We Are Primates, Too: World Chimpanzee Day

14 July 2026 ~ Carrie ~ Leave a comment

When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, I had the opportunity to visit a special sanctuary in the small central Washington town of Cle Elum. Cle Elum is a quaint town that is probably best known for being in close proximity to Roslyn…the actual town where “Northern Exposure” was filmed in the 1990s. One day, while at a brewpub, I noticed a small flyer on the wall that advertised an event to benefit Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. I went home and looked up the organization. I was amazed that I had not heard of it prior, and incredibly impressed by the facility and the the expertise and caring of those involved. Read about how Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest was founded in this Seattle Times article.

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Welcome to 2026

1 January 2026 ~ Carrie

*The everyday beauty of frost patterns in a feed bowl*

Happy New Year! I’m not sure how you feel about it, but I’m happy to see the back of 2025. This year just feels like it has more to offer and, with a clean slate, more opportunities. Regardless of how you choose to observe this newly-arrived year, I’d like to suggest that you experience some awe today.

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Haiku: Letting Go

30 December 2025 ~ Carrie

The year has nearly come to an end, and there are so many things left unwritten. I won’t pretend that I’m going to get caught up, but I do plan to post over the next couple of days.

This poem was inspired by seed pods I spied while doing a walk here one day. A skeletal bush along the fenceline was adorned with these big, woody-looking pods, and fluff was peeking out. As I went in for a closer look, I realized this was a type of milkweed pod, and the mature seeds were simply waiting for the wind to take them to their destination.

As the year draws to a close, I’ll be spending time thinking about where I’m going in the coming year. Am I the seed, released from the pod, looking toward places unknown? Where will the wind take me?

Wishing each “seed” out there a wonderful adventure and a soft landing in fertile soil. May you embrace change (because we are really never free of it, are we?) and flourish in 2026.

Eat This: Peas Potage Pasty

19 December 2024 ~ Carrie

“Pease pudding hot, pease pudding cold…” You may know the subject of this nursery rhyme as “pease porridge” (depending on where you are), but even if you call it something different, that thick, hearty soup made from split peas is just the kind of healthy comfort food that’s fit for cold weather. Put it into a buttery homemade crust, and you have a hand-held delight!

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Around The Farm: An Opportune Observation Of Orgyia

8 October 2024 ~ Carrie

Sometimes, you just have to be at the right place at the right time to witness the amazing. For me, it was a recent experience of seeing a mysterious insect on the goose coop as I was preparing to perform daily maintenance. I’m now familiar with many of the bugs and insects that live here on the farm, but this one was strange…and I like the strange because it means an opportunity to learn. And I am, if nothing else, a voracious learner.

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Under Pressure: YES to Instant Pot Yogurt!

20 July 2024 ~ Carrie

It’s been a few years since I bought my first Instant Pot and I still use at least one of them (I have six because I have “spare” 3 and 6 quart models – don’t want to find myself without!) every day. I usually find myself just using the “Manual” cook function even though there are many other programs…like Yogurt. Well, I finally took the leap and used the Yogurt function, and I am absolutely thrilled with the results!

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