tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87928687142089530402024-03-05T16:09:04.764-08:00Eco Journey in the BurbsChristyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-31811329910013661072016-01-06T23:08:00.001-08:002016-01-06T23:08:38.575-08:00Intentions for 2016: Mindfulness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJTooZv___7S-aHIdGoN_ZWeeMj3a-FCSe7RFzn5fCQovNdw-Jn55FZNaQxOVE2eeYMqQLLcmE3ViyXdHeSovXrOSUQZi2Ctj5tu1kizPdVqZdeLYVZPyXnpNVWYjZ7keXsif6RbYlS5k/s1600/mindfulness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJTooZv___7S-aHIdGoN_ZWeeMj3a-FCSe7RFzn5fCQovNdw-Jn55FZNaQxOVE2eeYMqQLLcmE3ViyXdHeSovXrOSUQZi2Ctj5tu1kizPdVqZdeLYVZPyXnpNVWYjZ7keXsif6RbYlS5k/s320/mindfulness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Like many people these days, I'm not a fan of making new years resolutions that will be long forgotten before the end of February. I do, however, like to reflect upon how things are going and check in with how I'm feeling overall in the lull after the craziness of the holiday season. In previous years I have chosen one little word for the year to guide me and help me reflect back upon what is important to me. In <a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-year-intentions.html" target="_blank">previous years</a> I have chosen <a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2014/01/one-little-word-for-2014.html" target="_blank">make</a>, move, breathe and <a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/01/one-little-word-gratitude.html" target="_blank">grateful</a>.<br />
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This year it is important for me to choose mindfulness. </div>
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I have been feeling like I have lost a little bit of control and have not been present is with my commitment to living what I preach environmentally. Since returning to work full time and being sick on and off all autumn I have done what I needed to survive, even if it has meant ordering take out food, grabbing food on the go and doing what is convenient.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqsydZ30MW0ozfk0H5ffM8naDqgrkHobRURWPg9HN2iCiHSI9QpqWnwadUzRiRJH3LAB-sfrKPclj2ZIGit_QXME-xD-WM2wlzqkGtnIT-Zidf1QTqnVbTAQZyywXR9umjlJB1NS9pHfg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+10.25.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqsydZ30MW0ozfk0H5ffM8naDqgrkHobRURWPg9HN2iCiHSI9QpqWnwadUzRiRJH3LAB-sfrKPclj2ZIGit_QXME-xD-WM2wlzqkGtnIT-Zidf1QTqnVbTAQZyywXR9umjlJB1NS9pHfg/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-01-06+at+10.25.24+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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I have not had time to spend outdoors on a regular basis, and this has been very hard for me. I feel more relaxed, happier, and have more energy after even a short walk along our local river. People care more about making environmental choices when they care about the world around them. When people spend time in nature and connecting with the natural world it is an important step toward living environmentally.<br />
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<u><b><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2016/01/intentions-for-2016-mindfulness.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>>></a></b></u><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-82532388799643921592015-12-03T22:01:00.000-08:002015-12-03T22:01:08.483-08:00Handmade Holiday Gift: Personalized Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I find gift giving to be a source of stress this time of year. It is hard to give gifts that are appreciated while at the same time, ethical and ecologically friendly.<br />
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In my experience most people to receive something homemade, and everyone loves to receive something personalized.<br />
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I am a teacher, and as much as I appreciate every gift students give me, like mugs and chocolate, I know that I prefer something that a student has taken the time to make for me.<br />
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Cards are not exactly ecologically friendly because they are typically used once and then tossed. They are, however, thoughtful, and when used, contain messages from the heart, which makes them harder to throw away (or hopefully recycled).<br />
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I am a big fan of quick and easy. and making personalized cards fits the bill.<br />
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This project is great because it uses small pieces of left over card stock.<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/12/handmade-holiday-gifts-personalized.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-64160801163982399212015-08-18T11:46:00.001-07:002015-08-18T11:47:09.620-07:00Upcycled Crafts With JeansI am an avid crafter, but as someone who cares about environmentalism, I am ashamed to admit how much I spend on buying new craft supplies.<br />
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I have kicked the dollar store habit because of the unknown toxins in the products, but with my list of crafting hobbies growing (knitting, bead making, DIY jewelry, card making, scrapbooking, sewing, embroidery, crochet, homemade personal care products) I often have to spend money to buy supplies to feed my habit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgC7YmBqoIsbmShidG96_naefuXEVtXexKDSZcSRtkuIX3oXMCxqg6MF5-73_Uga66Zgkei1XNjW60jLsi5kR-81WfjZvftzi-JxIZo92NIJ-kyNR0QEYQg5S8wIr-APujYyIpImlzTBQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-18+at+10.36.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgC7YmBqoIsbmShidG96_naefuXEVtXexKDSZcSRtkuIX3oXMCxqg6MF5-73_Uga66Zgkei1XNjW60jLsi5kR-81WfjZvftzi-JxIZo92NIJ-kyNR0QEYQg5S8wIr-APujYyIpImlzTBQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-18+at+10.36.06+AM.png" /></a></div>
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There are so many reasons to be mindful when buying new supplies for crafting. First and foremost is that by purchasing at big box stores it feeds the never ending cycle of consumerism which is drowning the world in plastic waste, harmful production practices, human exploitation and carbon output. I am working on buying supplies from local artisans and craft stores, but this can be more expensive and does not eliminate all the issues.<br />
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When I am able, I try to upcycle supplies that I may have around the house or from other people, and Pinterest is perfect for generating ideas. Full disclosure: I am horribly addicted to <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ChristyRollo/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.<br />
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One recurring idea that I see on upcycling and crafting Pinterest boards is how to upcycle blue jeans. In the past when I have cleaned out my drawers and closets I have donated my clothes, but recently I have begun saving them to upcycle into something else.<br />
