Monday, April 18, 2016

Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve

Chestnut Ridge Preserve is located near Cliffs of Glassy on Highway 11 and is a lovely hike.  
The trail begins on this smooth trail through a grove of pines.
It was a wonderful time to see young ferns and spring wildflowers.
We saw so many of this purple trillium , almost ready to bloom.
After hiking through winter forests, it's so nice to see all this green!
Looking up.
Creek crossings make me a little nervous.  I don't want to hike with wet feet!  So far, so good.
R
(Photo courtesy of Margie Graham)
The mountain laurel is already blooming in S.C.
More wildflowers.
Yay for butterflies!
One of the few long range views on this trail
Hiking with Maggie.
(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)
We ate lunch beside this waterfall.  Pretty impressive!

*Take the time goal # 16- Participate in as many Friday hikes as possible.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

So Many Podcasts, So Little Time

I've had several people ask me recently about the podcasts that I enjoy, so I thought I'd share them here.   If your new to the Podcast scene,  check out this post, which will answer all your questions.   The best way I can describe it to someone, is that it's like a radio show that you can listen to any time you'd like, tailor made just for you and your interests.  I have a lot of interests, and I have subscribed to more podcasts than I have time for.  Oh, so many podcasts, so little time. I do have some favorites however, that always get bumped to the top of the list.   Whenever I'm in the car, weeding the garden, cleaning house or walking dogs, I'm often listening to a podcast.  I love learning new things, and podcasts are one of the best ways I know to do that.
Happier - I love Gretchen's books,  The Happier Project, Happier at Home and Better Than Before.   I also love her podcast that she co-hosts with her sister Elizabeth.

Sorta Awesome - Even though this show is geared towards a slightly younger demographic (oh dear, I'm getting old), I still think it's awesome.  The four co-hosts are fun and often make me laugh out loud.  I've shared this podcast with some of my "younger mommy friends" and one of them commented to me, "I just love these women.  I want to be friends with all of them!"  

On Being- I love Krista Tippett's voice and interviewing style and listen to many of her episodes.  She interviews everyone from scientists and theologians to artists and teachers, searching for spirituality in different walks of life.   Scroll through her three hundred episodes and your sure to find something of interest.

The Good Life Project - Inspirational conversations and stories from people, some famous, some everyday.  This is a good one if you want to see the world through many different lens.

Sacred Ordinary Days - This is a fairly new podcast and I've enjoyed all ten episodes and have listened to some of them more than once.  The two hosts have been journeying through the liturgical year, explaining the history as well as ideas for living out the practices of  Advent, Lent, Epiphany, etc.  

Book of Mormon Central - There could be some irony in having these two podcasts side by side, but this Mormon girl leans heavily towards contemplative worship and sees no problem in adapting some of the liturgical practices to my own faith. 
  
The World Next Week - Since I rarely watch the news (I just can't handle it!), this podcast keeps me informed on the big stuff that's going on in the world.  I don't want to be completely ignorant.

This American Life- Ira Glass is amazing.  That is all.

Note to Self - This is a new one that I've really been enjoying.  It's about technology and learning to navigate the digital age.  Fairly short episodes that leave you with things to think about.

TED Radio Hour - Based on talks given by riveting speakers on the TED stage.  Always interesting.
If you are into food like I am, you'll love any of these. The Sporkful,  The Splendid Table, America's Test Kitchen and Bon Appetit.
You Bet Your Garden - The host is a little goofy, but so knowledgable!  I'm  a better gardener for listening to this one.  If you have a question about gardening, Mike probably has the answer.

Living Homegrown- I love this one.  Ideas on canning and preserving, artisan food crafting, gardening and small space homesteading.

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Thanks to the hosts chatting about movies, books, tv, etc, this is the only way I know anything about pop culture.  

The 5 AM Miracle - This motivational podcast is about productivity and creating powerful lifelong habits.  I've picked up a lot of good ideas from his guests and from his show.  Warning-the host is intense.
Stuff You Should Know- These guys tackle every subject imaginable in an interesting way.

What Should I Read Next -  If you're a bookworm like me, this podcast can equip you with ideas for making your next selection.  Each guest gives the titles of three books they love, one book they hate and what they are currently reading and Anne gives them suggestions for what they should read next.  I never have a problem finding the next book to read, but this is interesting and fun.  

