tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23081058499430429522024-03-13T17:13:03.250-04:00Unplugged SundayUnplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-66834633118203836172012-01-23T13:46:00.000-05:002012-01-23T13:46:53.066-05:00Winter Scrub<div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://lunapacifica.typepad.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jessie</span></a></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wintertime weather, compounded with hot indoor air, can drain vital moisture from our skin and cause irritations. Here is a simple recipe for a luscious body scrub you can make at home to help restore and retain the moisture in your skin through the winter season. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0aFWpnmH5_B4RnC0z6YnaUrmlnnajfww_Kq28jPVB8xqYkGxiqqSrhEuMsAnBQkfLtEWceKjlalSzlQy60ei05C7CH3Hc-HPiy8aDgBk4o7wyMaQeOJEk28LLLxvSIWf7t2_uqcT3VfB/s1600/Items+Needed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0aFWpnmH5_B4RnC0z6YnaUrmlnnajfww_Kq28jPVB8xqYkGxiqqSrhEuMsAnBQkfLtEWceKjlalSzlQy60ei05C7CH3Hc-HPiy8aDgBk4o7wyMaQeOJEk28LLLxvSIWf7t2_uqcT3VfB/s640/Items+Needed+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 21.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Items needed:</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Course sea salt 3-5cups</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carrier oil such as grapeseed or hemp (*amount will vary) </span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Essential oil of your choice</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mixing bowl and spoon</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salt grinder or food processor</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Small jar with lid</span></span></div><div style="color: #14c3bc; font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 21.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span></span></div><div style="color: #14c3bc; font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Step One: Grind Salt</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7FlqafzuTo-_mFS-nGec9aX9r2S-E0KofHP8SgTByR52GWzW-1UCEgPdPpo6B0NPtBx_UAan92bGgoiTj4azZg9XqCYlIC8wuG2Nbg0evkWewMtDasZRi3HggGbxr0-_lI20keTzrwqk/s1600/Sea+Salt+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7FlqafzuTo-_mFS-nGec9aX9r2S-E0KofHP8SgTByR52GWzW-1UCEgPdPpo6B0NPtBx_UAan92bGgoiTj4azZg9XqCYlIC8wuG2Nbg0evkWewMtDasZRi3HggGbxr0-_lI20keTzrwqk/s640/Sea+Salt+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pour sea salt into processor and pulse until the salt is the coarseness you desire. Aim for a coarseness somewhere before kosher salt. Table salt would be too fine and may dissolve in the next step. (I used 5 cups of Bali Sea Salt for two small jars.)</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you have found your desired coarseness, pour the salt into a mixing bowl.</span></span></div><div style="color: #14c3bc; font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 21.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span></span></div><div style="color: #14c3bc; font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Step Two: Mix in Oil</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowVntwitZU6FGmrNOSC3_oJvZlrnDlrprn3Vr3MjZ7bw7odWwZI8NaK3eSqg9DohaX8R8hhRe08Z76p0O8EK3WHb6_KgKWKsTkpiBLFsLl0GH7Cj9cL-uX0OU1XXMTKoMQ4CIuISKTjQQ/s1600/Oils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowVntwitZU6FGmrNOSC3_oJvZlrnDlrprn3Vr3MjZ7bw7odWwZI8NaK3eSqg9DohaX8R8hhRe08Z76p0O8EK3WHb6_KgKWKsTkpiBLFsLl0GH7Cj9cL-uX0OU1XXMTKoMQ4CIuISKTjQQ/s640/Oils.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Slowly stir in your oil a teaspoon at a time. There are no true measurements here so frequently testing the consistency with your fingers is key. You want the scrub to be dry enough to be scoopable but not crumbly, and just wet enough to leave a nice sheen of oily-goodness on your skin without being runny. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Note: If using saturated oil such as coconut, you will need to heat the oil to liquid form so it can be stirred into the salt. You will also need to use a tablespoon or so of unsaturated oil, such as grapeseed, to keep the mix from solidifying in the jar. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #14c3bc; font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Step Three: Add Aroma</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3etLBJbs6MyX5BeiQhA4XJlLEF1r-qlVBB5Lt0HTAgiXCTJHVog5JMmfo2pkbdysA_zSE8NWL9LibyRQBM4oI2FDB0HB_BBod99Qv5ze7hVqYpWHpg3i-vcl2VswciMD_LkiRpbTA5lI/s1600/Salt+and+EO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3etLBJbs6MyX5BeiQhA4XJlLEF1r-qlVBB5Lt0HTAgiXCTJHVog5JMmfo2pkbdysA_zSE8NWL9LibyRQBM4oI2FDB0HB_BBod99Qv5ze7hVqYpWHpg3i-vcl2VswciMD_LkiRpbTA5lI/s640/Salt+and+EO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is where you can get really creative! </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add your oil one or two drops at a time and stir. Give the scrub a full whiff before you add more. Essential oils go a long way and you want to avoid over infusing the salt. When you find the perfect aroma balance, scoop your scrub into the jar and seal the lid. </span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Essential Oil Suggestions:</b></span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Grapefruit: Uplifiting</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lavender: Calming</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lemongrass: Balancing</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lemon: Energizing</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lime: Energizing</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ylang Ylang: Relaxing </span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Patchouli: Balancing</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jasmine: Soothing</span></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Note: Essential oils have therapeutic qualities so I highly encourage you to do a bit of research in finding the best one. Always perform a spot test (one drop of EO to three drops carrier oil) on the inner side of your elbow to check for allergic reaction. Also, I refrain from using fragrance oils (different from essential oils) on my body as they are not 100% natural and can cause skin irritations.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="color: #14c3bc; font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Step Four: Enjoy!</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXvh0eOPbap0pa-Q6YEu5kt27Fo3zoM_47ZNM_cUIvJOSfXitsQymBAZuOfc6ZjHjR5FupRE6fFwNMBAL0M02RaJlFq9dmB2ss7onkHjCysqA6Hnifb9zkrW3FW0ca_ku_L1qg0yd8Sll/s1600/Finished+Scrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXvh0eOPbap0pa-Q6YEu5kt27Fo3zoM_47ZNM_cUIvJOSfXitsQymBAZuOfc6ZjHjR5FupRE6fFwNMBAL0M02RaJlFq9dmB2ss7onkHjCysqA6Hnifb9zkrW3FW0ca_ku_L1qg0yd8Sll/s640/Finished+Scrub.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 14.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Apply scrub to wet skin and use your hands or shower glove to lightly exfoliate. Always use before shaving and void using on the face. Pat skin dry with a towel. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Feel luscious and hydrated and smell delectable! Scrub will keep for up to three months in a cool place. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Note: The oil from the scrub may make your shower or tub very slick. Be careful!</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy scrubbing!</span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-57008983901033619132012-01-11T10:56:00.000-05:002012-01-11T10:56:56.209-05:00Seasonal Resolve<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Written by <a href="http://www.jonahlisadyer.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jonah Lisa</span></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">New Year’s Resolutions tend to get a bad wrap these days. By the time we’ve got busy lives and kids and the thrill of a drunken night ringing in the New Year has long worn off, we’ve become cynical about making resolutions. Most of us don’t even bother. And if we do, we might do so with a sigh and half the feeling that resolutions are kind of silly. Who really keeps them anyway? </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYab6YuCcImx8WqE9j3tSiJrTpDmB4lVC8MlWo8V40QLeZlwaXBh3ilaTlC38JUVLUA3o_y-Qy8E7728_ylMGPw5xyE66KjA1zjBST6LJePb1MK708zsyM4_7BW7COeP_rjnORXuc8ihn/s1600/6373744139_9673860d2f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYab6YuCcImx8WqE9j3tSiJrTpDmB4lVC8MlWo8V40QLeZlwaXBh3ilaTlC38JUVLUA3o_y-Qy8E7728_ylMGPw5xyE66KjA1zjBST6LJePb1MK708zsyM4_7BW7COeP_rjnORXuc8ihn/s640/6373744139_9673860d2f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Let’s put that cynicism to bed for a minute and try to take back resolutions this year. </span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After all there’s something really natural and incredibly useful about contemplating the past year and considering what we’d like to improve upon in our lives. I’ve felt it strongly this year. That sense of new beginning. But I’m so culturally wired and the backlash is so strong that I still have that knee-jerk reaction against resolutions. What gives? I think I just need a paradigm shift.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I’ve spent some time noodling it and I think I’ve put my finger on follow-through being the problem. While it’s great to look </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">back</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> and assess an entire year, thinking about the same goals for a year can be daunting. Let’s be generous, most new year’s resolutions last until, what, March? Well, instead of calling that a failure because we didn’t last the </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">whole</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> year, let’s just shorten the duration of the resolution and all it a success! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Let’s focus on shorter-term, seasonal resolutions. It’s a Win-Win!</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We get to bask in that fabulous new start feeling, use the motivation of the calendar to make some changes and actually feel a sense of accomplishment by succeeding over 3 or 4 months. Then we can reassess in March or April and make new resolutions right when the New Year motivation is waning and we’re starting to feel another natural beginning as Spring arrives!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">For me those Spring resolutions will probably carry through summer, too and by September I’ll be feeling all different--ready to begin a school year and hunker down for the coming winter and change my focus yet again. Time for new resolutions! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This seasonal approach just feels way more organic to me and way less of a remedy for disappointment. It also allows me to be more specific about the resolutions I set, which motivational experts will tell you is a key to success. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Instead of being vague and saying I’m going to eat more healthy foods and exercise more--whatever that means--I can really target some specifics that feel right seasonally. This year I’m resolving to cross-country ski more and learn to cook dried beans. Doesn’t that feel way more doable? In the spring I may aim for hiking to the top of some local mountains and drinking more green smoothies. See what I mean? </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It’s really just a small mental shift but it takes resolutions back from “why bother” land and sets you up for success. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-15782951072421032482012-01-04T09:40:00.000-05:002012-01-04T09:40:49.468-05:00Healthy Herbal Chai<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Written by <a href="http://www.naturalhealthathome.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Nicole</span></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_Mqo55FW6g/TwRkZCD7ERI/AAAAAAAAAnE/pUmRqmbmpQI/s1600/chai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_Mqo55FW6g/TwRkZCD7ERI/AAAAAAAAAnE/pUmRqmbmpQI/s640/chai.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After the rush of the Holidays, I hope you’re all enjoying a quieter time and savoring the last of 2011. I know it can feel like a marathon—between social gatherings, shopping, cooking and staying up late to get it all done. With two small children, I also know that “burning the candle at both ends” will eventually lead to burn out. And when I start to rely on caffeine to get me through the day, I might feel energized in the moment, but I start to feel worn down and exhausted in the long run. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">With that in mind, I’d like to share a lovely herbal chai tea recipe to keep you warm and energized through the winter months—without caffeine. This blend contains Siberian ginseng to help the body adapt to stress, burdock root to help gently detox the liver, licorice to help balance the adrenals, Ginger with all of its </span></span></span><a href="http://www.naturalhealthathome.com/?p=493"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #243afc; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">amazing health benefits</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, and cinnamon and cardamom to warm you from the inside. Feel free to drink 3-4 cups each day for the best effects.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Healthy Herbal Chai Tea</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">3 teaspoons dried eleuthero (Siberian ginseng)</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">2 teaspoons dried burdock root</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">2 teaspoons licorice root</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 teaspoon dried ginger (or 2 tsp. fresh chopped ginger)</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 cinnamon stick</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">1 teaspoon cardamom pods</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Simmer herbs in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes. Strain and discard herbs. Pour into a thermos or teapot to keep warm. Add milk and honey to taste. Tea will keep for two days in the refrigerator. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This is a perfect tea to pack up and take on a winter hike with the family. You’ll enjoy the warming sensation as well as the health-promoting benefits this tea offers, leaving your body feeling nourished rather than drained in the long run.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Enjoy!</span></span></span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-66259476833331431062011-12-19T10:00:00.001-05:002011-12-19T10:01:55.665-05:00The Place Where We Live: Bioregional Vacationing<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Written by Karen</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In wintertime, sometimes we begin thinking about an escape to another place.</b> Whether because of the hectic nature of holidays or the shorter amounts of daylight, a vacation is welcome downtime. It can also be some of the only “unplugged” time families have with each other. These days, however, it can also be first on the chopping block of the family budget. But it doesn’t have to be.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOBxOPI0Fds5_FEzES3l4L6m5gFY7YF70up1MjaF4f1eXiOb7n1xyHt-OnXKo60jbe9G1iNzIgaWH07gDPYEBNpkU3HoiJkgLTHx9fsO1Ts-swlcg17xmhrlpeZ5aL_0mkqbNGjSbAyQQ/s1600/10-July_8915-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOBxOPI0Fds5_FEzES3l4L6m5gFY7YF70up1MjaF4f1eXiOb7n1xyHt-OnXKo60jbe9G1iNzIgaWH07gDPYEBNpkU3HoiJkgLTHx9fsO1Ts-swlcg17xmhrlpeZ5aL_0mkqbNGjSbAyQQ/s640/10-July_8915-72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In our family, we love to take our vacations right here. I call it the bioregional vacation. It can be an extended time of up to a week (or longer) or just a day or two (Unplugged Sunday). Taking the time to really see your own place the way a tourist might see it is so satisfying. It takes a little planning to take a vacation in your own area since the temptations of work, meetings and everyday tasks can beckon, but it can easily be done. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs_ktrWikWPJZ5p-CW9s7HHka10CbGlVBVXQBeujDHhphLClLAhelXjNNZMNFhwzU7vb6PgfHaKje9Tkc2wUimp5d7k0jFHnIrTYb4VMh9MTta7XTQKFVjPbxtyZWweQWvioRrtcsDTYu/s1600/10-May_7262-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs_ktrWikWPJZ5p-CW9s7HHka10CbGlVBVXQBeujDHhphLClLAhelXjNNZMNFhwzU7vb6PgfHaKje9Tkc2wUimp5d7k0jFHnIrTYb4VMh9MTta7XTQKFVjPbxtyZWweQWvioRrtcsDTYu/s640/10-May_7262-72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tips for the local vacation:</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Travel to a nearby town or even somewhere in your own, but pack as if you are traveling far away. Do not bring a computer. Do not schedule any day-to-day tasks or meetings during that time.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Tell colleagues or clients you are going on vacation and not to call unless it is an emergency.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Do not go home until the vacation is over.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Consider a house trade with local friends or enjoying a bed and breakfast that you have actually stopped by to inspect ahead of time. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Make a list of the places in the area that you would like to experience.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Notice the prominent natural landmarks of your area. Here, it is the river. Often, my husband and son take a boat out on the river for the afternoon, giving me a much-loved break of alone time, creative time, or tea-time with a friend.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Call a friend for tea or lunch out. So often we see a friend, say we’ll connect soon, and then never do. Use this time to enjoy your friends along with your family!</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Spend time at a local farm; kids love this. Take a tour, wander around the farm, and stop for produce at the end. You could even volunteer on a work day.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOifDh_39MmdtvKm8sr5kMhyfLWotFyQbsIj5cYuDUR9x3gxfgxOvp2x6tp5VoSO1AY0tB8OE2jHvr2KqQ4s_62DRq3M4qeyGJgP7llreJFZ62L8Ysc_ANbs4RIy1KYpwBcqLfNCqqK2Wg/s1600/10-May_7105-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOifDh_39MmdtvKm8sr5kMhyfLWotFyQbsIj5cYuDUR9x3gxfgxOvp2x6tp5VoSO1AY0tB8OE2jHvr2KqQ4s_62DRq3M4qeyGJgP7llreJFZ62L8Ysc_ANbs4RIy1KYpwBcqLfNCqqK2Wg/s640/10-May_7105-72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Local vacations offer some special things that faraway vacations do not. