Happy holidays from (kinda) Home Depot
December 15, 2011 § 2 Comments
Have you all seen that Home Depot commercial? The one where you take an old, empty window frame, paint it red, insert c-hooks, hang ornaments, and place the finished product on your fireplace mantel? I must have seen it about a hundred times, and kept thinking how fun it was.
So one random day, when I was feeling like I needed something satisfyingly tactile to accomplish, I looked around the apartment and considered how I might imitate that idea. I roped my roommate in and we set to imagining, planning, and crafting.
We didn’t have a paneless window frame, but we did have a trellis that I hardly used this growing season and didn’t plan to use again. I sawed off the legs and we painted it with a Martha Stewart silver-blue glitter. Three coats and we had the sparkle we wanted!
Then we selected fabrics and ornaments, and tried out a few arrangements until we discovered what we liked best. Instead of traditional red and green, we favored silver, blue, white, a little red, and a little brown.
We screwed in the c-hooks (which was harder than you’d think), hung the ornaments, glued the fabrics, and put it all on display above the fireplace.
Ta-daa!
Give a cow for Christmas
December 14, 2011 § Leave a comment
I’m a little late on my annual intention to spread the word about Heifer International . . . but here it is, nonetheless. Heifer International seeks to overcome hunger and poverty by working with communities to establish strong, local, agriculture-based economies. How can you help? By donating the funds to provide a family with a heifer (hence the name), goat, bees, ducks, even a water buffalo! You can give the gift on the part of a friend or family member, or simply for your own sake – and by doing so, you equip the recipient of your gift to pass on a gift to someone else. Passing on the gift is central to Heifer International’s mission; as one person or family gets on their feet, they can then offer a hand to someone else.
What kind of giving, this Christmas season, could be better? I encourage you to look at Heifer International’s website, and consider giving the gift that keeps on giving.
Here’s a link to the site: Heifer International
Have you ever given or received a Heifer International gift? I’d love to hear about it!
Early morning at the barn
December 2, 2011 § Leave a comment
Here is the short, quiet moment of the morning. The first thing to see, on one of those days when the horses are greeting the day’s first light out in their runs, or standing sleepily in their stalls, and haven’t yet realized I have arrived. Soon they will notice my footsteps, or the sound of bales being lifted into wheelbarrows, and faces will come poking out from between the bars. Some of the horses will nod and toss their heads with gusto. Hello! Hurry up! Others will whinny or nicker until their hay or grain is placed in front of them. I always wonder if this is happiness or eagerness or impatience, and it is likely all three. We are hungry! It’s time for breakfast!
Water, sun, and sky in the early afternoon
November 27, 2011 § Leave a comment
We had to walk today. You can’t not walk on a day at the end of November when the sun is making everything warm a little, and the air is the right sort of cool that makes a vest rather than a jacket do just fine.
So out we went, the minute I got home from the horse barn – me, my dog, and a backpack containing a bottle of juice, a chicken salad sandwich, a pear, and a tennis ball.
Though today was perfectly splendid, there must have been a fair drop in temperature during the night, because patches of water in shallow spots and near the shoreline were coated in ice.
But never mind how cold the water might still be. It won’t bother this girl any.
Here is the picnic spot where I thought I’d sit to eat:
But I should have known – I know myself well enough – after 30 seconds on the bench I felt rather inclined to be out of the way of passers-by, and closer to the nature I’d come to enjoy. So I settled against the trunk of a small tree instead.
Much better.
We saw other hikers. We greeted other dogs. We soaked in the sun and the blue, blue, blue.
Thankful
November 23, 2011 § Leave a comment
Periodically I’ve sought to cultivate gratitude by making daily lists of things to be thankful for. To make a practice of counting my blessings. I start with the best of intentions, and eventually fall out of the habit. And how easy it is to look around and unconsciously count reasons for discontent.
