An older, wise woman friend of mine likes to say to me, when I am going on and on about being annoyed with this,or that “Did you do the repair?”. So often when something bothers us, stirs something up, it is pushing a button, returning us to an ancient hurt. But so often, too, the complaining and the kvetching is because we want to ignore our own part in things, our responsibility. But, we can only control our own actions and reactions. So, do the repair, and be released.

At least that’s what I thought she meant, was certain I’d understood which koan she was referring to, until this week.

There was a great tutorial in Martha Stewart and my husband’s favorite (silk and cashmere lusciousness!) sweater had a rent under the arm. And so I made my first non-sock darning repair ever. I had to go slowly, and I misread the directions the first time and I had to start over, and it is almost invisible. I got to hold that soft sweater in my hands and work with it for a while, and had the blessing of that warm orange color on these gray days.

The repair itself made me so happy. Not the benefits,not the results, just the act.

I am totally immersed in this book, Goat Song, right now. It is so beautifully written, so evocative. Part of what I like is that he goes so slow. He describes the color of the grass the goats ate, the 10 different shades in the sky as the sun set the first night. For me, this level/layers of description really allow me to be there. And it is a very peaceful, soul warming book.

I went to a birthday party in the Excelsior neighborhood last night-- right near Itty Bitty Farm (to my knowledge the only working family farm in the city). Between this book and the party I’m thinking I have to ask about a visit sometime soon (And I guess I should read Keeping Poultry and Rabbits on Scraps next?).

Meanwhile, our bizarre summer-in-winter has passed, and it is raining. Which also means my meringues are like glue and the meyer lemon curd wouldn’t quite set up, so no sweet recipes today!

Mostly because I am avoiding (with dread) the next steps on my never-ending bathroom project (and avoiding the disgusting photos, thankyouverymuch), I am casting about for other home projects.

This looks great for reviving my battered but beloved danish modern dining room table & ancient Barcalounger.

Christmas is under way here. Which means damp air and soft, grayed greens. So different from the Christmases of my childhood, or those on the East Coast. Because this strange land is part of America, this place with 3 mild transitions has been stuck into a mold of 4 wildly swinging seasons, there is always something new to discover. Sometimes it is so hard to see, with the framework of the East, of most of America, overlaying here that each excavation offers something new. And there are always more layers to peel away. An endless voyage of discovery, available every morning by looking out the window.

I didn't think I'd write about the landscape, or how different the seasons are here, when I set out to write this post, but I suppose it is good background for how we celebrate our holidays just a little differently, specifically because we are here, and how it makes me think about decorating our house differently that I would if we lived somewhere else.

I confess: sage green is not my favorite color. But it is the color of Northern California, so I am always looking for ways to highlight it, or counterpoint it.






































Two years ago I bought the stockings: unbleached linen, combined with a light loden and red accents. Ever since I've been looking for an Advent calendar to go with it, something non-disposable, anti-plastic.






































On the East Coast, and when I first moved here, I used to string cranberries in a garland. But the reds are too obvious, for my taste, with the prevailing light. This year, while searching for a wreath, I found this acorn garland at the local nursery. I can't find a similar one online, but it should be easy enough to make at home. It only cost me $15... $15 that I don't neccessarily have in my Christmas budget, but since it is permanent and not disposable, I bought it. It will save me money for years.

























I didn't quite find the wreath I was looking for this year... last year I bought a succulent wreath, but really, it was too small for our window, and big ones cost and arm and a leg. I had fantasties of wooden branches, twisted together, but none were to be found. After 5 stores, I found this sweet thing, the perfect color, right down the street from me.


And of course the day after I bought our wreath I saw a driftwood wreath (permanent! non-disposable!).  Maybe next year.

We went to Alameda to get worms for the composter last Friday. I was in the throws of the last pages of The Passage, and really, the Bay Worms group and the intentional community and the urban farm that surrounds it (partially built out of/in old military barracks) reminded me so much fo the description of the First Colony. I suppose the future is now, except I am annoyed I have to wait 12 months for the next installation in the saga... Hopefully by then our worms will be helping  us make some delicious food.

So, I decided to start my project of giving up plastics with single-use plastics. And then I got more finite: saran wrap. Replacing the saran wrap I have cheese paper (thekitchn has a good backgrounder), wax paper, tupperware, and foil. And butcher twine, masking tape and washi tape.

I've been lusting after washi tape for oh, I don't know 2 years? And when I saw it at my local arts supply store I resisted for as long as possible. This effort seemed like a great excuse to buy some. I always am more committed to "starting" when I have the incentive of beauty or sensory stimulation-- and I get both with the washi tape. I figure it's worth the $3 a roll (And if I keep telling myself that, maybe I'll believe it!)

Ah hah! found it: these are the articles I read, apparently 2 years ago almost to the day, about Kaizen:

http://zenhabits.net/how-to-establish-new-habits-the-no-sweat-way/

and

http://simplemom.net/kaizen-for-habit-change/

This concept has been especially on my mind as I contemplate a personal goal: giving up plastics. I had my "arrow in the heart" moment about plastics when reading The World Without Us a few weeks ago, but  I found it so overwhelming I haven't quite been able to figure out what to do... or maybe, what to do first.  Usually for me the place to start is with the end goal-- and here I have some difficulty: is it no  plastics in my house whatsoever (what about those laptop lunch boxes I bought last year?)? Now, or in 5 years? How realistic is that, really?

I think to  be effective and let this effort take me where it will, I need to simply begin at the beginning: the end will come when it does.

Some immediate things I think I can start with:

• Not buying any new non-recycled plastic
  The most immediate/obvious barrier to this one is toys, but we buy mostly wooden, the exceptions being green toys and legos.  I guess the question  is, do  I continue to make an exception for legos?
• And what about packaging? I have bought some flour-sack like bags to replace plastic produce bags at the farmer's market, but I only have 3 and I think I will need more. I need to count the next time I'm at the market, and figure out a system (I LOVE designing systems!) 
• That's packaging I can control. But there is also the packaging of health and beauty products.... Not so simple. Buy in bulk and decant to glass?
• Kitty litter packaging
• Yogurt containers
• Sandwich bags. I saw this tutorial, and I think some wax paper, cheese paper, and oil cloth are also in our future.