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Friends can come along with you. One year, during my birthday, we rented an off-the-grid forest retreat cabin for a week. It was located 30 minutes from home. Then we invited a few friends to stay a couple of days with us and celebrate.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• When you enjoy a specific activity or place, the experience is repeatable. No need to say, “We’ll have to come here again” and then never make it back.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• When your vacation ends, it is a short trip home. You can enjoy the entire last day, head out in the evening, stop for a leisurely dinner and then be home.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• No airline or rental car costs means saved money and a longer or more involved vacation. Especially for families with children, this can be huge.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">• Kids grow up knowing their local landscape.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxidOnCRFEUlJISws3J42NiizhaA6o-RXzPrBa1oUtY5qdizjjFK0DBLpsZAzOg72CbO5sv7p3VgUyD2cB9idda53RAv6v8zw39XrARmIJLulglN-xzinpeNcpaFU5pPQ7y6q01flbGxd/s1600/10-May_7165-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxidOnCRFEUlJISws3J42NiizhaA6o-RXzPrBa1oUtY5qdizjjFK0DBLpsZAzOg72CbO5sv7p3VgUyD2cB9idda53RAv6v8zw39XrARmIJLulglN-xzinpeNcpaFU5pPQ7y6q01flbGxd/s640/10-May_7165-72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The place where we live.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The more we explore our local native area, the more we find to appreciate and love. Making it a vacation gives us an excuse to enjoy it without feeling like we should be doing something else. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What began out of financial necessity has become rich and sustaining. My husband and I are tuned in to our local issues, largely because of our focused interactions with the landscape. We love and feel supported by our community.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have stayed in: a yurt; a solar-powered mountaintop estate; an off-grid forest cabin and cottages near the beach to name a few. We enjoy a variety of parks and farms and even finally walked across the Golden Gate Bridge! </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Going deeper, finding more layers, and developing relationships, the place where we live becomes more than just a location; it feels like we really <i>live </i>here. And when winter comes, there is less restlessness, and a growing sense of anticipation for our area’s seasonal treasures and what else we might discover here. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrb9dbR6JcbSaY5kWgbZFU0ztfq7Hayz9BMEwyNQ92Nt9mWC1fXqinPJkpwSL4k_VK4A7JroQr-jURf4SiI9KHugFsATkbfgrknSt3GNNdmLrU6rlABVPVw0mO5xfcmR-f3KmEyOO-Lm3/s1600/10-Sept_5003-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrb9dbR6JcbSaY5kWgbZFU0ztfq7Hayz9BMEwyNQ92Nt9mWC1fXqinPJkpwSL4k_VK4A7JroQr-jURf4SiI9KHugFsATkbfgrknSt3GNNdmLrU6rlABVPVw0mO5xfcmR-f3KmEyOO-Lm3/s640/10-Sept_5003-72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where would you go if you were to vacation in your own place? </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With whom would you spend the time?</span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-29667424574326659172011-12-14T08:38:00.000-05:002011-12-14T08:38:42.559-05:00Remember Blue Laws?<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://thetobyshow.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jonah Lisa</span></a></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back when most of us were children, blue laws were in effect throughout the country to preserve Sunday as a day of worship and rest. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isn’t that quaint? </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6x7P1xQuz0njAxGxxBI7gDpvKkTmmI55zk-EuNtLxrwyVMgL-7ET0rl-_JSqvXE3fRdSluELnih0lq4swd8ofTh1dEvwnrFsUJM59Gl6UnGjal76gu9_Dg4YT0O7An75gsJqy9vblYx9/s1600/walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6x7P1xQuz0njAxGxxBI7gDpvKkTmmI55zk-EuNtLxrwyVMgL-7ET0rl-_JSqvXE3fRdSluELnih0lq4swd8ofTh1dEvwnrFsUJM59Gl6UnGjal76gu9_Dg4YT0O7An75gsJqy9vblYx9/s640/walk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In some areas, all stores would be closed but other places had arcane rules that allowed for the purchase of certain items but not others. I recall the famous example used when Blue Laws were being dismantled of being able to buy a hammer, but not nails. Or was it the other way around? And even after blue laws were repealed, you still couldn’t buy alcohol in many places on Sunday because, well you shouldn’t be drinking on a Sunday anyway! You should be in church!</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But us liberty-minded Americans, we bristled at the idea of commerce being dictated by religious beliefs. We didn’t like being told what we should and shouldn’t be doing on a Sunday. <i>I’ll hammer and nail things if I want to, damnit! </i> And even as a kid, I completely agreed. So down came the silly blue laws and the people cheered. <i>YAY! </i></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then they went to Piggly Wiggly for a soda pop. And some nails. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the years passed more and more stores were open on Sundays until there was really no difference between Sunday and any other day of the week. As an adult I got used to the idea that I could buy and do pretty much whatever I wanted to on any day of the week. Ah, the freedom! I never thought much about those old blue laws again. They were just silly rules that got in our way. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Flash forward 30 or so years later when I moved from New York (the city that never sleeps) to a small, rural, mountain town in far eastern Idaho. And low and behold, all the stores were closed on Sundays. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grocery store? CLOSED. Drug store? CLOSED. Liquor Store? DEFINITELY CLOSED. The only things open on a Sunday were church and the ski hill. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You gotta have priorities. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At first, I was shocked. I’d lived in Dallas, New York and Los Angeles. I didn’t know this went on anywhere except for Israel, where everything is closed on Saturday, and Muslim countries during Ramadan! I understood the reason. Half of the population of my new home belong to the LDS church and no business run by an LDS member wanted to ask people to come in and work on a Sunday. That’s a day to be with family, and yes, to go to church. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But for some reason--maybe because I’d just moved from the hustle and bustle of The Big City, or maybe because I’d matured, or maybe because I was broke--I really didn’t mind. And I started noticing something interesting. Not many of the tree-hugging, progressive “move-in’s” that you’d expect to balk at a religion-based mandate seemed to mind either. Everyone was A-OK with it. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sure, it took some getting used to. You have to plan ahead a little. But for very different reasons the people of this valley all seem to agree. There’s nothing wrong with having one measly day of the week when you aren’t being tempted to consume. Even more so this time of year!</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It slows down the pace of life. It alleviates the expectation of getting just as much done on Sunday as any other day. It removes lots of self imposed expectations. It means business owners and retail workers can get out and enjoy the day, too. And sure, go to church if they want to, or head up to the ski hill, or take a hike, or just stay home and maybe even unplug. Whether for religious reasons or not, it IS wonderful to set aside a day for rest, relaxation, or renewal in whatever form that takes for you.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And hey, if you find that you really need an egg or a cup of sugar? Well, that’s what neighbors are for.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have another, even more a-typical, kind of blue law here in the mountains as well. On any given day, after a heavy snowfall, you may walk up to a shop or restaurant and find the door locked tight and a sign swinging in the window that simply reads: </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>POWDER DAY. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>BACK TOMORROW.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like the Sunday store closures, I’ve learned to embrace and appreciate Powder Days. In my opinion, we’d be a happier, healthier society if we all took more of them. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-76268075821540254582011-12-12T07:31:00.001-05:002011-12-12T07:31:46.718-05:00Staying Home with Family<div class="section"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://growingkiwis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Meg</span></a></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XPZvGwwUShKFS6YPXQ-7lGa2tYFHSZt6I5l6DTgc0y9l-R6uQqud_zLkKW-w_eFgoBO-NZN54pUJV0dUafTxPNOfYnoPkzQZssijLWUbrOq2KvI8hriYnQngHNzhprRMILKv3eWjwQus/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XPZvGwwUShKFS6YPXQ-7lGa2tYFHSZt6I5l6DTgc0y9l-R6uQqud_zLkKW-w_eFgoBO-NZN54pUJV0dUafTxPNOfYnoPkzQZssijLWUbrOq2KvI8hriYnQngHNzhprRMILKv3eWjwQus/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unplugging on Sundays gives us space. Space to breathe, to be together, to exhale. I feel like life is so hectic and switching off slows it down. Sometimes we get out for a hike (us kiwis call it a bush walk) or some fishing but often we just stay home.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu0b78VuFPyIJgfsDRq6x1njRHZ_HrRgoF6H3K9UTw6CtC6jmVWp0cTCl0DAaVwCIlXY7onx2LNlbZbcvLXhArr2oeUygVUHzmXeoGmU_dNrG367p7RWKnhRNmFMA-JKvQZLUqDEucAHX/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu0b78VuFPyIJgfsDRq6x1njRHZ_HrRgoF6H3K9UTw6CtC6jmVWp0cTCl0DAaVwCIlXY7onx2LNlbZbcvLXhArr2oeUygVUHzmXeoGmU_dNrG367p7RWKnhRNmFMA-JKvQZLUqDEucAHX/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love being at home with my honey and my boys. Reading books, cooking and playing games usually take priority. Getting together over a board game we chat and hang out. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a really great way for the kids to learn how to be good winners <span style="font-style: italic;">and </span>losers. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgWSzn8JEbezVTK9v0wEcAv7YiYHajG20J6-OXaaA5ToZyiKPAVpapRif_AXo0Hfq2Zzv4eYYdfgvlZyg-kZUJljRB5SJVnaJNZZmkIfsbwFalXEm3eHwAz0OphNJ9RuQtERWhUNqpIaN/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgWSzn8JEbezVTK9v0wEcAv7YiYHajG20J6-OXaaA5ToZyiKPAVpapRif_AXo0Hfq2Zzv4eYYdfgvlZyg-kZUJljRB5SJVnaJNZZmkIfsbwFalXEm3eHwAz0OphNJ9RuQtERWhUNqpIaN/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Some excellent family games:</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Carcassonne</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Hey That's My Fish </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Uno</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Labyrinth </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Scrabble Jnr</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eY5PtRqzKF44iPCYYFkFJ3wVJsvE77J63JXhHLCxOKR95mSPEbxnwbl-wMbpWtq3Iz_d7OBK6eKrZ8EXIiLEidJgwfKhb-GBfvASHZ_9PqY3Ko2ic-18kQxPo1qP2oqq0fDmZeFnMrEt/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eY5PtRqzKF44iPCYYFkFJ3wVJsvE77J63JXhHLCxOKR95mSPEbxnwbl-wMbpWtq3Iz_d7OBK6eKrZ8EXIiLEidJgwfKhb-GBfvASHZ_9PqY3Ko2ic-18kQxPo1qP2oqq0fDmZeFnMrEt/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The kids have an hour of quiet time in their rooms after lunch. Mummy and Daddy brew a pot of coffee and have our own game time. We love to play together and switching off lets us make time for that. It's so easy to get sucked into the Internet and for relationships take second place. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpSust8kj6UM-f_zH5PxGe-oVO0QKGC9D_TQ8sziXahQTryH4PYKQwtiTbRWxn0MjfceKERDdIRYs8cW6nhrriL1yigrbpSte3GOJPVQVFTd45Sw2R5fe9bZJzEDn_QDgDC3E92eUvhep/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpSust8kj6UM-f_zH5PxGe-oVO0QKGC9D_TQ8sziXahQTryH4PYKQwtiTbRWxn0MjfceKERDdIRYs8cW6nhrriL1yigrbpSte3GOJPVQVFTd45Sw2R5fe9bZJzEDn_QDgDC3E92eUvhep/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Our favourite two player games: </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Dominion</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Race For The Galaxy </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Mancala</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•San Juan</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">•Backgammon</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9da8LBDw813FmVlB2kkMy9ZYJ6N1HZjQLwFQWjj4J_76ROPsFGsrZyq20ZCdQT7Vj8mx4MNFZITufjFUqnNx0iNqgbLxZdP0Iv8vwFYsdTe6YaASJwN6my_L8U6zMUbwuV8xaE8rK2aSQ/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9da8LBDw813FmVlB2kkMy9ZYJ6N1HZjQLwFQWjj4J_76ROPsFGsrZyq20ZCdQT7Vj8mx4MNFZITufjFUqnNx0iNqgbLxZdP0Iv8vwFYsdTe6YaASJwN6my_L8U6zMUbwuV8xaE8rK2aSQ/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unplugged days at our place often involve something crafty. The boys (5 and 7) both have enjoyed learning to sew this year. Trial and error has taught us that stitching into a heavy fabric like felt is easiest for a beginner.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_jD2OWbsQ6hsjhPm4v_uYOvuYZRTYdUwjh05P01p2n23OLUASfthUhPveBMNK26ZpnjJcJslXJGKuA5bN2GMQozcL0_j9uD0mac80Zhz4Qx0t8I6yjCqGigeM5rTiUXRyRWtxjChhlzJ/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_jD2OWbsQ6hsjhPm4v_uYOvuYZRTYdUwjh05P01p2n23OLUASfthUhPveBMNK26ZpnjJcJslXJGKuA5bN2GMQozcL0_j9uD0mac80Zhz4Qx0t8I6yjCqGigeM5rTiUXRyRWtxjChhlzJ/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sometimes tinker about on my sewing machine but more often than not, I'll potter about and help the kids with whatever they're into. During the week I often have the computer on and I know that they don't get really good quality attention. I often feel a little guilty about that. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXt5blniXYf5ErOg8WNJkxcqcWd5Awop_08gql3687tqzlUY1Ow3OjZLB20mgD4jaGYl6zhGCBV2IKU3eCV2B6NA4MJCvl4OdeE-XvDqArnlT0yergkeUM_kGmZ1HdKszcyGTr2ZXFKqY/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXt5blniXYf5ErOg8WNJkxcqcWd5Awop_08gql3687tqzlUY1Ow3OjZLB20mgD4jaGYl6zhGCBV2IKU3eCV2B6NA4MJCvl4OdeE-XvDqArnlT0yergkeUM_kGmZ1HdKszcyGTr2ZXFKqY/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cooking from scratch and trying new recipes is a something I like to do too. Recently we tried making pasta and although a little time consuming it was really quite fun. When we're switched off there seems to be more hours in the day.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YAgv-StqhCkj4MSs0TtbCA-4R5kPQjKxW20acBwCDTUmQe41Ci7OIoKEL_jY-azhl8vxJs4m2Zn1S8dwSLBo9n8CPO6NZMueUek6opko6JEjAhS6owr2b0LXJi_TZrMsWp_0bzkP41vb/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YAgv-StqhCkj4MSs0TtbCA-4R5kPQjKxW20acBwCDTUmQe41Ci7OIoKEL_jY-azhl8vxJs4m2Zn1S8dwSLBo9n8CPO6NZMueUek6opko6JEjAhS6owr2b0LXJi_TZrMsWp_0bzkP41vb/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mother tells the story of us playing"unhappy <span style="font-style: italic;">families" </span>when I was a girl as our games of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"happy families" </span>would inevitably end in tears. There have been plenty of melt downs at our place but these days the kids are a lot better at losing.</span></div></div></div></div><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYpAFpGEgzqLANQv-fBUoxaLq0R2g-YZ52HhVUDjG5hsSSVI6uYGdT-OmJbQt6X0Y86yIM8kgbvcmUiRLDhGw6nHp7D3X6zsdKA5-6dPgw-45ehRZ7v1tL-lxqaLMMjAkPArXLsvmQjHk/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYpAFpGEgzqLANQv-fBUoxaLq0R2g-YZ52HhVUDjG5hsSSVI6uYGdT-OmJbQt6X0Y86yIM8kgbvcmUiRLDhGw6nHp7D3X6zsdKA5-6dPgw-45ehRZ7v1tL-lxqaLMMjAkPArXLsvmQjHk/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think we used 5 large free range eggs and 500g of flour, mixed them to a dough, kneaded it by hand and then popped it in the fridge for a wee rest. The rolling out part was a two person job (one big, one little) and was a little bit magical.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are your favorite family games? </span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="column"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Maybe you'll have a new one that we can try. </i></span></div></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-30887401916870886322011-12-05T09:22:00.000-05:002011-12-05T09:22:17.956-05:00They Will Follow Suit<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://growingflowers.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Kiersten</span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyC4-zaKF6cojMNwhQ60DnLGIGnYXXnGfz5-sxv22H0rtgV5mKnI-2FV40jZ3JqP4DFo-gNhHFpdHMBCqID8L20KmiAGI2TqFerwDV5Q4BopmIaMDXbSInxo6kedw2BIKVKkxO1mxuOkj/s1600/IMGP3982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyC4-zaKF6cojMNwhQ60DnLGIGnYXXnGfz5-sxv22H0rtgV5mKnI-2FV40jZ3JqP4DFo-gNhHFpdHMBCqID8L20KmiAGI2TqFerwDV5Q4BopmIaMDXbSInxo6kedw2BIKVKkxO1mxuOkj/s640/IMGP3982.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Raising teenage daughters, I have quickly realized that coercion does not work. I am passionate about parenting and am willing to try new things, read new books and implement changes to our lifestyle that I believe will benefit us. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When beginning new ideas, or introducing new behavior, I have to be subtle. I have to do it first. They will see me doing things, and they will follow suit. As parents, we are setting patterns for a lifetime. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started a blog a few years ago chronicling our new farming project and the beginning years of our home schooling. My mom started reading it. As my blogging became more inclusive I added birth stories from my midwifery practice and documented lots of arts and crafts.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcedeDUqRpJO-4BDMu9dirqigEtSgYC74TIYju9F9xbzxWQ6NixdSDFdM686Jsj6CUpU-PHVgX_h4X1EJD2dlnxrtIog4d1QLfU3sO5x9EhSifmSVUuyD7zf8z1qab7WpqbAOwhjgbMfJ1/s1600/IMGP3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcedeDUqRpJO-4BDMu9dirqigEtSgYC74TIYju9F9xbzxWQ6NixdSDFdM686Jsj6CUpU-PHVgX_h4X1EJD2dlnxrtIog4d1QLfU3sO5x9EhSifmSVUuyD7zf8z1qab7WpqbAOwhjgbMfJ1/s640/IMGP3996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mom said, recently, “Gosh, Kier, you do all the same things I did while you were growing up! I keep reading about them on your blog.”</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> “Like what?” </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I gardened, I crocheted, and I embroidered. I sewed.”