The weekend is a good time for grazing. This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who wrote them.
Food canning equipment, tool carts, compost bins, growing kits, cider and fruit presses, the Squeezo Strainer, food dehydrators, juicers, smokers, cold frames, greenhouses and so many more innovations contribute to making our lives organized and healthier and to turning our homes and properties into an oasis where the living is good.
All of these things exist because we are creative and because we have a unique ability to adapt to our environment. In truth, foodies, homesteaders and gardeners who write about their experiences are telling the ongoing story of our inventive spirit. On their pages, every tool and appliance is like a paint brush; ready to express a new vision.
You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.
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It is time to say hello to Cecilia, at the Kitchen’s Garden. A recent article titled Shooting Wide – Uncut seems like a very appropriate place to start.
“In the film industry, if you are working on a low budget film (which we often were) you would often shoot really tight. Using only a small space,” explains Cecilia. “I had been looking for a camera repair man without success for months now… There I am still mired in the stereotype of frail female who cannot do stuff with tools. Ridiculous really as my father taught me to weld when I was 13… John’s brother once said to me how can you live out there. There is no view. I told him that this was similar to living by the sea but without the beach… Truly I must be lucky to see the dawn on the horizon at my own back door…”
There is a lot to think about just from this one observation. Capturing images… yet seeing without the limits of the frame. Seeing beyond. When we look, are we really seeing?
Visit The Kitchen’s Garden to read the full article.
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“I love gardenias. I am likely supporting the gardenia nursery industry… I’ve ceased to count how many gardenia bushes I have bought, and killed… I broke a piece with a blossom off a bush at a house that once belonged to my Great-Aunt Winnie. I stole it. Here is how it happened… those who succeed in gardening, …or any endeavor …are the ones who …wait and keep on watering their ideas and dreams…” – Curtiss Ann Matlock – The Lesson from Aunt Winnie’s Gardenia Cutting
One spontaneous and harmless act and so fertile with meaning. I suspect there is more to this. What if the author felt the irresistible urge to take just a little piece of that plant not only because of her love for its kind, but also because the plant itself had dreams of taking root in new soil? You never know!
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Ready to add a new blog to our list? Introducing, Old World Garden Farms.
Segments on this blog include: Cooking and canning recipes, composting 101, recycle and repurpose, meet the chickens and even a section titled “Tell us your story,” where personal experiences of farming (large or small) shared by readers are posted for everyone to enjoy.
“It all began with an overgrown little 3 acre plot,” explain the authors. “With four kids in their teens heavily involved in extra-curricular activities, and with each of us juggling our own professional career, we wanted to build a place to be able to start to simplify our life…” they continue. “We’re pretty regular people, we still go out to dinner now and then …we still shopped in stores for some of our food… Our farm is and will always be a work in progress – and always with an eye towards good stewardship of the land and its resources.”
My blog reading schedule was rather disrupted this week and it is 10:16 at night on Friday (yes, the day before I publish these Highlights) by the time I sit here typing away, rounding up this review with a new blog. However, it appears the timing is good after all, for the blog in question celebrates its 100th article today!
“The past 8 months have been a blast for us. I never imagined how fun this journey to carve out our little ‘farm’ space would be – and documenting it with the blog has made it all the better…”
I’ll leave you here so you can discover this new, inspiring “Old world garden farm” for yourself. The authors have great plans for the 100 articles to come. I am certain you will feel right at home and find this to be a great resource for your own gardening, food preserving and sustainability goals. Read A Big Week For The Blog.
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This concludes this issue of the Weekend Highlights. Thank you for stopping by and thank you for your interest and comments. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the recommended blogs as well, if you feel so inclined that is.
#1 by thekalechronicles on 09/15/2012 - 8:28 am
those who succeed in gardening, …or any endeavor …are the ones who …wait and keep on watering their ideas and dreams…” – Curtiss Ann Matlock – Works for me, Granny — I’m off to sing with Johnny at his niece’s wedding in Santa Cruz, wearing my short red rock singer dress.
#2 by Granny on 09/15/2012 - 11:17 am
Hello! Been thinking about you and glad you stopped by. I need to stop by your kitchen. It has been a weird week. Have a fantastic time singing with your Johnny.