A Month of Gratitude, #14, 15, and 16

Day #14: I am grateful for the beauty of this earth, for the oceans and lakes, ambling rivers, peaceful plains, and majestic mountains.  I am also grateful for the opportunities that I have to enjoy them, through hikes and travel, and so forth.
Day #15: I am grateful for laughter, and those moments where I can make others laugh, or when I get to experience those rare belly laughs that make me teary eyed.
Day #16: I am grateful for two reliable cars. I know that as soon as I write this that one of them will break down because I am a champion at jinxing myself, but I am thankful that I have a dependable mode of transportation to get me and my family everywhere that we need to go.

A Month of Gratitude: #1

Throughout the month, I will be posting something that I am grateful for each day in November.
Today, I am thankful for the counsel my church gives to keep a food storage and a 72 hour kit. When facing a "super storm" such as Hurricane Sandy, it was a relief to me to know that we would have food, water, and light, should we need them. The counsel is even more important to heed when you have a family that relies on you. So, today, I am grateful for my food storage and emergency preparations.

Asheville, Days Three and Four

On Sunday morning, my friend made us yummy cinnamon rolls for breakfast (they completely hit the spot...so good).  They were a great way to start out our day of traveling about 30 miles or so of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We visited the Folk Art Center (basically a visitors' center right outside of Asheville along the Parkway) before we ventured out to see the mountains.  We crossed the French Broad River and made out way through the mountains (sometimes literally, via tunnels).  The views/overlooks provided us breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains on either side, and we snapped a lot of pictures.  Being in the Appalachians is a wonderful chance to ponder simplicity and what truly matters in life.  Being out in the middle of nowhere reminds you of what truly matters.  You've left the stress behind you, and you're out in the majesty of what God has created and given you.  You reflect on your forefathers who lived in the mountains and who were the epitome of self sufficiency and provident living.
We traveled back to Asheville and lunched at Burgermeister's (a turkey reuben for hubby, and a catfish po' boy for me) before heading out with Amy and Jake (Maya was at a friend's house) to the Biltmore, the largest home in America (250 rooms and land encompassing 8,000 acres).  We didn't pay to see the house, and Amy's pass did end up being enough to get us in, so we instead went around Antler Hill Village (I believe that was the name) on the ground.  We toured the Biltmore winery and visited the on site farm to see the animals (a goat even climbed into my lap!).  Jake really enjoyed the animals, as did I, but the people around were very, um, wealthy, and it wasn't always comfortable at times.  Hubby and I dealt with one really rude man in particular who was upset because hubby "almost" touched his son with a gate.  It was a bit embarrassing.  At least it was a reminder of what I do not want to be.
At home, after the kiddos were in bed, we were able to get one on one time with Amy, just talking and watching television.  It was so nice to have time just with her to talk about things, life, whatnot.  I think that was one of my favorite parts of the trip.  It's wonderful to find people who understand you and who you can relate to.
Monday, we unfortunately had to leave (I admit, I was teary eyed, and oh, I miss Splenda the dog...she became my little pal).  We breakfasted at Waffle House, which I haven't had in YEARS, and hubby had never been to one. On the ride home, we stopped and snapped photos on the overlooks along I-26 in North Carolina and Tennessee, our last views of the mountains there for a while.  The trip home flew by.  We opted not to stop at the gorge again and just blew through, though we did meet back up with my mama and walked through the mall and lunched with her in the afternoon before heading home.
The children were thrilled to see us, which made me feel so good inside, and the animals seemed to miss us as well.  Buddy seemed to do well being at the kennel (he can be easily stressed), but Sunflower, our foster kitty, is still acting a bit nervous a day later.  She is very happy to be home.  The kids loved their Build a Bears, too.  We are unpacked and home, a bit sad that such a wonderful trip is over, but happy to see our loved ones.  We are hoping to go back to Asheville twice a year.  :)

Asheville, Days One and Two (In Words)