</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAIhieQHtzULsNvzdeNqk463glpQCMY_813MnSjSsS-hVJ6PKqsTbq6MmE8Yh89zpi0VLRyFHWl2Ueuwal6CESME_jYtYgReHaALCPQZdqo5EmeBQNRS-B8bIgQGJx8BTj_p9tqbzhM9b/s1600/IMGP5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAIhieQHtzULsNvzdeNqk463glpQCMY_813MnSjSsS-hVJ6PKqsTbq6MmE8Yh89zpi0VLRyFHWl2Ueuwal6CESME_jYtYgReHaALCPQZdqo5EmeBQNRS-B8bIgQGJx8BTj_p9tqbzhM9b/s640/IMGP5955.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just barely remember my mom doing all of these things. If I spend time, consciously thinking about it, I can remember. I have blankets that my mom made. She made them for my daughters too. I remember her doing batik. She embroidered and we always had a garden. I never thought of that. I never realized that I was doing all the things my mom had done. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She was (and is) an avid reader. So am I, so are my daughters. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It reminded me that our children will do what they have seen us doing throughout their childhood. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOYLumdpz9vfhx28GVk0UtSN0k7B5zq_pCLe1l9dGcNV2K1TWHVzVJbdZ6MNOFRjZEn5A7gT0twzIat6AyH_lvxmAGHlperHavA2qMGVLR1KH147c8X8s1_MPVvxaca7Axb_WnROR3PhF/s1600/IMGP0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOYLumdpz9vfhx28GVk0UtSN0k7B5zq_pCLe1l9dGcNV2K1TWHVzVJbdZ6MNOFRjZEn5A7gT0twzIat6AyH_lvxmAGHlperHavA2qMGVLR1KH147c8X8s1_MPVvxaca7Axb_WnROR3PhF/s640/IMGP0947.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you want your children to be unplugged, be unplugged yourself!</b></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Make sure they see you:</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><ul><li style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Reading.</b> Have books and magazines around the house.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Crocheting, knitting or embroidering. Use your hands. Spend time talking to your children while creating something.</span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Hiking. </b> Even if they don’t join you each time, let them see you going for a walk with your partner, or friend every day. (Or often!)</span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Sitting still.</b> Drink tea with each other. Drink tea with your friends. Let this be a normal way for you to spend time together with friends and family. </span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Garden.</b> Grow your own food, or just grow some herbs on your windowsill.</span></span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauLR3AGFOWWTJf50joy95WcwmfBoG97wjuFOgQ7OCCcjMhwYhIpTA_SZzwuh_DqNmRWEJ4BhbNwUYjzwQI5N4Czg4AlyGA14CkWj99VzBuwmzoF0hvLzNtZuzxvwbPObml-2tYWHTMkZM/s1600/IMGP4124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauLR3AGFOWWTJf50joy95WcwmfBoG97wjuFOgQ7OCCcjMhwYhIpTA_SZzwuh_DqNmRWEJ4BhbNwUYjzwQI5N4Czg4AlyGA14CkWj99VzBuwmzoF0hvLzNtZuzxvwbPObml-2tYWHTMkZM/s640/IMGP4124.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do the things you want your children to do! </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1h5ZrULlRRTAhijTQY9nHj9iUNWupXQzlEq61vO-0HeAS6LQT5CKjAvWIDw2IZ1r8i1lxDMeenRpdSrYIz1XjmkuuN5U27Tr-1fs3sBVEIS5IlnAYtvT7Eo0a9czkDsy_6zZ46EMPPQbG/s1600/IMGP5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1h5ZrULlRRTAhijTQY9nHj9iUNWupXQzlEq61vO-0HeAS6LQT5CKjAvWIDw2IZ1r8i1lxDMeenRpdSrYIz1XjmkuuN5U27Tr-1fs3sBVEIS5IlnAYtvT7Eo0a9czkDsy_6zZ46EMPPQbG/s640/IMGP5818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are some of the things that you do that you remember your mom or dad doing? </span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-87951773286645428152011-11-30T09:30:00.002-05:002011-11-30T13:46:18.052-05:00Bliss and Bravery<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Written by <a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/p/our-writers.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Chloe</span></a></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I'm not too late </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/2011/11/its-not-just-for-sunday-anymore.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">for confessional</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, am I? Because our Sundays have been taken over by football. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And our evenings have included a lot of television. And both of those have sometimes meant </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">a laptop or smartphone out at the same time. Electronics have outnumbered the people in the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">room.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The truth is, I have a really hard time with being away from the distraction of media.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We've talked a lot in this space of 'unplugging.' But the difficulty in this is that it requires us </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to plug in, to completely engage in real life. And engaging in what you really love without </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">distraction is weird. Counter-cultural, even.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TJK51XkD9KMOHzb66ABtLP8JdGOW7J28gi0er7APyHzyLQ4VUg7AC-gHTA_niAzNeIUn26amSL3mzItfmXEZJs80_yxn6SIW1NzU__m2O9phNi_87XdRSV8ItCKAuwTUGldL3zYwE_1n/s1600/books_unplugged-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TJK51XkD9KMOHzb66ABtLP8JdGOW7J28gi0er7APyHzyLQ4VUg7AC-gHTA_niAzNeIUn26amSL3mzItfmXEZJs80_yxn6SIW1NzU__m2O9phNi_87XdRSV8ItCKAuwTUGldL3zYwE_1n/s640/books_unplugged-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">When my family is unplugged I have nothing to keep me from facing our reality.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My husband has dreams that are bigger than a 9-to-5 job.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My political views make me uncomfortable with the Big Bank that holds our mortgage.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I often choose to shop a large retailer instead of a mom-n-pop.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I spend a lot more time reading about other people pursuing their goals than I do actually </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">working toward my own.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Unplugging makes me uncomfortable because I long for a life completely different from the one </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I find myself leading.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">“If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">are—if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">time.” -Joseph Campbell</span></i></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This late fall and early winter, you’ll find me attempting to follow my bliss:</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I am turning off the computer and </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/beauty_that_moves/400-grocery-challenge/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">lowering our grocery budget</span></a>.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am spending less time on blogs and more time in books.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am finally reading my camera’s manual.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Those sound so exciting to me. Life is easier in bullet points, I think. But the heart of the matter </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">is that those bullet points are paving the way for the really hard Unplugged Reckoning at our </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">house.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">By limiting my aimless online time, I am hoping to work out the logistics of a big move. From the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">suburbs to a rural lot. From a mortgage with a company I loathe to a very small rent check that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">we pay to a man who lives in our community. Half of our current square footage. Four times the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">flexibility in our monthly budget.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This move, one that we already know some of our closest friends and family do not understand, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">will require me to be the bravest I have ever been. And this bravery has been brought on by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">unplugging from normal and plugging in to my bliss.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">How could taking Unplugged time help you to follow your bliss?</span></span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-12064595207681978882011-11-28T11:29:00.001-05:002011-11-28T11:31:12.118-05:00Unplugging... The Old Fashioned Way<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://www.chineseadoption.co/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Ellen</span></a></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unplugging in our home happens on the weekends. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During the week, our family of five uses the computer quite liberally. My husband, a software engineer, works from home (yay!) Many of my sons’ assignments are on-line programs and my daughter’s reading program is from a website. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The workweek requires a fast internet connection and enough computers (we have two) to service all five of us. It can be tough to get everyone the time he or she needs. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the weekends, rather than work, life happens. </span></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zKiGAi6hqJceFACOB770W4onX91eCV-KqGUg7ccyxwkXYBz2Ob3-PA-aFAaQTt_ptAEMcNcLhG_8yi4r9ZHmh-ioQfAdZoYEyuB3IG4jSJ7Km01xsDVE4x9zmtitd76TW9PzHlvZ49cH/s1600/EllenMoeller_bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zKiGAi6hqJceFACOB770W4onX91eCV-KqGUg7ccyxwkXYBz2Ob3-PA-aFAaQTt_ptAEMcNcLhG_8yi4r9ZHmh-ioQfAdZoYEyuB3IG4jSJ7Km01xsDVE4x9zmtitd76TW9PzHlvZ49cH/s640/EllenMoeller_bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our favorite way to unplug involves connecting with our good friends, and happily, new neighbors. We moved to our current home last May and quickly struck up a strong friendship with our “back door” neighbors. </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They have three boys, all close to my children’s ages. Each child pairs up with his or her playmate, or they mix it up. They love to play together, bike to school together, and seek each other out at home or at school.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact, our home has become their home, and vice versa, and the children (and often times myself!) will run over for a quick chat (or a cup of sugar).</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We adults discovered that we all play bridge. This happy coincidence meant extra playtime for the kids and more together time for the adults. It’s a win-win. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since my main way of unplugging on the weekends is to prepare for the week ahead (in the kitchen), it is easy and rewarding to prepare a delicious home-cooked meal for my friends. If I say I’ll do a soup and muffins, they will always show up with wine. It’s that kind of friendship. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the kids munch homemade pizza for dinner, we adults settle in to our yummy meal, followed by as many hands of bridge as we can squeeze in. We are only interrupted if the kids need help, which is seldom, since they play so well together.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact, we are often treated to a run-by costume parade as the children, deep in their imaginary world, fly by us in search of something. Their made up games take them inside, outside and even into the garage. There is much laughter.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes we will put a movie on for them and they snuggle up together, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by stuffed animals. We adults continue to deal and bid, play and laugh, drink wine, and enjoy each other.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is the highlight of our week, and something we try hard to do often. </span></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This ritual of ours hearkens back to the afternoons I remember from my childhood. Happily reading, nestled in a window seat next to shelves and shelves of books, I remember the clinking of ice in scotch glasses and the snapping of cards - my grandmother’s bridge games. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband remembers it too, from his own childhood. His youth was filled with bridge (for his parents) and playtime with neighbor kids (for him). </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We both cherish the sounds, smells and rituals of our weekly reconnection with our friends. It refreshes and restores us, and reminds us to breathe, and to live. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you found an unplugged moment that takes you back to your childhood? </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you think “unplugging” helps us find the moments we have in common with our parents and grandparents? </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-32391182393941708102011-11-23T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-23T09:30:50.480-05:00Rediscovered Blessings<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://lunapacifica.typepad.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jessie</span></a></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keeping peace in one’s heart and gratitude in one’s mind while experiencing difficult times can be a challenge. Many families are struggling with hardships and facing sacrifices, and as a result, lifestyles are changing. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="color: #92d050; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. </i></b></span><span style="font: 8.0px Georgia; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>~Epictetus</i></span></span></div><div style="color: #92d050; font: normal normal normal 8px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 9px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i></i></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My family has experienced its own recent changes and a great sense of loss settled into our minds. Seeking refuge from worry and confusion, we began to rely on our moments of “unplugged” time for guidance and clarity. These times were a blessing indeed! With a bit of mindfulness and appreciation, we quickly learned that the things we thought we could not live without were not really <i>things</i>, but instead were the tiniest of <i>experiences</i>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUD2twDWXhViJE6HjrikFISO5w0hR-FuWb5Otn7jSe1mA0qG6Uh2qMrWgrK26fvJDFdqAK3d2AD_yuVdhk5McJTEZ3x_WELmsAA9hrHhdKyRmRdYcUPOr95x4DQwJIuzS1ipdZ_tt2CmA/s1600/Leaves+and+Baby+Autumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUD2twDWXhViJE6HjrikFISO5w0hR-FuWb5Otn7jSe1mA0qG6Uh2qMrWgrK26fvJDFdqAK3d2AD_yuVdhk5McJTEZ3x_WELmsAA9hrHhdKyRmRdYcUPOr95x4DQwJIuzS1ipdZ_tt2CmA/s640/Leaves+and+Baby+Autumn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Moments of joy, beauty, and love are sacred to us and, in thanksgiving, are truly cherished. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are just a few of my family’s rediscovered blessings:</span></span></div><ul><li style="color: #00b0f0; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Billowing blankets are a great comfort</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #ff3399; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Baking with Grandma creates a deep connection</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #ffc040; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Reading by candlelight brings peace</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #00b050; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Sunday dinner reconnects us each week with our (now six person) family</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #1f497d; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The sound of the wind in the trees is Mother Earth’s music</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #ff3399; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Bubble baths and warmed towels are a joyous event</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #cb42f6; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Singing along to daddy playing guitar is inspiring</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #92d050; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Family is the backbone of our life; we are strong when we are all together</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #ff6725; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Furry friends enrich our lives and provide support</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #cc1f66; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Books, pens, and crayons are therapeutic and stir our imagination</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #0070c0; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Hot chocolate, popped corn and a movie on the laptop are a “getaway”</b></span></span></li>
