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. “
My Second Book Nook
One of my lifelong passions has been miniatures, and more recently, book nooks – glimpses of a tiny scene tucked into a bookcase. I built my second kit in February 2023. The Eternal Bookstore was my choice because the design is so appealing.
Fermenting Garlic
In winter we preserve our garlic supply before the cloves begin to grow. Lacto-fermentation is easy and brings a lot of benefits. The beloved health-giving elements of garlic remain intact. Fermented garlic is easier to digest and doesn’t cause bad breath.
Duck Liver Pâté
Pâté is a savory peasant food gone elegant. You can have it on toast with your soup for lunch or serve it as a canapé at your next party. If you make it yourself, you will save a lot of money and control the ingredients so that it is health-giving too.
Urban Food Growing Books
These sun scarce months give us time to dream and plan next year’s gardens. Do you have even a pocket of land you’d like to convert to growing food? To help you turn small spaces into food gardens, here is a shortlist of books I highly recommend.
Seed Saving Skills
For most of my gardening life, I’ve merrily gone along browsing instore seed racks and pouring over seed catalogs to plan my food growing. I never gave seed supply a second thought. But … what if one day there weren’t enough seeds to go around?
Oxalates in My Food?
Superfoods are nutrient rich and good for us. They are healthy, right? I was surprised to find out that they might also be hard on our human bodies. Overconsumption of oxalates may lead to the formation of caustic crystals that can cause dis-ease.
Chard Not Cabbage Rolls
A few years ago, as often happens at the garden, I was chatting with a stranger. When I told her I had no use for Swiss chard and didn’t grow it, she was shocked. “It makes the very best cabbage rolls,” she told me. Turns out she was right.
Fascinating Book Nooks
In my exploration of the realm of crafting miniatures, I encountered a niche called book nooks. These little dioramas fit into boxes not much taller and about twice as wide as a hardcover book. I was smitten. I’d love to share my first one with you.
Peace Tea Garden
In pain? Jittery? Anxious? Restless? Out of sorts? There’s a plant for that!
I have discovered many plants with known soothing properties that are easy to grow in a small space. This might be the time to consider creating a peace tea garden.
Economics of Bean Brownies
For gluten free eaters, a bean brownie recipe is an asset. But these brownies are much more than just the freedom to enjoy a treat without gluten. Unlike mixes made from overprocessed powders, bean brownies offer real food value.
Serendipity Gluten Free Pizza
At Earl’s I had a thin crust, gluten free pizza that amazed me. As a thin crust pizza fan, I replicated it at home. A cost comparison with our standard gluten free pizza showed that serendipity pizzas are definitely less expensive per person.
Clayburn Village II
In 2018 a new building arrived in Clayburn Village. Turner House is the only surviving house from the first stage of European settlement on Matsqui Prairie and the oldest home in Abbotsford. Want to read more about this tiny chunk of BC history?
A Miniature Fascination
I’ve long been intrigued by miniatures. Finally I have time to indulge myself and create small worlds. Favourite supplies are gathered on nature walks, work space is compact – miniatures align perfectly with my goal of a resilient, natural retirement.
Growing Oyster Mushrooms
As an urban homesteader, I’m always on the lookout for more ways to grow food. When my friend Cori told me her plan to try a mushroom kit, I was eager to learn more. Cori journaled her experience and has kindly allowed me to share it with you.
Adaptogens Coffee Booster
Coffee. If you know you need it, you drink it right? Yet it comes with real benefits, and you can easily ramp up the power of your morning coffee even more with a few simple plant additions. Maybe you haven’t heard of adaptogens. Let me tell you …