Welcome to this collection of thoughts and ideas I’m compiling as I craft a somewhat different life in retirement from the one I had as a full-time graphic designer working in the world of not-for-profits. The overarching theme of this website is sustainability in personal life. It’s a space where I can explore pursuits that fascinate me. If they fascinate you too, I’m delighted that we can spend some time together.
Like all personal odysseys, I expect this one will shift and morph. You may find my posts hovering over a topic for a while, and then darting off to look at something different that catches my eye. The changing seasons will drive the content too. Even so, I have no doubt that clear themes will emerge over time. If I had to summarize in one short thought, it would be: “Now this is something I want to remember! I’d better write it down. “
Hot Pepper Poppers
The busy harvest season requires plenty of creativity. These fresh-from-the-garden, gluten-free hot pepper poppers are an autumn treat that quenches any impulse to buy expensive, frozen, deep-fried jalapeño poppers from the grocery store.
Saving Seeds
Food security. What can we do to make sure we’re not completely dependent on business systems to provide our food? Growing some our own vegetables brings us a little closer to the goal. Saving seeds is the next step to additional self-sufficiency.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Do you want to maximize your garden space and grow even more fresh food? Do you want to grow varieties you can’t find as bedding plants? Start seeds indoors to get the most out of your vegetable garden and the local growing season.
Keto Mug Breads
Have you discovered mug bread? Buns, biscuits, muffins, even chocolate cake can be ready in only a few minutes with my template and ingredient quick reference sheet. More good news – these five quick and easy recipes are Keto-friendly. Enjoy!
Planning to Be Prepared
This is not a guide to planning disaster preparation. That would take a book and I’m no expert. Rather this is a reminder to myself to take a few steps in the right direction, and an opportunity to share with you a few things I’ve learned recently.
Catching You Up
Hello, my friends. Did you think I’d quit writing? For a while I was afraid I might have done just that. I’ve mostly been hibernating for the last nine weeks. My get-up-and-go took a hike and all my creativity went dormant.
Horse Chestnut Laundry
Horse chestnuts to wash the laundry? Last year was an experiment. This year I’m committed. They are free, local, leave no scent, and unexpectedly, the colours and whites come out bright. Highly recommended.
Drought and Sunshine
Posts to my blog have been scarce during the summer of 2021. I found my concerns over the drought, heat wave, forest fires and pandemic sapped a lot of my creative energy. And the abundant harvest demanded so much of my time. Ironic?
Can’t Be Beet GF Cake
Summer birthdays and plentiful garden vegetables. This could be a carrot cake, a zucchini cake, a beet cake or a combination of all three. Any way you slice it, this nutritious cake is healthy enough to eat for breakfast.
Grill Bolting Buttercrunch
Abundant lettuce meets unseasonably hot, sunny weather. The lettuce is stressed so instead of forming a nice leafy heads, it bolts. I hated to pull them. How about grilled bolting buttercrunch?
Black Elderberry Syrup
Black elderberry syrup is valued as a health tonic and herbal medicine. It is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins that boost the immune system. You can easily make it at home with these instructions.
Clear Your Head
Allergies. Pollen. Germs. Whatever the cause, having a stuffy head is no fun. This easy lymphatic drainage self massage has been a valuable addition to my natural health toolbox.
Keto Meringue Mushrooms
Until now I did not know that meringue mushrooms are a thing, and I certainly could not imagine that a sweet treat made with meringue could be keto-friendly. I’m older and wiser now. Enjoy!
Sprouts for Superfood Greens
Why not grow some sprouted seeds to liven up your meals? Sprouts are brimming with bioavailable nutrients and antioxidants. They grow fast and tending them takes only a few minutes twice a day.
Searching for Seeds
Are seed shortages a concern again in 2021? Maybe I should sort my inventory and place my vegetable garden order early this year. So here I am searching for seeds in mid-January.