<li style="color: #9934cd; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font: 12.0px Symbol; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>A stocked pantry and a full refrigerator gives a sense of security and wellbeing </b></span></span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIbJoiqZRY26EL80CUZvL-p5Dh_MQIrziqwWh61iW-fTae3MMPp2i6bahxpB-J0YOKqK4JwBvCIZr8fcf7NQ1_ZC6At71BUIohtOj-RId0SLYoGhtQTg9Qh7yXNCUtBXAD2z-1lHCZYOx/s1600/Autumn%252C+Harper%252C+and+Luna+Tuna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIbJoiqZRY26EL80CUZvL-p5Dh_MQIrziqwWh61iW-fTae3MMPp2i6bahxpB-J0YOKqK4JwBvCIZr8fcf7NQ1_ZC6At71BUIohtOj-RId0SLYoGhtQTg9Qh7yXNCUtBXAD2z-1lHCZYOx/s640/Autumn%252C+Harper%252C+and+Luna+Tuna.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="color: #ff1d17; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #92d050; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. </i></b></span><span style="font: 8.0px Georgia; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>~Thornton Wilder</i></b></span></span></div><div style="color: #92d050; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i></i></b></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Taking a step back to reevaluate what tiny experiences you treasure can open you up to a multitude of blessings you may have overlooked. I encourage you to take a few minutes of your “unplugged time” (preferably with tea in hand and family close) to ask yourself these questions:</span></span></div><div style="color: #d62a93; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where does my gratitude truly lie?</span></i></span></div><div style="color: #d62a93; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What things do I cherish?</span></i></span></div><div style="color: #d62a93; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What experiences are sacred to me?</span></i></span></div><div style="color: #d62a93; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What simple beauties might I be overlooking that bring joy into my life?</span></i></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-51486509215906951432011-11-22T10:05:00.000-05:002011-11-22T10:05:59.509-05:00Unplugging the Guilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://www.peachcoglo.typepad.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Angela</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am a mother of four children. Our eldest child, Doran, lives with autism. This means the family lives with autism, and all of the unpredictability, and differentness that brings. Doran’s spirit is as beautiful as any child’s, but it would be dishonest to say that autism does not change my parenting, our family, or affect how we approach the world. My child, who is charming and blessed with a wicked sense of humor, can also bring my husband and me to our knees. After a full-bodied tantrum, the whole family is exhausted. </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am left wondering yet again how much his behaviors stressed the other children, and whether Doran will ever have any relief from his struggles. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBa0FSJuVKiqXBg2vuPLSS3vNVx5LFPi2XMmnGcqqSPc_KogXR-8SXqLAqKlyMmPVGZJ00pN1ZhkCRvbGb3Pz9gwcsBlrOpV_PdquA5oQQdwyzTKiBkytu5JpNUrUteBDzinyRCsnYwFQ/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBa0FSJuVKiqXBg2vuPLSS3vNVx5LFPi2XMmnGcqqSPc_KogXR-8SXqLAqKlyMmPVGZJ00pN1ZhkCRvbGb3Pz9gwcsBlrOpV_PdquA5oQQdwyzTKiBkytu5JpNUrUteBDzinyRCsnYwFQ/s640/002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was guilt-ridden about all of the attention my husband and I pay to Doran to keep his moods and behaviors in balance. I felt guilty about how much time was taken up with appointments and how much the other children couldn’t do because of Autism. As a result, my husband and I overcompensated on weekends. We would take daytrips on Saturdays and Sundays, make sure our eldest daughter got to her ballet class, and any other thing we could think of to make the weekend “fun”. We were gone so much household chores were often neglected and put off until they became overwhelming. Helena, my oldest girl, started to complain about “always going somewhere”. It was all too much in the name of fun and relaxation.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then came Unplugged Sundays. At first, even though I was excited about Unplugged Sundays and wanted to include them in our family tradition, I worried that I was adding on something else-overcompensating yet again. What I have found is that the opposite happened. Because we are unplugged no child is competing with electronics for our attention or for attention from each other. On Sundays our time stretches out more without the computer or a video buzzing away in the background. Our children are more attentive to us, to each other. </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Things have slowed; we are no longer “always going somewhere”. </span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKgDfx4wPHGTl6a4SENC3Htb8893kCwBGCidndqDsTsZ4CyWtxIHEOcSZi-38HNMDLngpVtjXZakust1r3ii8nsjwAm63dZY8sXq3U_A7x43zWjMvWAat8VnZNVxl0xpofqSD3B-3DKuK/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKgDfx4wPHGTl6a4SENC3Htb8893kCwBGCidndqDsTsZ4CyWtxIHEOcSZi-38HNMDLngpVtjXZakust1r3ii8nsjwAm63dZY8sXq3U_A7x43zWjMvWAat8VnZNVxl0xpofqSD3B-3DKuK/s640/031.JPG" width="427" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My guilt is unplugged. I don’t worry about compensating for Autism so much now. I know I have time to be present with each child because our calendar is cleared and roomy for at least one day. I know that no matter how challenging the week has been with behaviors and appointments, we all have time to just be with each other. This makes for happier parents, happier children and a cleaner house.</span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-85773523902440671792011-11-16T11:10:00.001-05:002011-11-16T11:19:32.079-05:00It’s Not Just for Sunday anymore…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by <a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/p/our-writers.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Stephen</span></a></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Forgive me, for I have sinned. I am, in fact, writing my “Unplugged Sunday” post on…Sunday. The irony is as thick as oatmeal around my house today.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQmBL7NCjCkpXgTf0cdwIn1tUNhGQhF-KbdxRlrXGXCMKQbCvqHBhNDHX1NeOhW59_hhwQPVDs5ZVAjTB_WDGRBWoHQEpTRc2ta9lp1Js0P0_Erae3CT804v2LSuL0YRWXRFZbaotouRw/s1600/6350854022_2a6565bf9d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQmBL7NCjCkpXgTf0cdwIn1tUNhGQhF-KbdxRlrXGXCMKQbCvqHBhNDHX1NeOhW59_hhwQPVDs5ZVAjTB_WDGRBWoHQEpTRc2ta9lp1Js0P0_Erae3CT804v2LSuL0YRWXRFZbaotouRw/s640/6350854022_2a6565bf9d_z.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">In an ideal world, I would love to completely unplug every Sunday, and then write (on Tuesday!) sharp, poetic prose about how I used this time to connect with god, my kids, and nature. But my life is busy and it doesn’t always conform to an ideal schedule.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So, what to do? Despair? Give up the diet because I gorged on ice cream one night? Get fitted for a hair-shirt and gear up for some serious repentance? I think not.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I have a smart friend who told me a long, long time ago “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Admittedly, when he said it, and for some years afterward, I had no idea what he was talking about. But it is a phrase and an idea that has stuck with me, and grown on me, over time. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I think for most of us perfect is rare. And in many ways, that striving for perfection can create its own negative momentum—if things aren’t perfect, if I don’t do it perfectly, I have somehow failed, or it’s not worth doing. That is no longer true for me. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Honestly evaluated, I don’t do anything perfectly. I am not a perfect parent. Not a perfect writer. Certainly not a perfect husband. I fall sometimes when I ski. I’ve burned toast. Well, you get the idea…</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So here’s what I do. I try not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I try to unplug on Sundays, but if it doesn’t work out, I unplug for </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">part of the day.</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> In a bit, when I’m done writing and answering some business email, I am going outside to shovel snow and play with the kids. I’m going to the gym and we’re going to cook dinner and make chocolate chip cookies. Truthfully, because of some looming deadlines, I might have to work later tonight. So if all goes well, I will have unplugged for about six to eight hours this Sunday, and </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">that’s okay.</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i></i></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">But get this—sometimes I unplug on Tuesday afternoons for an hour. And I try to unplug after 9 p.m. a few days a week, and read a book, or just sit quietly. Like power napping (and I am addicted to power napping), these breaks throughout the week are refreshing, and empowering. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The theme for me in “Unplugged Sunday” is to recognize that I benefit from regularly disconnecting to technology and connecting to myself and my family. If that happens for the whole day on Sunday, great. If not, I take a chunk. And maybe grab another chunk later in the week. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A few ways I try to regularly unplug on days other than Sunday:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I NEVER take my smart-phone into the gym. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I have space, I put away my computer and phone and go for a walk at lunchtime. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I consciously unplug at a certain time several nights a week. 9 p.m.? Time to SHUT IT DOWN. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">On the days I pick my kids up from school I TURN MY PHONE OFF till after dinner. This give me several hours where I am forced to stop multi-tasking and focus on them, which is </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">a good thing.</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Another great idea is to set times when you let other people know that you will be UNAVAILABLE. My Jewish friends and relatives call this The Sabbath. But it works. I often tell people I work with that I am unavailable from 3-6 p.m. during the week. I explain that I pick my kids up from school and we make dinner together, and that I will return calls and emails after six. And you know what? They get it. They respect my choice and usually honor it. I figure if Armageddon is imminent I’ll probably hear about it, and short of that I’m not really interested. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So forgive me my sins. And I will forgive yours. If you manage a perfect unplugged Sunday, congratulations. If not, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">that’s okay. </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Take what you can get. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. And look around and see if you can surreptitiously unplug for a bit during the week—though it can feel illegal to miss calls and texts and take a few hours to answer email, I guarantee it will all be waiting for you when you plug back in. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Unplugged Sunday—it’s not just for Sunday anymore. </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-16702028372426597332011-11-14T09:15:00.000-05:002011-11-14T09:15:10.373-05:00Food and Connection: Coming Together Around the Table <div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Written by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="http://radicalrollingpin.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Elaine</span></a></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unplugging can be a challenge. It seemed much easier when our daughter was younger. I work from home and am online most days. Chloe (our teenager) often has to use the computer for homework, and of course there is the iPod. Who doesn’t enjoy listening to music? My husband spends most of his day working on computers or network systems. It seems that one of us is always plugged into something. </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a dilemma. When the days are shorter and nights are longer, there's even more of a temptation to go our separate ways and disconnect from each other. So what coaxes us to unplug and come together as a family? </span></div><div style="font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoLq4HdNUvk8cON9tazrNjpsG2mewc1AOEsIYqwPnjjwnsKlbL2MBwxb7ns274EEAvh4FmgrMsg4i2FJkE9CegH_-t7EU3PZF1RXiRg_5w9SjORmngn8dztbXvFz8UyD7m3y1eOcXMEdP/s1600/foodandconnection%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoLq4HdNUvk8cON9tazrNjpsG2mewc1AOEsIYqwPnjjwnsKlbL2MBwxb7ns274EEAvh4FmgrMsg4i2FJkE9CegH_-t7EU3PZF1RXiRg_5w9SjORmngn8dztbXvFz8UyD7m3y1eOcXMEdP/s640/foodandconnection%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div style="font: 14.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px;"><b><i></i></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food. Preparing it <i>and</i> eating it. Once the hearth was the center of the home — both a literal hearth at the fireplace, and a metaphorical hearth, the place the family gathered for warmth, light and sustenance<b>. </b>Today our kitchen is the hearth, the heart of the home. It is where we gather together, whether it's just the three of us, our extended family or members of our community. </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOljGcsowmvHQJ0pKqtbTn8r3AkUAkOWGyGEyiQqejX8K8iSQhrIZIrVmsFRkXD_8EpBwgfQxNum9NFzr9BKL9yJWJlI65fWkZwNQCp0-Torb77915h40IXnVqkKLV3tjHVg9PL28AdC_F/s1600/foodandconnection%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOljGcsowmvHQJ0pKqtbTn8r3AkUAkOWGyGEyiQqejX8K8iSQhrIZIrVmsFRkXD_8EpBwgfQxNum9NFzr9BKL9yJWJlI65fWkZwNQCp0-Torb77915h40IXnVqkKLV3tjHVg9PL28AdC_F/s640/foodandconnection%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband, daughter and I make the effort to unplug and come together most nights at dinner time. Not only do we go offline and put our electronic devices down, we gather together with the intention of connecting as a family. We do this by preparing and eating our meal together. The kitchen is mostly my domain. Most days you will find me in there cooking up something. But at dinner time I let go of controlling my beloved territory by bringing my family in to help in the preparation. There is always salad to make, things to chop, drinks to pour and a table to set. </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg518LJ8AxRNJYB5TzeYwK4cQBLjEGO7klha2KvmU9oYR0N-UyGxeWGXY-s8gHcbu0aLAHCr0n924AB0VM-Tv687xiZvd4cjDPQigU3Cf2ir5pRCPblSS0_nvfqeIpsJNJMEL1Cs9KFGc-Q/s1600/foodandconnection%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg518LJ8AxRNJYB5TzeYwK4cQBLjEGO7klha2KvmU9oYR0N-UyGxeWGXY-s8gHcbu0aLAHCr0n924AB0VM-Tv687xiZvd4cjDPQigU3Cf2ir5pRCPblSS0_nvfqeIpsJNJMEL1Cs9KFGc-Q/s640/foodandconnection%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By participating in the creation of a meal, we become connected not only to our food, but also to those who grew it and those who are eating with us. Giving thanks is an important part of this process, and it creates an even deeper connection with the food we are eating. My family is blessed to live in an area where we have access to just about everything we need locally. We know the face of the farmers who provide us with our eggs, most of our produce, our chickens and any other animals we consume. This deepens our connection to our food, to each other and to our community even more.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdtrPdZxrZ2o9v5q7chKqszULntnYbIRTC_K4infp2YAccfzMkDRHpza38aSf0Ds01hDasWyXnZnUht5XpjdO2oN9nQE4n-oBNpW0zkmGxafhBSQbM3HibSKZDMLOuPTRSymogBmXyh5q/s1600/foodandconnection%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdtrPdZxrZ2o9v5q7chKqszULntnYbIRTC_K4infp2YAccfzMkDRHpza38aSf0Ds01hDasWyXnZnUht5XpjdO2oN9nQE4n-oBNpW0zkmGxafhBSQbM3HibSKZDMLOuPTRSymogBmXyh5q/s640/foodandconnection%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The silver rain</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The shining sun</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The fields where scarlet poppies run</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And all the ripples in the wheat</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are in the bread that we do eat</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So when we sit at every meal</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With grateful hearts we always feel</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That we are eating rain and sun</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And fields where scarlet poppies run</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">— by Alice C. Henderson </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(This is our favorite family grace said or sung before meals.)</span></i></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a world where being constantly plugged in is the norm . . . sharing our meals (unplugged!) is one way we keep our family connected.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How does food keep you connected to your family and community?</span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-83870031915664845612011-11-11T09:36:00.002-05:002011-11-11T10:14:13.205-05:00Alpaca Medicine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.naturalhealthathome.com/" target="_blank">Nicole</a></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4FFcAXEXrq6aJMDX4e83n1vaPzlekUkAUCv-uSudptYIIUdO4eKKhZUjDDaMO1DzH6cpUB_8IlMerbohjqoClK87js-aROAnXlVIFTW2W1xID-P_UCgAcc9qv-K9piMP36hGwQeKgE7t/s1600/6334738648_dc40bcb2c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4FFcAXEXrq6aJMDX4e83n1vaPzlekUkAUCv-uSudptYIIUdO4eKKhZUjDDaMO1DzH6cpUB_8IlMerbohjqoClK87js-aROAnXlVIFTW2W1xID-P_UCgAcc9qv-K9piMP36hGwQeKgE7t/s640/6334738648_dc40bcb2c9.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We’re moving to the mountains, but we’re taking the public with us. </span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">That is what David, the owner of </span></span></span><a href="http://www.pacaprideguestranch.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Paca Pride Guest Ranch</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, said to us as he led us around the grounds of his permaculture-style Alpaca farm. On the outside, David and his partner were living in the heart of a vibrant city, both with successful corporate jobs yet on the inside felt a sense of disconnect.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLdhj3mIzQ2TW45jC-kgfcSp3gj4NAdDR-rrH7dVgsL2V53vPLC1B8JQinkIZAts17FZGaeMA08DCLhmwULfDVk55cp832ZfSu1o6goRjcsiiZxaeYDXoZ0gE_xWrEEMfq6bWgA3ws0ng/s1600/6334738582_f2719af9a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLdhj3mIzQ2TW45jC-kgfcSp3gj4NAdDR-rrH7dVgsL2V53vPLC1B8JQinkIZAts17FZGaeMA08DCLhmwULfDVk55cp832ZfSu1o6goRjcsiiZxaeYDXoZ0gE_xWrEEMfq6bWgA3ws0ng/s640/6334738582_f2719af9a2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So they made a huge decision to leave the city life and head to the mountains where their hearts already lived. And it would have been easy for David and his partner to buy a small cabin in the woods and live a simple life “away from it all.” It would have been easy to try and remedy their sense of disconnect by doing their own thing entirely. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVFWYn-ZmUN9fERqsXF5-5rX9bWhlYnuzdrWBk5vqTNt_7SYdejIp5JBQcM4d3VpGAaTUNTWKNoADngm9gaYM5AoSlr_Tj6HrzjMoeBdM06xS6voBSP3sMk3MqfEQZU1duXU7oh8fRbMQ/s1600/6333983859_eb78ce393b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVFWYn-ZmUN9fERqsXF5-5rX9bWhlYnuzdrWBk5vqTNt_7SYdejIp5JBQcM4d3VpGAaTUNTWKNoADngm9gaYM5AoSlr_Tj6HrzjMoeBdM06xS6voBSP3sMk3MqfEQZU1duXU7oh8fRbMQ/s640/6333983859_eb78ce393b.jpg" width="563" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Lucky for us they didn’t do that. Instead they followed their hearts and opened their home to the public. They healed that sense of disconnect by engaging with their surroundings, providing a home to a growing pack of rescued Alpacas, and by literally reviving the land they purchased using mindful permaculture techniques. Every square inch of the property has a purpose and function beyond its natural beauty.