I Just Got My Poetic License. Loan Me Your Pen!!!

This is What the Voices Want - Everyday Psychic

2012-01-25T19:17:00.003-05:00

"The book must be written!" Say The Voices. They are persistant, chirping in my right ear. I normally refer to them as my Guides. Except ofcourse when they show up unannounced and out of context.

I reply outloud "Really? Right now? Could this not have waited until I'm out of the tub?"

"It is Time." They say matter of factly.

"Great. I'm down with this. But can I get through shaving my legs first?"

Silence.

"I'll take that as permission granted."

This is my life as an Everyday Psychic.

The book, called "Everyday Psychic" is making itself happen, with the insistence of My Guides (Do I need to give them ghost-writing credit? This sentence makes me cackle.)

I am a psychic reader with 17 years professional experience, although not all of those years were spent embracing my skill. In this last year, I've come to an understanding with everything that hearing The Voices and seeing ghosts means, and integrated it into my normal, everyday life. I connect with people all over the world to give them the guidance they seem to so desperately need.

The one thing I need to teach now, is that you all have this skill. It's just a matter of bringing it out. I've discovered along the way how to let it flow naturally, without bells and whistles, and without untouchable mystery. This is what I need to show and share with you.

Because if I don't, they're just going to keep insisting until I do.

Everyday Psychic will include:

How to bring out your own psychic intuition
How to get your own guidance messages (Yes, you can!)
Plotting your own life path & feeling less lost.
Contacting Spirit Guides (And assuring your loved ones that "The Voices" work on the side of Good.)
Dream-Life, and will I ever feel rested again?
Balancing Real Life & Psychic Life.
Tools, Tarot, and Touchable 'Magic'.
Going Public & Marketing (If you should, and WHY It's OK!)
My own wacky everyday story - The Big Floppy that forced me to listen.
Enlightened Swearing.

It IS the time for this project - More and more of us are finding ourselves at spiritual and enlighted crossroads. We are trying to figure out how we fit it into real life, how to avoid the typical New-Age-Cloak-of-Absolute-Silliness, and should we tell our loved ones the about the truth we're discovering about ourselves?

This goal of completing this book and getting it out there is to demystify the word "Psychic" and all the other fancy words that go with it; To help you connect with your own psychic gifts (yes, you have them); And to help you find the guidance and answers you need for your own life, confidently within yourself.

Want More Information about EVERYDAY PSYCHIC? Click Here.

Losing the ohm.

2012-01-24T16:19:00.004-05:00

So, the Universe sets me on this path. Says "Stop the Money grab, do what your soul is here to do."
And, I listen. (More like I was forced to listen, and then decided to go with it. ) So, it's THAT month. Where, there's more month than money, and I have tried to remain calm. I have been optimistic. I have been open and allowed the Universe to bring the money. The end of the month is creeping up on me.

Even though I'm doing my soul's work, money must still come. Life requires it.

I have been considering all manner of insanities to make it come. All of the things are NOT my souls work. I'm feeling confused. Because the last time I didn't do my soul's work and got wrapped up in the money, the Universe had me fall on my ass and sit still for 3 weeks. So does that mean I'm stepping backward if I take a minimum wage job? (You should see how much work it is to dumb down my resume.)

This is hard.

I think today I am stuck.

I hope I feel better tomorrow.

L.

.......You Might Be a Doomer (say it like the Redneck Guy. What's his name again?)

2012-01-22T18:25:00.004-05:00

The Universe points me in the directions I'm supposed to be going. After the drama of last march, I'm afraid to NOT listen. There is a lot of trust going on here, though. To not hit the panic button and change direction is taking an awful lot of will power.

I think however, there's an inner "Doomer" trying to get out. Hehe. What's a "Doomer" you ask?

Yeah, the sky is falling, the end of the world is here, the pioneer days are back, I got left behind during the apocolypse, I'm ready for zombies. Those are extreme examples, I suppose. More scientifically, Doomers worry about food shortages and crisis, oil crisis, money crisis. And, are prepared.

I think there's always been THAT person in me lurking (there are people who've known me a long time who got used to the phrase "When the pioneer days come back." coming out of my mouth. )

Taking the Sustainable Urban Agriculture course, gardening and learning to preserve, learning to sew, and now rabbits? Yes, I really should make peace with this part of me, and not let the doomsday notions take over. I think I've kept it in check pretty well so far.

Oh yes, the Rabbits have arrived! I'm so pleased, they are beautiful. The doe is a Champagne D'argent, and she is so BIG! The buck is only 6 months old, and he's a New Zealand Satin cross. He is SO social! Tomorrow however I'm going to have to get them some litter boxes, and proper food. And once they are settled in for a bit, it'll be time to breed them. (I should probably check the moon on that one.)

I have so much to learn - But this is another one of those things that has just felt RIGHT.

The garden plan is plotted, I have most of my seeds already, I've got a bunch of jars in the basement... What's most pressing is learning everything I can about the rabbits, getting through my second course (Food Processing for Urban Gardens) and finding the money. (Again, the Universe said "this is what you must do" and I say "ok, make it so!)

I'm babbling. I have an assignment to finish.

L.

Angels and Loud Spirits.

2012-01-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

I have been working on this painting for ages. Or, rather, I've been looking at it half finished on the wall at the studio for ages.

The title of the piece is "Gabriel Before Me." And Although I'm pretty happy with the darkness, the light that is supposed to come from Gabriel, and the near transparentcy of the grass and backround, the articulation of the shading on the body of the angel is not THERE yet.

I adore the absolute imperfection of the figure itself - the proportions and curves I adore. I wanted them to be a little 'monsterish'... a little "off" from what we think proper proportions are.

There's part of me that likes it very much the way it is. You're never really supposed to be able to see a whole angel, I wanted the angel to be shady and untouchable in a way. But something feels undone yet, and I don't know what it is...

Today I did quite a few readings in the studio. They have been very good - Today however, someone came through with their name SO loud that I ended up with a headache for a few hours. Although I get names more and more these days, the headache was new. I ended up on the couch sleeping for about 2 hours, curled up against my beloveds warmth, in an attempt to ground or recharge or rest or SOMETHING.

It was very good to get the name of the person my client was asking about - Validations are good. However, he was very intense and LOUD. The headache I could have done without.

I'll be sure to make notes of any dreams I have this evening!

And on that note, it's feeling like bedtime. Despite my intention to make something out of this Saturday night.

Lori.

Babble Babble.

2012-01-13T11:19:00.004-05:00

Today I am home, with a pixie who really did look sick this morning, but now that we are at 11:20am, she seems fine. I'm convinced she just needed a mental health day. She is still however getting garlic in her grilled cheese today. (She also had chicken stock for breakfast, and mint tea, followed up by a fast reiki treatment.)

I'm resisting the urge to crawl back into bed. Or into the tub. There are several domestic busy jobs that could be started/completed. On my list today however, is a pile of tarot readings in my inbox, first and foremost. It's been very busy, more so since my dream that I was asked to step in and take over for a famous psychic - and I accepted, on my own terms.

Since that dream, I've also been having more 'empowering' dreams, where I'm faced with difficult situations but meet them head on and thrive in the role. Mirrored in real life, I've been faced with difficult situations and choices, and although I haven't felt as strong as my dreamself, I think I've pulled through in a manner to be proud of. (all the while acknowleging the urge to hide under blankets and hope it all takes care of itself.)

I'm feeling lighter today, though. And playful, and slightly giddy. (it's because I told the universe that my big girl panties were in the laundry, and to not make me need them before I do the next wash.)

There's still a restructuring going on around me lately, and I"m looking forward to when the pieces fall back into place. This up in the air thing makes me feel a little nervous. It's a strange thing to not have a career path, but instead finding creative ways to maintain a lifestyle. (which is by no means decadent - the whole goal of all these things is to be physically and emotionally available and supportive for the kids.)

I wonder if we'll be able to meet the goal of being in our own place by Fall 2012.

I'm babbling. Thanks for listening.

Lori-Grace

Dear Robert Carlyle.

2012-01-12T21:56:00.004-05:00

Dear Robert Carlyle.

Hi, My name is Lori. Although sometimes I'm referred to as Lore, Lori-Grace, Grace, Gray.

I've noticed you from a far. I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go out some time - a light lunch or coffee, something casual. I figured casual would be good since I haven't asked the internets if you are married yet. Or anything else about you, for that matter. I don't want to come off as stalkerish or anything - you know, thought I'd let YOU tell me all about yourself.

I'm not a crazy fan lady - I just figure a girl has to be proactive about making connections. I'm pretty down to earth, I have a pretty decent sense of humour (it gets me into adventures and out of trouble.) and I'm creative. I make dolls (aherm, soft sculpture.) I paint, and I've even done a bit of acting. So, you know, we'll have something to chat about.

So, if you happen to be making a detour around Ontario, Canada, give me a call. I'll tour you around cottage country, show you all the cool secret places that only the locals know about.

Sincerely,
Lori-Grace.

For those of you just joining me in my silliness, THIS is Robert Carlyle:

(Ok gang, I've had my fun. I think it's time for bed. tee hee.)

Sweater Yeti.

2012-01-12T21:11:00.008-05:00

THIS is the Sweater Yeti.
I had set out to make a "Tooth Beary", but as he came together, he tersely corrected me.
"SWEATER YETI. Say it."

He's tall, and firm. And sort of grumpy.
Ok. He's really grumpy.

And He just happens to have a pocket on his back.
He says it's not for teeth.
"It's for cool, manly man stuff."

I tried to put him with the rest of the stuffies.
He promptly said:
"See that bear back there. Total Candy-Ass."
His words. Not mine.

He then proceeded to make everyone hate him.
So, I had to move him.
I told him I still really REALLY like him.
He told me to "Stuff it."
I said, I already did.
He didn't think my joke was funny.

I moved him over onto the big chair, next to the Homo Sweet Homo pillow.
He was happier there.
But, he told me to tell NO ONE.
Then I told him I was going to make him some pants.
He gave me the finger.
Which is pretty impressive for a stuffed bear
with no fingers.

True Story.

2012 - Everybody Else Is Doing It...

2012-01-01T16:34:00.002-05:00

Oh yes, I have goals for this year. Things I'm striving towards.

*Downsize the contents of our little house. Too much stuffs!
*Continue building my businesses - although they are changing just a little. (I've been spending more time with tarot, and It's becoming the focus for main earnings.)
*Carry on with my Urban Ag courses - I'm thinking I should have my certificate in hand by Spring 2013.
*Help my Sweetheart in whatever way I can with his catering plans after he is finished cooking school. (which is in a few more weeks.)
*Find a way to get us into our own home by autumn. This one is ready for a new family. The pixies need their own rooms. Or a bigger one to share.
*Still planning on doing lots of gardening, for our family's consumption.
*Writing! The short stories are ready to get out. The long fictions need attention.
*Get the littlest pixies teeth fixed. This one really, is the priority on my list.
*Involve the kids with the urban homesteading more - they did a great job last year!

I might be forgetting some things. But, there, there's my list.
L.

I Seemed to have Stirred the Pot ... by wanting to but rabbit in it.

2012-01-01T11:52:00.003-05:00

Every year I inch our family a little teeny bit closer to a lifestyle that, for some, seems completely RADICAL. (and not in the "Radical, dude!" way, either.)

We live frugally, shopping mainly from second hand sources, and happily taking hand me downs for clothing or other needs. Yule/Christmas for my daughters cost me a total for both girls about $40 combined. (they each opened about 10 gifts each, plus stockings.) We barter. We are extremely creative in the kitchen, so that our grocery bill for 5 doesn't go over $300 a month. We garden and preserve food for ourselves. The work that we do is creative and unconventional. That sort of thing.

The Universe has pointed me in this direction for the next Homesteading step.

I posted on Facebook this picture:

And then proceeded to comment, after asked "why so many rabbits?" That I would be raising them for meat.

People get crazy about this sort of thing, don't they? And before YOU get on your soap box, stay CALM, and hear me out.

Yes. They are cute. I find chickens, turkeys, cows, pigs and fish EQUALLY cute. Don't you? They all have the sweetest eyes, and quirky ways. They are all adorable. (As well as bear and deer. Very very cute. Everyone loves Bambi and Baloo.)

If you eat meat, you eat any one of these cute animals. You just don't have to do the 'dirty' work of killing them and preparing the meat. Meat does not magically grow under cellophane on styrofoam. And I'd wager that most meat that is raised commercially, that you purchase at the store, were raised never knowing a kind hand, probably never seeing the sun, and force fed food that isn't natural for them to digest, in order to fatten up the beast faster. So, how is that any less cruel than raising your own animals for food?

When you raise your own animals for food, you get a sense of absolute REVERENCE for the life given that will nourish your family. You give those animals love, sunshine, play, joy. You take care of them one on one, inspecting them for health. Each and ever step is a labour of love and appreciation. You become CONSCIOUS of LIFE.

I completely understand that what this entails is a path that is FAR more difficult that picking up chicken at the Grocery. Maybe that's why people have such a hard time with the idea of it? I've come across some who are very against what I plan to do on our Urban Homestead. There's a few that thinks it's just cruel, and they could never do it. It's more difficult. Raising your own animals for food MAKES you have to deal with the fact that you are ingesting another animal. You can't ignore it this way. Like you can when you crack open ground beef, never thinking about the cow that had sweet brown eyes and a gentle disposition.

My beloved friend, who homesteads on her little farm, raising turkeys, goats, chickens and pigs , as well as an amazing vegetable garden, said this on Facebook:

"If you eat, then something had to die so you could live. Vegetables are conscious too, and resist harvest. So if we don't want anything to die so we can live then we should not come to THIS planet. It's a harsh reality but true. Lori, you are brave, and I love you."

I think my blog essay has turned into a bit of a free flow. I feel like I needed to express what I'm thinking.. It's not just all "ooooh. Meat." I've been on a journey of personal truths the last 10 months, and this is a natural extension of it.

This ties in with my Sustainable Urban Agriculture studies, my spiritual journey, and honouring my honest path this year.

Lori

Pics of Some Studio Stuff!

2011-12-27T18:33:00.008-05:00

A crazy busy season has passed! Next year I start WAY sooner, that's for sure. (Which means I should probably be starting the SPRING AND SUMMER Market stuff NOW. ) But I can't think of that just yet... Here are a few of the things that came out of Little Scotia Studio and Gallery for Christmas/Yule celebrations.

These gloves I made for my daughters. They each got a long sleeved pair, and a short pair, decked out with lace, crocheted flowers, buttons, fun stuff!

I made gift certificate cards for people who came through and wanted to buy Tarot Reading certificates for people on their Christmas list.

These ornaments were store bought, but I was asked to embroider on them. There were 13 of them. It was an honour to be asked to do them :)

There were 5 monkeys like these - all hand made, with felt hearts or ovals, and the names of the recipients on them.

And a jewellery box was commissioned this year!

Elvis Monkey was commissioned - he was a labour of love! You can't quite see his swirly hair in this - And his belt buckle is a painted huge button, with a jewel glued on.

This painting was a commissioned piece that I didn't think I was going to finish in time. It wasn't to be given as a gift, the person who got it was keeping it for themselves, but I really wanted to have it done before Christmas holiday. I had the HARDEST time getting the circle ROUND, but finally figured it out, and after that it finished up VERY quickly. This is a large canvas, with a value of $350.

So, today has been a lazy day. The first day I've really had to get some of the images off the camera that I've been taking all month, and a moment to write a few words about it.

I'll be going into the studio tomorrow, but only from Noon till 1pm. I expect I'll have some cleaning up to do!!!

L.

What is Reiki?

2011-12-21T09:18:00.000-05:00

by Rev. Jason Storm

Reprinted with Permission.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a modern version of an ancient healing art that utilizes the intrinsic ability of one to heal him/herself by activating it with the energy of the Universe. The energy that comes from the source of all consciousness, The Creator, "God", or whatever for you might identify with it. During a Reiki treatment energy is passed from the Practitioner or Master to the person (or animal, or plant, etc.) that wishes to be healed. The energy does not come from the practitioner as the healer is only a vessel for the transfer of energy. A Reiki practitioner has had a special attunement or series of attunements that open his/her energetic system to receive and transmit the flow of energy. The Reiki Master has achieved the highest level of potential openness that a person can receive on the physical plane. A master is also given the ability to pass attunements to others and thereby becomes a vessel for the Divine consciousness at work in our Universe.

Reiki is not and cannot be harmful, it is the substance of life. The healee must have the intent to be healed for the energy to be transmitted. It doesn't matter whether or not they believe that subtle energy such as Reiki exists, they simply must want to be healed. No matter what the dis-ease is, Reiki will bring healing (but it should be noted that the healing may or may not be in the form expected or desired -- Reiki does the work, not our desire.)

When a practitioner accesses Reiki energy is drawn through the crown chakra at the top of the head, flows down to the heart chakra, then out through the hands. As the energy flows into the practitioners body it quickly fills him/her with energy as a kind of battery to buffer the flow into the recipients body and any excess is grounded out through the root chakra at the base of the spine. For some people the direct flow of energy from the universe may be a little much for them to handle all at once. The Reiki practitioner has been opened gradually so that their energy body can safely accept, maintain, and transmit the energy where it is needed. So whenever energy is given, the practitioner is also healed.

In Reiki there are three attunements, one for each level of healing. First Degree Reiki opens and clears the physical body to the Reiki circuit. The crown, third-eye, heart, and palm chakras are opened and the spinal vessel is cleared to allow a consistent, constant flow of energy to be initiated and maintained. There is commonly a period of clearing or cleansing in which the physical body begins to release the toxins built up within, and this is quite normal, it happens to us all. Some of the physical manifestations of this clearing can include diarrhea, runny nose, sweating, increased urination, nervousness, loss of apetite, and mild mood swings. The symptoms are only temporary and will pass within a couple of weeks.

Second Degree Reiki is a deepening and squaring of the energy of the First Degree, and three special symbols are tuaght to amplify and more specifically direct the flow and type of energy transmitted. At this level, distance healing and healing of situations is taught and mastered. There is also a clearing period at this level, but this deals with emotional/mental toxins. Many people report finding themselves re-addressing old unresolved issues, some find their belief structure being refined and in some cases even redeveloped. Again, this is temporary and will pass within two-three weeks.

The Master Level of Reiki involves one or two attunements and intensive training. The energy level is again doubled and squared, all of the chakras are aligned, and the Master symbol is transmitted to the new Master. How to give an attunement at all three levels is taught and must be mastered, the structure of energy, the energetic body, the aura, and the levels of being are taught and must be mastered. The clearing at this level is frequently fully experienced during the attunement itself. Many students report out of body experiences, visions, flashes of memory from previous incarnations, premonitions, prohpecy, etc, the experience is almost always mystical and ecstatic. Tears are very common.

Today only - No shipping, No Tax, through Sears!

2011-12-15T16:43:00.003-05:00

So, if there was something you were looking at from Sears.ca Today is an awesome day to get it!

