what nourishes your spirit?

For a lot of years my life was hustle bustle. I was either busy raising my children or working outside the home or both. I seldom did anything for myself; my life was so busy doing for others. Besides, I thought putting myself first was selfish…my family, job and home came first. There was seldom time or energy for me. A friend told me that she had to put her own needs first. I admitted to her that this (at that time) seemed selfish to me and I felt that one should be selfless in what they did. She proceeded to tell me her reasoning. She said that if she didn’t take care of herself first, how could she be effective in taking care of her family or anything else? It took me a long time to get that. I mean really get it. The only thing I did for myself was to drop into bed at night, exhausted from the day’s challenges. I began to resent all the demands on my time and energy.

It took awhile, but finally I got it. I realized that it was necessary to allow myself some personal time outs to be better; calmer, more patient, healthier, and more effective as a parent, a wife and an employee. You could say I finally recognized the value of my own well being and how that affected everything else. I decided (yes, it was a choice) to start being a little kinder and gentler with myself. I started taking time off from my job. Eventually I developed a meditation practice. I began journaling to find out who I was and what really mattered to me. I guess you can say that is when things began to change. I began seriously realizing my own value as a person and the value of time alone.

I’ve learned not to feel guilty when I take time for myself. Often in the middle a days worth of chores I will rest because that is what my body is telling me to do. I have learned to listen. Some days it’s a 20 minute catnap or a half hour on the sofa with my crocheting or a cup of coffee and a book. Some days just a little time in the fresh air connecting with nature or time spent here, connecting with all of you is just what I need. We all need to nurture and renew our spirit. When we neglect to do so, we can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and/or resentful, stressed out, anxious, angry, tired, depressed and/or physically ill.

Managing your time is important if not crucial to establishing guilt free time for yourself as well as staying on top of responsibilities. For me, this is where list making is important. Either before I go to bed or when I get up in the morning and am having my first cup of coffee, I sit down at the table with pen and paper and make a “to do” list for that day or the next.

Knowing how I am about making extended lists, I will either make two columns; one for the “must do” priorities and another for the other things I hope to accomplish that day but aren’t as important. Or I will make one long list and put a little star beside the priorities. I do the best I can and most days accomplish more than I expected to. Other days I may not do as much, but I don’t lose any sleep over that fact. I just add those things to the next day or another. Sometimes I get caught up enough that I can take an unplanned day just for doing what I like; sewing, puttering, writing or spending time with friends. But again, managing your time is what gets you there.

Later in the week I hope to talk about why simple living is smarter living and how it frees up more of your time and energy. In the meantime, think about what nourishes and renews your spirit. If you’re not sure then be direct and ask yourself. Try to discover those things that bring you joy, relaxation and other positive feelings. It could be a craft or hobby, journaling, reading, walking, relaxing to music or any number of things. Add one or two of them to your daily list as a reminder that they are just as important as anything else you do and then do them. Practice doing not doing…you’ll thank yourself. : )

seasonal thoughts

As we enter each season, we enter a time of change. Such is nature. Where once we heard the steady rhythm of life; the chirping and squawking of birds and the hum of insects, now we are given silence. Green growth has given way to brown and tree tops once lush now stand naked, skeletal remains of what was.

Here in the Northern hemisphere daylight has been steadily decreasing since the summer solstice. We are on the verge of winter and the most welcome rebirth of the sun. We have worked hard planting, tending and harvesting since spring, in preparation for this time. Like the squirrel we have gathered and stored. Nature in her wisdom has always shown us the way. As we enter the season we are prepared for the coming months and time of stillness, a time of withdrawing into the warmth of hearth and home.

Despite what the world of commercialism would have us believe, Nature teaches us that this is a time for slowing down, for stillness and for taking inventory of our lives. If we allow Nature to guide us on the path we come to understand that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is unnatural and manmade. We humans have been misled to the point of turning the holy days of winter into holidays of excess and overindulgence. I believe Nature, in her eternal wisdom shows us quite the opposite and that now is a time for conserving our energy and our resources.

As we enter the coming days it is wise to consider how Nature behaves. In the season of stillness, let us allow ourselves stillness. In the season of quiet reflection, let us allow ourselves time to reflect on the past and consider the future. Our thought, plans, ideas are as seeds, let them germinate so in the future they may take root and grow.

Just my thoughts on this gray November day.

yay, we did it!

When I thought we had done everything possible to reduce the amount of our electric bill, we did it again! We’ve actually managed to bring our bill down this month to the pre rate increase amount, actually even a little less.

On average usage has been about 525 KWH per month. Electricity is not our heat source, but we have a freezer plus a side by side fridge, electric stove, electric water heater, water pump, washer, electric dryer, security light, the occasional use of garage lights, barn lights and air compressor and more. These things normally resulted in a bill of about $67 – $69 before the rate hike. When the rates went up our bill jumped up to $88 for the same KWH usage.

