Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Fresh eggs from the old chicken coop

A good reason to have chickens is to be able to collect fresh eggs and have a regular supply of delicious eggs to try new recipes. We visit this farm once a month but I would love to live closer to enjoy all the good things there.

And speaking of eggs... We still haven't gotten over Christmas and it won't be too long before we start dyeing Easter eggs! Mardi Gras is just around the corner, I just realized my blog turned one this month and I did not even notice, time flies...

Friday, January 25, 2008

Chicken out!

White meat is in and it makes a perfect Sunday roast! But I started to wonder what kind of meat my family was eating when I saw a mass-production farm for the first time. The first set of pictures shows my husband's family farm where they raise organic chicken for their own consumption. Chickens there have room to roam and eat. The kids love to throw kale from the garden fence and watch the chickens running to eat their natural food!

As for this set of pictures, it clearly shows what goes on my mind when I see non-organic chicken sold in supermarkets, so sad... There is a campaign called Chicken out in Europe and you can read more about it here too.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Free as a bird

There is nothing better than waking up to the sounds of the birds early in the morning. I have fun observing the birds across the farm. It takes time, but time seems to go slower when we are away from computers! And I feel free as a bird, going up and down the garden, with no schedules, no conference calls, just me and my camera! When I start to get bored, I watch the birds. The parrots pictured above come every morning!

Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola, canario-da-terra) standing on a lime tree. It is a common bird in Brazil that nest in cavities, like abandoned Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) nests and house roofs. The male is bright yellow with an orange crown and the female is olive-brown. A lovely bird to watch.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Sweet Summer Rain

What a refreshing moment after a long hot day, when the afternoon pouring rain hits, I stop everything I am doing and sit on my couch for a few moments just to watch and hear the sound of a good soaking rain.

When I am traveling and it rains, the washed out roads and the steam coming out dissolving the landscape look so beautiful to me.

And last... After the rain... there comes the sun up in the sky awakening the right seeds in well-prepared soils... I hope (pray) that the soil of your heart is ready enabling fruitful seeds to grow in the days ahead or to realize the value of the fruits that you already have in your life. Have a blessed weekend.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Gone fishing

Over the holidays we visited family and I enjoyed some quiet time fishing with the kids. Time goes by so quickly when we are not working...

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Hard work pays off

Working at a large company has its benefits, like discounts (from the bank, stores, and hotels), a retirement program and... well, it does not happen often, but we had a training program at a nice hotel!

Monday, January 7, 2008

Leaving the roads

Innovative and eco-friendly. My new flip-flops are comfortable, water-repelling and slip-resistant on wet surfaces. What else? They are hand-crafted and made from recycled car tires and... they were so cheap! Besides, I think they are cute and I can't get them off my feet now that Summer is here.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Simple things

May your year be filled with beautiful and bright colors.
Simple delights as simple as country flowers, simple smiles that brighten a day...
I believe in simple things...