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For most projects using old jeans it is important to cut off the hems and other seams so that the material is not too thick, especially if you are machine sewing them. Depending on the size of the projects, if I plan ahead how I will cut the jeans, I can get two to even three projects out of each pair of jeans. I also save all unused parts of the jeans for future projects. For example, the thick bottom hem of each leg makes a perfect drawstring or rope, the zippers can be cut off and reused again, and the pockets (both front and back) are perfect for instant pockets on bags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUSX4_qSl-41MO69gN63RKJYE5TuM_h-XQ9mQLJZjcz0nXAEFDE7fndr9ktUyd8vjFt7iFIj7YSw1EogFCrVLzQJi2aBWTSR2skwSniuPmJ6wymvGdjCKT8XyXGfAguKDGgQvb2myt7AK/s1600/jeans5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUSX4_qSl-41MO69gN63RKJYE5TuM_h-XQ9mQLJZjcz0nXAEFDE7fndr9ktUyd8vjFt7iFIj7YSw1EogFCrVLzQJi2aBWTSR2skwSniuPmJ6wymvGdjCKT8XyXGfAguKDGgQvb2myt7AK/s320/jeans5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are some ways I have given old jeans (or other clothing and bedsheets) a second life as material and fabric in crafting projects:<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/08/upcycled-crafts-with-jeans.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8792868714208953040%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6416080116398239921%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-GuheoFROf-w%2FVdN06bZKNfI%2FAAAAAAAAD4M%2FyuRXN56AonQ%2Fs320%2FScreen%252BShot%252B2015-08-18%252Bat%252B11.06.23%252BAM.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=iRwsWwTriMw7&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 192px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2863px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8792868714208953040%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6416080116398239921%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-GuheoFROf-w%2FVdN06bZKNfI%2FAAAAAAAAD4M%2FyuRXN56AonQ%2Fs320%2FScreen%252BShot%252B2015-08-18%252Bat%252B11.06.23%252BAM.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=iRwsWwTriMw7&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 192px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2863px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8792868714208953040" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8792868714208953040" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-40012181632089777162015-07-28T00:20:00.000-07:002015-07-28T00:20:00.532-07:00A Sweaty ProblemOver the past few years I have been striving to eliminate as much unnecessary plastic and toxic ingredients from my personal care products. The end result is that my washroom is starting to resemble my kitchen because of the ingredients that are essential to my daily routine. My counter is lined with homemade products with coconut oil, body butters, cider vinegar, baking soda, honey, essential oils and salts. Because I make many of my own products now, I often have to store them in my refrigerator, so on top of my kitchen in my bathroom, my bathroom is now in my kitchen.<br />
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But there is one personal care product that I have decided to purchase from a store; natural deodorant.<br />
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I am a very sweaty person, but I have long since given up wearing antiperspirant, for a variety of reasons. I'm no longer fond of putting aluminum on my skin (some may say the jury is out on the dangers of aluminum but I'm not taking any chances), and I have found that unless I use the <a href="http://www.drugs.com/cdi/drysol-solution.html" target="_blank">extremely strong</a>, and therefore questionable, aluminum mixtures (which also burn my skin horribly), it does not stop the embarrassing pit stains for me. To top it all off, antiperspirant <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/13/antiperspirants-may-actually-make-you-smell-worse" target="_blank">may actually make us stinkier</a>! I've just given up the idea that I can go about life as if I live in an advertisement; so what if I have visible sweat marks once in a while (I have adapted to wearing darker clothing on top to mask the wet marks)?</div>
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So then the only issue is the smelly one. I had to find a deodorant that I liked, that was natural, and didn't sting, because I have very sensitive underarm skin.<br />
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<a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/07/a-sweaty-problem-whats-stink.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a><br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-53678513405848586292015-06-05T00:30:00.000-07:002015-06-05T00:30:02.134-07:00Natural Aphid ControlDue to an abnormally warm and dry spring, my garden is way ahead of where it would be in a typical year. I have more garden greens, my tomatoes are exploding, and the squash are loving the heat. But the garden pests and problems are ahead of schedule too. Climate change anyone?<br />
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I have been battling powdery mildew on my plants (and sadly had to pull up all of the kale), which isn't usually a problem for me until late July or August. Also, the dreaded aphids have been causing me problems since early May. </div>
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There is little that I can do about the powdery mildew (and I've tried the milk spray and the baking soda spray with no luck. It's just something I have to live with; it makes the plants look ugly and slows their growth, but that's about it as far as I can tell.</div>
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But there are things I can do for the aphid problem. </div>
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<a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/06/natural-aphid-control.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-22422333890532085272015-05-15T00:30:00.000-07:002015-05-15T00:30:04.350-07:00What Does It Mean To Be Present: A Book Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6zC4CW03FHxnBTngixMb23zcoUGuOrCGvezccmWkfCCEtKQENYQbkKxA7i2KojjMc9OupK5ZmLcohi1JjyJHNqO6SE7UV5eXTyPce8-aF8okwYCqV4CeYfa_m_BWCVs0qhNDuDhsvuPz/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-14+at+1.45.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6zC4CW03FHxnBTngixMb23zcoUGuOrCGvezccmWkfCCEtKQENYQbkKxA7i2KojjMc9OupK5ZmLcohi1JjyJHNqO6SE7UV5eXTyPce8-aF8okwYCqV4CeYfa_m_BWCVs0qhNDuDhsvuPz/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-05-14+at+1.45.24+PM.png" width="320" /></a>As I have mentioned before, picture books are a great way to engage people with ideas about the environment. I am a huge book lover and enjoy sharing favourites and new finds.<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/What-Does-Mean-Be-Present/dp/0984080686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431636306&sr=8-1&keywords=what+does+it+mean+to+be+present">What Does It Mean To Be Present</a></u>, by Rania DiOrio is one such book.<br />
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Being present, being in the moment, fully embracing what we are experiencing, is important for our <u><a href="http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/benefits-of-mindfulness.htm">happiness, our self-regulation, and our physical and mental health</a></u>. We can practice mindfulness at any moment in our day, in any setting. I, however, prefer to be mindful in nature, or at least outdoors. That is one reason I am <u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/05/join-30-x-30-nature-challenge.html" target="_blank">participating in the David Suzuki Foundation 30 x 30 Challenge</a></u> again this year.<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/05/what-does-it-mean-to-be-present-book.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-76250428976045058042015-05-14T14:57:00.001-07:002015-05-14T15:22:03.641-07:0030x30 Challenge: Weeks One and TwoI am participating, <u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2015/05/join-30-x-30-nature-challenge.html" target="_blank">for the second year</a></u>, in the David Suzuki Foundation 30 x 30 Challenge to spend 30 minutes a day in nature for 30 days in May.<br />
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As with last year, I find that my overall minutes in the outdoors is quite high, but sometimes the challenge on work days is to make sure I get in some time outside.<br />