We already do the following things to lower our usage, cost and carbon footprint:

• CFL’s throughout the house and garage

• Minimizing light usage

• Being conscientious when using the oven, making full use of it when on

• Using dish pans at the sink instead of running a steady water stream, to prevent excess water usage and limit pump running

• Minimizing the number of toilet flushes for the same reason

• Insulated water heater

• Keeping most if not all electricity vampires on power strips which are turned off at night, when not in use or when we go away. Microwave, TV, stereo, computer, etc.

• Opening and closing the garage door manually rather than using the automatic garage door opener

• Not using the dryer whenever possible (I think I used it 3 times between spring and now)

• Washing clothes in cold water for the most part and doing only full loads

You get the picture. So what made our electric bill go down so dramatically? Well...we have been shutting off the water heater, having it on for maybe four or five hours a day for the past several weeks. And you know what? It hasn’t made a difference in our lives except to reduce the electric usage and money spent on the bill.

We usually turn it off in the evening after dinner and showers and then back on the following afternoon. If by chance I don’t have hot enough water in between for dishes, which is seldom, I simply heat a tea kettle full on the stove. I have never been without at least warm water since we began this practice. I was astonished that this simple practice reduced our bill by over 100 KWH and $20. Last months billing was $87. Our current billing is $66. Woo hoo!

coasting along...sweetly

Today I awoke to fluffy snowflakes drifting across the wintry morning sky. When I let Timmy out for his morning break I couldn’t resist stepping out into them for just a minute. Of course I hurried back to the bedroom to tell my sleeping husband, “It’s snowing!” I’m real sure he appreciated that. Yes, it doesn’t take much to excite me, lol! I still feel that child like awe, that sense of magic when it comes to certain things, most especially things like first snowfalls, the first fireflies in summer or the first flowers in the spring. The feeling has never worn thin.

As much as I would like to be more ambitious or aggressive in my approach to finishing or beginning some projects, I am not in that particular place at the moment. Lately it’s like the season has settled into my soul. So I have been doing little in “accomplishing” and instead I have been tinkering. A little baking, a little crocheting and still keeping up with routine maintenance around the house. And for now that feels like enough.

Today I was going to run some errands including stopping by our nearby rural bulk food shop to pick up a few things. Instead I baked pies. (See what I mean? I’m just kind of coasting through the days right now) I figure with all the berries we were able to gather and freeze over the summer, I may be baking pies and cobblers all winter. Nothing wrong with that, though.

I’m a good pie baker. No brag, just fact. But then it really doesn’t take a lot to be good at it. You just need a dependable dough recipe and the right ingredients and tools.

Here's my basic recipes for pie crust and cooked berry filling. The dough recipe will make five 9 or 10 inch crusts. I usually make two double crust fruit pies and one shell for a cream pie or to freeze. The filling will fill two 9-10" pies.

Basic Pie Filling (berry or cherry) for two 10” pies

About 10 cups of fresh or frozen (and thawed) berries

1 ½ - 2 cups sugar depending on particular berries and their tartness. This time I used black raspberries, so I used 1 ½ cups sugar since they are naturally sweet. If I were making elderberry or sour cherry pies I would likely increase the sugar to 2 cups.

6 T. cornstarch

Up to a cup of water if needed. Sorry, I don’t measure, I just pour a little out of the tea kettle if necessary to make sure they are a little liquidy.

Mix sugar and corn starch in a bowl. In pan, place berries. If fresh, mash down somewhat to get them juicy. If from the freezer, do not drain.

Add sugar mixture and stir in well. Add a little water if necessary. Cook over medium high heat until bubbly, glossy and thickened, stirring continually to prevent sticking. Remove from heat to cool.

Dough for five 10” pie crusts

6 cups unbleached flour

2 cups Spectrum organic shortening or lard.

1 T. salt

about ¾ cup cold water

Mix salt and flour together.

Add shortening and mix with pastry blender until it looks like this.

Add water by sprinkling it over the dough mixture with a spoon then working it in with your hands until you get this.

Once blended, form a nice sized ball of dough with your hands and pat it out somewhat on a piece of wax paper. Lay a second piece of wax paper on top and begin rolling it out.

You must be firm with the rolling pin and turn the wax paper around fairly often to get an evenly rolled crust. I have always rolled my dough like this because it’s never failed to guarantee me a nice crust without integrating too much flour or having it stick to the rolling surface or having your rolling pin stick to the dough. It just works for me.

When adequately rolled, peel off the top layer of wax paper, flip the dough into the pie plate and then carefully peel off the other layer of wax paper that is now facing you.

You will do this again for your second pie.