The Simple Show - This is exactly what it sounds like, a show geared towards simplifying and living holistically with your life's purposes.  

This Is Your Life - This is a leadership podcast, with the goal of helping you live with more passion and greater focus.  I learn something that can help me in my life almost every time I listen.
The New Yorker Radio Hour - Just starting this one.  I'm excited.

Subway Liturgy-  Very inspiring.  I just wish they would publish more episodes.

Well that should be enough to get you started, if you're ready to dive into the Podcast world.  If nothing on this list, gets you excited, all you have to do is search a topic and you'll probably find a podcast that you will enjoy.  Serial is the most popular podcast out there right now and you may want to try it out.  I listened to some of the first season and decided it wasn't for me.  I noticed I was feeling stressed when I listened, and good grief, I don't want any more of that!  But obviously, lots of people love it.

Happy Listening.






Monday, April 4, 2016

Looking for the Good

First Monday counting...when I share entries from my gratitude journal
a gift of spring bulbs growing in a pot
reading scriptures with friends
a buggy full of precious children
new table linens
seed packets brimming with hope
Susana
mini sandwiches
a pretty table
paper hearts
 a hard working husband
friends in the kitchen
Indian feast
quilting with Lindsay
snow
chicken pot pie
a visit with the missionaries and our home teacher
lunch by the Green River
watching Mark do his work
a letter from Becca
pink gloves
the asparagus bed prepped and ready
a beautiful sunny day
reading LaWrens missionary blog
homemade pizza
dinner with the missionaries
fair trade chocolate
a much needed massage
new magazines
a mountain top prayer 
hiking in short sleeves
ridge line views
Friday!
fresh eggs
Birthday celebrating with Kelly
colorful characters in a play
trying frozen custard for the first time
walking on Main Street
fluffy white clouds
pansies in grow boxes
tilled earth ready for planting
one on one time with a special child
tadpoles
shopping for seed potatoes
clean clothes
chocolate cream pie
talking with Dad about his garden
dinner with Cindy and family
filling the gas tank for $20
sun on my face
stretching out tired muscles
visit with Anne
fantastic sacrament talk on the atonement
hot cross buns
grandma time
sunrise service at Jump Off Rock
flowers at Micahs
Easter meal with family
cutting the first asparagus
new bullet journal
"Never let a day pass without looking for the good, feeling 
the good within you, praising, appreciating, blessing and
 being grateful.  Make it your life commitment, and you
 will stand in utter awe of what happens in your life."
Rhonda Byrne

*Take the time goal #1 - Keep a gratitude journal.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

This Week in the Garden - Pulling weeds, Cleaning out Beds and Planting Potatoes

Yay!  It's spring and I'm eagerly spending time out doors.  I have so much to do to get ready for gardening, that I could feel overwhelmed if I weren't so happy to just be outside!  I'm pacing myself though, working at it each day, and I've made some progress this week.  I've been weeding and getting the raised beds ready.
I had some company.
The asparagus is coming up.  Oh my!
A week or so ago, I cut the seed potatoes and got them ready for planting.  We'll have yukon golds, kennebec, and pontiac reds.
According to the farmer's almanac, this was a good week to plant food that grows under the ground.  This is the first time I've followed the moon cycles for planting and I'm anxious to see if it will make any difference.  I planted two rows of onions (one red and one yellow) and twelve rows of potatoes.  We had a nice steady rain a few days later that surely made my little spuds happy.
The rhubarb is coming up nicely.
Dad Wray helped me clean out the strawberry bed.
I had the grape vines pulled up and planted more raspberries in their place.  The grapes didn't produce well and I like raspberries so much better.  The blueberry bushes are covered with little buds and I need to do a lot of, you guessed it, weeding around them too.
We've had a problem with moles all around the garden area and I'm nervous about them eating my food.  We're trying these sonic spikes by Sweeney's, which are supposed to drive them away.  They come highly recommended, so I hope they work! 
Thanks to my sweet husband for helping prune back and replant some of the berries.  I hope we have a great crop this year. 

* Take the time goal #52- Grow lots of wonderful veggies in the garden.