Hey...this stuff is old news...

Check out the new blog.... http://www.cschambers.blogspot.com/

and...if anyone knows how I can forward/redirect an OLD blog address to the NEW blog address...feel free to let me know.  Thanks!

"Full Circle"

"Full Circle"

Please see the new blog at http://www.cschambers.blogspot.com/
Thank you!


spending eternity
looking for a place to belong
a connection...
just another being lost in the midst?
feeling at home on this earth
searching for fulfillment...
and fulfilled we are.
we are home.
happily wandering to and fro
feeling connected
belonging here and now
forever exploring our place in this universe

New blog...

Please see the new blog at http://www.cschambers.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

Sprouting a healthy diet full of rich living foods

*Article reprinted from my Sustainable Living Examiner Page @  http://www.examiner.com/sustainable-living-in-atlanta/sprouting-a-healthy-diet-rich-living-foods  Please read the article from the link ;-)

Alfalfa sprouts within a day

OK.  Either you don't follow directions or there is something wrong with the link....I will give you the benefit of the doubt...So here it is...Thanks for your interest.   Living food. There is no substitute for fresh real food. Unfortunately, many diets are full of over-processed foods containing preservatives and chemicals and lack the nutrition necessary for humans to not only live, but thrive. Thankfully, it is easy and inexpensive to grow living food, even if you do not have room for a garden. How is this possible? Sprouts! Simply by introducing water to seeds, germination begins. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other much needed nutrients begin to form as the seeds explode into life. Most sprouts are ready to harvest when the first leaves begin to appear. They are all delicious raw, and some of the heartier varieties can be added to cooked meals just as the cooking process is complete.
It is easy to sprout and fun for kids as well as adults. For most seeds and beans the only things needed are a large glass jar and some cheesecloth. There are sprouting jars that have lids with small holes available most anywhere sprouting seeds can be purchased, but cheesecloth works well and can be reused many times. Simply put a rubber band around the rim of the jar over the cheesecloth, so it is secure when rinsing the seeds. Begin by soaking the seeds overnight in clean water. Then, they will need to be rinsed twice a day until ready to use. After three or four days, they will begin to sprout small leaves and can be set out in the sun for a few hours for the leaves to “green up”. The hulls will break free and need to be removed by soaking the sprouts in a bowl or sink with water. Leaving the hulls may cause a bitter taste as well as cause the sprouts to spoil faster. The sprouts should last a week in the refrigerator, and also freeze well. It is important to use high quality seeds specifically for sprouting because many garden varieties have been treated.

So what can you sprout? The most common seeds for sprouting include alfalfa, broccoli, chickpeas, mung beans, fenugreek, peas, and various other legumes and grains. Seeds like sunflower and wheat (wheat berries) are soaked overnight and then placed in a flat tray of organic potting soil. After the “sunnies” or wheat grass is an inch or two high, cut it and use it in salads, sandwiches, healthy smoothies, or anywhere you would use fresh veggies. Sprouting is a simple and inexpensive way to introduce super healthy living food to any diet. Happy Sprouting!

Clay soil: From mud puddles to oasis...

Clay Soil. Anyone that gardens in the south has experienced it. The telltale red stains on gardening clothes are hard to remove. Clay is far better than sandy soil, simply because it holds water. It is however, more distressing for delicate plants and root crops because…yes. It holds water. In fact, you will quickly learn where the low spots of any garden with clay soil are after a rain for the chocolate milk colored puddles that form almost instantly. In order for small seedlings not to drown, and root crops not to rot, it is important to amend the soil by adding sand, mulch, and organic materials that will bring air, minerals, and decomposing material into the compacted soil so it can drain more easily.

It is always a good idea to begin your garden by getting a soil test from the local cooperative extension office. They are inexpensive and extremely useful. Clay, at least in the south, typically has a low pH. This indicates acidic soil, and lime is needed to make it more alkaline. It is a process that usually takes more than one application to change the alkalinity or acidity of soil. Along with pulverized lime, mulch, sand, and organic compost can be added to change the texture of the soil. Composted manure is some of the best organic material to add for its high nitrogen levels and other nutrients. A farm where horse manure is usually obtained usually contains a lot of hay (from cleaning the stalls), which is also good for adding organic material to the soil. Also, many counties make the wood chips they collect from trimming overgrowth along country roads available to the public for free.