Once you have filled your crusts with pie filling of your choice, then repeat dough rolling process for your top crusts. Just before applying top crust, wet edge of bottom crust. This seals the two crusts. Crimp edges by pinching dough between your thumb and index finger…at least that’s how I do it. Then with a knife edge, shave off excess dough. Vent your top crusts to allow steam to escape and bake as directed. I like to lightly sprinkle some sugar on the top crust. Just makes a prettier pie imo.

I bake my fruit pies at about 425 for 12-15 minutes to brown, then another 30-35 minutes at 325.

Tah Dah! Who cares what's for dinner, let's eat pie!

so much to share

Ya know, there are so many things I want to share with you here but I have always had a tendency to have a million things running through my brain that by the time I get to them they have taken a back seat to more immediate things or they’ve slipped my mind. I think my tendency to have so much going on in my head is why I strive (not always successfully I might add) to keep a sense of order in my home. I am often jotting down thoughts, ideas or inspirations to write about and share but then I often fail to remember where I’ve written them. Silly, since I have journals for that very reason! I need more structure in that department although many of my friends would say I’m anal enough. Yes, that is what they often call me. : ( But really, that’s not a bad thing. I have to be that way to a certain extent or my life would be like my thoughts, random and helter skelter.

For quite some time I have wanted to tell you about this cast iron cauldron I found over the summer at a yard sale. I was taken by it of course for several reasons, I could tell it was old and interesting, (I always say that’s why I married Coop, but I don’t think he appreciates that remark), it was cast iron and it was a cauldron. Tell me, have you ever known a witch that didn’t like cauldrons?

Anyhow, the man selling it told me it had belonged to his grandfather or maybe it was his great grandfather, not sure now. I was curious about the brass rod that had a ceramic bulb on the end. He explained to me that this was a dauber.

The cauldron was used to house oil and the dauber was to spread oil onto logs to light them or keep them burning. Obviously the man could tell I just loved his grandfather’s old oil kettle and he voluntarily knocked the price down for me. How could I resist? He even accepted a check since I didn’t have any cash left as I had just a couple of dollars with me and had already used that on a few other things he’d had for sale like the box of vintage sewing items I got for $2.

Then, there was the heart Coop noticed one day as he was munching on a fresh pear he’d just picked…

And the day Coop found the baby bunny in the yard, badly injured. He brought it in and I examined it and saw that its back leg was dangling and it was already in shock, so we set it back out to let nature take its course. Poor bunny.

And then there are the two hawk feathers that presented themselves to me last week as I walked the trail through the woods.

I’ve found four of these now since we’ve returned to the farm. According to Native American lore finding a hawk feather means that you are on the correct trail and you should continue in that direction. Considering the direction of my life that sounds like a good, sound message from my perspective.

I'm on a mission and I can't be stopped

I’ve been on a kick for a week now, sorting, organizing and trying my best to arrange my home in a more orderly fashion. I think it’s because throughout the past two months I’ve been a tad bit overwhelmed with clutter while canning. Now that’s behind me I seem to be on a mission to streamline things…well, as best I can. And when I say I am done with canning this time, I really mean it. I thought I was done several times, but ended up with a few more quarts of this and a few more pints of that. The week before the wind storm I canned pear sauce. Then last Monday, the day after the storm, I got a bargain on a big ol’ box of peaches. How could I resist? Nearly ¾ bushel and I paid $5 for them! So Monday night and Tuesday morn I was canning peaches. I love peaches and was thrilled to find them marked down so low. A few were over ripe, but 99% were just fine and all nice big, tree ripened peaches. Tasty! Earlier I had called around local orchards and they were going for $36-38 a bushel. That’s way beyond my budget so finding a deal like I did was awesome! And how about this; I had just enough jars left to can them…just enough. So yes, I am done now because I am out of canning jars. That, my friends, is hard to believe because I had a load of jars at the beginning of the season.

Anyhoo, about the mission…I have reworked the kitchen a little to suit me better, switched things from one cupboard to another and somehow I actually found storage for my small appliances; the crockpots, the food processor, the blender, etc. I still haven’t figured that one out because I actually eliminated the sideboard. Trust me; I’m not questioned how, just celebrating the fact, lol! Today I unintentionally worked on the living room and rearranged enough to make it feel more spacious. With the cooler weather here and more time being spent indoors as the weather turns to fall, I needed to feel less closed in. The truth is, despite my simplified life, I have too much stuff and too much furniture. I am limited as to how I can arrange things and still maintain my own sense of aesthetics. But I pulled it off and managed to open the living room up a bit for a more spacious feel. Damn I am good! *snicker* I did take note as I was reloading the shelves with books and pretties that I need to go through these particular things and get rid of some of this excess stuff. But for the moment I am just going to feel good about what has been done.

