We are Missing In Action...or should I say Missing But Very Active. Our offer on a house was accepted and we are taking possession on Wednesday! Yes, Wednesday...three days before Christmas and needless to say I am headless fowl from the barnyard with so much to do. Try as we might to create Christmas as usual, this will be anything but a usual Christmas.
I will post soon as to our progress and give a few sneak peaks at our new abode! I am so happy and excited to be on this brave new adventure!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Homemade Holiday
I recently learned to make soap at Everdale. And when I got home I put all I had learned to the test. A few weeks ago I made two double batches of soap, one peppermint, the other Vanilla-Tangerine. Both turned out wonderfully and tonight I bundled them up in preparation to hand them out to some friends over the next week as our paths cross.
I may not be making many gifts this year, or baking as many cookies but it's the few simple things that make me happy.
Friday, December 10, 2010
For What It's Worth
Sometimes a little goal writing is just what the therapist ordered...in this case my Realtor. At least it's what she would order if I told her why I am having such a hard time committing to buying a house. I have been in a period of transition this past summer. A time when everything I thought I knew, cared about and dreamed up started to morph and change and mutate into completely different and highly unexpected things.
A year ago I would have told you very clearly about my dream to homestead, to live completely 100 per cent off the land, with a small herd of sheep, a thousand miles away from everyone and anyone. A year ago I could dream anything I wanted because dreams are just dreams. My reality is completely different.
I have decided to write down my priorities in order of importance so that I may better understand my life path and where I should go from here.
What Matters Most
1. Financial Independence. I want to owe as little money as possible. Neither borrower nor lender be. No credit cards, no loans, only the most minimal borrowing required to secure a solid home investment with the quickest possible payment schedule. This will require some frugal finesse of course but I am up for the challenge.
2. My Passion. I have a passion for creative writing that has taken a backseat for many years. I have dabbled and flirted a bit with the idea of being a writer, a real novelist who actually finishes a book to near perfection and gets it published. There is a fire inside me that truly must be fed. I can not deny this part of me any longer.
3. Natural living. I want to live close the nature. I want to see birds at my windows and flowers in my garden. I want to eat from my backyard, literally and figuratively. I want to eat local when possible and preserve my harvest. I want to learn all I can about cooking with the seasons and extending the growing season.
4. Family and Friends. Realistically family is my absolute number one, without question. However that seems more a of given. I am a woman who is greatly dedicated to my family. Friends however is something I want to encourage more of. I want to have people over. Develop close friendships. I want to create roots in my community and begin to feel like I belong here instead of thinking it's a way station until we get to where we are really headed. This is integral to creating a home.
5. Green Living. I want to lessen my foot print. I want to make environmental choices because it's the right thing to do. I want to consume less, grow more and really examine my needs as opposed to wants.
What Matters Least (...to me anyways)
1. Raising Animals. I no longer desire to keep animals. The benefit of raising animals for meat is greatly outweighed by the cost to house, feed and care for their upkeep. It is far more efficient for me to pay an expert, local farmer for his/her expertise because that is their job, livelihood and most likely their passion.
2. Growing Absolutely Everything. In this day and age, this is not necessary. Technology has made it so that individually we need not toil independently but work collectively. I can trade my skills for money which I can use in turn to pay another person for their skills. This is where self-sufficiency gets taken off my list of goals.
3. Rural Homesteading. I have decided I don't want to homestead in the traditional sense. Urban homesteading, if it really qualifies as that (which I highly doubt) is much more my style whether I live in the country or not, I am not seeking a self sufficient farm.
This process of looking for a house, holding hard and fast to dreams that no longer hold a flame in me, has been very much a learning experience. I have learned that by letting go of certain dreams and moving on towards others is very liberating. Buying a home is a huge step but it's one that I never thought would teach me so much.
Now would someone please tell me which house I should buy so I can get this show on the road? If only it were that easy.