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When I come home from work I am tired and want to sit down, or I am rushing out the door to take someone somewhere, so I either need to make time during my work day to get outside (with my class) or head outside as soon as I get home. On these days the best I can muster is time in my garden, sitting peacefully, wandering around and observing the new plant growth and little critters that reside in my backyard, watering and weeding.<br />
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On my days off, and particularly on weekends I find I spend a large portion of the day outside. I go on bike rides and do yard clean up and maintenance. For the past several weekends we have enjoyed a backyard campfire roasting marshmallows with my girls on our BBQ pit.<br />
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This past week, however, my time outside was limited for a few days because of a strange virus that worked it's way through my family. Each year for Mother's Day I like to pick an outdoor adventure to do with my family, and this year I wanted to go on a bike ride to our local farmer's market. Alas, this was not to be.<br />
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Last year I kept track of minutes outdoors, but this time I am only keeping track of my daily activities and sharing photos on <u><a href="https://instagram.com/crustyroll35/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u>.<br />
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<b><u>Week One and Two Outdoor Activities:</u></b><br />
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<li>bike rides to Garry Point in Steveston</li>
<li>bike ride to meet a friend for coffee</li>
<li>quiet time amongst trees at Minoru</li>
<li>backyard BBQ campfires</li>
<li>tending my backyard garden</li>
<li>playing at the beach </li>
<li>dinner on the shore of the Fraser River in Steveston </li>
<li>playing at the park with my class</li>
<li>knitting outdoors</li>
<li>walks along the river's edge in New Westminster</li>
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For the next two weeks my goal is to find time in more natural settings, like a local nature park or rural area. </div>
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Follow my 30 x 30 adventures on Instagram. I'm <u><a href="https://instagram.com/crustyroll35/" target="_blank">crustyroll35</a></u>. </div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-33584872091140830222015-05-01T00:30:00.000-07:002015-05-02T17:06:44.700-07:00Join the 30 X 30 Nature Challenge<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsfCV0lOw47-_jHPwGKdqrT_lOI1gZa8RgUK9Iyl0I03vZhAA7kmV35s_QwIXYyr1NkB7fkIRJ05rOL3X6ZHk0i9p_bvr06Hpid45Db0EQTPVjwy5FYUM9sTKCxKLN6qNtYzjoSPHa9vX/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-30+at+6.31.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsfCV0lOw47-_jHPwGKdqrT_lOI1gZa8RgUK9Iyl0I03vZhAA7kmV35s_QwIXYyr1NkB7fkIRJ05rOL3X6ZHk0i9p_bvr06Hpid45Db0EQTPVjwy5FYUM9sTKCxKLN6qNtYzjoSPHa9vX/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-30+at+6.31.08+PM.png" height="320" width="316" /></a>Like many people who care about the environment, I love spending time outdoors in nature. When I am feeling stressed or overstimulated it just takes some quiet time by water or trees and I'm much more relaxed and happy. <u><a href="http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/environment/nature-and-us/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing" target="_blank">Studies</a></u> <u><a href="http://www.asla.org/healthbenefitsofnature.aspx" target="_blank">support</a></u> that time in a natural setting can reduce depression, anxiety, anger, and pain. It also feels like common sense to me that time in nature can help people have a greater understanding of and appreciation for the environment; the more you know, the more you love and have a vested interest in protecting. </div>
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For the fourth year the David Suzuki Foundation is holding their <u><a href="http://30x30.davidsuzuki.org/" target="_blank">30 X 30 Challenge</a></u> for the month of May to spend thirty minutes each day in nature. For a great info graphic about time in nature, go <u><a href="http://30x30.davidsuzuki.org/whats-in-it-for-you-2/" target="_blank">here</a></u>.</div>
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As an avid gardener this is no problem for me, but I love a good hashtag, so I will be participating again by sharing my daily photos to the hashtags #30x30challenge and #natureiscalling on <u><a href="https://instagram.com/crustyroll35/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></u> and <u><a href="https://twitter.com/christyrollo" target="_blank">twitter</a></u>. I will also be blogging about how I'm doing <u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/search?q=30+x+30+nature+challenge" target="_blank">here</a></u>. </div>
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/05/join-30-x-30-nature-challenge.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-20457210566222549952015-04-17T00:30:00.000-07:002015-04-17T00:30:00.691-07:00Life Lessons From Gardening: There Are No MistakesI love gardening for so many reasons, not least of which because of everything gardening has taught me. Anyone who has tried to grow something can tell you something that they have learned through the process. Some speak of the appreciation they have for nature, for being witness to the life around them. Others speak about the time spent outdoors and the meditative effect of daily tasks and chores. Then there is the satisfaction of growing one's own food and being intimately connected to the earth.<br />
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My favourite gardening lesson is also my favourite life lesson.</div>
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There are no mistakes in gardening, only learning experiences.</div>
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It is all a matter of perspective, really, as is most of life. Glass half empty or glass half full?</div>
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Sure there are posts and books about <u><a href="http://www.hobbyfarms.com/crops-and-gardening/10-beginner-gardening-mistakes-to-avoid.aspx" target="_blank">common newbie gardener mistakes</a></u>, like not giving plants enough space, under or over fertilizing, or planting in the wrong location. I have read many of them, and when I started container gardening many years ago, and then gardening in my raised beds 5 years ago I did what I do when I start anything new: I read up on how to do it.</div>
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But gardening, like life, cannot always be anticipated perfectly, and sometimes things do not go as planned. Of course it feels like a mistake when the garden does not turn out the way you intended it. </div>
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But there are no mistakes, only learning experiences and happy surprises.</div>
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An example is my backyard garden so far this season. I was very excited to plant asparagus for the first time this year because I love perennial plants that are plant once and go. I wouldn't be able to harvest any spears this year to allow the plants to establish themselves firmly in the soil, but oh the wait would be worth it for delicious, fresh homegrown spring asparagus. I read the information packet that came with the roots I ordered from a local seed company, did a quick search on the internet to read a little more and then I planted them quickly before heading off on a family vacation.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus crowns: the roots are the long dangly parts. You<br />
maybe can see why I thought the part of the crowns in the <br />
bottom of the photo were the beginning of the roots, <br />
rather than the future spears. Basically this is upside down.</td></tr>