My mind has been drifting to the holidays already. That means I must be picking up on my crafting soon since we give primarily handmade gifts. I have always enjoyed the creative process and my skills come in handy, especially on our budget. Not only when it comes to gift giving, but also in our everyday lives. Recently I crocheted a scarf for the top of the toilet tank. I felt it needed a little something to make it a little prettier. I happened to have some green cotton yarn on hand so I worked up this “doily” in a simple V stitch.

I also like to make shawls and have a couple I’ve made for myself and use regularly. They’re the nicest things to wrap up in on a cool morning or evening. I use mine in place of a robe around the house. I especially like to take one along when we go to the concerts in the park during the summer. The evenings can get quite cool and they are the perfect wrap.

Well, speaking of wrap, I think I’ll wrap this up. But before I do, check out the boys, Timmy and Arther. I think they’ve adapted well to one another.

August 2008 Independence Summery

Well here it is, my August summery, but first things first. I have to share this somewhat fuzzy photo of my largest Brandywine to date.

If you recall the last one I showed you weighed 1 pound 11 ounces. Well this baby came in at 2 pounds 2 ounces! It was darn tasty, too!

Planting, Harvesting & Preserving –

Planted fall crop of romaine lettuce.

Still harvesting garden produce on regular basis for fresh eating and preserving. Harvesting winter squash. Harvested elderberries.

Canned 31 quarts of tomatoes, 15 quarts spaghetti sauce, 5 pints ketchup, 7 pints pickles, 11 pints sweet relish, 12 quarts tomato juice, 21 half pints hot sauce.

spaghetti sauce simmering

Froze 11 very full quarts elderberries, 15 bags squash (some zucchini, some summer squash), green peppers, hot peppers, 19 bags of green beans. I really wanted to can the beans but never had enough at one time to warrant doing that. Baked and froze 4 loaves zucchini bread, excess tomatoes.

Dried 3 pints Amish Paste tomatoes, 1 quart mixed hot [peppers, 1 pint sweet peppers.

Preparedness & Planning – Added purchased canned goods to reserves.

Managing household & reserves – Coop put together a much needed set of shelves in the cellar to store the canned good on in an orderly fashion. He also repaired cellar stairway with new concrete.

Keeping it Local – Eating from our garden daily, purchasing dairy products, fresh sweet corn from local Amish, purchased apples, sweet peppers and melon from local farmers market, sharing garden produce with neighbors and family.

Learned New Skill or Tried Something New – infusing elderberries for tincture as I write this, concocted a recipe for chutney using ground cherries.

Misc. & Handcrafting – yeah right. : ) Working occasionally on that afghan while planning a few projects for fall.

The Smallest of Pleasures

Over the years I have learned to recognize more acutely the significance in the small, seemingly inconsequential things. In taking note, I find that much of my love of our simple life is encapsulated in these small pleasures…

The sound of jar lids popping, letting me know my jars of jam and vegetables have sealed successfully.

A seed sprouting, showing signs of life and green, making one aware of the continuous cycle of nature.

The aroma (and anticipation) of whatever may be simmering on the stove top or baking in the oven.

Watching our garden grow.

Moments sitting in the sun with a cat occupying my lap or winding around my legs.

Allowing the jars of newly canned jams to sit on the table for longer than necessary just so I can admire them a little while longer before storing them away.

Watching the antics of birds and insects as if there is nothing better to do, because in that moment there is nothing better to do.

The sight of clean laundry willowing in the breeze on a sunny day and the smell of air and sunshine as I take it down and fold it, drawing the occasional piece to my face to breathe it in.

Our muscovy ducks appearing at my feet when I step out back in case I might have a treat for them and hand tossing them scraps to catch in their beaks like puppy dogs.

Adding to and organizing rows of home canned goods on my cellar shelves.

The myriad of colors in a patch of zinnias.

The evening sounds of life in the woods.

Choosing colors for my next yarn project, next bead project, next sewing project....

Putting the clean dishes in their proper places.

Gathering food fresh from the vine and making a homegrown meal.

Watching storms move in and never ceasing to be in awe of the power of nature.

The truth is, I find pleasure in most aspects of life, not only pleasure but also a great sense of appreciation for our lifestyle, our family and friends and for what we have. And when I say for what we have I mean that in the largest sense, from the love of others to the plants and trees that make oxygen , from the earth in which our food grows to the sun for it's warmth and life sustaining rays, from the food, dishes and utensils that inhabit the cupboards and drawers to the hot running water, from the view out the kitchen window, to the earth’s tokens that decorate our home There is so much that we can inadvertently take for granted, but when we practice slowing down and taking notice we find ourselves surrounded with blessings. I've found that practicing awareness brings appreciation and practicing appreciation brings awareness.

simple living not simple or for everyone

Everything we do to grow, preserve, and make ends meet comes by way of necessity and conviction. Knowing we are responsible for making sure we get by and that we have enough without being at the mercy of corporate profiteering leads us to learning and doing, taking us further on the path of sustainability. Along with necessity resides a true pleasure derived from creating from one’s hand the ingredients necessary to sustain life. I believe that the greatest gift we are capable of is to be able to provide for ourselves and each other.

