Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone.  Hope the holidays were most enjoyable and everyone is slowly falling back into the routine of another year.   Here's to a healthy, happy year.

I wanted to re post a list of ten resolutions that were written by Lindsay Curren of  Transition Voice , a blog that I recently discovered.

1. An attitude of gratitude.

In spite of all that’s wrong with the world today — wars, pollution, hunger, energy decline, injustice, plutocracy — there are plenty of comforts and opportunities if we only have the eyes to see them and the heart to enjoy them. Resolve to express gratitude across the whole spectrum of your life in 2012, including for the challenges and strains. Experiment with seeing how things might change if you choose to be grateful for everything in your life because you see it as either natural abundance, or where challenging, as a way to make things better.

2. Play awake.

When I was a dance student at Virginia Commonwealth University in the late 80s, the great Judson Church-era dancer Deborah Hay was an artist-in-residence one year. She shared with us her mantra of “playing awake,” which was an invitation to live, move, be, do and in the case of dance, perform, as an act of playfulness while fully conscious on multiple levels. This isn’t a concept to be layered over living or performing, but a seed to be born in human experience where we open our eyes really, from the dream or the habits to maybe reach “beginner’s mind” as the Buddhists say. I don’t know what else to say about it except to think about what it means to you and simply let yourself play awake.

3. Resolve to be resolved.

It’s difficult in our society to make the kinds of massive changes that bring about less energy use and ratchet down consumption because everything in our society and cultural paradigm conspires against it. We’re advertised to constantly and even told it’s our duty to save the economy through buying more. So it takes a lot of resolve to shift your own behavior, which is what will help shift the paradigm toward a greater focus on quality of experiences over quantity of acquisition. So simply resolve to be resolved. It could do a world of good.

4. See the embodied energy.

Almost everything we do, buy, or use, no matter how cheap or insubstantial, has an energy footprint and carbon footprint. In the case of things like plastic sporks and straws the energy input is huge and the use-value is minimal. There’s about five minute’s use for these petroleum-heavy, long-traveling disposable giveaways at KFC or TGIF. Let’s open our minds to observe just what it takes to make or fuel what we use, even if we don’t have to pay the fuel bill ourselves. When we understand how precious these disposable goods really are, we can stop taking them and the energy built into them for granted. And that could help us, next time, to leave the spork or the straw in its wrapper.

5. Embrace “enough.”

Forget dieting as a way to get fit this year. To want to be healthier and look better are only partial motivators toward losing weight. What’s deeper for those of us engaged with resource use questions is the question, How much is enough? In the modern industrial world we consume excess calories while living a predominately sedentary lifestyle. Try looking at your plate and asking, How much is enough? Where did this food come from? How did it travel to me? How much do I need? How active am I and therefore how much food do I need? There’s a Zen saying that “painted cakes do not satisfy hunger.” And though that saying can also be turned on its head in a deep philosophical twist, the obvious reference remains potent. Yes, celebrate some times. But how much are “enough” treats? Embrace the concept and reality of “enough” on food and appetite to see what it does for you and the world this year.

6. All politics is personal.

This will be an election year not only in the US, but in scores of countries around the world. So here comes the nonsense, the posturing, the mud slinging, the pandering and worse. Still, democracies are supposed to be ours, and they definitely have a “use it or lose it” feature to them. Farmer-philosopher Wendell Berry says that the act of protest matters more for personal dignity than it does for winning a cause. To stand up against injustices, to speak out against crimes, to demand accountability, to show up in unity with others is to claim an essential feature of being human: one’s right to stand up for what’s right. This year, from Occupy to the voting booth there are myriad ways to stake your claim to the process, whether victory is at hand or not. What matters is something bigger. What matters is YOU!

