Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day.  Its my very last day at my job.  A job that I have loved (and on some days hated) but nonetheless has made me grow as a person.  I have always thought about going to graduate school but suddenly I am on the cusp of actually making that change.  Like all change, its a bittersweet mix of excitement and sadness.

I am getting little butterflies fluttering around in my tummy as I think of my new journey.  I had a very productive and exciting meeting with one of the schools I am applying to this past weekend.  I feel really good about this new venture into the world of books, databases and people.  I am headed to the place where I belong, the library.

My life continues to be one surprise after another.  Never in a million years would I have guessed where I am now in my life.  Its a sweet spot being on the precipice of this new adventure.  It makes me wonder what could possibly be around the corner for me!

Here's to making things complicated and wonderful all at the same time!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Maybe Simplicity Just Is'nt my Gig

I have been doing a lot of thinking about my motto, "I am a complicated person in constant pursuit of simplicity"  Often I feel this line is a bit of a joke.  I am indeed a complicated person but rarely do I find myself in constant pursuit of simplicity.  Quite honestly, its seems, I do the exact opposite.

Case in point.  I just quit (well my last day is August 31) my full time job (working in the environmental movement which I had dreamed of doing for a long time) in the middle of the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression.  I decided to go back to graduate school to become a librarian (because deep in my soul that is what I am).  I still have all my real-life responsibilities like mortgage payments, electric bills and groceries.  Not to mention the 12 pets (3 dogs, 3 parrots, 5 chickens and a canary) that I am responsible for and the burgeoning homestead I am trying to create in my backyard.  Oh, I almost forgot, I also want (well I constantly flip flop on this one because I am scared and thrilled by the idea all at the same time) to have a baby during all of this hullabaloo.  And, AND...my dear sweet husband (who supports and at times even encourages this lunacy) is gone about half the time since he is an airline pilot so all of this craziness is mostly left for me to coordinate.

Does that sound simple to you?

Yeah, me neither and hence why I feel my motto is being a bit hypocritical.  Maybe, just maybe the simple life is overrated?  I suppose by saying I was in constant pursuit of simplicity I meant that I was looking for balance in my complicated life not necessarily a simple life.  I have to be honest, I gravitate to the complicated (and more importantly I need to admit to myself that I like it).  My complicated life makes me feel that I am living my life to the fullest.  I am not sitting around waiting for life to happen to me, I am going out there and grabbing it by the bull horns (and on some especially cantankerous days grabbing it by the balls!)!

Now don't get the idea that I want to be some kind of super woman.  I definitely do not want to be nor claim to be one of those.  I just see super women as jamming their every day lives to the brim with stuff (important and maybe not so important stuff).  I don't advocate jamming.  I like to casually fill my days and weeks.  Sort of how you casually fill you glass with vodka.  You just pour until it looks right.  ;)

My complicated life is about feeding my soul.  Its the constant pursuit of the sweet raw nectar of the human experience.  Its about deep, committed, unconditional relationships with pure souls be those of a bird, dog, or human.   I want to leave a mark on this world, even if its small and inconsequential.  More importantly, I want to make sure the world leaves a mark on me.

I think this revelation probably deserves a revamp of my blog.  Can I really still be Plain-Simple-True?  I am not sure. I am going to be thinking about what motto better reflects my constant pursuit of complication (with a little balance mixed in) and just might have to give my blog a makeover.  Get ready, because the future is going to be a wild ride!


Monday, August 15, 2011

Wish'n to Walk in Someone Else's Shoes?

One of my favorite blogs is An Apple a Day by Amy Merrick.  I don't even remember how I stumbled upon her blog but I am thankful I did.  There is an ethereal simplicity to her blog which is full of artfully  taken photos and little interesting snippets about Amy's life on the east coast.

When I read Amy's blog, it reminds me of the life that I pictured in my head for myself.  Living in a dynamic city, doing something interesting (maybe even creative) while wearing a beautiful vintage dress and taking drives out into the country.  Did I mention she rides (or at least did) a motorcycle, too? It just seems so wild and free and somehow perfect.  I am surprisingly at a loss of words trying to describe just the right images and feelings her blog conjures for me.

I am sure Amy doesn't see her life as romantic.  She's just living life the only way she knows how.  But here I sit romanticizing what her days must be like.  It's not that I don't like my life because I do, but sometimes I sincerely feel that there is something missing or lacking and when I read Amy's blog I know what I am looking for is somewhere in there.

