Yesterday we did the major shop for the community christmas party (at this moment i'm underbudget, but I need to get a bit more on Saturday, so i'll probably end up being over by $50). We restocked the craft and art supplies and got the majority of ingredients for the soup and gingerbread people, which I'm planning on making tomorrow, I guess. It was a full day of shopping but overall it went quite well. Today I have to sort through so much STUFF here... it's piling up. It's time to go through the Christmas wrapping, the filing of monthly bills that hasn't been done in half a year, the old art supplies out of the hall party box, La Leche League paperwork, food co-op paperwork, and get some laundry done. Just don't come knockin' on the door because it's nearly noon and we're all in our pjs still! LOL (i just LOVE "at-home" days!!!)
Made a raw chocolate dip this morning from David Wolfe & Shazzie's book Naked Chocolate which tastes delicious with mandarin orange pieces. Also made more zucchini hummus (from Jennifer Cornbleet's: Everyday Raw Food for 1 or 2 people)and also ranch dip from cashews (same book). There's some almond mylk in the fridge, too. Yesterday I had a litre of juice - green cabbage, ginger, and apple with E3Live, some veggie pulp flax crackers and a salad with avocado on it, some soaked prunes for breakfast and a mandarin orange, and a smoothie (1.5L) with 2 bananas, 1/2 L of almond mylk and 1c each frozen strawberries & frozen blueberries, and 1/4 c blue-green algae (E3Live). Soooooo yummy.
The other night as we lay snuggled in bed, my ds says, "I think being a parent is hard work." Why is that, I asked? "Well, because of all the things you have to do... make meals, do dishes, laundry, housework, pay for the house, our clothes and food, homeschooling, paying bills, all that kinda stuff. Doesn't leave you much time to play!" We had a conversation about the difference between being an adult and being a parent... most of what he described were adult responsibilities - they would be there regardless of whether as an adult you were a parent or not... as you grow up you need to somehow make enough money to keep a roof over your head and clothes on your back and food in your tummy, right? Add to all of that the responsibilities of parenthood - that you are taking on the care of another person who is not yet able to fend for themselves in the world and yes, definitely there is a sense of responsibility there for sure! He lay there for a while then said, "At what point do you become in debt?" Huh?! What he meant was, at what age do you start to owe the banks money?! LOL He answered for himself - when you end up spending more than you make... like when you have a mortgage. We talked about different lifestyle choices as an adult - living simply, working at a job you are passionate about (and well-paid for) and having lots of free time to do as you choose (grow your own food, for example, which would keep your costs down remarkably)... or working long hours and making lots of money to live a highly-consumerist lifestyle... maybe borrowing money so you could own your own place... We talked about having enough money to buy land and then having the skills to build your own place, and the freedom that comes with having no mortgage. He decided he'd like to work maybe 3 days a week, just enough to pay for his land, and then have a few days to grow his own food and live quite simply in his own handbuilt house, using a bicycle and transit for transportation and living with renewable alternative energy sources. :) Thatsa ma boy!! LOL Quite the conversation to have with an 8 yr old!! Finally he said, "okay, no more talking. I need to sleep!" Too funny.
11 December 2008
10 December 2008
Post #101!
I just realized my post on Monday was the 100th post on the blog! And judging by the counter, somebody must be reading it. LOL
Yesterday was SUCH a productive day around here. I made 8 loaves of bread (4 spelt and 4 raisin) for the family, and then 4 dozen buns (both spelt and white) for Sunday's community christmas party. And we have THREE days at home this week, not two, which is fantastic. I'll have lots of time to make 6 dz gingerbread people, a big pot of soup, and get the crafts all organized for Sunday. :) I laughed because my sister quite regularly organizes HUGE socials and fundraisers, and here I am, sweating it out over a community christmas party that will maybe have 40 people in attendance.
I am really proud of myself breaking the feast. It's been more than a week now, and I've eased back onto solid food really gradually and well, and the exciting part is from my lowest weight on the feast, I've only put on 2 lbs, which I'm thrilled about. The recommended supplements seem to be helping tremendously to tone my colon and I've maintained a wonderful healthy glow on my skin. Considering that prior to this juice feast I had only done one 1-day feast, and then I jumped in and did a 45 day feast, I have such confidence now. And being back into exercising daily has definitely helped me gain even more self-confidence.
