Celebrations:
July 11th I had a Live Blood Analysis appointment and I'm still showing dramatic improvement!!!!! A clean bill of health is so close, yet still so far. MUCH less inflammation and toxins, immune system almost 100%, body is digesting the food I eat, and my liver is actually functioning properly again! I still have some liver stress and still show signs of parasites. Grrrrr! The best news was when they said I'm now at "normal people" levels of toxins/inflammation!! Though, we still can’t figure out why I keep getting sick out of the blue - which seemed to happen a LOT this past month.
I was surprised when I returned home later that morning to receive an email saying that I was a winner of a watercolour set from a World Watercolor Month draw! The second year in a row that I won something! I'm still waiting for it to arrive.
I was able to watch the ENTIRE Calgary Stampede rodeo events and chuckwagon races on TV this year!!! That made me very, very happy! The only hiccup was that I was quite sick on the final Sunday so wasn't able to cheer much, while I was lying on the couch, when some of my favourite cowboys won the $50,000 prize.
For years and years, I used to listen to not only Calgary, but the entire World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) race season on the radio. Then they changed radio stations, and I couldn't access them, and then I got sick and mom died, so it's been quite a while since I listened to the races. After Calgary, I checked the options again, on the off chance it would work.
I discovered I could watch the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) races streamed online on their Facebook page! While I've never followed the CPCA, I'm familiar with a number of their drivers because they race in Calgary. I watched Day 1 of the races at Batoche, SK on July 17th - I missed the first 4 heats because I had the time wrong, and they only ran 7 heats (not the 9 I'm used to with Calgary and WPCA) - it was great to see races. Alas, they had tech issues so didn't have coverage for Day 2 and Day 3, and then the final day was cancelled at the last minute due to weather. I was so disappointed after finding a way to keep following the races.
Then I was even more excited when I figured out how to listen (not watch) to the WPCA races for free online!!!! High River, AB races were July 24 - July 27th and I was able to listen to the whole thing! I was in HEAVEN again!!!! And while I've missed the first half of the season, if they don't change anything, I know I can follow next year at the start of the season.
I missed part of Days 1 & 2 races at Strathmore, AB due to unexpected visiting, but was able to listen to the full races on Sunday and holiday Monday. And now I’m enjoying the races at Dawson Creek, BC that started Wednesday and go all weekend.
My niece gave me a set of oil pastels the beginning of August - she needed them for school, and said that they aren't her preferred medium. I've never used oil pastels before, so this will be a bit of an experiment/experience using them.
I published two more comic strips in the paper and posted them online. Both are repeats from last year.
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Recently Completed:
Since the last newsletter...
I completed 5 covered coathangers. I worked on them while I listened to the chuckwagon races final days.
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I still need to set up a dedicated space for my bits and pieces so I can complete more mini collages on 4.5x6 mixed media paper.
In Beth's Garden & Yard:
Sigh, weeding...who is weeding? Not me!! That's not "quite" true, I am pulling the odd as-high-as-my-knees weed when I'm outside. I do need to get weeds pulled so they don’t choke out the plants I want to grow!
My neighbour was back on July 15th, and not only mowed/trimmed in my yard again, but also took out a rogue maple tree that was growing between my garbage box and the fence in the back. I managed to get very badly sunburnt that day as I ended up visiting with neighbours outside on the sidewalk - over 3 hours total! What you can't see is that the sunburn went all the way down both arms and behind my neck. It was sure PAINFUL!
We received 1/2 inch rain on July 14, 1/4 inch on July 18, 3/4 inch on July 19, 1/2 inch on July 20, 3/4 inch on July 21st, and 1/8th inch on July 22nd! We need every drop that falls, soaks in, and then some.
I was out on July 23rd and spent an hour and a half picking raspberries. Only ended up with 8 cups because I probably tossed that many because they were rotten. Grrrr! Would be easier if I was able to pick more than once a week. Thankfully, I was out again on July 25th and picked another 6 cups of berries. I prepped the 6 cups, with 6 cups from Wednesday's picking, for juice. I went out and picked all my rhubarb - 2nd picking was much better than the first and I ended up with quite a large armload! I cut it up and stuck it in the fridge as I couldn't prep for juice till I finished making the raspberry juice as I only have one very large pot.