Free shipping (I think when you use a credit card to confirm your order.) AND use promo code 941612532 and they'll also deduct 16% off your order.

Go browse!

Sears.ca

Dear Universe part deux

2011-12-11T13:28:00.004-05:00

Oh, Hey Universe. I was thinking we'd like some of this too! Puttin' it out there!

Dear Universe.

2011-12-10T12:33:00.005-05:00

The voices said "Write the Books." And so, I've been plugging away at them. I'm convinced this will deliver the abundance. I'm pretty good at manfesting exactly what we need...so, until the books bring big residual cheques, we will have:

*Groceries for the rest of the month, and into the next would be lovely. Universe, please deliver $300.

*Yule is coming, and although I've made or bartered for my art some gifties for the pixies, A few extra bucks for chocolates and little things for stockings would be awesome. Universe, please deliver an additional $30.

*I walk nearly everywhere. Some warm snowpants for myself would be helpful this month. Universe, please deliver an additional $100.

*All the monthly bills are coming due. Rents, power, phone, bills. Universe, please deliver and additional $2500. Lets do this one monthly, shall we?

*Littlest pixie needs dental work. LOTS of dental work. Her front 4 teeth have all come in absolutely WRONG. Oh, and there is that thing about my 9 year old nearly being ready to have her wisdom teeth taken out. Universe, please deliver and additional $5000.

*Our family is too big for this house (which is a rental.) This house has done it's duty, and we've made a deal that our time is up in Autumn of 2012. Universe, please deliver an additional $150,000 before that time.

So, $2930 in the next, say, week would be awesome.
And $2500 each month there after.
And, and additional $5000 sometime before spring.
Aaaaand and additional $150,000 well before Autumn.

Great! That's awesome! Fantastic working with you!
I'm looking forward and am excited!

A Butcher, A Baker, A Candlestick Maker. (or, an inventory of being.)

2011-12-08T19:21:00.002-05:00

Resume.

I'm a writer,

An artist in many mediums (paint, art dolls, sewing, jewellery making, upcycling stuff to new treasures.),

An actress (theatre and small independent films.),

A business owner (wearing all the hats!),

A weight loss consultant,

A psychic reader (everyone raises an eyebrow at that one!),

An Online Marketing Coach,

An Urban Farmer,

An online marketer,

so many things!

I have in the past been an Office Administrator, A Customer Service Rep (in person and on phone!), A chocolate shop manager, an ebay auctioneer, an artist model (live classes.), a fry flipper, a tarot teacher, a teachers aide, a baker, a newspaper columnist, a coffee barista, a cocktail waitress, A gift shop clerk, A giggling greasy spoon waitress.

What's coming? A paperback novel, pole dancing classes, belly dancing practice, home ownership, a business manager, ... ADVENTURE!

LIFE IS GOOD!

It's not always easy, but it's always good. ;)

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

2011-12-06T18:21:00.002-05:00

Venting. Feeling stuck in a corner, and my usual sense of optimism is cowering in a corner up there somewhere, giving some crabby ass bully free reign.

So far, all goes as planned. (with a few minor allowances for my own personal sanity.) I have my studio, I'm doing shows, getting readings, getting commissions. I'm doing my course online, getting some writing in and it's showing promise. I'm getting social time in, I'm getting alone time in, there's balance. Kids and Boyfriend are doing well in school.

I'm feeling a teeter totter balance that is about to go ass over tea kettle however. The stasis that has been is a precarious balancing act, and I'm not sure I'm going to make it all the way over to the other end of this wire. Because things are changing.

The Law of Attraction says we must not say "need", because then it makes you NEED what you are telling it you NEED. I DO appreciate all the little magics that we've captured the last 7 months. And the crux is this.

Financially, We can maintain this way in this little wee house, where the kids have no room to play, there's no room for privacy, where we are all crammed in this small space. But it's becoming stressful. It's becoming urgent.

The house is pushing me out. It's been at it for some time. And I've done my best to allow a new place to come to us. The reality is that in order to make that happen, We'll have to trade our time for money. Give up the artists life. Give up life as we know it.

I'm not saying this was never going to happen. I just always assumed it could happen after the kids were grown up. I like being the one to pick them up and drop them off, and be here. Now it seems the kids need more room, and I can't provide it without becoming absent, full time somewhere else.

So, the bully that's been storming around in my temples all day is pointing fingers and saying I'll have to give it all up, sell my soul and all the lessons I've learned and everything I hold important for the pursuit of the dollar, in order to provide more space for all of us.

And the little whimpering Optimism is doing this whiney-crying thing, curled up into itself, while protesting weakly "No."

Is this just today? Is this just because I'm tired? Because I'm feeling cornered? Because I'm unfocused? Where did this come from?

In this moment, I'm feeling powerless to change this thing, without permanently fixing myself to a punch clock and kissing all the magics so far goodbye.

Venting.

CRAFT SHOW PICS! Woot!

2011-11-30T15:35:00.005-05:00

All packed and ready to go. This show didn't require the lugging of my heavy tables - although I did take some pretty heavy Watkins stuff!some of my handmade bags! As you can see, I had a table in front of a windowsill, which was excellent, because I needed the extra space for all of the sock monkeys!

A hand finished upcycled jewellery box sits with froggy and foxy fox.
the sun didn't stay out long - this pic was taken around 3pm...

My craft shows are done for now, and I'm back into the studio, with all the commissions that came from the shows. For the next week I imagine I'm going to be VERY busy finishing them up! And then, to get through the list of things I want to make for my own kids for Yule!

The one thing I cannot get in town I'm going to be ordering from Sears.ca as they've got some good deals on, some free shipping, and the clearance items to browse through. We don't buy much new retail stuff for Christmas, and this year is going to be all about the food anyway!

Gotta fly! I imagine I'll be here more after the big rushes are over! With lots of crafty pics.

Lori
www.LittleScotia.com

MDWBA Dinner

2011-11-16T22:04:00.001-05:00

I am JUST home from a dinner I went to with my good friend Rebecca Searles (from Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Midland) It was for the MDWBA (Midland & District Women's Business Association.) I've been wanting to get involved with the MDWBA for ages, but have felt hesitant and shy. (yes. Me. I'm shy sometimes.)

Rebecca is a member and invited me to come to the dinner as her guest. She suggested I bring some business info to hand out to the ladies tables, and also mentioned that there was an auction table that I could donate something to. She was bringing some of her travel specials offered by Carlson Wagonlit Travel Midland.

I wanted to bring a gift certificate, and wanted it to be something that would bring ladies into my art studio. (I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but I have a cozy studio space downtown that I create my art in and invite clients to for readings.) I had considered bringing a sock monkey or dolls, but I ended up making a gift certificate - in much the same manner as I've made scrap book type greeting cards. Glitter pens, fancy papers, a ribbon, some star stickers, and a business card attached. I should have taken a pic of it, but I'll do that when it comes back in.

When Rebecca and I arrived at the MDWBA dinner, with trepidation did I hand over the One Tarot Reading Certificate. I half expected I'd be taking it home with me. This was a room full of business women after all! Bankers and business owners and lawyers and number counters!

It was nice to see some familiar faces that I felt comfortable talking to, and Rebecca did a wonderful job of introducing me around before the dinner started.

Then, it happened. We sat at the second table, and they passed around a Mic for everyone to introduce themselves. I figured being a guest, that I was getting out of this one.

Nope.

so, with echo-ey mic in hand, I intro myself as a lady who make dolls. Heirloom, playable and displayable. Then I made a joke that I had better just say it, because I brought a gift certificate for it, and that I'm a psychic tarot reader.

That's when things got interesting! Suddenly, I felt like the Belle of the Ball. I have a hard time approaching people "cold"... but after I let the cat out of the bag (not being sure how it would be taken) I had lots of ladies come up to me to meet me - which made it WAY easier to make connections at the MDWBA ladies!

I was so pleasantly surprized. This town is a small one, and I figured that If I had a cold reception after letting people know what I do when I'm NOT making dolls, then I just wouldn't be a part of their group. But, Rebecca and I ended up closing the place down!

I made connections with people who were INTERESTED in connecting with me and my skill. And because I was so busy talking with ladies who were interested in talking to me, I missed the opportunity to approach some business ladies that I was hoping to introduce myself to. (some ladies in the community who are artists, etc.)

And, I think my hand crafted gift certificate went for face value in the auction.

Validation. On so many levels.

Thanks MDWBA. You've just gained a new member.

Lori-Grace

Sock Monkeys in Midland Ontario

2011-11-04T13:22:00.006-04:00

Where to find Sock Monkeys in Midland Ontario? They seem to be a very HOT gift this season. Going through the flyers and advertisements, I saw sock monkeys in the Minds Alive flyer, and I know that the Little Monkey's Tree House downtown Midland has them.

And who else downtown Midland has them? Little Scotia, that's who. The Little Scotia sock monkeys are hand made right in Midland - not manufactured in china and shipped here. More of the dollars spent stay in Midland!

The Little Scotia Sock Monkeys are one of a kind personalities - not mass produced. They also cost the same amount or less than the monkeys made in China.

So, if you are looking for Sock Monkeys in Midland Ontario this holiday season for a one of a kind gift, that you can purchase downtown Midland, come and see what Little Scotia has to offer first!

Click Here for Little Scotia's Website

Universe. I'm Listening.

2011-11-02T22:05:00.003-04:00

I feel so empowered. I'm not sure why.
Maybe I thrive in the face of diversity.
Maybe I shouldn't be telling the Universe that so much, though.

I thrive, because I know abundance is coming this month!
There, fixed.

This month is busy -with projects due for school, 5 (and possibly 6) days of craft shows to do, my ViSalus business going full steam, Tarot readings... I'm feeling like I have to book family time in. (This busy month, and part of the next, will all settle down in January and February...)

But, I'm super pumped. So much so, that I figure I could take on NaNoWriMo. Yeah, I've sat on this BOOK thing for SO long. I'm writing a little bit in the evening, and a little when picking up the kids from school. (seriously, taking a notebook with me while I wait, I scribble.) It should be interesting.

I think I feel so good, because my partner is so amazing. Really, he handles things. Very well. I'm so glad he is exactly who he is. He keeps me level.

I had a whole wack of things I was going to write about. But now all I can think of is going to bed...

L.

Holiday Open House Craft Shows in Midland Ontario

2011-11-02T21:56:00.003-04:00

Listed below are some Holiday Open House Shows in Midland Ontario for November 2011.

Saturday, November 12, 2011:
Little Scotia Studio Gallery
540 Elizabeth St, Back Door
10am to 5pm
Take a sneak peek before all the big shows!

Tuesday, November 15thm 2011:
Quota International of Huronia
Holiday Open House
North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre
2pm to 9pm
I will have Watkins items as well as Little Scotia dolls, toys, jewellery etc.
Also in attendance will be Alouette Cosmetics, Epicure Selections Spices, Partylite Candles, The Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Silpada Silver Jewellery, Usborne Books And Wildfire Jewels.

Thursday, November 24th, 2011
Friday, November 25th, 2011
Saturday, November 26th, 2011
Sainte Marie Among The Hurons
First Light
5pm to 9pm each day
This is an incredible experience for the family, with over 3,000 candles lit and family activities through the night!

Put it in your datebook, and see you at the Holiday Open House Craft Shows in Midland Ontario!

Food foodfoodfoodfood....

2011-10-24T14:55:00.002-04:00

Today I feel particularly abundant. I spent all day in the kitchen. (ok, all day after about 10am-ish.)

I'm used to baking FAST - one recipe is ready as the next is coming out. So, today I had a few goals - snacks for the kids for school, and getting some of the garden and farmers market produce dealt with.

Made little zucchini bread and banana bread, a whole pile of oatmeal raisin cookies, and some bran and chocolate chip muffins. (just enough chocolate chips to get them to eat the whole muffin! lol.) I froze a bunch of them, and I'm hoping it'll get me through at least 2 weeks of lunch snacks (I'm erring on the side of "Teenager Appetite.")

The few sweet potatoes and beets left have just come out of the oven (sweet potato buscuits are in my future, and the beets are going to end up for dinner.) But there are about 15 little tomatoes, 2 big zucchinis, 3 acorn squash, a bag of dirty dirty potatoes, some shrivelling peppers and an enormous amount of carrots that need my attention. Not to mention what ever might be out in the garden left out in the cold... (a few eggplant, MORE chard, renegade tomatoes, and ofcourse BEANS!)

Right. After. This. Tea.

My brain is full of FOOD. Filling up the freezer, making casseroles, filling the crock pot. Is it just the time of year? Harvest and getting ready for winter? Am a channelling squirrels?

I'm pleased with how tired my legs are from standing all day in the kitchen. (again, 'all day' translates into about 4 hours.)

What else is new?

*I'm playing with my own radio station - for my tarot. How much fun is that??
*I got accepted into the First Light Craft Show - this is a big deal for me! I'll be
sewing dollies like mad for the next month.
*The Urban Agriculture course is AWESOME. It makes me so HAPPY!
*This week, my business partners Tara and Ed are getting their BMW (27th) This means I'll be skipping Stitch n Bitch this week. (Ladies, bring your stitching to the car dealership! lol.)
*My own Vi business is picking up momentum, fast! I love check delivery Mondays!
*Oh, and I think I'm not even going to attempt NaNoWriMo this year. So sad.

I think that is all of the updates... I think.
Oh, I did have a big rant about abundance... but I think I'll save it for another blog.

Lori :)

Publishing my own Kids Books...

2011-10-17T16:25:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking about What to do for the pixie for FESTIVUS! Every year is getting more and more of a challenge. Because we don't purchase a tonne of retail things, (generally one new thing each.) it's something we must THINK about.

I never wanted Christmas/Yule to be about the money grab. And so, we must think.

And, I've been thinking, that I might publish a book for each of the girls. Complete with my own illustrations/paintings. Now, the hardest part is to probably sit and think about WHAT the story will be for each of them. THIS is going to be the fun part.

And, I think it's a better alternative than putting a new guinea pig in a box with holes under the tree at the in-laws/loves house on Christmas morning.

This will require me to really have a GOOD THINK about who they are, what they like, and how to interpret it in book form.

Because what do you give to 2 little girls who have one of everything? (We clearly don't need another Polly Pocket or Barbie in this house.)

So, any ideas on how I should approach this??

Lori

At Kings Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene

2011-10-16T08:59:00.004-04:00

SO rainy and windy the last few days, it's a bit like living in a Stephen King novel.. you know, just BEFORE the monsters come out.

I went out with 2 girlfriends to a show at King Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene. "Abba Mania" with some performers doing Bee Gee's (oh yes, all of them full dress, tribute bands.) There was a peculiar man doing spot-on voice impersonations of TOO many famous people to recall, even. It was silly fun, and it was really nice to have a night out.

One of the Abba Mania performers is from Midland/Penetanguishene (Monica Teitz) and when I did a little research, it seems that she does quite a bit of work in things like this - other tribute bands, (I'm guessing with the same entertainment company. Nice gig!)

So, the ladies had choreography down for each song, and I found it SO distracting, in a giggly way. Can you imagine that being your job, for years and years and years - knowing those routines and steps and lyrics by instinct?

I forgot my camera. Which is too bad, because the Bee Gee performers were all yummy. (*giggle-snort*) but I don't want to know what they have to do to hit those notes. (What happens at Kings Wharf Theatre STAYS at Kings Wharf Theatre?? lol.)

Yesterday I had a tarot house party. This group of ladies always make me feel so welcome and comfortable. They invited me last year around this time, too. It made me remember why I love doing house parties, especially when the people attending know each other well enough to sit in on each others readings. The time flew by, and somehow I stayed on 'schedule' (half hour for each querent.) Without having to watch the time or set the alarm on my phone.

Today is going to be relaxed and stress free. I love Sundays.

L.

Whaddaya Mean it Ain't Friday Yet?

2011-10-13T15:53:00.002-04:00

Because it sure feels like it.

Although the date book has been kept full, with all the things I insist on juggling. DO ALL THE THINGS!!!

*Got an assignment due for the Sustainable Agriculture course next Sunday - but it's quite involved, and I should probably have started it already.

*Got to do some laundry for the pixies.

*Got appointments this weekend for my ViSalus Business

*Got a tarot party on Saturday

*Got to figure out something for dinner tonight.

*Gotta have something awesome to wear to an Abba Tribute concert on Friday (OMG that's tomorrow...snap.)

*Gotta sew lots of babies for the upcoming shows!

Life is Good. All I want to do right now is get in the tub, though. I might just indulge. And hope that the laundry doesn't interfere.

If you are interested in info on how you can get some cheques like this, see: http://incanada.myvi.net

U.S, Canada and Jamaica!

Zumba My Ass... Please.

2011-10-03T20:43:00.002-04:00

Went to Zumba for the first time ever this evening, with a girlfriend who was SO cool about me tagging along.

I only felt uncoordinated about 30% of the time - 20% I made up as I went - and the rest I think I followed along OK. (or was that just in my mind?) However, most of the other ladies there were just about as uncoordinated as I was, so I didn't feel bad.

An hour long - that's it. I've danced longer and harder on a Saturday night in street clothes and a drink in my hand. However, this was FUN.

No posterizing, no scrutiny, no jerks to spill drinks on you or try to take you home during the last dance. (although, if I give it time, I might pick SOMEBODY up. ahhahahaha.)

There were about 100 women there tonight - and at $6 a head, it makes me wonder what she's paying for use of the room - because GIRL, that is not a bad wage for an hours work. And she had a small class before us, which I assume was probably also about the same and an hour long. Makes me want to shake my money maker on the stage under the lights to loud music. (again, back to Saturday nights, circa 1997ish.)

(Why does it always come down to the "business" with me? Ah well, can't deny who I am...)

My ass is AWARE. My thighs are AWARE. My waist WANTS to be aware, but mostly right now it wants me to put water and possibly boiled-eggish in there.

I have now said Aware too many times and am not sure I'm using it correctly. Pulling out the Poetic License on this one.

It was fun. I might jump around in front of my computer monitor this week to try to get some of those hoochie-machoohcie moves down for next time. (again, just like Saturday nights.)

Lori.

Love Love Love.

2011-10-03T13:24:00.005-04:00

So, I'm taking a course for the Sustainable Urban Agriculture certificate. And I have time to sit and think today. I'm going over in my head, my goals, my dreams, the things I am creating.

A sustainable and permanently affordable home. Green (although not necessarily in the COLOUR green - hehe.)

I want gardens - to grow lots and lots of our own foods. Ideally, I'd love to take part in a co-op, and help others' use THEIR land for growing food, too! Teach and train others to discover the joy and pride in taking control of what they eat, how it's grown, and their own nutrition.

A little place for us to process food for ourselves and others.

Helping my kids reach for their dreams!

Which hopefully won't involve skydiving, but if THAT'S what they want to do, I'll be there cheering them on! (and making uncomfortable whining noises in the back of my throat.)

Lori.

Whatcha Doin?