Its a little hard to feel interesting and creative wearing workout wear from JC Penny's while staring at my weed filled back yard about to jump into my car to head to the gym.  My life seems a little predictable.  Sometimes I feel like a suburban soccer mom, just without the kids.  And that is the kicker.  I am sure that I find Amy's life so attractive because above all the vintage goodness, she expresses a happiness and acceptance of exactly where she is in her life.  She is at peace with herself.  And boy do I want a piece of that pie!

At the crux of it, Amy also appears to live a simple life and I somehow gravitate to the complicated.  So maybe my problem isn't lack of a vintage dress (although that might help) but my inability to find a peace within myself because of the complications I allow in my way.  I am on the cusp of some major changes in my life which I think will get me a little closer to the peace and simplicity I seek.  I have been on a long search for it (although I think I will always be to some extent) and am getting closer to my slice of pie.  I am scared and excited about how this will change my life.  Who will I be after all this is said and done?  Perhaps a woman wearing a vintage dress doing something creative with her life? Or more importantly, a woman who knows how to sit back and enjoy the simple life?

Maybe...just maybe.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Let Sleeping Dogs.....

One of the sweet pleasures of working from home is being able to spend all day with my dogs.  I could also equally say one of my great head aches working from home is spending all day with my dogs.

I can't help but stare at this pile of fur sleeping and feel a sense of peace wash over me.  Everything must be right in the world to sleep that soundly?


I have to confess that right after I snapped this pic the sound from my camera made Luna wake up.  She was so thrilled that I was staring at her that she jumped up and ran over to me, jumped up into my lap and pressed her head into my chest.  There wasn't time to snap of pic of that moment...it was meant just for us.  I love you too Luna!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Farm Tour Part 1: Morning Owl Farms

I promised a post on the farm tour I took on August 17th.  Before I delve into the supremely wonderful day I have to apologize.  I got so carried away with the farm that I forgot to take pictures!  Its a travesty I know but Morning Owl Farms isn't going anywhere. I will be sure to stop by and snap pics of ducks and veggies and smiling farmer faces sometime soon.

Without further ado, here is the farm tour...

I was off by 7:30 am driving through the quiet streets of Boise listening to the powerful voice of Brandi Carlile singing along and hoping no one would notice.  I fondly thought of how nice it would be to be on my bike but that farm tours were definitely more exciting than bike rides.  I arrived at Morning Owl Farm a little early but sat and listened to the birds and then Mary popped around the corner with her easy grin and I was taken up in hugs and conversation.  Not long after, all the other Next Level eaters arrived and the tour was on.

Mary shared with us her new cool room that she built this past year.  It looks much like a walk in freezer just not as cold.  We had a chance to check out the egg room where they are carefully inspected and washed before they end up on my doorstep.  We moved on to the duck coop to watch the running of the ducks.  No small feat considering there are about 250 ducks!  You could hear the quacking even before we had finished with our egg room tour.  The doors were opened and ducks exploded out, racing to see who could get to the pasture first.  There were white, brown and black blurs of flapping of wings and a cacophony of sounds.  It was a sight!  And then suddenly they reversed course and came flooding back towards us.  A coyote was in the pasture and the ducks were just not going to mess with that.  Not that I blame them.  Although I wonder what the coyote would think if all the ducks came running at him all at once.  Mutiny against the laws of nature....now that would have been something to see.  Unfortunately, Mary's ducks seem to be pacifist. :)

After the duck parade, we collected back near Mary's house to share some quiche, fruit and much needed chicory coffee.  It was great to get to know the other Next Levelers that clearly looked like people I would want to know.  Everyone was full of passion and conviction and was supporting Mary's farm not just solely for food.  We were a group of people very much ready to declare mutiny on our messed up food system.  We had all seen the movies and read the books, but had decided to take action.  Many people had their own gardens at home and even chickens.  It was a great sight to see and of course, Mary was in the center talking about farming and what she wants it to be and how the country needs it to be making me get fired up all over again and it was only 10 am!  This day was going to be great.

After breakfast we headed down the hill to check out some vegetable beds and the green house.  There were beds of beets, carrots and cauliflower all looking amazing and would soon enough be in my kitchen.  Mary talked about how they plant and irrigate and how they start plants.  As she talks, I am amazed at all the work this must take and its just Mary and her two farm interns Dan and Celicia.  How do 3 people feed over 60?  Its amazing and just goes to show what can be accomplished by a few.  In my book, Mary, Dan and Celicia are rock stars!

