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Who does not thank for little, will not thank for much.--Estonian Proverb

Sometimes it's hard to notice the "little things" in life to be grateful for... until something happens to them. For instance... taking the dryer for granted until the heating element suddenly quits working... and then you realize how very much you use your dryer... and how nice it is to have one that works. Just an example... but it happened to us earlier this year... and now every time I do a load of laundry... I am thankful for my washer and dryer and the fact that they work.

And so... here are FIVE "little things" I am grateful for today:
1. heat. I am grateful for a working heating system in my house... and in my car.
2. adequate plumbing. Toilets that flush... sinks that drain... faucets that shower me with fresh water.
3. electricity. Lights that allow me to work late at night... a refrigerator that keeps my food from spoiling.
4. fresh air.
5. fresh foods available at my local stores... many of it organic. I am so grateful for the farmers who provide me with great local produce.


And so... the top photo is from Los Poblanos... where tons of fresh produce is gently farmed and gathered for local people to buy. And the bottom two photos are from Trader Joe's... a local (fantastic) chain of shops where I can get lots of fresh, organic... healthy, whole foods.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Today has been an exhausting day... but an awesome one. Today has been a day for wonderful conversations... wonderful food... and a decadent nap (post benadryl for allergies-- which are really ugly today).

We went to dinner at Los Cuates... which was soooooo good. I really missed being able to get green chile ... and I took this photo (see below) looking out the restaurant window onto the sunny street. This was one of only 2 photos I took today... but I am happy with it.

I am discovering how sick I have been this year. ... and the past few days I have woken to massive bruising all over my legs. Twitches, tremors, headaches... close comrades of mine for the past few days as well. And so... I am on a quest to watch my diet a bit better. I did really well in PA despite all that was going on... but I need to be more dedicated if I am going to get back my strength and my health.

And in the meantime... I have been accepted to show a piece in a New York City gallery... provided I can get a piece of my art ready and in the mail in the next day or so... and so... back to ART!


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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It's raining. I am still sick. I have discovered some paperwork that I thought was taken care of... is indeed not. And I still have some to do (*or do again as it were). It is frustrating.
And so... even though it was chilly and rainy... my niece and her 3 kids and I went and worked in a local garden... cleaning and picking and salvaging veggies. And tonight.... I am making home-made spaghetti sauce.

Two of the 10 books I have read over the course of this month had to do with food. One was "Eat, Pray, Love"... which was good... but somehow I felt a little let down after hearing all the hype around the book and the movie. The 2nd book, was by Molly Wizenberg and is called "A Homemade Life." This was great. Ms. Wizenberg has a really interesting writing style, and I love that she included family recipes at the end of each chapter. So... in homage to that...

===============================================

Spaghetti Sauce a la Potter County

-as many cherry tomatoes as I could pick, plus some farmer's market heirloom tomatoes that were left over in the fridge.

All were washed, and de-stemmed.

(Normally, I would have pureed them in the blender at this point...

but my niece prefers them not pureed)

- 2 medium sized cans of organic tomato paste
- 2 small organic onions, chopped fine
- 3 stalks of celery, chopped fine
- about 6 little peppers. Some were ordinary green bell peppers, some looked like chile verde, a couple were banana peppers. All from the garden... washed, no seeds, chopped fine.
- 1 small can of diced mushrooms (it was in the cupboard... so why not)
- garlic. Lots. I used the whole big hunk of garlic... which was about 6 cloves. I like garlic.
- Oregano. Thyme. Basil. About 2-3 tbs each.

-2 tbsp sugar
-salt and pepper to taste.


It's been cooking on low heat for about 3hrs now... in a huge chili pot... and it has been stirred frequently so as not to burn on the bottom. About 1/3 of it has reduced... and I have most all of the tomatoes smashed into bits so that everything is chunky, but thick ... and I am letting it cool down.
Then it will go into containers and be stored in the freezer for an easy pasta topping in the future.

**UPDATE** --this batch yielded 15 pints

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I have learned an awful lot being away from home for the past 3 months. One of the interesting things I have learned is that my body can be a very fragile beast. I have always felt a little guilty for insisting over the years on buying as much organic and fresh foods that we can afford. I always felt a little guilty because in the back of my mind... I figured I was sorta being selfish in wanting "the best" foods... when I could probably do fine with something cheaper.

