Clearing the clutter

Good Monday morning!

What an amazing weekend!  In fact it was one of those weekends that was so good that Monday morning feels a little dismal, but I have motivation going into the new week!
For those of you following my little experiment:
Monday's Motivation:  I came across a quote the other day and, of course, now that I want it, I can't find it again. I'll paraphrase.  "You can make a mistake once -- it's a mistake. If you make the same mistake twice, it's a choice."  
I have a slow learning curve so I end up making the same mistakes over and over...and over again.  I am over committed and tend to stay up too late and then go over whelmed.  Hmmmm, "Over"  -- I'm seeing a trend here. My goal for the week is to continue working on last weeks motivation -- "being present and conscious."
Last week was much improved over the last one, but I forgot to do my daily mediation practices. Oops. So I'll work on that again.
As for the rest of my plan -- I had to move things around a bit. My plan for my person-to-person conversation happened yesterday.  And my project work moved to Saturday and Sunday as well.  However, I got a lot accomplished!

My new and improved bathroom counter.  You couldn't see the surface before!

My project for today:  the small pile near my bed! Trust me it IS small.

My clean closet.  Couldn't see the floor before!

The giant pile in my room. It will take me most of the week to tackle this, but I'm ready!

My bathroom cupboards and drawers. Couldn't find a thing before! But now everything has its place!

When I get stressed, I tend to pile. My husband always tells me I'm one yard sale away from being on Hoarders.  Sadly, he's right.  I'm a stacker.  So this weekend, I started eliminating more piles.  I forgot to to take before pictures -- but between my bathroom cupboards and counters and my closet I have not one, not two but FOUR giant bags of clothing and other items to donate to the local thrift store.  I am now down to one huge and 2 small piles in my bedroom and then I'll start moving through the rest of the house and the farm (as I have stacked three other BUILDINGS full of stuff).
I have to tell you, it felt like a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders!  All that stuff was sucking the energy right out of the air!
This week I'll not only be working on the clutter clearance but stay tuned for some yummy raspberry recipes -- I still have a few left to preserve and the Queen does like her raspberries.
Also, don't forget the pub here in Karmalot  -- "The Dork and Otter" is always open. The problem is the Queen can't hold her alcohol the way she used to -- so I have all sorts of wine around.  I'll also be spending some time this week looking for safe ways to make jelly with wine and other adult beverages.  Can we say champagne jelly with raspberries?  I hope so!
More later in the week!  Let me know how your first week on the plan is going!

Motivation Monday 1

Alright everybody -- let's the games begin!

Today is our first Motivation Monday:  Today's motivation comes from the book, Soul Centered, by Sarah McLean.
"When you're soul-centerd, you are not dependent on others for your sense of self or worthiness. Instead, you are guided by an inner reference point -- your own soul. You are open to all possibilities and approach life courageously and fearlessly, without resistance or clinging, offensiveness or defensiveness. You can focus your attention where and when you want to easliy and without distraction. You have a receptive awareness and your natural state is relaxed, calm, peaceful and loving toward yourself and others." 
The book has an 8 week program to learn how to meditate and become more balanced. I'm going to give it a shot!  Here's what I do know.  I've been trying for the last 48 hours to breathe and focus more. I am working on just being "Right here, right now".  This is a difficult task for me as my mind goes a million miles a minute. When I can do it though, damn! it's pretty cool.  My workout this morning was 1) a workout and not 30 minutes of thinking about it and 2) productive and focused.  I relaxed more this weekend than I have in months.
So this week, let's all try to slow down and take a minimum of 20 minutes out for ourself to just BE -- feel our body without judgement, listen to our heart beat, feel the air coming in and out of our lungs.  As you do, post your thoughts or comments here. Is it working for you? Is there a different form of meditation you like better? (Like dance or prayer) Be honest and be brave. This is a safe place for us!

Blessed be everybody!

A silver lining

The most amazing thing happened to me the other day.  I was asked to be someone's mentor. The person I'll be mentoring made some dumb-ass choices and as part of our town's community justice program, I was asked to over seeing some work that has to be done as part of the sentence.  If you're unfamiliar with "community justice" it's worth a Google.  

I spent Monday night coming up with a plan and it quickly became clear that I have just as much or more to learn from this project as the young person with whom I'll be working.  I created a structure for the work I'd like to do with this person. The original version is specific to my "mentee" so I altered this a little, so it applies to me. You can do it, too just alter it to fit your schedule.  Here it goes:

Motivation Monday:  Each Monday, I'll find something that motivates me. Maybe a movie or a quote or a great conversation with someone I love and find inspiring. This week I am watching, "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" a documentary about the women who pushed for change in Liberia. 

Talking Tuesday: On Tuesday, I'll find a quiet time to have a real conversation with a real person. Not online, not on the phone. Yesterday, my friend and I went out to Silver Creek Preserve and created art while having a wonderful conversation. (More on that in a bit)

Working Wednesday: I work from home and VERY part time. Wednesday will be my day to work if I have work to do. When I don't have professional work, I'm going to blog or work on projects that need to be done. Today, I'm blogging and then later today, I'm going to learn how to weld. (Yes, weld. Like with a torch. More on that in a minute, too.) 

