tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57061967425784347652024-02-20T11:29:50.432-05:00PrayingForRainKPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-12025891892817867122021-06-22T12:24:00.002-04:002021-06-22T12:24:26.246-04:00In lieu of Morning Pages<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUcLzIkfEhSl4y37Z94DuwaWZnHrrHJSocjJze1f71_MKMmksYSwoS-qI0SMW1tYjaJxyS95BI6LPLCUKaEOMfldDhESjusVDjxBke-foSk2kHWZmr-srtNbtTfu0CzYx6b3eun4-oBk/s2048/06.22.2021+loaf+of+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUcLzIkfEhSl4y37Z94DuwaWZnHrrHJSocjJze1f71_MKMmksYSwoS-qI0SMW1tYjaJxyS95BI6LPLCUKaEOMfldDhESjusVDjxBke-foSk2kHWZmr-srtNbtTfu0CzYx6b3eun4-oBk/s320/06.22.2021+loaf+of+bread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><p><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p>Today I didn’t have time to write my morning pages. There were animals to feed and more pressing matters. So this will be the ramblings of a somewhat unsettled mind. Heads up.</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve been thinking lately a bit about the meaning of life or rather what it means to be alive. So often we don’t really consider the first words Jesus asked two disciples who started following him, “What do you want?” [John 1:35-39].<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 11pt;">He didn’t ask them what they needed at that moment or what other people thought about them or about their situation. He didn’t ask them what their families’ expectations were or what their teachers and mentors had encouraged them to pursue. He didn’t ask them to study law or medicine or engineering. </span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">He didn’t start with the answer which He already actually knew. He asked them what they wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">When they called him Rabbi/teacher and asked where He was staying, He simply instructed them to come along and see. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">It’s a short section of the first chapter of John and could be glossed over as rather insignificant. I suspect, however, that it is critically important. I tend to believe that the Bible is like an intricate tapestry. No thread is unimportant, no detail there by chance. It matters where our minds and hearts are. It matters what we want in our walk with Christ. We can come and see and follow and develop what we want by discovering what God wants for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Being alive in the biological sense is something far less than actually living a sentient, meaningful existence. That’s why some of us choose to make Living Wills and give our loved ones instruction on what to do in the event of a “being alive” and prolonging inevitable death, vs. actually living situation. Living a life worth living matters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">I think often we are given purpose, and, in our hearts and minds, this purpose is what we want for ourselves when we are younger and less influenced by others in this world. It is easy to place too much importance on the desires of well-intentioned parents or mentors and not enough importance on the inner voice guided by God. The tug of war is knowing the difference between selfish wants and purpose-driven, living type wants. When we give ourselves over to the Lord’s plan, we can often rediscover this purpose type want and come into alignment. We get a chance to come and see what is intended and beautifully created for each of us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Ramble over for today. Go seek and live your life that’s worth living.<o:p></o:p></span></p>KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-81420299285633973502021-06-09T06:47:00.002-04:002021-06-09T06:47:44.102-04:00Living Slowly<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V6k1J2xqLBIHlAcdpvScIvQtYmWuuKEYS2KbaLeUlV4WZjH4bDwbogtkuwN6pSFxwMDTZSfrVPt2hndInDCuZUnPwQ9iAWuOuYy4nvrTTw8etDikVnGtCYPiEEFSNwZwILRKY8nBUhk/s981/06.09.2021+Detail+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="912" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9V6k1J2xqLBIHlAcdpvScIvQtYmWuuKEYS2KbaLeUlV4WZjH4bDwbogtkuwN6pSFxwMDTZSfrVPt2hndInDCuZUnPwQ9iAWuOuYy4nvrTTw8etDikVnGtCYPiEEFSNwZwILRKY8nBUhk/s320/06.09.2021+Detail+Image.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">I had planned to have some work in progress photos to share, and while that could be lovely, I’ve honestly not had a lot of time to spare lately. My mother and father-in-law have come up from Peru for an extended visit, and while they are very helpful, it’s a busy season here on the homestead. Having two additional adults who need to eat their main meal around 1-2PM has shifted my entire daily schedule. Add to that other friends and family day-trip visits on account of the warm summer weather, and my routines are often disrupted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">It would be easy to just throw my hands up and not continue to live intentionally. To just say, “Screw it, whatever,” and just live in a reaction mode. I find that to be counterproductive in reducing anxiety. I was speaking with my brother recently about our mother’s propensity for finding four-leaf clovers. My nephew and I both appear to have inherited the ability, and something he said to me struck me as being true for me too. He said that if he sets out looking specifically for four-leaf clovers, he doesn’t find them. Think about that for a moment, when he makes it his purpose to just look for them, he doesn’t find any. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">When we take the time to slow down while doing our daily chores or while spending time with family, if we relax our minds to be present in the moment, wherever we are, then we can see the four-leaf clovers amidst the hundreds of regular three-leafers. When I’m not so focused on getting from point A to point B, making a meal because it has to be done, bathing a baby because she has to be bathed, but I take the time to exist in that moment, on that day, on this trip around the sun, there is a richness of detail – the aroma of fresh ginger, the wet curls on my daughter’s head, the tiny veins on a clover leaf – that I would miss completely in my rush. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">How do you take time to live intentionally, to live slowly, each day? <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><br /> </p>KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-73162779214119681452021-05-26T11:59:00.003-04:002021-05-26T12:02:10.118-04:00Transitions: New RV Studio Tour<p><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">I am writing this post a day late. I took yesterday “off” for my mom’s birthday. It was her first birthday where she wasn’t here with us. It was a tough day, for sure, but we kept busy with homestead projects. I’m not certain I’m dealing with her loss in the healthiest way, but I’m making do and coping.</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Mixed in with the homestead projects this week have been preparations for the arrival of my husband’s parents and also an exciting new studio move. Those who have been following my art journey on Facebook and Instagram will know that my first “studio” space was a desk area in our kitchen. As I got to working more regularly, the materials and associated mess expanded, so last year my husband suggested I take over the guest bedroom. That area also became somewhat “small” for the materials and work, but I had plenty of table space for office work and framing paintings. I was rather content there, BUT every time we had family visit and stay, the space had to be converted back into a guest bedroom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rNEFoAUYk5iAetZAxIobT1AKDtFM_eEfeT8U0RPYdNw69rqMqCuQuHpnIP13Qi8hEbDHzF_rqI105GMUyDH5mFAwwPlrEoDHqZYCYci8BuHIdxhISmSucfoJGWHAv9wZRXmCcER2LAw/s2048/Studio+Kitchen+Desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rNEFoAUYk5iAetZAxIobT1AKDtFM_eEfeT8U0RPYdNw69rqMqCuQuHpnIP13Qi8hEbDHzF_rqI105GMUyDH5mFAwwPlrEoDHqZYCYci8BuHIdxhISmSucfoJGWHAv9wZRXmCcER2LAw/s320/Studio+Kitchen+Desk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A desk in my kitchen was a great start</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXObXj9Gg8bIW252M9jxGF2o_cWPj-A9Q0wiDYx3-xswIq-lk1jI05-1rmW1_y4t_infbgqYL4pFYyAuuWuUkdaJQLxqOL7lH5yHvXvyUFCG9_5Zirof47UplBAWu3JfCMk2i6yJymFIM/s2048/Studio+Guest+Bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXObXj9Gg8bIW252M9jxGF2o_cWPj-A9Q0wiDYx3-xswIq-lk1jI05-1rmW1_y4t_infbgqYL4pFYyAuuWuUkdaJQLxqOL7lH5yHvXvyUFCG9_5Zirof47UplBAWu3JfCMk2i6yJymFIM/w240-h320/Studio+Guest+Bedroom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I was so thankful to take over <br />the guest bedroom for a while<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Recently my husband had a crazy, wonderful idea that we could get a travel trailer, RV type space to be a studio. At his urging I looked around online and actually found a 1996 Dutchmen 5</span><sup style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> wheel RV. The folks who owned it before me began a renovation of the space, but it wasn’t quite completed. It cost less than a newer model which should allow me to complete renovations and maybe even add solar panels and a composting toilet. My lovely husband hit two birds with one stone, because I have been looking at tiny houses for years now, so this new studio space satisfies my yearning for a tiny house of my own. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;">My wonderful father and our dear friends Bill and Josh helped to change the hitch to work with the ball hitch in my dad’s pick-up truck, and the new studio arrived here at our place last Friday. It will need some work, but I’ve been able to move in most of my art materials. There are great storage cupboards, cubbies, and closets, and the middle area is tall enough for my easel. I honestly would never have dreamed of having a separate studio space any time soon, so I’m so excited to get to work and am still a bit in shock that it has worked out. I look forward to sharing the renovations and studio updates with you!</span><div><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U-ekOvh0J6xngZgUkWwnX1lPRbDxHfZ7rXvEpLEUGyGJm1T8pySg-qHVr8l1J-Y496GPMYdSCMB4icV3eN8ySX34nDmK-m97po6fv7QfrBCLHwMyPjjaG5A-hZHGqxoErt9bLCSR-K0/s2048/RV+Studio+on+truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U-ekOvh0J6xngZgUkWwnX1lPRbDxHfZ7rXvEpLEUGyGJm1T8pySg-qHVr8l1J-Y496GPMYdSCMB4icV3eN8ySX34nDmK-m97po6fv7QfrBCLHwMyPjjaG5A-hZHGqxoErt9bLCSR-K0/s320/RV+Studio+on+truck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here comes the studio on Papi's truck</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAxqBbmKrhFg6KnOPAi3AMboNr4Y_aYcERleMuD4684xOeSTk6KKFca_3PeX8_YeUP5Om3QXfvAz0O9AkfkZvlvmgqoOVzBrpjCZhJ1PjWdHGIABm8XLiJ8dpbAiv6ReH_RaoRVrWxm0/s2048/Studio+1+Easel+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAxqBbmKrhFg6KnOPAi3AMboNr4Y_aYcERleMuD4684xOeSTk6KKFca_3PeX8_YeUP5Om3QXfvAz0O9AkfkZvlvmgqoOVzBrpjCZhJ1PjWdHGIABm8XLiJ8dpbAiv6ReH_RaoRVrWxm0/s320/Studio+1+Easel+area.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The mid point is tall enough for my easel</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2zp9n1ZUX5KFb4J39KIwZVV1sy6bI4UHDptGEgiz9cgYn5AUWxo7TDTogcFDqWyen8b24pix4T2EZhNR3z_0ioWTN_02jnDAcjbIVMvXPIc1n1QhLYBk7zvqE67AlzyQeUpETdG4QBQ/s2048/Studio+2+Kitchen+office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2zp9n1ZUX5KFb4J39KIwZVV1sy6bI4UHDptGEgiz9cgYn5AUWxo7TDTogcFDqWyen8b24pix4T2EZhNR3z_0ioWTN_02jnDAcjbIVMvXPIc1n1QhLYBk7zvqE67AlzyQeUpETdG4QBQ/s320/Studio+2+Kitchen+office.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The kitchen and booth areas</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdI6gEXrZyqO-wD8mQtbPM-M7tcc1VD-YqTSGUea-MijQWY5unZ8N7sjE009LG4W0vLHB33xT8u5j0ygAhS0RwskgTPtu-QcmDGyNhiHac-rpaklSgwpXKaidEZVH7_zl6ogGuRERCVQ/s2048/Studio+5+Closet+Canvas+Storage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdI6gEXrZyqO-wD8mQtbPM-M7tcc1VD-YqTSGUea-MijQWY5unZ8N7sjE009LG4W0vLHB33xT8u5j0ygAhS0RwskgTPtu-QcmDGyNhiHac-rpaklSgwpXKaidEZVH7_zl6ogGuRERCVQ/s320/Studio+5+Closet+Canvas+Storage.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My canvases fit nicely in the closet</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAKCeAB-3Bz2dNdQneFVzfs5bD51UOgtRO2vhlC9024AGgugwiI_Dz9uf8RFc-dMJDQVsVFVcJokPtk1ohOYa-lRUM4zQ3xs3Dn9Gw0nsjgSmV-tj6PQBxUMrGV0vaN-3M_hMnYmHiWI/s2048/Studio+3+Cupboard+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAKCeAB-3Bz2dNdQneFVzfs5bD51UOgtRO2vhlC9024AGgugwiI_Dz9uf8RFc-dMJDQVsVFVcJokPtk1ohOYa-lRUM4zQ3xs3Dn9Gw0nsjgSmV-tj6PQBxUMrGV0vaN-3M_hMnYmHiWI/s320/Studio+3+Cupboard+Books.