Our trip to Asheville, NC, in words....
You've seen some of the (many) pics we have taken during our trip.  Now, I am going to start the recap of days one and two of our first vacation in three years.
My friend Amy had invited us to visit her in Asheville, NC.  A lot of people say to come visit, but it's a casual thing.  What can I say?  She really meant it. :)  I was thrilled to see a friend from my college days and her two lovely kiddos, Maya and Jake, who are similar in age to my own little ones.
Per some recommendations, hubby and I decided to go on this trip sans kiddos, and while I missed them, I am grateful we did because the time together was very needed.  We get a lot of time together here in town, per se, but our dates consist of things like grocery shopping and errands, and we struggle with real "quality" time together, or at least coming up with ideas for it beyond dinner and movies.
We left on Friday at about ten AM.  We stopped to visit my mama at work along the way, and while there, we snagged a replacement wedding ring for hubby (she works at a jewelry store).  That was an unexpected surprise, and I am grateful we managed to get a great deal on one that fits him well.  His old ring was a bit too big, and it was made of tungsten carbide, which cannot be resized.
Along the route, we stopped at the New River Gorge Bridge, the longest span bridge in the eastern United States, famous for its scenery and bungee jumping (which we didn't do, obviously).  We have been there before, but the bridge is an engineering marvel, and since it was fall, we knew the view would be spectacular.  It did not disappoint.  The Autumn colors as we traveled onward were breathtaking.  We traveled through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee (land of Dolly Parton!) before making it to North Carolina.  One thing I noticed about the South is that there are rocking chairs at the rest areas.  It's great, and a bit hilarious.  I have loved rocking chairs since I was a child, so for me, it helps me to feel right at home.  :)
We arrived around seven thirty and did some shopping at Asheville Mall before meeting up with my friend.  She lives in the cutest two story blue house, and the homes in general in Asheville have way more charm and personality than the nearly identical ranchers that permeate my neighborhood.  I am in awe of how vastly they differ, and the various ways that their residents have made them "their own."  Once at the house, we met her daughter Maya, (baby Jake) was in bed, sat and listened while her mama read her some bedtime stories, and went to bed early.
Saturday morning, we visited some local stores with Amy and family after a breakfast of pancakes.  The stores were Second Gear, a used sporting goods shop, Small Terrain, a shop for all things urban homesteading, The Littlest Birds, a children's apparel and supplies consignment shop, and we also had lunch at Bandido's, a Latin fusion restaurant owned by Amy's friends that serves 100% locally sourced food (I had the goi rolls with plum sauce--divine). All of the stores were funky and fun, and I especially thought that the idea for Second Gear was an exceptionally good one.
In the afternoon, we did some more shopping at aforementioned mall (we bought Build-a-Bears for our kiddos...way expensive and a splurge, and I snagged some ridiculously discounted, yet comfortable hiking boots), and I went to my first REI.  (I was unimpressed with REI.  Low selection, and too expensive for our taste.)  We attempted to find the Blue Ridge Parkway, but got lost, which ended up alright in the end because we found a beautiful drive full of golden fields, lush forest, and farmland.  While not exactly mountainous, it was peaceful and lent an atmosphere of simplicity and Southern charm.  We wanted to grab some authentic Carolina BBQ once we were back in Asheville, but struck out (one place was closed, and we trekked beautiful downtown Asheville in vain looking for one place that we never found).  Instead, we went to Burgermeister's, another local place, serving burgers and sandwiches in a funky '80s-meets boudoir pics-meets '70s camp-meets an old jukebox motif (amazingly cool), and we both had the best burgers we have EVER tasted--no exaggeration.  I had a regular grass-fed beef burger with fixings and homemade potato wedges, and hubby had the bison burger with homemade potato salad, which he enjoyed.
We then came home, chilled with Splenda, Amy's ridiculously loving and well behaved black Lab, before calling it a night.
Soon will be the story of days three and four....  :)

More Pics From Our Asheville Trip (With WV, VA, and TN Mixed In, Just For Fun)

On the Road to Asheville, Day One in Pics

I will write a worded update shortly. Pics from our drive to Asheville, NC to see a friend. Traveled through Maryland, WV, Virginia, Tennessee, and NC.

Wordless Wednesday

On Minimalism

Lately, I have been reading a lot of blogs and essays concerning the subject of minimalism.  I'm not talking about the literary or artistic movements, nor am I talking about the home decor trend of everything stark black and white and barely there.  I'm talking about living a minimalistic lifestyle--rejecting, even rebelling against, consumerism, getting rid of unwanted and unused items, getting out of debt, pursuing passions and life goals over material goods, etc.
This lifestyle appeals to me, even though it is the complete antithesis of my life a few years ago.  I think it attracts me because it *is* the polar opposite of my former dreams and goals, and those goals, the need to possess lots of (and the best) stuff have wreaked havoc on my life, my health, and my sanity.  Being able to focus more on living a self-reliant lifestyle, having less "things" to worry about, being able to say "NO!" loudly and firmly to the trappings of consumerism, will all lead to my ability to pursue my dreams and my passions that truly matter--and what a more fulfilled life that will be, not only for me, but for my family as well. 
I want to be able to have a firmer resolve, to spend less, to give more, to share my time and abilities with others, to reject jealousy, to conquer my goals and chase after my heart's truest desires.  I want to choose to tromp around outside in this big, wide world when I need comfort, instead of going up to the mall to snag some little thing that provides me temporary happiness--only until I get it home.  Can you imagine being able to live a life where you mainly rely on yourself and your family, instead of what society or friends tell you is important?  Can you imagine being able to live without a mall or Walmart?  Can you envision being able to grow your own food, or make your own, most of the time, or to find outlets for the freshest food you can, instead of relying on processed convenience foods?  That makes my body happy just thinking about it.
This kind of life is possible, with a true desire and conversion to a philosophy of minimalism and self-reliance.  It's better for your family, the environment, and for you.  And I want to examine it more closely and pursue the changes necessary to obtain it. 