Another way of adding organic matter (green manure) and nitrogen to clay is growing cover crops. Of course it is important to choose cover crops that grow in clay, such as rye, various kinds of vetch, and oats. Grasses, legumes, and grains are the most common cover crops and different varieties are better for distinct reasons. Most of the good seed companies have helpful charts and explanations about the numerous choices there are available. Many of these cover crops can be mowed mid-season and continuously grown, adding layers of biomass to be turned in later. A season or two of these techniques will result in a much more successful garden.

*This is an article I submitted as a writing sample for a freelance online news publication as a sustainable living correspondent. 

Yay! Planting Day

Well friends...this is what we have all been waiting for.  Warm days with no frost in sight to plant our little seedlings. Or at least some of them.  The soil in our garden is compacted clay, so for the past few weeks I have been working compost into the soil and removing every rock that crosses my path.  Just when you think you have them all, the largest rocks will make an appearance.  I don't know how that happens.  Anyway.... I digress....  We decided the best way to deal with our compacted dirt, besides adding organic pretty soil, was to make raised rows so the water could collect in between.  Not all the plants are in yet, but so far there should be a nice crop of onions, beans, zucchini, tomatoes, various kinds of peppers, herbs, butternut squash, and my favorite weirdo vegetable...the spaghetti squash.  We also have lettuce, spinach, snow peas, carrots, and a whole new round of seeds to be planted for succession planting.  That is the best part about getting an early start in the season...seconds!
I only had a few pre-season deaths.  My first round of zukes was planted before the BIG STORM.  Hail and a cold snap that followed (not to mention a giant dog print smashing one of them...ahem...neighborhood dog...I'm watching you...) took care of anything green in the garden, but that's ok.  I
have more seeds, right?
A few days ago we had a severe thunderstorm that spawned several tornados in other parts of the county.  The winds were literally hurricane force and did a lot of damage to people's homes in our community.  On the 9-mile trip to town, we would drive over several sets of downed power lines complete with newly sawed off trees dangling in the roadway.  Not to mention the house around the corner with a giant pine lying across the roof.  The list goes on and on.  Luckily, our home did not suffer any damage except for a lattice porch door that blew off in the near triple digit gusts.  (Although the door was destroyed, we are using the separated slats for stakes for our pepper plants...they work like a charm).  We did not realize the power was out in our neighborhood until the next day when we heard all our neighbors' generators buzzing.  The reason?  Well, we have solar panels.  It is one of the best feelings in the world to know that we are supplying our own power. 

I understand that not everyone will be able to run out and install a wind turbine or put solar panels on their roof next week.  But there are plenty of things that anyone can do.  Even if it is just reducing the amount of power you use.  I was amazed to find out how much electricity some things use.  Things that are simply plugged in and not even turned on!  (Using a power strip and turning it off when you are not using the device is a great way to stop feeding the electric company).   Curious about how much an appliance draws?  Most appliances have the watts indicated on the back.  Also I found a great website that talks about electricity usage for particular appliances and how to save energy: http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/
I encourage everyone to take steps toward living simply and reducing your carbon footprint.  It is rewarding in every way that matters.  Oh, and you might just help save the planet.

Got milk? Goat's milk, that is...

Well, today I learned how to milk a goat.  Cool, huh? What an interesting experience!  As seen in the photo at the bottom, she was eager to have someone relieve her of the pressure of all that milk.  The photo to the left is what we collected from a single milking after Melody (the new baby goat) had her breakfast.  Goats are milked twice a day, usually twelve hours apart.  This busy mom usually produces about a gallon per day, and will produce milk as long as she is being milked, for approximately 10 months out of the year. 

What is wonderful about fresh goat's milk is that it is absolutely nothing like what you buy in a carton from the store.  Freshly made goat cheese, the main purpose of my new found skill, is the same; a completely different product than what you bring home from the supermarket.  I would have told you yesterday, I did not care for goat's milk or cheese.  Today, after my scrumptious breakfast of fresh soft goat cheese on my friend's homemade Sourdough bread, I am a fan.  In fact, a huge fan.  So much so that...I now can say I like goats and I want one...or two! For those of you that know me and my history with goats, I am sure you will find this amusing, if not completely hysterical.  For those of you that don't know me...well let's just say...never say never!