It feels like whenever I fall off the horse (for example, despite exercising near-daily for 18 months, I then proceeded to take the majority of the last YEAR off), at any given moment I can make a different choice - I can choose to jump back into it, whether that is exercising daily, eating healthier, being more compassionate with myself, communicating more peacefully with those around me... at any given moment you are FREE to make a different choice. It's not about judgment; it's not about seeing it as making a better choice. It's just a different choice. And you really are FREE to make it. In this moment... and now in this moment. Your past does not dictate this moment... you have the ability to just let the past go and do something new or different now, if that's your choice. It feels very liberating.
I know that when I initially went vegan, people around me of course didn't think I'd ever change my ways so dramatically... I think they saw me (understandably) as a product of my past behaviour, of past attempts and choices... Granted, my reasoning for going vegan was pretty strong for me... a friend of ours had died and I wanted to honour his death - he died trying to make the world a better place, so I took that on, and knew that the best way to make the world a better place was to start with myself, and I just instinctively knew that meant honouring myself and respecting myself more than I had been, so I, all of a sudden, dropped meat and dairy one day, and started exercising in earnest that very day, the same day he died. Within months I had dropped a considerable amount of weight and was so very committed to being a role model of a healthy lifestyle to those around me... not preachy, just quietly living the example. No words are necessary. Now that it's been a few years and I continue to exemplify a healthier lifestyle than that which I had been living, I think I've gained a lot of respect from those who know me as one who is determined and follows through on her intentions, and that's something I guess I hadn't anticipated. Certainly this juice feast has confirmed for me that I have the ability to see things through; not that I won't make errors along the way, but that I can certainly pick myself up, dust myself off, and get right back on track. And that feels really good.
You are a radiant, divine being! Let your true self shine through!
In light and love,
~n~
Yesterday was SUCH a productive day around here. I made 8 loaves of bread (4 spelt and 4 raisin) for the family, and then 4 dozen buns (both spelt and white) for Sunday's community christmas party. And we have THREE days at home this week, not two, which is fantastic. I'll have lots of time to make 6 dz gingerbread people, a big pot of soup, and get the crafts all organized for Sunday. :) I laughed because my sister quite regularly organizes HUGE socials and fundraisers, and here I am, sweating it out over a community christmas party that will maybe have 40 people in attendance.
I am really proud of myself breaking the feast. It's been more than a week now, and I've eased back onto solid food really gradually and well, and the exciting part is from my lowest weight on the feast, I've only put on 2 lbs, which I'm thrilled about. The recommended supplements seem to be helping tremendously to tone my colon and I've maintained a wonderful healthy glow on my skin. Considering that prior to this juice feast I had only done one 1-day feast, and then I jumped in and did a 45 day feast, I have such confidence now. And being back into exercising daily has definitely helped me gain even more self-confidence.
It feels like whenever I fall off the horse (for example, despite exercising near-daily for 18 months, I then proceeded to take the majority of the last YEAR off), at any given moment I can make a different choice - I can choose to jump back into it, whether that is exercising daily, eating healthier, being more compassionate with myself, communicating more peacefully with those around me... at any given moment you are FREE to make a different choice. It's not about judgment; it's not about seeing it as making a better choice. It's just a different choice. And you really are FREE to make it. In this moment... and now in this moment. Your past does not dictate this moment... you have the ability to just let the past go and do something new or different now, if that's your choice. It feels very liberating.
I know that when I initially went vegan, people around me of course didn't think I'd ever change my ways so dramatically... I think they saw me (understandably) as a product of my past behaviour, of past attempts and choices... Granted, my reasoning for going vegan was pretty strong for me... a friend of ours had died and I wanted to honour his death - he died trying to make the world a better place, so I took that on, and knew that the best way to make the world a better place was to start with myself, and I just instinctively knew that meant honouring myself and respecting myself more than I had been, so I, all of a sudden, dropped meat and dairy one day, and started exercising in earnest that very day, the same day he died. Within months I had dropped a considerable amount of weight and was so very committed to being a role model of a healthy lifestyle to those around me... not preachy, just quietly living the example. No words are necessary. Now that it's been a few years and I continue to exemplify a healthier lifestyle than that which I had been living, I think I've gained a lot of respect from those who know me as one who is determined and follows through on her intentions, and that's something I guess I hadn't anticipated. Certainly this juice feast has confirmed for me that I have the ability to see things through; not that I won't make errors along the way, but that I can certainly pick myself up, dust myself off, and get right back on track. And that feels really good.
You are a radiant, divine being! Let your true self shine through!
In light and love,
~n~
08 December 2008
Feeling great!
