Cedar Spirit Flutes

27 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in handmade, Native flute, wild women

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The carving comes so easily to me, perhaps because I approach it with such reverence. I invite the spirit of the totem animal to come into the wood, just as I invite the spirit of the ancient fire-killed cedar I use for the flute body to come into the world and share its music. ~Spring Shine

Not too long ago, I used to play a small cedar Native Flute. I had only been playing it for a few years when I misplaced it in the move out to the cabin. Since then I have really been missing it and was hoping to find another flute soon.

Then just a few months ago, I heard a Native flute played at a drumming circle and got the contact information of the artist who made the flute. It turns out that Canadian artist, Spring Shine, was just ‘next door’ in the Kooteneys, British Columbia. I ordered my new Native flute and a month later (last week) it arrived in the mail!

Spring Shine of Cedar Spirit Flutes makes handcrafted, one-of-a-kind Native flutes in the tradition of the Plains Indian “Love Flutes”. Your flute is completely your own as you choose the scale (or tone) of your flute as well as your own unique totem, which Spring hand carves. No two totems are alike and they can be custom-carved to an image of your choice. For example, I wanted my flute to be a ‘woman’s flute’- to be played specifically for Mother Earth in honor and gratitude for her abundance in providing everything I need to survive. So I specifically chose an image of the Venus of Willendorf (discovered while studying art history) as for me she was a powerful representation of the nurturing, abundant image of ‘Earth Mother’.

I emailed this picture (above) to Spring and he carved it for me as my personal totem on my flute. Click here to see some of the other totems he has carved. He also makes beautiful carvings in soapstone.

The flutes are made from ancient cedar trees that have died naturally by fire and are gathered from the land that Spring lives on. They are hand-finished with organic linseed oil and beeswax.

Spring makes a variety of flutes, including a double flute, where one body plays a drone and the other plays the melody.

The flutes are shipped in a thick plastic tube, which acts as a carrying case when you slip the tube into the attached canvas backpack. There is also a smaller canvas bag, which holds the flute.

I am now ready to sit with this beautiful new flute. I am ready to learn her unique voice and character and together make the earthy windy music that I love so much.

The sound of my flute carries through the forest like a dream. ~Cedar Spirit customer Ressa Cook

 

cooking with kids: a holiday brunch

25 Sunday Dec 2011

Posted by in appreciate the seasons, cook

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My good friends, M and E are ‘home’ at their cabin for Christmas holidays along with their cousin Mi (these are three of the five kids who built that amazing fort last summer). Whenever we get together, we always seem to end up either exploring outside or doing something fun and creative inside. As it was Christmas Eve morning, we thought it would be fun to give their parents a nice break and cook a big brunch for them here at the cabin.

M was in complete charge of the waffles, making the batter himself and doubling the recipe (we tease him about the math and fractions!!!) to ensure that we would have enough for everyone.

His sister, E collected the finished waffles and put them in the oven to keep warm. They were delicious!

Cousin, Mi was in charge of the eggs and scrambled them to perfection.

E was in charge of fruit punch. She mixed the juice, then poured it into a nice glass pitcher and added frozen Saskatoon berries and wild raspberries as fruity ‘ice cubes’.

I made bacon and some cheese tarts earlier in the morning. After only an hour of team-cooking we were ready. The kitchen was even clean as E and I had washed a load of the cooking dishes and put them away. The grown ups arrived right on time and were seated. M kept making waffles while M and E served the food and I poured hot coffee.

It was a delicious brunch and everything tasted great! After a few hours of taking our time eating and chatting around the table, the grown ups left (we told them they were not allowed to help) and the team got back to work cleaning up. Actually, the boys did the dishes while E and I took turn providing the music (E on piano, me on guitar).  M couldn’t resist a dance with Lucy (she adores him)…

It was truly a fun morning spending time with my good friends, laughing together, getting caught up on their lives, and working as a team to give their parents a nice break and the gift of a leisurely brunch. Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Happy Adoption Day, Lucy!

