Last year we tried it and had to turn back. I was so disappointed. We just weren’t prepared. It’s not like it is the highest peak in Colorado, or anything. I have climbed the highest mountain in Colorado, but I was sixteen. Fremont Peak is just west of Cañon City and is the forehead of…
Tag: simple life
The Peaceful Minimalist I am Not
The look on their faces when they saw their art projects in the recycling bin outside was so sad. Little paper angels looking up, tattered and worn, and the look of rejection on my children’s faces will stay with me forever. The article promised that if I threw out and gave away most everything, I…
Natural Wonders and Seasonal Affective Disorder
I am trying to take notice. To be enchanted by things that might be otherwise overlooked. I have lived the first half of my life so frantically. One could blame it on my personality type (Maverick and Type A) or my sign (Aries), or the fact that I have always been aware of mortality and…
The Exciting Pile of Woodchips
I was doing a bit of a jig and Doug had a big smile on his face as we watched a beautiful sight. A tree company dumping a huge load of woodchips in our driveway! It’s the little things, you know, and this was truly a happy day! We are on a mission to transform…
A She-Shed of One’s Own
Every women needs a she-shed. We call mine “the studio.” My word for 2023 is Artist, and my studio helps make that word more attainable. What do you devote yourself to? In the past, I devoted myself to thirteen different jobs and constantly burned out, looked for worth through productivity, and lacked satisfaction. Now, this…
How to Save and Season Cast Iron
I love to cook with cast iron. If you don’t yet, I highly recommend it! Cast iron pans last forever and are comparable to the cost of other pans. They cook evenly, give a great crust to anything breaded, and are a cinch to clean. I think folks get scared off because they don’t know…
The Foxfire Series of Books
A student of mine gave me a copy of the first Foxfire book years ago. What a gift! I ended up ordering the whole series because that type of wisdom and writing could be gone in a generation. The Foxfire books were started by a teacher and his high school students in the late sixties…
Encanto Sanctuary
Last January, we had an idea. An amazing, wonderful idea! We would start an animal sanctuary. Within two weeks, Encanto Sanctuary; Farm Animal Sanctuary and Learning Homestead had its 501(c)(3) charitable status, a donated logo, and a passion behind it that would push it forward. It started out strong, lots of support and a fair…
Appliqued Pillows and a Wish (Homemade Christmas pt. 4)
The last homemade Christmas project I want to share with you is another easy gift to make. Appliqued throw pillows are a lot of fun! I drew out the pattern I wanted on craft paper and cut it out. I bought three fat squares of fabric in different patterns. You can get them for as…
Trading Skills
My husband and I started a non-profit animal sanctuary, Encanto Sanctuary, almost a year ago. We got our 501(c)(3) status and I went to work full out with website, social media, brochures, fund raising sites, and started taking in more animals that needed a safe place to live their lives. “Farm Animal Sanctuary and Learning…
Farmgirl School 