Author Archives: Tanya

Tanya

Hello:-) This is where I'm supposed to share with you a little about myself. Ok, here it goes. Born in NY, moved to Florida when I was 4 and grew up just north of Orlando in Altamonte Springs. I met my husband in 1994, knowing without question we were meant to be together forever, we got hitched in late 1996. We had a short jaunt in Las Vegas, NV, with his radio career and we conceived our first baby. This prompted us to return to Florida, landing in St. Petersburg. We've been back in FL for over 10 years now, kids are 10 & 8. My life can be summed up with family, traveling, life science, photography & fur kids. We currently have eight cats and two dogs and live on over 7 acres in Bradenton, a dream! I've combined my lifelong passion of photography & animals into turned them into my dream job in 2008, it's been wonderful & I Love every minute of it. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and two amazing kiddos and we're having a crazy good time together on this journey of ours! Cool beans.

So, I’m 40! I’m not too surprised that I’m embracing it with love, I have been working towards this acceptance after all. I wanted to ring in this next decade in a BIG way, so off to Northern Cali I went. My first three days were spent alone in the Redwoods between Carmel and Big Sur California, one of my favorite places. Landing in San Francisco around 12:30 my first stop was Baja Fresh for lunch. I can’t help it, ever since PFMan and I lived in Vegas, years ago, I have loved BF and don’t miss a chance to eat the veggie burrito. Then down the coast I go. HWY 17 is spectacular, a curvy, tree-lined drive, just breathtaking. I arrive in Carmel to do some shopping for my stay. I’m determined to go veggie while I’m here so I stock my cart with organic produce, strawberries, asparagus, & pistachios. I’ve brought my herbal teas from home as well, oh and chocolate with sea salt:-). I turn down Palo Colorado Rd. to head to Don Loui’s. This image above is the point where Palo Colorado Rd. meets the Pacific Coast Hwy. Turning off down Palo Colorado was magical. See I’m a dreamer in the sense that I love environments that transport me, and when you turn onto this road you are placed immediately into towering redwoods, like a land of fairies. You twist and wind amongst the quiet giants, houses placed into the sides of the mountains like they’ve been there forever, all blending in with the trees, completely part of the forest.

Here I have my bag of goodies, camera & backpack (which was packed in my luggage and now used to haul only the few items I’d need for this portion of my trip), and up the mountain I go. Not too bad, about five steep switchbacks, with little treasures at every corner. Then the Dragon House appears, unbelievable! I’m through the Dragon house tunnel and onto the Rainbow House where I’m staying. Don, the innkeeper, is an eccentric. He’s been on this property since 1983. Then it was him, the land and a tent. The Rainbow house he built first. Yes, him and his son. Previously he was a contractor and landscaper by trade and it shows. Today there are 4 buildings, The Rainbow & Dragon House (rentals), his own home and an octagon above the rest with windows looking out over the mountain and Pacific Ocean, used for yoga and/or meditation. Beautiful, peaceful! He’s created many trails all around the property as well.

Though I highly recommend staying here alone, as a couple or small family, this is not for everyone. Forget a warm shower and none at all in the Rainbow House. Luckily I like going rough and dirty, ha. There is no oven and only a propane burner for stove top, and it’s QUIET (aside from the very loud frogs and owls at night:-). I like to think of the house like a tree house on crack, seriously! And since I like being transported, it was perfect for me, like a kid again.

So what’s a girl to do all alone in the mountains? Hike, hike, eat at her favorite restaurant in Big Sur, play words with friends, ha, take lots of pictures and hike some more. To my chagrin there was no big AHA moment or anything, just time with myself which in itself is a BIG deal for me. In my past being along has been very difficult. A good friend of mine text-ed me while there questioning how I was doing alone. He said he talks to himself a lot when alone, lol. Me too:-). And I did, much of it in my head, some out loud. But I was comfortable with it, the oneness, and that’s a BIG deal!

Please enjoy some of the many photos I took while on this part of my trip and look for a post on me joining the girls in Wine Country soon:-)!

Peace!

Previous trip to Big Sur with my honey:-)!

I’m deliriously excited!  Arriving in San Francisco in 17 hours! I’m completely embracing turning 40 in NINE days and I’m starting off the celebration with some personal time in Big Sur, CA, all alone in the trees then I’ll join some of my very best girlfriends three days later for some time in wine country!  This is not my first time here, but I can’t get enough of Northern California, the coast, the country, the unbelievable availability of fresh, locally produced foods.