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/04/life-lessons-from-gardening-there-are.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-287177490496403162015-04-03T10:45:00.002-07:002015-04-03T10:51:01.501-07:00Are Plastic Bag Bans Worth It?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTiHcGuNJTz7xqoDseAoJalbU42ASOgsGHUEN69StA7mxO_QXVhaFIC1YRt7rYZuiE0hCJu0grg2gP3V6vrKNGZObhYjOSVdDT7ox_fypOSjE4wjsEx6tmJiM7bEROCPjY7Wvpon-k9fc/s1600/bags1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTiHcGuNJTz7xqoDseAoJalbU42ASOgsGHUEN69StA7mxO_QXVhaFIC1YRt7rYZuiE0hCJu0grg2gP3V6vrKNGZObhYjOSVdDT7ox_fypOSjE4wjsEx6tmJiM7bEROCPjY7Wvpon-k9fc/s1600/bags1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
Recently my family and I were on holiday in Maui, Hawaii, and as soon as we went shopping I noticed that everyone was offering us paper bags for our items. Of course I just pulled out the small cloth shopping bags that I keep in every bag I own and used that. On the few occasions the items didn't fit in my smallish shopping bags, I returned the paper bags and just carried out my purchases in my hand rather than use a large paper bag.<br />
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After a few days of this I did a quick google search to discover that there is a ban on plastic shopping bags on the island. My initial reaction was yes! But then I remembered that I saw everyone walking out of stores with paper bags, not reusable bags. When I remarked on this, my oldest daughter commented that paper bags are probably better than plastic.<br />
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It may have been due to being spring break and the area was full of tourists who (unlike me) do not travel with their reusable shopping bags, so their only choice was to use paper bags. However, this is not the fully story because we also went shopping in less touristy areas and there was still a predominance of paper bags.<br />
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This did not sit right with me. After all, as a reasonably environmentally aware person, I knew that the best choice should always be to use reusable shopping bags, rather than having to chose between paper or plastic bags.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-vhNZaTaD_aGM_3vcqUk1CrLU0JaNUk-pR9EhzpyOeh49DRj_S4O4H6M2Kj85f73-KvBF2d0fk-ZNzMmlW6iTF4O5ykRcnWaaxrSAYTZIeA3OGDoZ1mOUAuj3ZnV0BaABkP08dUjiXdO/s1600/bags2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-vhNZaTaD_aGM_3vcqUk1CrLU0JaNUk-pR9EhzpyOeh49DRj_S4O4H6M2Kj85f73-KvBF2d0fk-ZNzMmlW6iTF4O5ykRcnWaaxrSAYTZIeA3OGDoZ1mOUAuj3ZnV0BaABkP08dUjiXdO/s1600/bags2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the reuseable bags I purchased years ago, and they<br />
fold up small enough to fit in any bag or purse so I always<br />
have one or two on hand, even on vacation.</td></tr>
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/04/are-plastic-bag-bans-worth-it.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-53047048135144317292015-03-20T00:30:00.000-07:002015-03-20T00:30:04.158-07:00Teaching Happiness: A Picture Book Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP0RlSAXUwqB6YwSf6XkhRL25cMSE_Wo9JWxepiVFV_nQIpwH3z_aIq0CROWv4CuVDf6FmpfFXAkqEun_JdW0hy_EH1DlxGDvBZW_jSCRdICCCJfdDoPpXrAJIQfnZBmDkmS5yTDNZxHQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-06+at+9.40.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP0RlSAXUwqB6YwSf6XkhRL25cMSE_Wo9JWxepiVFV_nQIpwH3z_aIq0CROWv4CuVDf6FmpfFXAkqEun_JdW0hy_EH1DlxGDvBZW_jSCRdICCCJfdDoPpXrAJIQfnZBmDkmS5yTDNZxHQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-03-06+at+9.40.18+AM.png" /></a>As a teacher one of the first ways I teach something is through reading a picture book. There's something about compelling illustrations to draw us into the author's message. I believe that picture books can be used with all ages, be they young children or fully grown adults.<br />
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Teaching about the importance of the Earth and environmentalism is a tough topic for children, as the <u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/03/talking-green-with-tweens.html" target="_blank">Climate Crusader has found</a></u>, and I have found one of the best ways to engage children with difficult topics like the environment and social responsibility, is through reading books.<br />
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One area of my life that I am trying to work on is being satisfied with what I have and not desiring more stuff, like my own <u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/03/in-defence-of-making-do.html" target="_blank">Making Do Movement</a></u>, so I was drawn to a book in my school library, <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1053966.The_Short_and_Incredibly_Happy_Life_of_Riley" target="_blank">The Short And Incredibly Happy Life Of Riley</a></u> by Colin Thompson and Amy Lissiat.</div>
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/03/teaching-happiness-picture-book-review.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u></div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-61712853323346341172015-03-06T09:31:00.002-08:002015-03-06T09:31:50.320-08:00In Defence of Making DoI will begin by saying that I have very little fashion and design sense, and I cannot walk into a room and see how I can transform it into a vision of my own style. I cannot just slap a coat of paint on something and magically transform a room for under $700. Anyone who comes into my home or sees how I dress can see that right away.<br />
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The downside is that I am sometimes embarrassed by the mismatched nature of my home furnishings. The upside is that I am not spending thousands and thousands of dollars updating my home to the latest and greatest style.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mismatched floors after an old dishwasher broke, leaked,<br />
and damaged the flooring. Thank goodness for kind neighbours<br />
who help source replacement boards and install for me.</td></tr>
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One of my pet peeves is watching home decorations and real estate shows that have people saying how the house is not move in ready because the perfectly serviceable countertops are not granite and the appliances are not stainless steel, and how they want to rip everything out of the kitchen to make it more their style. When we moved into our home we were thrilled, despite the fact that the original 80s kitchen cabinets have not been updated (just painted) and the countertops have a faux treatment to look like granite (and they aren't fooling anyone, I assure you!). It was move-in ready because everything worked.</div>
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Recently I moved some furnishings from my grandmother's home to mine.<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/03/in-defence-of-making-do.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-78403903687272288432015-01-16T00:30:00.000-08:002015-01-16T00:30:00.388-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">{this moment} - Inspired by Amanda Soule at <u><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/" style="color: #99224d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SouleMama</a></u>. </em></div>
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<em>"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </em><em>If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments."</em><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-81152224073745872752015-01-16T00:20:00.000-08:002015-01-16T00:20:00.691-08:00Guilt Free CoffeeI have a love/hate relationship with my morning cup of coffee. I have kicked the habit, or at least taken a break from the habit, for years at a time, but I always seem to return to my beloved cup of joe.<br />
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I've never gone the espresso machine route (always out of my price range) but over the years I've tried several coffee makers. Some I've loved more than others, but each one of them has lost its lustre in my eyes. After my <u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-java-monkey-on-my-back.html" target="_blank">latest round of caffeine detox</a></u> I took a long hard look at my coffee machine. The carafe was glass, but all the other parts, including the basket where the hot water would drain through, was plastic, and this did not wash with me.<br />
