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. “
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 …
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.