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I can even fit books in the cabinets</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div></div><div>What is your "studio" space like? Do you use your kitchen table, a desk in the living room, a guest bedroom? How do you navigate space and time for art making? I'd love to hear how others are handling their art creation spaces!</div>KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-54063578735280555532021-05-20T15:56:00.000-04:002021-05-20T15:56:26.939-04:00Overwhelm: What I do about it<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x9j4j_umGgtf9t87t83dbrKuL0Al__R3msy9-KpJIPu5yIckVh8N9Yx_ejv34EAvATkkL5PSY9DMhZuTav0sU1AhapCRxrH6IvbdgyJ8UQrX7nYmLVLWbg4ApHKgsFYdvNzraXONWSM/s2048/blog+5.20.21+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5x9j4j_umGgtf9t87t83dbrKuL0Al__R3msy9-KpJIPu5yIckVh8N9Yx_ejv34EAvATkkL5PSY9DMhZuTav0sU1AhapCRxrH6IvbdgyJ8UQrX7nYmLVLWbg4ApHKgsFYdvNzraXONWSM/s320/blog+5.20.21+sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I know there are a lot of resources out there for stress and depression and even overwhelm, but I didn’t want to leave a post up complaining about an issue I’m having without also sharing what I do personally to cope. Luckily today I’m having a solid 8.5 out of 10 day, so I can share some of my tool kit. In no particular order, here are some of the things that help me stay sane:</span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Maintain good sleep hygiene:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The amount of sleep one needs varies from person to person, but I don’t feel like I can face the world unless I get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Unfortunately, I often have interrupted sleep and unintentionally biphasic sleep. I also have plenty of nights where I simply don’t get enough. A few tricks that help me are to read an actual, physical book while falling asleep – something fascinating but not enthralling, turn lamps down low, stop cellphone and television use at least an hour before bed, and cover my alarm clock numbers with a sleep mask to create darkness in my room. These don’t give me perfect sleep regularity, but they help.</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Keep my digital calendar and physical planner up to date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I prefer to use both my Google calendar and a Panda Planner. On my digital calendar I color code for medical appointments, birthdays, work appointments, church commitments, and kids’ activities. If it’s not in my calendar, it doesn’t exist. Writing it down and backing it up for access on the go helps me to reduce the anxiety that I might miss something or drop the ball. </span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Practice gratitude: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This might be taking a moment to pray and thank the Lord for something simple: a hot cup of coffee, a glimpse of a Gold Finch or the little Downy Woodpecker that haunts the dead trees off the front porch, the time to take an uninterrupted hot shower. It can also take the form of writing a little note of gratitude in my Panda Planner, or it can be something a bit more long-form if I find time to write my Morning Pages. Taking time, no matter what is not going right in life, to remember what IS going well, helps to keep me mentally balanced and focused.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acknowledge and nurture my artistic self: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I believe that each of us is unique and has certain parts of the self that make us tick. When we deny these parts, we wilt inside and cease to be as intended. We devolve into a lesser version of ourselves. The awareness, whether conscious or subconscious, of this lack or loss left me feeling anxious, dissatisfied, hungry, for years. When I do not make or create or acknowledge the need to do so, I feel as if there is a watcher just beyond my peripheral spying on me. There’s a niggling sense of need, a constipation of spirit. When I don’t take time to allow my artist self to play or to escape into my work, even if just for a short time, on a regular basis, I feel deep seated anxiety and cannot cope with the other tasks on my to do list. My husband has supported me in devoting more time to creating, and that makes a world of difference. It isn’t an indulgence but rather a very real necessity.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This leads me to my last tool to share for today.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Triage: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have to sort the priorities in my life and the lives of my children. This means that I need to not operate in a reactive mode but rather a mode of careful consideration. Routines where appropriate can help reduce decision fatigue, and for the rest I make case by case decisions. It is en vogue for modern families to buy in meals and prioritize sports, dance, and other youth activities, and I have no criticism if that works for other families. It doesn’t work for me, so I choose to live our life at a somewhat slower pace, prioritizing relationships and time on the homestead. I am learning to say, “No,” when the activity offered doesn’t fit in with what we’ve identified as our priorities. It’s a process.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What daily rituals or “tools” do you keep in your kit for dealing with overwhelm? <b> </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-74757555459650278872021-05-18T15:52:00.000-04:002021-05-18T15:52:43.279-04:00Overwhelm<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9FJ0vBPY9ap-E6hyaDURhJYEBsqo2TySacVFEck-UAtCoWApIdpZrI_4TK8j2mxGHKiRQHfkm2ahqtbdRFqoLI2Jv1pLsX7z7w4N61cI-IyJqPas4crtSWruCITnGtWPtTHU22XHBaA/s2048/213FE4CD-B022-4D1A-84A7-7DCD3BC4C9D8.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9FJ0vBPY9ap-E6hyaDURhJYEBsqo2TySacVFEck-UAtCoWApIdpZrI_4TK8j2mxGHKiRQHfkm2ahqtbdRFqoLI2Jv1pLsX7z7w4N61cI-IyJqPas4crtSWruCITnGtWPtTHU22XHBaA/s320/213FE4CD-B022-4D1A-84A7-7DCD3BC4C9D8.heic" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">On the risk of sounding a bit like I’m whining, my topic this week is overwhelm. I realize that I live a privileged existence here in a first world country, but despite that I still suffer occasionally from overwhelm. This past weekend I was truly under the weather on Sunday. I’m not sure if I caught a stomach bug or if it was the Boston Crème doughnut I ate on Saturday (bakery to remain unnamed), but I felt a bit like death warmed over. Luckily my husband had the day off and was able to pitch in and help out despite also being pretty tired from his six-day work week. On Monday morning I felt somewhat better, and I managed to get out of bed at a reasonable hour. I even wrote my Morning Pages. In my stream of consciousness writing, I found myself mentally sorting through all the projects, paperwork, and plans, that I have going.</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Around 7:30am I transitioned to getting the kids up and fed. My father very sweetly stopped by a little after 8am to check on me to see how I was doing. It’s fairly standard for us to check in around that time in the morning to discuss our plans for the day, so it wasn’t as if his visit was unexpected. He began to talk about our small herd of cattle that are living on a neighbor’s farm. The plan is to move most of them here soon, so that said neighbor can start his own herd again. We have amazing friends who are helping us out with this project, so I don’t actually have much firsthand involvement. Regardless, it suddenly felt like one more project was being piled on, and I had missed a deadline already. It was sort of like those recurring nightmares I have where I show up to a mathematics class at university and all the homework assignments are due at end of term the next day, but I haven’t completed any. And it wasn’t a project that I started or had any say or decision-making power about really. Anxiety welled up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">I burst into tears. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">My poor dad came over and gave me a hug. He had zero idea of what I’d already been mentally juggling in that moment, and he’s got quite a few things on his own plate. We’re both still reeling from the loss of my mom to cancer complications last July. Her birthday is at the end of this month. Throughout the course of the day and several additional chats, I started to feel better bit by bit. Several things helped me, and now on Tuesday I feel like I *may* actually be able to tackle what I would like to achieve this season on the homestead and in my life. I think in many respects the anxiety and overwhelm came in no small part from feeling like I have projects to complete in support of others and that I am sometimes asked to de-prioritize the projects that are near and dear to <i>my </i>heart. When I feel overwhelmed, the suggestion often offered is to do less in the garden or to not worry so much about making my artwork. These aren’t actual solutions, but I’ll talk a bit about that in my next post. For now, I’m being patient with myself and remembering to chip away at my goals “bird by bird,” as Anne Lamott put it. I’ve sussed out a few things that help me to avoid or cope with overwhelm, so I’ll share those with you next time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Be well. Be blessed. And remember to be patient with yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-41583602846776484652021-05-11T13:58:00.003-04:002021-05-11T14:02:09.576-04:00I feel guilty when...<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">This post goes out to other creative mothers. <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Whether you paint or craft, quilt, sew, </span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">or sculpt – this post is for you.</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></h3><div><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IUy4qW8b7Z_OIJgbpXa896hPF7PowZXFc8WUvgsjGON2nnnvVZzCP6mYmSc9VJ9Dj-_mZFuQgdakUrGoLNKn7bZZEd5ug9Ju9G9_NWPitfFPPohgTFH9JqSjgKMdHBvUM_LKerY0rB4/s2048/C92308D2-058E-449B-B754-4A7FBDFCE374.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IUy4qW8b7Z_OIJgbpXa896hPF7PowZXFc8WUvgsjGON2nnnvVZzCP6mYmSc9VJ9Dj-_mZFuQgdakUrGoLNKn7bZZEd5ug9Ju9G9_NWPitfFPPohgTFH9JqSjgKMdHBvUM_LKerY0rB4/s320/C92308D2-058E-449B-B754-4A7FBDFCE374.jpeg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Within the past few years, I’ve decided to truly dedicate time to making my artwork. At the moment it’s taking the form of acrylic paintings. The paints I’m using, with the exception of three recently purchased tubes of Golden Acrylics, are student paints I received as gifts a LONG time ago. When I really got back into making art, my daughter was a newborn. I would literally sit at a little desk area in our kitchen nursing her and draw or paint in the evening after our two boys were in bed. So, I’m a beginner with some serious time and material constraints.</span><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">This morning while washing dishes, simmering a homestead smoked ham to roast later, waiting for a load of baby clothes to finish in the washer to transfer to the dryer, and preparing lunch for my three kids, I felt guilty. I felt guilty that I wasn’t in the studio. I felt guilty that I hadn’t written my Morning Pages. I felt guilty that I wasn’t out preparing the garden beds or purchasing our starter plants from the nursery. I felt guilty that the clean laundry wasn’t yet folded and put away. I felt guilty that I wasn’t playing with or reading to my kids. I felt guilty that areas of my house are cluttered and need cleaning. I was doing THREE things at once, and I still felt guilty. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Honestly, I believe this is a little ridiculous. