Sustainability: Where Are You?

Striving for sustainability is a continuing process. We are surrounded with disposable non-necessities, and purging these things is a process. It takes a long time to shape our environment. Don't think you need to do it all at once. Try taking one step at a time to eliminate unnecessary items, add reusable items, and buy staples from your local area. You may find that goods are more expensive than you were paying before. This is a good time to consider prioritizing. What local business are you willing to support?

Ohio is still Green!

If you thought Ohio is nothing but gray until March - look again! There are all kinds of little pretty splotches of color out there. Keep looking for the subtle spots of brightness in your day.

Sweet Honey Floweth

This trio is from Mockingbird Meadows, a Marysville farm that produces aritsanal infused honey in delicious gourmet flavors like Lavander, Ginger, and Sage. The farm makes the honey from a solar based system using fresh herbs and infused for a number of months. What a wonderful Ohio business, I hope to see more from them.

Homemade Flavored Vinegars

Flavored vinegars are easy to make and are great gifts. Slice up orange peel and add apple cider vinegar through a funnel. Or try julienned fresh yellow onions in white vinegar. Add a bow and you have a nice, inexpensive gift.

Gorgeous Cider Moon Yarns

I found this beautiful Ohio Merino wool at the Knitters Mercantile. It's from Cider Moon, a small local company started by two women with a shared passion for fibers. Their hand-dyed color combinations knit up wonderfully. This yarn is called June Carter and is a perfect compliment to Johnny Cash. More to come on the hat I'm knitting from this yarn.

Mindful Giftwraping

The best gift we can give ourselves is time. Give yourself some time to relax this season by being in the present moment. When you are mindful - you are living! Think of ways to be present during the holidays. Notice when something wonderful is happening! Realize when you are stressed out, and be part of that moment, too.

Gift wrapping is an excellent time to experience mindfulness. Take a deep breath. Look at the wrapping paper. Enjoy the anticipation of giving. Instead of cursing the last minute things, see if you can give yourself a break and put a little extra love in the season.