Things to consider when you open your wallet for charity

Another thing YOU can do to help in Haiti:
Consider sending a check instead of using your credit card.

We know Haiti has been devastated by a massive earthquake and citizens around the world feel helpless. Americans are among those opening their generous hearts and their wallets to help. We are putting our talent up for auction to raise even more funds. But I am appalled (not surprised but truly appalled) that our credit card companies are using this disaster as an opportunity to turn a profit.

Every time Americans use their credit card to make a charitable contribution, credit card companies keep as much as 3% for processing and transaction fees. I find this outrageous especially in the time of a disaster on the scale of what Haiti is experiencing.

Instead of using the convenience of your credit card – take a few moments to look up the correct name and address of the charity you are supporting. Mailing a check is not really difficult, and the entire amount can be fully appreciated by the organization you support.  ***When mailing a check, be sure to include your name and address to ensure correct preparation of your receipt for tax purposes.***

(Go to the end of this post for address and contact information -in no particular order- of several deserving popular charities.)

Take another moment and consider who best uses the hard earned money you are willingly parting with:

• Which organizations are on the ground NOW and already setup with personnel in Haiti
• Which organization has the better track record
• Which organizations have high administrative costs, and which operate lean but efficiently

Will you join me? I just signed a petition to the CEOs of all the big credit card companies telling them they need to refund this fee for all the donations to aid organizations working in Haiti and get rid of the fee for all charitable contributions going forward. I have heard that one credit card company is attempting to deflect public concerns by stating they will waive processing fees for up to 6 weeks for some charities. I do not think the credit card companies have gone far enough. A group of 19 of the world’s major lenders has pledged to forgive Haiti’s foreign debt obligations – I think credit card companies can adopt a similar spirit regarding collecting fees for charitable contributions. Will you join me?
http://pol.moveon.org/nofees/?r_by=18607-6690173-QR6Meax&rc=comment_paste

____________________________________________________

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/

Call toll-free number at 1-888-392-0392 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

By mail:
Doctors Without Borders USA
PO Box 5030

Hagerstown, MD 21741

____________________________________________________

http://www.oxfam.org/en/contact

Chair Janet McKinley  -  Director Raymond Offenheiser

www.oxfamamerica.org

226 Causeway Street  5th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts USA           02114-2206

(Toll-free 1-800-77-OXFAM)

Email:     info@oxfamamerica.org

____________________________________________________

http://www.mercycorps.org/

www.mercycorps.org

45  SW Ankeny Street
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 896-5000

____________________________________________________

American Red Cross
PO Box 4002018
Des Moines, IA 50340-2018

When mailing a check, please indicate your designation on the check’s memo line, such as Haiti Relief and Development.

Thanks!

 

Home Economy – making more from less starts in the kitchen

Lately I have been thinking a lot about all the resource that surrounds me.  I also feel guilty that my 6.5 acres, which is now inside city limits, is not currently as productive as I would like it to be. I also have been reading an old paper  folder filled with notes from a class I taught long ago. The theme was to collect and share ideas on how to eat very well while consuming less of the planets limited food resources. As I refresh old ideas I find they are still timely, especially in our current world state. Making more from less may not be fashionable, but it should never be out of style. The class was meant to be one path in the journey of looking for ways that grow out of  tradition and assist us in living joyful simpler lives.

The quickest changes can be seen and felt by starting in the kitchen. You soon note there is more food on the table and more money in your pocket.  If your family, and mine, ate better, we would spend less on prepared food and be healthier, as well as wiser. People who make the effort to eat more responsibly enjoy the side effect of enjoying their food more, while eating less. Less expensive protein rich recipes are usually low fat, low cost, and low sugar. And your children will absorb these new values to carry with them throughout their lifetimes. I am not referring to raising a big organic garden and canning all your own food. Sure, I would encourage anyone to consider doing that too – it is easier than you think. But my class shared how to adapt recipes and meals to add nutritional value, color, and variety. This is also easier than you think.

Years ago a friend of mine was in transition and she spent a year with me at the cottage farmhouse. She had raised two great daughters so it never occurred to me that my friend dished up prepared food and was not into the same language of cooking that I knew. She would toss open the refrigerator door and just stand there looking everything over. Then the door would shut and she would announce that we needed to go food shopping. I would open the door, take out a few staple items, open the pantry and add an item or two, then I’d whip up a meal. No, it rarely had a name. I seldom follow a recipe. After Mrs. Exley’s home economic high school classes, I didn’t even know this wasn’t how most people cooked and ate. My friend now is a wonderful creative cook, and she laughs as she tells her guests about observing me in my kitchen that year, “She could just pull food out of thin air and make it delicious too!”

I plan to re-organize my tested ideas and information, and will begin to share more of it here. Perhaps I will need to create a separate blog just for these recipes and ideas.

