spring sprouting::three ways

sprouting №1:  to eat

when i was a girl, our kitchen window sill always had one or two jelly jars with a giant avocado pit suspended above water, held at the rim of the jar by toothpicks.  as the days went by, a sprout would emerge to form the beginning of an avocado tree.  we had several planted around the yard.  the california sun pretty much guaranteed the production of luscious avocados.  

we are not so lucky (with avocados) in virginia.

so i am playing homage to the giant pit of green perfection of my childhood by sprouting on a smaller scale.  adzuki beans, chickpeas, green peas and mung beans will sprout delightfully nutritious sprouts to eat on the fly or throw into a wrap or on a veggie burger.

rinse your beans and let soak overnight.  rinse twice more and drain.  measure one-half cup of plumped and cleaned beans into a jar.  cover with a double or triple layer of cheesecloth and secure with elastic bands.  each morning, fill the jar with water to give the beans a nice shower and drink.  drain off the water through the cheesecloth and give your jar a nice couple of shakes.  in a few days, sprouts will emerge.  continue with the daily shower-shake.  when your sprouts are about two inches, you can eat them.  remove them from their jars and store in a glass container in the fridge for up to one week.

talk about nourishment straight from the source.

sprouting №2:  to grow

this year, i'm starting plants for the karma garden from seed.  i chose organic, non-gmo heirloom seeds and am starting them in organic, sustainable mix.  added eco-bonus-points:  toilet paper rolls as tiny pots.

i am so excited about these two especially:  purple carrots and green zebra tomatoes (who did not do so well last year).

i'm making tiny flags for them.  i did not mark my plants very well in the garden last year and i think we "weeded" a lot of good stuff.  while we are getting better at identifying our plants, we still need a little help.

once planted, these little guys need to be kept moist and under grow lights.  in my opinion this is the perfect excuse to buy that child's blue elephant watering can i've been eyeing.  :)

sprouting №3:  me

this spring, i am metaphorically germinating:

• trail running
• a bigger organic garden plot (if we decide to do it on our land instead of the college's organic garden, it will need to be in the front yard because the back is too shaded with the forest.  this is a big move and a big statement.)
• more yoga
• nyc
• leaning into the gypsiness of my travelling job
• making each trip an adventure
• making each day an adventure

inspiration

i designed this piece for the child protective social workers and supervisors i train.  (you may recognize it...it's the background of my karma garden sign.)  these words pretty much sum up the broad range of qualities needed in this work.  i plan on making magnets and badge wheelie-bobs to use as giveaways.  this is just one little part of my new job that i love:  creating and inspiration are considered as important as delivery of training and other technical bits of the work.

bits of magic here and there

the cold and dark winter is lingering well into spring.  this morning my little forest is covered in heavy white snow.  this is the latest blizzard we've experienced since moving to virginia nearly twelve years ago.  it's in my nature to be disappointed when expectations (bright sunny skies, blooming trees, hikes and picnics, etc.) are thwarted and my mood is certainly affected.  i find myself vacillating between wee temper tantrums and bouts of melancholy.

reluctantly, i move from resistance and solution-finding into acceptance and surrender.  i mean, it's the weather; there is not much i can control or direct there, right?  might as well enjoy one more week of hibernation and indulge in the bright side:

• a delightfully unexpected week home (all travel and classes cancelled this morning)
• time i didn't think i had to start seeds for the karma garden
• hot homemade spicy lentil soup is still appropriate
• been feeling tossed around a bit lately, i think i might need some time to find my footing
• the silence of the earth when covered in snow is so beautiful; winter truly is the introvert's season
• a stack of books and many naps
• gratitude for a heated house, healthy food, good sheets and warm bodies (of the human and canine variety) to snuggle

sunday grace

with paper, scissors and glue,

tea leaves and sunshine,

a new story,

chai pancakes with ginger syrup and candied ginger,

morning soul kitchen,

beautiful kantha quilt,

a tiny art gallery in the loo,

and happy reminders.

where are you finding grace this weekend?

some days, especially when spring is near

"i imagine that yes is the only living thing."
-e.e. cummings