It’s August already! And I’ve moved onwards …

It’s August already!

Where does the time go?

And .. I’ve moved …onwards and upwards:  http://mylifeisreallyinthegarden.wordpress.com/

Ain’t life grand, though .. gardening and sky gazing .. what a combination!

 

DIY: Sliced Fruit Ice-Cubes

Reblogged from A Lot On Your Plate:

Fruit Sliced Ice Cubes

Note: This post has moved to ALotOnYourPlate.com!

To see the full recipe, click here!

oh, this is so cool! Really. I've been putting frozen sliced strawberries in a glass (or 2??) of white wine. this looks like fun for the summer

Easy Vegan Pad Thai

Reblogged from Vegetarian 'Ventures:

Okay, so after having an epic cooking marathon this past weekend for Christmas, I've been feeling a bit less motivated in the kitchen and have been making my boyfriend survive off of leftovers. Finally, I regained the desire to cook up something fresh last night and decided to whip out this pad thai for dinner because we had everything on hand and it was about as simple as recipes come.

Read more… 233 more words

This looks like a nice, easy recipe!! I'll be trying this one.

I find that I just cannot stop my writings .. so here is my new location!

Another beautiful day .. sunny weather .. and rain predicted for the weekend .. good for the garden.

I tried to keep from blogging since I seemed to have been spending so much time at the keyboard.   Time that I “should” use for other things.

And I tried to keep a daily electronic calender .. however, that effort was not productive, no challenges there.  So I would write only now and then, instead of every day.

Wanting to write daily was the driving force for me when I began my blog  .. and the incentive to write every day was strong.

The challenge to write every day was there and I gladly accepted it.  And grew to love it .. and to look back at my daily writings, to remind me how I was spending my time.

The desire to write was very energizing.  And I often  think .. could I spend an entire day seated at the computer?

Letting my thoughts flow freely like the wind.  Wandering here and there, exploring ideas for fiction and creative ventures .. how utterly decadent!!

Being brought up to be a productive, had working person, the very idea of allowing myself the luxury of the gift of time to pursue creative writing was not a given.  And yet, somehow, this little gift has slowly crept into my life and how I love it!

So, I’ve begun blogging again .. and decided to make a fresh start and talk solely of gardening.  And birds.  And food (kale chips).

I invite you to visit me at my other WordPress Blog:  http://mylifeisreallyinthegarden.wordpress.com/

And I’m loving the decadent pleasure of tapping the keys for a short time each morning.

What fun this is!

See you there, hope you visit me!

A.M.

Elephants killed for trophies, sand dunes cleared for golf .. sad commentary on those who lack respect for our earth and the wildlife that try to live their lives

April 30, 2012

Apparently, leaving wildlife alone is not on the agenda for some rich people. 

An elephant is killed.  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/trump-elephant-hunt.html#cr

Sand dunes are flattened to make way for a golf course in Scotland.  Habitat for endangered birds are destroyed.  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2007-10-10-2052550731_x.htm

See those dunes now flattened down:  http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/02/10/422677/digging-up-golf-course-donald-trump-wind-farms-are-destroying-scotland/?mobile=nc

On the other hand, there are many people worldwide who are the opposite of this type of user.  There are people who truly care for the delicate beings who try to exist and live their little lives as best they can.

See the man who planted 16,000 trees on his island:  http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/good-news/british-man-buys-island-whim-40-years-ago-191547211.html

I’ve been told that in order to overpower a negative, one must recount 10 positives.  I truly believe that for every horrendous act against nature, where someone wantonly destroys an innocent life or a habitat, there are 10 acts of good that are also taking place.

How else could there be a balance on this earth?

And I also believe that our young people are the impetus for the good that is happening.   I see more and more young men and women working hard to improve the soil for growing healthy (no pesticides) vegetables.   There are so many blogs where people are generously sharing how to repurpose things … to not just throw things away.

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!  Humbug!  I’m an “old dog” and I’m learning new things every single day.  Every day is an adventure.  Still studying all the “new” information on improving the soil .. and learning about what is happening in the ground beneath my feet.  Wish this information had been taught in school .. and happy that I’m able to learn now.