It helps a lot that we're not completely new to this lifestyle. I inherited a lot of “can do” attitude and know-how from my parents. I have also learned much on my own out of desire and necessity. We grew up on fresh veggies form the garden and home canned foods. A meal of fresh green beans and potatoes cooked with a little bacon or ham hock was a much welcome treat after the winter months. As long as I can remember I have regularly yearned for the taste of a fresh garden tomato throughout the months prior to their planting and ripening. I guess you could say that living simply and in a back to basics way is in my blood. It just feels right in every way; monetarily, environmentally and spiritually.

There is no great mystery in the ability to raise and preserve ones own food. People have been doing it for centuries. It is simple a matter of whether one feels this responsibility and has the time, space and inclination to do so. In these essential elements I am very fortunate. But in truth it is also necessary that we live this way. If we were dependent on purchasing all our food from the store we would have far less quality to our meals and far less food. Realistically, in order for us to live as well as we do, especially now with increasing costs we must be as self sufficient as possible. It makes no sense to be otherwise and lessen the quality of our lives.

I am aware of those who at times think ours is a life of leisure, one in which we have nothing more pressing to do than to tinker in the garden or craft and putter about, enjoying ourselves in whatever ways we choose. I would like to take the opportunity here to say yes, we have freedom. That freedom is not one away from work and responsibility. It is the freedom to do the work and live the life of our choosing and believe me it involves plenty of hard work. The garden, the ground, the preserves, the full freezer, the meals from scratch, etc., do not happen miraculously by themselves. Our lives are dedicated to making it work. From the dried herbs to the hand cut tomato stakes, from the spaghetti sauce to the fresh fruit, from the laundry soap to the hand made wash cloths and dinner napkins, it comes from time and effort specifically dedicated to making it work. And if I enjoy these things in the process, it doesn’t detract from the fact that it does require the majority of my time and effort. This is the choice I make as opposed to working outside the home for money that would be spent on these very items via someone else’s labor. The fact that I find satisfaction through my efforts and in needing less by way of commercially manufactured goods and food does not mean I work less than anyone else or that my work is less relevant than another’s. It simply means I enjoy it more and don’t consider all of it labor as opposed to other types of work or employment. The truth is I put more hours and energy into this job than I have any other.

We are fully employed here at home on a daily basis. We don’t get the weekends off, and often not the holidays. It is ongoing. Our jobs are our life, a life that many I know would not want to fully participate in. In truth, although it may sound simple and good (and it is), when confronted with the reality of what it takes to really live it, many would likely decline. I know this life is not for everyone. It would not be convenient to some to be self supporting, to not run out to the store when the need arose to pick up this or that. It takes dedication, foresight, planning and plenty of effort to live this simple lifestyle.

A simple life doesn’t mean an easy life. I think it is better described as being a less complicated, richer, more rewarding life. It is one in which we find the greatest pleasure and value in our own creativity and accomplishments. It is a life in which one is not searching outside themselves for satisfaction or meaning. It is a very full and rewarding life, one I hope we can continue living for a long time to come.

all in one catching up post

Just for pretty, the Morning Glories in quite naturally all their morning glory!

I miss coming to my computer and posting on a more daily basis but life has a way of keeping us busy, especially now. The garden is coming along quite beautifully. Cherokee Purple tomatoes as well as the Amish Paste are just beginning to ripen. The Hungarian hot peppers are coming along well and we have been enjoying the zucchini nearly every day as well as giving some away to family and friends. These along with green beans and peas are all part of our daily fare right now. I do love shopping from my garden!

Zucchini, peppers, Amish paste tomatoes and those lovely Cherokee Purple tomatoes take center stage on my kitchen table until I prepare them fro eating. The summer squash are from my daughters garden!

Even the ground cherries are ripening.

Today the laundry has been caught up, the makings of yogurt are under way, the cream turned into butter, spaghetti sauce has been cooked for tonights dinner...
and fresh zucchini sliced and under salt water for pickle making this afternoon.
With the garden producing and vegetables in abundance it' has been days since I have taken any meat from the freezer to include with a meal.


Coop has been working on repairing the side wall to our outside cellar steps. This is an old, old house with a stone wall cellar. The years we were away it was left in neglect for a good part. The outside cellar steps had been unused for the most part and had become overgrown with vegetation. DH cleaned them up and made them usable again. The newly repaired side wall he is constructing with concrete will help keep things out such as vegetation and snakes making me feel a little better about using the stairway when I haul the laundry out to the line. No more hauling heavy wash loads upstairs and through the kitchen, the garage and around back to the clothesline. Yippee! What on earth would I do without that guy? I know I'd work a whole lot harden than I do, that's what!