7. These boots were made for walking.

My husband went to a meeting recently about 12 blocks from our home. When it was time to leave he tried to scare up a posse of folks to walk together, allowing the meeting to linger on into an evening stroll. But it turns that the attendees who lived less than three blocks away, all ablebodied adults committed to the environment, had driven their cars. Wha, wha, wha what? Sure, not every person is able to enjoy walkability (Or get a bike!)

8. Fight nature deficit disorder.

Modern industrial societies are not exactly a study in harmony with nature. Quite the opposite. And we’re feeling it. Resolve this year to make some form of nature a part of each day’s experience. It can simply be eating food in its natural state — peel an orange, crunch a carrot, break open a walnut — or it could be about finally creating that garden or getting more house plants. Stop and smell the roses, seeing the beauty in the natural world right where you are or in the woods on a hike. Enjoy the sun dappling through a window or while sitting on a lawn. Listen for birds. Pet pets. Put galoshes on and explore the creek. Collect rocks. Make a wreath. Force bulbs for your apartment, plant bulbs in your yard. Use fresh herbs in your cooking. Breathe deeply and feel that you too are nature.

9. Up with people.

Depeche Mode sang, “people are people so why should it be that you and I should get along so awfully?” Ain’t it the truth. People are weird, difficult, different, and myriad other forms of “other” in comparison to ourselves. And people are beautiful, surprising, unique, engaging and wonderful in myriad ways, too. Life is short and then you die. It’s time to start treasuring this experiences and the freaks that we all are a little more. Even a bit more friendliness all around can go a long way to making this world a better place. Celebrate differences. Embrace what we have in common.

10. Explore the post-money economy.

German sociologist and political economist Max Weber used the phrase “iron cage” to describe capitalism. Far from being the endless stream of potential freedoms depicted by capitalism fans, Weber saw humanity imprisoned by a variety of mechanisms wrought by the money economy. Just think about all those who are underwater on a mortgage, bound by car payments or tied to a job just to get health insurance. More and more of the 99% are starting to agree with with Weber (and with peak-oil observer Dmitry Orlov) that the appearance of freedom in capitalism is masking a new, insidious kind of indentured servitude. Thankfully, economic downturn since 2008 hasn’t been all bad news. It’s actually spawned a variety of new (old) forms of work and trade that are more cooperative and often more fulfilling to people while actually increasing individual freedom. If you haven’t yet explored the post-money economy, make 2012 the year that you seek more experiences and money-free or commercial-free encounters. Then take the time to reflect on what makes you feel freer — cash or time or relationships or community? Or what ratio of one to another best serves your experience?

Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

We will be taking a couple more weeks of hiatus from blog posting and will be back in February.  At that time we start posting about the new perennials we will have available for  Spring 2012.

Choosing the Christmas Tree.

 This year we decided to visit Ravine Ridge Trees to pick out and cut down a Christmas tree for the 2011 celebrations.  They are located east of Cudworth, and run a tree farm on their property.  Once we arrived at the farm we hopped on the sleigh which was pulled by two magnificent horses and were taken to the area where the trees were growing.

After being dropped off by the horse and sleigh we wandered around and took a look at the trees available for cutting for the 2011 season.  All the trees were $50.00.  They were all approximately the same height, some being quite large around and others were a bit leaner.  All in all the selection was great.  They all looked healthy and vigorous.  

Rows of trees available to be cut.

We decided on a tree that was approximately 5.5' tall and not too fat but not too lean around.  They provide a hand saw to cut the tree, so once we had picked out the one we liked, we started to make the cut.  Took a good fifteen minutes to get through the trunk  

Then we hauled it back to the yard and stepped into their office which was a round grainery, converted into an office.  They had Christmas music playing and heaters in the office to warm our fingers and many wreaths on display, made by the owners, from the discarded branches.  There was a bonfire burning in the yard where you could roast wieners and we were also offered hot chocolate.  When we arrived home we gave it a fresh straight cut and brought the tree into the house and set it up in the tree stand with water.  Immediately the house filled with the aroma of pine.

Our beautiful tree!