What I learned, is that the proteins found in goat's milk, are very delicate.  When they are broken or disturbed, they release the musky-goaty flavor and odor that most of us are familiar with.  Fresh goat's milk has none of these undesirable (in my opinion) characteristics and is a rich, tasty treat.  As you might imagine, the processing, transporting, and distributing of commercial goat's milk agitates these fragile proteins and... Presto!  Funky tasting goat's milk!  However, many people like these goaty-musty flavors, and they are easy to achieve by...you guessed it!  Shaking the milk! 

So go find your favorite homesteader and ask for a taste of fresh goat's milk.  There is nothing like it and you just might find yourself asking the question...Do I have room in my yard for goats?

"Grounded"

"Grounded"

"Grounded" is the emergence of new consciousness on earth.  These spiritual beings are grounded on earth with their realization of synergy.  The center figure knows that by reaching for the sky while being firmly planted on earth she will guide others to the path. She is confident that one day others will see that happiness and prosperity in the future come from presence in the now.  There is no place for greed in the abundant world we all are creating together. Who is she?  Why, she is you.

Germinating vegetable seeds 101!

First batch of seedlings

Spring!  I love it!  Although right now it seems it is always cold and rainy, I know warm sunny days will be here soon.  For the past couple of weeks, I have been germinating seeds that I have saved from veggies or bought from the organic seed section of various stores.  I save all the yogurt and cottage cheese containers, berry baskets, or anything that might be later used for this purpose.  The clear berry boxes are great because they already have holes in the bottom, but it is easy enough to make a few small drainage holes in all the others.  So with a little organic potting soil, your favorite seeds, and some water and sunshine... viola!  Life! It is so easy yet at the same time, the most fascinating miracle you can ever imagine.  You take this hard little thing, bury it in dirt, water it just enough to keep it moist, and you grow food.  When the first little green leaves pop their heads up out of the soil, it is, to me anyway, pure joy.  First, knowing that the seeds you have planted are viable, but also that some day later this summer....you will be feasting on your very own homegrown organic ______(fill in the blank with your favorite vegetable here!) With peppers reaching nearly a dollar and a half each...(just for small unripe green ones, too!) and tasteless overpriced tomatoes, and small bunches of cut herbs that do not last long in the fridge, etc, etc...it only makes sense to grown your own.  It is easy and fun and I think everyone should do it.  I would also encourage everyone that does not do so already, to buy open-pollinated, non-gmo heirloom seeds and of course, save your seeds!
Besides, when you plant the little seedlings in the garden, or the big container, or wherever, who doesn't feel connected to the earth?  It just feels right.  So, hey, come on!  It's not just for kids.  Admit it.  We all love to play in the dirt!

"Exhale"

"Exhale"

"Exhale" brings us a message of peace and stillness....to breathe in new life and exhale all that we want to release.  This is as simple as deciding it is so.  So she asks...will you take a moment to breathe deeply and fill your soul with life giving energy?  One moment leads to another.  And then?  This meditative moment is the just the beginning.

"Doing and Being"

"Doing and Being" has come into existence to show us how to be in this moment. This moment is an opportunity to be fully present and appreciate the now.  There is simply nothing we can do about the past and the future is always uncertain.  Now is all we really have.  How are you going to celebrate the now?

Public Speaking. Gotta love it.

Just a quick hello to all the friends I saw today at the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce luncheon....It was so nice to see you all again.  Thank you Paige for inviting me to speak about my hike.  It was great to relive all the adventurous tales as I rambled on about hikers, trail magic, mashed potatoes, and what-not.... I happily babbled on, not even looking at my many notes I had spent the evening before preparing like a homework assignment.  I guess I am more "stream of consciousness" blitherer, not so much planned speech giver.  Oh well, I had a great time and  I was grateful to have the opportunity to share my journey. I encourage and challenge everyone to follow their dreams with a passionate obsession.  Whatever that means to you.  Cheers!

Farm update...



Farmer Drew makes the first till!

So after many trips to the county mulch pile, we spread a fairly thick layer over each of the garden areas, and finally....the first till!  After removing enough rocks to build a wall to China, including some boulders as wide as the tractor,  it would seem...we are getting somewhere.  Because our soil report told us our soil was very acidic, we spread dolomitic lime all over all three areas.  The rains we have had the past couple of days should get it down into the ground.  However, we will be testing the soil again after the summer to see how much it has changed.  Now comes the manure.  Yay! We are fortunate enough to have friends with horses.  And gratefully, lots of horses.  Which means lots of poop! So, two full trailer loads later, we have three lovely piles of horse poo and hay to spread around to help things out here. Who knew horse manure could be so exciting?    We have decided to plant cover crops this spring and maybe again this fall.  This will not only provide a lot of much needed organic matter to till in, but will also provide nitrogen and aerate the soil a bit.  We will be planting alfalfa, chickling vetch, and oats. 
Also, we are continuously adding photos to the farm picture gallery to the right if you are interested in viewing our progress of building a vegetable garden, an orchard, a berry garden, a grape arbor, and a passive solar, completely off-grid home.  Pretty cool, huh?