2011-10-03T12:02:00.002-04:00

Today, I'm home. The littlest pixie got sick in the night, so I got to stay home in jammies! Today was a first day to be 'open' in the studio - but, that's what working for yourself is for - to be able to be home for sick pixies.

So, what am I doin'? I'm surfing, answering business questions, listening to Mulan (the sick pixie chose it, because I love it. lol.) , and putting off the dishes.

I forgot that today was commission day! All the notifications have arrived for my work from home commissions. Life is Good.

Without my crafts here, I'm going to be forced to clean. Sigh.

Ah well, Happy Monday!

Classic Hollywood Figure

2011-09-27T15:57:00.003-04:00

It is a dark and gloomy afternoon. I did a tarot reading this morning in the studio, worked on some wands, wished I had my large canvasses, put some faces on some soft dolls. I packed it in early (12:30ish) as it looked like rain, and I had no umbrella with me. I am going to have to remember one tomorrow.

I'm so happy in my new space. It is an amazing space for readings, I'm discovering. Plus, it really is perfect for the creative me!

When I got home today, though, I poked around online, got a strange message in a strange moment from a friend, and then gave up and crawled into bed, setting the alarm so I wouldn't be late for school collection. I haven't had a day like this in a while, and I'm wondering why I feel so sensitive - but I had to honour it anyway. When tears sneak up on a body like that, you just have to let them come.

And then, they are out.

I can't wait to get back into my regular clothing. I'm down 7 pounds total (in the 2 weeks) and 3" off my waist, and 1" off my hips (I'm sort of surprised by that one.) I"m afraid to measure my bust - mainly because ideally I'd like to NOT lose any of THAT. hahaha. I had a dream when I started this, that a woman told me I had a "Classic Hollywood Figure." I was hiding it under a big sheet, draped to pretend it was a dress. She handed me white corsettes to try on, insisting I should stop hiding...

I haven't been exercising - do you think doing crunches or sit ups would actually help with the waistline? It's odd, because i'm currently at my 'ideal' weight, but my waist is still a 34, and for my size, I'm normally a 29 or 30. what up with the extra inches at the right weight?

Yeah. I'm still not measuring my bust.

L.

E.L.F. Mineral Makeup 25% off Coupon

2011-09-25T09:01:00.002-04:00

Hey Gang, I just ran across this deal from E.L.F. makeup. (yeah, not make up for elves, but if that helps, then ..Ok!) Eyes Lips Face, silly.

I checked out their prices, and they are nearly half price before the discount, from the mineral makeup I can find here in town.
Foundation for $5,
eye shadows and eyeliners for $3, an eyeshadow set (including brushes and eyeliner) for $12,
Lip tint and gloss for $3 and lipstick for $5.

And they are 100% natural - no parabens etc etc. So, here's a link for the coupon:

All Mineral makeup 25% Off! Use Coupon Code EGMINERALC With Any Order Of $25.

Shipping to Canada is $14.95, however there is also a free shipping coupon on the go (not sure if it's valid in Canada) If you are reading this and you're from the states, shipping is only $6.95 for you. (Free shipping code is SHIP25)

Happy shopping! If any of my local friends want to go in on a purchase with me, let me know!

Lori.

Little Scotia Studio Gallery OPEN HOUSE!

2011-09-22T10:35:00.006-04:00

Little Scotia's Studio Gallery is almost ready for our Grand Opening! I've very excited about this thing! The space is in an old house, that in the 70's was owned by a man who himself was an artist, and his family members too! I met the daughter this week, who was on a 'pilgrimage' going around to all the places she remembers. Her family used to also own one of the big old hotels in town.

All the shelves are filled with material and dolls and soon jewellery boxes. I've been working like mad to finish all those little projects I started for Friday, Sept 30th - which is the day of my first Open House.

I'll be open for guests from 9:30am to 2pm and then again from 5pm to 8pm. (There's more info at the Facebook Fan Page - Click Here.) I'll be doing a door prize gift certificate (so the winner can choose what they like.) and there will be some munchies. Come on out and meet some people, and chat with me!

It's been so much fun being down there during the day - uninterrupted creativity. I spend the day sewing, painting, sanding, dancing and talking to dolls. Good times.

Here are a few more pictures of what's happening so far:

This corner is now FILLED with stuff!

This is the table I sew on.. and stack stuff on... and under.

Some Monkeys and Dolls trying to stay out of my way! Ready for Adoption!

Stacks of material on the old kitchen cupboards. I was so excited that 8 bins of fabric FIT when folded nicely.

So, if you can come on out, I'd love to see you! It's a smallish sized space, and that's why I've divided up the day, too, so that you can wander in and not be smooshed in like sardines. hehehe. It's COZY.

Eleven Days Out To SEE.

2011-09-21T20:06:00.004-04:00

So, I've been doing this Body by Vi 90 day challenge for the last 11 days. What have I seen so far? Here's the skinny: (haha, see what I did there?)

*4 days ago I stepped on a scale (that was after being in for 7 days.) I had lost 5 pounds in my first 7 days, and 2" off my waist. Ooooh yeahhh..

*I have four ladies who have joined the challenge with me, 2 ladies who are just about ready, and 10 more people who are terribly interested but for some reason want to think about it. This is just with Facebook and talking to people in my day to day life.

*I have met some WONDERFULLY positive and supportive people! I'm really impressed how the focus of this has been on health, taking care of yourself, finding the fit for the individual, and educating oneself. I'm usually quite the loner - this group has been so easy to make connections with.

*I'm already feeling positive enough to do parties on my own - the system is pretty automated, they give you a DVD to play, and our upline is happy to come to help and answer party questions either in person or over skype if they can't be there.

*I've made money already. I've almost made the cost of my kit back. I can't believe how easy this is, it's a little mind boggling.

So, so far, that's what's happening with me and this BodyByVi challenge. I thanked my girlfriend the other day for showing me this - Since it launched in Canada last week, it's spreading like wildfire.

So, what would your 90 day challenge be? Get toned? Lose weight? Consume healthier? I'm happy to help, let's do this together!

bodybyvi, Body by vi, In Canada, 90 day challenge, Midland Ontario, Hunts Fitness, Fast weight loss, work from home

What is the Opposite of "Abundance"???

2011-09-10T11:30:00.004-04:00

What I am not interested in is being HUNGRY all the time.

Today is the first day of my weight loss challenge. (Do you know how weird that is for me to say?)
This morning when my sweetheart picked up some of the information that came in my weight loss challenge kit, the first thing I said was. "oh, you're looking at my stuff..." and then "I'm embarrassed."

I had to stop and think about that for a bit. What is it that's embarrassing me?

Well, I'm used to NOT struggling with my weight. But, I haven't been as physically active in the last 7 months, and I DO love treats and heavy dinners the same as when I WAS active. So, having to admit I need some help feels a little embarrassing.

I think also because I'm not used to focusing on myself physically, this seems a little awkward. I'm used to pursuits of the MIND and pursuits of the HEART. It's taking me a little while to process the "your body is a temple." thing. If my body isn't functioning up to par, I won't be mentally alert enough for all of my "mind" pursuits.

So...

Back to the hungry thing.

This morning is the first day of my weight loss challenge. I have the details posted HERE. (in terms of my measurements , goals, and how I'm doing, etc.) I made an "orange cremesicle" shake for breakfast (because that's what I had in the house - although there's a coffee latte shake you can do, too, as well as a tonne of other shakes you can have - I just don't have the fruit in my house!) and I'm NOT hungry YET (It's 11:30 - almost lunch.) I can have snacks and stuff, but I have still to really read through the papers that came with my kit.

So far, though, no hunger pangs. This is good. Because I don't do well with ... what's the opposite of "indulgence." ?? or "abundance"???

Lori.

P.S. If you want to do this along with me, get the details HERE.

Ker-Spam!

2011-09-09T03:44:00.004-04:00

I've been feeling like spam-er-saurus the last 24 hours. Ever feel so excited about something you don't know when it's time to STOP talking about it for a minute? Yeah, that's me.

It's so crazy, that I woke at 2:30... and got out of bed around 3am... It's now 3:45am, and I don't see sleep coming anytime soon.

You may (or may not) know that I am in business and marketing. Been with a solid company for over 2 years, and have built it up quite nicely. I have a reputation for being able to sponsor! A close girlfriend came to me with HER biz opp. This happens quite a bit to me. I asked her about her comp plan, and she showed me. Showed me her back office (and her $1200 earnings for 6 days of work!) and I tried the product.

My current company is a compressed comp plan. You can go as far wide on your first level as you want, but only paid on 4 deep. This has it's advantages.

Her comp plan is a different plan completely. You get 3 on your first line, that's it. then, Your 3 get 3, and so on. Eventually you are placing people with the people you've sponsored. And the people above you are placing people with you. So everyone wins.
You get paid down 8 levels (which equals 6561 people in your plan if it's FULL. Your upline has to fill in your spots eventually.

Her upline is a local business couple who own a Fitness Club downtown. Knowing who her upline was, and seeing how fast she was putting this to work, I wanted to be as close to them as possible. I think they both wanted me on their team, too, knowing that I know how to sponsor.

Between the three of us, we'll be filling up that matrix pretty fast. I've been in this for less than 2 days, and I've already had lots of inquiries - I have some pretty fantastic internet marketing in place - I'm hoping my friends who are interested will get on it with me fast, so I can help them build their earnings, too!

Anyway, you can see my head is full. I've only got 2 more spots left on my FIRST line, and after that, I'll be filling up THEIR teams. With my other business, I filled it to over 40 people in a matter of 3 months - If I had done this with THIS company, my front line and I would have been earning BMW's in those first 3 months.

Ok... SEE. I feel like spammy spammer, but It's pretty exciting when someone who's been involved in this sees something SPECIAL in something new... Usually I'm pretty jaded.

Ok. Click here to Go Look. I'm going to try to go back to bed!

Lori

All the Moves Like Jagger

2011-08-30T15:54:00.004-04:00

ooooh, We Live Excitement :)

It's all coming so soooon! Studio! University Agriculture Course! My Tarot course going live! SQUEE!

This week at market, we are having baking and Watkins on our table - a few special dolls will be on the table, but for the most part we are focusing on food till Thanksgiving weekend.

We'll have - Biscotti, in 8 different flavours
Breads: Banana, Zucchini, Green Tomato bread, and possibly carrot cake.
Oatmeal Cookies!
AND
WHOLE WHEAT BEER BREAD MIX. oh yes. You know you wanna....

Oh, I'm also going to have my display in the local Kelseys for the month of September - I need to put that together so that I can set it up quickly!

The only bummer - kids are back in school soon. I'll miss them. We've had a good summer, though. It's really nice to be with them all day. Even if we did spend a good many days in jammies, with toys all over the floor.

Well... I guess I had better start thinking about dinner... and possibly getting dressed...

L.

Vicariously Through the Belly Dancer, Miss Rio

2011-08-25T06:53:00.004-04:00

I try to make her eyes
through the pictures
of all the sunsets she rides off into
Tell me how she keeps
her face free of blemishes
While on the road with a
troupe of gypsy's
Tell me how she keeps her tummy
so flat and smooth
When getting only 3 hours of sleep and
Eating chocolate cake for breakfast.
And how she trained those
Eight feet Snakes
to behave while she dances.

***

A friend of mine, who stitched and bitched with us once, posts
pics of Facebook of her on-the-road adventures. It makes me
poetic in the morning.

Kijiji, I Wuv You.

2011-08-22T16:38:00.003-04:00

I just listed a pile of stuff from my house - it's a bit amazing to me how much stuff we have, that's just sitting around, virtually brand new. My teenager when through his closet, and there were 8 pairs of brand new jeans in there, that he's grown out of and never worn.

Oh, they SO went on Kijiji this afternoon. Along with a pile of DVD's, and an armful of crafty books.

The De-Stash has begun. And the De-Stash feels good.

Is there a secret to cutting fat quarters for quilting? I think I'll have to get Google on the case, because that's my next mission. I have a better selection than Walmart currently, and there will be a sale at my new Studio, shortly after I get in there.

I'm very excited.

I've always loved the look of cutsie pie aprons. I always think "I could make that" and then I DON'T. Check this little number out from Flirty Aprons.com. They are on sale, too!

Go check out their pretties!

We are having garden wraps this evening. We have 2 handfuls of the little heirloom peppers, some green beans, some red tomatoes, and we're going to steam up some rice, see what else there is to toss into the wrap, and call it dinner.

Life is Good!

Lazy Sunday

2011-08-21T11:41:00.004-04:00

I totally skipped Market today - my pillow had a grip on my head and wouldn't let go. The blankets were in on it, I'm sure, pinning me down. The mattress was absolutely magnetic.

So, I stayed in.

And already, it's almost noon! Dark days for relaxing! Woot.

I ended up surfing the Sears Warehouse sales. At some point, there is going to be a proper bed in our lives! It will most likely come from Sears Warehouse... hehehe.

Warehouse Sale now on at Sears.ca - Millions in Markdowns and even more items added!

Pixies should be home soon!

Free Stuff For the WIN!

2011-08-17T18:58:00.003-04:00

I use Vista Print for every-little-thing. My business cards (which also double as doll tags), I have postcards that I give away on my table at market as freebies (with my links on them.) I've gotten free hats, free T shirts, free pens... Oh, my LAWN sign was a freebie from Vista Print, too.

For the longest time, I was ordering from the US site... not realizing that there was a Canadian site at all. The Canadian site has a deal right now, Save up to 90% + GET FREE SHIPPING which I'm thankful for - I'll need some new stuff with the new Studio address on them - and I'm thinking I'll want some cards to give away for the first open house.

The garden is producing! We picked a whole 5 little sweet peppers (an heirloom plant - the peppers are sweet, but long and thin.) and yesterday I blanched and froze all the beans that came off the little pixies monster bean plant. We also blanched and froze all the swiss chard I felt we could pick and still keep the plants alive. They reduce down so much! But, they'll keep producing, so I know there'll be more.

Tomorrow I'm aiming at making some green tomato chow.

I've finished reading "The 4 Hour Work Week." I think I need to own a copy of this book. Inspiring and opened my eyes to so much.

So, that's what's new. Today, I napped, after a trip downtown where I ran into a friend I haven't seen in a year! The elder pixie got her retainer adjusted, and we totally ended up skipping the library today, in exchange for a visit on the church lawn.

Life is Good!

Stickers! Now, go make dinner.

2011-08-15T16:44:00.004-04:00

Everynow and again I get lost in the internets in a REALLY cool direction. This was a super fun find, on so many levels.

I'm thinking logo stickers for packaging, or to varnish right on some of my pieces. There's also BERNARDIN canning labels on this site. Can you imagine getting a jar labelled "Mama's Rock N' Roll Chutney" or "Hands of My Cherry Jelly."

I could go on.

Ok, I've got to make dinner. Go peek. It's all drag and drop, and you can drag your own logo into it, and they die cut them too! For small business, this could be a LOT of fun.

oooh, you could make stickers to resell, too!

Upload any image and create Custom Logo Stickers

What Do We Want? ORGANIC BEAUTY! When do we want it? NOW!

2011-08-13T12:04:00.004-04:00

Lots and lots is shakin' around Little Scotia!

*The new studio is getting CLOSER!
*The Tarot business is keeping me busy!
*I'm starting a course with the University of Guelph this fall -Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate.
*I'm working on getting my online tarot course together. (so! close!)
*Zucchini have taken over the garden
*There are actually green peppers out there!
*Tomatoes galore, Egglplant doing it's best to become FOOD!
*Farmers and Artisans Market has been good to me this year.

What else... sweetheart is having fun with his culinary course (and feeding us well!). The kids have been enjoying summer (we've not done a lick of homeschool, which is always my intention at the beginning of summer, and here it is August 13th...)

Got some advertising sponsorship for my websites - they'll be rotating every week. Mostly they will be Canada or US based (but will service Canadian addresses happily.) This week, my sponsor is ORGANIC BEAUTY NOW. Lots of organic and non toxic choices for mom's AND kids!!!

Free Samples at Organic Beauty Now Start shopping now

I've been busy making some new dolls that I'm super excited about - I just need to talk nicely to my camera and see if it will let me share with you!!!

Today is Artwalk downtown... I don't have a booth, because I have a wedding to go to this afternoon. But, I'll be at the market tomorrow like always!

Have an awesome day :)

Lori.

I'm Gettin' a STUDIO!

2011-07-19T20:52:00.003-04:00

So, it's hot, and I've been keeping the "miserable" at bay by NOT moving or doing much by way of thinking today. It's nearly 9pm, and I think it's paid off. Or something.

I wanted to share a bit of magic with you!

Did I tell you about the "Studio Space Hunt"?

So, I was looking for a studio space. Because there IS no family room in my house. There is a cluttered room, and underneath material, beads, miniatures and piles, is a sectional couch that, once apon a time, my family used to sit on and watch Friday night movies on. My sweetie and I used to nap on it together. He used to read to the kids on it. The entire livingroom has been a no-go space.

And it's all my (art's) fault.

Now that I'm supporting the family with my businesses (sweetie is going to school, which was a bit of magic in itself.) I need the space.

I wanted something for September, when Market gets quieter. And cooler. And sometimes wetter, which is no good for stuffed dolls and monkeys, etc.

I wanted something with it's own bathroom, wireless internet, lots of shelves, lots of natural lighting. Something affordable. I visualized, I "ohhhhmed" the heck out of this one. Then, I started looking at spaces.

The first one I found was perfect - right down to the colour of the walls. The rent, however, was far too dear for me. I pouted for a day, I "ohhhhmed" some more, and called the manager to day "I love it, It's perfect, but it's out of my budget." I oohmed for another week.

She called. She talked to the owner, and came down half the price - right in my price range. A bit of magic. Oh yes, I'm taking it...

So, in September, I'll have a place to work, display my creations, do tarot readings, and put all the stuff currently in the livingroom!

Sweet!!!

I Wish for a Studio

2011-07-05T20:53:00.002-04:00

I have been SOOOOO absent.

My brain has been FULL to the brim with all that I have going on. So, it leaves not much time for bloggedy blog blog.

My current thought has been to find some studio space. I'm not sure how to make it happen. My livingroom is a disaster - hardly usable - because I cannot work in my basement. My basement stores my crafting STUFF (I could fill a room.) and I would really like to give my family back the house.

I'm cheap though.

There IS a cheap office available downtown - the building is clean and bright, but the actual space is in a BASEMENT! lol... it's a mini mall type set up, under a bank. (ooooh money!) and I'd like to be able to have clients in to the studio. And, I'd have to do 10 tarot readings just to make the rent. What I'll pay in rent will not end up in our bank to pay our bills.

I"m still chewing this all over.

But my family would really benefit from having a livingroom again.

markets are going well. I had a booth at the Canada Day celebrations, and that was pretty awesome.

I need space to make more Monkeys and dollies!!!

Suggestions??

My criteria:
Must be inexpensive. Really don't want to pay more than $300 a month.
Must have access to a bathroom and sink!!!
Brightly lit, clean.
Be convienient for clients to come to.