It's Monday. As yesterday was 'tree hunt' day, we now have a lovely tree. Yes, I asked forgiveness before cutting the tree down. (That was important to me). So this morning the children went into full decorating mode. The decorations that go throughout the house are out and the tree was brought in and fully decorated - lights, garland, beads, ornaments, tinsel... it's all done. We're even listening to Christmas music. It's very festive here. ;)
Have another two Reiki sessions booked for this upcoming weekend. The kids are going to their fourth birthday party already this month (who knew they had so many friends with Dec birthdays?!), and here it is, only the 8th!
Have two "at-home" days this week planned... so I will be baking buns tomorrow for the community christmas party next weekend and then the next at-home day I'll make a couple dozen gingerbread people and also soup to take up as well. On our "out" days, I'll pick up supplies - both groceries and craft supplies and assorted small gifts. So I'm feeling really on-top-of-things at the moment, despite still not having a solid group of volunteers backing me up on this one. One of my children said to me today, "Do you have to do the organizing? I mean, one of our neighbours doesn't do anything with the community association." No, I don't HAVE to do it. But I said, it's really important to me that (a) I volunteer and give back to my community because I feel really strongly about giving back so that when I need assistance I know I can depend on my neighbours, on my community, to help me out. That's part of it. Payin' it forward. And part of it is that I really want my children to have social interaction with other kids in the area; to have the opportunity to have a fun community party, and I *know* if I didn't step up to the plate here, especially this time 'round, that it simply would NOT happen at all, and that would be a shame, not just for my kids, but for all the kids and families and people in the neighbourhood that show up. Last year we probably had 30 or 40 people attend, and all seemed to really enjoy themselves, so in the end, I think it's worth it. It's just that I've been grumbling a LOT lately about having to do this or that for this hall party, and I think I need to rephrase how I say that. I get to do this for my community; nobody's forcing me to do it. :) Thanks, my child, for helping me see that. :)
Have another two Reiki sessions booked for this upcoming weekend. The kids are going to their fourth birthday party already this month (who knew they had so many friends with Dec birthdays?!), and here it is, only the 8th!
Have two "at-home" days this week planned... so I will be baking buns tomorrow for the community christmas party next weekend and then the next at-home day I'll make a couple dozen gingerbread people and also soup to take up as well. On our "out" days, I'll pick up supplies - both groceries and craft supplies and assorted small gifts. So I'm feeling really on-top-of-things at the moment, despite still not having a solid group of volunteers backing me up on this one. One of my children said to me today, "Do you have to do the organizing? I mean, one of our neighbours doesn't do anything with the community association." No, I don't HAVE to do it. But I said, it's really important to me that (a) I volunteer and give back to my community because I feel really strongly about giving back so that when I need assistance I know I can depend on my neighbours, on my community, to help me out. That's part of it. Payin' it forward. And part of it is that I really want my children to have social interaction with other kids in the area; to have the opportunity to have a fun community party, and I *know* if I didn't step up to the plate here, especially this time 'round, that it simply would NOT happen at all, and that would be a shame, not just for my kids, but for all the kids and families and people in the neighbourhood that show up. Last year we probably had 30 or 40 people attend, and all seemed to really enjoy themselves, so in the end, I think it's worth it. It's just that I've been grumbling a LOT lately about having to do this or that for this hall party, and I think I need to rephrase how I say that. I get to do this for my community; nobody's forcing me to do it. :) Thanks, my child, for helping me see that. :)
07 December 2008
Day 7, Post-Feast
Wow, well, I don't know at what point you consider 'post-feast' over, but I feel like I have, with moderately high success broken the feast well. There have, of course, been some slip ups (like being over at friends' and having only a plate of nacho chips and salsa in front of me at a moment when I should have had a litre of juice in my hands... let's just say too many of those chips entered my mouth before I stopped myself from REALLY bingeing. It was pretty humbling to realize that even now food addiction issues are, well, addictions and as such are never too far from the surface. Made me realize that MINDFULNESS always seems to be the key to success.) Anyways, on the whole, I feel like I've done very well - taking the recommended supplements daily and have added food in gradually for the most part - soaked prunes the first couple days, added to that soft fruits the next couple days, then added in some veggies and now I feel like I'm nearly completely back to solid food, although I am still aiming to incorporate 1L of green juice in daily, including in that E3Live, of course. Still exercising near-daily which is great, both cardio (rowing) and strength/resistance training (Tai Chi). And I gave my first two Reiki sessions yesterday and both went very well! I was so happy and felt great afterwards; hopefully both of them did as well.