Right now I have no idea how exactly I plan on spending my alone time, as this is somewhat uncomfortable for me. Rain is predicted on Tuesday and Big Sur is not a place you want to be tooling around in a possible downpour, so I’m planning on spending the day in. The house I’m staying in, The Rainbow House, is a 10 minute or so hike up a steep incline in the trees and I’ve been told that a pack on your back with all food and clothes needed is recommended. Ok then. A quick stop in Carmel on my way there will provide me with all my provisions. I’ve loaded up my I-tunes and Kindle, packed lots of hot tea and a rosemary/mint candle, I’m ready!!

Thursday morning I head back up to San Francisco to pick up my girlies at the airport and we head up to Guerneville, Russian River area! See I’m not a Napa girl. I love the Russian River, Guerneville, Healdsburg, and Sonoma. We have a beautiful home in the hills there. Friday I’ve scheduled a bike ride through Healdsburg stopping at four wineries and a picnic lunch in between and the Saturday we’ll spend some time at MacLeod Family Vineyard again, a private tasting in the vineyard then onto Sonoma Plaza for lunch at Girl and the Fig. After lunch we’ll continue onto some of my faves like Viansa and Cline.

Sunday We’ll breathe deeply in Jenner. The coast here is unforgettable! Ahhhh….!!!

Times Up!
This has been my Sunday 5 minute Stream of Consciousness.

Want to try it? Here are the rules…

* Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
* Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
* Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
* Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
* Link up your post at all.things.fadra.
* Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Common site with today's agribusiness. Image from propankitchen.com.

Factory-farm chickens.

I don’t even know where to begin.  The state of our food today so deeply saddens me, and concerns me. I worry about the future of food for our children, their children, so on. I believe that it’s our responsibility to make the world a better place for future generations and I’m afraid we’ve failed and are moving too slowly to recover our mistakes.  We are in such a deep whole, it’s going to be a difficult climb out.  I know there are movements that are working hard to make strides in the right direction, thank goodness.  Here at home we’re doing our best and constantly moving towards doing better, a little at time as to not get overwhelmed.

I’ve always been one to educate myself about the environment, where our food comes from, etc.  Years ago I read everything I could get my hands on about Factory Farming, how the animals are treated prior to getting to our table, how this industry effects our planet.  It’s appalling. One book I really took a lot away from was Mad Cowboy.  To read a story about a man, a fourth generation cattle rancher turn Vegan, was uplifting & inspiring. I believe everyone should be educated in the process of how our food comes to the table. I also believe that we shouldn’t have to be worried about what toxic chemicals or genetically modified crap is in our produce, it just shouldn’t be there. The Americans’ need for low food costs have COST us plenty more in quality of life and medical bills. We need to WAKE the heck up and start nourishing our bodies with food, good food, whole food. Can’t tell I recently watched Forks over Knives can you? Most of the information in this incredible documentary wasn’t new to me. Though the statistics were jaw dropping. I had myself convinced prior that as long as I looked for sustainable, grass fed, free-roaming, humanely slaughtered, wild, etc., animals than I could still eat them. I was a vegetarian years ago for ethical reasons and caved after my kids were born out of ease. I beat myself up a bit about this and would like to head back in that direction, though I find my will power has decreased since then. My husband and I are finally in a place that we’re ready to begin the big changes. Though compared to the typical American diet, we’ve done good, eating very little red meat, mostly poultry and fish, lot’s of veggies, etc. This isn’t enough. We know that.

As a people we need to seek out our local sources, grow what we can. We have to be in control of this, no one else is watching out for us. The government is supporting big industry, like Monsanto, unfortunately it’s all about big business. The small farmers are suffering. Go to your local farmers market on weekends, they’re spreading rapidly and can be found in most large and small communities now (Click HERE to find one near you). SUPPORT THEM! Join a CSA. Do whatever small part you can. I’m not one to throw in the towel because it seems hopeless, it IS hopeless if you do that. We the people must demand changes!

If you’re interested in learning more about your food, the future of food and what you can do about it, here are some links to articles, documentaries and groups that can help.

Food Inc.
Forks over Knives
Ingredients
Food Matters
The Future of Food

Slow Food, USA
Non-GMO Project
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (School Food – demand better)

Mad Cowboy (links to books & documentary)

Current Monsanto article – Washington Post

Tell Obama to Cease FDA Ties to Monsanto!
Watch This!

Anything written by Michael Pollen!