"Connected Self"

"Connected Self"

"Connected Self" is the latest addition to the csChambers Studio.  She is connected to the Universe by a constant flowing energy.  She is a being full of joy and dancing among the trees.  She brings a message of peace, tolerance, and understanding.  She is one of the ancient ones that show us the way on the earth.  She is every grandmother, mother, and child.  She is in all of us.

Why I love cycling

Just a quick "Thank You" to the ladies that made yesterday so fabulous!  We all went out and had a 32 mile road ride on the Silver Comet Trail.  It was a lovely spring like day with the perfect amount of clouds, and sun, and wind.  We enjoyed a picnic in the sun at the end and took the scenic route home.  It was the first time most of us had been on our road bikes since the fall and I am sure I am not the only one with a sore tush today. 

Who does not love a bicycle?  Mountain biking?  Oh yeah!  We have some of the best mountain biking trails around...Gilmer county did not get named "Mountain Biking Capital of Georgia" for nothing!  Road biking?  Well, we are a mountain community, so be prepared to climb some hills.  In some cases, some very big hills (but not on the Silver Comet trail, so flatlanders...enjoy!).  People in cars are getting used to seeing us on the road.  But the best thing?  Besides self-generated transportation, (which will be the way of the future when gas is too expensive to buy), bicycling is one of the very best, lowest impact, most enjoyable forms of exercise out there!  And a great way to have fun with your friends of course!
Our friend Terry Palmeri of the one and only "Cartecay Bikes"  is working hard to get one of the local unused railroad tracks in our neighborhood donated for a "Rails to Trails" project.  I wish her all the success in the world and encourage anyone that can to help make this project a reality.  I think this would bring life to this community, or any other, unlike anyone could ever imagine. Want to learn more?  Check out http://www.railstotrails.org/. 

Why I love to dance...

Dancing.  I LOVE to dance!  Why are there not more places to go cut a rug, shake your booty, or glide along the floor... partner in hand to your favorite swing music?  It's fun.  It's great exercise, and it is good for your spirit.  It has been a major part of many cultures since the dawn of humans.  Music connects people.  A universal language, if you will.  Dancing can be spiritual, ritualistic, entertainment, or a truly pleasurable way to involve the entire body in motion.  It is actually one of my favorite things to do. Music?  Who cares...anything with a good beat.  In the summer...how about some nice reggae?  Good ol' rock 'n roll...or how about blues with good guitar rifts and a regular beat...  I even downloaded some actual "dance" music the other day.  I would have said this was not my favorite genre, but you know what?  It was great.  A steady rhythm and no words.  Who thought this up?  What a marvelous idea. 

 I heard someone recently say they did not like to dance.  They said they felt stupid.  Strangely enough, once upon a time, I felt the same way.  I realized I was just afraid that someone might think I looked silly.  And then one day I realized how silly THAT was.  Who cares if someone thinks you look silly.  You know what?  We all look silly.
So who wants to go dancing? 

Why I love yoga

As I approach the six month anniversary of my hike on the Appalachian Trail, I find myself reflecting more and more on the journey that now seems a lifetime ago.  This experience has brought so much in to my life that will reside inside of me forever.  One of the biggest gifts I have received is the realization of what I am capable of.  I know in the very heart of my being, the potential I have for doing anything I could ever imagine.  I, for the first time in my life, love my body.  And why wouldn't I?  My body has propelled me safely across rocks, up and down rock faces, through raging rivers, through extreme temperatures, along terrifying precipices....oh, and several miles of well-blazed, dirt path.  What more could I possible ask for?  Well, for one thing, I have never felt better.  I have never felt stronger.  Or healthier.  And I thought it was worth sharing.   
I have a morning yoga ritual that includes only the poses that feel good to do.  I don't waste my time on the poses that hurt or that I dread doing (a backbend?  seriously?  I  have never been able to do this pose without pinning myself down by my hair).  And besides... I would not be motivated to get up and do it every morning.  Why do exercise you hate? 
Anyway, I include push ups, sit ups, bicycles, tricep lifts, and several times a week, free-weight lifting, boxing, and surprise!....Hiking. 
Yoga, for the person that has not practiced it before, is not the trendy new gym class that now fills the 5:00 slot, but a practice that has been around for centuries.  Stretching the whole body while filling the lungs with regular breathes is a fully conscious awakening and a powerful healing experience. For me, it cured every ache in my body.  Try it some time. 