WHAT'S ON MY BOOKSHELF THIS WEEK:
I'm reading The Five Love Languages of Children right now - enjoying that; also reading Eliot Coleman's Four-Season Harvest, another great book. And Thich Naht Hanh's The World We Have. Looking to pick up a copy of Julia and the Nut Mylk Tree for a Christmas present (kids' book) and also a copy of Peaceful Piggy Meditation; might have to go online for that one. Really enjoyed watching the Dervaes' Urban Homesteaders video on YouTube recently; lots of food for thought (punny, aren't I) in there - I've been thinking of it a lot afterwards. One other book I'm going to look for through the library is Lloyd Kahn's Builders of the Pacific. Saw a review in the local paper recently; looked like I might like it.
Going to go make some juice and get my day organized and going.
Peace to you,
~n~
WHAT'S ON MY BOOKSHELF THIS WEEK:
I'm reading The Five Love Languages of Children right now - enjoying that; also reading Eliot Coleman's Four-Season Harvest, another great book. And Thich Naht Hanh's The World We Have. Looking to pick up a copy of Julia and the Nut Mylk Tree for a Christmas present (kids' book) and also a copy of Peaceful Piggy Meditation; might have to go online for that one. Really enjoyed watching the Dervaes' Urban Homesteaders video on YouTube recently; lots of food for thought (punny, aren't I) in there - I've been thinking of it a lot afterwards. One other book I'm going to look for through the library is Lloyd Kahn's Builders of the Pacific. Saw a review in the local paper recently; looked like I might like it.
Going to go make some juice and get my day organized and going.
Peace to you,
~n~
05 December 2008
Day 5, Post-Feast
Things are still going well. Breaking the feast gently and with resolve... getting soaked prunes in each day, I've added soft fruits (berries) and now small salads as well, and am gradually decreasing the amount of juices each day. Going very well and it really feels odd eating sometimes. But it's all good. (no digestive upsets at all) and I'm taking the recommended supplements which is going very well, too.
Woke up at 5 this morning, overwhelmed and filled with anxiety, as the neighbourhood christmas party is in 9 days, and apparently I'm the only person volunteering to organize it (okay, well, Santa's coming, so that makes 2 of us who are committed to it). Started making a to-do list in the darkness before dawn and now I've got the posters made to put up on the notice boards and will get that done very shortly. Next week I'll make buns and soup (day before) and mulled apple juice and pick up some mandarin oranges, candy canes and eggnog and make a large veggie tray and pick up some desserts (unless by the grace of the Goddess I find time to make some) and that will be the food done. Going to also make a couple dozen gingerbread people for the kids to decorate (and eat) and will have assorted crafts for the small people to do as well (which I'll need to prepare and have tables set up with instructions before the party starts). Need to pick up some small gifties for Santa to hand out to the children and have those wrapped beforehand and also remember to bring some festive music along. If I can find an 11-14 yr old willing to play Elf, we have the costume already, and that would be a huge help. Maybe someone to do holiday face painting would be great. And in past years, volunteers have made phone calls to individual families inviting them along, which has greatly increased turnout, so hopefully I find someone to help with that or I find time to do it myself.
(I had a huge rant here, wondering how I am supposed to single-handedly get all my responsibilities that I've taken on organized, only to re-read it and realize not even *I* wanted to read about self-inflicted misery or to watch myself slowly burn out. So in the interest of positive intentions/thoughts, I've deleted it all.)
The job interview for the marriage commissioner job was yesterday and (I thought) went very very well. We'll find out in 1-2 wks exactly how it went. In the midst of trying to arrange Reiki treatments for friends/family who want an hour of relaxation this month, but so far, despite having more than 12 people initially express interest, I've only had 1 confirm, even though I have made 8 hours available this month (having arranged childcare), so hopefully those hours will fill up as I really would like to give the gift of Reiki to those friends and family!
