It is always good to get away, especially at this time of year when we are moving toward the darkest time. One of our favourite places to go at any time of year is the west coast. It’s a place where the waves come rolling in, the beach walks are endless and the weather unpredictable. A place where you can lose track of time and connect deeply with loved ones.
We were lucky that the November sun came out to greet us- we took the opportunity to go barefoot and do some yoga.
The beach art is so beautiful- here are just a few beauties….
Of course we ate wonderful food, slept, talked and laughed a lot too!
{Thursday is Community Day on our Farm} I am grateful for:
*spending time with my daughter
*the rain and exploring the running creeks
* 3 year old telling stories
*the winter sun on the beach
*having my Dad around and working together
* the children
Marsha discovered that the easiest method of cutting open the squash was with an axe. It really is and took just minutes to cut open about 15 of them. We save seed from Burgess Buttercup squash each year- it is a rich and delicious variety of winter squash.
Look at all that seed! With the help of Jacob and Noah the seeds were clean in no time. They need to dry for a few days and then can be stored in a dry dark place until we package them or plant them in the Spring.
The rest of the day we packaged seeds, did some deep winter cleaning and… …some forest riding.
We had our first ever Art Show on Tuesday. The inspiration was our lovely guest, guide and friend, Andrew Middlebrooks, who thought it would be a great new way for us to connect as a community. Everything and anything was welcome – drawing, painting, sculpture, a movement piece, music, poetry, an enactment of a dream or expression of personal myth.
A drawing by Andrew that came out of a dream.
Meagan played two very sweet songs with her beautiful voice and ukelele.
Jennifer embodied dance – dancing through different rhythms without music. Beautiful to witness and quite touching especially for people in the community who hadn’t seen Jennifer dance before.
Then we all got to dance! We had all just come in from whatever we were doing, being with kids, work, – Josh still has his knife and measuring tape on. Beauty.
Noah’s piece.
Matt shared his favourite poem and Drew read one that he had written and hadn’t shared yet, so was very tender for him.
Liz did a demostration of her yoga practice…..
and had written some of what practice means to her on her arms and legs. (prayer, offering, joyful celebration, dance with God, stillness, the universe)
The scene in the Marley Room and the other art piece by Joshua, Jacob and Nicola.
We had 10 days of Joy-A-Toes everywhere! Developed over many years of experimentation by Gioia Irwin, Joy-a-Toes are toe spreaders that you can wear during your yoga practice and beyond. There have been reports of people taking a bath and sleeping with said toe spreaders. For the uninitiated they look pretty wierd but many who’ve tried them love them. I have been rocking the Joy-A-Toes for 3 or 4 years now and have found increased flexibility in my entire foot, more awareness of the individual toe lines, more sensitivity and openness. Plus if you’ve ever wondered what you are supposed to do with your feet when they’re not firmly planted on the ground (inversions, seated poses, etc.), joy-a-toes give you something to “root” into. They really have revolutionized my feet. I wear them daily and am contemplating getting some shoes that I can wear with my “toes” in….
If anyone has photos of any of the first incarnations of Gioia’s toe spreaders – please send!
It is always inspiring when Shani from hOMe Grown Living Foods comes to the farm to cater a retreat. She brings totes filled with freshly made raw goodies. She and her partner Willy made these yummy healthy treats in their production facility at their farm on Vancouver Island. They put the cleanest and most vibrant foods available into their products and as a result I am always a bit healthier when she is around.
But mostly I feel I am a bit more educated as Shani is always willing to share her latest healthy discoveries with us. This morning she shared with me how Chia seeds can be a great benefit for those living with diabetes. It helps slow the absorption of simple sugars into the blood stream. Chia seeds are tiny black seeds that are cleansing, hydrating and full of Omegas and protiens. The other thing that Shani can’t live without are hemp seeds- they can go on everything and are an excellent source of protein, omegas and crucial amino acids. You can see how having her around for 10 days is inspiring and educational!
How can you go wrong when the first ingredient is LOVE…..
Shani and her amazing RAWgles- yes a raw bagel. Use it just like you would a bagel- with a spread or cheese or whatever.
Raw pizza- with cilantro pesto, tomato and brazil nut topping.
Have I sparked your interest? hOMe grown is available at most Canadian health food stores. ENJOY!
{Thursday is Community Day on our Farm} I am grateful for:
*trick or treating at all the houses on the farm
*the friends I have that can really listen
* the office
*Haidee’s homemade candied apples
*The red leaves Preparing the area for the new raspberries
starting to look like winter
goodbye tomato plants
birthday wishes with a fresh ginger apple cake. We had some pretty excited children!