Epicure Selections

2011-06-25T16:52:00.003-04:00

All the information about Epicure Selections.

So, my beloved is taking a cooking course. I already sell baking at The Midland Farmers Market on Sundays. Together we were going to put together some spice mixes to sell at market - get little baggies, print up how to use them, put recipes together...

And I thought "This is exactly how Sylvie Rochette started with Epicure Selections!" And the thought that followed THAT was "Why should we do all this guess work when Sylvie and Epicure Selections has already done it for us?"

I contacted the Epicure Selections lady I knew, asked her a tonne of questions through the week, went to her monthly coaching meeting... and signed on as an Epicure Selections Consultant myself.

Epicure Selections requires you to do parties - This is definately a "get out of the house" business, unlike my other work from home business, which is similar in that it's green and natural, but I can work it completely online.

I'm guessing I'll be staying fairly close to home with my business - Midland Ontario, Penetanguishene Ontario, Port McNicoll Ontario, and the surrounding areas. But, I can help anyone across Canada get started with this business - and what's beautiful about that is that there are still local meetings you can attend, even if you and I are far away.

I'm really excited about how much Epicure Selections gives away for FREE and half price to the families who are kind enough to host a party. I had to print up a few pages of the specials just so I'll remember.

My backround is in companies like this one - but Epicure Selections so far is the most generous to hostesses, and supportive with their consultants. Gifts, Prizes, etc etc.

If you are looking for Epicure Selections in Midland Ontario, or area, give me a shout! I'd be happy to help you have a fabulous tasting party that earns you lots of freebies!

And, if you are looking to work from home with Epicure Selections, I'd be happy to chat with you, answer all your questions, and help you get started and keep momentum! (and how to place yourself in the top Google ranks for your area for Epicure Selections Consultants.)

Lori Petroff

Alive and Kicking.

2011-06-22T19:17:00.002-04:00

so, haven't been here in a while!

The garden is plugging along. Tomatoes and zucchini and melons doing great. Only half of my lettuce has come up (I think the ants took away the rest of the seeds...) strawberries like gangbusters...

Life is busy! And I'm good with that. My beloved has started school, we're buying a new-to-us car, The farmers market has started in earnest (so I'm baking and crafting in spare moments.)

Oh, and my tarot card site has taken off like gangbusta's. Meeting new people in a private room at the library turned out to be a brilliant idea. Oh, and adding the email option, too.

Kids are done school in a week. It seems late this year, but, whutevah. An extra week to work during the day before the kid-entertainment shuffle begins. (Those kids need to learn how to weave a bracelet, for heavens sake... help a mutha out!)

Today, it feels like I have a lot on my plate. It's a dang good thing I've got myself a shiny new, half hour increment adgenda. I'm going to need it!

So, anyway, still kicking!

Lori

What's Shakin? (please let it be bacon...)

2011-05-31T13:07:00.004-04:00

It's so hot today, my skin feels like it's burning even though I've been inside nearly all day. (Minus the walking of pixies to school and taking laundry off and on the line.)

Today is my beloveds LAST official day at his current workplace, and I am very excited for this! I'm happy he'll have a bit of time off, but I'll have to keep reminding myself to keep to my schedule. I'm getting into a pretty good routine with work, crafting, tarot, and housework. (yeah, I'm definately no Martha, but there are the everyday messes that keep me just busy enough to keep me away from the big messes. Whut Evah. There's always January.

This Sundays market was much much better than the first market day - I'm pleased with the days sales, considering the amount of traffic that was through. I cannot wait for summer to pick up, though! (The only thing I'll be able to write come July is "MUST MAKE MORE MONKEYS!")

Not sure if there's any more to update. Been keeping busy with phone availability for the tarot, keeping up with Watkins orders, and crafting like MAD.

Oh and the garden... Food is coming up! Yay!

Must eat.

Lori.

Itty Bitty Little Dentist Rant.

2011-05-25T15:53:00.002-04:00

I spent the day in the garden. Other than the beginning of it which I spent at the dentist with the pixies.

One is going to see an orthadontist, and they figure what we'll need to do is "Planned Extraction." Over the next months and years pull out the teeth that are trying to come out so the adult ones can come. Oh, this is the child with the too small jaw and the monstrous sized teeth, and who's wisdom teeth are already showing. Yes, the 8 year old. They are impacting her adult molars, and THOSE molars are impacting her last baby molars.

It's going to be AWE-FRIGGIN-SOME.

The other pixie (9 going on 18) is getting an "appliance" in a few weeks (and not the good kind that mixes stiff drinks, either... which by the way I feel like I could use after today.)

so, I opted to spend the day in the garden instead of spamming my friends with desperate pleas to go to any one of my business sites so that I can pay the dentist... yeah. Goodtimes.

SO. Got 2 rows of tomatoes in, and some zucchini to guard them. Put my spinich in the garden bed and some containers. Put Eggplant in containers and then later looked at my "garden journal" to see that I had intended them for one of the boxes. Oops.

Banged some former garbage tent poles into the ground to support the tomatoes. (they are all around 5' tall, so they SHOULDN'T fall down this year. )

My melons are getting FLOWERS in their newspaper pots... I'm going to have to uncover the side bed (it's covered in the sides of my old metal shed. Yeah, functional garbage. ) and get those babies in soon. I need to figure out what I'll surround THAT plot with to keep critters out.

blaaaa blaaa blaaa. I'll be reminding my daughter that she HAS to eat the eggplant, and NO there will be no takeout. We have bunches of teeth to pay for.

Thankfully I have exhausted my body today. Hopefully this will let my mind rest.

~Lori

What day is it again?

2011-05-24T12:30:00.002-04:00

So, we went and set up for the first Farmers Market Day. Figured I had to go, even knowing that it was most likely going to rain. It was awkward and just-the-same all at once. Pulling up to "my spot" it felt like it had only been last weekend, instead of 7 months.

It was a dreary day, up until the last half hour. It was overcast all morning and rained till about 11:30 or so. Then, around 1:30, the sun beamed out and it was beautiful.

My sales were minimal. Didn't even manage to share a Watkins catalogue or Tarot business card. But, it was a good practice run.

I so ache for a studio to work in. With summer coming, the idea of having a place anywhere OTHER than my house makes no sense. I'll have 2 pixies to watch after anyway. But, it would be nice to have somewhere other than the livingroom to destroy with crafty goodness.

Today, I am contemplative. I am thinking too fast. I am getting NOTHING done. ehhehe.

Happy .. what day is it again? Dang long weekends make it confusing...

~Lori

My Honey is Going Back to College!!!

2011-05-23T10:51:00.003-04:00

So, the BIG secret that I couldn't blab wasn't really my secret to tell - It was my beloveds. My sweetie has given his notice to his work, and is going to college to become a Chef! We are SO very excited! (He put it out there on Facebook yesterday, so I can say it outloud now, too!)

He's been talking about it for EVER. And everything just fell into place beautifully to allow it to happen. I'm really excited for him to be able to pursue this, because he wants it so badly.

This means some big changes in our lives - challenges that we are both feeling good about facing. This is why I've been pointing to my business websites so frequently lately. I'll be supporting us, for the most part.

I love supporting him in this - He's always supported me 100% with a big smile and a "you go girl!" attitude with all my crazy hair brained ideas, no matter how outlandish they may have seemed to him. My support for him will be as limitless as his has been for me.

Excited!

I'm also very excited for all the AWESOME cooking that will be happening in our kitchen.

*Squee!* So, that's the big secret news.

~Lori

Rental inspection day

2011-05-19T10:53:00.003-04:00

Today I am waiting. I have a rental inspection - I can't take calls while I'm waiting for them, because my luck they'll walk in while I'm reading.

There are a happy little collection of monkeys and critters ready for market on Sunday (pleasedon'trainpleasedon'train) I should probably make a few more necklaces and ..oh, the inspectors are here. Fab.

Anywho, I want to take pics of all the critters, but SOMETHING is wrong with the camera. This makes me cringe. it most likely means I did something to it. My beloved will forgive me. But I still feel bad. Hopefully this will be something that he will take one look at and fix for me.

I'm hoping they'll be through soon, so I can get on with my day!

But now I feel weird because there are 5 people running around my house...

Ag arg arg arg arg arghhhh (The Sound of Laughter.)

2011-05-17T17:36:00.003-04:00

Little conflicted today. Not in a bad way, really, I guess. More in a "I'm releaved, but What the hell is going on?" sort of way.

Recap: March 3rd, Lori has what is now and forever more to be called "The Big Floppy". If it feels like a stroke and looks like stroke, then it must be a stroke right? Off to the stroke clinic and a bazillion tests.

Today: All the tests are compiled (accept for apparently my blood tests, which are M.I.A.) and the brain scan shows I'm normal (this makes me LAUGH like a horse in the doctors office. I have lost my inner editor. It's partying somewhere with my 20's.) None of the tests showed anything. The doctor turned to me and said: "Maybe you were just tired." Which also made me laugh.

I'm a jerk. (To be fair, the doctor was having a bit of a difficult day - her nurse was a stand in who didn't know how to rightly use the machine to take blood pressure, or the computer system. I felt for everyone there today - despite not getting in to see the doctor until 45 minutes after I should have... I digress.)

So, the GOOD news is everything is ok with my brain (**snork-guffaw**) and if there's anything wrong, the only place left to show it is in my bloodwork. My spidey senses say it's going to be a sugar/dehydration thing.

The other news, I guess, Is that I can stop being afraid and feeling fragile now. Because this whole time I have been. I quit everything, because I was a total mess. I had been taking it so easy that I don't rightly fit into my pants. Now I can feel good about looking a little into the future (no tarot-reader pun intended.) and make some plans.

I really really think this was all about the Universe (in what ever form or name you give it.) telling me I had to slow-the-heck-down, and that I had strayed too far from my path. Things were happening in my life that felt out of control. Taking some time to refocus has put my family on a brand new exciting path - made me open to it and ready for it. (This ties in with the "big secret" that I can't SHARE yet!!! I think sometime next week I should be able to say SOMETHING.)

Life is good. I'm listening.

~Lori

test test

2011-05-14T14:06:00.000-04:00

this blog is only a test. Because the last 2 have slipped off into some sort of blog vortex in which they may be lost forever.

Happy Saturday.

~Lori

Secret Secret, I gotta Secret! (you gotta sing it like Styx.)

2011-05-11T10:35:00.003-04:00

Something VERY exciting is happening RIGHT NOW, but I cannot give details... another week or two and I'll be able to spill ALL.

However, this very exciting thing has me shoving some new life into an old career. Not really old, I just haven't done it for money in a while...

It's Tarot Reading. (what were YOU thinking??? Although to be fair, I can't say I've done THAT for money in a while, either. I digress...)

So, I'm still doing everything else.

My Watkins business is pretty much on autopilot. I do an order once a month, occasionally do a training call with one of my team mates (or help them build their team with calls.)

My Coaching business also almost runs on autopilot. I put some stuffs on Facebook every now and again with it, and do emails and ads.

The Farmers Market is starting soon. So, during the week while waiting for calls, I'll be sewing goodies to bring down with me on Sundays.

that ties in with my etsy stores.

And, to that, for the extra cushion, I've set up my tarot reading business again. It's unfortunate that I have to build my rating up again, but the bonus is that the first people I do phone readings with are gonna get a super low price (and free minutes.) If you're curious about it, you can come by my Lori-Grace Reads Tarot Facebook page.

And that is all! I'm super stoked with all the INSANE energy that has been swirling around here. But AMAZING things are happening, and I STILL have to wait another week or two before I can tell you about it.

SECRET SECRET!

~Lori

I Wanna Be Sedated By Hobbits.

2011-05-09T09:38:00.005-04:00

I was having a good hair day on Friday, and wanted to mark the occasion with pictures. Unfortunately, I don't think I was having a good face day. BWHAHAHAHA! Anywho, me with NO glasses. I used to hate my glasses, and when I'd go out dancing at 19, I would take them off and be blind, never knowing exactly who I was dancing with. hahahaha.
And then me with my new Geeky Girl glasses. My scholarly, mysterious woman glasses. I flippin' love these.
I have a problem, and it is that I lust all things geek/nerd. Watching The Big Bang Theory is a guilty pleasure because I find it slightly pornographic. Popping in the disc with the newest episodes of Fringe is secretive dirty, toe curling happy stuff. Watching my beloved type 120 wpm while programming makes me chew my nails. Reading books alone in public is hot. I'm antsy for The Hobbit to come out.

Man, 37 is HARD. (but, the funnest hard EVAR!)

~Lori

p.s. These posts are really degrading into something alluringly dark. I should go put my seedlings on the front step and get step out of my own head for a bit.

OVERLORD Award - It's About Flippin Time.

2011-05-08T08:52:00.002-04:00

I've just been given the Overlord Award from Andie from over at Inspiration Strikes. In the Kneecaps. (Have I mentioned lately how I adore her words? Really, she's got one of those mysteriously sensual brains that I want to just BE NEAR. Not is a zombie way. We should arrange more play dates. Oh, and I have a bike for your littlest, if you want it, too, btw.)

Three things that are gonna change now that I'm calling the shots:

First order of business:
The recycling guys are going to TAKE the friggin clamshell packages and have a way to RECYCLE those damn things, as well as ALL the other plastic they leave behind in my blue bin. OR, the great conglomerates that be are just going to STOP manufacturing the *bleep bleepin'* things. RECYCLING is one of those things that DRIVE ME MANIC. The house is a flipping write off, but that damn RECYCLING had better be divided correctly or there will be HELLZ to pay! (sometimes I get intense about...things. Mad Hatter Intense.)

Second order of business:
It will be MANDATORY that all children between ages of 8 and 17 will take various and pertinent Home Economic courses. Cleaning and cooking REAL FOOD and learning how to budget are mandatory skills. And although self expression will be encouraged, they will be required to PULL UP THEIR BOY PANTS/COVER THEIR GIRL PARTS appropriately in the workplace/kitchen for health and safety reasons.

Final order of business:
The gathering, amassing, and sharing of Love will be far more important than the gathering, amassing, and spending of money in ALL areas of life. I was going to suggest that maybe love should be replaced as currency - but that could get misinterpreted, and then teenagers may all decide that leaving their pants loose and barely covering their girl parts are the way to get new cars and gadgets... *aherm..*

There, that was pretty simple. I may be adding more to my list of overlordly ideals. But, it's mothers day, and I must shower before making the Tour of Mothers.

SO, here's breaking the RULES:

You wanna be an OverLord? I grand YOU the OverLord Award. Let everyone know where it came from, and what you'd do. Pass it on if you like :)

Have a most fabulous day!

~Lori

Sh*t I Found In The Junk Drawers.

2011-05-05T10:31:00.010-04:00

A Tampax coupon for $1 off - that expired June 2005.
Raffi - Singable Songs for the Very Young cassette tape. No cover.
2 child-don't-put-knives-in-the-outlet safety plug plastic doolallers.
A paid reciept from a cartoon the pixies father got paid for.
A "Judical Interim Release Order" against the pixies father - July 2004. (Oh, memories of being terrorized by the one you love.***)
2 undeveloped instant cameras.
80 kabajillion rubber bands.
A welfare stub from Feb 2005.
Many "moist toilettes" with Colonel Sanders smiling face.
Many packets of soy and plum sauce.
6 different fairy themed temporary tattoos
a little black crawly bug. (uuuugh.)
The plastic lid of a toddler sippy cup.
3 books of cheques with my former-married name on them.
26 metal curtain hooks.
A handful of penny and nickle paper rollers.
Dusty candles.
Loose and random batteries.
4 rubber Christmas placemats that I used to be SO proud of.
So. Much. More. Crap.

No bloody wonder It's taken me 6 years to get around to cleaning it out. Who knew so much joy and pain and baggage was hiding in there? (Yeah, I probably subconsciously did.) But, as I write, the kitchen table still looks like this:
So I had better get my arse in gear.

~Lori

*** To be completely fair, he would probably argue that I wasn't particularly loving and that I terrorized him just as much. However, I finished with playing fair about 2.5 years ago. Not bitchy about it. Just indifferent.

"Good heavens Miss Sakamoto - you're beautiful!"

2011-04-30T12:04:00.009-04:00

Spent the morning outside "dirting". Yes, that's a 'thing' now. I have a poetic license, remember? *snork*

A few nights ago, I'm watering the plants, and see this peeking out of the damp bag of hollyhock seeds: Oh hai! So, I open it up to see all sorts of little seedlings not waiting for me to put them into little paper pots before sprouting. Naughty seedlings.

As I said, these were taken a few days ago. The squash is ALREADY out of control (zucchini.) They are in egg cartons, remember? So, I'm going to have to do something about those this afternoon. This will require me to get covered in newsprint to roll them little potlets.
Again, a few days ago. These are the random sunflower seeds I had in a baggie for, uh, at least 2 years. I had to raise the lights yesterday, I'm worried they are growing too tall, too fast.
The weather has been completely mad, with snow and rain storms - I hope they can wait another 2 weeks before going outside. Below, is the tray of Box Car Willie tomatoes I planted. I hate these little seed starter things, but it was the only tray the store had that I happened to be in.

And, (heheheh) Check out mah new specs:

Because you NEVER know when you're going to have to BLIND someone with SCIENCE! (Or give peace a chance.) Also, Clearly Contacts was having a STUPID sale - They're perscription, and INCLUDING the 2 day shipping, they were $28. So, yeah. I get goofy glasses.

Ok. I've eaten my lunch and chatted on the phone with my bro, so I guess I should sit my arse outside on the step and finish banging holes in the bottom of coffee cans so I can fill 'em with dirt.

Happy Saturday!

~Lori

Say "Versatile" 35 Times.

2011-04-27T08:47:00.002-04:00

This Award has RULES. (I HATES me some rules, but I guess I'll play. Because playing is funner than rules. Damn, I'm picking up Tucker Speak.)

1. Link back to awarderer. See below! Tucker the Puppy (Through Bruce, who Tucker owns) Awarded me this purdy square.

2. Tell 7 facts that people may not know about you... (uh oh.)

3. Pass this on to as many blogerers as you want to! (I think at one point there was a number attached to this rule.. but y'know. It hates the rules!!)

So, it was Tucker through BRUCE over at JADIP (Just Another Day in Paradise) that decided I was Versatile enough to get a pretty green square that says so. I loves GREEN.

Bruce and Tucker have been on my daily read list for a while now. I think I stumbled on him from Dude Craft... but I know Andie and Bruce read each other too( She is my self confessed Doppleganger, or maybe I am hers? And she is also Goddess of Pickles) So I may have come across him there. Any way, he makes me giggle. I love the internets.

7 Facts People May Not Know About Me.

This one might be a little hard, since I ~~love talking about myself~~ love telling stories... let's have a think...

1. I often forget the simplest things, and will ask my honey 3 times the same question - but I think it's because my head is FULL of 80's music lyrics, that there's no more room for new stuff.

2. From grades kindergarten through 8, I went to 10 different schools. Three of those were in grade 4 alone. It's no wonder I had trouble with math.