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Time to find a new coffee making system.<br />
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Needless to say I would not purchase a K Cup system. I won't bother going into the reasons; they do not need to be spoken, and <u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/01/killthekcup-horror-film-about-single.html" target="_blank">EcoYogini has already done a great job</a></u>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't judge me. Yes, I am a nerd.</td></tr>
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/01/guilt-free-coffee.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-70124812394166096962015-01-02T02:25:00.003-08:002015-01-02T02:47:20.931-08:00Reverse Green Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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It's the new year and my Facebook feed is full of inspirational quotes and resolutions for starting the year well. But like <u><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/30/neil-degrasse-tyson-new-years-resolutions_n_6379030.html" target="_blank">Neil deGrasse Tyson</a></u>, I won't be making any resolutions.<br />
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We have all had to make resolutions in January when we were in school, which we know almost immediately that we wouldn't keep. Then we feel bad about ourselves for not keeping the resolutions. </div>
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Unless there has been a genuine shift in thinking and attitude, and we are able to make a change in behaviour a habit, we do not follow through on our goals. </div>
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Instead, I think we should be focussing on all the positive actions we have done for the environment over the previous year, like a reverse resolution. Most likely we are doing more than we realize, and this is important because we can get bogged down in all the things we should be doing. </div>
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I've brainstormed as many actions that I can think of that we may have done in 2014, and if you have made even five items on the list a habit give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. Keep up the good work for 2015!<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2015/01/reverse-green-resolutions.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-86897728652634437902014-12-19T01:00:00.000-08:002015-01-15T22:26:49.358-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">{this moment} - Inspired by Amanda Soule at <u><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/" style="color: #99224d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SouleMama</a></u>. </em></div>
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<em>"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </em><em>If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments."</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYkvHLHxb-CQHqBNF9yZEVsi3EZOvDfZr5MKGSyixA8YKZdlDCE3uYH-oFbZsn0BnF6XtsyS3LFA054mcsh1OGQtQqwGSAO1WuIzZXIyK55qxkwU3tMwPIuOqktxPirkXoUqIv0-23hyW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+6.56.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYkvHLHxb-CQHqBNF9yZEVsi3EZOvDfZr5MKGSyixA8YKZdlDCE3uYH-oFbZsn0BnF6XtsyS3LFA054mcsh1OGQtQqwGSAO1WuIzZXIyK55qxkwU3tMwPIuOqktxPirkXoUqIv0-23hyW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+6.56.35+PM.png" height="385" width="400" /></a></div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-89387406123744024072014-12-19T00:30:00.000-08:002014-12-19T00:30:00.093-08:00Connecting With Nature: Winter Solstice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4Ottg_Y4feRrqBYACAV9PtCbvbIFuqQ8WFPRL3TmFAY3UZ6nb0AcXsonfl1IryOMfPTzo4vys4O-rtkDYzeVIoui8LRh37ZPd1Z9UTeBUS6wXaXtrCHCJe7deLeXgAQFlSdbVO2JRWZo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+6.37.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4Ottg_Y4feRrqBYACAV9PtCbvbIFuqQ8WFPRL3TmFAY3UZ6nb0AcXsonfl1IryOMfPTzo4vys4O-rtkDYzeVIoui8LRh37ZPd1Z9UTeBUS6wXaXtrCHCJe7deLeXgAQFlSdbVO2JRWZo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+6.37.32+PM.png" height="292" width="320" /></a>This time of year in our society many people (ok, most) are focussed on the holiday season of peace, joy and gift giving. It is not a time when people look to spend time outdoors. In the northern hemisphere it is either too cold, too wet or too dark to do much at all outdoors.<br />
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But it is important to remain connected to the cycles of the Earth and seasons year round. As the season darkens and the natural world goes to sleep, we, too, turn inward and slow down.<br />
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The solstice, the longest night of the year, and a turning point for the return of the sun, is a time of inner reflection, but should also be a time to connect with the natural world.<br />
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Many of our seasonal traditions and images stem from natural winter elements, such as holly, pine boughs, pinecones, mistletoe and evergreen trees.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some suggestions for connecting with nature in the darkest days of winter:</span></b><br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2014/12/connecting-with-nature-winter-solstice.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-28175853127089678922014-12-12T10:22:00.001-08:002014-12-18T18:57:11.875-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">{this moment} - Inspired by Amanda Soule at <u><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/" style="color: #99224d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SouleMama</a></u>. </em></div>
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<em>"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </em><em>If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments."</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ_BXnQmlSleT8lybcNQQ7LBKdiagwi1UuyUyHeC5FdU0OJv3waPi2m0NhGr-GCqY2ZIHAlMXaClYHQK3nFodiYS419mCXWS69rm4lqlBXeV1O27_Do_16b6sTeD0oXOOHGQht4wNnllC/s640/blogger-image--2119932502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ_BXnQmlSleT8lybcNQQ7LBKdiagwi1UuyUyHeC5FdU0OJv3waPi2m0NhGr-GCqY2ZIHAlMXaClYHQK3nFodiYS419mCXWS69rm4lqlBXeV1O27_Do_16b6sTeD0oXOOHGQht4wNnllC/s400/blogger-image--2119932502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-30496229389260348572014-12-10T20:12:00.000-08:002014-12-11T08:53:46.443-08:00The Beginnner's Guide to Knitting Socks<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9U3-TkBGtICxOMODppkv2XWyC6FX2MhCD2I1Vp2xnU1mh8AQDIstpxwcMvPDU89USeI-1XTF0ItbUm8xbnHmmy8wS3O1kdYlWpbkikbxb-z3qX1EMgmV-zGPkVSPyVBBymkENv3TKbYr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.10.57+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9U3-TkBGtICxOMODppkv2XWyC6FX2MhCD2I1Vp2xnU1mh8AQDIstpxwcMvPDU89USeI-1XTF0ItbUm8xbnHmmy8wS3O1kdYlWpbkikbxb-z3qX1EMgmV-zGPkVSPyVBBymkENv3TKbYr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.10.57+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first successful pair of socks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am a knit nerd, and especially a sock knit nerd.<br />
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I love spending time alone in a yarn shop feeling the fibres and browsing the patterns. I am willing to spend a ridiculous amount of money on beautiful needles.<br />
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After several failed starts and <u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/03/yoga-socks.html" target="_blank">knitting yoga socks</a></u> (no heels, no toes), I decided that <u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2014/01/one-little-word-for-2014.html" target="_blank">this was the year I was going to learn how to knit socks</a></u>.<br />
