From the deepest darkness places in the sea the serpent hides waiting for its prey to come to the water edge.  The beauty of sunsets and sunrises always  entice  unaware souls to come for a closer look..

As the sun light sinks over the horizon creating a beauty that will draw many,

the serpent creeps out of the waters depths.

This hideous creature  lurks the shores looking for weak souls to devour. 

While one  stands unsuspecting gazing at the beauty of the sunrise

the serpent crawls closer.

Mindless that something so dark and evil could possible be out there,

they continue to see only the golden glow that lights up the sky.

Suddenly in that moment when all seemed perfect the serpent strikes

filling the soul with visions of horrors. 

An emptiness takes over  the soul

while  being sucked into the dark depths of the underworld. 

The soul may be drawn to the waters edge through beauty,

but without love in their hearts they are unable to resist the serpent.

As the light looses it glorious color

the serpent returns to the sea

to await another soul in search of the beauty that  will

lure them to the waters edge….

Hope you enjoyed my little dark story and photos in celebration of Halloween. 

On a personal note I have been taking some time off from the computer.  I spend way to much time here trying to keep up with everyone and what’s new.  I realize my lifestyle just doesn’t allow it.  I am getting way out of shape and having weight problems I never had before getting hooked up to the internet.  I also was getting overwhelmed with trying to post something and visit everyone.  I know this is suppose to be a fun place but it lost its fun and started to feel like a job.   So I will be cutting back to stay sane and get back in shape.  I will visit when time allows and post.  So many of you continue to be in my prayers and thoughts with love always….

So Wishing Everyone a

Happy Safe Halloween

and a

Good Morning……..     Good Afternoon……..      Good Night………

Whatever it is to you

Photos & Words

by

Here I Am/Carrie

 Come for a stroll thru a garden, filled with food for thought.  Being frugal and the simplicities of life in a time when everyone needs to take a hard look at their waste and over consumerism.   

Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying.

The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.
-   Elise Boulding

Simple Mornings

Simple wholesome weekend and weekday breakfasts. 

Omelette's stuff with what ever you want to chop up and sauté from fresh or leftovers.   I use 2 eggs for a 2 person omelette.  Also add a bit of some kind of cheese and garnish with parsley and a flower.  Nice sausage or bacon and whole grain toast with a fruit, here I have an avocado, but often have a papaya, ending with a rich coffee.

For a  solid weekday breakfast  either have hot oatmeal with fruit or some mix of cold cereals with fruit and top with cinnamon.   A couple slices whole grain bread with a slice cheese or homemade jam and herb tea.

The day, water, sun, moon, night --
I do not have to purchase these things with money.
-   Plautus

To know you have enough is to be rich.
-  Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Take 1 whole spaghetti squash and cook whole in 1 inch water in baking pan in oven or on stove top with lid.  I do it on my wood stove top.   Cook till tender.  Just over an hour or more.  When ready drain well and slice in half.  It up to you if you want to remove the seeds I sometimes leave them.  Now you can mix remaining ingredients right in shell of spaghetti squash with squash or scoop out into oiled casserole dish.  Add cubed mozzarella cheese, chopped fresh thyme, basil, garlic, 1/4 tsp. Monterrey steak seasoning or just sea salt and chopped tomatoes.  Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese and bake 400F for 20 mins or golden on top.

Eat right out of shell as a main dish or served in a casserole dish  as a side dish.  Kale and red onions with oil, garlic and apple cider vinegar dressing salad and a nice whole wheat garlic bread on the side. 

A person who undertakes to grow a garden at home, by practices that will preserve rather than exploit the economy of the soil, has his mind precisely against what is wrong with us....

What I am saying is that if we apply our minds directly and competently to the needs of the earth, then we will have begun to make fundamental and necessary changes in
our minds.

We will begin to understand and to mistrust and to change our wasteful economy, which markets not just the produce of the earth, but also the earth's ability to produce.
-   Wendell Berry, 1970

That man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.
-   Henry David Thoreau, 1856

CASADIAs

On Flour tortilla of choice sprinkle any number of these or whatever you want to chop up and put on. Examples: cheese, onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard.   Fold in half and lay side by side in microwave and nuke for 1 to 2 minutes.

Slice into wedges and lay on plate with cilantro or parsley leafs in middle .

It is the sweet, simple things of life
which are the real ones after all.
-   Laura IngallsWilder

Garden Pizza

1 pizza dough or I use a Britl-Crunch which is a big round rye crisp bread with a small whole in the middle.  Spread a bit of pizza sauce on.  Here again chopped up  whatever to add on it.  I have onion tops, zucchini, kale, tomatoes and of course cheese, I sometimes use cottage or other types cheese also.  Bake for about 15 minutes or more till done at 425F.  My rye crisp goes a bit soft like a pizza dough.  Topped here with nasturtium flowers.  What a color full simple delight.

Yes, in the poor man's garden grow
Far more than herbs and flowers -
Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind,
And joy for weary hours. –author unknown

Teach us delight in the simple things,
And mirth that has no bitter springs;
Forgiveness free of evil done,
And love to all men beneath the sun.
-  Rudyard Kipling,  1865 - 1936

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!

  Live the life you've imagined.

As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler;

solitude will not be solitude,

poverty will not be poverty,

nor weakness weakness.
-   Henry David Thoreau

Simple foods and a simple life….

Good Morning… Good Afternoon…  Good Night…

Whatever it is to you…..

