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~ For people who are passionate about respecting the earth, walking in nature, observing wildlife, local diet, making do, repurposing, organic gardening, foraging for wild plants and fungi, natural health, scrumptious healthy cooking, renovations, DIY, crafting, raising children simply and mindfully, their dogs, taking time for stillness, and living in harmony with the seasons.

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Category Archives: explore

contemplating a ‘work-life balance’… from Freeport, Bahamas

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by Delena Rose in explore

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bahamas, beach, Freeport, holiday, ocean, paradise, rest, sea, travel, tropical, vacation

Freeport, Bahamas6I arrived in Freeport, Bahamas last Saturday night. After ten months of working full time (including 3 hours of commuting into the city each week day) and nearing the end of a cold, long, dark winter, it was definitely time for a much-needed break! Not to mention the extreme snow storm we experienced in the Edmonton area last Thursday, which resulted in a 100-car pile up on my route into the city and 300 people being rushed to the hospital. Luckily, I had driven in hours before the accident had occurred, however, the highway was closed for most of the day. It took me three and a half hours just to get home that evening, only to get stuck in my own driveway and then spending the next hour plowing myself out. You can imagine how much easier I was able to drive the distance and then plow the endless heavy snow with a contented smile on my face… Not only because I knew that it was the end of March and spring thaw was just around the corner… but because in just another day I was boarding a plane and heading to a tropical paradise.

Freeport, Bahamas8Freeport has been a gift of warmth, humidity, intermittent sunshine (we’ve had some cloud), fresh seafood and a completely laid back attitude to life. I spent my first day here like most travelers, just reminding myself to RELAX and not OVER-PLAN, to STOP BEING IN SUCH A HURRY TO GET SOMEWHERE and to surrender and go completely with the flow. I deliberately did not pre-book any tours for this reason. The purpose of this trip was to rest, relax, play, explore, swim, walk, read, write, and generally take stock of my life- something I naturally do on most vacations.

Freeport, Bahamas1Another personal reason for traveling is to experience an entirely new place and to appreciate a different way of being in the world. I love how small, yet interconnected I feel, especially when the local culture is different from my own. I love how much I can learn just by keeping myself open and watchful to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures around me.

Freeport, Bahamas4It’s been a lovely time so far, here in Freeport, Bahamas. While enjoying the local culture and natural surroundings, I have plenty of time to contemplate and reflect on this previous year while making plans for the coming year ahead. One of these plans includes taking a leave from work at the end of June and then segueing into a consultant position where I can write from home full time. This is very exciting for me as this has been my main goal in life since I was in grade three- to be a successful full time writer (‘successful’ in the sense that it makes a living). It has only been in the last few years that I have finally had the courage to start making it happen (or perhaps it simply was just the right time to act on it), which is how I found myself at the cabin.

Freeport, Bahamas5And so I express gratitude… for dreams coming true… for jobs that teach and push one purposefully onward… for vacations and the helpful distance away from home to gently examine one’s life from a new and different vantage point… for time away to rest and recharge… for salty sea air and new discoveries… for quiet balconies and delicious privacy… and for the kindness and affection of locals who remind me daily that we are all related.

Freeport, Bahamas7

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a few parting shots of Arizona…

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by Delena Rose in explore

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Tags

Arizona, cactus, desert, explore, Martinez Lake, mountains, sand, sand dunes, travel

I am back home at the cabin now (since yesterday) and have been busy unpacking, doing laundry and loading the final batch of photos from the camera onto my computer. Here are a few parting shots of the natural beauty of the desert and Martinez Lake, taken on my trip to Arizona.

Martinez Lake, Arizona.

Below, a lonely cactus high on a mountain peak. (Taken from a moving vehicle.)

Graceful sand dunes just outside of Yuma.

The sun setting in beautiful Yuma, Arizona.

Truly a wonderful trip!

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visiting Imperial Date Gardens in Bard Valley, California

23 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by Delena Rose in explore

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Bard Valley, California, date, date farm, date milkshake, dates, Imperial Date Gardens, shakes

Until yesterday, I never knew how (or where) dates were grown or how they were harvested. I was particularly interested in visiting Imperial Date Gardens as I have been incorporating dates regularly into my diet as they are quite delicious and are rich in potassium, iron and fiber.

Growing and harvesting dates is quite labor-intensive. Date palms are dioecious, the male flowers that produce pollen and the female flowers that produce fruit are borne on separate trees. The pollination is done by hand, and the floral bunches tied and trained for direction of growth.

Thinning of the fruit is also done by hand while the fruit is quite young. To ensure their large size, the Medjool date is thinned once more at a slightly mature stage; leaving only about 10% of the original fruit for harvest.

The final step prior to harvesting is done by slipping a bag over the bunch. The bag, after being tied at both ends, protects the fruit from light rains, bugs and birds.

The harvest of the Medjool starts in late August and runs through early November. The dates ripen at different times so three to four trips up the palm tree are required. The dates are hand-picked and placed in a shallow canvas basket to minimize bruising of this soft date, then later transfered to protective trays. After being hand-sorted, the dates are either packed immediately or sun-ripened to a perfect rich brown-ebony color, as well as a precise 30% moisture content.

The Medjool is the gourmet date and unquestionably the largest, meatiest and most flavorful variety. Yet, they are surprisingly low in calories, only 49 per date. The Imperial Date Garden Medjools contain absolutely no pesticides or preservatives. They contain no cholesterol and almost no fat or sodium. Medjools possess invert sugars, which is important for those who cannot tolerate sucrose in their diet.

Dates are delicious when eaten fresh or added to muffins, cookies and salads. Dip them in chocolate or roll them in coconut for a classic dessert. Serve them as hors d’oeuvres by spreading them with cream cheese or peanut butter.

Today, we enjoyed fresh date milkshakes; a real treat in this hot weather! As I sat outside enjoying my shake, I watched many people come and go, buying many large boxes of these little jewels.

Below are a few shots of other native plants in the area:

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more Mexico…

22 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by Delena Rose in explore

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Algodones, border, explore, Mexico, sightseeing, south, travel

This photo was actually taken three days ago when we were having a few cold, rainy days. The rest of the photos were taken yesterday.
Another day of exploring Algodones, mexico. Some of the highlights include waking a few blocks away from the high-tourist area into the local residential areas…

Lunch was a few hours long and involved many cold beers and people-watching. Many snowbirds are leaving for their northern homes this time of year so there were large tables of friends laughing, singing, dancing and saying their goodbyes… until next fall!

Quiet moments…

A lovely grotto with a coffee bar…

When selling their wares, the Mexican sellers often call out to you. Later in the day I heard a man yelling, “Asparagus! Mexican viagra! More koochie-koochie!!!”

Today… adventures in Arizona … We may visit a date farm and try to get lost in the desert…

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the colors of Mexico

21 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by Delena Rose in explore

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Algodones, color, explore, Mexico, sight-seeing, south, travel

I am in Yuma, Arizona this week visiting friends. The last few days we have been crossing the border into Algodones, Mexico for some shopping. This is my first time in Mexico and I was immediately smitten with the people and color of this place. Below are some highlights of the last few days:


 

 

We’re heading back today so I’ll return with more highlights tomorrow! 🙂

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DELENA ROSE

Lucy’s Life at the Cabin

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