23 Friday Dec 2011

Posted by in Lucy

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On this day, just one year ago, I drove to Edmonton to meet a very special pup. I had been looking for an adult rescue dog and had seen Lucy’s picture on the NASAP website. For some reason I kept returning to her picture (below):

She looked so cute and intelligent! And even though I had seen a few other dogs on other animal rescue websites I just had this gut feeling that I should just go and see her first. I made the appointment to meet her at her foster mom’s in Edmonton and drove out from Pigeon Lake.

For me, it was love at first sight. I observed her mature attitude and calmness and interest in me. Her foster mom filled me in on what little they knew of Lucy: that she was a stray, that she was very thin when they found her and that they had to shave off her fur because her long red coat was so dirty and matted. I sat on the floor with her for half and hour and pressed my forehead to hers, asking her (in my mind) if she would like to come home with me? I felt a calm ‘yes’ and so I signed the papers. We left the house and Lucy jumped into the back seat of my truck without any anxiety and promptly went to sleep.

The first three months were not always easy. Yes, she was the perfect companion when we were alone, but she was very suspicious of other people and did not like other dogs (especially other females). To help socialize her in a supportive environment we attended obedience classes and visited off-leash parks with other dogs and owners from the class.

In this past year Lucy has had many adventures in the bush and she has showed an uncanny wisdom when dealing with wildlife. For example, she LOVES to chase deer, mice, squirrels and grouse but she keeps her distance from the skunks, porcupines and moose. We have had bear and recently cougar sightings on our trail out back and during those times Lucy stuck right by my side, never leaving me.

Another story demonstrating her protectiveness was when I was accidentally hit on the head (very hard!) last summer with a long wooden board. I dropped to the ground and waited while my friend ran to get ice. Lucy laid right beside and did not leave my side. My friend, a doctor, checked my vital signs then sent me to bed (still iced) to rest. Again, Lucy stayed right at my side for hours (lying on the floor) and did not even leave to eat her usual evening meal in the kitchen.

Lucy has come a long way over these past 12 months. She is no longer suspicious of most people (although I love it that she still barks ferociously when there is a knock at the door). She is playful with other dogs although, like me, she seems to prefer to be alone. Lucy is my clock, my skiing/hiking partner, my confidant, my playmate, my driving partner and yes, truly my best friend. I am so grateful for her constant love and companionship and I wish her many happy healthy dog years to come!

Happy Adoption Day, Lucy!

a day for self-care

22 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in appreciate the seasons, be mindful

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After a few days in a row of being in large festive groups of people, a few late nights getting to bed and some busy city shopping with all of it’s noise, crazy traffic and long line ups, I am feeling in need of a little quiet time to myself. So, I decided that today I would focus on ‘self-care’.

Today was a delicious day of quiet, of reflection, of pampering and paying attention to myself, of ignoring the demands of the outside world and doing only what I felt like doing. I played and skied with Lucy, made my favorite foods for breakfast and lunch, read a good book, napped, had a facial and then took a long aromatic bath with a glass of wine. This evening, I may light candles and incense and do some gentle yoga or I may choose to finish my book while curled up in bed with more wine and snacks…

During this busy holiday time, we don’t always have the opportunity to pause and focus on our well-being and our personal needs. However, I do find that when I am able to take this time, even if just for a few short hours, it actually helps me to slow down and appreciate the many magical moments spent with loved ones. Self-care is truly a gift that we give ourselves.

Click here to listen to my new favorite song: Mary Chapin Carpenter’s song “I Have a Need for Solitude”. Good Night, Everyone!