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">Yes, there are days when I sit on my butt and watch old shows online for an hour or two. Some days we order in food, and my daughter and I *may* be eating box mac n’ cheese as I’m typing this, but for the most part, I prepare homecooked meals, grow/raise a lot of our own food, and I make time for my creative endeavors which may even be developing into a small business. The house isn’t filthy, if a bit untidy. The children are fed and bathed, educated and entertained. Most of the time they have on clean clothes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif;">If you’re like me, weighed down by the expectations, societal or personal, take a minute. Just, take a minute and breathe in deeply. Close your eyes and realize how much you’ve done, all the little tasks that add up, all the big tasks that get taken for granted. Think about the things that absolutely have to get done – did you do them? Did you get them done with some help from friends or family? I bet you did. I bet everyone’s okay, healthy, probably even happy. And if something did not get done, realize that maybe that’s okay. Realize that maybe not everything has to be done today. Realize that some things are okay to leave undone in order to make room for your passions. Give yourself a break, and for Heaven’s sake, stop feeling guilty. <br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0Amsterdam, OH 43903, USA40.4736758 -80.92286709999999112.163441963821157 -116.07911709999999 68.783909636178848 -45.766617099999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-88437742824070150932020-10-30T21:05:00.002-04:002020-10-30T21:05:46.595-04:00About this time each year...<p>So this year it's not August - we're nearly into November, and I'm writing a blog entry. So much changes from year to year despite the things that stay the same. Mom died back in July just days after sending a rather upbeat email update to the family about her chemo and immunotherapy treatments. She had decided to fight, to ask for a little more time - six months to a year. She made it a couple of months. </p><p>There's nothing poetic about death. My mind searches for her pulling in the drive in the grey, well-worn HHR. I'm struck by a pang of expecting when I walk into my folks' living room and see her purse and her things just slightly out of place from where she left them. Search as I might, death has not given me any great words or sentiments to put into print, to share with the world in order to help others in the same state of profound loss. It just is. It's just a gap - a void - a feeling that I wish she'd just come home already. I keep thinking of things that I'd been meaning to ask her. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE6QNzDQMECg10reXh38MS_6w3IGNJCAWR60L-gDUIaSMW1VbYxFNORCJJenAhOOdHvxQOCltx4V-Ra0Ecm44D_C0LxskfNucQ2dmmQhEe0ct3C0Pc9nYO_8dwC34ykawPylt5BT9DbQ/s2048/2011-08-20+22.00.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE6QNzDQMECg10reXh38MS_6w3IGNJCAWR60L-gDUIaSMW1VbYxFNORCJJenAhOOdHvxQOCltx4V-Ra0Ecm44D_C0LxskfNucQ2dmmQhEe0ct3C0Pc9nYO_8dwC34ykawPylt5BT9DbQ/s320/2011-08-20+22.00.06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-92144609248818180082019-08-16T16:28:00.001-04:002019-08-16T16:28:50.275-04:00Garden Update! (Mid-August 2019)<br />
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Weeds, weeds, and more weeds, my kingdom for a weed wacker! <o:p></o:p></div>
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But seriously, from a very rainy start, we’ve moved on to
the sultry days of late June/early August. I’ve had a pretty busy week what
with the birthday party and the actual birthday family dinner and swim lessons,
coordinating chicken pick-ups and egg drop-offs, and being pregnant - pretty
par for the course around here really. I’ve also recently been offered a
part-time off-homestead job working with English Language Learner (ELL) students,
so I’m preparing and excited about that as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While I’ve been occupied with all of that, my papi has been
mowing and weed wacking like a maniac, and my mom has been super busy tending
the garden. She is a gardening goddess really, so I thought I’d treat you all
to a short, end-of-week post with garden update photos. Hope you enjoy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pzzfwMFhlj4JmUh6mRBbQocZhGbF6JxDadRL8VVjqotchxTstWfRDTNsBs__edYBesWUvfUlM3m7izjCy2m3fGljFpdcUQ9L9CA1UPlUXSGfv83hydy3uZa85w3PdSuV8wdQOV_rALc/s1600/Dill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pzzfwMFhlj4JmUh6mRBbQocZhGbF6JxDadRL8VVjqotchxTstWfRDTNsBs__edYBesWUvfUlM3m7izjCy2m3fGljFpdcUQ9L9CA1UPlUXSGfv83hydy3uZa85w3PdSuV8wdQOV_rALc/s320/Dill.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes the dill plants itself - this blossom that was bright<br />yellow in June is now brown and depositing dill seeds<br />each time it is bumped or shaken</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RP3lsfUkcVfNcdIZuDe96h18cKnzaU9jKj1yMnvjp0STwa_ADmA5XRCmGSstLauBePeFbxFUkMoB4-5EzJeXMmR0529J2AwTkFz0hYd1BV0eoCqzLCONm00J26dfDFpUcOXMR78MP4k/s1600/IMG_7255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RP3lsfUkcVfNcdIZuDe96h18cKnzaU9jKj1yMnvjp0STwa_ADmA5XRCmGSstLauBePeFbxFUkMoB4-5EzJeXMmR0529J2AwTkFz0hYd1BV0eoCqzLCONm00J26dfDFpUcOXMR78MP4k/s320/IMG_7255.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tomato and pepper plants are <br />finally beginning to produce!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp63Xis07z5tfmHOSAFJX50PqiWF4L4yoF2ltxXdrQatY5jCzr7zPegSW0MYPbtG97bSVQVxouYa-p5-GLj7TsP90c3TThRhSiWcdfifArC7AEQwp4m5ZbWFWY6liNKrXujkmEmKmdRN0/s1600/IMG_7256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp63Xis07z5tfmHOSAFJX50PqiWF4L4yoF2ltxXdrQatY5jCzr7zPegSW0MYPbtG97bSVQVxouYa-p5-GLj7TsP90c3TThRhSiWcdfifArC7AEQwp4m5ZbWFWY6liNKrXujkmEmKmdRN0/s320/IMG_7256.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jalapeños - mom weeded this bed, but the<br />weeds are encroaching from the paths</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some beds are still covered in plastic <br />to "control the weeds"<br />It's safe to say the plastic has had only <br />limited success longterm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnY6hs9pqC-tc7W3aXSxf4kaGxVx15sC_rP5Svab9oD_8krDOWX4Za-Mn8LaEx65keWOZS3_66dZkpMqb8v_woikD4hQMrCiNMTNBxdNIc4fw5WDFscQRBLo00wkCWJp_GMnvzmWKbmg/s1600/IMG_7258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnY6hs9pqC-tc7W3aXSxf4kaGxVx15sC_rP5Svab9oD_8krDOWX4Za-Mn8LaEx65keWOZS3_66dZkpMqb8v_woikD4hQMrCiNMTNBxdNIc4fw5WDFscQRBLo00wkCWJp_GMnvzmWKbmg/s320/IMG_7258.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broccoli (and weeds)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAhf6hEbMrjlhpvpSanKQE1lo_FPmvjHi5a2yEROeXRfpXd0RcDv7gYUN3RhdsOtQhPH5BhTz69l98NRB23v0rBFetzFgHniFgbS0DrIPRKP_sYA47UW3LUtD78k6y5c6daBNOeG99Eo/s1600/IMG_7259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAhf6hEbMrjlhpvpSanKQE1lo_FPmvjHi5a2yEROeXRfpXd0RcDv7gYUN3RhdsOtQhPH5BhTz69l98NRB23v0rBFetzFgHniFgbS0DrIPRKP_sYA47UW3LUtD78k6y5c6daBNOeG99Eo/s320/IMG_7259.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More broccoli (and more weeds!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully weeded tomato bed, <br />compliments of mom<br />The hover flies are being truly obnoxious<br />around this bed today</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyey9i-d_TAjPfsyBzKS7pNjlKh-VNYZJJwv2UixdpgLJ8NsFd1_IYE_HHF0yHIeKFAdc8B2QsboEQ4c4adClr8r05CEsHPiqbexNq8iEkBLW6IPZjwoftngFVip_PkwaeTlkm60QrkM/s1600/IMG_7261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyey9i-d_TAjPfsyBzKS7pNjlKh-VNYZJJwv2UixdpgLJ8NsFd1_IYE_HHF0yHIeKFAdc8B2QsboEQ4c4adClr8r05CEsHPiqbexNq8iEkBLW6IPZjwoftngFVip_PkwaeTlkm60QrkM/s320/IMG_7261.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beets - also weeded by mom <br />(are you sensing a theme???)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-Nf5-2KxdhJ1jGaZtuNNxdHDLZV1sQL9DvNPfhsfwjsp4LRBWN-y1wYc9sgX4hiPXDP1coGsKZn1yGAcTS97slrd-4zTQWiLhJhBQjBWLWzbZQooG5GhE3GnfTQme50D3GBBO6shX1Q/s1600/IMG_7262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-Nf5-2KxdhJ1jGaZtuNNxdHDLZV1sQL9DvNPfhsfwjsp4LRBWN-y1wYc9sgX4hiPXDP1coGsKZn1yGAcTS97slrd-4zTQWiLhJhBQjBWLWzbZQooG5GhE3GnfTQme50D3GBBO6shX1Q/s320/IMG_7262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage bed and two beds covered with scraps of<br />landscaping cloth (seems to work better than the regular<br />plastic)<br />AKA I weeded a bed, it's a miracle!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everbearing Strawberries - <br />the plants where I weeded are producing well, <br />but I need to weed the rest of the bed for <br />a third time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfLO3d8aLdslgP-F4tkoDt3Hgn8V9XrT-NpZ19Eh5ez31V2Cs9gU7QWptxh1N03ENe0rBevFo-A5hPvNan6GSljocGK3DroyitdyW7hTgSBb082_5Un3VuBpc0kUeEk5au8EWyTyPXN0/s1600/IMG_7265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfLO3d8aLdslgP-F4tkoDt3Hgn8V9XrT-NpZ19Eh5ez31V2Cs9gU7QWptxh1N03ENe0rBevFo-A5hPvNan6GSljocGK3DroyitdyW7hTgSBb082_5Un3VuBpc0kUeEk5au8EWyTyPXN0/s320/IMG_7265.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green tomatoes are coming on - can't<br />wait to make some tomato sauce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAq5ywAwzLizOozaZCWSt32fS2B4NFiyEt-idhyphenhyphenSCOdEpV_3ppEKJHfxLjxkb8pmCjThyphenhyphenwpqLP-jMB1Hb3VLzgziXvKy6arrv2RyeXpyG3l9WlDLCZT_XDSozmHiBLPQoh-kSFwRvx1o/s1600/IMG_7268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAq5ywAwzLizOozaZCWSt32fS2B4NFiyEt-idhyphenhyphenSCOdEpV_3ppEKJHfxLjxkb8pmCjThyphenhyphenwpqLP-jMB1Hb3VLzgziXvKy6arrv2RyeXpyG3l9WlDLCZT_XDSozmHiBLPQoh-kSFwRvx1o/s320/IMG_7268.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used some of the landscaping cloth to<br />kill grass and make a path to the far end<br />of the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-92214310180738833462019-08-12T12:39:00.000-04:002019-08-12T15:00:45.417-04:00The Party's Over<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My house is a disaster area. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The burnables bin and
compost bowl are overflowing. </span>The recyclables bin is
full, even though I took the recyclables just two days ago. There are bits of
paper and packaging all over the living room. I continue to find half empty
soda cans, water bottles, smudges of blue icing, and dirty napkins, around the
house, on the porch, out by the grill. And my children are still high on a
total sugar overdose. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I honestly couldn’t be happier. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We just had a gathering to celebrate the end of summer and for
my oldest son’s 8<sup>th</sup> birthday. While we missed some friends and
family who couldn’t make it for various reasons, it was delightful to spend
time with those who were able to come. I’ve even reached out to a few who
couldn’t make it to make plans for another get together sometime soon. There
were food and drink and laughter in abundance. I felt truly connected with
people I love for the first time in a long time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I first uninstalled Facebook and social media apps from
my phone, I feared that I would be disconnected, that I would miss out on
important milestones from my friends, family, and former colleagues. I felt a
tug to check my phone regularly despite not having the apps to click. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since uninstalling them, I’ve come to realize something
critical to my well-being. When I had constant access and “connection” I felt
less connected with people and a near constant level of stress. There was a
nagging portion of my brain worrying about what people might be saying or debating,
arguments that might be occurring, important business that I might miss. This
took me away from my children, away from my husband and parents, and away from
the homestead, in ways I failed to recognize.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday during our party, I was able to enjoy myself and
enjoy our guests fully for the first time since we started throwing these
shindigs about seven years ago. I wasn’t worried about taking photos and videos
to post online. I wasn’t distracted pondering strange comments or interactions
with people I knew decades ago. I wasn’t overwhelmed by the happy stress of
hosting due to the underlying toxic stress from social media. The house may be
a mess, the party over, but I am deeply content and certain that I’m getting a
fresh start on a brave new take on life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYgqknOP011kG2iOv2R46WUgi_dCkQc8D1IeCcAIxfKCo3DCC4SEV5xemLtj4UDxA2BqUfwiqKYBMSb-mWf1iddOZnefPQC-Y7tFsQ7dxu9ylaZtCoFWr7BbF3ZPiONE31YDkMHpp4JU/s1600/IMG_7221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYgqknOP011kG2iOv2R46WUgi_dCkQc8D1IeCcAIxfKCo3DCC4SEV5xemLtj4UDxA2BqUfwiqKYBMSb-mWf1iddOZnefPQC-Y7tFsQ7dxu9ylaZtCoFWr7BbF3ZPiONE31YDkMHpp4JU/s320/IMG_7221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groceries for the big day. I'm finding it easier at WM <br />
