Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

A few of my favorite crunchy mama bloggers have changed their weekly email formats to include some cool headers that I thought I’d enjoy using for a permies post to get to know many of you out there better. Upon thinking of a title, I seemed to burst into the show tune “Getting to Know You” from the King & I... you’ll have to excuse me as sometimes that does happen.

Some of the cool headers are...

What I’m reading:
What I’m listening to:
What I’m watching:
Quotes that made me think:
Products I’m loving:

And since many of us permies have fun/interesting projects going almost all the time, I’ve added this one:
What I’m experimenting with/Something new I’m trying:

So, here are some of mine:

What I’m reading: When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself & Becoming Whole: Why the opposite of poverty isn’t the American dream & The Bible Project Daily Reading Plan

What I’m listening to: Getting to Know You from the King & I, plus a worship playlist I put together

What I’m watching: I just watched the documentary Playing With Fire and I really enjoyed it.

Quotes that made me think: Something like “Tus pensamientos... ponerles pies” My friend was explaining we need to put actions to our thoughts to give them value. (Literally give them feet... I’m probably not getting his phrasing correct but it was inspiring to stop just thinking about my ideas and actually DO them! Hence this post which was in my notepad since April.)

Products I’m loving: 7th generation fragrance free dish soap & Dr. Bronner’s bar soap, the InstantPot

What I’m experimenting with/Something new I’m trying: The water here in Baja California for bathing is pretty salty and mineral heavy so I’m using drinking water for the final rinse of my hair to see if it causes less breakage... for less than 50 cents once a week, it’s seemed worth it so far. I kinda wish I could setup a system to do a final rinse of my whole body with the drinking water...  maybe just a water jug in the shower for now.

I confess that I am transfixed by the awesomeness of the phrase "crunchy mama bloggers."  

You will forgive me if, upon seeing the title to this thread, I immediately imagined Google and Alexa crooning in a duet to those now famous lyrics....  ;-)

What I’m reading:    (Soon to purchase) ....the articles written by Kenneth Alan Adams in the Journal of Psychohistory.

What I’m listening to:    Depending on the ambient temperature and mood.... old musical tracks from The Sundays to video seminars by Gabor Mate

What I’m watching:    Last item before long days arrived was the documentary 'Gunda'.

Quotes that made me think:  "Billy? .....Something's wrong. Bad wrong. ....Do you feel it?" -Sue Blue, 'Inland Empire' (David Lynch).

Products I’m loving:  Solavore Sport solar oven (sadly discontinued).

What I’m experimenting with/Something new I’m trying:  

>>>From stovetop to table---meditation benefits from the quiet room applied to the morning commute
>>>>>>>>>also, washed flour seitan compared to vital wheat gluten approaches.

Hi.

What I’m reading: the Christian Bible, and Permies

What I’m listening to: Melissa K Norris, Jill Winger

What I’m watching:  I don't watch tv so I look up Joel Salatin Speaches.

Quotes that made me think: aboriginals ate about 3000 types of food and Americans eat about 20.

Products I’m loving:  A new 30 amp mppt controller, I get almost twice the energy now.

What I’m experimenting with/Something new I’m trying: Teosinte crossing with old lines of corn. Einkorn wheat for bread and animal feed and fodder. A yellow amaranth to go with my old line of purple to make better chicken feed.  Nicotiana rustica to kill Japanese beetles. I use tuberous plants like Jerusalem artichoke to attract skunks.  Hopefully the skunks will help eat the beetle larva too.

I was not raised religious, but when I went to find out why people are so evil to each other I found God. I enjoyed reading your articles at your blog.  I like it when people that are so different, yet can understand each others views.

I love the title!  Thanks, Alana

What I’m reading: permies

What I’m listening to: Classic Country Music radio on DirecTv

What I’m watching: I just finished an episode of "The Virginian"

Quotes that made me think: "Getting to know you"

Products I’m loving:  I'm not a product person so I will say Hersey's Chocolate.

What I am experimenting with: getting rid of weeds.  In the past, I have done lots of experiments that I really loved doing.  Ferments, sourdough bread, different herbs, etc.