….

We love pasta and this year I wanted to conquer making it from scratch. So I did, three times already and it’s getting easier every time.  PFMan surprised me with a Kitchen Aid mixer with pasta making attachments for Christmas, so cool!  So I was off to find a recipe.  The first one I used was fine, but then I looked through our Top Chef cook book and found another recipe by Fabio and switched.  I mean, “it’s Fabio, from Italy”, how could I go wrong, lol.  He didn’t steer me wrong.  Using more eggs and the same technique.  First making the pile of flour, then making the hole in the center, adding the water, olive oil, salt and eggs, then beginning to combine slowly working out from the center. My mini volcano erupted through the sides the first two times  I did this.  I had mastered keeping it together on the third try. Fabio’s recipe, calling for more eggs, was richer and deeper in color, we could taste the difference.

Here’s how it’s made:

1. Make mound of 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, make well in center.

2. Add 2 tbls olive oil, 2 tbls water, pinch salt, 8 egg yolks whisked with 2 whole eggs, to the well.

3. With a fork begin to slowly work the flour into the mixture, be careful to keep the outside wall supported with your other hand so you don’t have a premature eruption.

4. As dough forms use your hands to knead in all the flour forming a smooth ball. (I’ve had issues getting it smooth, but after it rests in fridge it’s fine)

5. Cover dough and let rest in fridge for an hour.

6. Split into four pieces, working one piece at at time (keeping others covered with damp cloth), roll out until 1/2 thick and easily passable through pasta maker.

Make pasta!

Most importantly though, HAVE FUN!  There’s nothing like fresh made pasta!

Mangia!

I Just finished up a day of leisurely cleaning up after our House Warming Party that we held yesterday at our new home in Bradenton. We are greatly blessed to have so many wonderful friends. This coming at the end of an incredibly emotional week having had to put our baby girl Amelia to peace on Wednesday. It was a rush to prepare for an RSVP of 120 people with only two days to go. The beginning of my week I spent taking very close care of my very sick kitty. So Thursday the kids and I went out and did all the shopping, also made a trip to the farm to pick 22 pounds of the biggest, sweetest strawberries so far this season, along with some tomatoes. Friday one of my closest friends, Britt, came over to help me start cooking. We were in the kitchen from 5:30 – 12:30 non-stop. Really a lot of fun except for the one temper flare up by me, directed at my husband, due to the stress, lol. Recovered by morning, two more of our best friends showed up early to help us pull it all together for the first guests to appear by 3p.

After that it was all a blur. So many of the most amazing and wonderfully eclectic group of friends from as far away as Jacksonville showed up to share our joy in moving to this new wonderland in the country. Kids running all around, great conversations, a grand fire in the newly built pit. Lots of love. It was truly a special day and I can’t thank everyone enough who came out to help make it that way for us!

Today we cleaned up in kind of this surreal, peaceful haze. A lovely feeling. Thank you.

Peace!

Times Up!
This has been my Sunday 5 minute Stream of Consciousness.

Want to try it? Here are the rules…

* Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
* Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
* Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
* Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
* Link up your post at all.things.fadra.
* Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Amelia in one of her happy places.

This is so difficult! After a week of stuffing Amelia with five different medications and force feeding her every 2-4 hours there is no improvement, instead she’s worsened. She’s so weak, still getting up to go to litter box but not making it out of it. She pees herself and then collapses for rest. I grabbed her out and gave her a warm sponge bath this morning.

This decision is killing me, I’ve chosen to discontinue the nasty med routine and let her go, though part of me feels like I’m taking away the only thing that might be extending her life. But for what? She doesn’t seem to be in any pain, so I make a point to spend quality time with her, setting her up next to me on the couch in cozy blankets with her bowl of water in front of her. This seems to comfort her, she lays her head in it and periodically licks some up like one of those bobbing bird things. Last night Murdock came to lay with us in bed, not with her, with me, but this put him right next to her and he purred loudly. I think she liked this, she tried to nudge a bit closer. It was sweet. The waiting game is just as hard, when will she pass? Today, tomorrow? Soon…. The thought of finding her, I so hope it happens with me nearby, as hard as that will be.

For now, I’ll sit here and pet her bony body and talk to her and wipe her chin when she’s had enough water and love her.