Each day of the month of November, my friend Amy has been posting something for which she is thankful. Can I just say how refreshing this has been? Facebook frequently becomes so rampant with complaints, questionable and controversial political or ideological statements, and (at least in my circles) details of parenting frustrations and bliss that I can hardly stand it, and wonder why I continue to log in and scroll through. Amy’s posts have made me stop and feel glad for at least a few seconds of each day. (Thanks, Amy – I’m thankful for you and your November postings!)
I could give you a long list of things I wish I had, things I wish I’d done differently, things I feel I rather deserve after working my bum off throughout college . . . and high school . . . and middle school . . . heck, even elementary. Life does not seem fair at times and it isn’t. But then, there are people suffering from much greater injustices than mine, and there is much that I have and perceive as “normal” that is really a privilege. So. This is the day before Thanksgiving, and I am not home with family, and I am not hosting anyone, and I am not following around darling babies wearing booties I made for them. But I can be glad, and grateful.
And here are some of the reasons:
1. I have wonderful family members who love each other. I speak to all of them at least once a week. With my mother, almost daily. And all of them put up with my big ideas, my joyous hopes, my disappointments, my ramblings that dissolve into tears. What a fortunate thing it is to have a father who lets you cry in front of him, a mother who counsels you through despair and encourages your dreams, a sister who gets excited about various projects and ideas and often jumps in, a brother who can fix anything and doesn’t mind just talking when you’re lonely, and another brother who is so happy to hear your voice he just has to keep telling you how much he likes having you as his sister.
2. My sweet dog. I can’t tell you how many times I am stroking her soft ears and looking at her face and thinking what a good girl she is, and how much she has gone through with me. She is my constant friend. She goes where I go. She runs with me. She sits close to me on dark nights. I am so glad I didn’t listen to everyone who said it wasn’t wise to get a dog when you were in graduate school and you weren’t settled. Especially a big dog. This dog was meant to be mine, this happy, triangle-eyed, tennis-ball-obsessed golden retriever.
3. New things to learn. Thank you to all the people who have encouraged me to look at the world with curiosity, and to try out what it had to offer, and even to look beyond what was to see the possibilities of what could be.
4. Good food! And the people who are dedicated to it. Farmers, chefs, single guys and girls in apartments, dads and moms feeding little ones. Those working at food banks, soup kitchens, and community gardens. This national excitement about food is, I think, about to significantly change our society. I can feel it. I believe in it.
5. Nonprofits. Isn’t it great that there are places that can employ us to do good things?
6. Horses. They’re just beautiful. And I get to visit them, handle them, appreciate them almost every day.
7. My friends! Did I really wait till Number 7 to think of this? How lucky I have been to have gathered dear friends almost every place that I have lived, and how lucky that many of them have kept in touch, despite the different directions our lives have taken. I appreciate you guys! Thanks for sharing your lives with me. (And especially thanks to Amanda and Tyler and Tyler’s family this Thanksgiving, who are inviting me into their circle so I won’t be alone on this day of feasting.)
8. Co-workers that I like and get along with. This can’t be overlooked! I find it makes such a difference in daily life.
9. Clothes to wear. Kinda cute ones, even. It seems silly, but it isn’t.
10. Poetry & art. Keep spinning those words, writers. Keep snapping those stunning photos, photographers. Keep painting and stitching and scrapbooking and doing whatever you all do to make something expressive and gorgeous for those who know you, and those who are lucky enough to discover you.
11. And finally, most importantly, my faith. I know it isn’t something everyone will share, and I wouldn’t presume to make anyone feel they ought to. Belief in anything is so personal, and everyone must work out what they believe in their own time and in their own way. But I can’t help mentioning how glad I am for grace, and for a God whose primary purpose is to love us and teach us to love each other.
So then. Thank you, world. It feels now like the natural and right thing to do is help give other people reason to be thankful. Doesn’t it?