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For some reason turning the heel and picking up stitches for the gusset intimidated me.<br />
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When I found the book <u><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/How-Knit-Socks-Three-Methods/dp/1592172350%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJNNSUP6J3RN4WZYQ%26tag%3Dravelry-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D1592172350" target="_blank">How To Knit Socks: Three Methods Made Easy</a></u>, by Edie Eckman, I finally found my key to successfully tackling my own socks. It gives very clearly explained step-by-step procedures for socks, along with photos to show what each stage should look like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6OPM4Xmn6t4bSZwdEbSVnmwCr5MFmHMYJJJ1okcZe6XO_PvnS1_L6lOQZYJukiokz98NDV13XzgbMaqfM_12Wo-U9pAqEhVzNpJ8dUjcpwCuSajyf2XjSUwzNTr1GQWK0_b0jg6ERyES/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6OPM4Xmn6t4bSZwdEbSVnmwCr5MFmHMYJJJ1okcZe6XO_PvnS1_L6lOQZYJukiokz98NDV13XzgbMaqfM_12Wo-U9pAqEhVzNpJ8dUjcpwCuSajyf2XjSUwzNTr1GQWK0_b0jg6ERyES/s1600/book.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Youtube has been a wonderful self-teaching tool for crafters, and I have used video tutorials to see the process for a few stages of knitting socks.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jhCP_hFy-6iGc2gach34IzY4iPlvke740UIIoe2_zvPsAsY5lXkjVUHUHyLnRvBvd-ax-GIKg6m2smBuGNShXUc1EWkvcxylXCcl73KDpKF0nD22KeAQ7ZENJvniXjbGHxGoLjm2pZdJ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-08+at+11.03.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jhCP_hFy-6iGc2gach34IzY4iPlvke740UIIoe2_zvPsAsY5lXkjVUHUHyLnRvBvd-ax-GIKg6m2smBuGNShXUc1EWkvcxylXCcl73KDpKF0nD22KeAQ7ZENJvniXjbGHxGoLjm2pZdJ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-08+at+11.03.37+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/03/yoga-socks.html" target="_blank">Yoga socks</a></u></td></tr>
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I discovered that turning the heel (knitting short rows) was not difficult for me, but picking up the gusset stitches after knitting the heel just didn't feel or look right the way I was doing it. This <u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFhIr25Pb3M&index=8&list=FLS2VYvHC2GmP9QDXHPBSp2g" target="_blank">youtube video</a></u> is excellent and I love the nice braided edge it gives my socks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTqe-7zQMnzF6OnUWU19PInOpYxvJrcxDzwBGFQROgRZURxt18Uu1txb-i276xj3UDDCxnC4clMndqSAZgmqTtW9o2WzrZrI7mzDx3D5_DWuT0IeNtjUPSKtdDNNgntqo-PTWGZehNcZk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.23.09+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTqe-7zQMnzF6OnUWU19PInOpYxvJrcxDzwBGFQROgRZURxt18Uu1txb-i276xj3UDDCxnC4clMndqSAZgmqTtW9o2WzrZrI7mzDx3D5_DWuT0IeNtjUPSKtdDNNgntqo-PTWGZehNcZk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.23.09+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ankle socks</td></tr>
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Then once I had knit a few pairs I purchased the <u><a href="http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/collections/churchmouse-patterns-hands-feet/products/basic-sock-pattern#.VCcDPV48YfM" target="_blank">basic sock pattern</a></u> from <a href="http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Churchmouse Yarns</a>, which expanded my repertoire and gave me another way to knit a sturdy heel that I now use for all my socks.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyADrd_Z12w0cQ9WLHFp47nK6vuec8-4-wznbsnP7uxwitz9waV5y2FeaLbQxsMDPpjPTVSDSP5i5nVkUNYkOmRgH7GclSVnR39XanaqYSqwkwlU0Y1QH5bZd7yjsbDcfxn9U0mTDaYj9f/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.11.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyADrd_Z12w0cQ9WLHFp47nK6vuec8-4-wznbsnP7uxwitz9waV5y2FeaLbQxsMDPpjPTVSDSP5i5nVkUNYkOmRgH7GclSVnR39XanaqYSqwkwlU0Y1QH5bZd7yjsbDcfxn9U0mTDaYj9f/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.11.29+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love ribbing all the way down<br />
for a snug fit.</td></tr>
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I started learning socks using four or five double pointed needles (the yoga socks were made with two small circular needles), but several knitters I follow on Instagram raved about the <u><a href="http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-knit-in-the-round-with-the-magic-loop.html" target="_blank">magic loop method </a></u>using one 32" circular needle so I knew I would have to give it a go. The Edie Eckman book teaches this method so I was set, and I can now say that I, too, prefer magic loop for socks.<br />
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I have tried several different patterns for my socks and I love seeing the different textures as they develop.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">There are several things I love about knitting socks:</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8vfLOTmERSt7lO_pyYMVtOQMRhGT9Yvey9PrpuX69nNuzSV148DOLJVOxCUj9g6QWe4IzZnTBFKUK5Esa5tg53Hy9yZJWF0yJsqO615OZaFEP8I_75YV87jibf_GWEW_-vCPsWhc8VND/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.11.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8vfLOTmERSt7lO_pyYMVtOQMRhGT9Yvey9PrpuX69nNuzSV148DOLJVOxCUj9g6QWe4IzZnTBFKUK5Esa5tg53Hy9yZJWF0yJsqO615OZaFEP8I_75YV87jibf_GWEW_-vCPsWhc8VND/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.11.37+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CrustyRoll/grain-stitch-socks-2" target="_blank">Grain stitch socks</a></u>. </td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>they are easy to transport and I often have my project bag in my purse, ready to work on if I have a few spare moments</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>it is easy to adapt patterns and customize them once you understand the basic anatomy of a sock</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>they are relatively quick to knit; I can knit a pair in approximately 6 days with dedicated knitting time</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>they make great presents that everyone is happy to receive</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>homemade socks feel so cozy and warm and it is satisfying wearing something homemade</li>
</ul>
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My next challenge is to learn a different heel method, the <u><a href="http://www.prettylittlefiberco.com/fish-lips-kiss-heel/" target="_blank">fish lips kiss heel</a></u>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWhysXZ2kniUZxkCft7XU5kGPaZ02kAFF9PFmoMRhl6LuivyZEjlp42emlLDvENdbX0YXL0sFsZGCHaRlmLadud7tHwZVuR1oAjnJXoDWWJxjey6_vMK7PCcRDC7Zn7Z8QWvcUxF2w8PZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.11.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWhysXZ2kniUZxkCft7XU5kGPaZ02kAFF9PFmoMRhl6LuivyZEjlp42emlLDvENdbX0YXL0sFsZGCHaRlmLadud7tHwZVuR1oAjnJXoDWWJxjey6_vMK7PCcRDC7Zn7Z8QWvcUxF2w8PZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.11.21+AM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CrustyRoll/harris-tweed-rib-socks" target="_blank">Harris tweed rib stitch</a></u></td></tr>