Last week I made 3 quarts of refrigerator pickles. (I will be sharing that recipe with you very soon.) This has been a tradition with me for a good many years. Although I do canned pickles, also, these are so nice and easy to make and are such a great accompaniment to summer time meals, not to mention a handy and very tasty take along for picnicking. They always get rave reviews and eaten up.

And last of all for those who, like me wash and reuse plastic bags, a simple but effective solution to drying. Mind you, I had been eyeballing those ready made bag drying racks but who wants to spend $12 - $15 on one when a quart jar and few dowel rods work equally as well. Same principal!

Have a great remainder of your week. I will get back with that pickle recipe and a follow up to the tale of two tanks very soon.

Peace, love and homegrown veggies! :)

simplicity - I couldn't have said it any better

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life. ~John Burroughs

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. ~Epicurus

Life is so simple, but we insist on making it complicated. ~Confucius

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction. ~E.F. Schumacker

The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich, and creative, it isn't simple. ~Doris Janzen Longacre

The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Maybe a person's time would be as well spent raising food as raising money to buy food. ~Frank A. Clark

As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness. ~Henry David Thoreau

How many things are there which I do not want. ~Socrates

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. ~Lao Tzu

The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. ~Thomas More.

People say "I want peace." If you remove I (ego), and your
want (desire), you are left with peace. ~ Satya Sai Baba

Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.
~ Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Too many people spend money they haven't earned,
to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. ~Will Rogers

Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English
language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and
enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in
having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.
~Elise Boulding

Simplicity is the essence of happiness. ~ Cedric Bledsoe

To know you have enough is to be rich. ~Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Voluntary simplicity means going fewer places in one day
rather than more, seeing less so I can see more, doing less
so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more.
~John Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go There You Are

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy,
even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry. ~ E.B. White

My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions but in the fewness of my wants.
~J. Botherton

You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy. ~Eric Hoffer

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~Laura IngallsWilder

To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather
than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy,
not respectable, and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think
quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds,
to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word to
let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up
through the common, this is to be my symphony.
~William Henry Channing

The simplest things are often the truest. ~Richard Bach

The art of contentment is the recognition that the most satisfying and the most dependably refreshing experiences of life lie not in great things but in little. The rarity of happiness among those who achieved much is evidence that achievement is not in itself the assurance of a happy life. The great, like the humble, may have to find their satisfaction in the same plain things. ~Edgar A. Collard

It all depends on whether you have things, or they have you.
~Robert A. Cook

If one's life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. And finally, there is an intense delight in abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating helpful ones in meditation. ~The Dalai Lama

For fast acting relief; try slowing down. ~Lily Tomlin

June 2008 Independence Summery

Planting, Harvesting & Preserving
Planted additional rows of green beans plus four tomato plants (2 black heirloom, 2 white heirloom) and 1 spaghetti squash that were given to us. Mulched garden, made tomato stakes and staked all tomato plants. Harvested & dried herbs, dried bananas, preserved 7 pints and 23 half pint jars of various jams, froze 15 quarts strawberries, two gallon bags of bananas and 2 ½ quarts black raspberries.

Preparedness & Planning
Purchased a few good reference books on organic gardening, root cellars and seed saving to add to our sustainable living library. Discussed ways to cut back on expenses by eliminating certain things from our diet, lowered our electric usage a bit more by using power strips more places.


Managing household & reserves
Still working on eliminating unnecessary goods…donated items to local thrift store, sold a few items on ebay.

Keeping it Local
Purchased strawberries, eggs, milk from local Amish as well as lye for soap making.


Learned New Skill or Tried Something New
Successfully made home-made yogurt and yogurt cheese.

May 2008 Independence Summery

Inspired by Carla Emery’s version of Independence Days, Sharon at Causabon's Book has challenged others to be more food independent.

I agree with Carla Emery when she said, "People have to choose what they are going to struggle for. Life is always a struggle, whether or not you’re struggling for anything worthwhile, so it might as well be for something worthwhile."

Sharon says in an article from May of last year found here that, "Americans tend to believe that hunger could never come their way. They forget that just two generations ago, during the depression, as many as 25% of urban school children were malnourished, and people stood in bread lines. They forget that the experience of privelege we've known in these wealthy nations is very odd - a historical anomaly. That pretty much all human beings starting with our grandparents and going back knew periods of food insecurity - and that the majority of people in the world know hunger at some point in their lives. Should we bet the farm on the notion that this magical immunity to the plague of hunger will go on forever?"

Although Sharon suggests keeping a weekly update, I've decided to blog about it in a monthly format from time to time, since I already keep a handwritten journal on my growing, preserving an harvesting efforts.