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9duGC82pOe8k_Ld1PeuADrbLSEMVzWjvt_nVm7dNlBXdhPoU3PM4u-tRE3AgKrfviPlf4MSi4MzpwAREarieVOg0XZ1wwXZQVPLI1EE6MxDG7vF93GlUy3b9GsyacY5xTrkrB18ssOE6/s1600/6334738442_24a235c172_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9duGC82pOe8k_Ld1PeuADrbLSEMVzWjvt_nVm7dNlBXdhPoU3PM4u-tRE3AgKrfviPlf4MSi4MzpwAREarieVOg0XZ1wwXZQVPLI1EE6MxDG7vF93GlUy3b9GsyacY5xTrkrB18ssOE6/s640/6334738442_24a235c172_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Our family decided to spend one of last month’s unplugged days visiting this Alpaca farm, and I couldn’t help but notice this underlying theme: that </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">we </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">disconnect from our computers and devices not as a way to disconnect from life. No. We disconnect from technology so that we can connect with the living, breathing, beating pulse of life. We unplug to connect </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">in-the-flesh</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> with beautiful, creative souls. To learn. To grow. To flourish. That is what David did when they moved to the mountains and invited everyone else to visit them too—he </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">unplugged from his disconnect</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> in order to connect and engage in a deeper way with life. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWyxdz_X9_1RZgT-ZJCob2m7y6JDeEpDENzribPF69pJlvoMcmKDtUH0sZarQoFoNVFrkVgMMqxKL9zKk93AkCa9XIkchp3enkmjL0cZZ32rlwuOaSGFgETy0JZox52FhHr9o2D50jqAt/s1600/6334738360_2a2291f26c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWyxdz_X9_1RZgT-ZJCob2m7y6JDeEpDENzribPF69pJlvoMcmKDtUH0sZarQoFoNVFrkVgMMqxKL9zKk93AkCa9XIkchp3enkmjL0cZZ32rlwuOaSGFgETy0JZox52FhHr9o2D50jqAt/s640/6334738360_2a2291f26c_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Aside from leaving Paca Pride Guest Ranch feeling refreshed by my surroundings, I felt inspired by the commitment to sustainability that the owners have there. And beyond that, I left feeling more hopeful about the direction of our collective values for the future. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This unplugging thing is really something.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-36414055353071455892011-11-09T08:26:00.000-05:002011-11-09T08:26:12.577-05:00Thoughts on Simplicity<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by <a href="http://www.adventureinprogress.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Damien</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Slowing down. Simplifying. Minimizing. Unplugging. These are the mantras many of us hear echoing throughout our Internet worlds.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Life can be busy, complicated, and stressful. We all know this and we don't like it. We don't want to be trapped in a flow that is heading straight for a cliff. We see scaling back and simplifying as a way to push back against the tide of "too much". Unplugging with family one day a week is just one of the many ways we reclaim some of what we feel is missing in our lives.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">What do you reclaim by simplifying your life?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdLhsB4ciimUOLrGsLdHg3xCVm28lOcXBc8vTCwgFTtt2AJQOYSPpGNl3UYjCufsFsSJ3AERXAaKZqePi_4_WecgFKmycTVo5jA2WOgglu7CPSYXDZ0d_oJC5GoJGA6MP2zcQc9zR5n_e/s1600/hiking-abol-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdLhsB4ciimUOLrGsLdHg3xCVm28lOcXBc8vTCwgFTtt2AJQOYSPpGNl3UYjCufsFsSJ3AERXAaKZqePi_4_WecgFKmycTVo5jA2WOgglu7CPSYXDZ0d_oJC5GoJGA6MP2zcQc9zR5n_e/s640/hiking-abol-trail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you think that you are reclaiming "time", then you might be surprised to discover - as we did - that it doesn't quite work the way you think. You no doubt have heard the saying: "Good food takes time to prepare". That sentiment goes for pretty much anything in life; quality living takes time and effort. A simpler life doesn't give you more time, it just distributes the time differently. You spend more time doing fewer things, hopefully the things that really matter. For us this equates to more time spent together as a family in the outdoors.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">If you think that you are reclaiming "money", again you may be surprised. Simplifying your life ultimately means being contented with less. For some this will equate to a shift away from debt - a very good thing. It may also mean a shift towards quality. If you have fewer things, one tends to hold quality and aesthetic in higher regard - both of which tend to cost more. A simpler life doesn't give you more money, it just distributes it differently. It gives you more financial and personal freedom. For us this equates to spending less money in other areas so we can afford the clothing and gear we need for spending time in the outdoors.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">What we have begun to reclaim is quality. Quality time, quality relationships, quality food... Instead of rushing to meet all of our obligations in a half-assed fashion and winding up completely spent, we are better able to spend the time we need for the things that are important to us. Things start to become sustainable.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpPoDKHyIgYpjqMOBmqZW26yfYvKgq_eqjH4eb7Pz_TjIT0eLegzW8tz2Opsnz1-b3htJC69h4lD6ihBJazLjm2ZqvW2rU3rSQx1OKpVHQkdQgL8IAHuyagzBM2_Qzh8jWo6XA8-YAV0m/s1600/Mt.Katahdin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpPoDKHyIgYpjqMOBmqZW26yfYvKgq_eqjH4eb7Pz_TjIT0eLegzW8tz2Opsnz1-b3htJC69h4lD6ihBJazLjm2ZqvW2rU3rSQx1OKpVHQkdQgL8IAHuyagzBM2_Qzh8jWo6XA8-YAV0m/s640/Mt.Katahdin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A couple of years ago when I was on the phone with a friend. We were trying to sync our schedules for getting together but we were having problems finding a date we could agree on. The date my friend wanted was in direct conflict with our family hiking day. He was surprised that our schedule was so booked despite the fact that we were trying to simplify our lives.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This is where I came to a realization: yes, we have simplified our lives but instead of doing too much, we are spending more time doing less. This has meant guarding our precious resources (time and money) and rather than saying yes to everything (despite how good it might be) we end up saying no to a lot as well. Sometimes it feels like we say no more often than we say yes.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I am not a gardener, but I can appreciate a good garden. They are beautiful, wholesome, and are a good representation of what we see as a life well lived. Anyone who has tried their hand at gardening can tell you that reaping the fruits of a fertile garden doesn't come easy. It is a lot of work. It is a process that requires years to learn and regular tending to develop.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZZkuzRFpufjSZVisx6Pei7V1Lc4bS52IDfJmz6NVruy24xbyZb3z3sqzthEy7Bnd7AYa1b-fjU-VLK9l3hEWuEWOWcsNSQgV1dkkvLSU83Tn-_8K8RElJaBbMLgC1Lu-Drx-HOM-OIT-/s1600/fall-orange-leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZZkuzRFpufjSZVisx6Pei7V1Lc4bS52IDfJmz6NVruy24xbyZb3z3sqzthEy7Bnd7AYa1b-fjU-VLK9l3hEWuEWOWcsNSQgV1dkkvLSU83Tn-_8K8RElJaBbMLgC1Lu-Drx-HOM-OIT-/s640/fall-orange-leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I would say that living a simple, wholesome, quality life is the same way. It is hard work. It is really easy for the weeds to take over if you aren't careful. But if you persevere with the process the fruits are more than worth it.</span></span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-54331969162032421582011-11-07T09:24:00.000-05:002011-11-07T09:24:31.518-05:00Stepping Back<div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Sarah</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkekKrBj6aV22Tw-9H8Yg-yf_SlEOw2CAueV43eehSnR52bJhAqWMO0O0tTQ4dUkNmdpFjC8VBBQ5IY_MpXQHlg0GJ7o5gkafPRY-6YCCK-u9hd3hBqsBJABXpJA532teG1NF_AfKCJuj/s1600/Photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkekKrBj6aV22Tw-9H8Yg-yf_SlEOw2CAueV43eehSnR52bJhAqWMO0O0tTQ4dUkNmdpFjC8VBBQ5IY_MpXQHlg0GJ7o5gkafPRY-6YCCK-u9hd3hBqsBJABXpJA532teG1NF_AfKCJuj/s640/Photo+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Autumn is such a nostalgic season. For me, fall is about taking the energy I have been projecting out into the world, and pulling it back into myself. In many ways, going out amongst the mountains in the summer and coming in for the winter are very different paths both leading to the same destination: becoming lost in the silence of simply being. Whereas hiking silences my mind with ease, sitting with the quiet and looking inward requires greater diligence and patience. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Conscious of the changes occurring inside myself, I always enjoy musing over the transformation of the natural world – watching the green of summer give way to vibrant displays of color. Of course, with the fickle nature of fall in the mountains, the valleys become aflame with reds, oranges, and yellows as the peak of the season has come and gone along the ridgeline and tired, brown leaves cling to mostly bare branches. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh3dmbR0vBZ0fls0MXPNddwKx2G-u4M4an_AvtzODLGFPzV0ptBzEzF8n19hLHIaJIlMyLG2GTIKWeiVo685B66M6Bmi3MfxAIiCsslVct4PtuJF4m2fchfLI2bFLziDXwJE9eJ9rMF0R/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh3dmbR0vBZ0fls0MXPNddwKx2G-u4M4an_AvtzODLGFPzV0ptBzEzF8n19hLHIaJIlMyLG2GTIKWeiVo685B66M6Bmi3MfxAIiCsslVct4PtuJF4m2fchfLI2bFLziDXwJE9eJ9rMF0R/s640/photo+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In light of the season, and my penchant for letting my mind wax nostalgically, how fitting that this weekend should be designated as homecoming in the church where I grew up. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Driving down the mountain, towards the southeastern shore of my childhood, was far more than stepping backwards in the season; entire years flew by in the few hours it took me to reach my destination. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was able to attend one of two days of festivities, and connected with friends I had long forgotten or with whom I’ve lost touch. I wandered the familiar old hallways, remembering the still, quiet feeling of the building, reflecting on all that has changed and all that has remained the same. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRnfW3RasN_snQn0LTgVQ-diB0Uvu0phAJ7Z7_pVycp3IJbSkde4rp5YqmZjSVzRTF5L-AFJPIk4gNyNLjqMbzjV9ivPJGI2yXMaUhIl_e4h2m8pwztwLH9-wxAXEPooK73cAhqbWVGiV/s1600/Photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRnfW3RasN_snQn0LTgVQ-diB0Uvu0phAJ7Z7_pVycp3IJbSkde4rp5YqmZjSVzRTF5L-AFJPIk4gNyNLjqMbzjV9ivPJGI2yXMaUhIl_e4h2m8pwztwLH9-wxAXEPooK73cAhqbWVGiV/s640/Photo+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The weekend has left a lasting impression on me – a different understanding of who I have been and might be, and where I find myself at present. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with times past, and bring those memories to light in the present. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a way to unplug – not just from technology, but also from my potentially flawed conceptions of who I am and what I can offer the world. <span style="font-weight: 700;">How can we truly let go, in our day-‐to-‐day lives, of all the ways we keep ourselves from reaching our true potential? </span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few answers to this question, and reflections on my time spent revisiting my childhood, come to mind: </span></div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those who truly care about you will affirm the course you choose, no matter where you might be on your path. </span></div></li>
<li> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In any transition, there will be people you lose touch with and forget; this doesn’t mean they haven’t played an important part in your growth. </span></div></li>
<li> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Celebrate! Celebrate in the face of uncertainty; celebrate even when the going is rough; celebrate for no reason other than simply celebrating. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever gone back to an earlier time or place in your life? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What was it like to experience your memories? </span></div></li>
</ul></div></div></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-24787697570229529372011-11-04T11:51:00.000-04:002011-11-04T11:51:52.837-04:00Weekend Inspiration<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by <a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Heather</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9aBk9HeLtGD07NA-wCM4XTWkwGrWRg-MkwJqRpERbmR0Zs9T3VGvZeY-VgQaJk0CrIrLA151f6wSvikHvFu_DRad1zJnIyE_8ly4ZFRP0BAheelaneYD7BZgPl1VmWRJJZRg_0c33lVv/s1600/6312452878_286c40e027_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9aBk9HeLtGD07NA-wCM4XTWkwGrWRg-MkwJqRpERbmR0Zs9T3VGvZeY-VgQaJk0CrIrLA151f6wSvikHvFu_DRad1zJnIyE_8ly4ZFRP0BAheelaneYD7BZgPl1VmWRJJZRg_0c33lVv/s640/6312452878_286c40e027_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A couple of our writers <a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/2011/10/five-tips-for-art-making-with-children.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">have mentioned recently</span></a> how preparation for a relaxed, unplugged day can be <a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/2011/10/just-make-it.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">key for its success.</span></a> This is a great point! A few mental notes can help your day flow better. It might seem counter-intutitive, but a little preparation can help you sink into relaxation or adventure more easily. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Sometimes peeking in on what others are up to helps to spark our own ideas.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Heading in to this weekend, I thought I'd share a few items that might inspire you - activities, reflections on unplugging, and sheer inspiration. Make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><a href="http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/beauty_that_moves/2007/11/tradition.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Make a Gratitude Tree</span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/07/unplugged-sunday.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Maureen Cracknell Handmade - Unplugged Sunday</span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://gettingthere.typepad.com/getting-there/2011/10/unplugged-sunday.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Getting There - Unplugged Sunday</span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://ouronesweetfamily.blogspot.com/2011/10/unplugged-sundayharvest-days.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Our One Sweet Family - Harvest Days</span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://saltandchocolate.blogspot.com/2011/05/scenes-from-unplugged-sunday.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Salt and Chocolate - Scenes from and Unplugged Sunday</span></span></span></a></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/clean/2011/04/unplugging-and-getting-outside-.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Clean - Unplugging and Getting Outside</span></a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/beautythatmoves/handmade-gift-ideas/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Begin Holiday Gift Making</span></a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/beautythatmoves/art-craft/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Plan a Craft Project</span></a></span></span></li>
</ul><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Video Inspiration</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Thank you </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.outdoors.org/" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">AMC</span></i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> and </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://fimby.tougas.net/" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Renee</span></i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend! May it be filled with all the activity, creativity, and relaxation that you desire.</span></span></span>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-61490834465406514982011-10-31T10:00:00.000-04:002011-10-31T10:00:26.821-04:00Sharing our Unplugged Sundays<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Written by <a href="http://kimberlys-cup.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Kimberly</span></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-3qcy0uTp3mkLoL8wZ_4ZklUrK3-YIZfpNnKFBr2C9FcQweHpoYOSiD4qpBYQ4vLAmgGrcbhPoXntVyWoV4joQbWIFkj7kjtOZLxmipPvzf6EasmCR52HP4M9Z6bbLTA0wxBLgLh2Fhb/s1600/salad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-3qcy0uTp3mkLoL8wZ_4ZklUrK3-YIZfpNnKFBr2C9FcQweHpoYOSiD4qpBYQ4vLAmgGrcbhPoXntVyWoV4joQbWIFkj7kjtOZLxmipPvzf6EasmCR52HP4M9Z6bbLTA0wxBLgLh2Fhb/s640/salad.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">In the midst of our huge life change of moving from Denver to rural Idaho, we were working on endless projects around the clock and seven days a week. </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">No one gives you a day off when you work for yourself and are trying to revive a severely neglected homestead.</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> After a few months, I knew I needed a change. I began to organize my week to make Sundays easier and more restful. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It took awhile to get my Sweetheart on board, but he is now. Around that time, Unplugged Sunday started up. It spoke to my heart. I shared it with him and it is now a part of our week.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Being in a new place, there a so many new neighbors we want to get to know better. When Sweetheart and I were discussing what we wanted our Sundays to look like I told him I wanted to include having guests to dinner at least once a month on a Sunday evening. </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Part of me would love to say that we would have company every Sunday night, but I know that that would quickly become too much.</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Once a month feels manageable. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Of course, we always try to keep an open door and be ready to set an extra spot at the table whenever needed. And around here, that is a good way to live. There are often folks that just drop by without warning and I like to be able to make everyone feel at home.