by Kelly | Jul 6, 2015 | Environment, Nature |
I believe there is something deep inside us that desperately wants to connect with place. The natural world speaks to us and pulls us to be in communion with it. We are, after all, an integrated part of this world.
I also believe we each have a place that speaks to our soul. A place that has touched us in a special and significant way. Perhaps at a pivotal point in our life, or as a slow love affair throughout it. For many it’s the place we were born. For others, a place we visited often as a child.
My place spoke to me as a young adult. It sparked my heart and changed my life.
My place is where I met my husband (although I didn’t know that at the time).
My place is where I first slept out under the stars.
My place is where the waves lap the shore and still my soul.
My place lifts my heart and speaks to me in my dreams.
The pounding of rain. The feel of the ocean breeze. The wet smell of a living forest. The slapping of whales on the water. The trill of songbirds. These sense memories speak to the very fibre of my being.
I believe we have a duty to listen to these places. To do everything in our power to let them speak to us. Because it is our places that will help us save the earth.
It is our places that inspire. That open up all that is possible within our souls. They invite us into a love affair with the natural world. Prompting us to memorize every detail of their exquisite faces. Listening to the seasons, the movement of their passing moods, the relationship of each of the stunning species that call them home.
We understand that we are a part of these places. And we will do everything we can to preserve them.
Because these are the places that we call home.
by Kelly | May 13, 2015 | Environment, Homesteading |
A year ago I went on a homesteading book binge. I read voraciously for a few months, and gave myself an introductory education to being a homesteader. We live on acreage, with plenty of “wasted” green space. In other words, a large swath of lawn which requires upkeep in the form of mowing. Lucky for us, we’ve decided that the benefits of dandelions outweigh the need for a perfect lawn. The bees, at least, thank us.
Still, I started to ask myself the question, what can I do with this space that is useful? What skills could I learn and practice with the resources already in front of me?
Well, it’s been a year, and here’s my homesteading report.
Things I haven’t had to buy since last summer:
1. Tomato sauce. I bought in bulk from a local farmer (yay!) last summer, and canned my own tomato sauce. It took one afternoon and a giant pot, and I didn’t buy a single can of tomato sauce all winter.
2. Jam. Ditto with the jam. I harvested the blackberries from our property (which grow and multiply in abundance around our property’s borders) on a few afternoons. Another afternoon of canning, and we’re on our last jar of jam this month.
3. Berries & peaches. Okay, we’ve officially run out of these. But, again, I bought local and organic, froze batches over the winter in our deep freeze and we enjoyed smoothies all winter long. Easy and delicious. Next year, I’ll invest in a few more to last us until June (strawberry season!).
Our garden:
One thing about our current property is the amount of shade we have. We are surrounded by glorious towering cedar trees which provide us with wonderful cool summers, but a lack of great garden sunshine. Along with living on the edge of a forest comes a lot of slugs! Last year, the slugs ate: our spinach, carrot, lettuce, kale and herb seedlings. But, they didn’t touch our potatoes, peas and beans (or we beat them to the harvest, at least).
This year, we’re doing things a little differently. You know, learning from experience.
1. Pots. I’ve planted all of our lettuce in pots on the back patio which does receive great afternoon sunshine. And, I’ll be adding herb pots this week. Take that slugs!
2. Selective planting. In our two square-foot garden boxes (I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve started small, here), we’ve planted potatoes and just added beans and peas today! No leafy greens for the boxes on the edge of the forest.
3. Potatoes. A big, fun, win for us was our potatoes. We didn’t have a ton last year, but boy were they fun to dig up together! And, even better, we saved some from last year, sprouted and planted them this year. I know, many people save seeds every year. But, this was a first for us. And it felt like a tiny miracle. No investment – automatic food!? The kids especially love planting and digging for potatoes, so the whole process has been wonderful in so many ways.
4. Seedlings. This year, I found the most wonderful local farmer, and I have bought some seedlings from her. Instead of starting from seed, I’ve invested essentially the same amount in an expert. For me, it makes perfect sense to support a local farmer, and give my garden the boost it needs. Our lettuce and herb seedlings have come from her.