However. After living for 3 months on a diet of mostly canned/ frozen veggies... lots of carbs... very little meat... and more processed food that I care to admit -- I am sick. I have bruises all over me... a nasty skin rash... infections... joint pain and soreness in odd places... headaches... and I have gained alot of really flabby weight.

I can only assume that my diet has to be the culprit (that and stress).

When I was diagnosed with Lupus back in 1992; I saw a nutritionist who insisted I try a diet of fresh, organic food... no red meat, very little dairy... no sugar, no caffeine, etc. After 6 months I was in remission of the Lupus, and periodically over the years I go back on this diet when things get bad ... with good results.

When I had cancer back in 1997; I went on a strict macrobiotic diet. I also did meditation, massage, and acupuncture... and was very happily surprised that after 6 weeks I was able to go back to work... and after 6 months... I was in remission.

Watching my diet has always been a crucial factor with my health.

And so... today marks a fresh start.

A revamping of my diet... a cleaning out and re-organizing of the house...

and a re-grouping of my art business.

Course... first I have to get rid of this headache...

(*photo by Elaine A. Russell)

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artwork by Scott Garcia (http://www.hypercanvas.com/)


...today I went to the "Celebrate the Earth Fest" here in ABQ today and it was fabulous!

In a perfect world... I would have been able to be part of it... but it was wonderful to be able to go and see all the great items for sale by vendors, and all the information booths.

I am truly a "hippie" at heart....or whatever that means and implies.

I was born in the 60's.. and even though most of my memories are really of the 70's... I identify more with the whole "peace and love" movement.

I really felt at home at the recycle show.

There were solar companies... herbs... plants....tons of art....ROCKS!!!.... and great music.

I was doubly blessed... to not only be able to go to the show with some great people....but I also got to meet and get re-acquainted with several artists that I greatly admire.

So--- sit back... and I hope you enjoy some photos from the event:

Old New Mexico Birdhouse Company by artist Thomas Hogan

organic coffees brought to you by the Seventh Generation Institute (http://www.seventh-generation.org/)

fabulous artwork by Josie Mohr and daughter Jacque (jmorhstudio.com)

gorgeous rocks, jewelry and beads available at the Kosmic Trading Post

honey and bee products from the Sparrow Hawk Farm (link: here)

this is a close-up of a Tibetan Rug being raffled by the Green Tara Foundation

(http://www.green-tara.org/)

and fabulous Cajun music by Bayou Seco (http://www.bayouseco.com/)


*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Santa Fe Farmer's Market

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

ok. So yesterday I posted about the ride on the RailRunner up to Santa Fe.. the goal being.. to go to the annual Recycle Show there.

But ... whoa... wait a minute. There was also a Farmer's Market going on! Apparently, every Sunday, there is what is called the "Sunday Community Fair" in addition to the Farmer's Market.

So... we are talking .... tons of fresh, organic, local produce... as well as handmade items, soaps, bags, books and more. All around the rail station were booths outside, and then inside this huge warehouse... were tons more of booths. Now.. combine that with street artists, and musicians.... and free samples ??!!

Now you get the idea.

Needless to say, we got a little side-tracked from the Recycle Show and explored here first....

fresh organic Dakon radishes

gorgeous chile ristras

organic apple cider slushies


and fresh, home-made bread

To see more about the market in Santa Fe: http://www.santafefarmersmarket.com/

ABC Wednesday

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

ABC Wednesday is a blog posting with a twist. The host (Mrs. Nesbitt) hails from Great Britain... and there are participants from all over the world. Each week, people focus their post on a letter of the alphabet. They started with the letter "A" --and each week you post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. It is a fun, imaginative exercise... and it is great to see what everyone comes up with. This week's letter is, "O".

Today there were just soooo many choices.... organic, ochre, orange, omnipotent.....olive, opalescent, owl, ozone, ort.....

In the end, my word choice was:
Oratory: Etymology: Middle English oratorie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin oratorium, from Latin orare. Date: 14th century
: a place of prayer; especially : a private or institutional chapel

To go with this word, I decided on photos I took at the Los Poblanos Ranch this weekend. It is a totally organic farm, inn, shop, heritage house, and lands located here in ABQ.
To me.... this garden area is an oratory. It definately feels like a sacred place of prayer to me... enveloped in gorgeous cottonwood trees, falling golden leaves, peaceful winds, and the sound of songbirds.

To see more on this fabulous place: http://www.lospoblanos.com/