After touring the green house, we headed back up the hill to check out even more farm goodness.  There were rows and rows of peppers, tomatoes, basil and squash.  Oh and even some flowers to boot!  It was gorgeous and completely put my backyard garden to shame as it rightly should.  How did we all get so lucky!

After lots of conversation about all things food, farm and the change needed to our food system it was time for us to pack up and head to Wilsey Ranch to check out where we get our beef and pork.  I will share that adventure in part two and thankfully, I finally remembered to pull out my camera!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Be Right Back

Hello All in blogger land. I do apologize for being short on the posts.  My life has gotten crazy busy and I just find that I have no energy to blog.  My days have been filled with working my full time job, doing crazy amounts of chores (and the list gets longer) and volunteering.  It's increasingly clear I need some professional help with the chores so I am seriously considering hiring a housekeeper, lawn mower and on some occasions a handy man.  One person can only do some much and although I do have a husband he is just gone so often he only makes a small impact.  I hate paying for things I can do myself, especially when the budget is tight but its that or go mad crazy from all the responsibility.

Not to worry, I am also thinking of ways to make things easier on myself too.  Things like automatic dog waters, drip systems and functioning equipment can help relieve my panic.  I am also going to try and develop a reasonable daily chore list so that all the fun stuff is spread out across the week.

I do promise to pick up the pace here shortly.  This weekend I get to go on a farm tour of our CSA farm, Morning Owl Farms.  I am really excited and promise to take lots of pictures and share the experience with you all.

I will also be on a trek back to Tucson for a few weeks and know there are some fun things to share on that journey.  Hold tight and I will be back soon.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

I need a vacation!!!!!

I haven't been on a real vacation since 2008!  I almost want to cry thinking about that fact.  Sure I have traveled but for work or weddings, but never just me and Scott going to a place we want to visit with absolutely no agenda.  No wonder I feel so exhausted and frazzled about life right now.  No matter how hard I try I cannot seem to recharge my batteries.  And I keep getting slower and slower until I am just going to give out. (or at least it feels that way)

I would give anything to sit on a beach or in a forest where my day can be comprised of sleeping in, eating yummy food, reading, maybe some walking or hiking and a long hot bath to cap off the day.  Repeat for 5 -7 days and I just might start to feel like myself again.

Although I love my life and I am excited for some of the big changes ahead; I also feel trapped by all my responsibilities.  How does one strike that perfect balance of living a full life but not so full so that you feel you cannot getaway?  I feel that maybe my balance is off.

My last real vacation was my honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  It was two weeks at the Rose Resort and it was wonderful.  We slept in every morning and spent the day at the pool and then walked along the beach.  There was no plan.  Just fun in the moment.  If feels like it almost happened in another lifetime.

I am hoping that maybe Scott and I can whip something together, but I am not holding my breath.  Life is super busy and crazy and I just don't see how we could fit it all in, but I suppose that's not being very positive about life.  Fingers are crossed.

Honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas 2008

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Delilah the Dulcimer


It finally happened...I bought a dulcimer on Saturday!  It was the only one listed on Craigslist so I am convinced it was meant to be.  The people were super nice and it was a screaming deal.  A McSpadden dulcimer with a case and a book for only $149 when they normally retail for about $350-$400! (I might add I even had the money for this because Scott sold his mountain bike on Craigslist!  Gotta love the Craigslist circle)

I was uber excited to get home and play except that it was out of tune and I didn't know how to tune it.  Thankfully, my music teacher Karen said I could drop by this afternoon and she made it sing.  She told me I had to name my dulcimer because all instruments had to have names.  I decided on Delilah.  I like the alliteration of the d's.

I hope Delilah can forgive me because even in tune I somehow find a way to make it sound not so pretty.  I have so much to learn and it feels so overwhelming, but there will be 30 seconds where I play something well and its awesome!  I had to break down and add the blue painter's tape under my frets so I could reinforce where each fret is located.  Makes me feel so silly, but you do what you have to do to learn.  I still do math on my fingers.  Oh well!

My first song I am tackling is Pretty Betty Martin.  I think its a sweet song and is pretty easy because it repeats a lot.  Its amazing how a little less than an hour of playing and my fingers feel funny.  I guess I will have to break them in but I have a feeling it will hit a painful period before everything becomes normal.

Welcome Delilah...its going to be a bumpy ride!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Chicken Coop 1.0

After a few days of hard work, Scott has finished with the necessary improvements to our dog house turned chicken coop.