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OTx3VwdnsDFADskB6G-wo75sf3G5t0XfwvtrW4sV5hMmpdISB-6B8mwBMTbZ4_yl_jImVbpmVvKDn73gPAtGYCUz2V9UkJ7WQko4IhsVoW-3HZiV6XvZSprUy7grT5HqBK1YEZ3PtReu/s1600/soup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OTx3VwdnsDFADskB6G-wo75sf3G5t0XfwvtrW4sV5hMmpdISB-6B8mwBMTbZ4_yl_jImVbpmVvKDn73gPAtGYCUz2V9UkJ7WQko4IhsVoW-3HZiV6XvZSprUy7grT5HqBK1YEZ3PtReu/s640/soup.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I used to try to have everything perfect for company. I wanted them to enjoy themselves and to have everything be just right. </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">That perfectionism made for trouble.</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> I would take on way too much and try to do too much that by the time the guests arrived, everything might look perfect, but I was a wreck.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Now, I still like to make everything as nice as I can, but my attitude has changed and everyone is happier for it. It is so freeing! </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I have learned to plan simple and delicious food.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> To serve what I can easily make and enjoy making has made such a difference.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">To make it work to have company on Sundays and still have a restful day for me does take a bit of forethought.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> I try now to have everything cleaned up on Saturdays whether or not company is coming. I also am prepping as much of the Sunday supper on Saturday as I can.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcwtEfsDSM9kgGDm2ZNsYyOaXAIn5o18pBv_7xOjQVtQA0ZEwyQj1aQI1V2lPKHOosM0pqh8-pTq5XEiLmoYIb3fDBR5GVMYgc808jewwBuvhYxbNdI-ZFnlZoaCgiFQTcuKepYkq1g_O/s1600/apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcwtEfsDSM9kgGDm2ZNsYyOaXAIn5o18pBv_7xOjQVtQA0ZEwyQj1aQI1V2lPKHOosM0pqh8-pTq5XEiLmoYIb3fDBR5GVMYgc808jewwBuvhYxbNdI-ZFnlZoaCgiFQTcuKepYkq1g_O/s640/apple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I am choosing meals that can be made in advance and don't require a lot of last minute details.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Especially this time of year, a big slow cooker of soup or stew is a wonderful thing. A salad and some fresh-baked bread served along side makes it easy for me to visit with my company as soon as they arrive. I like to either have dessert already completed, or just set to slip in the oven when we sit down to eat.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18bVcxl-D8DGmP191CAIjZIr9a2esh6AlFWO8PqIGhUsxqDgziO4F2EFLAz4eAtLhZ6-8F-ZyTFQQpNJCaqhxpDuGNZNENPnD-Cf-9B1y9V3P3ipCLA7QcY7U9agVjYaH96BM62LRJSN9/s1600/candle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18bVcxl-D8DGmP191CAIjZIr9a2esh6AlFWO8PqIGhUsxqDgziO4F2EFLAz4eAtLhZ6-8F-ZyTFQQpNJCaqhxpDuGNZNENPnD-Cf-9B1y9V3P3ipCLA7QcY7U9agVjYaH96BM62LRJSN9/s640/candle.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Whether or not we are having guests I still enjoy setting a beautiful table and using my pretty things for serving.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> I change our centerpieces and dining room decorations with the seasons using whatever is growing, or I can forage at that time. Most meals this time of year are eaten by candlelight as well and I usually have instrumental music playing in the background all day. With three little kids, it is soothing and even the kids notice if I don't light the candle, or turn on the music. These details only take a few minutes and make such a difference.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEpvoL6lNek_lTyJbschYXO2cz3Z98hpmmDCVXb8odEzYRt2sFZQBQE3wCKvc0l31XoGGV3Nzc5YK0iC2XJNQJL6ZWDRFScWPdGwPzLUKz4HQ2E6hOD3dMV06XThBxJBv-NgKPF0xLnUH/s1600/plate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEpvoL6lNek_lTyJbschYXO2cz3Z98hpmmDCVXb8odEzYRt2sFZQBQE3wCKvc0l31XoGGV3Nzc5YK0iC2XJNQJL6ZWDRFScWPdGwPzLUKz4HQ2E6hOD3dMV06XThBxJBv-NgKPF0xLnUH/s640/plate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I believe that beauty refreshes our spirits.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> I want our home to be a lovely, loving and welcoming place for my family and anyone else who comes our way. Now that my attitude has changed about practicing hospitality versus entertaining, I can truly say that I strive to bless, not impress. </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Unplugging for the day and being fully present with my family and friends all seem to flow together for me.</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Being mindful to include others in our unplugged days just feels right.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 18.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Here are some ideas I have had to make this a success:</span></span></span></span></div><ul><li style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Be intentional. Invite people a few weeks in in advance.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Keep the guest list small and manageable.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Plan simple meals that can be prepared early with few last minute tasks.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Do clean up the day before. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Enjoy simple beauty.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: 16.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Focus on your guests, not on appearances.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">What are some ways you share your unplugged days with those around you?</span></span></span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-75158607970691298552011-10-28T11:55:00.011-04:002011-10-28T18:21:33.195-04:00Filling the Pantry<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by <a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Heather</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1HuPQpX8UohQkFSL9J8iF0SWIT-6oLEQ4oEKqQw29rFrl4q5AiBUuv6mqmHV97i3fL3EALjGQdTYhsXgQinUrNNdbI1A0zrJZzYWRc7PixTrwPbj4oGp2rdKS4q9Ql2ZmJdiYVuOH-8S/s1600/6289120434_224db9034e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1HuPQpX8UohQkFSL9J8iF0SWIT-6oLEQ4oEKqQw29rFrl4q5AiBUuv6mqmHV97i3fL3EALjGQdTYhsXgQinUrNNdbI1A0zrJZzYWRc7PixTrwPbj4oGp2rdKS4q9Ql2ZmJdiYVuOH-8S/s640/6289120434_224db9034e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Well friends, it appears winter is just around the corner. As a little preview, we enjoyed our first snowfall last night! Can you spot the snow on the roof behind my squirrel friend? He was looking pretty stunned this morning. This weekend we have a possible seven inch snowstorm heading our way. Oh boy, here we go!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct1GzJqD9KXXiIh_aiCMsBcTBHwAgqdSp3Me12QfULpC2vZeMaeopFESztSyW1pSnZDVqR8BFKV0_4Yabo3zI7TBtWgHAvUj65a-slNQ8nRM02LRX39JUo4HLRmMVTom3PZ21gomPuWoB/s1600/6289035558_561fa823c4_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct1GzJqD9KXXiIh_aiCMsBcTBHwAgqdSp3Me12QfULpC2vZeMaeopFESztSyW1pSnZDVqR8BFKV0_4Yabo3zI7TBtWgHAvUj65a-slNQ8nRM02LRX39JUo4HLRmMVTom3PZ21gomPuWoB/s640/6289035558_561fa823c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This is a time of preparation, for sure. The last couple of Sundays I have spent some time canning or freezing to build our food storage and preserve this season's bounty.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6rPRfSV1A-d_4Sjj0uljB1d8ALs6ymPha4q9h5-j3l8J1quMnP6VgTTPm7Zulu-RIjQvo0NePPqQkb228M2-a18ahOZ62-k2vh6_diakwrbB6ES0T1lVdEKE1b8vL26Rk8PvBt9OdvNB/s1600/6288516595_fb7ec2e983_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6rPRfSV1A-d_4Sjj0uljB1d8ALs6ymPha4q9h5-j3l8J1quMnP6VgTTPm7Zulu-RIjQvo0NePPqQkb228M2-a18ahOZ62-k2vh6_diakwrbB6ES0T1lVdEKE1b8vL26Rk8PvBt9OdvNB/s640/6288516595_fb7ec2e983_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Each year I work harder and harder to stock our pantry and freezer for the cold, dark months ahead. I do believe I'm setting myself up for a banner year in the apple department, putting up nearly 200 pounds!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrH7ppIW1SmsBU328HoBRNF5-DCJVRhW9vo-r3_Fyusa-mYOvKF0hDEDDneAEuUzDq2gNkUzyl4ZAW8Gzjl6vM_x0HeXOzDsJXJ83Wk3WTwW5nMNfoJ2pDlmoaixJjd_1ALvIVnPKXf_u/s1600/6289037902_b4a79d9d63_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrH7ppIW1SmsBU328HoBRNF5-DCJVRhW9vo-r3_Fyusa-mYOvKF0hDEDDneAEuUzDq2gNkUzyl4ZAW8Gzjl6vM_x0HeXOzDsJXJ83Wk3WTwW5nMNfoJ2pDlmoaixJjd_1ALvIVnPKXf_u/s640/6289037902_b4a79d9d63_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I do a mixture of canning and freezing. The freezer is convenient and sometimes offers a "fresher" method of storage, but </span></span></span><a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/2011/09/go-back-to-your-lives-citizens.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Irene reminded me</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> that canning is a wise and resourceful practice.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">In their book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Continuing-Good-Life-Century-Homesteading/dp/B000SOWHLS"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Continuing the Good Life</span></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_and_Scott_Nearing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Helen and Scott Nearing</span></a> write:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">"We were given a freezer and find it very handy for storing overstocks or surpluses from our meals or from the garden... we could live happily without electricity for lighting, but we find the freezer of considerable assistance in keeping certain few foods."</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Several years ago my husband received a substantial gift card through his work. It was one of those things where we could choose from a catalog offering items from all kinds of stores. All things imaginable were available, from expensive jewelry to fancy clothing to practical home offerings. We chose an upright freezer. What a good decision that was. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I tend to freeze nearly all of our food in glass jars and often get questions about how to do so, specifically with regards to avoiding breakage. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqkxSYc8Xy3ScUXdYedeAAMZK3TwT941W2wPGRhwIl-Z74qFc99P5DKxJ_ouSIIXBzSjBJQflyTBWpOvnk-MZW5zxqEpms02NIsSWqdHVPAfgiwXeMp-9eirWacYQcXppcir2ZzHQOX_M/s1600/6288522825_183b0e09f4_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqkxSYc8Xy3ScUXdYedeAAMZK3TwT941W2wPGRhwIl-Z74qFc99P5DKxJ_ouSIIXBzSjBJQflyTBWpOvnk-MZW5zxqEpms02NIsSWqdHVPAfgiwXeMp-9eirWacYQcXppcir2ZzHQOX_M/s640/6288522825_183b0e09f4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Tips for Freezing In Glass Jars:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use canning jars when possible, they are tempered and can withstand slight expansion.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leave one inch headspace at the top of jar, liquid contents will expand 10% when freezing.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once jars are filled, chill in the refrigerator until completely cool. I leave overnight.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leave the lids unscrewed when freezing, tighten only after contents are completely frozen. This gives the jar room to expand with out breaking.</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Since I've been following this method I've had zero breakage. I think leaving the jars unscrewed until completely frozen is the most critical factor for success. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VZb0osrPVIt_wM5xhgicBrh6n8MHQEkNBXfJC83Bhtz-cYdPF7gTewPY0CgGsFI4ymcK73VFyZNGfLnFwogRmcIllKj1CROGWUvq0-165b3yaEOIjR96h8Zx_cr9z57uKBX85NiZH6Hx/s1600/6288526395_fd7fc185b2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VZb0osrPVIt_wM5xhgicBrh6n8MHQEkNBXfJC83Bhtz-cYdPF7gTewPY0CgGsFI4ymcK73VFyZNGfLnFwogRmcIllKj1CROGWUvq0-165b3yaEOIjR96h8Zx_cr9z57uKBX85NiZH6Hx/s640/6288526395_fd7fc185b2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Resources for Canning:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I only use Pomona's Universal Pectin when making jams and jellies, you can read all about it</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.pomonapectin.com/"> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.pomonapectin.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">on their website</span></a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Basically it does not require sugar to gel so you can make jam with little to no sugar at all.</span></span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.freshpreserving.com/home.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Ball Canning </span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://pickyourown.org/allaboutcanning.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Pick Your Own </span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.foodinjars.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Food in Jars</span></span></span></a></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I'm pretty casual about my canning methods and have never had a jar fail. That said, I don't want to encourage careless canning practices - I just try not to overly obsess about every detail. Taking care and following basic canning procedure will give you good results (and huge satisfaction).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErhZGuzFsPEfEaz18-S7N2pL432p_bQucOPce93iKYLKtakNS6y1XRQqMCB69pbyjLwkUrO2h-OHUiNfzJkGC0i-EPG_D04vNhdYbe3VySnj5jR2IbwP3-CptfBwjY-hoRP60YaxN-a2T/s1600/6289041466_efccd253cb_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErhZGuzFsPEfEaz18-S7N2pL432p_bQucOPce93iKYLKtakNS6y1XRQqMCB69pbyjLwkUrO2h-OHUiNfzJkGC0i-EPG_D04vNhdYbe3VySnj5jR2IbwP3-CptfBwjY-hoRP60YaxN-a2T/s640/6289041466_efccd253cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">When canning, I make sure to have:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Clean and hot jars.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lids simmering in hot water, not boiling (new lids each year, screw on bands can be reused).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Freshly cleaned hands, utensils, and work surface.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Followed proper processing time according to my recipe.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">That's really all there is to it. A bit of mental and material organization, a window of time, and a bounty of fresh produce is all you need. A few simple things and you are on your way to a stocked pantry and freezer. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I really enjoy the activity of preserving food on a quiet, unscheduled afternoon. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxSe45bYl_FdR73onG-3-Unmrw4-tKu2pakICBRagwiQLPn08LehsYTAabDKYLIBEMlHsNaYeLm3b3TaaR4sQbsqETptWAhnWCGB2pdeYIv_2fV_umRGuQUafbW9HqWmKKmsbfMcxTJ5U/s1600/6266500938_97ace22728_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxSe45bYl_FdR73onG-3-Unmrw4-tKu2pakICBRagwiQLPn08LehsYTAabDKYLIBEMlHsNaYeLm3b3TaaR4sQbsqETptWAhnWCGB2pdeYIv_2fV_umRGuQUafbW9HqWmKKmsbfMcxTJ5U/s640/6266500938_97ace22728_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Over the last few Sundays I have put up countless pints, 1/4 pints, and quarts of apple butter, apple sauce, apple pie filling, pear ginger jam, and canned pears. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Later today </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I'll be making one more batch of pear ginger jam, and a bit more apple pie filling. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho17nxvRuta_z3_KWVOyZ7bsDpLzvV-Go1yUE2FeMFmNSmGh4I5izd_f_4GqaXLJsOAR8DPk4e06HEayWKSDYKO9sjtoL9O6Y8ZfW1Oz362CCQru71S3kXN6xV5G_yTl92N4StUd4J-ilm/s1600/6208071979_567c04648c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho17nxvRuta_z3_KWVOyZ7bsDpLzvV-Go1yUE2FeMFmNSmGh4I5izd_f_4GqaXLJsOAR8DPk4e06HEayWKSDYKO9sjtoL9O6Y8ZfW1Oz362CCQru71S3kXN6xV5G_yTl92N4StUd4J-ilm/s640/6208071979_567c04648c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>A sampling of this year's pantry supply.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My quick method for apple pie filling? I loosely follow </span></span></span><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/344255/old-fashioned-apple-pie"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">this filling recipe</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> (substituting sucanat for sugar and cutting back a bit on the cinnamon and lemon). I make huge batches of this filling and pack it into quart size canning jars to freeze. Two jars (slightly thawed) per pie is a good amount. It is great to have apple pie at the ready!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">If you have any tips or resources from your own canning experiences, please feel free to share!</span></span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-44245007262076042322011-10-26T10:47:00.000-04:002011-10-26T10:47:32.200-04:00Five Tips for Art-Making with Children<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Written by <a href="http://twochicksandahen.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jaimie</span></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR_x3whtrG1N6f2U3-fOYtkD5xen0-QdkY9UDbtS78tc4fRJivjXPstww78qe9R0-UDKfc4DMOXbS8v4HExUIGb7ZbXHwOUe1iim21hyG0PIhm3XmeGyTcj2TX-jHJkd3ywTI-8O4b3ye/s1600/Ninna%2527sProgjeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR_x3whtrG1N6f2U3-fOYtkD5xen0-QdkY9UDbtS78tc4fRJivjXPstww78qe9R0-UDKfc4DMOXbS8v4HExUIGb7ZbXHwOUe1iim21hyG0PIhm3XmeGyTcj2TX-jHJkd3ywTI-8O4b3ye/s640/Ninna%2527sProgjeck.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My kids and I make a lot of art. Because one of my daughters just started school, and we’re quite busy and scheduled on the weekdays, we’ve been spending most of our Sundays at home. With one parent and two kids rushing around all week, the most relaxing and centering option at the moment is to cozy up together in our nest before the hustle and bustle begins again. And since we love to make art, it’s a natural way for us to spend the day.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">If you’d like to spend your Unplugged Sunday creating with your kiddos, </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">here are some tips I’ve acquired over the years of art-making with my daughters</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">1. Don’t worry about the mess</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wish families could eliminate this concern all the time, but most of us are not blessed with either housekeepers or the time and desire to spend all day cleaning up after art projects. A low-key, unplugged day at home is a great opportunity for the kiddos to create freely without worrying about spilling paint, dropping paper scraps on the floor, or pouring out too much glitter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">2. Consider leaving the supplies out all day</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To those who keep a spotless house, this may sound like an invitation for chaos, but give it a try. The creative urge doesn’t always run on schedule, at its allotted time of, say, 1:00-2:30 on Sunday afternoon. My children, one in particular, will often return to the art supplies several times throughout the day, and an at-home, unplugged day is the perfect time to make this possible. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">3. Abandon expectations for final products</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kids (and their parents) are more relaxed when no one is worried about the end result of an art experience. Whether you’re simply painting with watercolors on paper, or you’re doing a more specific holiday craft, try to put as few constraints on yourselves as possible.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">4. Get your own hands dirty with the art</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is your time, too. Like most, you’re probably very busy all week and don’t have much time to just sit and create uninhibitedly. Don’t worry if you’re not an artist (though I’d argue that you probably are, in one way or another). Relax and create, and your comfort will not only enhance your own experience; it will rub off on your children as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">5. Prepare the supplies ahead of time</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The younger the child, the shorter her tolerance for sitting around waiting for you to set things up. Any parent who has announced to a three year old that it is art time and then subsequently spent twenty-five minutes fumbling around looking for supplies understands the value of preparation. And if one component of Unplugged Sundays is the opportunity for you to relax and breathe, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">you don't want the stress of realizing at the last minute that you ran out of glue during the previous art project</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. And, even worse, you don’t want to end up accidentally checking email and Facebook when you turn on your computer to print out the tutorial for a craft project. </span><br />