Heehee

Wellness Mama, Katie Wells
Mama Natural, Genevieve
Kids Cook Real Food, Katie Kimball

Those are just a few of them.

There are ‘granola’ people and then there are ‘soaked & sprouted granola’ people... if you’re familiar with the Weston A Price foundation and Nourishing Traditions.

Permies is such a great way to connect with likeminded people in one area or another.

(I hope to be an awesome crunchy mama blogger some day... but one step at a time.)

Thanks for sharing everyone!

Time to revive this thread and respond with a snapshot of a moment in time:

What I’m reading: PlantPure cookbooks, Anchor & Flares: a Memoir of Motherhood by Kate Braestrup.  Next up: This Much Country

What I’m listening to: Josh Groban in the car, Cleaning station on Pandora at home

What I’m watching: Not much these days... waiting for rainy weather and more inside activities

Quotes that made me think: "Rejoicing generates good will.  The next time you go out in the world, you might try this practice: directing your attention to people... wish for them all to be happy and well.  Without knowing anything about them, they can become very real, by regarding each of them personally and rejoicing in the comforts and pleasures that come their way. Each of us has this soft spot: a capacity for love and tenderness." - Pema Chodron

"Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better."  - Maya Angelou

Products I’m loving: my InstantPot.  I LOVE being able to cook things without having to add more water, stir, babysit, heat up the kitchen when it's already hot enough and always have it come out reliably.  There are still things I prefer baking or cooking on the stove top but mostly: I love my IP.

Honeyskin - Ultimate Face & Body Cream.  I got this for a basic face cream and accidentally discovered it works GREAT for itchy bug bites.  Takes the itch and swelling away better than anything I've ever used before.  Works on gnats, mosquitos, etc.  

What I’m reading: David Lyles The Book of Masonry Stoves: Rediscovering an Old Way of Warming and
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/style/loretta-ross-smith-college-cancel-culture.html
https://introvertdear.com/news/dear-extroverted-friends-i-love-you-but-i-still-need-to-be-alone/

What I’m listening to: Tropical Rainstorm by Doug and the Slugs( just loving it)

What I’m watching:  

Quotes that made me think: Rumi
“Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself.”

What I’m experimenting with/Something new I’m trying:  I am trying microdosing mushrooms. I am totally in love with it. It is helping me love all my relationships more than before.

AHAH I like this. I like all your answers ... what a varied bunch!

What I’m reading: Permies - mostly the boots blog thingees... and grinding through H P Lovecraft's complete works.

What I’m listening to: best of "The Midnight"   ( google it :)

What I’m watching: Mr Mercedes on peacock.

Quotes that made me think: " Its only when we have lost everything - that we are free to gain anything ...

( 2 hours ago my family fled our beginning homestead...- I had just made by fourth hugel bed today  - and we had been there a week... the Caldor fire is closing in-
5 miles from our property...  and they called an evacutation. We are all good with friends now...

Products I’m loving:  The new massive solar batteries i just bough ( they are in the truck now )

Wez, I'm praying for you all up there. Bad times...

I love these kinda threads, I don't know why. I guess it's a chance to expose what a dork I am.

What I’m reading Post Captain by Patrick O'Brien. early 19th century British historical naval fiction. I warned you...

What I’m listening to: "Hippies and Cowboys" by Cody Jinks. Someone recommended it to me. Pretty good.

What I’m watching: Baseball, again. Best documentary of all time.

Quotes that made me think:  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  — Philippians 4:12-13

Products I’m loving: Costco liquor! Dude, it's so cheap and it's good! Not too fancy but like Grey Goose, Jim Beam, Patron level. My mom bought 5 huge bottles for a family reunion that fell through and left them at my house. May become a problem.

What I'm reading:

Beginning Hebrew (maybe I should’ve focused on mastering a 2nd language before beginning a 3rd...)

A dog training book

What I’m listening to:

Family Shepherds by Voddie Bauchman (and the neighbors yelling at their children and a tower fan that makes the afternoon more enjoyable)

What I’m watching:

Last week we (my foster daughter and I) watched God’s Not Dead 3 (in Spanish... this week we hope to finish the movie The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (in Spanish) I’ve already seen it and I really liked it. Since Big Ag is so popular here in Baja Norte, I hope to get a group of future bioengineering students to watch The Biggest Little Farm (in Spanish) with me and persuade a different Ag future for the San Quintin Valley.