Planting, Harvesting & Preserving Heirloom gardens planted with a variety of tomatoes, peppers, peas, beets, green beans, zucchini, spinach, midget melons, a variety of winter squash and pickles, basil, onions. Planted dill patch and lettuce patch. Potted 11 citronella plants for the patio, 3 small cherry trees on old barn bank. Planted zinnias, lily bulbs, transplanted a sedum as well as several volunteer sunflowers.

Harvested & dried herbs, strawberries

Preparedness & Planning Purchased additional green beans for late summer crop. Bought pinto beans in bulk, divided and packaged for storage. Added storage containers to and organized reserve food storage area. Purchased additional toilet paper for reserve as well. Bought used sheets at Goodwill to use as garden covers during frost warnings. Made 2 gallon of liquid soap for laundry and dishes, made cloth napkins from materials on hand and purchased some used at thrift store to eliminate the need for paper towels. Discussed the details and likely purchase of a Rhoades Car with husband to lessen our dependence of petroleum.

Managing household & reserves Inventoried freezer, used up items nearing the end of freezer life, made croutons from old bread, used last of the winter squash from 2007 garden, donated unnecessary household goods and clothing to freecycle.

Keeping it Local Purchased butter, eggs, milk from local Amish, put in order for 20 quarts of strawberries for jam making from another Amish acquaintance. Purchased flour, sugar and additional staples from neighborhood bulk food markets.

going green and the desire to live simply

Which came first for you - the desire to live more simply or the 'greening' of your spirituality? This was a question posed to me by elderwonman. A very good question I might add, because it made me think. I feel I’ve always leaned towards a natural, down to earth lifestyle with concern for the environment.

Although this may not seem relevant to some, it was/is to me…

I was in my thirties when I started taking a serious look at what I believed. After much examination and consideration, I stepped away from religion altogether, having realized I did not need organized religion to walk a spiritual path. For me God was more real and accessible through the natural world that surrounded me than through church doors and doctrines. (I mean no disrespect or offense. I understand and respect the fact that religion and a church community are meaningful to many.) Perhaps this was the beginning of my spiritual greening.

Then when in my forties I took a serious look at who I was…

By the late 90’s my children were no longer at home needing my attention, It was at this time during my forties that the distinct desire to simplify and to get to know myself as more than just a mom, wife and employee become prevalent. Mind you, I wouldn’t trade the roles of mother and wife for anything, but I realized I had little identity aside from these things and I wanted to literally find myself. I also missed being at home, tending to domestic things. I wanted to return to a simpler life where my time and energy weren’t exhausted doing things I had no real interest in. I finally left my job to be at home where I took up daily meditation and journaling. My desires and what gave true meaning to my existence and mattered most to me became much clearer. They were the things that (I think) matter most to (I hope) nearly everyone; peace, contentment, loving relationships, freedom and the time and energy to devote to the people I loved and the things I cared about and enjoyed.

I like to think that the older I’ve grown, the wiser I’ve become. My propensity for all things natural has certainly grown. There’s no doubt the further enlightened I became, the more I felt connected globally and the larger my sense of response-ability became. This naturally led toward a simpler and greener lifestyle. My evolution has certainly led to an expanded awareness of society’s workings and a realization of how brainwashed we are led to become through the media’s convincing us of a false need to have and consume. Awareness has reinforced the desire to be more environmentally responsible and to simplify further. In the end I cannot say with conviction which actually came first, my spiritual greening or the desire to live more simply…the two most certainly have walked hand in hand. I believe however, that the path to authenticity led to simplicity and simplicity has turned me a much deeper shade of green.

one more small commitment

Some years back paper towels were never an item on our list of necessities. Somehow over the course of time they became one. I hate to think of the money spent and trees destroyed on behalf of my purchasing of them alone. Granted, over the past few years I have lessened the number of rolls purchased and made sure the ones I bought were made from at least some percentage of post consumer waste.

Recently I've been thinking back to the time when we actually managed without some of these costly (environmentally and monetarily speaking) products. As a result I've decided to return to my paper towel free days. We'll be using more cloth napkins at meal times and I'll be keeping a stack of clean cloth rags handy for spills and clean ups. Today I'll be taking some old cotton towels I have, cutting them down to size and hemming the edges. They'll be just the right size for everyday napkins and quick clean ups. Just one more small yet significant way I can tread a little more lightly. Being green usually helps save a little green, too. :)

our simple life

I am one happy gal today! After four days missing, calls to neighbors and the dog warden, walks through the woods and feeling sad, Shadow returned home this morning! He didn't act hungry, just tired. With no idea where he was, we are simply rejoicing in the fact that he is back.

The beans are soaking for tomorrow's pot of chili, the recycling bin has been emptied and sorted, my housework caught up and now Coop is out mowing the lawn for the first time this spring.