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But currently I am knitting socks like crazy for Christmas presents for all the men in my life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfOMTscwZ3NNq2MhKq_KJqrV1HWzHnpIHHRn_gNDMJhe5UAFe6qsz6U9AjrT0blMSvYam2FtzCRQJu8uiw1awPE8UrxHiGpQRXKcOP0EH6srWO_gJFvHaGkFAE_kcQHo9gtOOfMqInUZp/s640/blogger-image-875299391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfOMTscwZ3NNq2MhKq_KJqrV1HWzHnpIHHRn_gNDMJhe5UAFe6qsz6U9AjrT0blMSvYam2FtzCRQJu8uiw1awPE8UrxHiGpQRXKcOP0EH6srWO_gJFvHaGkFAE_kcQHo9gtOOfMqInUZp/s640/blogger-image-875299391.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some tutorial videos that have helped me on my sock knitting journey:</span></b><br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=essddfW7Ud8" target="_blank">how to turn the heel (short rows)</a></u></li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFhIr25Pb3M&index=8&list=FLS2VYvHC2GmP9QDXHPBSp2g" target="_blank">picking up gusset stitches</a></u></li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4EMv-pfscg&index=9&list=FLS2VYvHC2GmP9QDXHPBSp2g" target="_blank">grafting the toe stitches: kitchener</a></u></li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzEcGcJowQY&index=1&list=FLS2VYvHC2GmP9QDXHPBSp2g" target="_blank">knitting socks using magic loop (there are several tutorials in the series)</a></u></li>
</ul>
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* I used my own money to purchase How To Knit Socks: Three Methods Made Easy and I have linked to it because I think it is an excellent beginner's sock knitting book.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-50500351190224492612014-12-05T00:30:00.000-08:002014-12-12T10:19:19.549-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">{this moment} - Inspired by Amanda Soule at <u><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/" style="color: #99224d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SouleMama</a></u>. </em></div>
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<em>"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </em><em>If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments."</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jdeon30JoS-GhrGZ94IGMC715ShLE7-U_mV4T9cA1DpxG60mm95H4QcILOmwZSIjw5_8CYBjyOVuL5enDmN5JfPFx1hLo2bJxD5HiDvskRvBzZ644hTGfTwz-9Kj60-mcCwc2WqCtrAe/s1600/this+moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jdeon30JoS-GhrGZ94IGMC715ShLE7-U_mV4T9cA1DpxG60mm95H4QcILOmwZSIjw5_8CYBjyOVuL5enDmN5JfPFx1hLo2bJxD5HiDvskRvBzZ644hTGfTwz-9Kj60-mcCwc2WqCtrAe/s1600/this+moment.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-3040866423900719102014-12-05T00:20:00.000-08:002014-12-05T08:42:39.935-08:00Last Minute Present: Plastic Free Food Wraps<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKfacRfWUeHK-I6QM2_OPJ3lsu7aBxfuNrPcNIG87JNjLfEuhF4exxCWdVC_vQT4capsOEmNk2JJDLF5CvPES9U40ysKPpIFTpWV8NMp5Ls82WPflIXs8pzI_iNxTcyOM0fp-X8cZgX_0/s1600/iPhone+Image+A631F2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKfacRfWUeHK-I6QM2_OPJ3lsu7aBxfuNrPcNIG87JNjLfEuhF4exxCWdVC_vQT4capsOEmNk2JJDLF5CvPES9U40ysKPpIFTpWV8NMp5Ls82WPflIXs8pzI_iNxTcyOM0fp-X8cZgX_0/s1600/iPhone+Image+A631F2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I believe in the personal touch for the holidays and I always try to make at least some of my gifts. Sure it takes more effort, and at this busy time of year homemade gifts may be the first thing to go when schedules fill up. But I believe that I have the perfect last minute homemade gift: plastic-free food wraps.<br />
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There are commercially produced beeswax food wraps if DIY really isn't your thing, and I do love supporting companies who make environmentally friendly and ethical products. <u><a href="http://abeego.com/" target="_blank">Abeego</a></u> is one such company, and I am proud that it started as a home-based business in my province. They have many options for food storage including large bowl covers as well as handy snack and sandwich pockets.<br />
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In keeping with my <u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2014/01/one-little-word-for-2014.html" target="_blank">DIY spirit</a></u>, last year I decided to try making some of my own, and they were a hit with everyone. I made a dozen or so in one afternoon, with minimal prep and clean up.<br />
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Because the wraps are made from beeswax they must be washed in cold water and a little bit of dish soap if required. Obviously warm or hot water will melt the wax, make a mess in your sink and ruin the food wraps. I have had no difficulty caring for my wraps in this way, and after a year they are still in very good condition.<br />
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Here's how to make your own reusable food wraps:<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2014/12/last-minute-present-diy-plastic-free.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-77276378342415882702014-11-26T14:40:00.002-08:002014-11-26T15:35:36.897-08:00Wordless Wednesday: Planting Garlic<div>
Before we had our first frost at the beginning of the month I managed to get all my garlic planted. After separating the cloves and sorting the intact ones from the ones with broken skins, I got outside in between rain showers. This year some is grown by me, some by the <u><a href="http://garlicfestival.sharingfarm.ca/" target="_blank">Sharing Farm</a></u>, and some by <u><a href="http://www.westcoastseeds.com/" target="_blank">Westcoast Seeds</a></u>.</div>
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Last year I grew enough in one raised bed to hopefully last until late spring. This year I increased the amount I planted, hoping it will take me through until the next backyard harvest.<br>
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For a full description of how I plant garlic, click<u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/10/garlic-planting-time.html" target="_blank"> here.</a></u></div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-85678519095709968482014-11-21T01:00:00.000-08:002014-12-04T15:55:57.756-08:00{this moment}<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">{this moment} - Inspired by Amanda Soule at <u><a href="http://www.soulemama.com/" style="color: #99224d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SouleMama</a></u>. </em></div>
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<em>"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </em><em>If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments."</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbB1_o9M2uzF1L-h2J1XspQjwxlxg6iGLm8cDP3K1QLjUGcMfj0nqLuQfPjGhd1zVSe1xbnXcf6DQVaWyf9bLRldsp_xgo4P7TlPPn9L_p7PvF2uLKaklryXNRjJlx156yA7MOpTmSfg9/s1600/this+moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbB1_o9M2uzF1L-h2J1XspQjwxlxg6iGLm8cDP3K1QLjUGcMfj0nqLuQfPjGhd1zVSe1xbnXcf6DQVaWyf9bLRldsp_xgo4P7TlPPn9L_p7PvF2uLKaklryXNRjJlx156yA7MOpTmSfg9/s1600/this+moment.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-9339478958606481952014-11-21T00:30:00.000-08:002014-11-21T00:30:00.262-08:00Extending the Harvest with Covered Hoops<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo9DOYlA0nToWPJbXXkJ4fJQ1KYk3ha7Yx4zO0J_Hdi4ebTxQmy29fLmxdWOZ8ecCbOix_NPbi7qS7WnMTVVqimAMAgNiKWYnMoU1T7hG5nY72NJsyD-5ZUJeRJmeS4Ub3jn84nSY-Jaj/s1600/hoops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo9DOYlA0nToWPJbXXkJ4fJQ1KYk3ha7Yx4zO0J_Hdi4ebTxQmy29fLmxdWOZ8ecCbOix_NPbi7qS7WnMTVVqimAMAgNiKWYnMoU1T7hG5nY72NJsyD-5ZUJeRJmeS4Ub3jn84nSY-Jaj/s1600/hoops.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Last year I began <u><a href="http://ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/11/late-fall-garden.html" target="_blank">experimenting with extending the growing season</a></u> and harvesting fresh food through autumn. In fact, I was able to harvest backyard veggies for the last time on December 1st! After that we had an unseasonal cold snap and early snow (I live in the moderate pacific northwest where we are increasingly finishing winter with little to no snow). Luckily some of my cold resistant veggies bounced back enough by late winter that I could start harvesting them again in February and March.<br />
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But one of my faults as a backyard gardener is that I often forget to harvest the veggies before they bolt (go to seed) in the summer or freeze in the winter. I'm always disappointed that I didn't pick something when I thought of it instead of waiting just that one more day or week. Hardy plants like kale did well with limited frosts and bounced back quickly, but my turnips, carrots, and cabbage were turned to mush in the freezing temps and never rebounded.<br />