Until then, listen to this video and let it open your mind. Dear friends, you can begin the process of thinking pro-food (with or without me) to condition yourself to re-think your ways and reshape your life:

 

Patrick Dougherty’s amazing stick art sculptures

It is exciting for me to see Patrick Dougherty’s art ~ natural sculptures formed by interweaving saplings, branches and sticks into imaginative architectural shapes that rival any good whimsical fairytale illustration. His work adds dimension, strength, and beauty, to what Nature has already given her best to. Those of you fortunate enough to be in Pennsylvania can get up close and personal with Dougherty’s art by visiting an intricate installation at The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, (seen below).

Some people do not understand this type of art. But it speaks to me intimately. I have enjoyed countless hours making primitive versions of similar work to Dougherty’s creations. Several years ago I tackled a grapevine that was trying to grow to the top of an old growth fir. All the Tarzan’s of the world must have cringed! Some sections of the vine were thicker than my upper arm. Cutting it into long sections allowed me to pull the vine up the hill to my cottage. After constructing a stick teepee about 9 feet high, I began the long process of weaving the grapevines throughout the form. Before long it looked like a Christmas tree so I wove wreaths from branches and roots and placed ten of them on the “tree” along with a star on top. White lights were added and I loved it. Many others loved it too, but a handful of brave folks admitted they just couldn’t understand why I would make a tree out of dead things. Of course I can not compare my tree to Patrick Dougherty’s artistry,  except that it too was only a temporary installation. It was strong enough to stay around 3 winters before it became a leaner beyond repair.

Dougherty’s work makes me wonder what I could create with a team of understanding volunteers!

View and learn more about Patrick’s fascinating creations;      http://www.stickwork.net/installations.php
He also has a beautiful catalog of his work available on his website.

 

Changes start with ourselves -Being the change you want to see

At our house we work to wrap minds around being the change we want to see. We freely remind each other that we have the power to make our lives richer and at the same time make the world a better place, albeit we each take different courses of action to accomplish this. Today while perusing twitter I followed a youtube link and was excited to see this simple beautiful message:

I love the re-purposed cardboard signs in this video. I am thinking about making 7 signs and posting a different one for each day of the week. I will keep you posted on the response I get. What changes are you going to make?

 

Finding Peace by Making War is not the Answer

Bloggers will unite today in a global cry for peace.

A photograph can speak louder than words.

 

http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/blogblast-for-peace-dona-nobis-pacem

 

Grizzly Bear Cub Poses for the Camera while Mom watches

I had been snowed in for a few extra days while in Kantishna Alaska (90 miles interior Denali) and we were attempting driving out between storms. While rounding an outside curve suddenly this Grizzly momma bear and her cub pulled themselves up into the road just mere feet in front of us. We figured the cub was about 2 or 3 days out of the den. We were its first car/humans and as we screeched trying to halt and stay on road, the baby actually stood on its hind legs and threw its front legs straight into the air shaking paws very fist like and it squealed! The mom ignored everyone/everything (thank god) and lumbered a few feet away to dig roots. I missed the standing 2 legged shot because I was too in the moment of it all, shaking and laughing at the baby’s surprise.

Then it began to snow hard and they melted away into the vast whiteness . . .

See more images of this mom and her curious cub at http://www.belladaze.etsy.com

I wish all Americans could share this experience. It gives you a special awareness about the need to balance all things, and to live and let live.

Beyond my bear encounter:       Here you can see into the den of a bear about to give birth! I hope I am veiwing when it happens.
Will Lily have cubs today (January 22, 2010)? Live Lily Bear Den Cam has created a lot of interest in bears! http://www.bear.org/website/visit-us/lily-den-cam.html

My Bear Photo UPDATE:

Recently two different etsy artisans have selected my bear photos to be included in their etsy treasury lists! Wow, I am so appreciative to have my work featured this way. (I was honored by one who is also a photographer.) So next time you visit etsy.com be sure to look at the shops owned by SewnNatural and milemarker. I like their talents as much as they like mine.

http://www.SewnNatural.etsy.com

http:www.milemarker.etsy.com

 

A Surprise Gift Package arrived from an Etsy Artisan yesterday!

Last week I was exploring my life online as an etsy shop owner. Being a new shop means I still have much to learn, so I was cruising through other shops and leaving ‘hearts’ as tracks for favorite creative places I came across. I like to do this periodically because all the creative dazzle totally puts me in the mood to get myself busy in the studio. I am very responsive to color and texture, and the creative writing describing each artisans wares.  I have a rule and try to limit such a session to about 30 minutes so the time feels constructive rather than overwhelming. This session I looked at 12 shops, retreating with many exciting visions of sugar plums.

Koyaanisqatsi pronounced Koh yahn i skaht si

The next time I signed in to etsy I found 3 great notes from other shopkeepers.  One was a very thoughtful note from an artist, who calls her shop Koyaanisqatsi. Julie Agee informed me I was the 100th person to take time to favorite or heart her shop. In celebration Julie asked for my permission to send me a gift item she had created.