The weeks move too quickly. My mom always talked about time moving so fast, all I could think was when will this semester be over already! Now I understand, and it get’s worse every year. These last two weeks have been crazy busy and stressful. Jam packed with homeschooling activities and a beloved kitty that is very ill and under constant care by PFMan and I. To top it off, we’ve been getting the house ready for our House Warming party this coming Saturday. We have just over 100 people who have RSVP’d and the stressing has begun, lol. Another thing my mom always said, still does is “This too shall pass”, and it will. I just wish it didn’t pass so quickly.

I’m always working on trying to stay as present as possible, this is so difficult for me, strong ego always in the way. I’ll keep trucking along. I’d love to know what other do to stay present, slow down time, any suggestions?

Peace!

Times Up!
This has been my Sunday 5 minute Stream of Consciousness.

Want to try it? Here are the rules…

* Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
* Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
* Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
* Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
* Link up your post at all.things.fadra.
* Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Amelia June 2011

I remember going to pick her out. She was one of five kittens that were born to a momma cat that had been brought into The C.A.R.E. Foundation, the Animal Sanctuary I volunteered at in Orlando. I went alone, Michael and I had been married for just two years and this would be our 2nd kitty together. I picked the long haired calico over the tortoise shell. The litter was born on Easter morning 1998 which has always made it easy to remember her birth date.

It took us a while to name her and I remember exactly where we were when the name was chosen. We were camping at Ginny Springs with a group of friends and were sitting around the fire at night throwing name ideas around. One had been Marseilles after the Jimmy Buffet song “Coast of Marseilles”. Then it came to us, “Amelia”. It’s a street in Orlando, the street that Michael and I were on when our relationship took a more serious turn back in June of 1994. That was it, she had a name.

I’m writing this now because she’s turning 14 in April and she’s very sick, so sick she may not make it to her birthday. Those who know me are aware that we have eight kitties, the seniors, Murdock (16), Amelia (these two have been boyfriend/girlfriend for like ever until recently, so sad), Nelson (14 April) & Roswell (14 April) and the newer additions, Jenny (5), Matilda (2) , Carmello (2) and Harry (9mth).

Amelia, along with the other seniors, Laslo, Yoda, and Truffles, made a cross country trip twice with us when we moved to Las Vegas and back in 1999/2000. Amelia has lived in six different homes with us, has been more of a recluse, especially around strangers, but very sweet and affectionate around us. Always the pretty girl, Murdock’s girlfriend. They would sit together for hours, grooming each other, curled into a ball and sleeping together. It’s sad that they’ve parted ways, more on Murdock’s end then Amelia’s. Since she’s been sick she’s tried to snuggle with him and he walks away, it’s sad to watch. He’s been sick too, just not as critical as her. He has a tumor in his liver, but for now he’s a skinny, spunky old man, ha.

Right now Amelia is being force-fed every 4-6 hours and on five different medications. Not sure if it’s cancer or not, definitely some type of internal infection or inflammation around the liver. Fatty liver, loss of appetite, dehydration. Hopeful that this week she’ll improve or we’ll have to make a tough decision. See, I don’t believe in making them live being poked, prodded, stuffing a food syringe and pills in their mouths daily. Just not a quality of life. I can’t have her last days like that. So I’m holding out hope that she’ll turn around this week.

It’ll be a rough couple of years with so many getting so old. We’ve already lost Laslo, May off 2011, one of the brothers (Laslo, Nelson, Yoda and Roswell). Yoda left us years ago.

Hardest part of caring for them and loving them so much.

So far the new year has been jam packed with new and continuing goals around the homestead. I’ve already tackled my first poached egg, (not really a goal, but an added bonus), my first time making home-made pasta too. It was really good and I loved making it. Making ravioli tomorrow filled with Cashel Blue and Mascarpone cheese. Hello!

This weekend we got our butts in the pasture and dug out our fire pit, got some nice flat stones today to build the walls around it. One more trip to the stone house and it should be complete. Smores around the campfire here we come, and at home:-). Not that this will stop us from fleeing to the mountains, no way. Still have that itch. We were just talking about how we need to go ahead and schedule a trip to Black Rock Mountain in Clayton, Ga. Love it there.

The kids got bikes finally and Gavin mastered riding in about half a day and loves it, yay! Addy is really good at crashing so far, but she’s tough and laughs it off. She’s also learning piano now and really loves that.

So, I feel like we 2012 is really off to a good start for us. I hope it is for you too!
Peace!

Times Up!

This has been my Sunday 5 minute Stream of Consciousness.

Want to try it? Here are the rules…

* Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
* Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
* Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
* Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
* Link up your post at all.things.fadra.
* Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.