5. Seasons. This is our second year on our property, and it is great to see things returning, and watch as favourite local wildflowers and plants pop up each spring. I am starting to see how people invest so much in their gardens, and why they consider them such labours of love. The cycle of the seasons is truly something special.
Our rabbits:
And, finally, last year we invested in a pair of English Angora rabbits. I’ve been a rabbit lover since childhood, and was so excited to add these fluffy creatures to our family. What a learning experience it has been. We’ve harvested their wool a few times, and I’m hoping to learn to spin angora wool this year. Taking care of them has required no small effort, but with the help of our children, it has been a positive experience overall (they take a lot of work to groom, but brushing a bunny is also very therapeutic!). Moby and Ears have helped us get our feet wet with homesteading, and we sure do appreciate them for it!
This year, I hope to add a line dryer for our clothes. If I knew we were staying for awhile (we currently rent) I’d also love to add some chickens. But, for now, our little wins keep me bouyant, as I learn the limits of what I can handle (with three children & a family-owned business to run), and also what brings me the greatest joy.
Have you had any homesteading wins this year? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
by Kelly | Apr 12, 2015 | Environment, Goals, Homesteading, In the Kitchen, Simple Living |
It has been such a fun week of little accomplishments and large delights! Currently, I am honoured to be volunteering as a David Suzuki Queen of Green Coach. The program allows me to focus on what I love best (my family and friends and our beautiful planet), in a way that I love (connecting with others and challenging each other in meaningful ways). I am working with five of my favourite families in the whole world, to create positive change in our lives, and be mindful of our ecological footprint. It has been so fun to see what each family has set for their greening goals, and it has been so inspiring for our family, too!
Right now, we are all working on the various ways we create, process and dispose of waste in our lives. Last week, I wrote about our plastic purge and my family’s very exciting move towards zero waste. When I first started, I thought the process would be really slow, but I am amazed at what changes we’ve already made, and how easy and fun they’ve been!
Here are a few of the little steps I’d love to share & celebrate this week:
A fridge full of milk in glass bottles (delivered by this amazing local farmer!)
I’m balancing the extra cost of glass, by using a few litres to make my own yogurt – yum!
Handmade re-usable produce bags (from thrift-store fabric costing a total of $2!)
Our new waste system.
Anything compostable goes into the garden compost,
the rest of the food waste goes to the new municipal green can program,
and the tiny one is what’s left.
And, of course, recycling (which, I’m hoping we’ll need less and less of, as we continue our plastic purge!).
A set of hankies (one for everyone in the family!).
Oh, how I love thrifting (now to get in the habit of using these).
Homemade butter in a jar (from whipped cream delivered in a jar!).
Yielding both butter, and buttermilk pancakes!
Yum!
by Kelly | Apr 6, 2015 | Books, Environment, Goals, In the Kitchen, Simple Living |
It always starts with a book. I don’t know whether it’s the librarian in me, or the dreamer, but my insatiable appetite for the written word finds me attempting to better myself once again.
So. This book. I picked it up off the shelf at the bookstore, and made a random note to find it at the library. It looked a bit like a home-decor book, and was shelved alongside the design and gardening books. I didn’t think much about its ability to change my life.
I guess I’d heard of zero waste before, but I hadn’t quite transferred the concept to my home. When I read about Bea, and her family’s journey to zero waste, I felt challenged. There is someone else actually doing this. It can be done. And the question became, not, “how could I do this?” but “how could I not do this?”
Much like the purchase of our angora rabbits (brought on by another book), I ran with my enthusiasm. And, without further ado, I started.
My first challenge was to look at how I grocery shopped. I saw an immediate problem here. Particularly, as it was winter (no farmer’s market, scant availability of convenient local foods), I had let some of my usual food-conscience relax. The first time I went grocery shopping after diving into the book, I will admit I was actually shocked by the amount of plastic I brought home. Everything I bought (from apples, to pasta, to lentils and cauliflower) was wrapped in plastic. Bringing my own bags to the store (as I always do) was almost laughable, considering the amount of packaging that was coming home with me.
I started small. One day, I brought a glass container to the meat store, and kindly asked for them to put my meat inside. Bless the saleslady, she didn’t look at me too weirdly. My first success!
