Win some Season's Gleanings cards!

For once I was GLAD it was a rainy day. I had a big card order to fill on a short timeline. So I cued up some Pandora tunes, mixed up a big jar of paste, and dreamed of sunny days to come while I worked...

Here's the link to a review about Season's Gleanings, and a chance to win some cards too! Don't delay; offer ends soon!

http://anaustinhomestead.blogspot.com/2011/04/extra-special-giveaway-seasons.html

An Austin Homestead  http://anaustinhomestead.blogspot.com/

is written by a fellow ETSY shop owner, Miranda R Mueller, talented soap maker, http://nudesoap.wordpress.com/  artist, illustrator, www.MirandaRMueller.com and avid gardener, and is a great blog filled with recipes and gardening info.In Miranda's words, her blog is... " a place of documentation for all my 'farm mama' exploits, and is my small attempt at educating and enlightening the public about the joys of living responsibly and in excellent health."

I hope you'll go check her blog, and GOOD LUCK on winning some of my cards!

Soon the days will be filled with creating new designs rather than pasting them.

CAN HARDLY WAIT.

just write, forget the verification

...so, instead of getting tangled up in blues, and hung up on not being able to figure out how to 'verify' my blog, I've decided that I'm wasting precious time, and I'm better off just writing, sharing, and continuing on the path that I've so intentionally chosen. I'm trusting that whoever is supposed to find me, will.

I'm reminded of an 'open space' style conference that I attended some years back. I haven't been to THAT many conferences, but over the years of being obsessed with food security issues, I did go to a few-so I have to admit to feeling skeptical  when at this particular conference the fascilitator described the process of a conference run by it's participants. My cartoon bubble said...CHAOS!..as I politely listened and prepared myself for the ride. I was pleasantly surprised and somewhat shocked to learn that not only was the conference orderly, and satisfyingly efficient, but it ran AHEAD of schedule! A phenomenon I'd never previously experienced at ANY event.

But I digress. One of the things from this conference that has stuck with me this many years later was the posted affirmation: "Whoever is supposed to be here, will be here."

For some reason, that really resonated with me. I'm the sort of person that's a mixture of practicality, diplomacy, reasonability, with a sprinkling of  new age woowoo, and a dash of  I'm not sure, but am open to the possibilities. And that possibility, seemed full of promise. I've always been one to lean towards the school of thought that, to some degree, things tend to work out if you let them.

SO. I'm trying that out. If I wait to figure it all out in an ideal scenario, I could be sol, because there may not even BE computers anymore by THEN! And no one would have been able to benefit from all of my invaluable ramblings about the rhythms of the seasons or have been able to enjoy all of the cool pictures I took to share.

Spring IS finally here, and there's lots happening. Stay tuned for reports on it's progress, photo documentation, and the brewing of new card design ideas!

What's left?

Goodbye to winter! Though the calendar says it's spring,it'll be awhile before I can head out to the garden to pick the ingredients I need for our meals, (especially with this consistently rainy,stubborn cold weather!) So, when the last few squash are on the plate, and the potatoes' sprouts have begun to grow out from beneath the pantry door heading for the garden, it's always surprising to see what I can still rustle up for dinner from our reserves. Though the supply has dwindled , there are still rows of colorful jars filled with summer's bounty,along with plenty of nuts, garlic, a shrinking basketful of still edible onions, and a handful of softening shallots. And then (luckily)there's the modern luxury of the freezer, which holds the memories of sun kissed tomatoes,grill-roasted peppers, many  more meals of shelled beans, sauces of pesto and tomatillos, and berries of every kind for crisps, pies and smoothies to feast upon.

Spring preview.

Upon noticing the date when I'd created the design for this SPRING card, I was chagrined to see that it was not March after all, but April--MID April!

Without a doubt, March has come roaring in like a lioness, wild winds tossing debris through the air, littering our surroundings with twigs, limbs and branches. The next phase after growing some patience is cultivating it, I suppose... But those buds ARE getting fatter, and I know what's in there!

This time of year brings back warm memories of late winter days snuggled on the couch, a child on either side, surrounded by piles of books, the fire crackling merrily in the woodstove of our cozy little yurt as the rain pounded on the roof. A favorite was a book whose name I've forgotten, but I can still freshly recall the illustrations that went along with the promise that 'Spring will come again!', as the little bear families went about their springtime activities; listening to songbirds, observing the first daffodils pushing through the earth,planting seeds,washing windows, splashing in puddles,flying kites... And let's not forget words of wisdom from the adventures of Frog and Toad. I am them these days, peering with expectation around each bend, my head filled with thoughts of faith, hope, and the promise contained in every bud and seed. Time to sow peas.