills me with Gratitude. 
I write ~~~Gratitude~~~ with the wavy lines to represent the gratitude ENERGY~~~~~! 
I hope you will join me and share your gratitude moments. 
~~~Amen, Blessed Be, Namaste'~~~