Another day, I set out with a glass jar to use at the fresh-ground peanut butter machine at the local health foods store. Sorting out how to account for the weight of my jar was a little tricky. But, it was doable!
The next time, emboldened by my success, I lined up my beautiful glass jars, wrote all of the tares (weights) on their lids, and set out. The fiasco at the checkout was what I’ll call a set-back. The local organic health foods store was wonderfully patient, but when I asked what the best way to do this in the future would be, the kind answer was, essentially, please don’t.
Thus far, I had learned a few things.
1. Make your own cloth bags for bulk items. Fussing with the extra weight of jars was not practical, or welcome.
2. Finding ways to buy in bulk, sans packaging, was essential.
3. In short, I needed to change my buying habits if I was going to make this work.
I began a grocery store audit. I shopped at three of our local large grocery chains, and the one organic foods store to see how each would rate.
Some were definitely better than others. One had more items in bulk. Another had more un-bagged organic fruits and vegetables. The organic store had the option of paper bags for bulk & veggies – for which I was very thankful. But the pre-packaged bulk foods were all in plastic baggies. And, although they had milk in bottles, it is clear you pay a premium for this service.
Two weeks ago, as I was sharing my plight with an acquaintance, she let me in on a little secret. One of my favourite local farms from the market grows year-round (in a wood-heated greenhouse). And they deliver! I now receive all my veggies (and am even able to get milk in a jar at a slightly lower price) through her! Last week, I asked her about not delivering in plastic bags, and, instead of looking at me strangely (something I’ve been getting very used to), she said many of her customers feel the same. They get deliveries in a re-useable box instead! So, this week, that will be me!
As for bulk dried goods, I’ve been re-using paper for the past few weeks. It’s been working until I can sit down and make myself some more cloth ones.
I’m still searching for zero-waste meat and cheese alternatives (that don’t include buying in tiny quantities from a deli), but I’m making strides. I’m on my way to eliminating buying veggies & fruit in plastic. This week, I intend to save money buying extra milk in a jar and making yogurt with it. The savings from my homemade yogurt (which is easy to make and delicious, anyways), should make up for the extra cost of milk (thanks to my sister for the idea). I have a pretty good rotation of grocery bags in my home and car, so I never have to resort to plastic (although I do need more mesh produce bags). And, I’m getting braver at refusing receipts (pretty sure it’s the polite Canadian in me that finds this so hard).
Anyways, the point it, it’s coming. And every little victory feels so good. There is something so wonderfully, oddly, satisfying, in conscious shopping. Alongside the many environmental benefits, zero-waste shopping is fun. It’s empowering. And, it’s kind of addicting.
My suggestion. Try it! You never know just how far it might take you.
by supertwigs | Jul 1, 2011 | Books, Creativity, Education, Environment, Goals, Health, Literature, Nature, Parenting, Photography, Writing |
First off, I am at the conclusion of a wonderful day.
I spent the day with my children, enjoying the Canada Day celebrations in our town (happy birthday, Canada!). For some reason, I felt centred today. Relaxed and able to embrace things like dawdling (and having to carry my 3 year old around), making lunch (actually enjoying the down time of preparing a healthy meal for my family) and having no particular purpose or goals for our time (outside of enjoying ourselves). Me at my best. And (surprise, I know) I got my son at his best this way, too. I can’t really recall, but I’m going to say it was a day without tantrums.
My last post was about re-focusing on my goals. After all, tracking my goals is one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place. So, to follow up, I took a look at the goals I have set for myself since the new year:
1. Create a creative space (a place in my home where I can feel inspired and do good creative work)
2. Daily tea ritual (enjoy a cup of tea, centre myself, and remind myself of what really matters, daily)
3. Carve out an hour a day for myself (most often I seem to use this to blog, or read)
4. Focus more on self-care (to stave off “dead-eyed Mom” syndrome)
5. Write poetry (an ode to my high school self)
6. Contribute to MCP Project 52 (in a effort to practice photography on a weekly basis)
7. Write a novel (in a month)
8. Start (and, presumably, continue) running (Hmm… maybe there’s a loophole here)
9. Write at night (after the kids are in bed – the only sane moment of my blissfully chaotic days)
10. Early to bed, early to rise (okay, I only flirted with this one, but darn if it doesn’t keep rearing it’s ugly head)
11. Write a guide for Canadian homeschoolers (a goal that has grown and morphed, but remains)
12. Chart my journey with the earth (as in, create greener habits, and keep track of my progress)
13. Embrace thrift (buy less, play more!)
14. Become a professional mom (but remain constantly learning)
15. Start a family nature club
16. (I think this is my favourite one) Remember to be constantly amazed!