A year ago I would have told you very clearly about my dream to homestead, to live completely 100 per cent off the land, with a small herd of sheep, a thousand miles away from everyone and anyone. A year ago I could dream anything I wanted because dreams are just dreams. My reality is completely different.
I have decided to write down my priorities in order of importance so that I may better understand my life path and where I should go from here.
What Matters Most
1. Financial Independence. I want to owe as little money as possible. Neither borrower nor lender be. No credit cards, no loans, only the most minimal borrowing required to secure a solid home investment with the quickest possible payment schedule. This will require some frugal finesse of course but I am up for the challenge.
2. My Passion. I have a passion for creative writing that has taken a backseat for many years. I have dabbled and flirted a bit with the idea of being a writer, a real novelist who actually finishes a book to near perfection and gets it published. There is a fire inside me that truly must be fed. I can not deny this part of me any longer.
3. Natural living. I want to live close the nature. I want to see birds at my windows and flowers in my garden. I want to eat from my backyard, literally and figuratively. I want to eat local when possible and preserve my harvest. I want to learn all I can about cooking with the seasons and extending the growing season.
4. Family and Friends. Realistically family is my absolute number one, without question. However that seems more a of given. I am a woman who is greatly dedicated to my family. Friends however is something I want to encourage more of. I want to have people over. Develop close friendships. I want to create roots in my community and begin to feel like I belong here instead of thinking it's a way station until we get to where we are really headed. This is integral to creating a home.
5. Green Living. I want to lessen my foot print. I want to make environmental choices because it's the right thing to do. I want to consume less, grow more and really examine my needs as opposed to wants.
What Matters Least (...to me anyways)
1. Raising Animals. I no longer desire to keep animals. The benefit of raising animals for meat is greatly outweighed by the cost to house, feed and care for their upkeep. It is far more efficient for me to pay an expert, local farmer for his/her expertise because that is their job, livelihood and most likely their passion.
2. Growing Absolutely Everything. In this day and age, this is not necessary. Technology has made it so that individually we need not toil independently but work collectively. I can trade my skills for money which I can use in turn to pay another person for their skills. This is where self-sufficiency gets taken off my list of goals.
3. Rural Homesteading. I have decided I don't want to homestead in the traditional sense. Urban homesteading, if it really qualifies as that (which I highly doubt) is much more my style whether I live in the country or not, I am not seeking a self sufficient farm.
This process of looking for a house, holding hard and fast to dreams that no longer hold a flame in me, has been very much a learning experience. I have learned that by letting go of certain dreams and moving on towards others is very liberating. Buying a home is a huge step but it's one that I never thought would teach me so much.
Now would someone please tell me which house I should buy so I can get this show on the road? If only it were that easy.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Under the Microscope
If you follow Rhonda's blog at Down to Earth, you would have read her most recent post about taking her as she is. She talked about criticism that often comes when we write blogs. How opening up our homes and hearts to share this journey with others can end up with our hands wrapped. It's happened to me and it can be very jarring.
I have been loosing my stamina lately with this blog and with simple and green living in general. I feel I am under close scrutiny, that my opinions and actions are under close watch by those eager to point out any inconsistencies.
I started the process toward a simpler way of life a few years ago. Since then my ideas have grown and then tapered off a bit depending on certain outcomes and life circumstances. I think given that the process is a journey and not a fixed destination, there is no finishing line and that my goals in homesteading and green living will be in constant flux. However more than once I have I been on the receiving end of reprimands for my seemingly lack luster efforts. Some purists are more than happy to point out my flaws with the way I define homesteading or living an environmentally conscious life. Because of this, more than once have I thought of closing the blog and walking away from the blogging community.
Because I don't have a farm (nor do I see myself obtaining one in the future) I am seen as a wanna be, a pretender, and psuedo homesteader but one that should not be taken seriously. Sometimes I am able to laugh off these comments but other times not so much. We all approach our homes in different ways. We all do our best for the situations we find ourselves in. No one is perfect, nor should we expect them to be.