Reading my “Living Earth” by Peter Farb (printed in 1950!) about the “fascinating world of life within the soil beneath us”.

I’m also slowly entering the world of native plants and will attend a workshop on salvaging native plants.   Meeting people who are active in restoring natural habitat.  And I’ve been learning about the varieties of mosses and will be attending a workshop on seaweed soon.

oh, hmmm .. I’d planned to discontinue blogging during the summer, as I wanted to devote my time to the garden, but here I am, drawn back to tap on the keyboard.

Just for a few minutes.   Then, time to go check on my latest batch of EM (effective microorganisms) … the latest batch is nearly ready to use in the garden.

I’d started off making 1 litre batches and now have moved up to a 4 Litre (milk jug) and a 2 Litre (juice bottle).   I’ve prepared a diluted mixture for a friend to use on her house plants, looking forward to hearing the results.

The dilution of the mix varies depending on the usage and I’ve been using quite a bit on my garden, the trees, garlic plantings, on berry bushes that I’ve moved around the yard.   And the blueberries, salmon berries and raspberries are in full bloom.  I’ve heard that it isn’t good to disturb blueberries, but the plants that I’ve dug up and replanted are very healthy.  Could this be due to the wonderful qualities of the EM?  I think so!

Healthy soil = healthy plants = less insect damage (insects aren’t drawn to “sick” plants).

Here is the most wonderful website to visit, to learn lots more about EM and organic fertilizers, and so very much more:  http://www.gardenerspantry.ca/  Christina is so very knowledgeable and very sharing of information … a joy to talk with. 

Well .. .away with this day .. lots to do.

Why .. senseless killing of animals living in nature.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

How very sad is this .. a magnificent mountain goat shot and killed.  For sport. For someone’s boasting.  An animal that survived the wilderness of the mountains.   Skilled at living in the wild .. now, sadly, only a momento for someone with a gun.  I cry.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Kentucky+hunter+kills+world+record+Rocky+Mountain+goat+Stikine+River+area/6519020/story.html

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the newspaper yesterday. There was a photo of a most magnificent wild animal, dead, lifeless.  And beside this animal, a smiling young man, obviously proud of his kill.  With a gun.  How brave is he.   Not.

I asked my dh .. why, why?  He said . .you are asking the wrong person.

We both decry this wanton killing and destruction.  Poor mountain goat.  He lived his life the best he knew how.  Braving the freezing winters, scant food in spring .. he survived .. only for this?

The world weeps for this base kind of sensationalism.

Sorry, I’m not talking about gardening .. but this event, and photo in the paper has reminded me of how crass the world is towards the animals that try to survive.

I have the utmost respect for the animals that live in the wild and the utmost sadness for the humans who hunt them for reasons other than food.

One by one, we can change how we garden, from not using poisonous pestides .. to a natural method, improving the soil

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Hi .. still taking a break from blogging.   But, watching the busy insect activity in the yard and the beautiful blossoms & leaves unfurling from the once bare trees .. I just want to share these magnificent videos with you.

If you haven’t already seen them .. then you are in for a treat.

Number one is:  Queen of the Sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekoeQodrVoM

Number two is: The D.I.R.T. on Farmer John:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhMWz1QWQ0g

It just takes the power of one .. of us .. at a time .. to do our part to stop the pesticides, nurture the earth and all the living insects and animals (including us).

Grow the healthy, natural way.  Throw away the artificial fertilizers .. use the effective microorganisms, the compost teas .. research the information.

Here is a good site to start, to find out about good ways to improve your garden soil:  http://www.gardenerspantry.ca/

And there are a lot of compost tea maker sites.   Each one has some excellent information (although I think that the Bruce Deuley site is the best .. down below)

Compost tea (using only one aquarium aerator): http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/how-to-make-compost-tea-why-you-should.html

Here’s another site:  http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/tea/tea3.htm

Compost tea (using two aerators): (and this is the best one, I’ll be making one of these):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8_PuUon5_Q

Yours in gardening ……