Later on the 25th, my neighbour showed up to mow my lawn - as it hadn’t been that long since it was mowed, I had him prune dead branches out of my Nanking cherry bush instead so I could get to the berries growing on the trunk and not the branches! While he was doing that, I dug a handful of baby potatoes, picked 4 small onions, some peas, and 2 cups of cherries (early this year!).
My niece showed up on July 26th and had a few minutes to spare me, so I had her haul ALL of the plant pots out of the garage - that was going to be done BEFORE I planted the garden this year as the collection needs thinned down - so I could see what I actually have. I also had her collect all the large rocks I've gathered over the past 2 years out of the vehicles and put in the back so I can use them to fix areas of the labyrinth border that need some TLC.
July 29th I picked 6 cups of raspberries in 1 hr 10 mins - gave to Sis. I also spent half an hour picking a bunch of nasturtium leaves and peas. I wish I had planted more peas, though I'm very thankful for every plant that did come up and is producing. I wanted to go back out as some of my plants are disappearing in the jungle of weeds, but I felt too tired after the harvesting to do any weeding.
I was outside on Aug. 2nd and picked 4 cups of raspberries in 45 mins. I then spent another 45(ish) mins picking 4 cups of cherries and some peas.
Despite the heat and humidity, there was a lovely breeze the morning of Aug. 3rd, so I headed out at 6:20 AM and spent 1.5 hrs weeding - yes, WEEDING...yes, ME! - in the garden, and that was probably an hour longer than I should have stayed out as my body really wasn't happy afterwards.
I can literally count on one hand the number of carrots that came up in the 3rd section where I planted a whole package of seeds! I still don't know how many carrots came up in the other 2 sections yet, but it certainly won't be a bumper crop this year by any means. While not all of my beets came up, I'm pleased that they are doing better than I thought, and better than last year, especially since I planted some extra ones for a friend. My pattypan squash plant is barely 2 inches tall, as it's been for a few weeks, so I doubt I'll get anything squash this year. After lunch it starting pounding rain so I'm glad I got the weeds pulled that I did. We received 1/2 inch.
I made it outside for 2 hr 20 mins on Aug. 6th. I picked the last of the cherries (2 cups - gave to Sis), the last of the raspberries (2 cups and thinned out the canes), peas (they are almost done for the year, but not quite), cherry tomatoes (also almost done), 7 peppers (most of my peppers rotted this year!), and dug a dozen baby potatoes from the planter.
In Beth's Kitchen:
In the fresh produce I was gifted in early July, I also received a pineapple, which I cut up on July 10th, and baked half with butter and cinnamon. Yummy!
On July 18th, I made just shy of 18 cups of raspberry juice (plus I'd tossed in the couple dozen Nanking cherries, though I’m sure it didn’t impact the flavour). While I have made juice with other fruits and berries from my yard, this is the first time I've made raspberry juice. Normally I freeze my raspberries, however, I still have lots in the freezer from last year’s big crop, so decided I’d make juice this year.
Later that day, I went out and picked 13 cups of raspberries, which I prepped for juice - I also tossed in 3/4 cup of Nanking cherries and 3 small apples, just because I had them. On July 21st, I made just shy of 28 cups of juice.
I saw a recipe for Oregano, Baby tomato & Cheddar Clafoutis in a book I was reading recently, and since I had fresh cherry tomatoes and fresh oregano, I decided to try it on July 22nd. The only other time I tried making Clafoutis was about 10 years ago - it was a gluten-free version - and it was an EPIC fail, so I was a wee bit concerned this time, but as I used regular flour, I figured it couldn't turn out that bad. I used chocolate milk - as it's what I have - and instead of a bit of Parmesan, as called for, I used some Gouda cheese as I had some on hand. Well, it wasn't an epic fail, but it also wasn't a resounding success (smelt great though!) - I either needed larger tomatoes or else a larger pie plate?? It tasted amazing so worth making again!
July 25th, I was craving cinnamon buns so made up a batch - I added dried orange, the diced dried banana again, and I added chocolate chips - just because. I think I sliced them too thin??
On July 27th, I made a quart of chia juice with the final jar of rhubarb juice from last year. And, I FINALLY found my package of raisins!!!!!!!!!! It was behind some jars in the basement fridge. I KNEW I had a new package, and I was right.
July 28th, I made 26 cups of raspberry juice. I don't know why I haven't tried this before as it's so yummy! (And no added sugar) As soon as my large stainless steel pot was emptied and washed, I tossed in the cut rhubarb to prep for juice.
