Working my way up the ladder (in theory at least)

Tomorrow is my last day, should I worry, should I concern myself, what do I have left to accomplish before the keys are handed over and the email is obsolete.....hmmm seems I could really care less. Tomorrow is my final day and Monday is the beginning. I finally can see the fruit of my labor in college. What a year, new husband, new job and soon new house....lovin' it!!!!

Graduation and First Days.....change is inevitable

Here I am at graduation....yea finally a degree!!! I now hold a BA in English from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin!
Here they all are on the first day of school...wow summer went quickly!!

Cornbread~Baking with my Syd

Sydney helped make Cornbread last night....yumm

Here's the recipe
1 Cup organic Cornmeal
1 Cup Unbleached Organic Flour
2 Organic eggs
1 Cup Soymilk
2 T Honey
1 T Aluminum Free Baking Powder
2 T Cooking Oil
1/4 C grated organic sharp cheddar cheese
1t sea salt

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees with the pan inside the oven. Pour the mix into the hot pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. We had ours with vegetable soup, but this is great with anything. You can add salsa to the mix or peppers for a mexican flare or add corn to the mix for a bit of substance.

Happy Earth

In our quest to enjoy our beautiful planet we are often times causing more harm than good.

Gary Snyder stated ""We need to make a world-scale "Natural Contract" with the oceans, the air, the birds in the sky. The challenge is to bring the whole victimized world of "common pool resources" into the Mind of the Commons. As it stands now, any resource on earth that is not nailed down will be seen as fair game to the timber buyers or petroleum geologists from Osaka, Rotterdam, or Boston. The pressures of growing populations and the powers of entrenched (but fragile, confused, and essentially leaderless) economic systems warp the likelihood of any of us seeing clearly." (Practice of the Wild essays)

So what shall we do, are we truely doomed, shall we simply lie down and watch the world fall around us? Of course not, it takes little by little. What I do in my home is passed on to my children and reduces the footprint we are leaving. I can also take what I know and pass it on.

As a family we are seeking not only to reduce our waste, but to look for alternatives that will ensure a home for future generations. Simply steps such as not leaving the water running while brushing teeth and recycling are a start. I find it is also necessary to enjoy nature, get out and remember what you are fighting for. Living home in the Air Conditioning gives a false sense that all is okay....enjoy nature....love what you are fighting for!

How about a push mower...good exercise and less cost and waste on fuel. We are also looking to only plant what is natural in our region. Of course, this is West Texas so that could simply mean cactus, but lo and behold there are other plants. Planting native plants will reduce the amount of watering needed to maintain a beautiful landscape. Look into natural pest control as well reducing the chemicals in the air and chemicals on your body and in your system.....

Home Sweet Home

September, thankfully, has finally arrived. This wretched, long Texas summer has even I, lover of heat, begging for at least a small blast of cool weather. What a summer it has been, but boy oh boy am I ever ready to don the orange and brown sweaters and sip hot tea while watching the leaves of fall welcome the cool weather. A beautiful wedding and a much anticipated graduation marked the summer of 2008, yet what is ahead i know without hesitation is a daily walk of newness and expectation. Beside me sits a man of love and support and ahead of me, miles of unchartered roads and milestones. The four wonderful children in my life approach life full speed and I must keep myself ready and willing for the task. Ahhhh, how nice to know I have a sweet, loving family with me as I walk this path of life!