Backyard Chickens

So...I kinda want to have a garden, and I also think I want chickens next Spring.  Very lofty goals for someone who can't keep a plant alive (I had a houseplant that I named Seymour, who thrived until I forgot to water him for weeks on end), and whose pets own her, and not the other way around.
However, the idea of growing my own fruits and veggies, and having my own eggs, sounds so divine.  I'd have lots and lots of help with gardening and growing my own produce, so I feel okay there, if nervous.  In the meantime, I share this with you, per friends' recommendations, if any of you have the same crazy chicken fever as I do:
Backyard Chickens

I'm SO There....

If you live in the Mid-Atlantic states, you should consider going to the Mother Earth News Fair in Seven Springs, Pa.  It is a HUGE event chock-full of vendors and exhibits encouraging self-reliance, a DIY attitude, organic and natural living, emergency preparedness, and so forth.  Plus, they will have amazing speakers, like Joel Salatin and the beyond inspiring Temple Grandin, animal rights activist and spokesperson for autism awareness (she is autistic herself).  (I linked the miniseries based on her life.)  I'm not able to make the fair on the day she is speaking, but if I did, I'm pretty sure I'd pass out at her feet from the exposure to sheer awesomeness and inspiration.  :)  There will be kids' activities, too, and loads of yummy, healthy food vendors and products for sale.
The fair page can be found here. 

Lean, Mean, Green Machine

Lately, I've been interested in becoming more "green." The notion of living a more sustainable lifestyle, reducing/reusing/recycling, and cherishing today's resources to ensure they will be there tomorrow, well, all of those goals are really conducive with my desire to have a simpler, less materialistic, more grounded lifestyle. However, like the famed philosopher Kermit the Frog once said, "It's not easy being green." For starters, recycling...sure, in theory it seems easy, but there's sorting all of the trash, figuring out what can be taken to the local recycling center, which only takes certain items/plastics and not others. Then, there's keeping my kids out of the bins. See, my kids view the recycling bins like they would ball pits at Chuck E. Cheese--which means I sort out the items again and again. After that, it's getting the recyclables to the center, which is a 30 minute drive, one way, from our house, with children in tow. So, needless to say, our recycling endeavors have hit a roadblock.

Then, there's the desire to buy humanely produced, organic, local foods...the hope to fulfill as many of those labels as I can when I purchase an item at the grocery store. But, there's a lot involved. Sometimes, we as consumers have no idea whether or not an animal has been humanely treated in order to give us our eggs or our milk. How do we know if a worker has adequate working/safety conditions producing our crops/coffee/what have you? A lot of organic foods cost more--a lot more. Some people don't have access to inexpensive, locally produced meats and produce. Making informed food choices is not so easy, either.
 There's SO MUCH that can be done--using less water/electricity, buying used items whenever possible, cloth diapering instead of using disposables, growing your own food, writing to congressional representatives over pertinent environmental issues close to our hearts, riding bikes or driving fuel efficient cars instead of taking big SUVs everywhere, buying fair trade coffee and chocolates and produce...as mere individuals/families, it is SO easy to get bogged down with feeling like we need to do it all. I applied to become a Mom Ambassador for Moms Meet, a group of several hundred thousand moms who meet in small, local groups to discuss eco-aspects of parenting, families, pet-raising, and the like. I so desperately want to be more "green," but I think to myself, "Ugh, I'm such a fraud. We aren't even recycling, for God's sake. I'm not green at ALL."
But, the thing is--it's not about doing it all. It's about doing the little things. Little changes add up to something majorly big. I try to buy more used items, or to donate and give away what we don't want/use anymore to compensate for the new things we buy. We are trying to make more informed choices regarding what we eat. We buy more organic foods, we're eating less dairy, I have vowed to either buy locally raised farm eggs or cage-free organic eggs from the store from now on. We make more of an effort to become more involved in our community, to appreciate the outdoors more. Doing the little things is better than nothing at all. One little thing leads to another, which leads to another, and maybe it inspires someone to make a change in their own life, which leads to MORE changes, and suddenly, one little thing turns into something BIG. Little things can change the world. Even if we're not recycling.