Feast well, friends. Love even better.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Walking path
November 17, 2011 § Leave a comment
We walk here now and then, down the road from where we live. The open space to the west is full of prairie dogs. Tassie perks up her ears when she sees them and hears their chirruping, squeaking little noises.
The residents of Boulder County are fiercely divided over these creatures: they multiply rapidly, invade wide swaths of land, and make holes that horses and livestock might step into. But they are rather cute-looking, living things. Those who would save them post bumper stickers reading “I brake for prairie dogs” on their cars. I tend to be caught between these views; I could argue for either stance if I felt like it. I grew up loving nearly all animals, but I have also learned to understand systems, so I admit I lean towards implementing some kind of population control. Loss of predators is a serious reality in our country, even in Colorado – and so is dealing with the severe swings in other animal populations that result.
Tassie would love to run after the prairie dogs, and I would love to let her – she can’t catch them, anyway – but the leash law folks have been cracking down lately and I can’t afford a fine. It has made my country-home cravings especially strong this week; I want a place where my animals can run, and I can run with them. No ropes required.
So we walk on, down the sidewalk that will curve back through mini-mansions and towards our apartment. A clear path. I suppose it’s nice sometimes to have something so direct. Go this way. No being caught between anything. No decisions to make or directions to assess. Is this right? You don’t have to think about it. You just follow, and let your mind rest.
Where do you create?
November 17, 2011 § Leave a comment
Keep sending in those photos! I’m curious to see the places that you claim for your creative projects. (Click here for the initial post about this request and giveaway.)
You might also mention what specific kinds of art, crafts, trades, and projects you like to do in your creative place. . . from making snowflake cookies in the kitchen to shaping wooden spindles in the back shed, from sketching in the office to collecting scraps of fabric from thrift stores.
What’s in it for you? Why take the time to snap and send a picture? In addition to building the artistic community simply by sharing with one another, (1) the first people to submit will receive packets of blue pumpkin seeds, and (2) each person who sends a photo or two will be entered in a drawing for a copy of Storey Publishing’s Country Wisdom Almanac: 373 Tips, Crafts, Home Improvements, Recipes, and Homemade Remedies. Send your photos to birchbark (dot) erica (at) gmail (dot) com.
I’ll be checking my inbox . . .
Amen, sister!
November 14, 2011 § 2 Comments
That’s what my roommate said when I read her this excerpt from farmer/writer Jenna Woginrich’s blog, Cold Antler Farm:
The morning started with a two-hour interview with a journalist from New York City. She was writing a book on the resurgence of domestic arts and DIY culture across America and the role of homemakers. We had a good talk, and I showed her around the farm. By the time she was packed up and waving out the driveway, I realized I had never thought about many of her questions before she asked them. She wanted to know about my thoughts on feminism and homesteading, about the role of women, about trend in suburban moms getting chickens and herb gardens. Some of the answers surprised me, and I realized how much of a traditionalist I am at heart. I might be a woman with her own empire, but at the end of the day I just want to be taken care of, and take care of things. I want this because I feel like it’s my biological right as a member of my sex, and because it makes me happy. I don’t think wanting to be a wife or mother makes me any less a feminist than wanting to be a welder or an Air force Pilot. Nor do I dare say my desires should be anyone else’s. But when it all comes down to it: I’m a simple gal. If I ever find the right man I’ll happily get hitched, take his last name, and stay home to take care of the kids and dinner. I got the 14th amendment and a mortgage with my name on it. I’m all set.
I think I smiled and repeated that Amen. You can read the rest of the post here.
Here’s a somewhat related magazine publication: Darling Magazine
And here’s a hardly related, but totally darling song: Amen by Eden's Edge
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to play with two dogs, make a loaf of pumpkin bread, feed and water 34 horses, buy some paint, and craft a display to go over the fireplace.
Wind and waves
November 12, 2011 § Leave a comment
The forecast called for 75 MPH winds. In town the morning seemed mild enough, but when T. and I ventured out to our pond-sized lake, we found it acting like an ocean.
Kinds of Honey 