Woke up at 5 this morning, overwhelmed and filled with anxiety, as the neighbourhood christmas party is in 9 days, and apparently I'm the only person volunteering to organize it (okay, well, Santa's coming, so that makes 2 of us who are committed to it). Started making a to-do list in the darkness before dawn and now I've got the posters made to put up on the notice boards and will get that done very shortly. Next week I'll make buns and soup (day before) and mulled apple juice and pick up some mandarin oranges, candy canes and eggnog and make a large veggie tray and pick up some desserts (unless by the grace of the Goddess I find time to make some) and that will be the food done. Going to also make a couple dozen gingerbread people for the kids to decorate (and eat) and will have assorted crafts for the small people to do as well (which I'll need to prepare and have tables set up with instructions before the party starts). Need to pick up some small gifties for Santa to hand out to the children and have those wrapped beforehand and also remember to bring some festive music along. If I can find an 11-14 yr old willing to play Elf, we have the costume already, and that would be a huge help. Maybe someone to do holiday face painting would be great. And in past years, volunteers have made phone calls to individual families inviting them along, which has greatly increased turnout, so hopefully I find someone to help with that or I find time to do it myself.
(I had a huge rant here, wondering how I am supposed to single-handedly get all my responsibilities that I've taken on organized, only to re-read it and realize not even *I* wanted to read about self-inflicted misery or to watch myself slowly burn out. So in the interest of positive intentions/thoughts, I've deleted it all.)
The job interview for the marriage commissioner job was yesterday and (I thought) went very very well. We'll find out in 1-2 wks exactly how it went. In the midst of trying to arrange Reiki treatments for friends/family who want an hour of relaxation this month, but so far, despite having more than 12 people initially express interest, I've only had 1 confirm, even though I have made 8 hours available this month (having arranged childcare), so hopefully those hours will fill up as I really would like to give the gift of Reiki to those friends and family!
02 December 2008
Day 2, Post-Feast
Re-read Ms Stokes' A Juice-Feaster's Handbook this morning, and wrote out a general timetable to follow each day for the recommended supplements: White Oak Bark, Ginger, Triphlax, Probiotics, Chanca Piedra... Also began the day with 8 oz of soaked prunes and the accompanying water. Rowed, drybrushed, hot/cold shower (just on the extremities... I can't IMAGINE covering my torso in ice-cold water.... BRRRRRR), and another 8 oz of soaked prunes (That's 2 cups by noon. For the average person on the SAD, you can surely imagine what kind of effect 2 cups of prunes would have; oddly enough, it was very VERY gentle on my body... THANKFULLY. LOL). Anyways, had about 4L of juices between noon and 7 tonight, and a small green salad (about 1 c of greens) with a small amount (1/2 c?) of 'spanish breakfast scramble' pate which I got off youtube (Ani Phyo recipe - YUMMERS). I was pretty pleased with my feast-breaking today. No gorging on pizza, no drinking a case of beer (not that I would anyways, hee hee)... but still, the URGE to OVEREAT is HUGE. It's a struggle, for sure (for me, anyways). You don't want to feel like a kid in a candy store and just allow yourself to eat whatever, whenever. There's got to be continuity from the feast - a MINDFULNESS brought into your daily living, especially in regards to your relationship with SOLID food. It can be challenging, when 3 yrs ago, I really did give myself free reign in regards to food. Now I remind myself how much I HONOUR and RESPECT my body and self - too much in this moment to just inhale an entire cheesecake or a burger and fries or whatever. What I eat becomes ME. Do I want to become "as fat as a cheeseburger" (as one young lad once said to me, sadly)? No, no I don't want to go there. On the one hand, the introspection of mindfulness seems selfish or at least time-consuming at times, but on the other hand, it's critical to how I'm choosing to move forward in my life.
Time for anyone under 10 in the house to go to bed. But just before I do that, I want to say how GRATEFUL I am to have spent a LOVELY half-hour outside in the late-autumn sun today at the playground, just sitting in the sunshine while the children let off so much energy in a playful, happy, spirited manner. It was pure bliss and I enjoyed every second at the park.
Also really enjoyed checkin' in with the gang down at Cafe Bliss, post-feast. (www.cafebliss.ca) They have been so completely supportive of my juice-feast, even though they hardly know me at all... their support has been really key to my success the past 45 days. Just knowing that when I was out and about I could go somewhere and get fresh, raw, vegan, organic juices to sustain me has been phenomenal. Massive thanks to everyone who works down there! :)
post-feast pics will be up soon, with any luck.
Namaste
~n~
Time for anyone under 10 in the house to go to bed. But just before I do that, I want to say how GRATEFUL I am to have spent a LOVELY half-hour outside in the late-autumn sun today at the playground, just sitting in the sunshine while the children let off so much energy in a playful, happy, spirited manner. It was pure bliss and I enjoyed every second at the park.
