A list of things

Solar panels, peak oil, a generator, car dependence
Self-sufficiency, homesteading, preserving, building
Sewing, knitting, repurposing, cloth diapering, hand-me-downs, mending
Natural beauty, natural cleaners, vinegar and baking soda
Clay ovens, solar cookers
Green manures, row covers, seed starting
Chicken food, dog food, cat food
Cedar, hardwood, pine firewood and kindling
Fertility, chemical environment, aging
Winter, summer, fall, years, decades
Organic, whole, healthy, raw
Exercise, stretching, coffee, wine
Electricity, money, dependence, independence
Entrepreneurship, creativity, confidence, abilities, planning
Laundry, dishes, dusting

hibernatey

It's a quiet month. Life is still busy busy but it doesn't require me to leave the farm that often, so it's literally quiet. I've been home a lot this winter, leaving the house only for bare necessities (office appearance in the city, groceries, gas). I feel like flannels, bathrobes, and hoodies have been my main wardrobe. Shuffling to the kitchen to put on the kettle, huddling around the fire, baking things doughy and sweet, going to bed early. So quiet and still. Extra quiet this weekend for me as my valentine's away till tomorrow.

The thing about quiet tho is it eventually gets old. As a musician, a relatively young woman, a traveller... I start to crave a little action. Not a lot, just a little. I think my love (above) would agree with me in saying we need to explore more. Go on road trips, hit cafes, see some art, check out local markets. Hard to fit in, but so good to. We had a real nice time doing that in Iceland in the fall. Low commitment cultural wonderfulness.

Perhaps in the spring. :)

Tonight I'm chillin' with the pets by the fire (how many times have I written a variation of this sentence? ha). D and I will do our nice valentiney day tomorrow. I love him so much and my days aren't as fun when he's away. And holy cow my parents have been married 35 years today! That sounds both long and short to me, but mostly just wonderful.

Speaking of fun, I started the "30 day shred" this month - a workout dvd. A 20 minute butt-kicking every day. It's perfect 'cause 20 min is pretty easy to fit in anywhere, and I need to move desperately. I'm on day 8. My goals are to get stronger, and wake up in the morning not in pain. So far I hurt more, but in a good way.

One more thing: I think Salty the hen started laying today. That means we're up to 3 eggs/day! Who wants quiche?

the future is now

Time continues to zoom. It's weird when you realise it, it feels even faster, like a self aware merry-go-round that won't stop... if it does, its not itself. I find it hard to think in the present, obsessing about the future, and in doing so constantly pushing myself there faster. I almost feel anxious to finish a day, to get it over with so I can get up in the morning and get that one over with too. Although it might sound like the fault of unhappiness, it's more an excitement for the future... tho I do wonder if the two are distantly related. Thoughts of what I will have then distract me what I don't have now, but also from all that I do have.

I suspect it's being on the brink of of new things - our new store, wanting to start a family, home improvements. All investments in the future, preparations, beginnings. So looking forward to that good stuff. But my husband is great because he reminds me of all that we've done already, how far we've come with the house and store and everything. It's true, need to appreciate that more.

I think it's just February. I need to garden, and watch the store be busy, and sit on the porch in the sun with a book. Soon.

time is on my mind, yes it is

It's earlyish Saturday morning. Lune's pestering D awake and I'm starting the coffee, pouring a bath. Threw some wood in to rekindle the fire, which lit up again immediately (I like when that happens). Whisk is outside sifting snow with his big nose, and Mo's watching him through the window, sitting on top of the untuned piano. It's snowing gently but purposefully.

I read the wikipedia page on "time" the other day, and also a study by a man trying to prove the future can leak into the present. I think of time as a dimension experienced by us linearly, but existing like liquid or air. The idea that someone can study for a test after it has been taken to achieve a better result is perhaps a stretch (not sure how I feel about the persistence of events), but still I like the idea of knowing things because they were learned in the future.

Also read that time is perceived faster as you age, which feels true. Mindfulness seems to slow down time, which is comforting - the idea of choosing to pause a moment, and it actually pausing the moment, tho I don't practice this nearly enough.

I mention these things just because lately they're thoughts that seem to be working away in the background as I move through my days.

In other news, Luna's entering her toddler/destruction phase, chewing everything and anything she can with insatiable aggression. I sympathise but it's also super annoying... we're just learning to put everything out of puppy reach, tho she still surprises us.

This weekend I'm hoping to start garden planning, seed starting, etc. I'd like to grow a bunch of extra stuff to sell at the store (herbs likely), and also finish orders for seed displays at the store. Totally enjoyable ways to spend time.

1.1.11

Sitting on the couch in 2011 with my love, coffee, bathrobe. We had a fun new year's eve night of pizza, wine, and relaxation by the fire. It's pouring rain which is crazy - the snow is melting quickly and the grass is reappearing in the fields. It will be back tho as there's still a good 2 or 3 months of winter left.

After a week of visiting family, we made it home yesterday just as the sky darkened, both dogs surviving the hours and hours of travel. First, 4 hours west and back to see D's fam, then another 2.5 hours north and back to visit mine. We spent a couple extra days in Owen Sound to support family in supporting D's grandma "mama" - a fractured hip. But at 97, she's still one tough lady and should pull through fine. Will have to do a post about her apartment another time as it's a special place (an indoor collage garden).

Always nice to visit my hometown too. Family are well tho we're all still worried for my bro. Need to brainstorm solutions (always do but this time with urgency). Nonetheless, seasonal cheer prevailed and we arrived home with full bellies, prezzies, good memories, and a regained sense of connection and richness in all that makes up our family relations.
D and my 2010 "top 5" are: 1) getting married, 2) opening our business Mixed Greens, 3) our puppy Luna, 4) chickens, 5) Iceland honeymoon. Pretty great year for us! 2011 will probably include making MG more awesome, swimming regularly, a kick ass garden, visiting NYC, making music, and fingers-crossed, even more :)