winter, toothlessness and more
Rose is having a bit of tooth situation.
Winter is here, starring in 11F mornings and trees decorated with chickadees instead of leaves. Night shows up sooner than anyone expected, dragging its icy shadows across the yard. The chickens are bewildered every morning to find their water frozen and frost offensively glazed across the grass. Inside, we gawk at the snow on the mountains, at the sun bursting through the southern windows, at another morning launched with the gift of coffee and each other.
Some things I want you to know:
1) Have you seen the new, beautiful website Annapurna Living? (For those of you who grew up in Berkeley, Annapurna is not simply a shop that will sell 14-year olds pipes, but a “symbol of the divinity of nourishing care.”) I wrote a piece for them about how we eat, which is mostly true. Family Meals with Intention.
2) This will be of interest to approximately four of you (Listen up Terry, Mindi, Chris and…OK three of you). Dan and I decided to do an experiment with the deer/elk fat we’ve always trimmed away because of claims that it carries a gamey flavor. We ground some deer fat up with the meat, fried it into a little burger and couldn’t discern it from the beef or pork fat we usually use. This qualifies as highly exciting. (Thanks Jennifer S. for the nudge).
3) I am teaching a class on Mindful Parenting through the Holidays, which is a big throne to sit upon. But, here’s the thing about teaching, you get to study what you teach. I have a lot of ideas about how to reform and revolutionize the holidays, to remake the craziness into something that feels good. The class is part of Inhabit’s free lunch and learn series. Friday, December 5th. 12-1.
4) Save the date! Next yoga/writing retreat will be 1/23/15 – 1/25/15.
5) I’m currently teaching creative writing to middle schoolers (3 of my students are taller than me, and if they keep writing will all be better writers than me quite soon). Firstly, I want to share that middle schoolers are not scary…giggly perhaps, but also kind and supportive and insightful. Secondly, if you’re interested in your child (ages 9-14) taking a writing class with me in the new year, e-mail me. I’m putting together spring classes and would love to accommodate your child.
6) The remedy for winter in a mug.
7) Dan’s going to be teaching a very informal class on hide-tanning sometime in December. Almost more of a Bring Your Questions type workshop. Details likely to come, but if you’re interested e-mail me. (Lacey Jean, wish we could Skype you into the class).
The kids busted liking each other.
Have a super great Thanksgiving week if I don’t see you before then,
Rachel
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Well, that is interesting about the deer fat. The chickens may be disappointed in the future, they love it.
I know, bad news for the chickens.
The toothy grin ROCKS! So cute. I wished I lived near to participate in some of these classes you and your hubs teach. They sound so fun. Love your blog!
Once again wishing I lived closer. Would love to be at your writing/yoga retreat.
Is there any way to get the info from the mindful parenting through the holidays class for people who aren’t lucky enough to live in your corner of Colorado? I’d love to learn about this from you!!!
tragic. all those miles between me and those classes you teach.
I agree with everyone else, I would LOVE to take some classes from you, but oh, the miles! Do you know anyone with video skills and equipment with whom you might barter an exchange? Someone to video your classes in exchange for some resume/cover letter writing sessions? Babysitting? Dog walking? Maybe the library would host a class or two and video it to post on YouTube? I’d be happy to contribute. I know it needs to come together organically. Just putting it out there and hoping karma will make it happen. :-)
The deer/elk fat thing has never been about flavor for us, but the weird sticky texture when you eat it. It seems like the fat is solid at a lower temperture, and solidifies on your teeth. Like when you try to eat the ribs, which we have tried to do a number of times. Bleh. Ground, no problem.
We call it the rib lip balm. :)
I’m getting caught up on your posts – and I second all the calls for those of us who are far away who’d love to take your classes. Actually, I’m wondering about the middle school writing classes. And wondering if maybe they could be offered when said middle schoolers have more time – like say, summer? Just a thought.