The (Big) Kid in Me

 

A teeny-tiny vignette from one of two terrariums I will eventually get around to showing you.

You may recall I made a total of four last summer and had profiled two at the time. Here & here.

I was recently given the Leibster award by Rachael over at Letters from a Mermaid. Although I do appreciate it, I'm not going to follow through on all the requirements of the award - instead I thought I'd just share one random secret about myself with you:

I'm still a big kid!

(and suspect many of you are as well :)

To get myself through the winter, I tend to read and watch a lot of movies. After sci-fi and fantasy, my favourite genre is the Children/Young Adults section. Whenever I find myself at Goodwill (which is quite often) a certain portion of my time there is spent perusing the kid's books.

         

I've either recently read, am reading or plan to read the above.

I've watched these movies in the past few weeks and each was a visual delight. 

I think it's important remain childlike (though not childish ;) throughout our lives. Children's literature and movies help me to stay in touch with the magical, whimsical and fantastical possibilities in life as seen through more innocent, wondering eyes. 

Terrariums: Tiny Worlds 2

Any clear glass container (plastic can also be used) with or without a lid can house a terrarium (it all depends on the plants you are using - ie: succulents cannot be grown in a closed environment) Bright light is best - but never direct sunlight! 

The first few terrariums I built had to be taken apart and redone with all new materials (save the decorative elements, which I scrubbed off with soap and water) because I introduced too much moisture into them right from the onset and they were quickly overrun by mold - the terrarium's mortal enemy.

After further research, I rebuilt from the base upwards using:

1. a layer of rocks for drainage, (the dollar store)
2. one inch of activated carbon (you'll find this where they sell fish & aquariums) - this helps filter decaying plant matter,
3. layer of dry sphagnum moss (stops soil from falling through to the rocks below and allows you to 'sculpt' your terrain)
4. approximately two inches of prepared all-purpose potting soil (don't use dirt from outside!)
5. plants which I'd trimmed right down, removing most of the roots and dirt surrounding them,
6. decorative elements,
7. a few ounces of water (preferably not tap water) sparingly applied and a few good mists of water.

There are many very good websites that will assist you further in all areas of terrarium building - in particular, achieving the right balance of moisture. The ultimate goal is to have to water/prune only every few weeks or months in many cases. Here's a great one-page resource I've bookmarked.

Many of the rocks I used were collected by my children more than fifteen years ago, when we lived in Peace River. As well, the merino glass piece behind the couple on the bench was a pendant that fell (& chipped) a few years ago. Terrariums provide the perfect opportunity to dust off and display those cherished items that have been languishing in a cupboard or drawer in your home.

The little people were purchased at a hobby store which caters to miniature railroad enthusiasts. Everywhere I go now, I find myself keeping an eye out for interesting objects that could possibly be used in my next terrarium. 

Terrariums: Tiny Worlds

When I should have been outside the past few months... weeding (!) I've been inside instead - making terrariums. This is a hobby my daughter introduced me to and it has fast become my (latest :) obsession.  

Anyone who's followed this blog knows how much I adore all things teeny-tiny. I also love gardening. Terrariums are the perfect melding of these two interests - and they serve to indulge my creative side. As well, they are a beautiful addition to any home. I keep this mermaid on my dining room table.

I've made 4 terrariums so far (which I will showcase over the next few posts), with more planned - I really think I need one in every room of my home, hehe!  I've been holding off posting them for a few weeks now because I wanted to make sure they were going to survive before showing them to you.

All sides of your terrarium should be visually pleasing - I've continued this seaside theme all around with pretty shells and rocks. There are three plants and two patches of moss growing in this one. 

The first recorded terrarium was 'discovered' quite by accident in 1829. From that point forward, their popularity has ebbed and flowed - they were very big in the 60's & 70's, but again fell by the wayside for a few decades, only making a huge comeback in the past number of years. 

If you are interested, the internet has many very good websites devoted to this pastime. As well, there are several books you can buy. Over the next three postings, I will delve further into how a terrarium is constructed, where you can source out the materials needed and a few mistakes to avoid.

I'm Moving!

I thought I'd take you on a tour of my future new home, lol!!

My sister made this most adorable fairy house for my niece Brooke (she's three :)

Where there are mushrooms, there are fairies...

A fairy door... the portal to enchantment... !

Will you join us for lunch?

We Begin Our Tour

Sometimes I wish I could be the 'Curator of All Things Miniature' :)

Monday Greetings! I trust your weekend was enjoyable. We had lovely weather and I spent a lot of time outside tending to my garden (mostly weeding) and reading in my garden shed (aka my 'summer office') - I was so relaxed, I even nodded off a few times - and that rarely happens to me during the day. I'm currently re-reading The Republic of Nothing (winner of the Dartmouth Book Award) by Lesley Choyce. It's a humorous, cozy story, set on mythical Whalebone Island, aka the 'Republic of Nothing', just off the coast of Nova Scotia and is chock full of some of the most wonderfully eccentric characters ever assembled into one book. The link above leads to a good brief synopsis.

As promised, here are more travel pics from our time in New Zealand. Our first morning there, we hauled ourselves out of bed (the hotel we stayed at was only a few hundred feet from the Rotorua Lake harbour front) and went for a long walk along the beach. My new header pic was taken that same morning.