This story begins about two months ago when Scott and I decided we weren't going to do chickens this year because our lives were (are) crazy and did we really want to add one more thing?  But then I got all inspired by my urban homesteading blogs and books and couldn't imagine not doing chickens.  I started patrolling Craigslist hoping to find a cheap coop so my dream could come true.

And then suddenly there was the perfect dog house to convert into the perfect coop!  It was only $80!!!  I was sold!  It turns out this dog house was custom built by an engineer who got bored one weekend.  Only engineers!  His boredom is my gain!



Of course, this was a dog house built for a dog not quite fortified against racoons or other dangerous creatures just waiting to eat chickens.  Modifications will have to be made.  Step in Scott, the reluctant handy-man but so willing to try for me-husband. (Scott will be the first to admit he isn't a handy man.  Although he is able to fix ALOT of things his skills have limits.  It's ok.  Mine do too.  Its a reason to learn something new or if necessary call in a professional)  We disscussed and decided that we would have to add a front door that latched and cut in a back door that would allow for easy access to eggs and help with cleaning.  We stumbled on a good tip and added vinly flooring to help with faster clean up.  Toss in a pre-fab nesting box, some wood bars for roosting and we have ourselves a chicken coop!

Front Door

Then we (as in my man) had to pull out the power tools...





We are planning on fitting in 5 hens to this little cozy place.  It's strictly for them to sleep in, as in the morning, they will be freed to run around the yard or be sequestered to the chicken tractor which I mention in an early post.  You can read about that here: Chicken Tractor.  Scott and I both recognized that we will probably want to upgrade the coop next year to allow the chickens some more room and to add on a chicken run that connects to the coop.  Big chicken dreams we got brewing here.  I am also sure we will discover improvements that could be made to make the coop work not only better for the chickens but better for us.  

Oh I should mention that I will be painting the chicken coop hopefully this weekend and will make sure to post a final pic.  We are also scooping out the best place in our yard for the coop.  So many choices, all with good and bad options.  Wish us luck...this puppy is heavy and will not be easy to get into the yard.

Now I am sure you are wondering how much this adventure has cost us so I broke down the costs for you.  We have had our chickens since May and neglected to keep all the receipts so these costs are all estimates.  Once the chickens start laying I will start factoring in monthly costs vs. costs of eggs and see how we come out.  Everything I have read about chickens basically says you break even.  I am not necessarily doing this as a cost savings, plus there are all the intangible savings like weed and bug control and fertilizer that the chickens provide.  I think we come out as winners!

Item Cost
Starter Feeder $3.00
Starter Waterer $3.00
Oyster Shells $8.00
Cracked Corn 40 lbs $10.00
Heat Lamp & Bulb $10.00
Adult Feeder $12.00
Chickens $12.00
Bedding $14.00
Chick Starter Feed 60 lbs $30.00
Adult Waterer (2) $50.00
Supplies & Tools for Modifications $63.00
Chicken Tractor $80.00
Chicken Coop $80.00
Total $375.00


Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my amazing husband, Scott!  Although I do believe I could have done all of this myself, it was nice that I didn't have to and it was fun to plan this out with someone.  I appreciate you jumping a little out of your comfort zone. Flying a plane would certainly be out of my comfort zone and yet you do it without blinking an eye.
















Thursday, June 16, 2011

Mountain Dulcimer Lesson No. 1

My first dulcimer lesson was last night!  I was so very excited and even though I was so dead tired (damn morning workouts at 5 am) the minute I walked into Karen Smith's studio I was awake and ready to begin my music journey.  Of course, it didn't hurt that her studio is painted a bright orange and has such a fun eclectic feel that makes you want to be awake, ready to take on life!

I stumbled upon Karen's information off the web site: Everything Dulcimer.  She is the only music teacher listed in the state of Idaho.  I was praying she was good.  Karen is quirky in all the was music teachers are and her passion and raw love of music was oozing from her and infusing me with such glee and excitement that I had a hard time sitting still.  To say Karen is good is probably an understatement.  She was awesome!

She, too, was excited to have a new dulcimer student since its not a common instrument for most people to learn.  She had a wide array of dulcimers for me to mess around with but I truly loved her dulcimer.  It sounded so beautiful and just felt right in my lap.  Karen jumped right in teaching me about the different frets and the strings and how to place my fingers in all the right places.  I even had a chance to strum out of few tunes and although it felt awkward I know with just a little practice it would feel comfortable and smooth.