I try my best but it is discouraging when my best does not seem good enough. When my efforts bring about negative comments instead of encouraging ones. On one hand I am glad to see, after reading Rhonda's post, that I am not alone in feeling somewhat dejected but on the other I am disappointed that those people expecting perfection are so quick to point out where others fall short. It shouldn't be that way. Shouldn't we be ever encouraging and truly supportive of any efforts? I have never claimed to be an expert. I have never said I have it all figured out.
When I decided to live simply, if I had looked at all the changes needed and expected them to be made at once I would never have started this journey. I would have been too discouraged to even begin and what a shame that would have been. Some parts of the journey move fast and furious while others are slow and calculated. Others still are not moving at all. In the end, I need to move at my own pace, changing the things I can while accepting the things I can't.
I have been loosing my stamina lately with this blog and with simple and green living in general. I feel I am under close scrutiny, that my opinions and actions are under close watch by those eager to point out any inconsistencies.
I started the process toward a simpler way of life a few years ago. Since then my ideas have grown and then tapered off a bit depending on certain outcomes and life circumstances. I think given that the process is a journey and not a fixed destination, there is no finishing line and that my goals in homesteading and green living will be in constant flux. However more than once I have I been on the receiving end of reprimands for my seemingly lack luster efforts. Some purists are more than happy to point out my flaws with the way I define homesteading or living an environmentally conscious life. Because of this, more than once have I thought of closing the blog and walking away from the blogging community.
Because I don't have a farm (nor do I see myself obtaining one in the future) I am seen as a wanna be, a pretender, and psuedo homesteader but one that should not be taken seriously. Sometimes I am able to laugh off these comments but other times not so much. We all approach our homes in different ways. We all do our best for the situations we find ourselves in. No one is perfect, nor should we expect them to be.
I try my best but it is discouraging when my best does not seem good enough. When my efforts bring about negative comments instead of encouraging ones. On one hand I am glad to see, after reading Rhonda's post, that I am not alone in feeling somewhat dejected but on the other I am disappointed that those people expecting perfection are so quick to point out where others fall short. It shouldn't be that way. Shouldn't we be ever encouraging and truly supportive of any efforts? I have never claimed to be an expert. I have never said I have it all figured out.
When I decided to live simply, if I had looked at all the changes needed and expected them to be made at once I would never have started this journey. I would have been too discouraged to even begin and what a shame that would have been. Some parts of the journey move fast and furious while others are slow and calculated. Others still are not moving at all. In the end, I need to move at my own pace, changing the things I can while accepting the things I can't.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Snow, Snow and Yes, Even More Snow
We got dumped on yesterday and it continued through the the night. Reports show more snow going into tonight and all day tomorrow. We've already seen 45 cm of snow in the last 36 hours. Usually we get to ease into winter. A little here, a little more there. Not this year. We had one snowfall a few weeks back but it melted within a day. This stuff falling outside my window will probably not melt until spring. Mind you, we have had some strange winters where ski resorts were closed and we had a very green Christmas. But those years are few and not nearly as much fun.
Sometime I wonder if I should move to British Columbia (or even Australia). I like snow but it makes me anxious. Even if I am inside, cozy, warm and safe, I worry about what's happening on the roads. I worry about my husband who has to drive or friends and family who have not learned to stay off the roads on days like these. I learned 8 years ago not to trust Mother Nature and we are still paying the price.
The first snowfall is always the worst for me but as winter progresses I usually get more relaxed. Every year I receive the same chorus of teasing "What the heck do you think? This IS Canada" or "This is not that bad!" These remarks are down right insulting for someone like me who has been through what I have been through. Some people just don't get it and probably won't until they have been through my worst nightmare but I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.
I grew up south of here where we never got close to the amount of snow we get up here. Sometimes I wish I could move back just so I won't be reminded of that bad winter I had 8 years ago. But I have to move on and be strong for my family. I don't want my kids to see how terrified I am.
The snow is very beautiful though and I try to enjoy it while it's here. It will melt soon enough and I will be back to my regular self.