Winter Solstice

21 Wednesday Dec 2011

Posted by in appreciate the seasons, drum

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This is Midwinter, the shortest day and longest night of the year. The restraints of Winter have brought us rest and given us time for reflection and the incubation of ideas and dreams. Here in the stillness of the Solstice we pause and become aware of our visions and the seeds of our future growth waiting for birth. ~Kindred

Today is Winter Solstice, a dual celebration of both darkness and the return (or rebirth) of the sun, which will now start to rise a little earlier each day. Winter Solstice is a time to recognize both balance and change in our lives and these last dark weeks of winter are often a time of reflection and inwardness. For me personally, this is a time of taking stock and letting go of the things that are no longer working in my life; a time of appreciating change and the freshness and new ideas that change often brings; a time of gratitude for my life, Lucy and my loved ones.

Winter Solstice is also a time to ‘come out of hibernation’ and reconnect with friends, loved ones and community. It is a time to laugh and entertain one another with music, songs, dance and poetry. On this Midwinter’s Eve I will be attending a drumming circle where there will be a gathering of music, stories, feasting and sharing warmth.

Wishing you all peace, harmony, health, abundance and prosperity!

 

making holiday stockings from bits and pieces

20 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in handmade, make it

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Last weekend a friend and I spent a few fun days making stockings. I really wanted the final project to look nice but did not want to drive the hour to the city just to buy brand new fabric. In the spirit of ‘making do’, I pulled out my little bin of fabric scraps to see if there was anything to work with. Indeed, the scraps were bright and festive and colorful, however, many of them were very small pieces. Undaunted by the challenge, we decided to make ‘patchwork’ stockings!

I started by sketching out some designs freehand on newspaper. Here is Lucy’s design (I helped her with hers)…

Then I cut the fabric into uniform shapes and began sewing. All of the stockings are lined and very sturdy. The entire project did not cost me a cent!

Although I prefer to buy as little as possible this time of year, I can never resist hiding just a few little treats to enjoy inside holiday stockings. They are even more meaningful when you can design and sew the stockings with friends and family as you will always have the memory of those fun afternoons making something beautiful together.

Anita makes bags

19 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in buy local, eco-living, handmade, repurpose, reuse

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 I recently met a very creative woman named Anita who makes the most wonderful bags. Along with the shoulder bags featured in the pictures here, she also makes clutch bags, make-up bags and wallets. Each of the bags is Anita’s own design and even the crochet stitch that she uses is unique.

What makes these gorgeous bags extra special is that they are 100% made from plastic shopping bags. Anita starts by collecting the shopping bags and many of her friends help her by saving bright, uniquely colored bags for her. Then she cuts these into strips. Each large bag reuses 50 plastic bags and takes about 10 hours to make (smaller bags take a little less time). Anita crochets these using a double strip of plastic, which explains why her bags are so strong. You can easily fill a bag with canned goods at the grocery store and the bag will not stretch or break. The lovely variations of colors in the designs come from the actual plastic bags.

I love these bags! It is inspiring how Anita takes what we consider a ‘waste product’ (headed to the recycling station or worse, the landfill) and turns it into something very useful and beautiful. These artful bags remind me of the designer beach bags I saw in Hawaii for sale in every tourist shop.  As Anita’s bags are waterproof and lightweight they are perfect as swim bags, grocery bags or book bags for library visits. If they get dirty they can be hand-washed with soap and water and hung to dry.

Anita is based in Calgary and charges $10 per large bag, $5 for the clutch and make up bags and $1 for the wallets. If you are interested in purchasing any of these bags, you can reach Anita by email: abholmes@shaw.ca or if you like any of the shoulder bags pictured here, email me at delena@cabinorganic.com and I can mail or drop off the bag(s) of your choice. I see Anita about once a month now so I can easily pick up any orders if you live in the Edmonton area.

Thank you for sharing your great idea and your gorgeous bags with us, Anita!

 

cheese scones

16 Friday Dec 2011

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I find it hard to find a good scone nowadays as they truly are best when fresh out of the oven. The ones served in cafes are often dry and flavorless so I prefer to bake my own. This is the recipe I’ve been using for years and I always make the scones within an hour of serving them so that they are warm and crisp. Using high quality organic butter and the best cheddar (i.e. Cloverleaf) you can find definitely makes this a scone experience to be remembered! Sometimes I add some chopped rosemary ham (I’ve only found it at Save-On-Foods so far) which adds a hint of rosemary to the scone.