Although I was only signed up for a half hour, Karen ended up spending a little over an hour with me (she is a generous person!).  She recommended I hunt down the Three Rivers Dulcimer Society in Washington.  Its a bit of a drive for me to get over there, but it would be great to meet other dulcimer lovers.  Karen says there is a group that is itching to form here, but it hasn't quite come together yet.  Maybe I can help change that?

My first order of business is to hunt down a dulcimer of my own.  No easy task.  Karen suggested I checkout a place in Nampa called Unicorn Woodworks, where they build dulcimers.  I checked out their web site and I am way excited, except these dulcimers might be out of my price range for a bit.  And so the search continues.

I am dying to be playing right now so hopefully the search won't last too long.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Chicken Tractor Time!

Yes it's chicken tractor time! Since the weather has been warming up nicely I decided it was time for the chickens to get there butts outside. They will still be sleeping in their box in the garage until the coop is completed but for now they can have some time out in nature.

Scott and I picked up this chicken tractor off craigslist for $80. It was built by the guy I bought it from. It looks weathered but is otherwise of strong construction. I love finding deals on craigslist!!!



We settled the tractor into a sunny spot in our yard and moved the chickens out. I was all excited thinking they would be thrilled to explore their new found territory but disappointingly they huddled in the covered end. Completely anti-climatic! I get it, they are still young and its a whole big bad world and wouldn't you huddle in the corner?



We are going with an unusual setup of having a chicken coop that completely closes up for the chickens to sleep in and then for their daytime use they will be in the chicken tractor. This means every morning I have to get them out of the coop and shoo them to the tractor. And come every evening we will go the other way. I have a feeling this might get old, but it was the faster (not necessarily cheaper) route than building on a chicken run. But I believe that will be on the agenda next summer.

Before you worry, the chickens (when they are older) will get some free range time too in the mornings and evenings and during the weekends while I am working in the yard.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Chicken Condo 2.0

The chickens are growing like weeds! I swear every morning I go to say hello they have grown exponentially. There are more feathers, the waddles look bigger or they seem taller. Its quite the experience to watch an animal grow so quickly. Not quite the same experience I have had with puppies.

Unfortunately, the chickens grew right out of their condo (aka brooder). So we found some bigger boxes (if you are wondering they are uhaul wardrobe boxes) and went into constructing chicken condo 2.0. I am sorry to say I didn't take detailed pictures again of this assembly but I think this is the web site I found the idea from: Community Chickens

Condo 2.0:

Basically it all looks the same but is just bigger. I think the chickens can appreciate the additional room, although they have been a bit flighty with the change of scenery. I am a bit baffled by this because the cardboard is the same color, we are using the same kind of bedding and the temperature has stayed the same. My chickens are just super sensitive.

I have also purchased new feeders and waterers that can hang since the chickens are making a mess of their current set up. They have gotten bored and decided to play "Queen of the Watering Can" in which they are try to jump on top of it. This of course makes it dirty and I have to change it more often. I don't like this game, although my favorite chicken, Glinda, keeps winning. I am secretly proud of her. :)

Here's a picture of Glinda (Plymouth Barred Rock):

This week Scott and I will be working on modifying the dog house we bought off craigslist to become the Chicken Coop 1.0. I will make sure to take pictures of the whole process in case you feel inspired to keep chickens of your own.

The Rest of the Ladies:

In front is Millie (Buff Orpington), right behind her the black chicken is Vivian (Black Sex-Link), next in line is Red Sonja (New Hampshire Red) and finally huddled in the back is our VERY flighty Rhonda (Ameraucana).

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Of parrots and dogs

I am lucky enough to share my life with some pretty incredible animals, dogs and parrots (well and chickens too, but this post isn't about them). There is never a boring moment in my house and although dogs and parrots seem like an unlikely pair, you are wrong.

From the very beginning our dogs were taught (trained) to understand that our birds were not play things but other members of the family. They have all complied and part of me wants to believe not just from the training. I wouldn't leave my dogs and birds alone loose in a room together because I know instinct is greater than self control but as long as I am around I don't fear my dogs lunging at the birds. There have been many times when our birds have gotten spooked and flown off their cages. The dogs come running only to see the commotion, but stay a respectful distance away. Granted, I have herding dogs and a lion hunting dog; birds really don't register on their radar.

But for one of my birds, Weiser (the Congo African Grey), the dogs are always on his radar. He loves dogs. He likes watching them and talking to them and doesn't seem to have any fear of them. Now I don't think he would cuddle up and fall asleep in their lap, but he doesn't run or scream in fear when they get close. He is so curious! Weiser actually knows how to bark like a dog and does this regularly when our dogs start barking about something. He also loves to tell them "get off" when they jump up on us.