Thoughtful Thursday: Journal, create art or in some way use the inspiration derived from the week’s activities and motivational thought. This is why I'm learning to weld.  I have a plan! Stay tuned.

Free Friday:  Do something that brings you joy today. 

Service Saturday: Do something nice for someone else.  

Analog Sunday: Avoid electronics today. No TV. No Phone. No computer. Read a book, take a walk, shoot baskets with a friend. Go to a matinee movie. Bake cookies. Disconnect in someway. Journal on this week’s prompt and discussion.

Who's in?  I think this will be great fun and we can post answers here. I think it will be much more fun if we all do it as a team. 

Silver Creek Preserve, Idaho

Yesterday, as I mentioned, my friend and I went north for the afternoon. 

My friend, Kat and me...

First we had lunch with my cousin. She works in a tiny community called Picabo. She manages the farm supply store there and her staff and I have become friends. Across the street from her store is a cafe and gas station which prepares delightful home cooked meals.  We had a great conversation.  Then, braving the southern Idaho winds of October we detoured through The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve. 

 In the 1930s and 40s this was a stream frequented by writer Ernest Hemingway. It's a beautiful piece of Idaho. Just off the road is a rock bench near the water with a small monument to Hemingway. 

Monument to Hemingway

 We brought a bag of watercolors and colored pencils. We sat for about an hour and colored and painted and chatted. It filled my soul with wonder and joy. I even used the stream water for my water colors -- I guess to make it more authentic. It's not that I'm an artist. I just love water colors and I have fun...and that is really what art is about. 

Birds next in the bushes.

The weather had been nasty all morning, but by the time we sat down on the cold stone to capture a bit of the beauty of the place, the skies had cleared to a brilliant blue. In our little hiding place, the wind wasn't bad and the sun warmed our backs. 

My friend works on a card decorated with Celtic designs.

In a world where I often prefer the sterility of texting or e-chats, the purity of conversation was exhilarating.  For more, it was the "silver lining" at Silver Creak and a simply brilliant day. 

The view from our bench

Day 1

Watched an incredible sunset this evening. The kind that burns itself into your soul.  Deep apricot and hues of red. Slowing sinking in the West, it seemed to be a harbinger of a good year.
The last year was tough on a lot of people. It was just a transitional year for me, not bad or good.
Typically, we host a small but fun New Year's Eve party. This year, after hosting four or five shindigs in the last month on top of dealing with the business of Christmas and all that entails, I didn't have it in me to host anything else.

 I have also opted not to make any resolutions. Well, maybe a few.  I don't want to set myself up for failure, but I do need to continue to make taking care of me more of a priority. I've been working on that steadily for the last few years and each year I get a little better.
I was going to write "now is the time" to get it down, to do it this year.  Every year, I set these grand goals and each year, by February I'm disappointed in myself. I'm always looking for this grand explosion when suddenly, "I get it".  I've said this before, and I'll say it again. It's easy to look for the bright shinning light, but in reality it little victories every day. Each day making a little progress toward that goal.
This year, instead of making broad and generalized resolutions -- I'm just going to focus on setting boundaries and taking care of me. Without me on solid ground, nothing else in my life works.

Falling into Autumn

I'm embarrassed to see it's been a month since I last posted. I do seem to go in grand spurts of energy.
I've been spending a lot of time chasing kids and, it seems, not much else.
Today, I took some time out to visit the local monastery. A new friend is visiting from the coast and had never been there. The monastery is east of Jerome, Idaho and one of the most peaceful places in this area. My dear friend LuAnn is the chef there. The monks operate a few businesses, including a farm and a retreat center.
Lunch was, of course, delightful and filling with the added spice of a lovely conversation with LuAnn and my new friend, Kate.
Kate and I walked around the grounds a bit. It was a crisp, fall day -- my favorite. One of my favorite parts of this season is walking through fallen leaves. The sound of leaves crunching beneath my feet is noisy, yet peaceful. I love the feel of kicking my toes through piles and watching my boots come forward free of the leaves. It's an odd sense of, oh, I don't know -- control maybe.... freedom.
The long and rather mild autumn we've had here has been a blessing to the farm. The crops are in without the added complication of snow. The cows like the mild temperatures and it give the crews time to winterize -- something they rush to do between harvest and snow. Around here, that means manure is hauled out of corrals, generators and equipment are readied for winter.
This time of years makes me want to hibernate -- I used to fight it, but now I embrace it. I've been working so hard on listening to body cues, I figure it's important to listen to that one too. I have to make sure I get as much time outside as possible -- and fresh and sunshine -- if there is any -- is imperative for my mental health. If the sun isn't out, I use a "happy light".
I sew more this time of year. I clean and organize. (Yikes) I find I'm less inclined to be online or even to be social. I think we humans have done a horrid job of remembering that like most mammals, we need to take time to recharge our batteries this time of year. We keep up such a busy pace, we never take time to just be still.
I know that when I do take time to embrace the season and the slowness, I feel immensely energized.
It's in those moments I have the energy to remember that everything I need is always within me -- and taking an extra minute to walk through the leaves is good for the soul.