Photos & Recipes

by

Here I Am/Carrie

In a world where things are forgotten like turning a sprinkler off at –10c (about 15F), produces wonders as beautiful as any Autumn color, well not really, but I work with what I have and since I have so little Autumn color here at the ranch I will share instead Autumn Ice Sculptures.

A little Autumn a lot of Ice..

As the sun peaked over the ridge the light show began.

With sprinkler still going the sparkles were flying.

Caught between the colors of fall and the icy world of winter

Wildflowers were frozen in time..

But their beauty continues to shine in a new dimension.

Baubles formed by blades of grass
like diamonds scattered on the lawn.

From every plant a new sculpture grew..

Reaching for the heavens like a bean stock

till the warmth of the sun ended its growth.

But not before a perennial garden of ice sculptures were formed.

Beauty so fleeting as Autumn color

will be here one day and gone the next.

Whatever season it is for you, find whatever beauty you can.

To those celebrating Thanksgiving

To everyone else

Good Morning…..     Good Afternoon……     Good Night…….

Whatever it is to you…

Photo & Words

by

Here I Am/Carrie

The colors and beauty of a perfect late summer get away.  Time was finally found at the end of September to get away for a few days camping and fishing.  We were blessed with the most amazing weather.  Everyone on the trip kept saying no day could have been more perfect and then the next was even better.  So I share a small glimpse of our perfect days camping at a Summers end..

The fall colors were just starting to come out.

The sparkles on the lake were glittering most of the time. 

Relaxing was the mode of the day except when chasing this dragon fly.

Our friends came back empty handed from fishing.

My hubby managed to be luckier.

One could easily sit on the dock and stare out at this view all day.

I could feel the energy being drawn into the V of the valley

and spreading across the surface of the water.

We went one day with ATV's and explored nearby lakes and trails.

Always hungry at the end of the day a hearty meal was prepared.

We were all camped on the waters edge at this forestry campsite

that is free and no one was there most days.

My mind was an Island forever surround by water

I could just sit and gaze

feeling the liquid emotions brushing up against me.

Isolated from the worries of the rest of the world,

but never forgotten as I could not float or drift while

anchored to this earth by Gods will.

Leaving  our oasis of water we were blessed with

a vision of the open country side on our way home.

Well that certainly brings an end to Summer here as the weather made a complete change after a few days of returning from our perfect weather campout.  We have already had snow sputters mixed in some rain and a hard killer frost, which is causing me to panic as I always do this time of the year trying to get work done in the garden and everything put away outside before the ground freezes.

I have to also confess I have been spending some time at facebook with my family and old high school friends.  I only signed on about 1 month ago.  I have no phone here and rarely see any of my family so this has been so amazing for me to follow what they are up to and see all their new photos.  So I apologize for not visiting as often as I used too, but reconnecting with my family is very important right now. 

Spaces is a special place that has allowed me a chance to come out of isolation and share a little of who I am.  Many of my space friends here are all very special people who have created  a wonderful feeling of support and belonging.  I am touched by many of you very deeply.   It has just been over  1 year since I arrived here and have felt nothing but love and support flow through here.  So I just wanted to say Thank you all for being the wonderful people you are.

Update on Wildflower she is still hiding in the bedroom of my friend.  She is getting brushed daily and now has her beautiful coat back.  She seems to be terrified of my friends cat and doesn’t want to come out.  There were probably many cats she had fights with while trying to survive and now doesn’t even want to see one.  So for now my friend is being very patient and just letting her live in her room. 

So to Everyone changing Seasons

Good Morning……..    Good Afternoon……..      Good Night……..

Whatever it is to you…..

Photos & Words

by

Here I Am/Carrie

Many of you are feeling a little disconnected and tension right now.   Well that’s why our Creator gave us Sunflowers….  His way of brightening our disposition.  So I bring to you my Sunny September Sunflowers and hope they bring a smile to you face and help brighten your day.

Standing tall against the sky

Your beauty reflects from every eye…

A glow so bright and strong

One can see no wrong……

Shed no tears

Have not fears…….

Touched is your life

by many that pass by… 

Leaving a glow

that helps continue your flow… 

Your light may sometimes dim

but you learn to smile again…

Tired you may feel

rest so you may heal…. 

Alive you come again 

Reaching for the sky 

A blazing glory you always shine your light again for us…

I hope the rays of my sunflowers have filter deep into any dark places that you may have and brings the light of a smile to your hearts…

Just wanted to update everyone who remembers our cat Wildflower who disappear while we were at the Salton Sea last winter.  She had been seen off and on by our neighbours there coming for food and water left outside.  They have tried for 3 months to catch her in a live trap and just succeeded a few days ago.  She has had to survive extreme hot desert heat.  She was picked up by a friend who will keep her inside her home.  She is keeping her in her bedroom 1st to get her use to her new surroundings.  Wildflower stayed hidden under the bed till my friend went to bed that night and Wildflower came out and jump on the bed and did what she always does to me, snuggle and wanted to be petted.  No one but my husband and I can normally touch her.  My friend said she was so affectionate.  I am so glad she is getting the love, affection and is now in a safe environment.  Now she has to be introduce to my friends cat and if all goes well she can stay till our return this winter.  Thank you for your prayers and concerns so many of you showed when I first mentions her disappearance last spring.

So to Everyone

Good Morning…….    Good Afternoon…….     Good Night……….

Whatever it is to you…..

Photos & Words

by

Here I Am/Carrie