3. I'm addicted to love (... Might as well face it!) but it's only because I'm really REALLY good at it.

4. Although I'm friends with LOTS of people, I'm happiest when I'm spending time alone. Think Think Think. Write Write Write. Never been someone who had to call anyone up for company. I go out all the time by myself, and never feel weird about it.

5. I have been 5 feet tall since I was 13.

6. I write a lot of smutty stories under a pseudonym (No, I will not tell you what it is. That's the point of a pseudonym! Baha! )

7. It takes ALL MY effort to walk by a mirror and NOT look.

Whew. That was HARD!

So, now I have to choose somebody to pass it on to??? sHEET.

Ok, so I read my bloglist everyday - here are a few that I particularly enjoy (who haven't already been tagged with being VERSATILE, as far as I can remember. hehehe.)

Fiona at Rowangarth Farm - I love reading her posts. She really is versatile , from what I've learned - and the things she is doing are on my own path. Oh, and she lives in the same province I do, so I can actually use her farm experiences and advice.

Frugal Homesteads (It's not just for hippies anymore...) This family BLOWS MY MIND. I love that they have recorded all of their experiences. I learn best by reading THEN doing. When every they post anything, I jump on it to SEE!

Aimee from New To Farm Life. Aimee's blog was the first farming blog I came across, and I ended up staying up over an hour later than I intended to reading all her posts. She writes so well, that you'll feel like you're learning right along with her. She and her husband do so much on their farm!

Do you see a pattern here? hehe, yeah. I once said to my beloved that my 22 year old self would NOT recognize my 37 year old self. His reply was that he likes my 37 year old self just how I am now. :)

Ok. I need to have a shower BADLY, so I have to get OUT of this chair!!! (Oh, wait, that was an 8th thing you didn't know about me... and probably could have lived without. hehehe.)

~Lori

What Day Is IT?

2011-04-25T19:50:00.004-04:00

So, I turned on and used my new sewing machine for the first time.

Ooooh my. It runs so smoothly, and fast, and I was almost afraid of it. My old machines are finiky and .. well, a little bitchy. Go too fast, and they scream. The blue Shark needs a kick start to use it. The OLD OLD one, you gotta talk nice to first. ON and on.

But, this new one comes with so many fancy-fang-dangled-doolallers I'm going to have to learn to use. I was happy to see it can stitch with 2 needles (had the presser foot and plate attachments). All I did though was stitch out one sock monkey (because I could only find one of my "Little Scotia" tags. I put them somewhere safe, and now can't find them.) Then, I started in on some new sock critters.

I loveses them. I really missed this.

Plants are going full swing. Peas are up, most of the radish, lettuce and Chard outside are up. Up up up!

Put the tomato seeds in the night before last (in the house, on the big ol' shelf o' lights.)

The little mermaid above is a softie I painted, it's in my etsy store right now. I put both of my stores back online. I'm able to focus on them now, not so worried about pulling another Big Floppy. (Have an EEG tomorrow. I have no idea what that is exactly. I'm sure the internets can provide me with all the false information I'll need to be thoroughly prepared.)

*nyuk*

Today the pixies had no school. We got out of our jammies around 5pm. They ate chocolate and then ran around the yard, and now they are upstairs pretending to be quiet. It was a very good day.

~Lori

My Wish is His Command.

2011-04-22T20:51:00.006-04:00

'Cause my honey is like that.

First, I have a "new" keyboard. From my Beloveds Techie Stash-O-Computer stuff. yay! I can type my 75WPM again!

Secondly, my post from a few days ago about the seedling set up? Aw yeah, it's happening!

My birthday was a few days ago, and we wandered around Home Depot because I wanted to price what it would cost to get a lighted set up for seedlings. When we realized that we wouldn't be able to fit both the children AND the things I chose in the car at the same time, we opted to take the children and my sweetie bought a gift card. (yes, there was a coin toss. Home Depot had a fifty percent chance of getting some child labour.***)

So, the day after I took my gift card up, with my Mother (and her bigger vehicle) Where I bought all the pieces for THIS SET UP:

That's right, It's living in the kitchen, beside the fridge. Because that's pretty much the last spot available in my entire house.

Heavy duty resin shelf: on sale for $39.99
3 commercial light fixtures $17.99 each = $53.97
6 Plant lights for fixture $7.98 each= $47.88
Power Strip $7.98

After taxes, a grand total of $168.48

plus $115 for seeds and containers
plus $40 for the vermi composting buckets and the worms themselves. (which reminds me I still haven't written about the worms....)

So, this year I've spent $323.74 on the garden. Yes, I'm counting the birthday present amount.

My mother bought me some dirt. (I think I make her a little crazy. She wanted to bring me to Giant Tiger and buy me clothing. I have MORE clothing than I could ever wear... what I NEEDED was some dirt for all the coffee cans. hehe.)

We went out to Native Woods Nursery's on HWY 93, and got 5 bags of organic 3 way mix, and 5 bags of regular soil (the awesome woman there said it was better for containers to mix the 2 - that the 3 way alone would be too dense for pots. I believe her. )

That cost about $35 - but I'm NOT counting that. Birthday prezzies from outside my own household are freebies. hehehe.

She also then joked when she saw my "grow lights" while putting the soil in mom's truck, and wished me luck with my "pot" plants. I will have to bring her an eggplant and tomato to prove it's for VEGETABLES! *snork*

The new shelf set up is allowing me to grow more plants (some which will be sold as slips, which I've not been able to do before.) and we'll also be harvesting more from our own garden this year too. I always aim for the break even. It makes me happy.

Peas are coming up lovely! Some of the radishes, lettuce and chard are coming up, too, despite the snow we got all last weekend.

Oh, and my sewing machines managed to carve out a little tiny corner for themselves. There are sock monkeys on the way! And probably some skirts.

~Lori

*** JUST kidding. This batch of kids are pretty good and mostly cute, so we're keepin' them. Home Depot can hire the big one that occasionally eats and does his laundry here, though.

It's all my own fault.

2011-04-21T07:36:00.002-04:00

Dear Arizona Iced Tea in my keyboard. Arghlebargle.

I know, after years of telling the children to never bring drinks to the computer, I was the one to finally ruin the keyboard. The space bar is sticking and I have no use of some ofmy keys, and it is all my own damn fault.

That isall. I imagine I won't even try to write until Iget a new keyboard. Because this issome frustrating sh*t.

~Lori.

P.S. Yesterday was my birthday, but Ican't tell you about it. Because ARizona Iced TEa is very sticky.

What I Want Want Want Is what you Want Want Want

2011-04-17T11:19:00.009-04:00

What I NEED for all these seedlings is a set up like this:

Indoor Seed Starting Blog Entry

What I HAVE is this:These guys are sitting on the Vermi Composting Bucket at the back door. (Which I can only open outside.. there will be a rant blog about that later, I'm sure.) Eggplant in the plastic cells, Hot Pepper in the paper cups, a garlic and green onion in the little clear cup.

Today, the tray filled with egg containers lives on the table. I put these in less than a week ago, and already the Sunflowers are peeking up. That's just freekin' awesome, considering we got a surprise light SNOW this morning. Heh.

These guys are currently on the top of the fridge, sharing the flourescent light. NOT ideal, but gotta do with what I have. Eggplant, Sweet Pepper and some hot Pepper in there too.

This is how close the flourescent light SHOULD be to these plants, but they are getting only a few hour rotation with the light on the swivel.

Look at all the babies! I'll be bringing the ones that DON'T fit into my garden to market to sell as slips.

This guy has shot up and is looking a little spindly. This is what happens when you don't have enough of the proper lighting. Every year I deal with it, and make due... chasing the sun on the carpet around during the day with one tray or another.

So Purdy and Green!

These are the onions that came home with the girls from "Halter Culture Club" (See: My Onions Growwww)

It snowed this morning, dark and overcast and a near white out through the back window - My beloved said he saw squirrels running for cover..., and NOW, less than an hour later, the sun is blazing through the windows.

Georgian Bay weather NEVER makes sense. But is sure is purdy here.

Wish I had something interesting to say today. Meh, maybe tomorrow. Happy Sunday.

~Lori

Evee Boody Luvs Crafty CRAP! ('cept mebe mah luver.)

2011-04-15T12:09:00.010-04:00

So, I sort of cleaned this morning. I had two shelves that were just a disaster. Kept throwing schtuffs on it over the last.. ugh, 8 months? Look at some of the fun stuff I found!

A pile of clay doolallers. Doll pieces, plates, vases, unfinished bread and all of it is sitting in an incense burner. Also, unfinished.I started these little robots before Christmas. Because every miniature doll house needs robot minions. Cook, Maid, Butler. They aren't done yet...

A wonderfully creeeepy vintage plastic Heidi-ish doll who's eyes close when you get her horizontal.

A Welcome mat I cross stitched some time ago. I finished the last bit with the wrong colour blue, but was unaware of it until the daylight. That's what I get for stitching under that dang orange 70's lamp I love so much.

I'll be putting it on etsy for half of what I intended to charge for it, because of the irregularities.

A mostly-painted froggy clay incense burner. You guessed it.. unfinished.

Crap crap crap! I love crap! Itty Bitty Crap! Crappity Crap CRAP! Craaaaap Tiiiime!

The book shelves I managed to somewhat clean today are the 3rd and 4th from bottom on the left. I replaced the crap I removed with... MORE CRAP! (It's good crap though. I love my crap.)

Happy Friday, eh.

P.S. I'm putting the tomatos in dirt this weekend. They will have to live outside under cover. Because I've run out of room in the house. Swiss Chard is going in the garden boxes, too.

P.S. I'm back on the Chocolate Almonds, after a month on the wagon. Once an addict.....

Mah Onions Growwwww

2011-04-14T15:40:00.005-04:00

Hello Throbbing Brain.

This morning I was laughing while simultaneously trying to chew a cracker. Ofcourse, I choked a smidge, and gave my self a throbbing nogging with my cough-it-up efforts. I had so much planned today. I ended up in bed, with the alarm set in time to pick up the pixies from school.

The pixies came home yesterday with 4 onion seeds each in a little plastic container. They are in the horticulture club at school. The littlest pixie always pronounces it "Halter Culture Club." And then I just want to start doing my best Boy George impression ("Oh, There's lovin' in your eyes all the wayyy... ) I did it the first time she did it, and they both looked at me blankly. My sweetheart giggled, anyway. Now, when she says it, I just pout that there's no one around to giggle with me....

Karma Chameleon... Mah Onions Growwww, Mah Onions Grow ow ow ow...

Anyway, I was very excited to see the 8 little onion seeds. Because those suckers aren't cheap, and I'm thinking that the $4 per kid I paid for them to join the club might just pay off yet. hehe.

I'm researching the University of Guelph's distance education. They've got some agricultural certificate programs I'm interested in. I figure, I'm not doing much else. And It wouldn't start until fall, after the summer rush.

Last night I sat down to play with clay (the sculpey, polymer clay kind) and, I don't know that I have the patience to make those itty bitty cups and saucers. I made some doll bodies, but they came out looking all creepy and mutant.. so I'm going to make creepy mutants out of them (instead of the sweet, lacy dress dollies I had envisioned when starting.) One will make a good dracula... the other could be a zombie baby. There's one more that has a smart-ass Cabbage Patch Kid vibe to it. However... there may be an ebay or etsy auction soon with some clay, some books, and some molds. I'll keep you posted.

Turns out, squirrels don't like Bulls Blood Beets.. but the little f*ckers still will dig them COMPLETELY out of the ground just to make sure. Arseness.

I realized today there's only about a month until the Farmers Market starts up again. You know what that means! Lori PANICS and makes an even BIGGER mess of the livingroom in the name of creating some NEAT stuffs to sell! I"m hoping to also do more baking this year, and sell my seedlings there, too.

Which means I should probably get to putting some more in dirt.

I should book a table at little lake park for Canada Day this year... maybe.

blaaa blaa blaaa. I think I'm going to risk a second tea today, in an effort to clear the fog.

Egg Carton Seed Pots, Chamomile Tea, and Fill In The Swears.

2011-04-13T09:18:00.004-04:00

Well... How'r Ya Doin'?

Me. I've had worse days, to be sure Bye.

First, the seedlings that had started to show some dampening seem to be recovered! My Mom-In-Law/Love passed on a tip to water them with chamomile tea. So for 2 days I did (only watering at the little seedlings feet, so I didn't wet the newspaper anymore.) Oh, I also separated the little newspaper pots so that they weren't touching anymore.

Anywho, with the Coir I can water every second day (with a spray phaser, set on "stun" instead of "mist." It's tricky business. ) They seem to be healed! WOOT! (Little things, I know.)
Yesterday I planted some Zucchini and Melon. I put them in egg cartons. Normally I wouldn't, because egg cartons are generally too shallow to do any seedling any good for any amount of time. However, I figure by the time these suckers peek through and get an inch or so tall, it should be time to put them out in the garden beds.

So, pokey holes in the bottom of the cups, 2/3 filled with soil, top 3rd with the cocopeat (coir), plunkety plunk with the seeds.

Oh, I also found a baggie of sunflower seeds, so when the zucchini and melon seeds ran out, I filled the rest of the cartons with those.

Oh, and in other news I almost killed some of the seedlings yesterday, by putting them on the front doorstep covered with the clear.. ugh, cover. It got too hot, and they all limped over. I saved them by watering them more and bringing them back inside. Whoops. That would have sucked. (This is where the swears go. And eyeball rolling.)

Today. Hmm. Today my biggest priority is to shower. And do some dishes. And eat. Probably to put some more radishes, lettuce and Swiss Chard out there too.

Have a rockin' day.

~Lori

You Treat Me Like I Was Your Ocean....

2011-04-11T19:12:00.007-04:00

Today I showered in the morning, because the pixies slept at the In Laws/Loves house.

Today, in the early morning, my beloved and I sat silently on the nearly hour long country drive to the "big" hospital.

Today, a nurse pretended to be concerned and then stabbed me with an IV hook up that hurt like Fuckety fuck.

Today I sat like a lady in the teeny dress that my subconscious told me to wear before I woke, in hospital hallways. My first tattoo flash of the year.

Today, I got to listen to almost the whole Steve Miller Band album while getting buzzed and MRI'd for about half an hour. Bzzt Bzzt. I completely forgot about Jungle Love. How could that be? (I was tickled that they let me listen to music while probing my brain. The selection they had wasn't the greatest though.)

Today my beloved took me to Crock n Block for breakfast, where I was one hot mama among an awful lot of old people eating breakfast buffet. The men behind me were talking about church and politics and people I do not know. In between mouthfuls of my own omlette, I randomly threw in phrases such as "you're paying me by the hour" and "What does your wife think of this" and "Wow, you have six kids?" while my beloved tried to keep a straight face. (I behave badly when we're out with no pixies. I'm sure it's why he picked me.)

I also kept the schmexy Jessica Rabbit attitude while putting my jacket over my sore poked arm and smiling devilishly at the intrigued fellow behind us. (This is my idea of hilarious. We were also not in the town I live in, so in my head this is forgivable. Plus, I am a writer. If anyone ever calls me on it, I'll pull the "it's research" card.)

Today, we drove the nearly hour long drive home in silence. It's because I like to look out the window and listen to his super fun music compilations and daydream about being a teenager with magical powers, making all the other kids attending the Friday night dance do choreography with me and on Monday no one remembers exactly what happened except for the teacher I have a crush on who thinks I'm amazing and magical and smart...

Today I did some dishes.

Today I thought about living on a farm.
Today I Watched Little Britain while cross stitching on the couch.
Today I made soup out of a pile leftovers.
Today I drilled holes in some big rubbermaid containers to make a home for worms.
Today I listened to the pixies jibber jabber and didn't offer my beloved ANY tag-team parental help when the pixies swarmed him for 20 minutes. Literally, two little girls clinging to his person, while he tries to eat and listen to their excited stories. You'd think he'd be used to this after 2 years. hehe.

Now it is evening.

My throat is raw, and I'm going to eat icecream after the pixies are in bed, and all the tests are finally done, and I hope now It's almost time to get on with this new mysterious path.

Because I have a difficult time with being still.

~Lori

I've Got A Brand New Pair of Scal-li-ons....

2011-04-07T13:34:00.008-04:00

Arse. Swears. Filth Flarin' Filth.
Yeah, I said it.

The seedlings in trays on top of the fridge have been coming along swimmingly. The first peppers and eggplant were potted in newspaper cups I made. They were a bit big, so the next round I made smaller. I also made the mistake of sticking a greenhouse lid on them (the clear ones that come with the black plastic bases.)

and what did I discover a few nights ago? Dampening mould. Eww. And Arse.

It's been a very long time since I've had this problem with my seedlings. Years. What did I do differently? Well, I'm blaming the newspaper cups. It's the only variable.

Oh, and the coco peat (coir). any other year I've just pressed my seedlings into the starter soil, and off we went. So, I'm guessing between using newspaper, with a bit of coco peat on top of the soil, and with the lids on, it was just too damp.

ARGH. I covered them with soil the night before, and haven't watered since. The seedlings are all starting to pop out of the soil I topped, but some of the dampening mould is on some of the newspaper. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to dry out the paper fast enough, and keep the seedlings alive. The sun is nice and bright out, but it's not warm enough on the step to just put them out so that the sun can kill the mould. (they've been living on top of my fridge and lit with a flourescent lamp up nice and close.) So frustrating. But I'm hoping it'll all work out.

in other news, I've had Air Supply stuck in my head. "Making foooood..outta nothin' at all..."
(hehe. I'm not entirely sorry for sharing that little bit of nuttiness.)
I had a single clove of garlic left from a gift basket that came from my good friend Monika and her loving garden last fall. I stuck it in water to see if I could make it root, and I'm going to plunk it into the boxes somewhere out there. A total experiment.

I've also done the same thing with some Green Onions (Scallions) that we had in the fridge. The tops were shrivelled and have gone into the "It'll be soup someday" freezer bag. See how purdy they've rooted, and are coming up brand-new-green.

(oh there's another one. "I've got a brand new pair of Scal-li-ons.. you've got a brand new feed...")

Ok, that was reaching a bit.
Any thing you want to share about the dampening situation would be appreciated. Hopefully there'll be some super hero stories about saving the baby plantlets from the evil damp, instead of the dreaded "Get rid of them" that I'm figuring I'll be hearing.

~Lori

It Ain't Garbage - It's my Garden!

2011-04-06T13:59:00.005-04:00

So, my yard LOOKS like a disaster, but looks can be deceiving. I'm pretty sure i'm THAT neighbour on my street. The front yard at this time of year is pretty unsightly, to onlookers. However, to me, it's just a spring work in progress.

First, there's the very dirty looking crab - used to be a sandbox for the pixies when they were wee little. NOW it's the place I start the last of my seedlings. Usually the tomatoes end up in here, or anything that gets started a little later in the spring, and still needs some over night coverage incase we get frost.