Today while I was making pancakes for breakfast I decided to share a little pancake with the parrots. Weiser is always thrilled to eat people food and settled into munching on his pancake piece. Sydney, my Australian Cattle dog, knows that when the birds have food sometimes they drop it and so she was at the ready near Weiser's cage. And then he started talking to her. It was the sweetest thing although I have no idea what he was saying. Something along the lines of "jawa, bla, bla, bla," but I could tell that was meant for Sydney and not me. My heart swelled at this wonderful intimate moment.

Here's Sydney patiently waiting for her partner in crime to share the rewards:


I decided to let Weiser out of his cage so he could better see Sydney and this is him bending over to get a better look at her. Grey's (well most parrots) get puffy around the face when they are happy and Weiser was all puffs for Sydney.


Nothing quite warms my heart as watching inter-species communication...I am not a scientist so some would argue if my dog and parrot were actually communicating but I would like to think so. For a very long time, I had wanted to study inter-species communication and interactions because I found creatures that have no evolutionary reason to interact do, but I decided I would rather spend my time with animals than in a lab crunching numbers. Its beautiful and wonderful and maybe something humans should pay a little closer attention to...we could learn a thing or two from our wild and domesticated brethren.

As I am writing this Weiser is talking in the background saying "Paco" (the name of one of our other parrots), "step up" all interspersed with whistles and kissing noises. Never a dull moment!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Dulcimers and Fiddles and Guitars OH MY!

Before I even jump into this one I have to admit I am not the most musically inclined person. I am not sure its so much lack of interest, definitely lack of talent but most likely was a lack of time. I have always been fascinated with people who could make music. My own father plays the guitar and banjo and I always found it so fun to watch him do it. (and I am a little sad he doesn't play much at all anymore)

As a child I took piano lessons for a while, but I didn't have a proper piano to practice on but instead used my grandmother's organ. Not quite the same thing. It was hard and I didn't have the most charismatic teacher and so I stopped. I think I took an intro to music class in college and that ended my extended exposure to music that I would directly be involved in.

Of course, I listen to music all the time like the next person but believed I could never be responsible for making it myself. And then came along Jenna Woginrich. She is a writer and I stumbled along her book, Made from Scratch. I love this book for so many reasons but especially for a chapter dedicated to mountain music. Jenna taught herself (mind you she had some music in her background) how to play the fiddle while living in Idaho. Well if she could do it so can I, right?

Well I don't rightly know, but I am damn sure going to give it a try. I have always had visions of sitting around a fire with someone strumming a guitar or any musical instrument and finding it to be the most peaceful moment one can find. I suppose it would work out just fine for me to be that person.

So here I am about to start an interesting journey into the world of music. Jenna mentions in her book about how easy the dulcimer is to learn and although I definitely have my sights set on the fiddle I think learning something easy might boost my confidence. We will see. I am starting to do a lot of research and hunt down samples of music but ultimately I have a feeling I will end up with at least one or both of them.

And then of course there is the guitar. I have always wanted to learn to play but it definitely is a challenging instrument but such a beautiful sound. One of my favorite singers is Brandi Carlile and I would just love to play some of her songs. Of course, I wish I could sing like her too, but I think I would be happy to at the very least strum out her tunes.

Wish me luck...I still have to purchase an instrument, some instructional aids and inevitably find myself a teacher but I am excited to think of where I could be a year from now.

Here is a taste of the mountain dulcimer:

Stephen Siefert playing Whiskey before Breakfast (gotta love that title):

Monday, June 6, 2011

Dreams of Horses

I have been dreaming of horses again. And not just what they look like, but what it feels like to gallop across a field. Its a feeling like nothing else I have experienced and often my dreams of horses bring back that sweet memory.

Ever since I can remember I wanted a horse. I know some will write it off as the typical girl fantasy and maybe it is, but it always felt special to me. When I started keeping a journal (way back when I was 11 years old) I wrote every day of how I wanted a horse and the things I would do once I got one. A horse and a dog was all that I ever wanted. I finally got the dog, but never the horse. I don't think my parents realized how much it would have meant to me, even changed me, had my dream come true. Every Christmas, I would pray (yes that's right, pray) that I would wake up and my parents would have surprised me with a horse. It never happened and although I was thankful for my gifts, I would have given every single one back just to have a horse.