At this time we have the lights strung on the tree but the decorations will be added at a later date.  We will probably wait until out two oldest grandchildren are visiting next week so they can help us hang the ornaments.  If you ever have the opportunity to cut your own Christmas tree, I strongly recommend that you make the effort to do so.

Recycling and Karma Dahlias.

This week we submitted our plant stock orders for the 2012 growing season.  We have ordered some new plant stock and some previously grown reliable plant stock.   Will go into more details in the coming months about the new selections we will have available this Spring.  The Karma dahlia's will once again be available this year.  We had many people stop by at the market to tell us about how well their Dahlia's performed for them.  I have always had nothing but the highest praise for these workhorses, as each and every year I have been growing them, they have produced an abundance of beautiful cut flowers.  Fred Gloeckner has developed an orange Karma dahlia, but I have not been able to secure a Canadian wholesaler that carries this as of yet.  I am hoping that it will be available to Canadians in 2013.

I have come across a few tidbits of information regarding keeping the environment in mind this holiday season.  If every family in Canada wrapped three presents with reused paper or cloth gift bags we would save enough paper to cover 45,000 hockey rinks.  So let's get creative with our Christmas wrapping, such as using cloth gift bags or using a bathroom towel or kitchen towel as wrapping paper.  Use empty cereal boxes and decorate with cutouts of  last years Christmas cards or make colourful snowflakes and paste them on the boxes.  Recycle bows, ribbons, gift bags and paper from last years festivities.  Send e-cards to family and friends with an e-mail account.  When needing to replace Christmas tree lights, consider LED lights.  Purchase a Saskatchewan grown Christmas tree.  Consider taking a drive to a Christmas tree farm and purchasing directly from the grower. Whatever you decide to incorporate into your plans, you will be making a positive impact on our environment.

Think Local.

Beautiful work of art by the local wasps.

As the festive season once again nears I just wanted to focus your attention on a couple of words.  

"Think Local"

This holiday season try to make an effort to purchase one of your gifts from a local entrepreneur.  Try to find items that are made in Canada, made from recycled materials, grown organically or naturally, have been produced from products which were locally grown.  The Saskatoon Farmer's Market is a great place to look around for items that fit any of the above categories.  It is a diverse marketplace where you can find everything from vegetables to skin care, and everything in between.  Starting  Sunday Nov 13th, the Saskatoon Crafters are going to be offering their products to the public, along with the regular Market vendors from 10:00-3:00 on Sunday's.  Check out their website www.saskatooncrafters.com.

Another website I wanted to bring to your attention is www.localsask.ca.  This is a website that showcases products which have been produced locally in Saskatchewan.  It has been around for only a few months and was created by a local entrepreneur, Marsha Lemon.  The website is a one stop shop for everything made in Saskatchewan.  Check out the site often as more and more businesses are featuring their products.  If you are looking for clothing which are ethically produced stop in at a new shop called Luna + Hill at 208-3rd Ave South.  They carry lines of clothing which are new and/or have been created from recycled materials.  Their website is www.lunaandhill.com.  Another very diverse shopping experience is The Better Good at 640 Broadway Ave.  Items they offer for sale in their store must fall into one or all of the following categories, Organic, Local, Fair Trade, Handmade, Natural, made from Reused or Recycled products.  Their website is www.thebettergood.com.

If we all make an effort to gift a gift which falls into any of the categories above, the world will be a better place for future generations.

