Monthly Archives: February 2007

“GOOD JOB, MOMMY!!”

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That’s what Kaia screamed into the phone when I called her on the way home from the college. I had a total blast teaching at AB Tech. on Tuesday night! There were ~60 people there to learn about Ginger, Saw Palmetto, and Valerian! I never thought I would be teaching, much less to this number of people! I was nervous all day, but when I got there, I felt cool, calm, and collected (maybe it was all the valerian in my tea :-) ) There were men and women from 20 to 80 years old. They asked lots questioned, seemed genuinely interested, and they laughed at all my jokes! I made this kick-ass power point presentation too! And here’s the best part: I actually got paid well!! That’s almost unheard of for an herbalist :-) When the coordinator said, “do you think this is fair compensation?” I had to completely contain myself so I could get out “yes, that seems fair” before hanging up the phone and dancing around the room! WOW! Now, I know that money isn’t everything, but it sure is nice to be compensated for all the work I have done!

Our chickens are still laying up a storm! 4 to 5 eggs a day from 6 chickens. The funny thing is that we always get equal amounts of blue to brown eggs… we have 2 blue layers and 4 brown layers! Hmmm…

House stuff is going well. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have lights in the house!! I’ve even felt a little like cooking again (I lost all interest in cooking when we moved into the little house with the 4×2 kitchen). Toby should have all the block laid today. Then the foundation process starts (gravel, plumbing, laying radiant floor tubes, pouring the concrete, etc…) Very Exciting!

Rejoice and Sing!

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Guess what I did yesterday???

I made Bread!!

With my Bread machine!

Which requires electricity!!

OH YEAHH!!

We have electricity! After 10 months living without electricity, we are finally wired up! (not to solar, unfortunately. But we will get there!) We have a pole out at the new house site so that we can run our electric tools and equipment. So, Toby wired the cabin for a few lights and outlets! It’s so nice only having to pull a string to turn the lights on! I can’t tell you how many times in the last 10 months I have mumbled to myself (or screamed out loud) “I am not a fucking pioneer!!” It’s amazing how different the house feels with lights (and the smell of bread baking)! Very exciting!!

Toby begins laying the block for some of the exterior (underground) walls tomorrow! We are expecting 50 and 60 degree weather this week!!

Grand Opening was grand!

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Whew!! Finally done, and I’m beat! Friday, we had a Ribbon Cutting with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and about a dozen people showed. Then Saturday, we had our official grand opening and lots of people came. I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I finally sat down and felt my feet pounding. But, it all went fantastic. Everyone gave great reviews of the place and were amazed at what we have done so far. It feels really good in here!

lots of pictures to follow Continue reading →

Weekly Herb Review #23 – Valerian

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‘Men who begin to fight and when you wish to stop them, give to them the juice of Amantilla id est Valeriana and peace will be made immediately.’ – Annonymus, 14th Century

Common Names: Valerian (all-heal, set-well, English valerian, Belgian valerian, common valerian, German valerian, wild valerian, heliotrope, garden heliotrope, fragrant valerian, vandal root, phu (Galen), amantilla, capon’s tail)

Scientific Name: Valeriana officinalis

Family: Valerianaceae Continue reading →

Prof. Maria

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Thanks everyone, for your concern about Kaia. She is totally fine! She was over and done with her fever within 24 hours and asking to go back to school! Her immune system is amazing! I’m really liking Boneset, by the way, for how quickly it seems to help with cold/flu-y symptoms.

House-wise, we have the new footings poured… 30 feet from the old one. We have all the concrete blocks ready to go (north side wall), but the ground has been frozen, so we are on hold until it warms up a little.

Hey, I’ve been asked to start teaching at the local community college! Well, I’m covering a class for another herbalist, but that’s a start right? Asheville-Buncombe Technical College has community classes about herbs, and will soon have Continuing Education classes for nurses (herb related). Right now, I’m going to do a 2 hour Materia Medica class covering Valerian, Ginger, and Saw Palmetto (3 of the top 10 selling herbs). And I am helping to set up the CE classes. Pay is nice too! :-)

So, tomorrow is my birthday! Toby’s mom took Kaia to play for the weekend. So, tonight, Toby and I are heading to the local hot springs for a soak. Tomorrow, I get a day at the spa, followed by a nice diner and maybe a movie!!! Wooohoooo!