As promised, Julie’s  gift to me arrived at my postal box. The orb is so lovely I decided to take a moment and share it here. I also plan to continue the tradition Julie has so generously shared with me. Visit my belladaze.etsy.com and expect a gift if you are my 100th person to favorite my shop!

More About Julie:

I create a wide variety of items: from airbrushed glass, to pen and ink prints; recycled vine quotes to greeting & note cards; collage and assemblage to glycerin soaps and items custom made especially for you! This is a celebration of color on glass. Due to the unusual creative process, variety of inks used, and shape of the glass – results can be manipulated but never planned. Therefore, no two are ever alike nor can a design ever be replicated! Each is unique and one-of-a-kind! “Julie’s Balls” are airbrushed glass “ornaments”. A variety of paints, inks are airbrushed onto different shapes and sizes of clear glass “ornaments”. Each is signed by the artist, is tagged and is gently packaged in a gift box protected with re-purposed, shredded paper. NOTE: NO TWO ARE EVER ALIKE.

REMEMBER: These are not just for the holidays! They can be displayed throughout the year! (try a display hanger, or hang from ribbon or fishing line)

I also found this great quote at Koyaanisqatsi:

“What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit.” John Updike

Visit more of  Julie’s art:   http://www. Koyaanisqatsi.etsy.com

Visit my art at http://belladaze.etsy.com

Julie, you made a difference in my life today. Thank you.  ~Kris Tabor

 

Easy Fruit Crisp Recipe – an old fashioned favorite

Old Fashioned Fruit Crisp

This makes a great simple desert to serve guests who are allergic to wheat. I have made this recipe using different fruits;   rhubarb, blueberries, blackberries, pears, apples, peaches. Take your pick or mix them up! So delicious your family and friends will expect you to make it often for them.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

Mix together:

6 cups of bite size fruit

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons corn starch

3 tablespoons water

Spray a glass 9×9x2 pan with a product like PAM.

Evenly distribute the fruit mix in the pan.

Topping:

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup flour (or substitute tapioca flour for wheat sensitive folks)

1 cube room temperature butter

2/3 cup oats (I prefer old fashioned rolled oats)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Mix topping and spread over the fruit layer. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees. It will be bubbly and brown but do not let it burn.

Serve warm with ice cream.

 

Marlon Brando Mural Boldly Embelishes Roslyn WA Home

I love small towns and since my Canon camera is almost permanently attached to my body, I carry home as much of small town America as possible.

A trip to Roslyn Washington could fill an album all by itself! But this mural of Brando stood high above all the other great images I found. Northern Exposure fans will recall Roslyn was the true setting of the hit television series. We had lunch at The Brick and added our own commentary in front of Chris in the Morning radio set.

One of my favorite moments of the day was meeting a photogenic border collie. Her owner came outside to talk when the pooch tried getting into my car, then we spent 40 minutes getting a first hand rundown of what it is like living in Roslyn, both yesterday and today in North Central Washington. He had a corral in the backyard and kept their horses in town. I loved it when he pointed out a trailhead across the street. His wife saddles up and can ride forever immediately outside their back door!

Note to potential Roslyn or Enumclaw visitors:

Reserve your motel ahead of time! This part of the world locally closes up about 7 PM. There are no motels in Roslyn. We got the last available room in nearby Enumclaw and there were 6 groups standing in line out the door behind us. The train track was merely a few feet beyond the motel parking lot. That did not turn out to be an issue, but the parked refrigerator semi truck rumbling outside/under our room meant we paid a lot of money for a place we could not sleep, so it made for an expensive place to shower. Probably the earliest I have ever checked out of a room!

 

reBlog from rtfitch.wordpress.com: Straight from the Horse's Heart

The American West faced another ugly chapter when the Bureau of Land Management got into the business of wild horse removal this week.

The CloudFoundation blog also has an updated call to action plan that I urge you to participate in. It will only take a moment of  your day. Look for it midway down the first page. There is still work to be done, such as making calls asking for the older horses to be released.

I found this fascinating quote today:

And while a deep silence lay over the witnesses, Cloud, the leader, the master of the mountains turned from the gate and took a stance starring back directly at his aggressor, the helicopter.  His intent was obvious, his message was clear, his point was well taken and a few quite sobs were heard within Cloud’s family of human followers.  He made his stand, then turned and walked towards the gate.  He had done all he could do, the observers had tried all that they could and collectively the humans and horses knew that they had lost all control, their future and fate was no longer in their hands, Cloud’s family was to be ripped apart and all that remained for them was a few final moments of togetherness, a gentle touch, while they huddled in fear against the gate that lead to their group’s destruction.  Their cries intermingled with those from their human friends high above who felt their loss and shared their helplessness, they cried together and bowed their heads.rtfitch.wordpress.com, Straight from the Horse’s Heart, Sep 2009

You should read the whole article written from on-site observers perspective.