Rhonda Jean at Down to Earth has asked her readers to blog about how they live. Since I have time, here we go. I know I've blogged about our life more than once, that is pretty much what this blog is about, but if this post is repetitive on certain subjects, please forgive. :)

My husband and I made a choice a few years ago to give up what I call the hamster race . We were living to work rather than working to live, running in circles like hamsters on a wheel, getting nowhere really. We would occasionally reflect back on simpler times when we had less materially, but were happier.

Funny, but neither one of us was getting any younger either and I really did not want to leave my children to have to deal with settling our estate and financial situation when we left this earthly plane. We had a business, a home and too many debts. Finally, we chose to get back to basics. After looking at our options and figuring out how we wanted to spend our lives, or perhaps better said, how we didn't want to spend our lives, we closed the business, liquidating everything we could to pay off as much as we could. After a very long attempt at selling that failed, we let the bank have the house. This was probably the hardest thing we’ve ever done. Until you’ve done so, letting go of your old way of life, your stuff and your home can be very difficult even when it’s your choice to do so.

Our preferred way of life did not happen immediately even then. We moved around for a few years, but finally settled where we are now, where it feels like home, living a much simpler, much happier and much more self sustaining lifestyle. We still work hard, but the difference is, we are not working for a paycheck now, we are working to live the life of our choosing.

Coop’s retirement income is $941 per month. This is the amount we live on with the only exception being the occasional etsy or ebay sale. According to U.S. Federal guidelines, our income is more than $2000 below the poverty level. I guess by American standards we’re poor folk now, but I know that "poor" is more a state of mind than income. I have a saying I keep posted on my refrigerator that reads, “The happiest people don’t own the best of everything but make the best of everything.” That would describe us quite well.

According to our standards we live well, eat well (in fact much better than when we had more to spend) and sleep well. So, how exactly do we live? The answer is this; simply, frugally, creatively and sustainably. Our objective is to be as self sustaining and debt free as we can be, according to our ability and means, and to live naturally and organically, doing as little harm to the environment as possible.

This comprises raising our own organic plants and produce each summer. Eggs and milk are purchased from nearby Amish folk. We are planning to raise our own chickens in the near future. We do our primary shopping once per month, making our rounds to find reduced priced goods and purchasing in bulk when we can get a significant savings. Coop is always eager to bargain for a better price and you’d be surprised how often he gets it. Recently we came home with over twenty pounds of organic beef for just $2.25 a pound. (yes, we still eat meat...I know, I know) We purchase staple items (flour, sugar, oats, etc.) from our locally owned bulk food store which very fortunately is within a few miles of our home.

I love my life at home. A day in the kitchen may be work to some, but I spend the time with a happy heart. I stew bones for soup broth rather than purchasing it, and save dried bread and crackers to make my own bread crumbs. Purchasing convenience foods is not an option for two reasons; they are more expensive and are often full of all kinds of unnecessary and less than beneficial ingredients. Since I do my own preserving there is rarely a need to purchase canned vegetables, relishes, pasta sauces, etc. There is always food on hand so meals are planned around what we have on hand and there’s no need for more frequent trips to the store.

Very seldom do we venture away from home unless it is necessary, except for the occasional trip to see our kids. When we do go out, we plan ahead and combine errands to avoid unnecessary trips. We freecycle, recycle, reuse and barter when we can. Most of our clothing and household items come second hand from local thrift stores. We maintain what we have so we don't have to replace items any more than is necessary. We still own the same old vehicles we did over a decade ago. We still use the same lawn and garden tools we have for more years than I can recall.

Virtually nothing is spent on entertainment. We have a TV which is generallyfam turned on in the evenings for Coop’s benefit. I read, browse the internet, crochet or partake in some other type of creative endeavor. In the summer months we often find ourselves outside star gazing. We tend to be homebodies, so we don’t do a lot of socializing outside of family. However, evening card games with the neighbors are commonplace in the summer. Summer also brings family and friends together around a fire now and then, sharing food, friendship and roasted marshmallows. : )

Our days here in the country are made of numerous small acts that define who we are. The steps we take to live as we do are what matter most because those steps are what allow us to live as we do. I have learned through the years that living close to and in accord with the natural world is essential for my sense of well being. I need to feel the earth and the countryside is where I thrive…away from the noise, glare and congestion of city living.

I guess all in all our simple life is about living the best life we can according to our vision, not the ideals of others. It’s about being less dependent on the outside world and more responsible for ourselves. It’s about taking back our lives, living in the now instead of striving towards some unsustainable, unrealistic or fictional future.

In the end, I guess one could say that to “live well, laugh often and love much” is our motto. This is what brings us contentment and satisfaction at the end of each day.

Thanksgiving 07