to use the self check-out with my reusable grocery bags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj79SYnOGp3TothX2O7UOiASixU9mlrHhgeSHUAqFcMu38jNVNElv7xIa388T363EBAmjmYIDbU1f_hh02YO9y0WtL9SRrVlbgaRLcF5YVweHSFSWGcYMRSyXlJxmG_GAQioNk6mRT3CE/s1600/8th+b%2527day+cake+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj79SYnOGp3TothX2O7UOiASixU9mlrHhgeSHUAqFcMu38jNVNElv7xIa388T363EBAmjmYIDbU1f_hh02YO9y0WtL9SRrVlbgaRLcF5YVweHSFSWGcYMRSyXlJxmG_GAQioNk6mRT3CE/s320/8th+b%2527day+cake+photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friend commissioned a tres leches cake from <br />
the Guatemalan pasteleria down in N. Phila.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxbg_uQzpN6koY3O6PYiE44gnITSUwYbVtzQky2HZq-KxGPdNgec2xeA5ztEC8n14GM3mc3_va2P1cO3RCQEHP16BTzC_Dqgp1VtFsijRMUXNrrP1CFoVkgkf2B3MqZeie57Wg5K5_NY/s1600/IMG_7226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1567" data-original-width="1336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxbg_uQzpN6koY3O6PYiE44gnITSUwYbVtzQky2HZq-KxGPdNgec2xeA5ztEC8n14GM3mc3_va2P1cO3RCQEHP16BTzC_Dqgp1VtFsijRMUXNrrP1CFoVkgkf2B3MqZeie57Wg5K5_NY/s320/IMG_7226.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes when you're turning 8, you just have <br />
to have a piñata shaped like a game controller.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrfX1b66OO_puF1MsKA3pwm30czH-_avVaS34449l8Ge2RjsTsaUoaxSwr2usswZMdNH7hN6OlfmzE6xOiz6uoSD-4df-C9dIapRr6vt2qKaLzSGkZ11H8VLSCUFyP6F2H6_708aI00c/s1600/IMG_7227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1355" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrfX1b66OO_puF1MsKA3pwm30czH-_avVaS34449l8Ge2RjsTsaUoaxSwr2usswZMdNH7hN6OlfmzE6xOiz6uoSD-4df-C9dIapRr6vt2qKaLzSGkZ11H8VLSCUFyP6F2H6_708aI00c/s320/IMG_7227.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing says happy birthday like beating on a <br />
shaped paper something until candy falls out.<br />
Yay for piñatas!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Special thanks: </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>to all our friends and family who made this gathering so amazing!</li>
<li>to our Canton and Tracylandia family for making the trip down/over/up!</li>
<li>to my pal A.N. for singing the piñata song, because I STILL don't know it!</li>
<li>to my big brother, my husband, and T.E. for photos and videos - I was having too much fun to take pictures!</li>
<li>a nuestro amigo A.H. por haber traido el pastel tan hermoso y delicioso!!!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-88600182558798298252019-08-02T16:26:00.000-04:002019-08-02T16:26:09.501-04:00Zero Waste Progress – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbN02KPhgTCyb8meNknPz1h896cAc_l812RNTxqS5Lqa_lW4XnwF5DHWaTSFQXFRDYjHWHmk_mH-Aan_LPaCT9LOzHT79EiuG0ReSjjoQhP3pNI1uV1xlGWrwn1URd34zDGUyq6HFU0c/s1600/IMG_7193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbN02KPhgTCyb8meNknPz1h896cAc_l812RNTxqS5Lqa_lW4XnwF5DHWaTSFQXFRDYjHWHmk_mH-Aan_LPaCT9LOzHT79EiuG0ReSjjoQhP3pNI1uV1xlGWrwn1URd34zDGUyq6HFU0c/s320/IMG_7193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>French press coffee requires no filter, BUT the coffee <br />beans still come in plastic-containing packaging</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve recently been thinking a lot about our environmental
impact with things like single-use plastics. I know that one person or even one
household alone makes only a small difference, but I am hopeful that with
greater awareness more and more people and households will start to produce
less waste and consume less non-renewable energy. Exploring this concept and
how different people approach the “Zero Waste” lifestyle has been a great way
to spend my free time lately, especially since I’ve completely uninstalled
Facebook and Facebook Messenger from my phone. I’ve suddenly discovered hours
that I should’ve known were being eaten up by “socializing” (a.k.a. worrying
overmuch about what people I may or may not know that well in the real world
think about my latest post). There are tons of great resources out there,
especially videos on YouTube about “alternative” lifestyles (tiny houses, zero
waste, homesteading, off grid, etc.). Many of the videos have been made by
single people, but there are a few gems out there produced by families – see links
to a few of my favorites below this post.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x-iV_OPgjx-UnsfLpyPiGHEljmpqqnn5WC2CqULy8-NfohYIhYukgJDPP3V763UgM5M9hlPjJqw4uu5VeuXanfgK88V8SmqZPg6oxIrDnsKAfoJxjHh4Gob1uLZWFypWQNaTKbCeVN0/s1600/IMG_7197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1x-iV_OPgjx-UnsfLpyPiGHEljmpqqnn5WC2CqULy8-NfohYIhYukgJDPP3V763UgM5M9hlPjJqw4uu5VeuXanfgK88V8SmqZPg6oxIrDnsKAfoJxjHh4Gob1uLZWFypWQNaTKbCeVN0/s320/IMG_7197.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Fun with re-sprouting celery<br />(an alternative to composting)</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a household we were already doing a certain amount of
waste reduction:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>composing kitchen scraps</li>
<li>burning paper waste to create ash for the garden</li>
<li>recycling (certain things are accepted locally)</li>
<li>using reusable travel water bottles and coffee mugs</li>
<li>reusing food containers (glass jars for food storage, plastic
yogurt containers for dog food, etc.)</li>
<li>using a silicone menstral cup instead of disposable
pads/tampons</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I didn’t realize were the many ways in which I was
already set up to further reduce waste. I was delighted to discover that
without too much effort I could implement certain changes that have made a big difference.<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">refusing plastic bags, lids/straws</span></li>
<li>REMEMBERING reusable plastic and canvas totes as
shopping bags</li>
<li>using cotton cloths/diaper cloths (don’t worry,
they were never on a baby’s bottom) as wipes in lieu of paper towels for messes</li>
<li>REMEMBERING my own reusable green plastic
produce bags, reusing orange net bags</li>
<li>choosing only loose fruits and vegetables
instead of pre-packaged</li>
<li>choosing paper/carton packaging when possible</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve also identified some difficulties that I’m sorting out
and brainstorming ideas to overcome:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">kids’ milk at restaurants comes in a plastic
lidded cup or plastic bottle (you have to remember to ask for a regular
glass/cup or choose water)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We should eat out LESS and take our own reusable
containers for beverages/leftovers</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>certain foods are only available locally
packaged in plastic or plastic-containing packaging. Some examples of foods we
buy regularly: yogurt, bread, milk, dried fruits, almonds, noodles (carton
boxes with plastic windows)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXsdmWvN6RkzUVEu0Gms5T7bJMjRFuX5FhMyAz6MdGcyr2XcrrwjWdZJHOIEGs79_qMp8j8FoaGvZFws552Q3HkG31UIJ0pmsnrzap7tVKdM5jJJ8vY9xDMlZ7kbZR2RrZwIndu_3738/s1600/IMG_7196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXsdmWvN6RkzUVEu0Gms5T7bJMjRFuX5FhMyAz6MdGcyr2XcrrwjWdZJHOIEGs79_qMp8j8FoaGvZFws552Q3HkG31UIJ0pmsnrzap7tVKdM5jJJ8vY9xDMlZ7kbZR2RrZwIndu_3738/s320/IMG_7196.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Homemade bread<br />(finding the time is tough)</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I do bake my own bread, so I’m trying to develop
a habit of that each week<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I can also make noodles, but again, need to make
it a regular part of our routine<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Same with yogurt…but I still have to buy milk in
carton/plastic hybrid packaging<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I can get nuts/dried fruits and grains in bulk
in Canton (and maybe Pittsburgh?), but that requires an hour of driving<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We can produce more of our own veggies and
whatnot and “can” them in glass jars or freeze them…more on that later<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>toothbrushes and toothpaste are definite plastic
waste issues</li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br />
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I’ve invested in some bamboo with hog bristle
toothbrushes and silk floss in a glass/metal refillable bottle – more on these
later when we’ve had a chance to really try them out<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBCA8afeNRq08nIsbORBsocrXw5Bztz6vYmTB_D2GriB4m2fWV_oMHKa3spOZ6VY6tCc3ywOJEwPtNXLbG9fTz34vHPl6GBShRKiTYsQ7aSRhSDPsKU4_7ci-_CJKCgoTrjtO74AwFF8/s1600/IMG_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBCA8afeNRq08nIsbORBsocrXw5Bztz6vYmTB_D2GriB4m2fWV_oMHKa3spOZ6VY6tCc3ywOJEwPtNXLbG9fTz34vHPl6GBShRKiTYsQ7aSRhSDPsKU4_7ci-_CJKCgoTrjtO74AwFF8/s320/IMG_7200.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Compostable toothbrushes and floss<br />(usefulness yet to be determined)</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>food storage in the fridge – ie the plastic wrap
dilemma</li>
</ul>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I’ve purchased some local beeswax to make
cotton/wax food wraps, but I haven’t actually made them yet<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am SO FAR from actually achieving “zero waste,” but I feel
that I’m making steps toward reducing our carbon footprint. It has been a
struggle to help my boys understand what I’m up to, but they are curious and
are watching the choices that I make. I’m hopeful that it will make a difference
in the decisions they make as they grow older. I know that my actions and
example can be much louder than my words, so for every two steps backwards due
to difficulties, at least we’ll continue to take steps toward reducing our
waste and overconsumption. I hope this post gives you some ideas and wish you the
best of luck on your journey!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><br />
<div>
Videos/Links I found helpful:</div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5ijPk5_8pM">A Family in Hobart, Australia</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO76q932VOo">Even if you can't go "zero waste," tips for what you CAN do</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://divacup.com/">Menstral Cup - comfy, clean, and eco-friendly</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aAKpBcpsxs">Beeswax Wraps - haven't done it yet but will!</a></div>
<div>
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KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-35341233776596966672019-07-25T16:20:00.000-04:002019-07-25T16:20:01.807-04:00The Benefits of Saying “no” <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHO7lT8WI2VoWzC1Yq_BDii1nvfsdAf_1i_9L9-jk7YHUKWPRN6Q4zk9V71sPxuNOjPYuLhQqvicBqcvI2OudrKSWXht_00RXYbDnPaVBJwnlS3uQmM4BFmn1b3SPTACgiVvwy61ELU0/s1600/Boys+Outside+Edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHO7lT8WI2VoWzC1Yq_BDii1nvfsdAf_1i_9L9-jk7YHUKWPRN6Q4zk9V71sPxuNOjPYuLhQqvicBqcvI2OudrKSWXht_00RXYbDnPaVBJwnlS3uQmM4BFmn1b3SPTACgiVvwy61ELU0/s320/Boys+Outside+Edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys head out to "dig coal"<br />(Alternate title: The boys head out to get <br />chased by "evil" geese)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Sometimes saying “no” is exactly the correct thing to say to
your children. It is undoubtedly one of the hardest things to say to them,
particularly when they pester and beg and pull out every trick from their “Being
a kid” manual. It’s that sneaky book that children memorized before they were
even born. You know the one - that one that we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> receive a copy of for navigating this whole parenting
experiment. Recently I’ve had the chance to see when saying “no” to my kids can
be for their and my benefit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lately I have been feeling overwhelmed. I’m 26 weeks
pregnant with kiddo number three, and this pregnancy is not nearly as friendly
as my first two. The summer has been sweltering AND rainy AND stressful.