A crooked road

It is a beautiful morning here on the farm. The sun is shining in the crisp fall air. Harvest is humming and today – for the first time in about a week – I am starting to feel normal.

Bronchitis and I are old foes. He comes to visit once or twice a year and I spend the rest of the year trying to figure out how to kill off the little bugger for good. I got sick while I was on vacation in New Hampshire last week and have been home trying to recuperate. I’m not very good at sitting idle. I’ve gone out a few times this week just to get some fresh air in my hurting lungs. This morning was the first time I took a good walk, which I would guess was just under a mile in length.

Typically when I go out for a walk I head up through the dairy and head west on the canal bank that splits the north from the south on this property. It’s fairly level with few obstacles. The canal makes it feel like I’m walking along a stream and occasionally, I’ll catch a glimpse of a deer or two. I headed that way this morning, but made an abrupt change before I hit the end of my driveway. I headed west down a lane and through a freshly planted field. I felt like taking a walk off the beaten path today.

Fall always feels like a “New Year” to me – far more than January 1. There’s the start of the new school year for starters but I truly appreciate the transition from the passion and energy of summer to the slower reflection of autumn. Walking through this field, I thought back to this time last year, when corn was being harvested. This summer it held two different barley crops. Now a winter crop is planted and a few little green sprouts have made their way to the sun. Soon it will snow and the plants will sleep and store energy to be harvested next spring and fed to the cows.

Walking the perimeter of the field I can see the various footprints of my neighbors. Plenty of deer. A raccoon. An odd-shaped print that I have to guess is a piece of equipment, though I’m at a loss to explain what the hell it is.

This picture really doesn’t do it justice. At first glance it looked like a print from a draft horse, but it’s too deep and the wrong shape. It’s way too large to be a boot print. I’ll have to investigate further.

Once on the edge of the field, I cross to the lane that runs toward the river and a gravel bed. I can run a little bit there. My slow shuffle won’t win any races, but the breeze feels good on my neck. Then up the tree-lined path toward my house. 

It’s a short walk, but my body loves the air and the energy it provides. I feel ready to face my long list of to-dos. The fall always makes me feel ready to start new projects – but it’s different than the rush I feel in spring. This time of year, I want to nest. To settle. To create. Like a bear hibernates and stores energy, I seek out activities that fill my soul and challenge my mind – perhaps so that when spring comes, I can emerge fresh and full of ideas.

Sometimes, I think we forget we’re part of the animal kingdom. We have instinctive rituals that get buried in our busyness. This is a perfect time of year to listen to our bodies again. Hear the inner calling to restore our souls. For me that means I’ll spend as much time outside as I can – filling my lungs with good air and filling my heart with the richness of the harvest.

The soundtrack to this morning’s walk.

Tomatoes of green and red

I'm finally starting to feel partially human again. I think I'm about 75%-80%..
It's a beautiful day here in Southern Idaho. Perfect crisp fall air, breeze and golden sunshine. Harvest is in full swing on the farm and here at the house as I attempt to salvage what's left of the garden.
This has been the most productive garden I've ever had and I'm rather said to let it go. When I see the lovely weather forecast I hesitate to start plowing it under, but I know Idaho weather and just when I think it's safe, we'll have a freeze and all that work will go to waste.
So I'll be seeing tomatoes in my sleep for a few days.
I took a few minutes out this morning to organize the rather large and ever-growing stack of recipes on my microwave. This is where I stack the recipes I cut off of boxes, out of magazines and off the internet. I came across one my sister had emailed me months and months ago and never tried.
I didn't manage to take any pictures -- I just wasn't thinking about it. However, I can't tell you how wonderful it was! Plus, it was a perfect way use a few of those tomatoes I have coming out of my ears. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA with FIRE ROASTED TOMATOES
(makes 6 servings)
2 lbs. medium plum tomatoes (10 - 12) halved lengthwise
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 TBSP Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1/2 tsp Sicilian Sea Salt
1/4 Coarse Grind Black Pepper
8 oz pasta, such as fettuccine

Place tomato halves, cut-sides up, in a foil-lined 15x10x1 pan sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Mix 1/4 cup oil, garlic and seasonings in a small bowl. Spoon over tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 TBSP  of the remaining oil. Roast in a preheated 400 F over 45 - 60 minutes until tomatoes are soft and browned n top.
Prepare pasta as directed. Drain well. Place 1/2 of the roasted tomatoes and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in large bowl. Coarsely mash tomatoes. Add pasta and remaining tomatoes; toss to mix well. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and additional crushed red pepper is desired.

I didn't use crushed red pepper because I didn't have any. Fresh herbs add some extra flavor, I think. You can roast in the BBQ, but it can get awfully messy. I used a manchega instead of parmesan -- but it was wonderful -- so wonderful, in fact, I was disappointed when I was full and couldn't eat anymore!
I served it with broiled salmon. I was going to have roasted veggies too -- but it was just too much food!

I did provide some garlic bread to help with the bones in the salmon.

I'll be canning some green tomatoes over the weekend and will post those recipes then.