Sometime I wonder if I should move to British Columbia (or even Australia). I like snow but it makes me anxious. Even if I am inside, cozy, warm and safe, I worry about what's happening on the roads. I worry about my husband who has to drive or friends and family who have not learned to stay off the roads on days like these. I learned 8 years ago not to trust Mother Nature and we are still paying the price.
The first snowfall is always the worst for me but as winter progresses I usually get more relaxed. Every year I receive the same chorus of teasing "What the heck do you think? This IS Canada" or "This is not that bad!" These remarks are down right insulting for someone like me who has been through what I have been through. Some people just don't get it and probably won't until they have been through my worst nightmare but I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.
I grew up south of here where we never got close to the amount of snow we get up here. Sometimes I wish I could move back just so I won't be reminded of that bad winter I had 8 years ago. But I have to move on and be strong for my family. I don't want my kids to see how terrified I am.
The snow is very beautiful though and I try to enjoy it while it's here. It will melt soon enough and I will be back to my regular self.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
imPRESSive Chocolate Christmas Cookies
Do you have a cookie press? Up until a few years ago I had no idea such a thing even existed. I volunteered with the local resource centre to create and promote a fundraising Craft Show which ended up raising about $3,000 a year for the centre's programs. The show featured over 80 local craft vendors but the Centre also ran a table of our own creations. One of the recipes we used that first year was for Whipped Shortbread. Those cookies were divine. They practically melted in our mouths.
While volunteering I met a dear friend, who remains so today, and bless her she was the one with the Whipped Shortbread recipe. That Christmas she gifted me with a cookie press, the same kind we used for the craft show. Many Christmases have passed and each year I try to replicate her recipe but always fall short. I suppose I could just call her up and ask, but really, what's the fun in that?
In my search for the perfect pressed cookie recipe I created this one. They are not as divine as the whipped shortbread but they are pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself.
Pressed Chocolate Cookies
3/4 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp milk
2 cup flour
6 tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
Add one ingredient at a time and keep mixing. The just fill your cookie press and go to town. Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes. They freeze well too. Enjoy!
While volunteering I met a dear friend, who remains so today, and bless her she was the one with the Whipped Shortbread recipe. That Christmas she gifted me with a cookie press, the same kind we used for the craft show. Many Christmases have passed and each year I try to replicate her recipe but always fall short. I suppose I could just call her up and ask, but really, what's the fun in that?
In my search for the perfect pressed cookie recipe I created this one. They are not as divine as the whipped shortbread but they are pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself.
Pressed Chocolate Cookies
3/4 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp milk
2 cup flour
6 tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
Add one ingredient at a time and keep mixing. The just fill your cookie press and go to town. Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes. They freeze well too. Enjoy!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Trimming the Tree
We headed to the tree farm today to select our tree. About four years ago we decided to forgo the standard faux tree and opt for a greener solution using real trees. When it came to my attention that faux trees create many chemical toxins both during manufacturing and while they break down over time, I decided a sustainably grown tree is much better option.
I have also found myself gravitating toward other natural means of decorating. I use trimmed boughs and sprigs to decorate table tops and shelves. I spend less and less on Christmas decorations each year and I still manage to pare down my collection.
One commercially found item that I enjoy now is my lighted village. Last year I bought three small houses, and my husband bought me one for Christmas. This year I probably will not buy one, but maybe if I can after Christmas for 50 per cent off, I might consider one new item.
It feels like Christmas now and everyone is very excited. I still have some chopping to do and there are a few hand made items I need to put the finishing touches on.
I have also found myself gravitating toward other natural means of decorating. I use trimmed boughs and sprigs to decorate table tops and shelves. I spend less and less on Christmas decorations each year and I still manage to pare down my collection.
One commercially found item that I enjoy now is my lighted village. Last year I bought three small houses, and my husband bought me one for Christmas. This year I probably will not buy one, but maybe if I can after Christmas for 50 per cent off, I might consider one new item.
It feels like Christmas now and everyone is very excited. I still have some chopping to do and there are a few hand made items I need to put the finishing touches on.
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