Then, there's the pile of .. what is that? It USED to be a metal shed. It crushed under the weight of snow, despite being fortified with wood. My teenager assumed I was clearing it, and I assumed he was, and then the first warm day of spring last year, CRACK! So, I had these piled up hoping for someone to come and take them away. This never happened and they got covered in snow. NOW, these pieces are holding layers of newspaper down (so they don't fly all over the neighbourhood.) so that hopefully come time to put the melons in there, I will NOT have to weed it. When the compost is ready, It'll go on top of the newspaper, for a nice layered mulch.
Oh, and look, Martha, a random 2 x 4 thrown in the yard.

Actually, it's sitting on the yard as a reminder to the children that underneath those leaves are some rows of my heirloom strawberries. Do NOT stomp past this piece of wood, pixies!

There are other things in the yard. Buckets that will be filled with soil for the container gardening plans, a big fish tank that is going to make a lovely green house for seedlings if it gets frosty..

Mind you, there is a broken fish tank out there, and some random acts of metal bits (some that are going to be used for trellises and tomato stakes - those big Boxcar Willie heirloom tomatoes get BIG and heavy) All of these things I'm going to try and make use of instead of just dumping them. Reuse, right?

But, there is a dump run on the list of things to do still. A few things absolutely unsalvageable.

However, all I see is potential. I wonder if I should go to the end of the driveway and explain to the concerned couples that there is a PLAN HERE?

Read My Dirty-Girl Palm, Pea AND Toilet Rolls in the Dirt.

2011-04-03T14:03:00.010-04:00

So, the snow peas went in yesterday with the help of pixies. They were eager for the fun bit (pushing the peas into the ground.) and quietly reluctant when it came time to put the meshing over the boxes.

Although they were both quite helpful and eager to help me smash the two long metal poles into the ground with a heavy metal shovel. It rang out across the neighbourhood like a morning bell: 'Wake up! It's spring!'

First, I had to dig out the soil from the pile of decomposing leaves I had buried the boxes in before winter. We flattened out the soil, and then the pixies squished the half toilet rolls in the ground, on either side of the chicken wire trellis I fumbled together. We were aiming for 4" apart, but some varied. That's what you get when you work with pixies. I've read about people just digging a trench along the ground and filling it with peas instead of worrying about spacing them, so I figured we'd just go with it.

Last year I bought rolls of plastic "chicken wire" (it's more like a netting.) I staple these cut-from-last-year pieces over the box, to keep the squirrels out. They are persistent little so-and-so's. And as I've mentioned before, my cats don't bother chasing them anymore.

When the peas are all done, (should be finished by the thirdish week in may) this box is going to be half pumpkin (On the edge, so it can trail out to a part of the yard we don't use.) and the other half sweet pepper. (I'll be brewing up some ever-so-yummy compost tea to liven up the soil after the hungry hungry peas have had their way with this box.)

TODAY I worked on a second garden box. Look, you can read my palm if you look real close. (feel free to let me know if you see more than a few weeks in my lifeline, eh.) These are the lettuce mix seeds.

I put in the first 6 rows, hoping my succession planting will work out. I picked up this little trick from a few different sources, but most notably a book from my Mom and Dad-in-Law/Love's house. About how you can plant far closer together, and then there's less room for weeds to creep in, and also planting things that are finished at different times, so early finishers get pulled first, leaving the later harvests to grow more.

So, the first row is a Bouquet Radish Mix (certified organic mix of Pink Beauty, White Beauty and Plum Purple.) These will be ready in 25-35 days.

The Second Row is a Bourmet Heirloom Leaf Lettuce Mix (organic, mix of Black Seeded Simpson, Green Oak Leaf, Red Deer Tongue, Australian Yellowleaf and Cracoviensis.) These mature in about 45 -55 days

The third row is a Five Colour Silverbeet Shard (Swiss Chard, and organic chard that come up in red, yellow, orange, pink and cream, and will make the garden pretty AND tasty! They should be ready to start harvesting in 55 to 60 days.)

I repeated this a second time, so there are 6 rows in, and then covered them up with the plastic chicken wire/netting, until I"m ready to put more rows in. I don't want 50 flipping lettuce heads ready all at once - although I know some of these will be coming to the farmers market with me in spring. Perilous Consciousness be damned, I've booked my spot for the year.

I had some coffee cans out there to help me space them. I'm not sure if you can see the rings in the dirt in the pic, but the radishes needed 4", so I used the mouth of the small can to make rings side by side in the to gauge the distance. The lettuce suggested 4 to 6" apart, so I used the big coffee can for that. The chard suggests 12 to 15" apart, which they will be by the time they are maturing, as the radishes will be out, and I'll probably pull half of the lettuces (the other half I'm going to try just removing the outer leaves or stubs so they'll continue to grow as long as they can through the summer.)

So, the deal with the toilet paper rolls... I read this somewhere too. This is going to help me know what is actually a plant as opposed to a weed. Some of these things I've never tried before, and I don't want to accidentally pull something thinking it's a weed. (Seriously, I know it sounds dorky, but I've done it.) I've also read that this can help keep slugs and cutworms out, if you just leave the cardboard tubes in place.

Because I've got nothing else really going on (except for feeding the family, writers block, and a slight fear of falling asleep and not waking up.) I've been all about the garden.

This might get repetitive. Just saying.

Finally - SNOW PEA WEEKEND!

2011-04-02T07:56:00.003-04:00

Oh, I miss the garden. I've been reading other gardening blogs lately, and looking through my own garden pics from last year. *sigh*.

Yesterday it was up to 10 degrees Celsius (that's 50F) and I'm hoping today it will be just as nice out. Because for the last 2 weeks I've been antsy for the ground to be soft enough to put in peas! There's also lettuce and possibly a few other things by now that have to go into the ground. It'll be a full weekend of mucking about back there, and I'm eager for it.

Some lettuce should go in. The snow peas for sure. (I'm also going to have to rig up a trellis with chicken wire and some leftover metal bits from a tent that got bent out of shape a few years ago.)

My zucchini and melon is on the calendar to start next weekend indoors, and swiss chard and tomatoes aren't on the calendar for another 2 weekends (also in cells.) hopefully it will be warm enough to put them outside, in cells, in the covered kiddie sand box that I now use as a little "cold frame". (It's a plastic number, shaped as a big crab.) By then, I'll have run out of room inside.

If I put a pot of boiling water in the crab before bed, and close the lid, it should keep them warm enough until the sun comes up?? Last year I started them out there, too, but I think it was just cool enough to make them slow to start.

Anywho, gotta finish the coffee (the ONE I'm allowed to have a day) and my yoghurt and granola, get dressed, and drag the video game pixies out there with me. haha!

L.

Does Vermi Compost Buckets Count as Money Spent?

2011-03-26T10:35:00.002-04:00

I was looking over my "money spent" blog ($115 so far) and I thought "oh, I bought buckets for worms!" I don't even have the worms yet. I'm hoping one of my wonderful friends will be able to share before I go buy some.

I'm wondering if I should count the containers and worms as money spent on the garden? I mean, they'll make compost, that ultimately helps the garden... Anywho,

2 cheap n cheerful grey totes, $15 after taxes. (The idea is you drill holes in the bottom of one, put something in the bottom of the second, and sit the first in the second, so any moisture can drip out and not drown your worms. ) I'm still going to need to salvage some "screen" for the bottom (just like what's in your windows) so the worms can wiggle out the bottom holes.

This brings my 'money spent' on the garden to $130. With all the extra veggies this year, I'm sure we'll reap more than that in produce.

Today I'm putting my snowpeas in the ground, plus there's some lettuce I want to put in, and a list of other things that are due to go into the seedling trays to sit on my fridge :)

I've got so many more this year than before. I'm going to need a greenhouse at some point.

Money Spent, Freebies,

2011-03-20T08:56:00.003-04:00

This years 'garden' math so far.

$65 on seeds. Seriously. But, I did buy a heck of a lot. And, if I don't use them all, I'll store them for next year. The Cottage Gardener seeds are very very good, and have great germination rates even on year 2.

$50 combined in cocopeat, a few new seedling trays, 2 bags of soil, and a few wicker baskets from the thrift store.

What I've gotten from generous donation from friends so far:

A couple of big and small coffee cans
a bag full of toilet rolls
7 or 8 empty pop bottles to make domes for outdoor seedling protection.

I'm still looking out for more - with my garden plans being doubled from last year, I'll need all the pop-bottle dome help I can get, yo.

I really didn't want to buy new seedling trays, but in my infinite fall wisdom, I left the old trays out in the yard (all stacked up nice and neatly - under 2 feet of snow.) This week was pretty rainy and warm, which revealed I had saved more than I thought I had... which is good. I'll probably need them all.

I was outside puttering yesterday. It was so sunny and purdy, and the side garden had completely cleared of snow. I covered it with newspaper (after pulling some rather prickly weeds out) and then covered THAT with pieces of the old metal shed that collapsed LAST spring. (it was meant to go to the dump for recycling, but never managed to get there.) anyway, when it's closer to NICE OUT I'll remove the metal panels and spread the compost and some hay on top.

I was inspecting the shed remains and spotted some things that will be good for making trellises for viney veggies and stakes for the tomatoes that just...keep... GROWING! (They end up about as tall as I am...5 whole feet.)

I cleared a little area in the back garden the same way. Had to actually dig a foot of snow out of the way, to put down newspaper and cover with panels. Now that I'm sitting here writing about it though, I'm thinking there are spots in the yard that are already well melted that would probably suit the peas better... hmmm...

Anyway, just a few thoughts on the morning. The girls have finished their "Ostara Egg" hunt (I think it took them 10 whole minutes this year) and my beloved and I are slowing waking up before the Great-Lasagna-Prep begins.

Oh yes, and it's our anniversary today. :)

Life is Good :)

How To Make Kids Eat Almost Stale Cupcakes...

2011-03-17T18:18:00.005-04:00

So, I made these mini cupcakes a few days ago, and they went almost stale... you know what I`m talking about. Just this side of edible, because they had a little crunch going on.

So, I broke out the Watkins Chocolate pudding-pie filling mix. I bought some when it was on sale (I tend to stock up when things are on sale, with all things. In the long run, it saves you moolah.

There were about 20 of these mini`s left. So I broke them all up, and half went into a ziplock and into the freezer.

Watkins dessert mix is an old fashioned behaving one - You have to cook it over medium heat till it thickens. Let it cool, then pour in cups or pie filling. I poured mine in a casserole dish (one of my favourites, from my neice and her whole family.) on top of the 10 broken up mini muffins.

I`m going to let it cool and have it with tomorrows lunch - only because it`s hardly fair to load the kids up with chocolate at 6:30 and then scram to Stitch N Bitch and leave my beloved with them all wound up. hehe.

The trick with this little dessert is that the cupcakes MUST be getting snubbing reviews from your kidlets. If they are moist, they probably won`t work. This way, they are still going to be somewhat firm and not gone to mush.

I hate throwing food out. I love making left overs into new food again.

It`s a good skill to have!
Now, I must actually bring something to STITCH to Stitch N Bitch tonight.

Gimme Gimme Dirt! 2011 Disco Remix

2011-03-15T20:14:00.005-04:00

I am so ridiculously excited for this years garden. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe because the Universe decided I was taking a break, and my busy busy mind needs SOMETHING.

So, my seeds all came in and I divied them out to those who wanted a share. Leaving me with lots. I'm good with that, as The Cottage Gardener seeds seem to last forever and ever. (See the seed post here.)

In addition to all of those, I got some extra surprises in a "container gardening" pack I purchased. So, there's also Small Sugar Pea's, Burbank Tomatoes, A Mesclun Mix, and Little Finger Eggplant to get in there. As well as some more Columbines and Morning Glories from a seed swap.

I had to purchase a few other trays. The ones I have are buried in snow (although the pixies were good enough to dig around out there and recover one.)

I purchased only one tray with cells, two trays with only the clear lids, and 2 trays without a lid. I'm going to quickly run out of room on the top of the fridge, but with the plan of attack, hopefully some of those trays will be able to sun out in the driveway.

Because I know the 5 boxes in the back and the plot on the side yard won't be big enough for all that I've got this year, I'm collecting containers. These baskets came courtesy of the Sally Ann.

Not all of them have plastic already in them, so I'll just line them with bags and poke some drainage holes in the bottom.

However, if I can get my hands on some more milk crates, those would be awesome. I'm putting my Little Finger carrots in containers this year, as well as the radishes and a whole slew of other stuff, so I'm gonna need a bunch!

So, today I started a garden journal to keep it all straight in my head. A nice way to pass the latter half of the afternoon. I made a map of the yard, pencilled in what was going to go where, what was moving, and what stays put. There's lots to do, but I've broken it down week by week in terms of planting, moving bushes, mulching, etc.. so it's feeling very very managable.

The journal will also be helpful to keep track of if I'm breaking even. Last year I managed to, even with purchasing the soil, seeds, seedling cells and wood for starting up. (See "Soul and The Last Harvest)

Although last year my step-dad and I shovelled the soil from the transfer station ourselves. This year, I think I might have to have it delivered. However, with so much more being grown, after the weigh in, I'm still hoping to break even.

That's what I'm telling myself now. Until I need to figure out where all the extra soil is coming from for all those pots. And how much will it really end up costing me? The composter is full, and hopefully by spring will all be ready to disperse in the boxes and the garden plot...

I'll be buying some extra dollar store hand tools for the pixies this year, too, though. hehe.

Oh, have I mentioned that I want to get some worms again for vermi composting?

I'm really really excited about hands-in-the-dirt this year.

L.

YOU GROW GIRL!

2011-02-24T10:17:00.002-05:00

Life has been busy. Today, I`m taking it easy. (As easy as one can with a house full of chores patiently waiting on me, with tapping feet and rolling eyes. Yes, laundry, one moment pleeeease.)

Today, I picked up my ``You Grow Girl`` book, and I`m so excited for my seeds to come in, and get my garden started. Some things will need to be started at the end of March, to be ready to go outside at the end of May, and for me it`s time to start thinking and plotting it out now.

This also had me thinking about my targets. Because I was thinking that this might be the last year I have a garden here - if all continues as it is now, next year at about this time we`ll be picking out a new house. I`m so in love with my garden here, I`m seriously going to have to hire some people to pack it up and take it with me. There will be bins and bins of strawberries, grasses, bushes, lilies....I feel a TIE with them, even if the new place already has beautiful gardens. I`ll still want my boxes and containers to grow veggies and greens!

Anyway... A new plan of attack this year on the garden.

The tomatoes (which are indeterminate, so grow taller than me by the end of the year ) will be surrounded with the zucchini, instead of all crammed into one box. (the boxes are all 3 x 7). They will probably take at least 2 of the boxes.
The small sugar pumpkins are moving to a different box, where they have room to roam and not get into the kids play area... last year they reached out to play, too!
The little finger carrots will stay where they were. I wonder if they could share space with the little eggplant. And, can I make eggplant so my family will eat it.
The bit at the back fence is going to get covered over with newspaper mulch, so that the beans that are coming will have somewhere to climb (every year I attempt flowers back there, and every year it becomes over grown with wildness.) I`ve never done beans before (my beloved isn`t crazy about them, so I`ve put it off. Besides, my Father- in-Luv plants enough to feed small armies usually. hehe. Any ``extra`` I`ll take to market this summer.) BUT, can anyone tell me if squirrels will eat beans
I`d like to box in the side garden, make the rows run the other direction this year, and put the melons in there... it`s a 10 x 10ish space, and I`m hoping I`ll be able to find the wood without having to purchase it.
The little strawberries are going to need some straw this year along the lines.
I`ve got an heirloom lettuce mixed pack coming - they are going to live in one of the boxes in the back, and I`m going to have to fortify that box with chicken wire or SOMETHING to keep nibbly critters out. I`ll probably put some in containers, too, though
Swiss Chard. Possibly in Containers, along with Spinach, radish mix, hot pepper, sweet italian pepper, Unless I build ANOTHER box back there.
Basil, chives, mint in pots.
FLOWERS! They will live exclusively in the front yard this year. Under the Maple tree, in the front box. Morning glory (well, YEAH!) Some new Hollyhocks, (8 ft in sun!) Goats Rue (for the back of the garden box, which is always neglected.) Foamflower (for under the maple tree, because they like the shade a lot!)

I am going to need a LOT of soil. (I wonder what it will cost to have someone deliver it, rather than me going to the dump to get it myself... which kills my back and takes FOREVER.)
And a LOT of containers.
And mulch. Probably have to hit up a local farm for some hay.

Possibly a new shovel.

These thoughts make me happy today. The feel of gardening gloves with their little rubbery grippy bits. The smell of dirt. Talking to little baby seedlings (``You grow up big, little plant!``) The sun on my back and a very big hat on my head.

Sigh.

Well, that was fun. I`m going to do some dishes now, and daydream out the back window, pretend that it`s not snow covered but bright and green and growing.

Have a fantastic day!

Whelmed

2011-02-13T09:05:00.003-05:00

This morning I woke from a dream... Where I was a concubine of George Bush (I know, RIGHT?) and the CAS ripped out portions of my dream journal to build a case against me... and the pages they left they marked up in red pen, correcting my bad grammar (you know, the stuff I refer to as artistic.) There were bugs in my clean clothing and everything was out of control.

I woke up feeling completely freaked out. Entirely whelmed before I opened my eyes, trying to figure out a way to solve all of these simultaneous problems at once. Panic stricken.

I've been up for two hours now, the entire time I'm thinking about online work, diner shift tomorrow (I go in to a diner to waitress 2 days a week.), dinner for my family, my basement full of material and the summer market, my Watkins business, the play I've agreed to do, the seedlings I haven't ordered yet and will soon have to go into soil if they're to come up right, canvasses in the basement I've been dying to get at, unfolded laundry, the new house on the horizon, etsy packages to be mailed..... And it's painfully obvious to me that the dream was a signal.

I'm feeling like life is a little out of control. Ok. A lot out of control.

And I know this feeling is completely in my head. If I wrap my brain around it, in 2 minutes it'll all be back in it's place. My energy, my connection to my universe, has been momentarily shaken. I'm thrown off my universal groove, so to speak.

And I know, "Dear Goddess, it could be WORSE!" So I cannot panic. But I definately woke with the feeling of "somethings gotta give." It's possible to be whelmed by too much good?

I need to put things back into focus. Have you ever had a day like this?

I can't memorize lines if I'm distracted like this.

I think it's time to make a new priority list.

Creative Genius

2011-01-29T17:53:00.002-05:00

So, I've not been here in a week or so. I've been diligently working on my business blog. It's taken some time to make it look not-so-nekkid. Plus, I've been reading some sponsoring books, I've been carrying on with Think and Grow Rich (I bought a hard copy. The audio wasn't doing it for me.) plus I've still got the Zig Ziglar book beside the bed.

My last blog this evening is basically just a TED video that I thought was just brilliant. It made me want to cry (in a good way!)

Have a peek:
http://workwithloripetroff.com/nurturing-creativity-ted-is-awesome

Life is Good. I've been busy.

Be back soon!