The other martian vegetable...the Spaghetti Squash

After hearing about this unusual vegetable, I decided this was something I had to see for myself.  This aptly named squash smells and looks like the inside of a pumpkin when you first cut it open.  After scraping the seeds and stringy stuff out, I baked it for about 50 minutes at 375.  When it cools slightly, you can scrape all these strands out and no kidding...it looks like noodles!  I have not prepared the dish yet, since it was to take so long to cook I wanted to have it ready to prepare for dinner tonight, after a long day at the farm.  So it will be an integral part of the "Spaghetti Squash with Edamame Cilantro Pesto" that is on the menu this evening.  I will let you know how it works out. 

In keeping everyone updated on the goings on at Pangea, we got our UGA Soil report back.  I am not surprised to learn that our pH is 5.5 (which is fairly acidic), and not that uncommon in clay soils.  So we are planning on amending with dolomitic lime, compost, and anything organic we can get our hands on and our pitchforks in.  Speaking of which, we bought a new "manure fork".  Isn't that something.  A special pitchfork for shoveling sh*t. "They" have truly thought of everything. 
We also got a new humongous chain saw.  Since we will be using the downed wood on our property for heat, it is imperative that we are able to easily (ha ha) cut it up into firewood.  There is already a lot of downed wood, but we are going to plant trees anyway, to keep our fuel sustainable.  So now we are off to a day full of chainsawing, chopping, mauling, hauling, dragging, tractoring, and all the fun farm stuff we now get to do.  I know.  It's great isn't it?

Kids do not try this at home...

What do you get when you mix hot creamy soup in a blender with a loose bottom?  A kitchen covered in Spicy Curry Carrot Bisque. That's what.  The good news?  At least I remembered the lesson learned from my last kitchen explosion catastrophe: Blend hot liquid in batches...  There was still enough that I had already pureed in the pot to at least have some for dinner.  The bad news?  Besides being a really big mess, it was curry.  Somehow, everything including the blender parts and the spatula I was using, is dyed yellow.  A pretty yellow, but yellow nonetheless. 
     Anyway, we had a little soup with Herb Bean Croquettes for dinner.  And it was delicious. However, if you make this, consider yourself warned.  This is a messy dish.  Even before the soup explosion.   If you would like the recipe, let me know.  With a permission slip from your mother, I will happily share. 

So what is with all the extraneous photo's, eh?  First of all, I would like to apologize to all those that thought I was putting snails in my homemade toothpaste. I didn't add bark to my bisque, either.  The pictures are just for fun.   I find all kinds of interesting things while walking in the woods and I thought I would share them.   The world is full of fascinating things.  All you have to do is see them. 

What a cool hat!

Wow!  My friend Irene and I decided to do some "arts and crafts bartering".  It all started when I saw her beautiful blue wool hat she had knitted for herself.  Actually, it started last year when my friend Deanna knitted a gorgeous green stocking cap for me and planted the seed that I too may someday be a knitting fool like these talented ladies.  I decoded I wanted to learn and Irene patiently taught me how to knit a scarf.  Well I don't know if I am just not ready for this hobby or what, but by the time I finished my "scarf" (which somehow ended up like twelve feet long and a foot wide????) I put down the knitting needles...or maybe I threw them down....and decided this was not the craft for me.  
So then....a year later....I saw Irene's hat.  It was just beautiful.  I wanted one.  So after thinking long and hard, I decided I did not want to start another knitting project that goes unfinished.  (I have another  unfinished project around here somewhere...) Irene offered to knit the hat for me in exchange for some of my cards.  Well, I thought that was the perfect solution.  She did a fabulous job and I have been wearing my hat nonstop since.  However, the point of this blog is the interesting process of felting wool.  As fabulous as the hat is that you see at the top of this page is, I was so surprised to see how it started out!  Check this out:

No, this is not Mushmouth from Fat Albert.  This is the same hat!  Seriously!  For those of us that are ignorant in the ways of wool (although who hasn't taken the sweater out of the dryer and thought, oh my...who's child does this sweater belong to?) Wool shrinks!  A lot!  I just thought this was the coolest thing ever.  So remember...clothes dryer's are bad.  Hang your clothes on a clothes line and save the planet.  And find a friend to do all your knitting for you!