<br />
Through the summer, after doing more reading about fall and winter gardening, and weighing the pros and cons of cold frames versus covered hoops (an excellent discussion <u><a href="http://www.motherofahubbard.com/10-reasons-low-tunnels-are-better-than-cold-frames/" target="_blank">here</a></u>), I decided to try covered hoops this year. Sometimes plastic covered hoops made with flexible tubing are called low tunnels, and the taller variety are called poly tunnels. I guess mine are a hybrid (not low but not tall enough to walk in).<br />
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My wonderful neighbour (really, he's amazing) and built my covered hoops once I'd cleaned up the fall garden and mulched everything for warmth and moisture retention. Unfortunately we'd already had a frost, so there has been some damage to the lettuce and Asian greens, which I'd hoped to avoid.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbe0Tad34FKix9k-zQPQiG4zBr2QpjJNG0TVItN0XOcSvc2ZzJowH1zpVB2dVOcKN8im6oMB1dMyoIHJbYJsKjIOJQVVQqzf50MIzxr7FNIecM3KcOhL1boV1K_I7otVVhktSK7Ymu1_4/s1600/winter7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbe0Tad34FKix9k-zQPQiG4zBr2QpjJNG0TVItN0XOcSvc2ZzJowH1zpVB2dVOcKN8im6oMB1dMyoIHJbYJsKjIOJQVVQqzf50MIzxr7FNIecM3KcOhL1boV1K_I7otVVhktSK7Ymu1_4/s1600/winter7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the sides down for full protection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLi3yoeM3ZQvMMMoZtyljNRykyMZ2GK5U-38cc4zYFaxARnrvzpJOuShGFaeJm_4qBQWb7-dwIJn5PNLFepMhfG7KamQuXaE_clym0NYDVp46ZBiix9-LNc9HOrZnHAWEr_gZIl0Q9bBFX/s1600/winter8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLi3yoeM3ZQvMMMoZtyljNRykyMZ2GK5U-38cc4zYFaxARnrvzpJOuShGFaeJm_4qBQWb7-dwIJn5PNLFepMhfG7KamQuXaE_clym0NYDVp46ZBiix9-LNc9HOrZnHAWEr_gZIl0Q9bBFX/s1600/winter8.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the sides up for moisture in warmer temperatures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So how well do the covered hoops work to protect my plants?<br />
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<u><a href="http://www.greenphonebooth.com/2014/11/extending-harvest-with-covered-hoops.html" target="_blank">Continue reading at The Green Phone Booth>>></a></u><br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792868714208953040.post-19718918494115624492014-11-11T14:08:00.001-08:002014-11-11T19:09:19.166-08:00Lest We Forget<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiTS76tyta0HQBGjYShqOhx9JCBRe96uEud0uEu3EuEVnGVgv9hrJsKXwL5r5RiWSiQkrHgqFta6FOkerefdyy4_h9Ro2vNTxIukqN4oLpyXL9_pqlxLeECJRi5IlLKXwpA7IvAOjm3vb/s1600/poppy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiTS76tyta0HQBGjYShqOhx9JCBRe96uEud0uEu3EuEVnGVgv9hrJsKXwL5r5RiWSiQkrHgqFta6FOkerefdyy4_h9Ro2vNTxIukqN4oLpyXL9_pqlxLeECJRi5IlLKXwpA7IvAOjm3vb/s200/poppy1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My homemade felt poppies that I<br />
proudly reuse year after year.</td></tr>
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Each year for Remembrance Day I wear my homemade <u><a href="http://www.ppu.org.uk/whitepoppy/" target="_blank">white peace poppy </a></u>along side my red poppy, so that not only am I remembering all the soldiers who died for a cause, but also all the civilians, animals and nature, who had no choice in being involved in a political conflict. In the past I have been criticized for my choice to wear a peace poppy, but this year I feel more confident thanks to my administrator who shares my views. She wore her own crocheted peace poppy, brought peace poppies for staff to wear and shared <u><a href="http://www.members.shaw.ca/peacepoppies/" target="_blank">on line resources</a></u> to use with our classes.<br />
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My thoughts in previous years can be read <a href="http://www.ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-peace-poppy-problem.html" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">here</a> and <b><u><a href="http://www.ecojourneyintheburbs.blogspot.ca/2012/11/diy-felt-poppy-tutorial.html" target="_blank">here</a></u></b>.<br />
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I am always trepidatious discussing the peace poppies and the impact of war beyond soldiers because I have been told it is disrespectful to soldiers. I am still unclear how advocating for peace and safety for all in any way diminishes the sacrifices of soldiers. I believe that it only serves humanity to discuss the impact of war upon everyone, including the environment. If we do not truly see war for what it is, for the true impact that it has, we are not doing everything we can to ensure that it will not happen again. But this year I felt emboldened by the actions of my administrator, and teacher librarian who read picture books with my class focussing on the impact of war upon animals. I also had a great conversation with another colleague who discussed the origins of the peace poppy movement with her class and how it started with mothers in the UK who were tired of seeing their husbands and sons die in wars.<br />
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As with previous years, I used the peace poppy web site to discuss these issues with my class, as well as looking at images of the aftermath of battles and the destruction of the environment. Then we made our own paper peace poppies to wear alongside the red poppies.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ22rTy5rZvRPwDbNEoI4a0In5MUzpPysq5A5mEJkwLIE8iy__8X-MUWadU3n6eJAnqAtEPT4qxndTPY5kO6pDW0uaKKknEOxeulsXJZEMiJNp32y9Wi8n50ucEZCZM7Y1gt3ttsvp5w8/s1600/poppy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ22rTy5rZvRPwDbNEoI4a0In5MUzpPysq5A5mEJkwLIE8iy__8X-MUWadU3n6eJAnqAtEPT4qxndTPY5kO6pDW0uaKKknEOxeulsXJZEMiJNp32y9Wi8n50ucEZCZM7Y1gt3ttsvp5w8/s400/poppy2.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The list of countries represented in my <br />
school's parade of nations. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I am especially proud of my school and colleagues for the wonderful job they do with the Remembrance Day ceremony and its focus on peace. Each year my colleague organizes a parade of nations to highlight the countries of origin for our multicultural community. I always have goosebumps watching the children proudly walk down the gym holding the name of their home country, some wearing clothing symbolizing their culture. We are from all over this world, but we are all of THIS world, living together, and it is for the good of all that we see beyond national boundaries and geopolitical battles and connect with one another. I always look forward to it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9JPuXgVF6Ie2WLWcRY3Hy3ccNoEJTulbeptKsFZQSvomON7cpZPiwNnGUhOS_wvVgNOxss5Fq77jx3SxPPwAwn9qQciR8IEkuXr1jkOXD-XtStwrxnKFbRTt85ia6p_LJE0VliHH3uMw/s1600/poppy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9JPuXgVF6Ie2WLWcRY3Hy3ccNoEJTulbeptKsFZQSvomON7cpZPiwNnGUhOS_wvVgNOxss5Fq77jx3SxPPwAwn9qQciR8IEkuXr1jkOXD-XtStwrxnKFbRTt85ia6p_LJE0VliHH3uMw/s320/poppy3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I borrowed a student's hat from Kyrgyzstan <br />
after the parade of nations for a quick selfie. <br />
My peace poppy is hidden underneath my hair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So today I will not forget the deep psychological sacrifices my grandfather made in World War II as an RAF navigator, nor will I forget all the women and children around the world who are raped as way to create terror in war-torn communities, the innocent families who are torn apart, and the fertile land that is destroyed by toxic warfare, land mines and drone attacks.<br />
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<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829640273094556446noreply@blogger.com0