The garden is a forest of weeds. It has been one of THOSE summers. There have
been days where, despite knowing what I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ought</i>
to do as a mother for my children, I just feel like curling up and binge
watching Poldark while they watch PBS Kids or Craig of the Creek. It has not
been my finest hour. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Within the past few weeks I’ve been trying a new tactic with
my boys. It hasn’t been easy, but I think it’s helping us to transition to a
healthier routine. A while back I created an activities chart. The boys must
complete their tasks BEFORE they are allowed to use screens – no TV, Xbox,
Nintendo Switch, or tablet, until the list is completed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VO5hAy5xa7FFV3neJGZvBOYiJIglQcdoPAQ3ZiG-dyyM0Q98rMQEhgnqYmKPs8OfWtAkedRRxJdPJFZ7lyVhv1Eg89982BKQcEv6ZggGHkqBFuhR1AAzOMGy0vpS6ZxngA6SBxC5bb0/s1600/Activity+Chart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VO5hAy5xa7FFV3neJGZvBOYiJIglQcdoPAQ3ZiG-dyyM0Q98rMQEhgnqYmKPs8OfWtAkedRRxJdPJFZ7lyVhv1Eg89982BKQcEv6ZggGHkqBFuhR1AAzOMGy0vpS6ZxngA6SBxC5bb0/s320/Activity+Chart.JPG" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This chart has not made me popular with <br />the boys, but they are being much friendlier <br />and less insistant on screen time<br />since we started using it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Most days they’ve continued to ask for screens first thing
in the morning and repeatedly during the day, but I’ve stuck to my decision and
said “no.” In the past few days, they’ve finally, FINALLY stopped asking first
thing for TV. Today they even went outside to play for a bit <b><i>before</i></b>
breakfast. Enough tasks on the list has translated to more time playing and interacting
and less time staring at screens. They often do not complete all of their tasks
until 4pm or later. Since all screens are off for family dinner, they are
self-limiting their screen time to 1-2 hours maximum.*</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69b0pfKErt7R4QXscQLfVlkIkdg_NcYZiAFz_2ZpiezmANF3oNQmhew-eU6EjEJDpF2F97g0uUq91DCpKRnT1CgG7SU1p-bTfobxxs2LtwLR1Ic_RgT9fls-gHgR0rMdcBkyuGsP_HFk/s1600/Homework+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69b0pfKErt7R4QXscQLfVlkIkdg_NcYZiAFz_2ZpiezmANF3oNQmhew-eU6EjEJDpF2F97g0uUq91DCpKRnT1CgG7SU1p-bTfobxxs2LtwLR1Ic_RgT9fls-gHgR0rMdcBkyuGsP_HFk/s320/Homework+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Homework:</b> My 3yo works on a dry-erase <br />Early Learning book tracing and doodling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiwBlkOjCNWQD0amNeHTL9qqvg-egpXgAB8ENM1EmnCcfl0E_0HNN323kxsl4GpWjjWkY4VvZI39Up8V_lj0cPQKafbinVZ5vcDTmoAJyXw6irYGrsKtXsAK3LXqIi7WArtBEY9KjrAI/s1600/Homework+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiwBlkOjCNWQD0amNeHTL9qqvg-egpXgAB8ENM1EmnCcfl0E_0HNN323kxsl4GpWjjWkY4VvZI39Up8V_lj0cPQKafbinVZ5vcDTmoAJyXw6irYGrsKtXsAK3LXqIi7WArtBEY9KjrAI/s320/Homework+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Homework:</b> My soon-to-be 3rd grader works <br />on pages in Brain Quest or packets that his <br />2nd grade teachers sent home for the summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We’re fighting less, and I’m finding time for my own
projects - tending the garden and writing Morning Pages and this blog - while
they work on their activities list. I feel less overwhelmed and have more time
to get things done. They are playing together and collaborating on silly,
creative projects (like “digging for coal or treasure” and puppet shows), and
their attitude has greatly improved. They’re talking back and rolling their
eyes less and are volunteering to help out more. The change has been painfully
slow at times, but I think we’re finally seeing progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH1BMx2q-zcYbt7AFmaYlYSMHKCnwH-g5cZeG0ZBkpnmysIa4CEK4jYpKCItkHZeGjoVMR6KGKkPLZ1OYidRTToBPegqhk4T4HiGto9XepcnUTO9-rWmP7LEGSNl4Ok7aT-3nnKSAq2w/s1600/Journal+for+Morning+Pages.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH1BMx2q-zcYbt7AFmaYlYSMHKCnwH-g5cZeG0ZBkpnmysIa4CEK4jYpKCItkHZeGjoVMR6KGKkPLZ1OYidRTToBPegqhk4T4HiGto9XepcnUTO9-rWmP7LEGSNl4Ok7aT-3nnKSAq2w/s320/Journal+for+Morning+Pages.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Morning Pages:</b> This is my current notebook <br />for writing each morning. I try to squeeze in 3 <br />pages before the day begins. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s easy to say “no” to our kids when they are about to
step into a dangerous situation – a hot pan on the stove, a busy parking lot.
When it’s something that can seem innocuous like using screens, it can be A LOT
more difficult. We’re still not perfectly within the latest recommendations
from the American Academy of Pediatrics, but we’re getting closer. If you’re
struggling with this topic at home, you are NOT alone. It can take a lot more
effort to say “no,” but kids benefit from face-to-face interactions, physical
activity, feeling like they’re an important contributor to the family unit, and
they even get better sleep at night when we say “no” to unlimited, mindless
screen time and “yes” to healthy activities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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*I allow them up to 30 minutes of video game time daily and then
TV or a movie. Some days they play video games longer if they’re sharing well
or are playing educational games, but generally I try to limit it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For more info:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Announces-New-Recommendations-for-Childrens-Media-Use.aspx">American Academy of Pediatrics</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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More on Morning Pages: </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Starter-Kit/dp/1585429287/ref=asc_df_1585429287/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=316955957985&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1967871429250170216&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015196&hvtargid=pla-432017452302&psc=1"><u>The Artist’s Way</u> by Julia Cameron</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-58340315477092551992019-07-17T12:01:00.000-04:002019-07-25T16:20:44.422-04:00A Day in June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
SO on with the show. I had hoped to post this on June 14,
but a once a week habit will have to do for now. Life being what life is –
complicated!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In June I took some photos during a typically busy day here
on Shepherd’s Flock Farm. We were in the midst of harvesting Music garlic,
playing (I have two sons), and making hay. My oldest son noticed ripe wild
Black Raspberries on the bushes, so I had to transition to harvesting the
berries despite having laid other plans. We call that “Farm Time” around here.
Sometimes a happy occurrence like ripe berries shifts your focus for a time.