Also really enjoyed checkin' in with the gang down at Cafe Bliss, post-feast. (www.cafebliss.ca) They have been so completely supportive of my juice-feast, even though they hardly know me at all... their support has been really key to my success the past 45 days. Just knowing that when I was out and about I could go somewhere and get fresh, raw, vegan, organic juices to sustain me has been phenomenal. Massive thanks to everyone who works down there! :)
post-feast pics will be up soon, with any luck.
Namaste
~n~
01 December 2008
The End is Here! The End is Here!
No, no, I'm not a doomsdayer (though you might think so by the post's title, LOL). I'm just here, doing my oh-so-happy dance... this morning I ate 6 soaked prunes and drank the soaking water. mmmmmm prunes have never tasted so good. I still need to get on with making some juices for today so I only have but a moment online here, but the juicefeast is officially over, on Day 45. I have a had a wonderful experience feasting, but am really feeling ready to return to (raw) food (although I have really enjoyed watching my body and mind transform the past 45 days).
Today was so cute; the kids woke up early and dashed downstairs to their advent calendars (one has Playmobil, the other has the Lego advent calendar). Afterwards, we made a cutout snowflake and put it on the window to count down to Solstice (which is really what I look forward to most in December) and they also put up and decorated their little 2' tree upstairs in their room. MOST exciting for them.
Tonight we will be writing Letters to Santa. Basically, everyone writes a letter (at the agreed-upon time) about what they might like to receive this year, then someone reads them aloud (so that the other adults can take notes, if you catch my drift) and afterwards, they are tossed into the lit fireplace while everyone chants:
North wind, North wind,
Blow with all your might,
And take this letter
to Santa Claus tonight!
It is officially done on Dec 1st each year, thereby enabling a few weeks for gift-making to occur.
Often the 'tree hunt' is done on the same day, but I think this year we're doing it next Sunday (daylight takes priority). Having 12 acres of forested property, and only harvesting 2 trees annually, we are taking much less than the overall annual growth rate on the property. This year, though I think I might splurge and get a live tree (they're about $100 around here) so that we can plant it in our yard afterwards (I should say that we are on an acre, not 12; it's the extended family who have 12).
Reading Thich Naht Hanh's Peace is Every Step. If you haven't ever read it, it's wonderful. You don't have to be Buddhist or into meditation or any of it to 'get it'. It's in really really easy-to-read little chaplets (that's my invented word for a little chapter). It'd be a perfect book to have beside the toilet or the bed. Pick up a copy from your library. It just might change your outlook on life... on how you go about your day. It's not my first time reading it, and every time I read it I am reminded of what really matters in life. Thank you and Blessings, Thay.
In Light and Love,
~n~
p.s. if anyone's counting, we're down to 19 sleeps 'til dh returns.
Today was so cute; the kids woke up early and dashed downstairs to their advent calendars (one has Playmobil, the other has the Lego advent calendar). Afterwards, we made a cutout snowflake and put it on the window to count down to Solstice (which is really what I look forward to most in December) and they also put up and decorated their little 2' tree upstairs in their room. MOST exciting for them.
Tonight we will be writing Letters to Santa. Basically, everyone writes a letter (at the agreed-upon time) about what they might like to receive this year, then someone reads them aloud (so that the other adults can take notes, if you catch my drift) and afterwards, they are tossed into the lit fireplace while everyone chants:
North wind, North wind,
Blow with all your might,
And take this letter
to Santa Claus tonight!
It is officially done on Dec 1st each year, thereby enabling a few weeks for gift-making to occur.
Often the 'tree hunt' is done on the same day, but I think this year we're doing it next Sunday (daylight takes priority). Having 12 acres of forested property, and only harvesting 2 trees annually, we are taking much less than the overall annual growth rate on the property. This year, though I think I might splurge and get a live tree (they're about $100 around here) so that we can plant it in our yard afterwards (I should say that we are on an acre, not 12; it's the extended family who have 12).
Reading Thich Naht Hanh's Peace is Every Step. If you haven't ever read it, it's wonderful. You don't have to be Buddhist or into meditation or any of it to 'get it'. It's in really really easy-to-read little chaplets (that's my invented word for a little chapter). It'd be a perfect book to have beside the toilet or the bed. Pick up a copy from your library. It just might change your outlook on life... on how you go about your day. It's not my first time reading it, and every time I read it I am reminded of what really matters in life. Thank you and Blessings, Thay.
In Light and Love,
~n~
p.s. if anyone's counting, we're down to 19 sleeps 'til dh returns.
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