As it was a paper delivery week, I didn't finish making the rhubarb juice till Aug. 1st. Heat warning most of the week, so I was up very early to get the juice made. I ended up with 26 cups & a bit. The same day, I made another Oregano tomato cheddar clafoutis - I used 2% milk and Gouda again, plus I added some turnip and some nasturtium leaves as I had them - this one turned out much better! The flavour was amazing!
As I had just the right amount of 2% milk left, and the garden produce picked, I made another oregano tomato cheese clafoutis on Aug. 6th - I also added peppers, nasturtium leaves, garlic chives, some peas, and the Gouda cheese again. YUMMY! I really like how quick this recipe is to make, and how I can easily adapt it with whatever I have on hand.
Jigsaw Puzzles:
Since my last letter, I completed a 1,000 piece puzzle
UFO (UnFinished Object) Update:
There is still lots that needs done outside (and inside), yet it feels like it's more manageable, or I'm just really good at ignoring it all right now.
I finished reading the 4 Erma Bombeck books - a fun trip down memory lane, and now I can pass them on so that's another item out of the basement.
Courses and Challenges (free and paid):
Era of Dreamers (free) with Maria Aleandra and Sage Adderley: I've been adding to my various themed pages in my journal.
Deanne Fitzpatrick's (paid) Playful Joyful Rug Hooking beginner course: for the second burlap runner, I went bigger! I finished the hooking part on a 5x7 rug on July 25th - turned one of my whimsical characters into a rug.
The end of July, I found a Rubbermaid tote full of yarn in the basement that I forgot I had. Bonus!! That gives me more colours, and more options, for future rugs (and crochet food)!
I'm participating in Deanne's 10 mins/day hooking challenge that started on June 15th. I only missed 2 days so far - I was too sick to do anything, let alone hook those 2 days.
Lou Reed's free Manifesting Extraordinary year-long energy course: I am still waiting to hear more about the new course, including when it starts!
Amanda Sophia's free mini Divine Woman Awakening course (Celtic Wheel of the Year): Lughnasadh started on August 1st. This is the first harvest festival of the year so it's fitting that I'm bringing in garden produce and fruits from my yard.
In Demi Fox’s Morgan Le Fay Wheel of the Year, Lughnasadh is the time of the Great Mother where we really connect to the earth as our support and sustenance - another way of looking at the harvest season.
Kiala Givehand’s 7 Books in 7 Days course: I still have ideas for books I want to make.
Physical Activity:
Rebounder: As I've been more active outside with the garden and watering, I'm okay with only doing a 1 min/day.
Chakradance: While my plan was to keep going with this practice, I am going to let it go for now.
"Mystery activity” I have done a little bit EVERY day for just over 49 weeks!!!!!!!!! OH! MY! GOSH!
Works in progress:
Currently, I'm working on...
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- 13 inch round mandala acrylic painting - stalled right now.
- Era of the Dreamers journal - I usually do something in it every day
- painting (18-20?) ceramic Easter egg people from Gramma's craft kits (acrylics) - stalled right now
- started a UFO crochet project (not food) - will be interesting, and a bit of a challenge, as the yarn is so dark!
A good friend was surprised to hear that I had never watched the TV series "Yellowstone" and highly recommended it. I borrowed the Season 1 DVD set from the library, and so far have watched 2 episodes.
Featured Products for Sale:
I have inspirational card decks, journals, chapbooks, musical CD's and more for sale that would make gifts. Please contact me at thechautauqua@gmail.com or phone 403-352-3837 to make a purchase. Or visit 4910 47 St, in Mirror, AB. Items are also available for sale at Amy’s Bakery on Main Street in Delburne, AB.
Upcoming Projects:
- I offer $50 Distance Reiki/Energy Healing sessions. I’ve been an Kundalini Reiki Master since 2023. Energy healing works great from any distance and I've sent Reiki healing as far away as Queensland, Australia. Please, contact me to set up your healing session.
"I have been suffering with Long COVID for over a year and have tried every healing modality in the book to get my energy back. Beth has been gifting me with healing Reiki energy for quite some time now and I have, for the first time in over a year, started to feel like myself again. Much of my weakness has dissipated, and the dark cloud that I have been stewing under has lifted. Thank you Beth. ♥️" - Carla, Esthetician, Nova Scotia
Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to share with anyone you think might enjoy it.
Beth
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