Backpacks and the journey

I had a picture for the start of the year. It was an old faded blue denim backpack, not a huge one full to capacity and heavy to carry, but one that looked as it it might have one or two items in it, but laying fairly flat against my back. I had been trying to write down my challenges for 2010, what I would aspire to, targets, lists, those of you who like lists are nodding in an understanding way. It was not going well, the list making. Somehow, what was taking shape in my brain wasn't looking right on paper. I stopped....what was going on?

I should have been at a New Years Eve party, I've been going to one every year for as along as I can remember, but this year it has been different. I have needed to stop and listen as if I need to prepare for 2010 and whatever it holds or us, either as a family, our church family or as a nation. It feels as if the year needs to be entered into thoughtfully and with purpose in a sort of "bring it on" roll up the sleeves type of way. I'm not preaching doom and gloom, but I do think it will be significant year and I wondering if others are thinking the same, I don't think I am "off the wall"!

I thought about the back pack again. It was about my lists, my challenges, my resolutions, if you like...It wasn't going to be about what I take into the year, it would begin with what I leave out, what is unnecessary and a hindrance, what needs to remain in 2009, so to speak....

The challenge came in a quiet thought "what about if we do it differently this year, each day you make the decision to connect with Me and you will gather and learn as each day passes. These will be added to your backpack, which will never become too heavy, but will be filled with the experiences and adventures of the year. The key is to Connect...with the moment, the conversation, the person, the sadness, wherever the Partnership takes us for this year. Are you up for the challenge?"

So no routine as I know it then, each day a rhythm of it's own. "It's not about disorder is it?" I ask with a pained expression, being someone who isn't so much Little Miss Structure" as she used to be and can cope with the people who put toilet rolls the wrong way round and don't iron their tea towels...but I needed the reassurance. "A new way to walk through the day does not mean you ignore your responsibilities..." I am okay with that...

So I've "signed up" and what happens, SNOW in the nation and everyone's routines are
thrown into disarray!!!!

Anyone else want to come along for the adventure, to be there when it is hilarious, scary or sad, affirming and enriching...in fact Life In All It's Fullness! I wonder what your backpack looks like!

It's snowing!!!!!!

So after all my "Yeovil NEVER gets snow" comments, we woke up to about 5", I guess, this morning! I crunched my way down the garden at 06.30, it was breathtakingly beautiful and SO quiet...

Fox prints revealed the extent of the wanderings around my chicken enclosures last night. He/she seems to have a regular circuit criss-crossing the garden at the same hedges...however, the girls were safely tucked up and so far my "off the scale" risk assessments/Fort Knox reinforcements have meant we haven't had a repeat of the incident where Xena Fox Fighter Warrior Princess gained her name, unfortunately at the loss of her sister in 2006. (There is a previous note about it in the archives here)



As you can see they were NOT impressed when I said "Good Morning" to them, preferring to turn their backs to all the scenery for the viewing. In fact it's 11.45 and they are STILL refusing to come down!



This picture is for Ramzi, to show him Hattie in the snow!







We have put the Chrstmas tree out at Samar's request, unfortunately the tree has blown over, but I will add a better one at the end!



This is my ladybird house which never made it into a hedge. It looks like a minature world, I took a photo, just because!



The decorations are down and somehow it seems more fitting to remove them when it is snowing outside and still feels festive, make a tedious job more fun.....I keep treading on sharp pine needles, serves me right for walking around in socks!

As I write, there is a smell of burning....Samar, who usually breaks something whilst she is here (we tease her mercilessly!!!) has managed to get though her stay by merely chucking arabic coffee across my beige carpet....(Vax out later)We thought we were safe..but no.....



We take her to the station in 2 hours! She's gonna kill me! All I an say is LOOK OUT USA!!!

2010, bring it on, I'm rolling up my sleeves...

Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive your people's praise.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world where men disown and doubt you,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us--
self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

(Timothy Dudley-Smith 1967)

To buy or not to buy, that is the question......