What I'm experimenting with/Something Else New I'm Trying:

1. using the electric toaster oven outside as to not heat up the house. It’s really awesome!!! Someday I hope for an outdoor kitchen.

2. Making stovetop pizzas

3. Making healthier agua frescas... this week was vegan horchata sweetened with maple syrup but I miss the real thing.

Quote that made me think:

“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Hegg explains that in Deuteronomy 32, “The words of Moses are compared to rain, dew, and droplets on fresh grass, for the Torah is that which nourishes and fosters growth. Moreover, the words of Torah are refreshing to the soul.”

(I been LOVING the word ‘nourish’ the last couple of weeks.)

Products I'm loving:

Stainless Steel Bakeware set for the toaster oven!!! Seriously, I love my instant pot for making beans and rice (and steamed veggies with the clear glass lid, not pressurized lid) but I should’ve ordered something like this baking set prior to moving to Mexico. (Eating almost exclusively out of an Instant Pot for 7 months, I really missed other culinary experiences.)

...Mexican pizza is not my favorite.

What I’m reading: The Well-Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles

What I’m listening to: wildlife in Pennsylvania (waiting for the audiobooks Breath & Your Money or Your Life to be available on the Libby public library app)

What I’m watching: YouTube videos about paper planners and paper planning systems & videos about sewing your own wardrobe.





Quotes that made me think: “She didn’t need to
know every step; she just needed to follow the one who held the map.”

Products I’m loving: Humble deodorant (lemongrass & sage smell, OnGuard Toothpaste by doTerra.

What I’m experimenting with/Something new I’m trying: Traveling with just a carry on luggage and a one way ticket. (a.k.a. Flying by the seat of my pants.)

Ha, I love these!

What I’m reading: I'm always reading a number of things at a time... currently it's "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" by dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, recommended to me by the Ethical Omnivore group online. I HIGHLY recommend this too, even if you don't feel like you have any syndrome!! It's very informative and just interesting, and the basic ideas are very much along the philosophy of permaculture (eat local, organic, diverse diet).
The other thing I'm reading is Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Earthsea Trilogy". Borrowed from a friend when I told him that I don't read this kind of literature. I am a little slower with this one ;) I usually read it when I wake up in the middle of the night. But it's a good read too.
Also: "The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook", found in another friend's kitchen. I must persuade her to give it to me ;)) the French really know how to cook!!

What I’m listening to: I'm too lazy to have my favourite bands... but I do have favourite radio stations, and they made me love Rammstein, Christine and the Queens, Måneskin, Alice Phoebe Lou (although her I found on the internet), and a number of shows. I also have my favourite podcasts: Star Talk, The Amelia Project, Victoriocity, Fresh Air...

What I’m watching: not much lately... there's mostly stuff that I want to watch but don't have time or can't find it ;) but I'm still "studying psychology on Youtube", haha, so I'm watching dr Ramani's channel about narcissism and dr Fox's about BPD. And some others too (for example, about biotope aquariums - fascinating concept).

Quotes that made me think: a quote by Baba Dioum, shared by The Ethical Butcher a while ago: "In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught."

Products I’m loving: solar fountains! This is such an effective, multi-purpose, durable little thing! I have one that is running another season now and I bought another from the same seller, and they improved it a little bit. I have two garden ponds now and these fountains are the only filters in there, providing surface movement, breaking biofilm, giving shade and shelter for the small critters, etc. Really great and simple tool.

What I’m experimenting with/Something new I’m trying: I'm experimenting all the time... with almost everything :D a new idea... now that I got to know the snails better, and I found out that they don't eat *everything*, I'll redesign my garden a little to shift towards crops that are more likely to survive.

What I’m reading: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
I’m listening to: Melissa Otto
What I’m watching: Central Alabama Permaculture Enthusiasts
Quotes that made me think: "Recovery happens one moment at a time." - Sandra L. Brown
Products I’m loving: Innersense Hydrating Conditioner & Mad Hippie: The Deluxe Routine