I did get riding lessons. My best friend's mom had a sweet little pony named Simone who taught me about all things horses. I remember the days I had riding lessons were the happiest of all the days of the week. My mom even paid for riding lessons at a stable when we grew out of Simone. I remember this horse named Wally. He was a very big broad backed horse and riding him was like sitting on a comfy couch. I wanted nothing more to be a bona-fide horse person, but my mom stopped paying for lessons after my sister took a fall (a very mild fall). And that ended all things horses.

For a long time, I gave up on that dream. I didn't think it would ever happen and I had no friends that shared my passion so for a while it died. I took down all my horse posters and sold my model horses and put that part of my life behind me. Except, every time I saw a horse my stomach would do a little flip and thoughts of riding would bubble up so fresh and real my heart would ache.

Lately the heart ache over horses has come back and I am not sure why. I suppose with all this work on homesteading its only natural that I would think of horses at some point, but it feels deeper than that. I feel that some part of me will feel complete once I get the chance to share my life with a horse. I imagine myself riding through the countryside feeling a peace that nothing else in my life can give me. I clearly was born 150 years too late!

My life is so crazy busy right now that I can't think of a way to squeeze horses in too. It is Idaho so I am sure there is a thriving horse community just ready to be tapped into but I am a little scared too. I haven't ridden a horse since I was in my early teens. I am sure its like riding a bike, but I am an adult now. I can clearly see the dangers of horseback riding that I didn't see when I was young. Although, is it really any more dangerous than mountain biking?

I am a big believer that animals come into your life for a reason. I have a feeling there is a horse out there waiting to come into my life at just the right moment. I think I am back to praying that moment is sooner rather than later.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Week 2 of the Chickens!

The chickens have been doing well and growing like crazy. This past weekend, Scott and I decided to upgrade their living space from one of our parrot's old cages to a spacious card board box. It took just 20 minutes to construct this cardboard condo for the kiddos.





We also added one more chick to our brood because Scott so desperately wanted an Easter Egg chicken or better known as an Ameraucana. I had the pleasure of attending a book signing for Gretchen Anderson and her new book, The Backyard Chicken Fight. It was a great presentation and Gretchen was so kind enough to refer me to someone who had an Ameraucana.

This weekend was very busy putting in the garden but a bonus was finding a few worms which I shared with the chicks. What a show!!! One grabs the worm and then runs for cover and then another chick jumps in and steals the worm. Its like a crazy, no rules game of capture the flag. Of course, Millie our Buff Orpington stole the worm. I can tell she is going to be the bossy queen over all the other chickens.

Next project is to get to work on modifications to their permanent home (an old dog house) and a chicken tractor both of which I picked up on Craigslist for $80 each. Screaming deal!

Millie (the Buff Orpington) is the only chick that has a name at the moment. I named her because she has a big puffy butt and she reminded me of the stereotypical large bossy farm wife which I of course assumed would be named Millie (or Bessy). Any ideas on names for the other crazies?

Here's is a pic of Millie:

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Victory Gardens Revisited


As many of you know I have really been getting into this slow food movement. It calls to me in a way few things have and I can't get enough, but this isn't a new thing.

I was reminded that having gardens (and chickens) was to some a patriotic duty. They were called victory gardens. The US, as well as many countries in Europe, encouraged their citizens to help with the food shortage during WWI and WWII by keeping gardens and chickens to feed themselves and possibly their neighbors. It was estimated there were 20 million gardens with 9-10 million tons of produce grown!!! Can you imagine? How awesome and amazing! People really believed it was their patriotic duty to serve their country in whatever small way they could.

Now I am not a political person and don't ever plan to be political on this blog, but what I will say is that I only wish we had such love for our country (and inherently for one another) that we could do such things today. I feel our society is jaded (and divided). I am jaded. We don't seem to share the same ideals and values as times past. We seem very focused on being an individual instead of being a community. I won't glorify the 1940's because I know we have made wonderful improvements in so many areas, but I can't help but believe that the people of the 1940's knew something we don't seem to know today. It was a culture of honesty and respect for your fellow man (ok not always for women). It was doing the right thing even if it was the harder thing. It was smiling and tipping your hat. It was an understanding and a recognition that we are all in the life together and that we need each other. How did we lose all of that?

I for one think we should bring victory gardens back. Not to help a war effort but to seek victory over what we have lost and perhaps in going outside to the garden we will find it again. I don't think people will find what they are looking for in laptops, TV's and iphones nor in the fast food and shopping malls. The secrets are hidden underneath the fall leaves, the quite patience of winter's snow, in the tender green tendrils of spring's bounty and in the lazy sunshine of summer.