Why I paint.

Someone once asked me, "How do you know when a painting is finished?"  As far as my art goes, I just keep putting paint on it until someone tells me to stop. 

If you think about it, how many things are there in life that do not have to be done a certain way?  It is having true freedom.  To me, it is the very defining spark of creativity.  It's all different..... It is all exactly as it should be.  No right or wrong.  I think that is something to be celebrated.

How do you put a price tag on art?
How could you NOT share it?
First of all, I do not want to be famous. I am fairly certain it is over-rated. I just love to paint. It is a great joy to share my art with the whole world through my website. What an amazing thing, the internet. It connects the entire planet. Well, it's a start, right?
Anyway, I digress...

I also paint a lot. And there are only so many walls in the house. I didn't say I love to COLLECT paintings...
Being supported as an artist to me is making one of my favorite things to do less expensive to do. So, to the people that have bought my art, I am truly grateful.
Do you know what heaven is to me? Well it is not some fantasy reward you receive after living life by all the rules.
It is finally understanding that all you have to do is decide. You decide to be happy. Find what you like to do, and go do it. Do everything in your power to make it happen. Believe. Believe in the now.
Whether it is to learn to play the instrument, write the short story, run the marathon, or hike the trail you always wanted to hike...
I say, go live! Whatever that means.
Somebody asked me one time, if I had any "Pearls of wisdom". Well this is it.

"Emergence"

"Emergence" is the newest addition to the csChambers Studio and is painted with acrylic on wood panel.  This piece is part of the "People of the Universe" collection which represents a unifying energy that connects all beings in the universe.  Change is inevitable.  We must all open our eyes and our hearts to hear the song of the earth.  Are you listening?


*All art can be viewed, purchased, or oooohed and aaaaahed over at http://www.cschambers.com/ - just go to the "Acrylics and Mixed Media" page and click on the thumbnails.*

Good bye snow. Hello sunshine!

This photo was not taken during the snow we had a few days ago but the snow just before that.  We have had so many snow "events" that it is hard to keep up with them all.  There is actually still remnants of the last big snow around...scraped piles alongside a few driveways, partially unmelted snowmen that are now just dirty snowblobs...a few hillsides that never see the light of day with snowy patches...but all that is coming to an end tomorrow.  You know why?  Because ladies and gentlemen..it's forcasted to be 60 degrees!.  That's right.  I said 60!  So put away the gloves and hats and dust off your bikes, toys, and what not because tomorrow is the day.  So what are you going to do with your sunny, warm Saturday?  Oh, and if you are reading this and you are not in the south, I hope you have a surprise spring-like day as well.
Today we made a fresh loaf of bread, washed clothes and dishes all powered by sunshine (the solar panels are fully charged and also enjoying this string of nice sunny days).  Thank you sun for providing the energy for all these tasks. 
Oh, and thanks to Drew, now we have our very own 8 gazillion pound winch...so we won't be getting stuck in the lovely red Georgia clay again.  Or at least not any time soon. 

Free compost! What a bargain!

Today we went and picked up a whole truckload of compost.  Our wonderful county goes along the roads and chops off anything near the road and loads it into their big chipper thingamajiggy.  Then they haul all the wood trimmings to the dump where they kindly place it all in a giant heap.  They let anybody come and haul it off!  That is so cool!  We are taking advantage of this awesome service and using it to ammend the soil where the garden will be.  However, we are going to need a lot.  So now we are figuring out a way to get more than one truck load at a time.  When we removed it all from the back of the truck, it hardly made a dent in the area we need covered. 
The next soil ammendment is going to be a lot of fun.  Horse Poo! We have some friends with a farm that are kindly going to give us all the poop we can scoop.  Yippee! So, you won't want to miss that one for sure....

Mud sucks. Literally.