Sometimes a storm knocks a tree down across the road or a neighbor’s driveway,
and that has to be dealt with before moving on to other projects. To live in
close communion with nature means you will be kept on your toes with
regularity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2iHoN7uqXGmZ6qUVt8S51cJUlZEJvfhJG2DP415lBqYd9RXFF3cr7Nx2sWZRNxW6sAm_9zTcvM-m8_HfMEnIHR3G2GLbGnLk2_ippIH0_I1hKC6GICSuBeb5Irk7RRsLrl_45xfuUcY/s1600/Garden+Overall+-+weeds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2iHoN7uqXGmZ6qUVt8S51cJUlZEJvfhJG2DP415lBqYd9RXFF3cr7Nx2sWZRNxW6sAm_9zTcvM-m8_HfMEnIHR3G2GLbGnLk2_ippIH0_I1hKC6GICSuBeb5Irk7RRsLrl_45xfuUcY/s320/Garden+Overall+-+weeds.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden (west) - the rain has made for <br />
healthy weeds in the garden this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBssfH37ZO43hH69oC-yzInkvF7LKDOrC7obmFuxnnDzwy1fF6I5_38Qqli72U_jhKY1mC5Khibt2ShXW36MgthG-gGyTmDivTWLIAQLdKQCbLfxH3akwcG1SUk9ef7Ss6a99D1wHGyA8/s1600/Garden+Overall+-+less+weeds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBssfH37ZO43hH69oC-yzInkvF7LKDOrC7obmFuxnnDzwy1fF6I5_38Qqli72U_jhKY1mC5Khibt2ShXW36MgthG-gGyTmDivTWLIAQLdKQCbLfxH3akwcG1SUk9ef7Ss6a99D1wHGyA8/s320/Garden+Overall+-+less+weeds.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden (east) - regular weeding of beds <br />
to rescue overwhelmed desireable plants helps<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox8jihkwXnEBE6O2S2hZsN6Ys-cMIsT_hkfUCiQUVUmRY3LmVeFX9DOg19HzS1sb1GrBarGIWOCuYIhEGaOtLx53-Bq6XJzI6zf8wJ5zYficGdvPcgnZeusRZAdNqCFpbbFY7B2JqZuI/s1600/Music+Garlic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox8jihkwXnEBE6O2S2hZsN6Ys-cMIsT_hkfUCiQUVUmRY3LmVeFX9DOg19HzS1sb1GrBarGIWOCuYIhEGaOtLx53-Bq6XJzI6zf8wJ5zYficGdvPcgnZeusRZAdNqCFpbbFY7B2JqZuI/s320/Music+Garlic+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic Harvest - I use a spadefork to loosen the <br />
Music Garlic and then gently pull up each bulb for drying</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-FRhjk6V6yafl4MvAnJ2cq4ggmigWDmiUyMMs8nJjdx25V-trCeN-ubK37cfGea8nP9z4L9tbawjaCZTPXxZlakig-iYoOjZYPENBD3Jw9JUaAmqehbR3SQSITp9l-rdjSEH0Adp7X4/s1600/Music+Garlic+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-FRhjk6V6yafl4MvAnJ2cq4ggmigWDmiUyMMs8nJjdx25V-trCeN-ubK37cfGea8nP9z4L9tbawjaCZTPXxZlakig-iYoOjZYPENBD3Jw9JUaAmqehbR3SQSITp9l-rdjSEH0Adp7X4/s320/Music+Garlic+3.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbEiWYsEudCOzNaSU0gSfIEZfnTempOUpaqa6Vuog4boZ7EjTb2SfG8slGFblUWTKVCtOZx2ZfLqqAwT9OtU9KoYydbnhx2YMV7AcNlOMt1HuC5UrSVIL37ZYeeq1f4xi6pHhEc9o4b8/s1600/Music+Garlic+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbEiWYsEudCOzNaSU0gSfIEZfnTempOUpaqa6Vuog4boZ7EjTb2SfG8slGFblUWTKVCtOZx2ZfLqqAwT9OtU9KoYydbnhx2YMV7AcNlOMt1HuC5UrSVIL37ZYeeq1f4xi6pHhEc9o4b8/s320/Music+Garlic+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic Harvest - I borrowed Mom's cart to <br />
haul garlic up for bundling/hanging out to dry<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsP9R-C4xjWw2ybHi5g5flGCuUIU1-APywhAXqVHWF_KxKVJMvNFGPt7Oyf-dZt2O4fC_aLYn847qq6nQ4japgXwm5Ir2TtVpK_V1LKLSTuQqtM9a3s-FmmzGYhiG375c2sL_g4vk_3s/s1600/Play+Bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsP9R-C4xjWw2ybHi5g5flGCuUIU1-APywhAXqVHWF_KxKVJMvNFGPt7Oyf-dZt2O4fC_aLYn847qq6nQ4japgXwm5Ir2TtVpK_V1LKLSTuQqtM9a3s-FmmzGYhiG375c2sL_g4vk_3s/s320/Play+Bed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">My boys have a garden bed dedicated to play<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Occasionally they find tiny friends in the garden.<br />
We examine them and then let them go.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gbaMWzkQJxdyMx_4c3Pz-4xpIJQt7OArdy8BqFt4xn0oZurcMm06Uj_PcSL_sfwN__PN9rNu15YEembAITu59NMew68kZBZfwFtG1Tbeq3LDgPUMVBIr2twRArm8Pf3QaD1nbHXXwCM/s1600/Making+hay+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gbaMWzkQJxdyMx_4c3Pz-4xpIJQt7OArdy8BqFt4xn0oZurcMm06Uj_PcSL_sfwN__PN9rNu15YEembAITu59NMew68kZBZfwFtG1Tbeq3LDgPUMVBIr2twRArm8Pf3QaD1nbHXXwCM/s320/Making+hay+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Making hay - the activity for the afternoon<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRt54YrA40klgY4UJUEN6lJ4wMHmp4VBdDOLY3irrS-b0-xpHvPEeH19epYuJ1rKVbIP5HmGZfw6ea_GwPufI8Fm5t0BocaYNkG4Om5HE6aTn9Vlw9GuYPck6VaVyRcOIRLNkwi6p3C0/s1600/Making+hay+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRt54YrA40klgY4UJUEN6lJ4wMHmp4VBdDOLY3irrS-b0-xpHvPEeH19epYuJ1rKVbIP5HmGZfw6ea_GwPufI8Fm5t0BocaYNkG4Om5HE6aTn9Vlw9GuYPck6VaVyRcOIRLNkwi6p3C0/s320/Making+hay+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Making hay - Papi used a square baler to make hay on our<br />
south field. Some of our friends and neighbors came over<br />
to help out.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98xeW7tvgeB9AmakLvEBomiMZwV3U8qNxvenLhqQL8lYG966Mz5ycc7RPATjzwuFhRBpyViK-3t_alKE6lZpvdOeBfKlIWNfD8fpChYNsbO52oD7a0vC6dwaec4F3XAZ4-IFPLfn7qiA/s1600/Blk+Raspberries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98xeW7tvgeB9AmakLvEBomiMZwV3U8qNxvenLhqQL8lYG966Mz5ycc7RPATjzwuFhRBpyViK-3t_alKE6lZpvdOeBfKlIWNfD8fpChYNsbO52oD7a0vC6dwaec4F3XAZ4-IFPLfn7qiA/s320/Blk+Raspberries.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Some long, hot, sunny days have sweet endings.<br />
While everyone else went to the barn to unload the hay bales,<br />
I stayed and harvested wild Black Raspberries from<br />
the perimeter of the field. Delicious!!!</td></tr>
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<br />KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-86187353410645483412019-07-12T13:07:00.000-04:002019-07-13T15:28:59.012-04:00PrayingFor(NOT)Rain<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PrayingFor<s>Rain<o:p></o:p></s></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><s><br /></s></b></div>
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We’ve had far too much rain this season, so I actually had
to cross out part of my original blog title for the summer of 2019. When I
first attempted a blog, we had a drought, and we were literally praying for
rain. At this point, we’re praying it will hold off long enough to plant some crops
for fall and stain our porch.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More than anything I want this to be an outlet for myself
that others might find useful. I’m a mom, a wife, a daughter, a homesteader, an
artist, a teacher, a traveler, a camper, a person of faith, and a lot of other
things that might be relatable. If you found me and you want to see more of a
specific topic, feel free to let me know.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 24 weeks pregnant with our third child, I’ve recently had
some interpersonal setbacks. I’m not communicating well, and my hormones are
haywire to say the least. I’m hoping that this can be a place to peacefully
share my story in a helpful way. I believe it can be a place where other people
see that they don’t need to feel alone. We all have ups and downs, mental and
emotional hardships, but it IS worth it to get up each morning and carry on.
Each of us is valuable and each has a purpose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I’ve taken some pictures of a recent day on the homestead and
am also going through some older photos to see what might be useful here on the
blog. Stay tuned for progress updates and an attempt at regular entries. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Music of the Moment: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indigo Girls – Closer to Fine<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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“I’m trying to tell you something ‘bout my life. Maybe give
me insight between black and white…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Darkness has a hunger that’s insatiable. Lightness has a
call that’s hard to hear.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Quote of the Day:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv94W19nugN/">https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv94W19nugN/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sometimes I make Art:</b>
(aka me on Instagram)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/adlucemllc/">https://www.instagram.com/adlucemllc/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j2qHgux0h5V_vYF-es_Q2LFViUbHEaPWHbg1VY5eTF8Ho6B46aWMIji58TrxKNEaLWswH2Pm7K_833MiHZ6WFk5lg5dH6NN6-zU73-T1_sYHUl34TLVWtWo9ToF4fjTEqF2ZN8FGSM8/s1600/DSCN0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j2qHgux0h5V_vYF-es_Q2LFViUbHEaPWHbg1VY5eTF8Ho6B46aWMIji58TrxKNEaLWswH2Pm7K_833MiHZ6WFk5lg5dH6NN6-zU73-T1_sYHUl34TLVWtWo9ToF4fjTEqF2ZN8FGSM8/s200/DSCN0917.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate & Jhan, Camaná 2014</td></tr>
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KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-22594365518641206052013-07-31T11:55:00.000-04:002013-07-31T11:55:07.949-04:00Urgent Breaking News!!! New Honey Bee ResearchI was going to take the time to create a pretty post with photos I took in Peru, but I've decided to save that for later this week. A friend alerted me to a recently published article that may have cracked the issue of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) wide open. <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The article is published on </span><a href="http://www.plosone.org/">http://www.plosone.org</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, PLOS ONE is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal. </span>This means that if you care about this issue, you should read the article, save it, and share it. Simply use this link to access the original article: <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0070182#authcontrib">Save the Honey Bees!</a><br /><br />See below for their freedom of use statement:<br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is an open-access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. </blockquote>
<br /><br />
The long and the short of this study and the authors' conclusions is that the synergistic effects of a variety of pesticides and fungicides (previously thought not to affect honey bees) are weakening the bees' resistance to the parasite <span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Nosema ceranae</i>. This is bad news for honey bees but also really </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">bad news for humanity. If you don't know why it's truly bad news humans (ie for food production), </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">check out the American Beekeeping Federation page on <a href="http://www.abfnet.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=14"> Pollination Facts</a> Apples, broccoli, and </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">almonds are only a few of the important crops that depend on honey bees for pollination, not to mention</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the many crops and natural plants that feed other animals or prey of other animals in the food chain.</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See below for the article in a snapshot. Remember to read the actual article using the link above and </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SHARE it!! Our lives and our children's lives just might depend on it.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Bee pollinating a cone flower at Shepherd's Flock Farm<br />Photo by K. A. Payne de Chavez</i></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b><i>The article is: </i></b></span><br />
<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Crop Pollination Exposes Honey Bees to Pesticides Which AltersTheir Susceptibility to the Gut Pathogen <i>Nosema ceranae</i></span><br />Jeffery S. Pettis, Elinor M. Lichtenberg, Michael Andree, Jennie Stitzinger, Robyn Rose,<br />
Dennis vanEngelsdorp<br /><br /><br /><b><i>The authors come from a variety of backgrounds and universities:</i></b><div>
<b><i><br /></i>Jeffery S. Pettis</b><br />Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America<br /><br /><b>Elinor M. Lichtenberg, Jennie Stitzinger, Dennis vanEngelsdorp</b><br />Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland, United States of America<br /><br /><b>Michael Andree</b><br />Cooperative Extension Butte County, University of California, Oroville, California, United States of America<br /><br /><b>Robyn Rose</b><br />USDA-APHIS, Riverdale, Maryland, United States of America<br /><br />[Dennis vanEngelsdorp is a PLOS ONE editor. All the other authors<br />have declared that they have no competing interests.]<br /><br /><br /><br /><b><i>Tidbits from the article include:</i></b><br /></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Recent research suggests that honey bee diets, parasites, diseases and pesticides interact to have stronger negative effects on managed honey bee colonies.</blockquote>
<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
While fungicides are typically seen as fairly safe for honey bees, we found an increased probability of <i>Nosema</i> infection in bees that consumed pollen with a higher fungicide load. Our results highlight a need for research on sub-lethal effects of fungicides and other chemicals that bees placed in an agricultural setting are exposed to. </blockquote>
