Dear Yogis,

Thank you so much to those who came to our yoga lunch.  It is not once a week so I am surprised that you didn’t diarise it.  The Sangha is an important part of our yoga practise – supporting each other, and the lunch (surprisingly) supports us.  ZOOM GITA THIS EVENING AT 6.30!!!

Also thank you to students who call on me to help IN THE STUDIO with their philosophy studies.  I love our weekend teachings. Thank you, thank you, thank you.  It is a two-way learning.  You learn and I learn.

SUMMER/WINTER PREPAREDNESS.

I am harvesting honey at the moment – so if you want some please contact me.  You will have to collect, I don’t post honey.  $5, $10 and $20 depending on the size of the jar.  

I know that we are entering our summer months (not that you would know this morning – its cold) as you can see from the fabulous Star of Bethlehem flowers I had this year…. however,  I belong to a Canadian herbal group, and this morning they sent out a reminder in their newsletter of things that could be done (that they are doing) to prepare for a winter in which most anything can happen.  No electricity, frozen in, etc etc….

FROM CANADA – We had our first ❄️snow on Wednesday and the weatherman predicted 🌡️20F (-7 C) for Thursday morning — a hard frost.  So for the last few days Mr. Joybilee and I have been trying to ⏲️ beat the clock, planting our seedling trees into the ground, from the pots they’ve been in all summer, and mulching fruit and nut trees to protect their roots from the frost heaves and the pocket gophers. Apparently gophers and voles dislike wood chip mulch.  I even found two 🌱seedling apple trees to transplant.  (See last Monday’s newsletter for the scoop on apple seedlings.)    Darkness comes early so we are planting some with head lamps on, trying to get just one more planted before we quit for the day.  Have you ever tried to beat the darkness? (Hmmm. Deep question!)

What does getting ready for winter look like on a zone 3/4 homestead, in Canada? 

  • Woodshed is full 🪓with 8 cords of split Larch (the best wood for cooking fires here)
  • Chimney is cleaned
  • 🌰Nuts, fruit, and 🎃winter squash are stored
  • Potatoes are stored
  • Canning and dehydrating are finished (jams, jellies, apple sauce, peaches, pears, relish, chutney, tomato sauce, salsa, etc.)
  • Freezers are full
  • Fruit and 🌰nut trees are mulched, protected from sun and varmints with tree wraps (In process)
  • 🧄Garlic is planted
  • Garden tools are put away (not actually — but soon)
  • Garden hoses are drained and rolled up (not actually — but soon)
  • The drip-faucet is turned on with a steady drip, at the bottom of our water line to ensure that our pipes don’t freeze in our gravity fed water system.
  • Beehives are winterized and the 🐝bees are tucked in with straw bales for extra insulation
  • The heated cat water dish is placed beside the 🐈cat food dish for the outdoor cats
  • Chicken coop has deep bedding with lots of straw
  • Extra 🐓roosters are going to freezer camp (soon) – note to self, don’t tell Katie!!!
  • The compost bins (3 — 4 x 4 x 4 piles) are full and will be ready in spring for the new garden
  • The garden beds are mulched with straw to protect the soil from erosion
  • Inside the house the bedrooms windows are covered outside with greenhouse plastic to retain the heat.  (still to do)
  • The carport is cleaned up of garden tools and pots so that the car can be moved back in for winter, close to the plug in for the block heater. (still to do)
  • The generator is fueled and ready in case of long term power outages
  • Beeswax candles🕯️🕯️🕯️ are stored and ready for hygge ambiance and emergency lighting
  • Herbal remedies are strained, labeled, and stored for the winter season (herbal teas, salves, tinctures, oxymels like Fire Cider, syrup like elderberry).

…. and you thought you had a lot to do!

YOGA CLASSES AND STUDIO TIMES…..

ZOOM GITA this evening at 6.30pm and for the next 4 weeks.  Although there is no charge, if you can, I would appreciate a small donation (or a big one!).  To donate go to the web site www.yogabeautiful.com.au and click on PAY VIA PAY PAL

Windarring Yoga –  Tues. x 2 +Thurs. x 1. (some Fridays)

STUDIO YOGA WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm (full) Mon. 2.15, Wednesday Restorative 1pm

NEW:  CALM AND CLEANSE YOGA:  No takers on Thursday and Saturday so I get to paint!!!  thank you.

THE YOGA LUNCHEON:  As always the last Saturday in the month.  The next (our Christmas Luncheon)  at 12noon the 25th November – PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY NOW.. I have booked for us to go to  “The Full Moon” in Woodend.  Warm, “homey” and great food. I love the Nachos – with chicken – with prawns – vegan, or Mexican.  Any of them are great.

SEE YOU IN THE STUDIO (and at the yoga lunch at the end of the month)

NAMASTE – JAHNE