It's been a while since I've made a Permie post. 2013 was busy! I resolve to blog more in 2014.
To get me started, I'll share that the Regenerative Leadership Institute is offering a significant discount on their online permaculture certification course for a limited time. You can learn more by visiting this link.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Like Girl Scouts for Grown-ups
You know those nerdy little over-achievers who will do just about anything for a prize or a little praise? Well...I'm one of them. I love earning things. It makes me ever so happy. When I was young, Girl Scouts provided an outlet for all that ambition. I was a tomboy. So, I got to do all my tomboyish stuff and actually get fun little merit badges for my sash. Ahhh, the joy of it all.
Then, I grew up.
No more merit badges. I had to work a lot harder for praise and recognition. And, it was actually work. I no longer received kudos for being my awesome self. Toastmasters provided a taste of what I missed in that I could earn recognition for public speaking, mostly just for the effort I put into it. But then, my thirst was finally quenched. I discovered the Mary Jane's Farmgirl Sisterhood.
I first discovered Mary Jane's Farm magazine, a magazine for ladies dedicated to organic living. Mary Jane Butters is one of my heroes and an empowering female role model. She manages to do all the "un-girly" things I like to do while still maintaining her femininity. The Farmgirl Sisterhood is a club of sorts where members can earn merit badges for living the Farmgirl life and having a Farmgirl attitude. It's like Girl Scouts for grown-ups.
Badges are broken up into categories. These are Cleaning Up, which includes badges like Shopping Green and Water Conservation; Each Other, including Community Service and Know Your Roots among others; Farm Kitchen, two of the badges being Know Your Food and Organic On A Budget; Garden Gate, including Grow Where You're Planted and Heirlooms Forever!; Make It Easy, with Build It Green and Relaxation; Outpost, my favorite, including First Aid and Glamping; and Stitching and Crafting, which pretty much speaks for itself. To add even more complexity, each badge has a beginner, intermediate, and expert level.
I finally get to earn badges for things I want to do again. In fact, I'm being rewarded for living according to my values. Eating mostly organic, researching CSAs, going camping, and using environmentally-friendly cleaning products are all things I would choose to do anyway.
So, for all the nerdy over-achievers out there and all the ladies who just want to have some fun, check out the Farmgirl Sisterhood. It's a hoot!
Then, I grew up.
No more merit badges. I had to work a lot harder for praise and recognition. And, it was actually work. I no longer received kudos for being my awesome self. Toastmasters provided a taste of what I missed in that I could earn recognition for public speaking, mostly just for the effort I put into it. But then, my thirst was finally quenched. I discovered the Mary Jane's Farmgirl Sisterhood.
I first discovered Mary Jane's Farm magazine, a magazine for ladies dedicated to organic living. Mary Jane Butters is one of my heroes and an empowering female role model. She manages to do all the "un-girly" things I like to do while still maintaining her femininity. The Farmgirl Sisterhood is a club of sorts where members can earn merit badges for living the Farmgirl life and having a Farmgirl attitude. It's like Girl Scouts for grown-ups.
Badges are broken up into categories. These are Cleaning Up, which includes badges like Shopping Green and Water Conservation; Each Other, including Community Service and Know Your Roots among others; Farm Kitchen, two of the badges being Know Your Food and Organic On A Budget; Garden Gate, including Grow Where You're Planted and Heirlooms Forever!; Make It Easy, with Build It Green and Relaxation; Outpost, my favorite, including First Aid and Glamping; and Stitching and Crafting, which pretty much speaks for itself. To add even more complexity, each badge has a beginner, intermediate, and expert level.
I finally get to earn badges for things I want to do again. In fact, I'm being rewarded for living according to my values. Eating mostly organic, researching CSAs, going camping, and using environmentally-friendly cleaning products are all things I would choose to do anyway.
So, for all the nerdy over-achievers out there and all the ladies who just want to have some fun, check out the Farmgirl Sisterhood. It's a hoot!