Here's to victory gardens a new!



Monday, May 16, 2011

Plain Simple True

I love blogging, but have had a hard time doing it regularly. If you noticed, I have taken a few months off. My blog didn't feel right to me and I needed some time to find my mojo. I found it in a chicken order and not your supermarket kind of chicken. I am talking about the walking clucking very much alive kind of chicken.

My life has been going through some major changes the last few years. I gave up the hot dry deserts of Arizona for the lush green rolling hills of Idaho. I have never looked back. My motto has always been that I am a complicated person in constant pursuit of simplicity. Anyone who knows me, knows that statement is true; although some would argue that I have an affection for the complicated. In truth I really have been seeking a simpler life, but for the short term I seem to be plagued by complication.

Try as I might to define what a simple life means, I can't. All I have are brief ideas and images of where I would like to be. The feeling of a wet dog nose on your knee, the singing of my canary in the morning, the flowers blooming in the front yard, the feel of dirt in my hands, the planning of a garden and the excitement of raising chickens. I love making my food from natural organic ingredients that I have either grown myself or sourced from a local farmer. I want to focus my energies on my husband and friends. I want to hike the hills and bike the city soaking up the sun, the birds and the sky. I want to be moved by the wise words of the authors I read and maybe bestow a few to the world myself. I want to share my knowledge so that when I am no longer on this plant, the mark I have made on the land will have been small, but the mark on the minds of friends and family will be big.

There are a few words that come to mind that might encompass all of these ideals and that's why I decided to call my blog plain simple true. Its more than the urban homesteader in me or the health nut seeking out the next best recipe or the love I have for the unique creatures I share my life with (3 dogs, 3 parrots, a canary and chickens). I am committed to living my most authentic life even if its quirky to most anyone else.

I found excitement and peace (and yes my mojo!) in taking a trip to the local hatchery to pick up some chicks. I was so happy and excited to be driving home with a card board box on my passenger's seat peeping at me. I didn't want to be anywhere else but with those chicks. It's a moment in my life where I felt I was doing exactly what I should be doing and is more satisfying than career success, fancy clothes or loud parties.

Happy Chick Day!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Three Bitches

Yesterday I was talking to Scott about our dogs. I am not sure how the conversation started but I asked him what would our dogs look like if they were people. He said he had no idea, but I had already started thinking....

Pressly


Pressly is an older super tanned woman with white hair that she wears in a bun in the back of her head. She is reasonably in shape and does power walks around the neighbor but then goes home and binges on bon bons. She sassy and likes to gossip with the neighbor otherwise she spends her time knitting and staring out the window.

Luna


Luna reminds me of a young super fit tall lanky woman with black hair. She intense and will bite your head of if you don't do something right. She always wants to be the leader but easily gets lonely if no one wants to play with her. When no one is looking all she wants to do is snuggle up next to you and fall asleep.

I saved the best for last...

Sydney


Sydney reminds me of a young Australian red-headed hippie girl who runs around half naked encouraging everyone else to run around naked. She is care free but a lover at heart. She just wants to spread the peace and the love and that's all that makes her happy. She has some intense moments here and there but mostly likes to sit under a tree and zone out or watch the birds.

It definitely would be interesting to meet them as people!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy New Year! (a few days late)

It's 2011!

And like all good people out there I decided to make a list of New Year Intentions. I started calling them intentions after a long talk with my good friend Jen who said it was a more positive spin.

Without further ado, here are my 2011 Intentions:


1.LOSE THE WIEGHT~I would be happy to lose the 25 lbs that I gained in 2010 because of PCOS, but I am aware that I might not be able to do that. So if I can at least stay the same weight it would be a goal with the bonus being weight lost, even if its just 5 lbs.

2. Read 40 books in 12 month period (2009 was 27 in 12, 2010 was 12 in 12)

3. Go camping at least twice-I so need to hug a TREE!

4. Develop a strong workout routine~Go to the gym 3 times a week with one of those workouts devoted to strength training

5. Develop a regular meditative practice~Work on at least 10 minutes a day, but no less than 3 times a week. It would be great to be able to get to 20 minutes by the end of the year!

6. Write one chapter in my novel each month~ Join a writing group?

7. Continue to blog! Any ideas?!~Start a PCOS Blog? Try and blog 3 times a week.

8. Take a photo for every day of the year


I reserve the right to add to these during the month of January but this should be the core.

Look for more to come...as one of my intentions is to blog more!