Rotorua has an abundance of walking paths throughout the city. In all of their literature, and also posted along the walkways, is the reminder to keep to the tracks at all times, due to the geothermal nature of the area. We saw numerous mud pools and steam vents along the perimeter of the lake that were cordoned off. 

It was very lush and we heard a lot of beautiful, unfamiliar bird songs.

This is Mokoia Island, a rhyolite lava dome.

It's famous for the tale of Hinemoa and Tutanekai, an old local love story. 

Sulphur rock sparkling in the sun.

On Friday, I plan to share with you an exciting speed boat ride we took to the base of Huka Falls and a lizard some experts believe predates the dinosaurs that's born with an extra something you'll just have to see to believe... Also, I'll be announcing the June recipient of the 'Whoo Loves Ya Baby' award - and you can all breathe a sigh of reief as we say bid a fond farewell to the monthly caption contest - it's enough that you visit... you no longer need to be funny as well!

Extreme Downsizing

The Small (aka Tiny) House Movement is getting huge!

A word of warning: this is going to be a big post... thankfully now that I'm down to posting only once a week, you have the luxury of returning again throughout the week if you don't have the time to look at everything the first time.

I have been fascinated by people who live in smaller spaces, either by necessity or choice, for quite some time now. Last April (almost to the day) I profiled a woman who lived in a very tiny Manhattan apartment. I was totally transfixed by the cuteness - and challenges - of her lifestyle. Last Thursday I happened to stumble across this interesting article in the Huffington Post, and then when a good friend forwarded me a very cool page she'd found in Bing Images, I figured it must be time for another look!

The past number of years have seen houses get progressively larger and larger, with the average new home somewhere in the mid-2,000 square foot range. Tiny homes are generally anywhere from 90 to 400 square feet! There are a multitude of reasons why people are choosing smaller homes; some are attracted to the mobile lifestyle, since many are built on trailer beds, while others like the idea of owning a home, but without the mortgage payments and upkeep of a traditional house. Some are drawn to the physical and philosophical freedom fewer possessions afford; these are the people who most intrigue me. Below are three videos that I hope you can find the time to watch over the next week. I think the tiny house movement has the makings for a great reality tv-series (even though I generally despise this genre).

When you have the time, this ten-minute profile is worth watching.
Fascinating to say the least.

The Japanese are renowned for maximizing space, while still retaining beauty.

Given it's size constraints, this house is astounding.

You will be amazed by what is packed into the wall to his left!

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Also, it's time to announce our latest contest winners! Along my side-bar is this month's recipient of the Whoo Loves Ya Baby! award. Congratulations to Diane from Always Crave Cute "A Blog About Crafting, Cute Things and More..."!! Cute doesn't begin the describe Diane's blog - adorable, darling and precious are a few of the words I'd use to describe the things Diane shares with us. If you haven't already, I encourage you to stop by and perhaps become a new follower - you'll probably need to visit the dentist after a few visits, she's so darn sweet, but it'll have been worth it :)

As well, the winner of the March caption contest is Martha from Plowing Through Life! She has earned the coveted (lol!) spot along my sidebar for April and a little surprise winging her way via Canada Post. Thanks for your rocking line Martha and thanks to everyone who participated - all your submissions were great, but alas there can only be one winner. Check out the April Caption Contest page (under my header) for this month's quip-provoking pic :)

Have a great day and try to find some time to visit your local thrift store this week.
Who knows, you might find an original Picasso print for $14, like this guy! 

Fairy Soup

I bought a Garden Fairy on Friday! 

Till spring arrives, I've assigned her the task of chasing off all the dust bunnies.

When she gets hungry, I have the perfect dish for her...

Cauliflower and Red Lentil Soup :)

We eat a LOT of soup in this house - here's one I put together on Thursday evening. I make this quite often because it's very nutritious, fast, easy and I almost always have these ingredients on hand. 

2-3 teaspoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, sliced

2 carrots, sliced

1-2 cloves garlic, minced (I use 2)

1 red jalapeno, seeded and minced (I use red pepper flakes - about 1/2 tsp)

4 cups cauliflower florets (break these apart as small as you can)

1/2 cup dry whole red lentils, sorted and rinsed

1 small bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (I use 1 tsp)

1/2 tsp curry powder

pinch of allspice

6 cups vegetable broth (I often use 1/2 veg & 1/2 chicken)

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (the cherry on top, but optional - good with or without)

Saute onion, celery and carrot until very lightly browned. Add garlic, pepper (jalapeno or flakes) and spices; saute until fragrant. Add lentils, bay leaf and broth; cover and simmer about 25-30 minutes. Add cauliflower, cover, simmer until tender. Remove bay leaf. Stir in coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

I suggest doubling (or even tripling) this recipe as it doesn't make a whole lot; the pot will be empty before you know it and you'll be wanting MORE!

Being Otherworldly

I stumbled across this fantastic list lately, printed it off and now keep it where I see it on a daily basis.

Today, I'm practicing #5.

The gardeners from yesterday are of course... the fairies :) And what could be more adorable 

than a fairy house! Did you know there are entire websites devoted to this passion?

Thanks goodness, you might just need a door for your fairy house.

This is the one I'd choose!

or some enchanted stepping-stones...

Tee hee!

Create your own, utilizing the natural materials that surround you.

Or go all the way and build the next best thing to a fairy house: a treehouse for adults :)

This is so cool.