My Tiny Taste of Heaven
Decided to quit my whinin' about not having a garden space this year and green my deck. We've got to start with Zone 0, right? It's not much, and I'll have to do a lot of watering this summer. Still, it makes me a little happier, and I can always use the water I collect waiting for the shower to warm up.
How have you made good use of tiny spaces? Can you identify these plants?
How have you made good use of tiny spaces? Can you identify these plants?
Monday, May 6, 2013
A Little Spring in My Step
Spring is my favorite season. Everything seems to be coming to life. This spring started off a little bittersweet, as I expected to be in my Permaculture Paradise, but even condo living cannot keep me down for long. I am having regular reminders of all that I can still do even without my five or so acres.
Fortunately, we are not in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. That means I am still able to get food from sources other than my own personal garden. Soon, my vegetable CSA will be providing me with a box of fresh, organic veggies weekly. My meat CSAs go throughout the year and provide me with beef, lamb, and pork from animals that only had one bad day in their lives. I also have access to groceries and co-ops filled with healthy food, and I take advantage of that.
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With fresh produce finally coming in season, the food preservation marathon has begun. The dehydrator is getting a workout. Just slice those blueberries in half and those strawberries into 1/4 inch slices, set the temperature to 105 degrees and set the timer. The scent that fills the house is far better than any toxic, store-bought air freshener.
Let's not forget the farmer's market!
All in all, spring still puts a spring in my step.
Fortunately, we are not in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. That means I am still able to get food from sources other than my own personal garden. Soon, my vegetable CSA will be providing me with a box of fresh, organic veggies weekly. My meat CSAs go throughout the year and provide me with beef, lamb, and pork from animals that only had one bad day in their lives. I also have access to groceries and co-ops filled with healthy food, and I take advantage of that.
With fresh produce finally coming in season, the food preservation marathon has begun. The dehydrator is getting a workout. Just slice those blueberries in half and those strawberries into 1/4 inch slices, set the temperature to 105 degrees and set the timer. The scent that fills the house is far better than any toxic, store-bought air freshener.
Let's not forget the farmer's market!
All in all, spring still puts a spring in my step.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Ahhhh, the Hope of Spring
The final frost in my neck of the woods doesn't occur until mid-April, but the temperature is almost 60 degrees right now, and the squirrels are feeling their oats....well, nuts and seeds. One well-fed squirrel has been taunting my cat through the french door windows for a couple of days now. A cardinal sits on a branch staring at me silently. The leaf buds barely knob out on the tree branches. It is getting closer. We can all feel it.
Everything everywhere seems to be preparing for change, for activity. I'm preparing also. That list of to-do items starts in my head. I think I'll set the lemon tree outside today to acclimate and get some sunlight and fresh air. What can I spruce up? What chores need to be done? This morning I sewed a button on my spring coat and reinforced the straps on a summer dress. I've caught the spring cleaning bug, this strong need to unload that which no longer serves me. Clients are starting to contact me about their spring detox. The farmers who provide my CSA shares are lovingly preparing their spring crops and livestock for the farmer's market that starts next month and the CSA season that starts in May. I am so ready. My body craves fresh veggies and sunshine.
Can you feel it?
Everything everywhere seems to be preparing for change, for activity. I'm preparing also. That list of to-do items starts in my head. I think I'll set the lemon tree outside today to acclimate and get some sunlight and fresh air. What can I spruce up? What chores need to be done? This morning I sewed a button on my spring coat and reinforced the straps on a summer dress. I've caught the spring cleaning bug, this strong need to unload that which no longer serves me. Clients are starting to contact me about their spring detox. The farmers who provide my CSA shares are lovingly preparing their spring crops and livestock for the farmer's market that starts next month and the CSA season that starts in May. I am so ready. My body craves fresh veggies and sunshine.
Can you feel it?
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