Yesterday we got quite a bit done out at the farm.  We removed all kinds of debris from the road and swept and raked.  We used the tractor to move some heavy things from one place to another.  It was all very fulfilling.  However, we did find out just how slippery Georgia clay can be.  Of course the good thing about clay (usually) is that it retains the moisture.  Well it does this everywhere, not just in your garden.  So as we merrily drove down an old road....an old steep road, we came to find out just how wet it stays.  EEK.  It was quite the adventure.  And several hours later, we were again on our way with a new and different plan for future jaunts down the mountain with the tractor.  Anyway, all I can say, is winches are cool. 

We also came up with a name for our farm.  We are going to call it "Pangea".  For those that are unfamiliar, it means "Entire" "Earth", in reference to the time millions of years ago when there was just one supercontinent, that later broke apart in to the 7 (or 6 depending on who you ask) continents that exist today.  (For more info, here is a Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangaea) And yes, we are spelling it with two "A"'s because three just seems like too many.  We like the idea that on our farm, we are living in harmony with the earth, no matter where we are. 

Homemade toothpaste.. umm...how should I put this....bad....

The latest experiment was homemade toothpaste.  I studied several recipes and they all pretty much had the same ingredients.  If you like those whitening brands (or you don't mind a little gagging reflex)...you know...the baking soda hydrogen-peroxide mixtures that leave your mouth tasting more like a dirty metal tin than the minty fresh feeling of...I don't know...something minty fresh...  Well.  All I can say is.  The recipe leaves a LOT to be desired.  Of course the only way I see to remedy this is to add more flavoring but by the time I add enough whatever to make it taste even remotely palatable, it will probably be bad for us.  Hmmm. 

This morning, we had purple pancakes.  No, we do not eat pancakes often, or really ever for that matter.  But one of the discoveries in the fridge was a whole bottle of real maple syrup.  What a find! You just cannot beat the real stuff.  So, we made blueberry oat whole wheat pancakes which is what of course made them purple.  They were scrumdillyitious. And that's that.   
Oh and I saw this snail shell next to some melting snow.  I don't know where the snail went.  I think he headed south. 

Sweet potato fritters and then some...

Well, I will get to that later.  For right now, a short story...made longer.
I was speaking with one of my all time favorite artists recently about duplicating one's own work.  I have been rambling on for some time now about making multiple copies of paintings, simply by painting them, well...again.  In fact, I thought this sounded quite easy.  He told me that he had tried this and it never worked out.  Well, I had no idea what he was talking about.... until last night.  You see, I am in the process of selling one of my paintings and I started to feel sad that this piece was no longer going to grace my walls in its colorful, whimsical way.  I made up my mind that instead of making "prints" of the actual original like so many artists do, that I would just paint another.  Wrong.  And I mean very wrong.  Not only does this painting not look like the original, it doesn't look like anything.  Not anything that I would paint, anyway.  It clearly looks forced...unnatural even.  Apparently, this was a valuable experiment for me to discover just exactly how I paint. It all comes from within and the images in the paintings show their personality as they magically appear on the panel.  I am not displeased with this discovery, it in fact helps me add value to my work.  It truly is one of a kind.

Now, on to sweet potato fritters....doesn't that just sound lovely?  Well...it is!  I borrowed an "Eating Well" magazine from a friend and found this unusual recipe inside.  Basically, you mash sweet potatoes with cornmeal, onions, peppers, and spices and saute them, and then serve them along with "smoky" beans and more onions and peppers (I as usual, changed the recipe and added spinach...and it was a great addition).  I threw them in the oven for a few minutes and melted some cheese on top and they were divine.  If you would like the actual recipe, just email me.  I will be happy to share. 

Rain! It's really a good thing in so many ways...

Rainy days are nice because it gives you an excuse to clean the refrigerator...and the freezer.  Yep. That's what I did today.  And what a lovely job I did!  I found all kinds of mysterious things that I still to this very moment cannot identify.  Not anymore.  I could tell you what exactly is in there and where.  (No pictures, sorry) It of course led to cleaning the kitchen, which then led to cleaning the bathroom...etc etc.  I had mentioned this morning  that this arduous task was on my to do list (of course my "to do list" in the nonspecific sometime in the near future..ok maybe the distant future) but low and behold I walk in the kitchen this afternoon and there was a huge cooler with freezy blocks in it awaiting my attention.  Although it was a daunting undertaking, I later found that I was enthusiastically scrubbing and organizing.  I am happy to delete this from my to do list and move on to something else.  It always feels great to get something done that you have procrastinated doing for a long time. 

I know I don't have much to blog about when I am still talking about cleaning the refrigerator.  Huh.  Did I mention it was raining? 