Fantastic Fall

Wow, what a fantastic fall we are experiencing.  Sunny, warm daytime temperatures along with nights that dip just below zero, but not too far below.  Can't really ask for anything more than that at this time of year.  The gardens have been mulched, tilled and are ready for Spring.  Planted a few types of seeds that will survive the winter temperatures, to get a early start on some vegetables, such as radish, spinach and lettuce.  Planted Bell's of Ireland and Buplerum seeds as well, for the earlier harvest.
Dug and prepared the last batch of horseradish root for the year.  Stop in at the Saskatoon Farmer's Market and pick up a jar or two as it won't last long.  We are heading out to the bush to harvest Red Willow and Dogwood stems for Fall and Christmas decorating.  They will be available by the stem or bunch.  They look great in your outdoor fall displays.
Pat has been busy making barnboard bird feeders and bird houses this past week.  They will be available at the market Saturday.
I have now received all of the plant catalogues from the various suppliers and have been deciding what to order for our plant stock sales for 2012.  There are lots of unique and interesting options, so we have been taking a closer look at individual plants and researching hardiness for our zone.  We are going to have available the Red Rhubarb for 2012, as we had many requests for it after we were sold out of our 2011 stock.  I will profile the various plants we will have for 2012 sales in future postings.
Happy Halloween!

Information on growing tomatoes.

I came across really good information this past week regarding growing tomatoes, or specifically, solutions to diseases of tomatoes.  The first link is focusing on blossom end rot and how the experts solve this issue. http://www.douggreensgarden.com/black-rotting-bottoms-on-tomatoes.html
The second link below is a downloadable chart on symptoms of tomato plant issues and the possible causes.
It is a very good reference for next year's growing season.
http://www.douggreensgarden.com/tomato-problems.html

We have enjoyed a relaxing past week.  We visited and enjoyed fantastic food all Thanksgiving weekend.  We continued to tidy up gardens, made tomato sauce, salsa and roasted tomatoes.  Made a batch of horseradish, to sell at this Saturday's market.  We do not expect it to last too long, so best to come down early or e-mail us and we will set some aside for you.  We took a drive up to LaRonge for a change of scenery and to pick up a supply of fish, netted in the cold waters of  Northern Saskatchewan.  The colours of fall were on display, and we stopped in at the Robertson's Trading Post in LaRonge, to see all the wonderful items made by the local people, which include, moose hide moccasins, mukluks, jackets and beautiful paintings of local artists.  It is a store that has everything including grocery items, clothing, beaver and otter pelts.  We purchased a bag of locally grown wild rice.  If you are ever in the area, make sure you stop in and take a look around.

Below is a few pictures of our horseradish making process.

First the root is peeled, washed and cut into about 2" chunks and then fed into the food processor below.  We are then left with a fine grating of the root, which is mixed with vinegar, to stabilize the volatile compounds, which provides the heat, and a little bit of salt.  Once the vinegar and salt is added it is packed into sterile jars.  It will keep for up to two months in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer.

The grating of the root requires a heavy duty processor, as the root is very tough and fibrous.  As you can see the process needs to be done in a space that has ventilation, due to the fumes given off by the grated root.  The best place to do this is outside.

Busy week.

This past week we accomplished a lot of fall/spring chores.  We planted just over 1100 garlic cloves a few days ago, almost tripling what we planted last year.  The reason we increased the quantity is, that we always sell out of garlic within a month of harvest, so hopefully next fall we can stretch the garlic supply over a couple of months.  We came across some well aged sheep manure, so we hauled eight truckloads and spread it throughout the gardens, before the rain came on Friday.  This past week we hauled three truckloads of alfalfa bales.  We incorporated some of it into the soil and we will use the rest for mulch next growing season.  We moved a lot of perennials this past week, and shredded the garden plant material and tilled all the gardens.  It was a very productive week, the weather was wonderful and we received an inch of rain on Friday to settle everything into the soil.
We are planning on attending the Saskatoon Farmer's Market till mid December this year.  We continue to have a lot of ripe tomatoes, yellow onions, leeks, carrots, dried herbs, frozen raspberries, succulents and dried wheat and flower arrangements.

Some of our customers have been stopping by the last couple of weeks at the market to tell us their dahlias, they purchased from us in the Spring, are still blooming.  So envious, sure wish all of ours hadn't froze.

Enjoy Thanksgiving!