Organic Land Care and Permaculture

I'm nearly finished my Organic Master Gardener course.  What an education it's been!  Soil ecology is a deeper, more incredibly complex topic than I ever imagined it to be.  This course was far from a fluffy "grow pretty flowers" experience ~ it was meaty and challenging, loaded with technical information and plenty of ecology/botany/chemistry.  From politics, to agriculture, to health, to ecosystems and back again, it was a ride I'll not soon forget.   It quite literally blew my mind and has broadened my view on many global topics in addition to giving me a solid knowledge base for organic growing.  I'm certainly not an expert, but at last I feel that I have a foundation on which to continue my studies (and a hefty list of topics to further study).

I've spent the better part of 2012 reading about Permaculture and I'm hooked in a way that keeps me up at night...   The more I read, the clearer it has become - I NEED to take a Permaculture Design Course.   Permaculture is a field of study that can only be read about for so long before one must be taught in person.  There's no substitute for seeing the techniques and design elements in action and working alongside fellow students with a knowledgeable, experienced instructor.    I'm beyond thrilled to now be registered with Verge Permaculture for their 2013 PDC.

I'm really eager to take things to the next level on our little piece of land and perhaps even carve out some work in this field at some point in the future...

Stay tuned ~ I have a feeling that 2013 is gonna shake this place up in a really big way!

The BEST things in life

I'm determined NOT to race and rush about this week "getting ready" for Christmas.  Slowing down to live more simply has given us much to think about on the topic of celebrating holidays... A lot of soul searching for sure.  Gone are the days of frantic rushing ~ instead, a slower, deliberate pace has taken over.  

We're overjoyed to be Grandparents and we're loving every moment of it!  This kind happiness just CANNOT be bought :)

On another happy note, Kelly has accepted a fantastic new job IN TOWN and he'll be home every night.  He starts in January and after 16 months of being apart, this is TRULY the most joyous news.  I've been given the best Christmas gift I could ever receive - my family TOGETHER!

The BEST things in life are FREE XO

Full

Life is so gloriously full right now.  From waking until bedtime ~ the hours, minutes and moments are FULL to the brim with (mostly) good things.

Watching Penny grow and change is a favourite pastime,

                                   

as is watching my son in his own journey (fatherhood).  

The ballet performance, the award given to Reece, the volunteering,

the Christmas concert, the choir, the gift making (and receiving - thanks Ruthy!)

the baking, the creating, the wrapping, the decorating, the planning and the cleaning.

Let us also not forget the shovelling and ploughing for there has been a LOT of snow this week.  2 hours each time X 2 days so far this week.  More to come.  I REALLY need to learn to use the tractor with the snow thrower.

Oh yes, it's busy XO