<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-5598165560933743582013-07-31T11:14:00.000-04:002013-12-01T07:58:22.481-05:00Camana, Peru, is a pretty interesting place...I don't have much in the way of a farm update other than to say that Papi is planting some more green beans to replace the plants that weren't terribly successful, so I thought it might be a good moment to take a little time and tell you about Camana. On this map, you can see where Camana is located along the Peruvian coast. It's about 3 hours by bus from Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAwqImG_kb-gCWbs-10rswFnEz5VljKb_xhDYXcyqgEnmNsI0z91wbX3ia5338IwLD5xLuRJJ07wYEM54IITBiUE31lT0dS8AHPYJJHSTFq6zeB51oygx8zZC1do4W_s18tFdd6EPTbQ/s1600/Camana+Peru_map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAwqImG_kb-gCWbs-10rswFnEz5VljKb_xhDYXcyqgEnmNsI0z91wbX3ia5338IwLD5xLuRJJ07wYEM54IITBiUE31lT0dS8AHPYJJHSTFq6zeB51oygx8zZC1do4W_s18tFdd6EPTbQ/s1600/Camana+Peru_map.gif" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(<a href="http://peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peru_earthquake/Introduction/introduction.html">http://peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peru_earthquake/Introduction/introduction.html</a> - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">they got the map from <a href="http://www.expedia.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #336db0; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.expedia.com/</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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This past June/July we were blessed to have the opportunity to spend five weeks in Peru. It was Jhan's family's chance to finally meet our son Khalil. When we're in Peru, we live with Jhan's folks in El Cardo (Jose Maria Quimper) a little town/district just outside of the larger town/district of Camana. Both Jose Maria Quimper and Camana are districts within the province of Camana, so the naming gets a wee tad bit confusing at times. I'll post pictures of El Cardo another time, for now you must content yourselves with this mini tour of the larger town of Camana.</div>
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Camana has a population somewhere between 14,000 and 15,000 people. </div>
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<b><i>It boasts a tourist hotel</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Beautiful paved pedestrian streets with trees, sculptures, and fountains</i></b></div>
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<b><i>And it has a bustling central market</i></b></div>
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<b><i>One can buy fresh bread, cookies, and empanandas</i></b></div>
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KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-1982811624497582322013-07-24T12:18:00.004-04:002013-07-24T12:37:12.857-04:00Let it RainI named this blog last summer when we were praying and praying that it would rain. This summer (as per normal in Ohio) the weather is completely different. We had a massive rain storm yesterday. Despite loads of water and high winds, we had no plant or animal casualties. I took a short video for my husband to share with his family back home in Camana, Peru, where it generally does not rain like this.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Thankfully it didn't last too very long, and God sent us a special treat afterwards. So if you've ever wondered what exactly </span><b style="text-align: center;"><i>is</i></b><span style="text-align: center;"> at the end of a rainbow, it's the Shepherd's Flock Farm entrance, that's what.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7PWEzfJfqkMSNOkccap5EMRInmPFBMfrvnYx3ckKfDmQjlgBWEHGhfPDW7EJRn4VM6QcNXjCvaym5mCfoR_BmXO_1uy6izzrNe10DG9-V_T9sKOZGPjZMIHcCKll62yZRqnsJP_bg8k/s1600/Rainbow_2013-07-23+19.33.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7PWEzfJfqkMSNOkccap5EMRInmPFBMfrvnYx3ckKfDmQjlgBWEHGhfPDW7EJRn4VM6QcNXjCvaym5mCfoR_BmXO_1uy6izzrNe10DG9-V_T9sKOZGPjZMIHcCKll62yZRqnsJP_bg8k/s1600/Rainbow_2013-07-23+19.33.38.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-38386273762202688702013-07-23T13:17:00.000-04:002013-07-23T14:14:46.159-04:00Shepherd’s Flock Farm Garden – Before and After <div class="MsoNormal">
Part 1: Creating raised beds and planting<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kate Payne de Chavez</div>
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If you look back through the blog posts, you can see some
photographs of work we did along the lake in early spring before we could
really get out into the garden. It was
too cold and the ground was too tough for us to get out and plant our veggies,
so we satisfied ourselves with cleaning up the winter’s debris and waiting for
the daffodils to bloom. It was our way
of getting out of the house and back to the farm. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We have quite a bit of work to do to get this place back to
the level of early successes that Mama and Papi had a few years ago, so we’re
working together as a team to draw up a plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In late April and early May the ground was
finally soft and dry enough to work, so Jhan and I talked with Mama and Papi
about what they wanted in terms of garden beds. We decided on beds that were approximately
4’ x 10’ and 4’ x 12’ (with a few oddly shaped beds here and there; the garden
isn't exactly rectangular due to a little stream bed/drainage ditch along one
side). The walkways are generally 3’ or
4’ wide to allow for a wheel barrow to make the journey from the beds to the
gate and all the way down to the compost bin.
Jhan and I laid out a grid using butcher’s twine and garden flags, and
Jhan and Papi went to work creating the <b>permanent</b>
raised beds. I emphasize the word
permanent here, because my poor mother and father have laid out and created
theoretically <i>permanent</i> raised beds
several times in the past. Life has a
way of running off with our well-made plans, and weeds invade. That is perhaps a story for another
post. In any event, here you can see the grid lines and Jhan working away on digging out walkways and piling the soil onto the raised
beds </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Mama, aka Avis, aka Nana, is in the background tidying up the asparagus bed)</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></div>
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Once the beds were ready, we were more than ready to
plant. We planted lettuces, peas, and
beans from seed. We then went to
Skipper’s Greenhouse (here in Carroll County at 2044 Canyon Rd SW) and bought a TON of plants:
tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, basil, dill, thyme,
peppers, and marigolds. The raised beds are mulched with pine needles from the pine woods on the farm, and as much of the walkways as possible are mulched with wood chips from a local tree-trimming business. Waste not, want not. </div>
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Around May 25th we had a very late frost, so in these images you can see tarpaulins, crates, bits of pipe, and other random materials that Papi and Jhan used to quickly cover the plants when the frost warning was announced. Of our 48 tomato plants, I believe we lost only about 6. We were blessed to lose so few; many of the folks around us (including commercial farmers) had a significant amount of crop damage. </div>
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Stay tuned for Part 2 to see some After pics with the current state of the garden. </div>
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KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-86294472476070569392013-07-17T20:53:00.001-04:002013-07-17T20:53:59.213-04:00Alfajores de maizena <p>Just a little something I made for the fam this weekend. A delicious Argentine cookie.  :o)</p>
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<b><i>We cut our herbs fresh the morning of market. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>This is our lakeside patch of wild Spearmint.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Papi dug the Elephant garlic about a week and a half ago. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>The bright green stems are a few stragglers we dug on Tuesday.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Here is our humble little stand at the market, </i></b></div>
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<b><i>complete with a scrapbook of images of the farm compliments of our friends Jim and Brenda</i></b></div>
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<b><i>This was our view of the market from the booth. </i></b></div>
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Back at Shepherd's Flock Farm, Papi and Jhan have been catching up on mowing after two weeks of rain (Khalil "helps" drive the tractor). We're also trying to clean out old canning jars to prepare for the MANY tomatoes to come! </div>
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<b><i>Papi and Khalil on the tractor mowing.</i></b> </div>
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<b><i>Canning jars waiting for a final rinse in the sink.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>We're hoping for LOTS of veggies to can come fall.</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztVMbSnGT7OCl4Bw1xCjkjmP9NgYKYG5617fh97JkZexOnNha9HSAWbagRCtongBtlzHDLxn8gg739ixC_qESgWUlH0AWtkBJ42Y59hkZmr4wtPg16XhREsjpABYPF1-jVicnPBMpjz0/s1600/2013-07-16+11.20.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztVMbSnGT7OCl4Bw1xCjkjmP9NgYKYG5617fh97JkZexOnNha9HSAWbagRCtongBtlzHDLxn8gg739ixC_qESgWUlH0AWtkBJ42Y59hkZmr4wtPg16XhREsjpABYPF1-jVicnPBMpjz0/s1600/2013-07-16+11.20.29.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Mostly we're just trying to make progress and keep cool with this heatwave. </i></b></div>
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Thanks for visiting us here at Shepherd's Flock Farm. Next up will be pictures of the garden in full swing. And next week stay tuned for more pics of our trip down to Peru. Thanks, and God bless!</div>
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Thanks for your patience, and we'll try to get this blog back up and running soon here!!! Sorry!<br />
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<i><b>Kate and Khalil in the desert north of Camana</b></i></div>
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<b><i>A papaya tree in the huerta (garden) of Don Francisco</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Vegetable stands in the open air mercado in Camana</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Potatoes, onions, ajis, sweet peppers, tomatoes, lemons, and </i></b></div>
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<b><i>green beans in our favorite veggie stand</i></b></div>
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All righty, more soon in the form of photos and an update on Shepherd's Flock Farm. We were at the Carrollton Farmer's Market this past Saturday, so I'll post pics and share a bit about our experience thus far this season. Thanks for your patience!!! Gracias!</div>
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<br />KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-91311349575728914802013-04-01T15:49:00.000-04:002013-04-01T15:49:16.435-04:00Square foot gardening...what a conceptAs we're approaching the time for planting at Shepherd's Flock Farm (some would say, as we've allowed the time for planting peas to pass us by...), I've been reading just about everything I can get my hands on. The year before last when we were still in Massachusetts, and I tried a method I'd read about online - Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening (SFG).<br />
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I rather liked the results, and even though we may not use exactly this method in the main garden, Papi has agreed to build us some <a href="http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/sqfoot/msg012055595576.html">sun boxes</a> based on Mr. Bartholomew's plans. Basically the boxes will be squared off without the normal angle one would cut in a regular cold frame. We'll use the land itself to create the necessary ~45 degree angle. Some old windows that Papi has squirreled away will serve as cover to warm the earth below and should give us a jump start on our seeds, especially salad greens.</div>
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For more information on Square Foot Gardening, you should check out Mr. Mel Bartholomew's blog for <a href="http://www.melbartholomew.com/category/beginners-guide/">SFG beginners</a>. </div>
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Which garden philosophy do you follow? What are your favorite tricks for arranging your plants?</div>
KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0Raindrop Road, Amsterdam, OH 43903, USA40.4570055 -80.99007970000002440.4509645 -81.000164700000028 40.463046500000004 -80.97999470000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-44850981869895482482013-03-25T14:59:00.000-04:002013-03-25T14:59:35.344-04:00Spring is in the air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>A few pictures to warm you up on </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>a cold, snowy day...</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On Saturday, the weather was just perfect to finally be out in the yard starting to clean up the dead brush and debris from last fall, so we bundled up and all went to work. The project for the day was the wild flower bed just below the promontory that Jhan made last summer (more on that later - I'm hoping it'll become my first masonry project). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rTQkXhGwMvrFwddhdmtG2K6tqAZf5Uu8v_8E4r6QK5wJXow7JsUXvTlX0_2HLDIILA176Kf7jF1A98YghFyyPoSnjq6N9s7-WuVIvBX1Bg7BDARcdeXIm9VN7jwF9G_49IghTQ6HegU/s1600/2013-03-23+17.15.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rTQkXhGwMvrFwddhdmtG2K6tqAZf5Uu8v_8E4r6QK5wJXow7JsUXvTlX0_2HLDIILA176Kf7jF1A98YghFyyPoSnjq6N9s7-WuVIvBX1Bg7BDARcdeXIm9VN7jwF9G_49IghTQ6HegU/s1600/2013-03-23+17.15.59.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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These "Ditch" Lilies, as Mama calls them, have <i>just </i>begun to pop up on the front bank by the lake. I transplanted a couple of clumps of these lovely flowers to enable Jhan to reshape a portion of the bank. We're hoping that with it a bit more level, it'll be easier to maintain this year. </div>
