Photography: Vivian Maier

My sister sent me a link to the "posthumous blog" of an amazing street photographer. Her name is Vivian Maier and her story is truly mysterious and intriguing. I invite you to enjoy, as I have, a very small snippet of her work. It's like stepping into another world...

Vivian Maier ─ Her Discovered Work (The John Maloof Collection)

The Jeff Goldstein Collection

Life Moves too Fast

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted a new blog. Sorry, all you faithful readers! (I only have 11 followers, so it's not like I'm disappointing the masses, right?)

So, an update...

Life has been rolling along─two foster boys doing well, cat doing well, children doing well, marriage doing well, finances doing well (paid off two debts before the end of the year!), and home school doing better...ish.

I'm trying really hard to maintain a solid run at good, hard work on our schooling. It's been a challenge with all the runs downtown for visitation and other random happenings. I did order a new spelling curriculum that I hope will really blend well with other things we're doing.  All About Spelling

In other news, I've decided to resign from my position as a worship leader in our chapel. It was a tough decision, but one that will afford me a lot more time on the weekends. It seems strange to not be on a worship team anymore. It's so much a part of who I am that it almost leaves me feeling naked.

I'm hoping to jump back into my blog. I wanted to do that 52 week photo project, but my Canon Rebel Xti didn't agree with me. It won't even turn on. And there aren't any camera shops around. Maybe next time on that one.

So, with all of that out of the way, I leave you with some fun upcoming events:

North Dakota Home School Day at the Capitol is going to be held on February 3rd
~They're looking for home schooling families to reserve a table and come "show off" what they do on a daily basis. This gives our legislators a chance to see what the benefits of home schooling are.

North Dakota Christian Home Educators Conference will be held March 3-5

and

Things are happening in ND legislation. Get involved in what is coming up soon at our Capitol. We need supporters to help pass the most recent changes in legislation regarding home education!

Peace and Blessings!
Erin

Just have to share...

this beautiful little story from our lovely Pioneer Woman. Brings tears to my eyes and reminds me of my little Ethan man.

Ready to Dig In!

For all you GREEN THUMBS out there, I've found a few treasures to pass on...and decided I would share a bit of my photography with you as well.  ☺

I've been reading a bit here and there about GMO's (genetically modified organisims) and what they do to our bodies. I've also been doing some personal research on the use of pesticides and herbicides. The words toxic and unnecessary come to mind. I just finished a quick little read (took me less than 30 minutes) about organic gardening.

How To Become an Organic Gardener in Seven Easy Steps by Judy Barrett

She really makes it sound so easy. I hope it is. Here's a quick quote from her book:

"The ideal growing conditions exist naturally in wild areas where plants are constantly dropping their leaves attracting animals who drop their manure, and where all these things blend together to make a rich humus. Forest floors are the most beautiful topsoil in the world because the leaves drop to the ground, birds and small animals leave their droppings, water filters in slowly, and air moves freely. Most of us don't have these ideal conditions, and don't want to live in a forest anyway. But we can re-create the topsoil no matter where we live."

Doesn't that sound like a breath of fresh air!? She answers the question "Why Organic?" by saying that the chemicals we use to grow plants now, do nothing to build the soil. By building the soil, it will naturally keep pests away and grow better plants in the future, and it only takes a short time.

Last year, I bought the book Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte. It was an invaluable resource in companion planting. I had an incredible yield from my tiny little postage stamp garden. I found natural ways of keeping pests away, building the soil through "buddy planting", and getting more yield from a smaller space.

This year, I borrowed a seed catalog from a friend. Check out their website:

www.RareSeeds.com

Non-GMO seeds, tested just to be sure. Heirloom seeds, some extremely rare. Seeds from all over the world. Committed to the best plants and gardening, everything from flowers to herbs and veggies. I bought a BUNCH!

"Science has tried to assume a monopoly─or, rather, a tyranny─over our understanding of the world around us...We are only now beginning to understand the disastrous results of this outlook."  ~Prince Charles

I think it's a beautiful thing how the world around us is continually trying to maintain balance. Look at the wind─blowing to bring high and low pressure systems into balance. People, trying to maintain balance in their lives through priorities. The soil, too, is trying to balance between acidity and alkalinity─the plants playing their roles in it all. And the bugs bring balance to the natural predator/prey world. It really is a wonderful thing, this world that God created.

I pray we find wonderful ways of enjoying it this spring and summer.