<ol style="list-style-type: decimal;"></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C5sa3ogxgr5DqKl-ofXDtBmk4RgmmcNPAeHIO4tSEVK3W5vGRoiog8UpNqWMRY8mQJcF06jaaiNYds_VxOJfpudqlD4EmHw3nUJHaXvwbsTtuHu_Lu_VB9qzfiV2WMS2vqH9pehKywxl/s1600/Crafting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C5sa3ogxgr5DqKl-ofXDtBmk4RgmmcNPAeHIO4tSEVK3W5vGRoiog8UpNqWMRY8mQJcF06jaaiNYds_VxOJfpudqlD4EmHw3nUJHaXvwbsTtuHu_Lu_VB9qzfiV2WMS2vqH9pehKywxl/s640/Crafting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">What kinds of art work well for Unplugged Sunday?</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Anything, of course, but here are a few ideas to try:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Completely</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Open-Ended Art</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what we do most often, on any day of the week. I set out supplies, or the kids just grab them, and they make whatever they please. If you’re looking for something a little more specific or with more of a theme, consider the following two options.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Seasonal projects</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I interpret Unplugged Sunday as an opportunity to peacefully experience the present moment, which means no TV, no computer, etc., but it also might mean intentionally connecting with the current time and season. </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you need inspiration, a great place to find seasonal (or any other) arts and crafts ideas is <a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Pinterest</span></a>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I've got a board dedicated to fall-themed projects <a href="http://pinterest.com/jalafra/fun-in-the-fall-autumn-arts-crafts-and-kids-stuff/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">here</span></a>, but the whole site is filled to the gills with seasonal crafts and activities</span>. </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You don’t necessarily even need a big “plan.” Over the course of the week, collect bits and pieces from outdoors to use in open-ended art-making. Right now, this might mean brightly-colored leaves, acorns, chestnuts, flowers gone to seed, and much more. Setting these out with some glue, fall-colored papers and felt, markers, scissors, and paint (or far fewer supplies, even—whatever feels right), along with the invitation to create, is everything you need for a day of fall crafting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uX2gIJjSshzp0Gbv3L22YP3snu_BiKAXj0yMBIlPqU2EsuvEQX_B7jq8Nfarj9B77V7ylNrRm2D5aKl40qX5Y-WdAu5r50r6GLLE5KeaBqezzET4-4dHVXPCnUelZq8Q9IiFaqB27YnE/s1600/Nature+Supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uX2gIJjSshzp0Gbv3L22YP3snu_BiKAXj0yMBIlPqU2EsuvEQX_B7jq8Nfarj9B77V7ylNrRm2D5aKl40qX5Y-WdAu5r50r6GLLE5KeaBqezzET4-4dHVXPCnUelZq8Q9IiFaqB27YnE/s640/Nature+Supplies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Crafts that reflect upcoming family events.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you have upcoming birthdays? Great—spend the afternoon making gifts or simple, handmade party decorations. If you’re dressing up for Halloween, work on costumes. And if you celebrate a winter holiday (or two or three!), get a head start on decorations and gifts. Or make welcome banners for relatives who are coming in from out of town next week. All of these give you the opportunity not only to create together as a family, but also to prepare for important events you’ll share.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Above all, remember this: don’t put any pressure on yourself or your kids to make something “perfect” or “right,” or even “good,” for that matter. Just lose yourself in the creating, and the kiddos will follow suit. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">If you’re already the crafty type, awesome—we’d love to hear your suggestions and input in the comments. And if you’re not, what are you waiting for? Make this Sunday the day you stop saying “if only I were artistic…” and get messy with your kids!</span></span></span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-39577338346432486442011-10-24T10:02:00.001-04:002011-10-24T10:03:24.988-04:00Off the Trail<div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Written by </span><a href="http://rhubarbsky.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Carrie</span></a></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After many days of seemingly unending rain, it finally stopped. Always eager to get outside on a crisp fall day, my family went foraging for mushrooms. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw7cgH01rf0QxfA0OXutFyFiowNhuHe3PRZy0D17vw_2ib_q1l8W_J63nObss_vkGfAwORl24OPSsEX5HgzInDyqOA9P4PXSn6U0VfNaDlqwwl-qdNcLT1CWsImEBlLe7jMNqR6hNxg7S/s1600/Little+River+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw7cgH01rf0QxfA0OXutFyFiowNhuHe3PRZy0D17vw_2ib_q1l8W_J63nObss_vkGfAwORl24OPSsEX5HgzInDyqOA9P4PXSn6U0VfNaDlqwwl-qdNcLT1CWsImEBlLe7jMNqR6hNxg7S/s640/Little+River+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A successful mushroom hunt is equal parts </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;">acceptance </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that you may come home empty handed and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;">excitement </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">about the thrill of the pursuit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We'd only taken 6 year old Abby once before when she was still tiny enough to ride in a backpack. You see, mushroom hunting is best done off beaten paths, following veins of golden fungus up through mucky, rough terrain. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“All paths are possible, many will work, Being blocked is its own kind of pleasure, Getting through is a joy “ </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmWxucxbRNZT3HuF_eeyU7quRDbdeF8_LtcYHDyf9n2M5bxBxgiM-ABR1uG4PQclfsT6V7gHTl8vImaGrwlkgQB9InepVCxmrxywS09T1bNo4mCRSpSKTrmyF4_i_XTCVx6JgMDokqTN0/s1600/Abby+Dreams+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmWxucxbRNZT3HuF_eeyU7quRDbdeF8_LtcYHDyf9n2M5bxBxgiM-ABR1uG4PQclfsT6V7gHTl8vImaGrwlkgQB9InepVCxmrxywS09T1bNo4mCRSpSKTrmyF4_i_XTCVx6JgMDokqTN0/s640/Abby+Dreams+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Now that Abby is a more </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://rhubarbsky.com/2010/12/17/highlight-of-my-day-wait-no-my-week-perhaps-my-year/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">experienced hiker </span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and able to manage herself, we felt she was ready to try off-trail travel.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband and I have been crossing paths for 25 years, but have only been together for eleven of those years. Our “way” has always been slightly different from the mainstream. We think and plan before we leap, but we <span style="font-style: italic;">are </span>willing to leap, to tread together off the trail. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After getting engaged in 2001, we finished our contracted jobs, I sold my car to buy a kayak, and we loaded our boats on top of Tom's wagon and drove south along the west coast of the United States. We crossed the Mexican border on September 30th, 2001. Our friends and family were worried for us to travel outside of the U.S. just weeks after the September 11th plane hijackings. We saw it as a chance to gain some perspective. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A chance to extend some kindness and step outside of our comfort zone. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5nIT0Wy0hmbxO2P27PT6G7dN8NFoacoXgMn82BmPMa29bikCcFZ0JopIm_a_NL7ZVkICotq-uSgJM9dt-XhVGaksqWQU6efnhd02pYoE2tjPpLRcWDrgI-Yiv8QRJwbz051rYbTh4SWh/s1600/Devil%2527s+Club+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5nIT0Wy0hmbxO2P27PT6G7dN8NFoacoXgMn82BmPMa29bikCcFZ0JopIm_a_NL7ZVkICotq-uSgJM9dt-XhVGaksqWQU6efnhd02pYoE2tjPpLRcWDrgI-Yiv8QRJwbz051rYbTh4SWh/s640/Devil%2527s+Club+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">When we got married the following year, we read Gary Snyder's beautiful poem, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://rhubarbsky.com/2011/10/16/getting-through-is-a-joy/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">“Off the Trail.”</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Swapping lines, we hoped it would extend a bit of explanation to our community about what sort of path or non-path we saw in front of us. One of meandering, leaning on each other and then not. We have always been open to seeing“where </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;">the wild will take us.”</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We jumped at a chance to follow the promise of meaningful (low-paying) employment and found a home-base in a small community on the North Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Long before this area was known for fictional werewolves and vampires, it called to us. We moved in on the way home from our honeymoon.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've lived in this small town for the totality of our marriage. No one here was at our wedding or knew us before the kid and the house and the station wagon.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We live a quiet life here.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Tom made his way up the rungs of the non-profit ladder and found himself running the whole organization. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a kid.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We built community.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We invested ourselves and the people of this place gave back.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="section" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">When we discovered a </span><a href="http://rhubarbsky.com/2008/07/11/tumorversary/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">huge tumor</span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">tucked away inside of Tom's brain in 2007, this town came to our aid in ways that I will always be awed by. Aside from that “excitement,” we've lived a seemingly “normal,” path-following life here. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZEwr7tLu5HLkZkhGhC92rFDhRU6r8RGtK6DbXwzpxi_Lh6KYQCHgDfMVmKK9lkOIsXrQZD7kasyh_PfnTIkhtv-iZUMsPz5vwMoA5EwJhqItdDGVEOXi6-glbizQMYT6L8edky1TtwT0/s1600/Maiden+Hair+Fern+%2528640x426%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZEwr7tLu5HLkZkhGhC92rFDhRU6r8RGtK6DbXwzpxi_Lh6KYQCHgDfMVmKK9lkOIsXrQZD7kasyh_PfnTIkhtv-iZUMsPz5vwMoA5EwJhqItdDGVEOXi6-glbizQMYT6L8edky1TtwT0/s640/Maiden+Hair+Fern+%2528640x426%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, when Tom left his job at the end of June this year, people here were a bit shocked. A few even insisted that we must have come “into some money.” I mean, why else would we decide to leap from the security of his employment into the unknown? Especially in this economy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've heard that last sentence from folks more times than I'd like to remember.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Especially in this economy.”</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The simple answer to their question is that it was time to move on. As his job changed, he was away from us on business travel more and more and after nine years, it was time to pass on the reins and find our next adventure. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've built our relationship on a whole lot of faith. The faith that our way will appear when we need it. Faith that fear will only bring darkness for our family. If we spent our energy worrying about what might come next, we'd be stuck. Mired in non-action, discontent, unhappiness. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“No path will get you there, we’re off the trail, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You and I, and we chose it!” </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We're nearly four months into this experiment of unemployment. We've both been seeking employment that will work for our family. We know this in-between-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ness</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> won't last forever, so we're attempting to take full advantage of Tom being home all the time.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was in this spirit that we set off to show Abby the way of the non-way. We took her into the damp, spongy understory of our wilderness.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She picked her way across a clear-cut, over fallen logs, through deep mossy bogs, down steep hills and back up equally steep inclines. She made decisions about which way was safe, which way was risky and walked a fine line between the two. She found plenty to notice. Multitudes of fungus. A banana slug. More trash than I'd like to admit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We spent an hour and a half out there. Being off-trail though, it was like the work of climbing a small mountain. She found her way, stopping to rest, looking for a clear path, and sometimes, choosing the steepest section, just to see if she could climb it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb2Vu1bovSDVFC0CoyIpgKyzB6C4K_pNtFweWvcsWTu2pTq2r_wtWFaN9FoP7cfCJ7l05kVWxjQMS2o-Ub0E33EKg16xwfW5J1OmI_8ytWePdRasxI9T7EHhaP4NVdI6lIgE-lRmJJSYI/s1600/Fruits+of+the+labor+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb2Vu1bovSDVFC0CoyIpgKyzB6C4K_pNtFweWvcsWTu2pTq2r_wtWFaN9FoP7cfCJ7l05kVWxjQMS2o-Ub0E33EKg16xwfW5J1OmI_8ytWePdRasxI9T7EHhaP4NVdI6lIgE-lRmJJSYI/s640/Fruits+of+the+labor+%2528640x426%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The fruits of our labor? Well, in actual edible mushrooms, we found four. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The true fruit in all of this lays deeper, of course.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">“This is wild!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">We laugh, wild for sure,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Because no place is more than another, All places total“ </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">(Poem excerpts from </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Snyder"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Gary Snyder's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Off The Trail.)</span></span></span></div></span></div></div></div></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-60066476656174777362011-10-19T09:12:00.000-04:002011-10-19T09:12:31.361-04:00Just Make It<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">W</span>ritten by <a href="http://thetobyshow.typepad.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jonah Lisa</span></a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG1rCYsTlI5HPOhmMgW9NjSnvp99qQcDxQ48QBTbILPbXmfDGtaT-FqIV9KE3dD1lY1zgxyBclI8JgupMxkD-K87lsPIDGwU95LepU8cURGELUYzwIfT95JQm_KamPWv5kiX0ckzzv4N4/s1600/6260139831_a6ef181da3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG1rCYsTlI5HPOhmMgW9NjSnvp99qQcDxQ48QBTbILPbXmfDGtaT-FqIV9KE3dD1lY1zgxyBclI8JgupMxkD-K87lsPIDGwU95LepU8cURGELUYzwIfT95JQm_KamPWv5kiX0ckzzv4N4/s400/6260139831_a6ef181da3_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Us bloggy types have a tendency to collect projects the way some people collect teacups, or stamps. We bookmark, we favorite, we clip, like and digg. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now, <a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">we pin</span></a>. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a strange compulsion, an obsession almost, this hoarding of ideas. And the sheer number of things we mark “for later” almost insures the fact that most of them will never be looked at again, let alone made. It’s a great big internet out there and so the ideas just pile up, like plastic bottles in a landfill. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The scary thing is, that landfill is my computer...and MY MIND! And both of them are getting full!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No doubt, there are beautiful things to build and sew and repurpose, and places to go, and things to buy and look for at thrift shops, and sayings to remember and bedrooms to covet. But are we creating stress and unrealistic expectations in our lives as we create these lists? Are we missing the point?