Which brings me back to (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti…)… my wonderful day.
I think I did it today – I remained constantly amazed. I loved watching my kids interact with the world today. I was present, and I so enjoyed their company. For themselves. As distinct and beautiful beings. And, in doing so, I enjoyed myself so much more.
I recall, when starting out on this blog, that I wanted to live a life that followed both whims and passions. Re-reading my goals for the year, I think I have happened upon just that. I have delved into things I had only dabbled into before (nature appreciation, homeschooling, writing, personal health). These whims have morphed into passions, and intersect in the most remarkable ways.
So, for the rest of the year, I will focus on those stated goals and habits I feel compelled to work on. But, I will also remain open to new whims. Because I couldn’t have predicted what life has thrown at me so far this year, and I don’t think I would have wanted to. There has been so much wonder and beauty in the discovery.
And now for a (short) book recommendation. Read Toot & Puddle: On Top of the World, by Holly Hobbie, and love how the random whims of these two pigs lead them to Nepal. I hope to be so open to life’s adventures – both little and large.
And so. How does goal-setting work for you? Do you have an encouraging story of whims and passions to share?
- Cultivate Your Passions. (happiness-project.com)
by supertwigs | Jun 21, 2011 | Environment, Goals, Nature, Parenting, Photography, Writing |
As it turns out, 2011 is nearly half over. Today being the summer solstice, we are embarking on the second two seasons of the year. The latter half. Winter and spring passed for me in a flurry of activity, reflection and big life changes. And I find myself here, in the thick of things.
I wanted to find a good way to celebrate the summer solstice, but I hadn’t planned anything specific. So, I took the kids outside. We spent hours enjoying a blissfully warm (hot, but not too hot) day, hiking in the woods, wading in the river, and running (or crawling) through the buttercups. I brought my camera, and practiced snapping portraits. It felt glorious.
Today’s summer solstice also happens to be the first official day of my professional motherhood. Any other Tuesday night, I would be working at the library. Instead, I am at home, writing. That also feels great.
So, to cap off the celebration, I thought I’d go introspective. Take a look back, and also forward. For the first time since starting my blog, I have decided to go back and read over all of the goals I have set for myself this year. Some goals, I have accomplished with leaps and bounds. On others, I have made significant progress. And on others, I still fall woefully short (running…ahem…we’ll deal with that later).
It turns out there are so many, I will probably need a post to deal with each one. Which is a good thing, since it will keep me thinking and reflecting, on…oh… what exactly am I doing again? Regardless, just looking over them has invigorated me, and made me realize just how far I’ve come these past few months. Both in my own self-awareness, and the actual completion (or, more accurately, inhabiting) of my goals.
Which makes me, for the umpteenth time, so thankful that I started this blog. I can’t count the number of ways writing it has changed and challenged me (a topic for another post).
And because (as it turns out), I like to assume grand challenges for myself, and then state them here, reading over my goals has caused me to create yet another one.
I am going to use the seasonal solstices as check-ins. Times of reflection to go over my goals, re-focus and propel myself forward.
There it is, in quotes. Something about doing this for the solstices appeals to me. It just feels rhythmic. Beautiful and inspiring in a way that “quarterly reports” do not. So, there it is. The seasonal me. A new ritual to tie me to myself, and my environment, and to that elusive cycle of life. I’m sure there’s something incredibly symbolic in all of this, somewhere.
So, for the next few weeks, I’ll be checking in with my goals. Checking in, and stepping up. And, finally, a hearty welcome to summer everyone!
And you? How did you celebrate the solstice? And how do you stay focused on your goals as the seasons progress?
Hi! I’m Kelly Woods, writer, mother & librarian. I write about beauty, creativity, green living and lifestyle design to help others live a life of inspiration, too.