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Let the war on the locust trees begin!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1nxGbQor6S-6jiwzzuiScS1bmy_xueEH63Wx8xJhURLYMyjGnmNh3LrIArzDoLuRpN87XuEI8M8L7FWEWYY9vUYrRxPU0Pts-9EsFalEHtY3Gqd09qTwv3Z-H2hH3ftcyofgJRXtELQ/s1600/2013-03-23+17.16.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1nxGbQor6S-6jiwzzuiScS1bmy_xueEH63Wx8xJhURLYMyjGnmNh3LrIArzDoLuRpN87XuEI8M8L7FWEWYY9vUYrRxPU0Pts-9EsFalEHtY3Gqd09qTwv3Z-H2hH3ftcyofgJRXtELQ/s1600/2013-03-23+17.16.41.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's Mama posing for a glamour shot, aka cutting weeds out of the wild flower beds by the lake. In the background you can see a diaper box doubling as a waste bin, the little green fishing boat, and Jhan cleaning the bank just beyond it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21f4hCMROGYTc58_5pHuJnpIRXIm-Sn3HQ1HhK-_rY5ak7w9e0ieFbDLGpUH_8jzc3YOjZwUFkD4cjGruCeBpydKECFZQuhhiji8LtrA_-QhD6qB1libr9d8motwmufxJ5itgmDOkD8M/s1600/2013-03-23+17.13.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21f4hCMROGYTc58_5pHuJnpIRXIm-Sn3HQ1HhK-_rY5ak7w9e0ieFbDLGpUH_8jzc3YOjZwUFkD4cjGruCeBpydKECFZQuhhiji8LtrA_-QhD6qB1libr9d8motwmufxJ5itgmDOkD8M/s1600/2013-03-23+17.13.42.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jhan did not approve of this photograph, but I had to show him hard at work </div>
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cleaning out the wild flower beds</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb16IKqK57opWEA4eSsFQU76mw6DkPue6o-MKJJnl6ZZY4E5O0UTsKw4tWxhWOR82P349ONVtFno7-5_isDPzON_E3Ln_VRK96UqdN9uskcWYEe8MfqO4u6hFWjN2Z9PVjIf8-OL9yms/s1600/2013-03-23+17.14.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb16IKqK57opWEA4eSsFQU76mw6DkPue6o-MKJJnl6ZZY4E5O0UTsKw4tWxhWOR82P349ONVtFno7-5_isDPzON_E3Ln_VRK96UqdN9uskcWYEe8MfqO4u6hFWjN2Z9PVjIf8-OL9yms/s1600/2013-03-23+17.14.19.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of hard at work... I'm not sure that it was ideal to allow little man to dig in the ashes, </div>
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but he really did enjoy himself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtqcYWyJVv_rb96yOrgBw7OROlXhCzuc7nhC6c2bolDwWSU1lVpUl6G45CZV48N9K4W-qKbOT5MqurhPrGqfT9DTVxZsW7tCDWKAPQxrD1DG2jFYqMtKCJ2ax1cfIZbVS6dxozlOuue4/s1600/2013-03-23+17.18.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtqcYWyJVv_rb96yOrgBw7OROlXhCzuc7nhC6c2bolDwWSU1lVpUl6G45CZV48N9K4W-qKbOT5MqurhPrGqfT9DTVxZsW7tCDWKAPQxrD1DG2jFYqMtKCJ2ax1cfIZbVS6dxozlOuue4/s1600/2013-03-23+17.18.53.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKayMeqYcfdhMxl3wPjlETkKCDVDPEc5iDhnLW3nf1mW8Nxz48S88diPzM31M2g5yZ5kn_nySjKJF9iryzKkK9hquvMcq6xTS2t16JrbN84O3rUAU6yZQJIaMjJkhNk_H-Xv7J57USe6Q/s1600/2013-03-23+17.17.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKayMeqYcfdhMxl3wPjlETkKCDVDPEc5iDhnLW3nf1mW8Nxz48S88diPzM31M2g5yZ5kn_nySjKJF9iryzKkK9hquvMcq6xTS2t16JrbN84O3rUAU6yZQJIaMjJkhNk_H-Xv7J57USe6Q/s1600/2013-03-23+17.17.32.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here are a couple of parting shots: </div>
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A mama goose hard at work protecting her clutch of eggs, </div>
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and little man's discarded mitten stuck up in the tree... </div>
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KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-14613106170063671552013-02-18T21:21:00.001-05:002013-02-18T21:21:48.542-05:00Cabin Fever<div align="left" align="left" align="left" ><p>After an unfortunately long hiatus, I’m finally having a chance to sit down and write a bit. Technically I don’t really have time to write at the moment; I should be grading papers, working on my own educational coursework, and/or finishing my lesson plans. However, at the moment, I just needed to sit down and write a bit about what’s been going on here at the farm. We’re not quite ready to gear up for summer just yet, but that doesn’t keep us from dreaming and scheming about what the upcoming warm season will bring. </p>
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</div><p>Mom and I have drawn a rough sketch of the layout of the garden, so as soon as the soil is warm enough to work, we’ll get Papi and Jhan to help move the fence and layout the permanent beds. We’re planning to create a grid layout, leave walkways wide enough to maneuver a wheelbarrow, and to stave off weed growth using cardboard and mulch. Here’s hoping we’ll be able to find the materials and have the time to create raised beds. If not, we can always plan and save up for a year from now. In any event, we’ve got a great many beds planned out, so I am praying that we’ll have just the right amount of rain and sun and the Lord’s blessings to be successful at the local farmers’ market this season. </p>
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</div><p>In addition to taking fresh vegetables and maybe raising some broilers to sell, I’m planning to take fresh baked bread and possibly some cookies (Alfajores, anyone?). I’ve been perfecting an artisan, white-wheat bread these past few weekends, and I think I may have just about got it. Starting next weekend it’s all French baguette all the time. Who would’ve guessed that some flour, water, salt, and yeast could yield such delicious results? </p>
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</div><p>Possible crops for the garden: peas, leeks, asparagus, garlic, tomatoes, green beans, acorn and butternut squash, zucchini, radishes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, jalapeño and yellow wax peppers (maybe some red and green sweet peppers too), lettuce, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro, dill (maybe various and sundry other herbs, and big maybe quinoa!</p>
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</div><p>Possible additional products for market: morels, raspberries, black berries, zucchini bread, artisan bread, French baguettes, jams, and maybe wooden spatulas/spoons</p>
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</div><p>I’ll keep the brainstorm ideas coming, and I hope that you (whoever you might be reading this) will chime in with some suggestions and ideas of your own. What are you planning on planting in your garden this spring? </p>
KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-24879658797801806182012-12-27T11:19:00.001-05:002012-12-27T11:19:22.596-05:0012.27.2012 Post-Christmas Bliss<p>I suppose we were due for a good snow here in Carroll County, last winter being quite mild. As of yesterday morning and well into the wee hours of this morning, we were hit with a serious snow storm. We had nearly 20 hours of off and on snow and freezing rain with a touch of high winds for good measure. Mom and Papi headed into town early yesterday morning before the worst of it started – Mom to her job at the Park and Papi to see about purchasing a generator (lest we should be without power due to ice and high winds). I called the Park at about 10:30AM to see if I could convince Mom to come home early and avoid getting stuck off-farm, but no convincing was necessary. Papi was already there to get her, and she was just finishing up an email. The two headed south at around quarter to eleven only to get stuck on Town Hill and then stuck at the Western Grill. Being wise on all things road related, Papi decided not to try Route 9 in their little car. Our loveable neighbor Mr. Bill came to the rescue in their four-wheel drive vehicle despite being VERY under the weather with flu. I ran out to say thanks when he got them home at around noon-thirty, and I sent home our little Christmas gift for him and for Ms. Tracy, la Reina Madre of Tracylandia. </p>
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</div><p>	Rural Ohio being what it is, we are all still huddled up here at the Shepherd’s Flock for the foreseeable future. Jhan has already been out (in pajamas and boots, no less) to shovel the kitchen steps and walkway, and Papi has been out to check the wood burner and is now happily tootling around the farm on the tractor shoveling the drive. In a while here I’ll have to head out to clear off the car and see if it starts. If the roads are clear, we’ll head up to the Grill to retrieve the folks’ car. That may have to wait until late morning, as we’re expecting Mr. Richardson to stop by and see about hooking up the generator. Gotta love being on farm-time. </p>
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</div><p>	On the To Do list for today: washing up some dishes and maybe some laundry, splitting the log of Apple wood that Tracy and Bill brought me, and getting started on some wooden spoons with my new Christmas gift set of gouges. We’ve got plenty of bread, so I probably shouldn’t make any more just now. This snow storm has made me glad that we regularly stock up on the basics, though, and with the generator to run the wood burner’s pump and the furnace blowers, there’s hardly any reason to leave when the roads are too slick. And with that being said, it’s time to run – the electrician is here about the generator. Bye for now!</p>
KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706196742578434765.post-70248848563971194242012-12-27T11:09:00.001-05:002012-12-27T11:09:17.124-05:0011.25.2012 Bread day<p>Today has been sunny with a touch of wind here at Shepherd’s Flock Farm. It’s one of those days that looks warm and inviting until you step outside and realize winter is just around the corner. It’s a good thing we’re almost ready for the snow to start up in earnest. Let’s see…what have we been up to around here…</p>
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</div><p>On Black Friday I let my husband Jhan talk me into going to outlets down in Washington county PA for a shopping trip. We didn’t find amazingly stupendifferous discounts at the outlets, but we did manage to buy some much needed apparel items including snow boots for Khalil. Unfortunately I didn’t find any must-have Christmas gifts for any of the kids (our niece, nephews, and cousins). Jhan is a champion shopper while I am more the type of person who gets hives at even the thought of heading to a mall. Somehow I survived – ah, the things we do for love. </p>
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</div><p>Yesterday was spent in lazy recovery from the day o’shopping, so I’ve made up for it today with cleaning, baking bread, and some much-needed grading of papers. Interim grades are due at the high school on Tuesday by 11PM, so I’ve gotta get cooking on that front. Baking bread is not one of my fortes, but here is the basic bread in 5 minutes a day recipe I followed:</p>
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</div><p>1.5 Tablespoons yeast</p>
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</div><p>3 Cups warm water (100°F)</p>
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</div><p>6.5 Cups of flour (3C all-purpose white flour and 3.5C whole-wheat flour in my case)</p>
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</div><p>I took the yeast out of the fridge to bring it up to room temperature. I then mixed the yeast and salt into the 3 Cups of 100°F water in a large glass bowl. To that I added the 6.5 cups of flour cup by cup. I had to use a combination of flours on account of not having enough of either kind. I’ve read that a combination of white and whole wheat yields somewhat yummier bread on account of pure whole wheat causing the bread to become too dense. If you (the supposed reader) have tried it some other way, please let me know what advice you have to offer. I mixed the flour and water mixture with a fork initially and then with my hands. It’s a sticky mess by the time you’re done, but I think it’s worth getting your hands into the dough. I then covered the bowl with a damp cotton towel and let it rise for 2.5 hours. I dusted a wooden cutting board with cornmeal and then pulled the dough out of the bowl and smoothed it into a round on the cutting board. I let it rest and rise a bit for 40 minutes. </p>
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</div><p>During the 40 minute rest/rise time, I preheated the oven to 450°F and placed a pizza stone in the oven to warm. I also put hot water in a cast iron skillet into the oven underneath the pizza stone. This provides steam in the oven while the bread is baking. Apparently this helps develop a chewier crust on the bread. When the dough was well-rested, as it were, I sprinkled more cornmeal onto the pizza stone and slid the loaf onto the stone for baking. The recipe I have calls for about 30 minutes of baking. Apparently in this oven I should have maybe let it go a few more minutes. And the fruit of my labor – delicious, homebaked bread!</p>
KPaynedeChavezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05921902387161728944noreply@blogger.com0