Eggplant. What is this wierd vegetable?

So, I bought my first eggplant.  First of all, who named this?  I cannot think of any part of this giant smooth purple capsule that looks anything like an egg.  From what I understand, many other people call it an Aubergine.  Ok.  That name I get.  It describes the color.  Duh.
OK.  Back to cooking it.  So I thought once upon a time when I ate meat, that all vegetarians ate was tofu and eggplant parmesan.  Well although I enjoy tofu and I really like to try new tofu recipes, I have never cooked eggplant.  So after I found all these awesome and exotic recipes that sounded scrumptious, I chose to prepare it the only way I can recall ever eating it: You guessed it.  Eggplant Parmesan.  It turned out very nicely and I will most definitely prepare it again.  And although I tried to follow the recipe exactly since I was an eggplant novice, I still found myself altering the dish dramatically...but I digress. 

So did I mention that I had no idea what I would find once I sliced open this aubergine beauty? Eggplants are white on the inside?  Really?  They are also amazingly light, and they have this wonderful whimsical pattern of tiny seeds on the inside.  Which I guess we ate.  But anyway, I just thought I would share this lovely food discovery with you other curious eggplant rookies.  But of course what wouldn't be good rolled in breadcrumbs, baked in the oven covered in cheese, and smothered in homemade vegetable marinara?  It could have been anything under there. 

So does anyone know anything about rutabagas??

I know, you are all excited to know what we found in the dirt, right?  I know, I am excited too.  Well, I found dirt.  The red kind.  The very red Georgia clay kind.  At least it wasn't rock!
So I took ten samples from 6" down, and crushed it all together.  After it dries, it is off to the UGA Extension office for testing.  Exciting stuff here.  We also did lots of measuring.  We borrowed a friends 200' measuring tape.  That thing is awesome. That was the second really handy tool I got to use today.  Thank you Wayne and Doug for lending us your super useful tools.

This title thing always gets me...

Do we have to use titles?  Can't we just ramble on aimlessly?  You know, stream-of-consciousness-style?  OK.  I have a point here somewhere...
So, here is what all the excitement is about. We closed on the property we have been trying to buy for quite some time on New Years Eve.  It is the most beautiful piece of paradise I have ever seen.  It has lovely south facing mountain views, a rushing trout stream, winding trails and paths, and the most fun part....a big red barn complete with attached chicken coup.  We are going to build an off-grid home and strive to be completely self-sustaining.  You know....homesteading...like the Ingles family.  Come on.  Don't tell me you didn't watch Little House on the Prairie.  Everyone watched Little House on the Prairie!
The goal is to build a passive and active solar home, complete with gray water recycling, composting toilets, water collection, solar hot water, and of course the most luscious organic garden we can manage.  Oh yeah...and some chickens.  Cluck. Cluck. 

The first step is to test the soil where we will be growing things.  It looks like fairly hard packed good 'ol Georgia clay.  This is one of the most important challenges...  To turn the red barren clay into nutrient packed organic soil so that it will abound with wholesome fruits and veggies.  Thank goodness, some of our best friends are the best organic gardeners I know.  My succession of never ending questions has already begun.  They were kind enough to lend us their soil testing tool and explained the best way to use it.  This is the task we have set aside for tomorrow.  What exactly is in our dirt???? What does it need??? How do we fix it????
Until next time....(dramatic music)....Stay tuned...

Just another wild adventure...

Wanna know what I did today? Well among other things, I got lost in the woods while hiking. Yes, I said lost. In the woods. In my own backyard. Don't you just love it? I was not too worried because: "A" it snowed. I can follow my own footprints. Duh. And " B" I just happened to have my iPhone which has all kinds of apps that show me where I am, and where home is...I think....(and nevermind that I have no idea how to operate any of said apps, because....well, I usually don't get lost). Did I ever mention how "old school" I am? But most importantly, "C", my wonderful husband was ready to drop everything and come rescue me because although I did not know where I was, thanks to earlier mentioned iPhone apps, HE knew where I was! He called me back and told me I was not far from where I was trying to be! Amazing huh? Getting lost in the woods is a very humbling experience I must say. Especially for someone who thinks they can just march off into the woods and end up in Maine or something. Crazy. I never did see a blaze today....
Seriously though, getting lost is an exhilarating experience. I highly recommend trying it at least once. When it snows, it's an especially good time for exploring because like I said, you can always follow your own tracks home.