While Tangerine Dreams

Strawberry Feels 4 Evah

Have I mentioned our neighbour's an organic strawberry farmer? Neighbours can come over and pick at the end of the season. Which is awesome because all summer long Edie's been Strawberry shortcake and I've been Blueberry Muffin so we got to eat her all week long.

One of these days when I can stop obsessing about spinning and dying I'll get around to making strawberry jam again. Until then, I started to list in my shop some kettle dyed rovings and see how that goes. It's probably one of my favourite things to do. Little dollop of this, little dollop of that and there we have, uh, Spacecicle!

Don't Have A Cow

I went to this farm to get a good cow shot but they saw me whip out my camera and booked. Our little family joined a newly formed Farmer Coalition in the area. Man, I love our world here. Where else would a farmer's meeting begin with an "OM" chant? Our intention is to grow as much of our own food as our time and energy can muster. We're talking veggies, fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, chickens, lambs, goat milk; hmmm.... so much to take on but the time can add up. Start small is the sage advice given to us from some of these long time farmers.

Edie and I went yesterday to visit this farm which has been established for generations. The husband was actually born and raised in this little cabin! Can you say air conditioned? Their operation here is really inspiring. Pretty much completely self-sustainable. They claim to only spend around 100 bucks on grocery a months. Imagine how much fibre that budgetary freedom can buy! Although, plans are still in place for Horniman Sheep.

Spring is just around the corner in these parts and we're getting really stoked on seeing our green dreams fruitate (did I just make up a word?). Aligning with these kind, enlightened people is really a huge blessing. Lots of talk during the breakfast meeting was on sharing (and committees) of knowledge, tools, machinery, bounty, ideas.  Even a cow share program. Ooooo! And another thing brought up was a Farmer's Market in town on Sundays! I'm going to get cranking and pump out more wares and see if I can trick the tourists into buying some of my creations. The local seed exchange is happening this Sunday and Craig and I are registered to take the Permaculture course together this year. It's a two week intensive in May (I'm already bracing myself for separation anxiety from my monkey). Like Edie sez  "I'm so excited!!" (in case you can't tell from my hyper-blabbering)!

Baby 'n Cakes

I'm being naughty. I should be packing but thought I'd be able to sneak in a quick little post to share the craziness that is our lives his week. Before packing up my craft room I really wanted to finish two dolls I'm making for a friend embarking on a great adventure with her little family. They parred down their belongings to the bare minimum, including the girls' toys, and have asked for little dollies to ease the transition. What an honour. My friend has watched Edie already for countless hours and I'm so happy I can return the favour in this way. Not to mention her eldest is Edie's best girl and the little one just makes me laugh for she's so special. They're not completely done, littlest one needs hair and they both need some jet-setting outfits.

On the other fun front, I got to help out my friend who was hosting a raw food retreat make breakfast for the 20 participants. They were all part of a vision quest journey with a Peruvian shaman the night before. Everyone's face was glow-y, sleep-deprived though happy, like everyone just fell in puppylove. On the menu was mint tea, fruit salad, smoothies and up above were some raw food cakes with blended apples, mango, banana and coconut and raisin crust (the symbols were made from rose petals and some kind of berries - goose?- I can't remember now). It was tasty and fun but I don't know if it's the drizzly weather, or my high protein needs but I had to immediately go home and ingest me some eggs and sausage. Bad yogi! We're moving this weekend, my computer's in the hospital so hopefully it won't be too, too long before another post. I'll try for early next week with pictures of us lounging in our new pad! Thanks for all the  beautiful pad name suggestions by the way. I'll bring them up at our next family meeting.

Mack 'n Macaroons

Mmmmmmmm. Macaroons. Have I told you yet how much I love Orangette? Recipe for these extremely delicous delicacies can be found here.
Everything time I read her blog posts I drool and then Craig gets mad that I'm wrecking the laptop. And it takes a lot eyecandy lately to get me drooling (I need to drink more water Ithink). Every recipe is simple yet complex. And the stories that go along with them - wow. Feast for the eyes, tummy and ... ears? Inner ears?

I made these scrumptious scrunchies Saturday night and by morning  there were only three little scared tidbits shaking in the corner of the empty yogurt container. Poor little critters - they didn't stand much of a chance in the house of THE TOOTH and his offspring. Speaking of Orangette, she announced, along with a bunch of other legendary bloggers out there (including Soulemama, Angry Chicken someone else I can't remember right now. I'm just too delirious that Edie's finally napping to remember much) that she's coming out with a book this year! Congratulations to all of these amazing women - including my sweet friend Amy whose due for yet another book to be published this spring! All you Creative Goddesses, published or not, are so inspiring!