</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t know the answer. Frankly, this brand of pop psychology has already gone way beyond my pay grade. Interesting to think about though, isn’t it? What are we saving all these brilliant ideas for? What rainy day? What chunk of time? </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can tell you this much, since I’m probably not going to stop collecting neato ideas any time soon, I better start whittling down the lists the only other way I know how. And Fall and Winter Unplugged Sundays are going to help me do it.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, this past Unplugged Sunday I tried a novel approach to dealing with the lists...</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">l chose a few ideas: a project for me, a craft project for the kids, a cool snack idea and a dinner recipe from my multiple, massive lists and do you know what I did? </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I MADE them! </span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know. Out there, right? I’d almost forgotten this was the point and not the pinning and digging and bookmarking itself. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the previous week I spent some of the time I might normally be surfing the net, surfing my lists instead. Then I picked my Sunday projects and made sure I had all the materials on hand. I printed out the recipe and some photos for the kids’ project so there was no reason to turn on the computer “just to check” anything.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started off with a simple but fun milk and cookies snack brought to you by Pinterest.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNUAyusp_K7TP8Y0-BTw_FIdOCejV0lBW8C3zv6NIivuNRodQPvYzYI_hOVOqb6KSBtbCUw4iMR-OU-TVzcZyS0vDFOVngHVABWjVMbn67S-LDrOAk70Avh-jvn1qQwwMAIaO3xTxBIkP/s1600/6260139873_247a6d6ac7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNUAyusp_K7TP8Y0-BTw_FIdOCejV0lBW8C3zv6NIivuNRodQPvYzYI_hOVOqb6KSBtbCUw4iMR-OU-TVzcZyS0vDFOVngHVABWjVMbn67S-LDrOAk70Avh-jvn1qQwwMAIaO3xTxBIkP/s400/6260139873_247a6d6ac7.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They loved the novelty of it, as I knew they would when I first pinned it. Then I got them started on a cool Dia de los Muertos craft project that had been bookmarked in my browser for at least a year.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxkos3ObIfaHGG7GSje8-Y2cS-AIUbDKUgQ3YsUI2_4oyEWJFjhDVWsR2ACknrnEwp2u9KF5rcsvMEaZeCCRZIPZOcQAgRYrb4jpHgkQ6-fNuEvRYSFxEqv7bmO0wyeM4BXrape4vFMb0/s1600/6260139943_26baaa64fe_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxkos3ObIfaHGG7GSje8-Y2cS-AIUbDKUgQ3YsUI2_4oyEWJFjhDVWsR2ACknrnEwp2u9KF5rcsvMEaZeCCRZIPZOcQAgRYrb4jpHgkQ6-fNuEvRYSFxEqv7bmO0wyeM4BXrape4vFMb0/s640/6260139943_26baaa64fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And while they painted to their hearts content, I played with yarn and felt and ended up with something beautiful inspired by one of the talented artists on Etsy.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7YXoaqXCQkDTihWCe7zUbXEMvoIeE5kZxL4Mmgcg-_McBlSmaywx9UNPxYP9vgSlRqNIQEsdx5cjSxR-PDQUT4UiT2lgHjpn2Pw6F9o6omdIhzjpbxvBsEEkajuQcO6PVV6hhgZ38Ieh/s1600/6260665952_47b8ac42c6_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7YXoaqXCQkDTihWCe7zUbXEMvoIeE5kZxL4Mmgcg-_McBlSmaywx9UNPxYP9vgSlRqNIQEsdx5cjSxR-PDQUT4UiT2lgHjpn2Pw6F9o6omdIhzjpbxvBsEEkajuQcO6PVV6hhgZ38Ieh/s640/6260665952_47b8ac42c6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another Pin brought us dinner, but we ate the photo op.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not sure I think this will really make my all my lists shrink, but I do know it was a nice and needed reminder of the actual purpose of pinning and saving the ideas in the first place. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To DO them. To MAKE them. To VISIT, and SEE, and CREATE. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also made for a perfect, rainy, Unplugged Sunday and I imagine, as the weather turns colder and wetter here, I’ll be using this formula again.</span></span></span></span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-47055595470233868152011-10-17T10:43:00.001-04:002011-10-17T10:43:52.781-04:00An Alaskan Family Dog Sleds<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Written by Jenny</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In addition to splitting and stacking our firewood, putting the boat away , and digging out the winter clothes our family has been eagerly anticipating our new winter pastime…dog mushing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILGPMWv24h-KLD_-4kDJV6RREOgmZlMd3-zpK6IZH11oR4lJJ-79aD6q7Z6gKEEBO1moQ4rD3EKvG7xhGJi8InYo3ustmCiHHJt6IIJMqR7YgSFAs00zLLOm8sHiK3Wmv-kSn-gql6fKq/s1600/tovawood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILGPMWv24h-KLD_-4kDJV6RREOgmZlMd3-zpK6IZH11oR4lJJ-79aD6q7Z6gKEEBO1moQ4rD3EKvG7xhGJi8InYo3ustmCiHHJt6IIJMqR7YgSFAs00zLLOm8sHiK3Wmv-kSn-gql6fKq/s640/tovawood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In less than 10 days our 5 racing dogs will be in our very own back yard.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, we really are that crazy.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preparing for their arrival has been work. A lot of hard, physical, wonderful work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_PDLD91porXeiatggGjOh3xGNY9kR59Ynhy9I-8k-xdilXXPZozylNssEf1oczonafWzZ_N558_9rmA1iwT9k6_ONMJ6B21_OFFobNvx0dx2Nt07VR2FGRgZhRf7DkVZe7bNy7CoA8TO/s1600/sled2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_PDLD91porXeiatggGjOh3xGNY9kR59Ynhy9I-8k-xdilXXPZozylNssEf1oczonafWzZ_N558_9rmA1iwT9k6_ONMJ6B21_OFFobNvx0dx2Nt07VR2FGRgZhRf7DkVZe7bNy7CoA8TO/s640/sled2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the past several Sundays our family has been together scraping a perfect dog yard out of the birch grove next to our house. We’ve been digging trenches to lay wire for the lights we will need to feed the dogs and take them out for night runs. We have been pacing off the amount of space we need for each dog’s house. (18 feet.) We have been discussing how to best arrange the houses and where to put the path to hitch them to the sleds. We’ve been clearing and burning brush and roasting marshmallows on the fire.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56ZnyJN4t3XGVUVP4jBdLm9xlG-ZN7NStfI-jtcBAAUZr2RsJoME8xnISFlIDPahrW35eUyozYXnXYAlfDeOcknfvwGjsb9IFutrk1RfT2JUIjX1ktEaM1IWaUEDFdSk-snVE3PmB83r3/s1600/coldowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56ZnyJN4t3XGVUVP4jBdLm9xlG-ZN7NStfI-jtcBAAUZr2RsJoME8xnISFlIDPahrW35eUyozYXnXYAlfDeOcknfvwGjsb9IFutrk1RfT2JUIjX1ktEaM1IWaUEDFdSk-snVE3PmB83r3/s640/coldowl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday suppers have become less complicated as we push to finish just one more post, just one more bag of grass seeds planted. Just one more swipe of the bulldozer to perfect the drainage. </span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we sit around the table savoring the moose steaks and mashed potatoes we share our plans for the winter with the dogs.</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Momma wants to skijor. Dad wants to camp in the White Mountains, the 11 year old dreams up his racing strategies , the 9 year old hopes to get a new fur mushers hat to keep her ears warm, and the 4 year old announces that someday she will be a musher like her hero, Iditarod champion, Lance Mackey. Her lead dog will be named Cinderella.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLgeTn70OGD3V_2dQz3wUdtCDEYdrBofPyRosoU-6Y2e1FJVPbafsxemS5RvohhrO7iBlgZ_iUVP0F17uh6d0ucQbn6T4Kci8Mm6dxaG2ccJxX_S3F7mDys6TlaJhQNeRpj6Ch8sh-iKb/s1600/PICT0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLgeTn70OGD3V_2dQz3wUdtCDEYdrBofPyRosoU-6Y2e1FJVPbafsxemS5RvohhrO7iBlgZ_iUVP0F17uh6d0ucQbn6T4Kci8Mm6dxaG2ccJxX_S3F7mDys6TlaJhQNeRpj6Ch8sh-iKb/s640/PICT0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the dishes are done and the dirt from building has been cleaned away and the kids are asleep, my husband and I put on our boots and jackets and carry our glasses of wine out to the dog yard. We admire just how much we were able to do altogether on a Sunday afternoon, and sometimes, because we are silly that way, we like to jump on the dog sleds and pretend we are already out on that moonlit trail .</span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-81586165190702100732011-10-13T08:57:00.001-04:002011-10-13T08:59:11.602-04:00The Winter of our Disconnect: A Book Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Written by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://fimby.tougas.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Renee</span></a></span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8294760454446077" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8294760454446077" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unplugging for a day is one thing, but could you unplug for a week? Sometimes</span></span></span></span><a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/2011/09/really-unplugged.html"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">nature makes that decision for us</span></span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Could you unplug for one month, six months?</span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="427px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3aXPeSoswISl0B_c0-V-VFYCqALeupma0hMBpZDP0fotfrQiejx6ovhVj2rxM1hRRB9dqCfvnvc5UdOhi6ENsRK6sOoKWtkNB1HfnqBoLV0d6X4eZvo" width="640px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The very notion seems crazy in this day and age of googling everything under the sun (we're homeschoolers, I love Google) and social networking where many of us interact with our "real" friends. Not to mention that many of us rely on being plugged in to do the work that feeds our families.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So you can see why I was interested in reading</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585428558/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=f0bf5-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1585428558"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">The Winter of Our Disconnect: How Three Totally Wired Teenagers (and a Mother Who Slept with Her iPhone) Pulled the Plug on Their Technology and Lived to Tell the Tale</span></span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">. Yes, the title really is that long.</span></span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">The idea seems almost implausible, and with teenagers to boot!</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Winter of Our Disconnect</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">, written by Susan Maushart, is the story of one family's experience unplugging from electronic technology and media in their home for six months. No computers, digital music, tv, video consoles, cellular phones, etc...</span></span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read the book this past summer and just knew it would be a great read to share with you all.</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The big question of course, next to how did the author got her teenagers to agree to this scheme (she pays them), </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">is what happens to this family when they dis"connect" from all that for six months?</span></span></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="427px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kvU1GTvP7Z8NJ_tO_aS8BqWz-em8SGs4rgeuCKP2udT4OtoUHjSDQVqgE5jkM4ZkUfD7Yu6IWIyZfPgm4kupm-L4W9wJjYbbozhCG5yLMIkI36gUE_M" width="640px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I don't want to ruin the story for you (spoiler alert) but it turns out this family </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">ends up more connected with each other, and nearby family and friends, because of disconnecting with the world at large.</span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Music - the actual instrument playing kind, board games, hospitality, and lots of reading return to their lives. In truth, so does lengthy landline phone conversations, but these are teenagers after all.</span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Of course this is what you hope will happen, at least I did. Isn't this the news we all want to hear? </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">That there are brave souls who turn against the rising tide of non-stop electronic connectivity; and come out the other side not just alive but still loving each other.</span></span></span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The thing that I loved about the book, as much as the message, was the way the message was delivered. With hilarious "life with teenagers" anecdotes and personal story telling.</span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Not only does Maushart have you ROTFLing, she goes deeper than the surface story to discuss the science and psychology of technology in the modern world. How being connected 24/7 is changing the ways we relate to each other and the very way our brains our wired - for good and bad.</span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">There are no foregone conclusions in this book. Maushart does not dismiss the use of technology in our lives. Instead her honest story telling and research cause us to question our own technology choices and near constant influence of media in our lives.</span></span></div></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="425px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NygkIFLTl62oKOlg3d6SRvGHEjUiyi0ioYNR4lE-KH04cAR75oHM21vzBDA9vyMHJ9sb67vHQfJsvPSqVRu6KG-2-luVtUhlsI-_c3yDJP3fk6x64BE" width="640px;" /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple points that really held my interest were the discussions of using media to medicate boredom and the additive qualities of certain technologies. Anyone who has wasted hours surfing the web (um... me) will appreciate the science and humor of these discussions.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">There are many such moments in this book, sandwiched between LOL moments (Maushart uses these text anacronyms throughout the book to great effect), story and science, </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">where the reader will pause and consider their own connectivity and how it affects their personal health and relationships.</span></span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Job well done by Maushart, if you ask me.</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Another thing I loved about this book were all the Thoreau quotes and references. Over the past year I have been reading </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Walden; Or Life in The Woods</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> and I loved how Maushart weaves Thoreau's classic story in with her own. Both writers venturing where few in their respective societies dared to go.</span></span></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="426px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DtmjODHHKF8QO0KubLKhecc9hasEThf7qArX-JXobe5nOB4iMIHVgjGM5qEy3ujOox4akxtV9beQbi7d-LqekaVqnV1ukAklPQ3Jd6dT3WCz_7nQdVs" width="640px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of things initially misleading about this book, that you find out when reading is that the family does not unplug completely. Her school-aged teenagers did in fact use computers for their studies, just not at home. And Maushart herself used a computer for writing at her office. But they did so without the distractions of e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and other social media. Imagine the productivity!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A small, teensy (quibbling) criticism I have of the book is that the actual season this story takes place in is the Australian summer. The family is Australian/American and their summer is the Northern Hemisphere's winter, hence the "winter" part of </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Winter of Our Disconnect</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">. That felt a bit contrived to me. That is a minor detail in an otherwise fabulous read.</span></span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our own lives revolve so much around computers - we earn a living as writers, photographers and programmers. Not to mention all the entertainment and media we access digitally. And having recently moved and being in a place of transition we connect with many of our "real" friends (not talking Facebook here) and our "tribe" via the Internet.</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;">That being said, this book does challenge me to unplug for portions of the day. And for portions of our week - Unplugged Sunday. And maybe someday, if we ever do that long thru-hike we dream about, we may just disconnect for a whole season also.</span></div></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="426px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VhIGZmi6BL67BETnZocFYYSWx_1dtRpiNRC4LzoLeVHCezqzWdsabok6bMnsZ-LVmMKBzGteP1PXcB1VQ6kBa0cszgvHRFzXngIyWHxzERcAxz5kZYY" width="640px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have you read anything recently that inspires you to unplug?</span></span></span></div></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308105849943042952.post-32153713676171273272011-10-12T08:24:00.001-04:002011-10-12T10:43:07.771-04:00In Memory of Austin James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiG2fx5pdt3fsPEsMi63fK0H2HTUnU-BRXmnrfF92AsDgaBAADxbdib5CPEW1k21J58J0bgKfJmR9lXNiWTVyBcc9Bo0VGRdiylZadqhc3DyvpbWzU0YRzJZB96ufINeet0AN3hK9-bz7/s1600/6237017303_7533525b45_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiG2fx5pdt3fsPEsMi63fK0H2HTUnU-BRXmnrfF92AsDgaBAADxbdib5CPEW1k21J58J0bgKfJmR9lXNiWTVyBcc9Bo0VGRdiylZadqhc3DyvpbWzU0YRzJZB96ufINeet0AN3hK9-bz7/s640/6237017303_7533525b45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Last week </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/p/our-writers.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Chloe</span></a> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">wrote about being </span><a href="http://unpluggedsunday.blogspot.com/2011/10/flavors-of-fall.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">moments away</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> from welcoming her first child into the world. She was naturally excited and exuded such beautiful new mama energy. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This morning we learned from Chloe and her husband Daniel, that their sweet baby, Austin James, sadly passed away before he had the chance to be born. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It doesn't seem fitting to post according to schedule this morning. Instead, we are holding this space for Chloe, Daniel and baby Austin... as a place to collect loving thoughts that may offer a bit of comfort during this difficult time. </span></div>Unplugged Sundayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03578919407461693285noreply@blogger.com1