Cheese Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablepsoon baking poweder

2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces

3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 large egg whites

Optional: 3/4 cup finely chopped ham

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).

Lightly mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cut the butter in using pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in cheese (and ham if adding).

Combine buttermilk and eggs whites, stirring with a whisk. Add this to the flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead 4 or 5 times with floured hands (dough will be quite sticky).

Pat dough into an 8-inch circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

Lucy’s ready for her close up

13 Tuesday Dec 2011

Posted by in Lucy

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Our dogs truly are gifted companions and I am so grateful to share my life with such a loving animal. Whenever I need cheering up, Lucy always seems to find a way to make me laugh. Sometimes she acts goofy, hunting and pouncing on a tiny piece of  fuzz on the carpet, always glancing over to make sure I am watching and laughing… (This is a big deal as Lucy rarely plays or performs.) Or she’ll come and sit next to me, smiling into my eyes and letting me hold her paw as we sit enjoying the stillness together… The best times though, the times that get the biggest belly laughs, are when she lets me dress her up. She never resists but always stands patiently while I gently guide her paws through the shirt sleeves, or standing perfectly still while balancing a hat on her head while I try to take a picture of her. The reason this is so funny is that she always looks so unimpressed... and I just find her facial expressions so hilarious that I cannot help but ‘bust a gut’ laughing. Here’s her Casablanca shot taken last spring… “Here’s Lookin’ at you… Kid.”

“Yo yo yo…Wassup?”

Do you remember last summer when Lucy had a hotspot on her leg and I had to make her wear shirts (and a cone at night) to stop her from licking it? Seeing as we are both redheads, she actually looks pretty good in my clothes!

Being silly on her bed in a white pajama shirt…

An impromptu nap while sporting a red flannel shirt…

Ahhh, this little hat brings back memories of when I took some neighborhood kids out for ice cream at the Village. There was a trunk sale on and M found this sweet little hat in a cardboard box marked ‘free’. So he took it and we put it on Lucy, tightening the string so that it stayed on nicely. Later, as we ate our ice cream on a bench on the board walk, Lucy received so many compliments on her ‘look’ and she was very charming and smiled with all of the attention.

So this morning, to cheer myself up, I put another one of my hats on Lucy and sure enough, I just could not stop laughing at her (With her? No, she wasn’t laughing… However she did give me all of her best angles for the photographs…) She is just such a little comedian… You know, one of those comedians who are so funny (and know it) but yet manage to never crack a smile… Yeah… that’s Lucy! 🙂

the Vinegar Works

12 Monday Dec 2011

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My internet has been incredibly slow over the past three days making it very difficult to post here on the blog. I had already given up for the day and was just heading to bed when the connection suddenly snapped back to ‘normal’ (still not quite high speed but I’ll take it!) so I thought I’d do a quick post promoting the Vinegar Works. They are not exactly ‘local’ (as in ‘Albertan’) but they are just next door in Summerland, B.C. and a welcome addition to your B.C. wine tasting tour. Located on the Bottleneck Drive Wine Trail, Kim and John first make wine from grapes harvested from their 2-acre vineyard. Then they turn the wine into a wide variety of vinegars, including some lovely fruit vinegars. Everything they add to the vinegars has been grown on their farm. Last summer, I bought a high quality Balsamic Vinegar and a fruity Elderberry Vinegar (my personal favorite of the entire vinegar tasting).

If you can’t make it out, you can order their products from their blog. They also have an incredible list of recipes to offer new ideas and delicious ways to use their vinegars. I find this most helpful as I can use many of their recipes for my own home-infused vinegars. If you need any new and inspiring recipes to try out over the holidays, I highly recommend their blog at: www.vinegartart.com 🙂