Oh the shopping dilemmas I find myself in... Perhaps I need to explain the background first:

• Clothes shopping has never been that much fun for me.
• I want to wear ethical fashion.
• I like hippy/scruffy/chill out sort of clothing that won't look ridiculous on a 50year old.
  

You can see the hurdles I face and why I have procrastinated for so long. However, at some point the issue has to be addressed as clothes need replacing and preferences change...as does size (but that's a different matter!) So what do I do?

Well I have started with baby steps by emailing a few clothing retailers and asking about their ethical policies re workers rights, living wages and such. I have had replies which means that someone, at least has read my concerns.

I always try and remember to lift the label now to see where something has been made and if I end up emailing the retailer, having bought the garment, I try and say something positive first before I launch in with the questions!

I am beginning to read up more on the fashion industry, which retailers are starting to be more proactive. I found these articles today which I will attempt to read at some point. I have scan read them.

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/images/pdf/letscleanupfashion2009.pdf

http://fashioninganethicalindustry.org/context/aglobalindustry/

I even wondered about making more of my own clothes again, which I probably shall, but there is still the question of Fairtrade, cotton pickers working conditions, how stuff is dyed etc with both fabric and wool....

I don't want to become all legalistic and boring, but the justice drum beat, grows louder and is becoming much more the rhythm I want to live by now.

Just found this whilst looking for an image to download, interesting sounding companies! Perhaps all is not yet lost!

http://www.tooashop.com/

http://www.ascensiononline.com

Little Red Hen

My little red hen, I shall be sad to see her go, but she is going to a Preschool where she will help enhance the story to its full potential! Take care of her Lorraine and co, I couldn't resist the challenge when you asked! She sits in the palm of your hand, you can't really see the size from this photo.

Now do I start on the other knitted sock, or finish the knitted pin cushion or knit something for me..... Have you seen the NORO yarn....it is AMAZING.....sigh....

http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-supplies.asp?name=Noro


Well here we have my 3rd attempt to get some homemade ginger beer started! I omitted the optional pinch of yeast for the first two attempts, but nothing happened, so I thought I'd give it one last try and it is looking promising after just 36 hours! It is actually beginning to ferment, those are small bubbles forming, I promise!




Here is the recipe:

GINGER BEER PLANT

In a glass bowl add:

1 dessertspoon of raw (or white) sugar. Raw sugar gives it a better colour

1 dessertspoon ground ginger - you can use 1 tablespoon of diced fresh ginger.

300mls tap water that has stood for 24 hours

A large pinch of dried yeast

Stir this together. During the day let this mixture sit on the kitchen worktop with the cover off. Cover it with a loosely woven cloth at night. After about 2 or 3 days, depending on the temperatures in your house, it will begin to bubble and ferment. That is good, fermentation is a healthy process.

Every day for 7 days, feed the plant 1 dessert spoon ginger and 1 dessert spoon of sugar, and stir.
TO MAKE THE GINGER BEER

After 7 days take a clean piece of loosely woven cotton cloth, place it over a bowl. Pour the ginger plant into the fabric and twist the top of the cloth to make it into a ball. Squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can in to the bowl.

Dissolve 3 cups of sugar in 20 cups of water. Add juice of 2 lemons and the ginger mix. Stir and bottle in plastic bottles leaving 2-3 inches at the top. Place the caps on the bottles but don't screw them on. Leave the ginger beer on the kitchen bench for a couple of days to ferment a little more, then tighten the caps and place the bottles in the fridge. Placing it in the fridge will slow the fermentation process to almost zero.
Don't throw the dregs of the culture out. Like other live cultures it can be used again to start up your next batch. Just add it to your jar and start feeding it as usual.
WARNING
Ginger beer can explode. It's wise to bottle in plastic and not glass until you know what you're doing.

A NON WARNING

Don't be afraid of making this delicious drink. You really can't tell how fizzy it will be because you'll have different wild yeasts in your home at different times of the year. Some will help the fermentation along, some won't.
If you notice the bottles puffing out, slowly release the lid to let the pressure off.
Serve your ginger beer when it's cold. It will be fizzy, gingery and very refreshing.


I will keep you informed of the developments!!!