I Am a Moms Meet Ambassador

If you are interested in discussing parenting topics centered around eco-friendly and natural issues, or are wanting to try samples of eco-, natural, and organic products, I encourage you to find a Moms Meet Group near you.  Moms Meet is sponsored by Kiwi Magazine, and is an organization of mommy groups who meet to discuss ways to change our families and planet for the better.  I am a Mom Ambassador for our area, which means I will be creating and leading a Moms Meet group for our local region.  If you are interested in finding, or starting a group, click the link below:

Looking for Organic and Sustainable Food in Your Area?

Here's a nifty website that lets you find sustainable and/or organic food in your area? 
Eat Right Guide

Back to Our Roots

Lately, I have possessed a desire to really know more about what my family is eating, consuming, putting in or on their bodies, where it comes from, and how to incorporate natural medicine into our health care.  My motives are relatively simple.  For example, have you ever taken a really hard, long look at the ingredients, say, in the lotion you use on a daily basis, or that sticky-sweet candy that you're giving your kids?  I know I don't always, and even when I do, I couldn't tell you what the ingredients mean.  Propylene glycol?  What is that?  Is that something I want my children consuming?  Is that something I want inside or on my body?  Food is being recalled every day--why is it being recalled?  What are the quality controls put into place?  How is the food gathered, processed, produced?  Where does it come from?  Or, another example, why is it that I pay hundreds of dollars for the simplest things at a doctor's office--treating a cold, or a sunburn, or an earache, when I never seem to see a doctor for longer than five minutes, and, often, we're back in two weeks because such-and-such antibiotic failed to work--again. 
I am striving to know more.  I want to have more of a say as to what goes into and onto our bodies.  I want to know what these ingredients are.  I'd like to know who makes my food, who has a say in what is "safe for consumption" and what isn't.  I'd like to walk the fields where our produce is grown, or where the cows are fed who provide our meat and our milk.  I'd like to know that I have the knowledge to treat minor health issues with natural or home remedies.  I'd like to buy foods that contain as little additives and chemicals as possible. 
So, I'm pursuing these questions and goals.  I am learning to navigate the natural and organic sections of our supermarkets--buying all natural or organic foods, cleaners, or beauty/bath products when it is feasible (oh, how I am addicted to agave nectar).  We love buying local produce and meats when possible.  I am researching what is in our food, and who says that it is acceptable.  I am discovering that I have the ability to treat certain health issues myself and naturally. 
There's so much to learn, and I'll never be able to live a 100% organic, natural lifestyle.  Some health issues absolutely require medical intervention--many do, in fact.  It's not possible to eat and use 100% natural and organic products all of the time, nor, do I want to (this mother has a mass market frozen pizza planned for dinner tonight because I am feeling lazy).  Sometimes, I need to buy my meat or my fruits and veggies at a traditional store.  There will be more things in my house with ingredients that I don't know than those where I do.  The goal isn't 100%.  The goal is KNOWLEDGE.  The goal is freedom from reliance on mass produced goods and medical treatment when possible.  The goal is having more say as to what we eat, consume, and use.  A goal of getting back to our roots, relying on Mother Nature's wisdom when I am able.

Wordless Wednesday, or, As I Like to Call It, the Bliss of an Early Morning Breeze, Sans Children

Why I am Grateful, #5 and #6: Fall Colors and Yummy Breakfast

I'm grateful for beautiful fall colors, for the fact that I live in an area that is surrounded by green mountains that turn to shades of golds, oranges, and reds that are really only seen in the autumn. Have you ever noticed that? There's just something about the colors of fallen leaves--the colors are so vibrant and are very specific to fall foliage. You can't find those colors in a box of crayons or in a paint can--they are just available to us on tree tops and as a blanket on the ground. Breathtaking.
I'm also grateful today for breakfast. It's my favorite meal, and ironically enough, the meal I usually skip every morning because I'm too busy getting the children fed, dressed, and diapered. This morning, my loving husband made us pancakes, eggs, and maple sausage links, smothered in pecan syrup. Divine. My tummy and I are both very content and very grateful.