Lori

Holy BUSINESS LEADS Batman!

2011-01-21T18:39:00.003-05:00

So, I've stumbled upon some information, that has changed my business already. I guess because I already have a solid understanding about how Multi Level Marketing works, I understood IMMEDIATELY what this was worth to my business growth. (I'm recruting between one and five people a month to my business. For many, they'd be happy with that sort of growth. I know I can do MORE, and help more families FASTER.)

Leads are everything. This system shows you were the leads are that are ASKING for your business information, instead of having to beat down doors and pester with emails. (yeah, you mlm'ers know what I'm talking about.) This information has given me the power to teach others what I've been doing RIGHT in network marketing, as well as build my own business.

Anyway, I'm going to be setting up a separate blog for it, so this blog won't be crowded out so much with business "nattering". I have no idea about wordpress, but this lead system also provides incredible training, and part of it is showing me how to set up my wordpress! SWEET.

Until then, there might be some "Lori Petroff is incredibly excited about business" stories mixed in with "Lori is dreamy and poetic." Bare with me.

And if you are in ANY multi level marketing business, I suggest you give this a peek too.

Work With Lori Petroff

Happy Friday!

P.S. I've just begun setting up the new blog. You can find it HERE. There's not much to it yet, and I'm just learning how to use Wordpress, but it'll be fun to watch how it develops!

The Waters

2011-01-19T14:18:00.002-05:00

Dreamed of cities flooding. Buildings collapsed, people were chest deep not knowing where to go, so they didn't move. A helicopter thwapped overhead. A woman held her naked screaming infant out of the water.

A tall blonde man I know wore his backpack and looked calm. He walked his bike under the water. In the city where was something to walk on, it was mucky. Oprah was on the street with an entourage and cameras.

I watched from above. And then I was in the water with them. Then again, flying overhead, observing all of it. Most of the population was stunned into stillness. Some of the people were moving. Only a few were thinking and helping. I woke before the alarm and lay in bed for a half hour contemplating the dream.

When the alarm went off, the news call rang. A minute in, a news blip about the flooding going on in the world, and a 13 year old boy who died with his mother, because he insisted rescuers save his younger brother first. I had forgotten about hearing about the flooding. Laying there in my safe, warm bed, I couldn't recall where the flooding was. Complete towns being drowned like Atlantis. I wondered if I'd be as brave as a 13 year old boy. I wondered if I'd have strength to hold my infant up up out of the water for hours, watching it cry. I wondered if I'd have the strength to be calm.

Somewhere in the world there are people so stunned they are still. Some moving, some helping. Somewhere in the world there's a mother trying to keep an infant dry and warm and out of the water. There are people who are dying in panic and fear, or in quiet and calmly. All waiting for rescue. All waiting for emotional Mother Nature to cease the waters. All living chest deep in the stuff that "fiction" novels are made of.

A message for me to remember today, when you frown because your Tim's coffee line is long, or you're in overdraft, or you've been laid off, or your socks get wet from the snow... We've got it easy folks.

Toucha Toucha Toucha Touch meeeee

2011-01-19T14:16:00.001-05:00

From January 18th...

Yesterday, a well made up lady dressed in a very fluffy blonde fur coat and walking in heeled boots, in full make up and hair stood behind me. Then she moved besde me, waiting on the corner of King and Hugel, to cross to the Valu Mart. She nearly crossed on the wrong light, using the lights audio cue instead of looking at the lights. She looked at me, why was I not crossing, and realized her mistake.

Me, in my blue "kay way" pants, the ripped bottom hidden under my mens green little-too-large coat, red hood/toque, topped with my greenish hat, cream ratty mittens and solid winter-walking black boots. My back pack has been extremely full. If anyone were to judge the cover my book has been wearing... well, the thought makes me laugh.

This perfumed lady started chatting with me. Ofcourse, the language I use reveals me as I am underneath these mismatched layers. She continued to chat across the road. I walked beside her incase she needed catching, in those impractical and no doubt expensive boots on the slick and slippery cross.

She was SO made up. But, I smiled at her first, and I suppose that opened her up. Once we crossed and I was sure she was steady, I picked up my normal walking pace and turned into Valu Mart.

I thought about how she decided not to snub me or judge me, made eye contact and smiled as easily as I had, based on my image.

But, I think I may have judged her, based on how she looked. Better than me? Or just a well put together cover??

It was Very Very cold today.

2011-01-17T20:15:00.003-05:00

Everyday I look for the magic. Sometimes it comes easy, swooping in like a sky full of black birds, flipping air and feathers into my face. Sometimes not so easily, when I'm frowning and grinding teeth infront of the industrial dishwasher, trying to see beyond the mist it's caused on my lenses.

Today was light.

This morning, I walked to work in the freezing cold. My nose ran, but I didn't freeze.
I wrote 10 double sided pages of the continuing saga of The Romance Novel.
I was excited with it, it came so fast and easily.
I was almost late for my part time waitressing gig at the restaurant I work at, but the waitress in the restaurant I was writing in reminded me it was time to go. I appreciate that they know me by name, know my regular orders, let me sit in the window and write for an hour or two, and especially when they remind me to go to my own job.
The morning was pretty magical.

This afternoon, some ladies asked about our very very single cook, and it made him smile. That was magic. His happiness made me happy. I like him a lot.
It wasn't a very busy shift, but I made some decent tips.
I got to joke openly with some of the regular fellows. We all got to laugh out loud, being the only ones in the restaurant.
Another regular came in at the end of the day, so SO excited for his newfound health and a new business he's starting. It was really nice to see him so alive and energized. There was a spontaneous hug before he left, and that was pretty magical.
The shift went by so quickly. That was nice, too.

This evening my beloved made dinner.
Ground beef mixed with refried beans. Some melted brick cheese on that. A dollop of sour cream on that. All of it on top of FRITOS. yes, the corn chip. The stuff of internet recipe insanity. I'm surprised there wasn't bacon on it. Fritos for dinner has GOT to be some kind of magic. (The pixies thought so!)

Soon, I'm tucking myself into bed. Warm bedding is magical, too.

Sometimes I'm intensly plotting my course. I'm "workin' it." All business and focused on the goals.

Sometimes I'm just in love with every moment. The slippy slidey sidewalk and my breath freezing on my face. The swoosh swoosh of my windbreaker pants. The taste of tea. The smell of cologne. Money to pay the PUC. Homefries. Real belly shaking laughter. Strangers responding to my smile. The public library. Sweeping the floor.

Today was that day. Every moment was magic.

I'll have to bottle this for the future.

Get Busy and Get Going. No More Wishy Washy Wishes!

2011-01-15T19:39:00.004-05:00

You have decided on your destination, arrived at the airport, boarded the plane, and taken your seat. You are now ready for the most important step of all: the takeoff, the launch, where you step out in faith with no guarantete of success. this is the turning point in your life and in the life of every successful person.

The plane taxies to the runway, gets clearance for takeoff from the tower, and starts down the runway. This is the critical moment, the takeoff that is the true beginning of your journey toward your destination.

Once the plane has clearance, the pilot gives the plane 100 percent full throttle. The plane begins moving, slowly at first, and then picks up speed, going faster andfaster down the runway until it lifts off into the air. This is the moment that pilots call "wheels up." It is the official beginning of the flight.

Here is the key question: What if the pilot, instead of going full throttle, decided to use only 80 or 90 percent throttle? Any pilot will give you the answer. If the plane went at any less than full throttle, it would never reach takeoff speed. The plane would keep going until it ran out of runway without ever rising into the air.

This illustrates a key difference between success and mediocrity in life. Successful people take off at full throttle when they embark on a new flight toward a new destination. They work full blast at their jobs. They throw their whole hearts into whatever they are doing, especially at the beginning of any new endeavor.

Perhaps nothing is more important in achieving the success you desire than for you to be prepared to work very, very hard for a long time until you achieve your goal.

Average people, on the other hand, never fly at full throttle. They look for ways to take it easy, to do as little as possible. As a result, they never achieve liftoff. They never get into the air. They never really succeed at anything.

Instead of getting angry or depressed, get busy and get going. Make things happen.

****

An excerpt from Chapter 5 of "Flight Plan, The Real Secret of Success."

I've also been listening to an audio version of Napoleon Hill's "The Law of Success", with my Summit Group Team. Flight Plan refers to Napoleon Hills work quite a bit, and it's funny how much other stuff I'm coming into contact with mentions Napoleon Hill. It's nice to have a point of reference, and even better that having listened and taken notes on The Law of Success, I'm understanding and ABSORBING more of what I'm reading.

There's no room for failure. My dreams cannot remain Will-o-th'-Wisps dancing across the highway in the highbeams in the dark. I've put lots of energy into the positive thinking, and into thinking with Love. These things help make life better, and I'm happy to have smile wrinkles rather than frowny ones.

But It's time for action. I'm enjoying making it work, and it's nice to have a solid support system to fall back on with my team mates.

The REAL Secret of Success

2011-01-12T08:38:00.003-05:00

This is a wonderful time to be alive. It has never been more possible for more people to accomplish more of their goals in all of human history. and if anything, it is only going to get better in the months and years ahead. Your job is to fully participate in what economists are calling "the golden age" of mankind.

In our world, everyone wants to be happy, healthy, thin and rich - preferably, as quickly and as easily as possible. Throughout history, in response to this almost universal demand for immediate gratification, countless people and organizations have offered enticing formulas, special techniques, esoteric strategies, and secrets for achieving success and happiness without effort.

Every year or two, someone comes along with a book liek The Secret, suggesting that there is a quick and easy way to be happy and make a lot of money. According to The Secret, all you have to do is to think and visualize positive thoughts and you will attract into your life all the good things you want. This idea appeals to people who are unwilling to do the hard work that is necessary to achieve anything worthwhile.

The real secret of success, however, is that there are no secrets. There are only universal principles and timeless truths that have been discovered and rediscovered throughout the ages. Happiness, health, and prosperity do no occur by accident. They are the result of deliberate design and are subject to the iron Law of Cause and Effect.

This law says, "For every cause, there is an effect." It also says, "For every effect, there is a cause or causes." This means that if you do certain things, you get certain results. The Bible Says, "Whatsoever you sow, that also shall you reap." Sir Isaac Newton wrote, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Here is a simple rule: If you do what other successful people do, over and over again, nothing can stop you from eventually getting the same results that they do. Conversely, if you don't do what other successful people do, nothing can help you. Success is not an accident. It is not a matter of luck but of design. It is simple a matter of cause and effect.

** From "Flight Plan - The Real Secret of Success"**

I picked this book up, after receiving a chinese cookie fortune on Jan 4 that read:

"Depend not on fortune, but on conduct."

I just haven't had a chance to blog about it since then. I've been busy MAKING things happen, with all the energy and teachings that I've been absorbing over the last few months, and more intensely over the last 2 weeks.

I took a good look at my business successes, and reminded myself of the reason why I have done so well (everyday eco friendly products, a proven system to follow, the business is 142 years old, I love helping other families do what I do) and I've jumped back in with new purpose.

Happiness, health, and prosperity do no occur by accident. They are the result of deliberate design and are subject to the iron Law of Cause and Effect.

If you want to learn to do what I do, you can have the same successes I've had the past year and a half. You can have the same successes I'm gearing up for in the next year, too!

Happiness, Health and Prosperity with your own business!

Books for Winter

2011-01-07T09:50:00.003-05:00

I'm in Love with Winter this year. I don't recall any other year I've loved it this much, except maybe that one when I was 15, falling into snowbanks and watching the night sky. I digress. (It's sort of what I do.)

Last year, winter was easy. Love was focused sharp and intent on my sweetheart. Learning every little thing - the curve of his face and the way his hands move and the things that bring out that silent smile.

This year, Love emanates from this core. The centre we've become. So, I suppose that must touch Winter, also.

Today, on a friends Facebook status, one of her friends posted:

How do you know they are the one? Because with them you feel empowered to be the person you always thought you were inside. Your spirit will be free.

And this touched me as a personal truth. And in being free, I'm just in love with every-little-thing. Thankful for every little thing. Right down to having warm clothing for my children (even if we aren't fashion magazine material when we walk to school, we're all very very warm.) Right down to all those things that some so easily take for granted. I put laundry in my old machines, and I'm thankful I can wash clothing at the house.

I shovelled the driveway this morning and thought about how thankful I am that I have the physical ability to do so.

I intended to come here to simply report what I've been reading lately. Posting the pic of my latest embroidery took me elsewhere.

What I'm reading:

Another Roadside Attraction - Tom Robbins
Top Performance - Zig Ziglar
Different Seasons - Stephen King
Now Write! - Sherry Ellis
Gone with the Nerd - Vicki Lewis Thompson (a gift from my sweetie. ehhe.)
The Everything Creative Writing Book - Wendy Burt-Thomas
Flight Plan - The Real Secret To Success - Brian Tracy
Book of Dreams - Sylvia Brown

Another reason to love winter. It affords me the ability to read. These are the books in the last 10 days or so that have been following me around. In my backpack downtown, in the library, in the bath, on the couch, tucked in bed. There are a few other ones that are up on the shelf beside my bed that I turn to, but these are the current in -my-face ones. Crafty books and instructional sort of things.

Now I've an inability to wrap this one up prettily. Because Roxy Music is on the turn table, and all I want to do is curl up with a book.

Life is Good.

Basement Swimming Pool. No Movie Stars.

2010-12-08T12:42:00.004-05:00

I'm on a basement break. Itchy eyes, burning lungs. (Sounds like a great film title... Maybe that's what I'll call my next poetry book.)

Last night, snuggled in with Beloved, A Pomegranate, and The Big Bang Theory... The Big Tall Boy knocks at the door.

"Uh, the basement is flooding."

Say wha?

Utility sink backed up when the laundry tried to drain. The kitchen sinks are also not draining properly. This has happened before.

So, after at least an hour of TBTB and I taking turns mopping, scooping out buckets of water from the utility sinks, running them up the stairs and throwing them out the back door, My beloved comes with a snake and a "One Second Plumber" from his parents house. All my efforts with the plunger did nothing.

Snake didn't work. And, we all got shot in the face with backed up water that came flying out of the laundry drainage pipe when we put the One Second Plumber gadget to work. (Poor sweetie got the worst of it, I think.) The absolute BEST however, was having to drag the cat litter box that had overflowed with water that had spilled over into it, out to the freezing cold yard at 10:30 or so. Maybe 11.

Yum. And Brr.

Lots of stuff got wet. Lots of stuff has been thrown out. I'm feeling whelmed, and the world weighs heavy on me in this moment. My "studio" is supposed to be down there, but today I feel like giving up. There's no room for the girls to play with toys, between the shipping boxes, the stuff in bins listed on etsy, all my crafting stuff, laundry, the guinea pigs huge cage, and the CRAP. It's an unfinished basement. So uncomfortable, despite all my efforts and optimism.

Today, I've been going through it all, but it's hard for me to be down there for more than 10 minutes without exploding. My eyes are itchy (I changed the Squeakers bedding today. That didn't help. I've got the air purifier running, the dehumidifier running, and my clock radio to block out the noise of both.) We need to move. I don't want to get manic over this. I also don't want to QUIT. Quit all of it. Quitting at creating, painting, sewing clears the house off tons of stuff, but will surely leave me picking my cuticles in agitation.

I checked my ING direct account on one of my basement breaks. Watching it's balance rise makes me happier. I found out I got accepted for the trial version of their no fee chequing account, so I set that up. I had to call a customer service rep to ask a question, and he suggested their tax free savings account, explained it all to me, and I switched that over too.

My plan is to close my regular banking chequing account, as it runs me $13, and earns me NO interest. It might take a few months to make sure everything is running smoothly with all my direct debits and all, but the whole thing has lightened my mood.

And given me a chance to have a tea, and rest my itchy eyeballs, before heading back down there.

Paperback Writer

2010-12-07T07:52:00.003-05:00

Good Goddess, Love Me.

I write. I write like mad, about all things. I journal, I ponder, make poetry, make lists, short stories, chronicle dreams. I love writing.

Grabbed a few Writers Digests from the library, and somehow end up on J.A. Konraths page from there, with lots of tips for writers. Very good reading. So, I'm sitting here on my legs till they go numb (I've got it bookmarked) until I come to the page where he chronicles his "adventures" in getting published. Twelve years of waiting tables ( a coincedence? ) persisting at his craft. Twelve years of patience from his girlfriend-turned-wife. Twelve years. TWELVE.

I immediately feel weight place itself firmly on my brow. It's blue and gray and foggy. I turn off my computer, drag my notebooks with me to bed, and fall sullenly into fitful sleep full of lucid dreaming.

What's it all for? All this art? All this craft? All this talent? My busy mind doesn't have rational words to express myself, so cannot speak about it with my beloved, even as we assume the position for sleep and turn the lights out. Poor man. It's the wrong side of my cycle for me to be having a blue fit, but he loves me anyway, quietly sliding his thumb across my brow to take the frown away.

I wake up with a new angle for the current fiction. I groan at myself from under smelly sheets.

Later, when I can speak about it to my beloved, I explain to him how I feel it's all for nothing. What's the point of expending all this energy and passion? All this time? I feel at odds with myself. Because despite 15 hours of "woe is artistic-me", I still get up chewing on plot lines and character development.

He knows the right things to say at the right moments. He knows when it's time to just listen. I couldn't have written a more perfect romantic lead.

I'll continue writing. Continue toting note books in my backpack around town, 5 pens floating around the bottom. Because I'm driven.

The Odds be Damned.

The Last Show.

2010-12-05T11:35:00.004-05:00

Last weekend was the last big show of the year for me. It was quiet, but I did alright. It was a two day show in the Penetanguishene mall, and I was thankful to NOT have to break it down at the end of Saturday. (I could stand and talk all day long... I love that part. I hate the breaking down bit, though.)

It felt nice to know that I can take a few weeks "off " now, as I've got enough stock to take online over the winter months, and focus on making my studio space workable and beautiful! Up till now, it's been a bit of a dumping ground.

These are the wands I made up for this last show. They were a hit! The ones that are left will most likely end up online.

Luckily at this show, they provided us with a bigger than average table. And luckily, I had extra material to cover it! I also got to connect with Ms. Bee of Recycled;Revamped;Reused . She made me a pair of gloves from upcycled sweaters, that fit my long thumb perfectly! She's also now a member of the Midland Craft Mafia , so all in all it was a productive show.

Sales from the website to the U.S. and elsewhere are pretty much done, if it's intended for Christmas. This will be the last week to ship out for Christmas to Canadian addresses.

Black Friday DEALS and Coupon

2010-11-25T08:10:00.003-05:00

Use the Coupon Code to save in BOTH of my Etsy shops:

www.LittleScotia.com

www.VintageWitch.com

Coupon Code is BLACKFRIDAY2010
and will save you 15% off the already fantastic prices in store!

******************

In other news:

This weekend I'll be at the Penetanguishene Mall for the last "big" craft show of the year. I'm in the process of making some Harry Potter style wands for the show, along with organizing all the dolls, jewellery and gadget cozys. If you are in the area on Saturday, November 27, or Sunday November 28, drop in and take a peek. There'll be a mall full of crafters with great ideas for unique gifts.

A pixie just reminded me that "Maybe you should make lunches." yeah, that would be a good idea.

Have a great day! And don't forget to take advantage of the Black Friday Coupon

The Party Don't Spock till I Vulcan...

2010-11-11T15:36:00.003-05:00

This made me howl today. I watched it twice...
It's a non stop Star Trek Party. dig.

In other "news"... I'm at Karma Marketplace in Penetanguishene doing tarot readings this Saturday from 10am till 1, with a pile of other very cool vendors! Pretty exciting stuff always happening somewhere in our pretty area :)

*****

This is the first Rememberance Day that I didn't go up to the Cenotaph in years and years. The weather was beautiful, and I was parked at the Rye writing. I stopped everything while the radio played In Flanders Fields, and then a moment of silence.

It's been a quiet day, and I think it was needed. Reflection was the theme of the day. Wondering about the Universe Message today. There is learning in everything.

She's CRAFTY! Vote for me :) Make a Bracelet

2010-10-31T09:21:00.004-04:00

I've entered a yummy contest! I created a bracelet online with the prettiest beads!

"She's Crafty!" is the name of the bracelet! Click and go vote!

You'll be able to see the bracelet larger that way! Then, have some fun with the bracelet maker yourself!

Happy Halloween!!!

Where oh Where oh Where is Lori??

2010-10-25T19:28:00.003-04:00

Today, I woke with a sense of excitement.
A sense of "oooooh, YES."

No explicable reason. Sometimes one wakes up and just KNOWS these things.
Perhaps it was the weather. Something stirs with autumn (could it be spring in reverse? The backwards is as good as the forwards on the tilt-a-whirl. Why not with weather?)
Perhaps it was the near completion of a new doll, or the new painting I'm working on, or my giggling children, so excited to go with my beloved today (To Gramma's house! A day for Wii and Sugar!)

And Life is Good, afterall. Yes, with CAPS.

National Novel Writing Month is almost here. I'm so excited I could *squeak*. This year, there is a plan of attack, and I feel happily confident.

My dreams have been vivid and daring.

I"ve had time and head space to read SO much, on so many different subjects in the last week. (There are only 15 different books by my bedside these days - I read from 2 or 3 before bed, and drag others around with me during the day.) My mind feels well fed.

I'm excited to see how it all plays out. Where the energy takes me. I've felt like *squeaking* like an excited 4 year old lately. Everything FEELS good. Dancing in dry leaves and laughing too loud in public and smiling Cheshire-Cat.

Chocolate Almonds have arrived. My sweetheart is adorable.

L.

The Spiral Dances.

2010-10-21T15:50:00.003-04:00

It snowed today. And I felt ok with it. Because things are coming together. Just in time for our pagan year to end (Oct 31) and a new year begin!!!

Summer Market ended on Thanksgiving weekend (That was Oct 11th) and the weeks approaching that weekend, and the last 10 days, I've felt LOST. Aimless. Listless, almost.

Crafts and things to list on my ebay and etsy went untouched and piled on my work table. So much so, that my sweet mom-in-law remarked "I thought you had a sewing machine on this table." It was still there. Just buried. Next to a serger. Also, buried.

I have been spending much time reading just about anything I could get my hands on (which my brain enjoyed) plus working away at the online course.

Today I was offered and I committed to a spot at a permanent indoor market. I've also been doing a few more etsy sales, and I know I'm already dreadfully behind on catching winter sales, in terms of things to create. I have some things from summer market I can list, but I want to make some more seasonal mini's, dolls and jewellery, too. I'm finally motivated to get to it.

I also have a show for Watkins on Nov 17th Open House at the NSSRC in Midland. (There will be other ladies there with other home business companies, having sales. ) which is good, because I haven't been very aggressive with Watkins lately.

There are other secret things on our agenda, that require some large spellwork and big concentration!

It's nice to feel motivated again. Painting! Dolls! Mini's! Sewing! Sculpting!
Now, where do I begin??

Life is Good

Monday Magic, Copyright LGP

2010-10-12T07:26:00.004-04:00

This Morning
At a crossroads,
A Crow launched himself
into the air
And swooped

Up
Gliding so close
He would have touched me
If I hadn't stopped walking, to watch.
He carried
A whole cigarette
In his beak,
And proudly perched himself
on a wire
Back where I had already been.

The Soul and The Last Harvest?

2010-10-07T14:43:00.008-04:00

Last Harvest? It just might be, depending on what the weather does. It's been so unpredictable, but really, I think that's typical for October, isn't it?? I've pulled a total of 8 Small sugar pumpkins out of the yard. If I paid $2 each in the super market, that's $16 worth of cooking pumpkins. (they might actually sell for more, since they are sort of a specialty item, or if they were sold by the pound. Heavy little suckers.)

There's another 10 pounds of tomatoes there - at my estimate of $1.29 a pound, that's $12.29, for a total of $38.09 in tomatoes.

Look at these Zucchini! The tiny ones are what go in the supermarket for about $1.00 a pound. These 4 are another $4.00, for a total of $8.00 in Zucchini.

Look at the cute little green cherry tomatoes that refused to turn out in the garden. I included them with the 10 pounds...

I even hauled the rest of my baby carrots out of the garden! Another $1.00 worth, for a grand total of $2.00 in carrots! haha.

So, including my hauls so far (see: More Haul ) That's a grand total of $69.59 in veggies. HOWEVER...

LOOKY LOOKY.

I've saved the pumpkin seeds and dried them out, as well as the tomato seeds. These plant seeds originally came from a certified, heirloom farm in Ontario. I'm making seed packets for them, and we're going to sell those too! The saving of them is messy business (fermenting tomato seeds are FUN! bleck.) but, I'm going to add that to the total of our gardens yield. I think we're going to break even!

On another note, guess what I found today while in Bay Street Books on a whim?? TWO copies of 'Seat of the Soul'.. oh yes, I bought them both. One is getting gifted to my M.I.L. (just act surprised when you get it, Norma. hehe.) and one to replace my old-falling-apart copy. Unless I decide to gift it out, too. Yes, it's THAT good of a book, if you're READY for it. It changed me. (I also bought a Sylvia Brown book for a new friend, who has too many questions about guides, and me with not enough answers. hehehe.)

Happy Thursday!!

The Begging Fundraiser for Grade 4's

2010-10-02T09:07:00.005-04:00

In grade 4, around these parts, there is a class trip that is a VERY big deal. The kids go to a sleep over camp for a few days. The fundraiser is a "walk-a-thon."

The fundraiser is set up like this: Your camp trip is going to cost $140. Ask people you know for money. Then we're going to walk from 9:15 till noon (to a park, around the park, and back.) I'm having issues with this fundraiser.

To play Devils Advocate with myself, I suppose this way ALL the monies go to the payment of the trip. There's no chocolate bars or THINGS to keep track of.

My issues: Many times in life, we need money. I would like to teach my daughter that there are:

Creative ways to earn what you need;
Reasonable ways to earn what you need;
Moral ways to earn what you need;
Ways to earn what you need that are helpful and KIND to others;
Ways to earn what you need that does NOT involve begging and giving NOTHING in return.

I don't want to teach my daughter that there is no "work" involved. If I send her out to beg for money, and in return all she's going to do is take a "walk in the park", what will she learn?

What I DO want her to get from this experience, is that money represents energy spent, and an equal exchange of energy is required and kind.

All her grandparents before her (she's got a couple of sets, in our happy pagan life) learned or were taught a SKILL (or two or ten) to help make a job easier. Or someones life enhanced, or help someone do what they themselves can't. And for that got paid. ALL of them, HARD and proud workers.

I've always been creative to earn what we need. I have at times bartered energies, too. (I'll babysit your kids, and I appreciate the groceries or vegetables from your garden, etc. I'll make you a doll, and trade you for knowledge/books/dresses for my daughters. That sort of thing.)

There is NOTHING that sits right in my cells about sending my daughter off into the world to BEG for others hard-earned-energy. If $5 represents about half an hour of someones energy (for arguments sake. In our area, with minimum wage at about $10, after taxes, I'm estimating $5) then I need to teach my daughter that she's going to have to return in kind half an hour of HER energy for it.

She and I have talked about this. Together, we've come up with a plan that is reasonable, makes her responsible, gives her control over her trip, and will help her appreciate what $140 in energy LOOKS AND FEELS like.

Next weekend, She and I are going to be in the kitchen. She is going to help peel and squish bananas, break eggs, stir batter, and make breads and biscotti. She is going to help wrap them.

On Sunday, October 10, she will be with me at Market all day (9am till 2pm), selling the biscotti and breads she will have helped make (banana, zucchini, pumpkin.) to fundraise for her trip. She is really eager to have her own table in my tent, and to do the selling, too. It's cute, and I can't wait to see how she handles it all. I'm proud of her for looking forward to this, and putting some thought into it.

I'm sure I'll get some differing opinions on this one, from teachers and parents alike. This isn't about arguing who is right or wrong, and I'm SURE the school has it's "whys" for handling it this way. However, this is how OUR family is facing this. Our family and personal values will eventually be launched out into the world in the form of young people who will make a difference to their loved ones and maybe the world.

L.

Bead Store, Coffee Shop, Purple Sock, Witches Walk, OH MY!

2010-10-01T16:49:00.012-04:00

The Coldwater Coffee Shop - OMG So cute

On Thursday, my adorable friend Norma (who doubles as my Mom-In-Law) and I went to COLDWATER (Ontario.) We had been talking about hitting the bead store there for a while, and finally set a date (which is what it TAKES in my world to firm up plans - it MUST be put into the date book to make it happen!)

After nosing around The Art and Gift Studio , my tummy decided it needed FOOD. We went into the Coldwater Coffee Shop. A cozy place with BIG personality. Prices were REALLY good, she topped up our coffee in exchange for a smile (and being able to catch up on all our gossip, I'm sure! haha!) and the food was REALLY good. Norma had a scone, I had a breakfast wrap.

Then, off to the bead store!

Holly & Co. Beads have been open about a year. I was thrilled and whelmed with the INSANE selection they had to offer. Norma and I spent AT LEAST an hour in there - but I wasn't watching the time. Too busy picking through pretties. I mean, just LOOK:

Every wall filled with beads, plus beads on tables, beads on risers, beads in displays, beads in the backroom - plus all the things that you need to string them. She does classes, too! They don't have a website yet, and as I write their FACEBOOK page is still under construction, but don't let that deter you from going! They are open Monday, Wed, Thurs, Fri from 10 am to 5, Saturday from 10am to 4, and Sunday from 12 to 4. There are even drop in beginner classes on Mon, Wed and Fri, AND you can book birthday parties for kids (although I wouldn't mind doing a class or two, to learn how to use different jewellery making tools and products. I currently only work with hemp, which is completely different from metals.)

We peeked into the fabled Purple Sock , where all things knitty (and crochety and wooly) goes on. Norma knew exactly what she was looking at, but I'm not much of a connoisseur of knit (although I do like to crochet, I can't read a pattern to save my life. I'm going to have to learn to read patterns though, as my Stitch n Bitch buddy Heather gave me a pile of Cabbage Patch Kid clothing patterns... I digress.)

The Purple Sock had lots of TEA selections, too (which surprised and delighted me) I bought some "Lucid Dreaming Tea"... and I'm very excited to see where THAT takes me. *cackle*

In and out of other little and big shops (I want a house that looks and smells like the "Back In Thyme" shop - holy, I could drink tea and write poetry in there all day long. Unfortunately they don't allow pictures being taken of their shop, so I can't post pics!) and made it home just in time for me to pick up the kids from school.

$30 in beads. A few bucks in munchies. Loads of free flowing conversation. It was an awesome day. Last but not least, here's a reason to go back! Coldwater WITCHES WALK! click the pic to make it bigger and read the details. Wanna go???

I Write, because I MUST.

2010-09-25T09:26:00.004-04:00

My writing has been stifled. No More.

This has been a long and strange week. And, it's "only" Saturday. My week doesn't feel over until I lay my head on my pillow on Sunday night, and beg for dreams. There's still a little over 24 hours in this week, to figure everything out, and put it all in place. 24 more hours to see what comes.

So much has come to light this week, so much has started new this week. It's also been "full moon" week, and Autumn Equinox week, so I shouldn't be so out-of-sorts about it being completely OUTER LIMITS. Lethargic, dampened, too much in thought, too much in dream. However, my head is spinning - figuratively and literally. Yesterday, I had what they think is a "little" stroke or a "mini" seizure. A wake up call for me.

They say when a door closes, a window opens. Somewhere in the building. Sometimes you have to search all 5 floors or so to find the damn thing... and sometimes it needs to be jimmied opened with a screw driver and possibly a hammer, because it's old and some long ago ancestor painted right over all the seams, thinking you'd never need it. Sometimes it's easier to just go back down the stairs and stare at the door that's been slammed shut in your face. Look through the peek hole at their fishbowl world, and hope that they'll let you back into it.

But that window is there. Unlocked and waiting for you to put a little sweat into it, a little effort.

A small faction of my life, that once represented my near entirety, has completely separated itself from me and all associated with me. I'm not entrirely sure how to feel about this. Perplexed? Relieved? Time reveals all. I am honestly who I am, and they are honestly who they are. And I'm discovering we're more like oil and water than anything thicker.

In return, the jimmied window reveals open arms and unconditional love. New friendships that offer trust and spirit. There is a bit of sadness, leaving behind old habits. But when there's no love there - not even a bit of "like" left, why would ANYONE continue to seek it out? Ask for it?

I'm not perfect. I apologize, when I've done something wrong. I can look my mistakes square in the ugly eye and make peace with them. I've had some practice at it, and have become quite good at seeing ugly come at a distance and stopping it before it gets a chance to create havoc. I've become practiced at approaching experiences and people with love and the bigger picture in mind.

I stand on this side of the fence, after being pushed through roughly and without apology or regret. Over the last few months, the bruises in my chest have healed, and I've discovered how green the grass is on this side, and my loved ones and I are making quite a pretty garden of it. And everyone who's here, is REALLY happy to be here, and appreciates every moment.

I'm not going to try to look over the fence anymore.

I've got better things to do with my time, energy, and love.

Balance.

2010-09-14T08:05:00.002-04:00

Balance.

I've been thinking a lot about it the past few days. That, and trying to live in the NOW while making plans for the FUTURE. Which also requires balance.

The last week, I've been putting myself to sleep with intentions of searching for astral answers. Or guidance. Or hints at the path. All week my sleep had been wibbly wobbly (timey wimey!) up and down and talking in dreams with A LOT of different people.

This morning, I woke feeling rested and calm. Like, everything is as it should be. The path we walk is working itself out.

Earlier this week, I talked to myself. I was brought there by one of my old guides (Who is looking more and more like Christopher Atkins circa "The Pirate Movie" for some reason. But taller.) I was a little over 50. My hair had gone salt and pepper, and my skin seemed darker (as well as aged.) It was the strangest thing to hold my own hand and walk in a garden that she/I said would one day be mine/ours. The 50 year old me basically was telling me to relax, it will come, and to plan for it. Get the ducks in order.

I've also been watching a rather condensed amount of Doctor Who lately. It's opened my head up to all sorts of new ideas (or maybe to reviewed ideas in a new light.)

I'm all half thoughts today. I'm thinking about my sweetheart today. I'm observing my children today. I should really brush my teeth today.

Have a good one.

More Haul, and A Birthday Party

2010-09-10T13:15:00.004-04:00

Look, turns out the "Melon in the Tree" is, indeed, a pumpkin. It's starting to turn orange. I'll have to get a chair out in the yard to retrieve it, though! We've pulled 3 sugar pumpkins out already, and including the tree pumpkin, there are 4 more in the yard. Hopefully they'll all make it. They would have been worth ?2.00 each?? for a current total of $6.00

This is todays haul. In total, I've hauled NEARLY 20 pounds of tomatoes from the yard. (You should see me playing Tomato Jenga trying to weight them on the small scale I have.

There are still a pile out there! The nights have been COLD, and I've been pulling these green and ripening them on the top of the fridge. Not ideal, but I'd rather that than see so much freeze outside.

I tried to find a price online in the local flyers, but do you think anyone has tomatoes in their flyer this week? It's been so long since I BOUGHT one, I'm not really sure what they are price wise out there. For arguements sake, if they were at $1.29 a pound, So far this year, It's been $25.80 in tomatoes.

yes, that's ONE tiny wee carrot in the bin. If I've pulled $1.00 worth of baby carrots out of the garden, I'd be surprized.

Maybe 10 cucumbers have come out ($5.00 worth?) and at least 6 big zucchini (which all turned into bread. $4.00 worth?

Also, I'm going to guess I've pulled only $2.50 worth of strawberries from the yard.

Giving us a current grand total of $40 ish worth of food. Next year, I'll have a better idea of how to maximize the space, what sort of food to plant, and a better idea of how to maintain the raised boxes and plants. I spent only about $80 ( $30 in wood, $20 in dirt, $30ish in seeds) I'm counting on breaking even next year. I'm saving seeds from this years harvest, won't need to worry about wood box costs. And although we compost, we'll still need to top up the boxes next year - they weren't as full as I would have liked, but I was cutting it close this year.

Oh, although next year an expense might be a boiling pot for canning. I borrowed my sweethearts parents stuff to use today, to can some red tomatoes and attempt a sauce. (I'm keeping my eye on the thrift store for a canning pot and all the things that go with.)

In other news, It was my beloveds Mothers birthday yesterday. He came home with a book and an idea. This was her gift:

I always thought it rude to call anyone in need of help a "dummy" anyway. We all had a good chuckle at his little modification.

Happy Friday! I'm at market this weekend, with baking (biscotti, zucchini breads, and what ever else I have time to do) plus a pile of new jewellery pieces. Super fun! If it doesn't rain, that is!

All the Trees are Brown, and the Sky is Gray

2010-09-03T20:01:00.003-04:00

All the tourists are gone. Well, most of 'em I suppose. I live in an area that relies an awful lot on our big tourist dollars, but it can be exhausting! It's like having company come.. and stay... and stay... and stay... all summer long.

So, the first few weeks in September, life gets slower and we all let out a little sigh.

I'm not quite sure what it will mean for my market booth. Not sure if I should bring less, or bring different items. I guess I'll find out! I'm assuming I'll see a lot more locals and familiar faces, which is nice.

Today, I got the bulk of my summer messes picked up. Tidied the basement (barbie land and mom's craft storage.) and the livingroom (which had become a crafting explosion, and not much living was happening in there at all.) which makes me feel a whole lot less panicked. Although the tourists have gone home, it's now time to cater to the local market and my online customers full time until Christmas.

After that, it gets REALLY quiet and we get snowed in. I spend that time in my livingroom listening to records and crafting, stockpiling for spring and summer markets and shows... To have the circle come 'round again.

A very simple circle of life in these parts.