it’s farmers market season again, love the vibe on saturday mornings

had a problem to solve and Martha, who vends at our market came to the rescue.

i was gifted this gorgeous pendant by glass artist Jason Mack

and i just didn’t have the right chain for it.

so… I commissioned Martha to solve that concern for me.

as usual, she did a great job.

the chain and beads are just lovely, aren’t they?!!

The goal of the program is awareness – don’t drive alone, consider a variety of alternative methods of transportation, save money on gasoline and do one’s part for the environment.  Every small effort makes a difference

New to the challenge I noticed a few things:

working from home has my actual commute not really be an issue at least compared to most

when i do commute I am mindful, stacking my places to go all in one commute – I commute for errands – grocery, farmers market, occasional shopping and my social excursions. I typically don’t commute daily.

some of the places i needed to go were not on the bus routes thus limiting my ability to use the bus. I had never considered bus use prior to joining this campaign.

when asked, folks were eager to ride share – this is how I utilized this challenge the most

i am not equipped to carry stuff in a walking commute – this had me rethink that option.

What I learned from the challenge is that I could do better, it had me actively explore how to use the bus system, and it had me rethink ways to make alternative modes of transportation ( cycling, walking, the bus and ride sharing ) fit into my life.  On my wish list is a bag that might help me carry more things in a walking commute.

Way to go for the success of this campaign!!  What are you doing to take on alternative methods of commuting?

image by Karen Hanrahan

I had the privilege to shoot imagery that illustrated examples of those already taking on alternative transportation for the Good To Go’s Blog – these were the final images chosen 

when she posted that she was working on another collaboration with ceramicist karin ericksson,  an artist I also have admired, thanks to her work with Camilla, I went to peek at the items they were clearing out to make room for their newer pieces.

I was quite taken with this particular piece

i thought, wow – this tile says mother/daughter to me, how totally cool.

on a whim, i ordered it.

and so here it is – just in time for Mothers Day!!

i had to take a close up of the signature. LOOK…both of them signed it!!

when it arrived… I emailed both of them.  i shared that the tile was here, safe and intact and that i was delighted and grateful.

both artists entertained a few forth and back emails with me.

oh my goodness more gush.

perhaps my photography will someday have an adoring following.

yes, i have artist envy.

by the way, my daughter and I?

we are just like the ladies in this tile.

very happening!!

The effort asks computers to take this on for one week.  It’s a super program to observe commute habits and to consider some of these shifts as your personal norm. Try it on!

The director of the ISU Sustainability program Michael McCurdy enthusiastically champions this campaign, he commutes via bicycle to his job, as program director for the local public radio station WGLT

Michael just completed a series of radio/blog interviews to illustrate several who are alternatively commuting year round.   I was the project photographer.

The actual Good To Go challenge is May 12-18,  a friendly competition between individuals, teams and workplaces.  Participants track/report their efforts and are eligible for prizes. The simple goal is to do anything but drive alone.

The main reasons to consider alternative transportation is that it’s really good for you, great for the planet and it saves you money! It also connects you with others in the community!!

More projects by Photographer Karen Hanrahan

I love her vibe, her soft chatter, her warm heart, the beauty she surrounds herself, either handmade or naturally, and I admire her authenticity.  Simply by being herself she’s created a wonderful brand.  She is deeply committed and when she sets out to do something you experience the meaning tried and true.  I’ve been with her, her blog and family through two of her pregnancies, watched her move to their dream farm, publish two additional books, welcome fearfully, beekeeping to her daily tasks ( which i found sooooo fascinating) and always always find myself in a chuckle when she writes that she made popcorn for dinner…yet again.  I treasure the personality of her kids, the sweet posts written by her husband, and I am deeply envious of her talents in textiles.

A recent blog post shared an exciting project she is involved in that I felt I wanted to share.  It’s a stunning new magazine called Taproot.  In her post she writes, as only she can, about wanting to be part of something that is shifting to less. less stuff, less noise, a slower, and more mindful place.   As the editor of what looks like a deeply rooted concept, she lovingly shares images of the proofs of the first issue coming to print in March.   In my mind it looks like a magazine that I’d love to have.  It strikes me as thoughtful, arty and very resourceful.  AND a beautiful reminder of less.   Which I think is needed today.

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2012/02/introducing-taproot.html

Wednesday Night 5-8 pm

Established and emerging local artists showing drawings, paintings, photography and ceramics.

Award winning water color artist, John Madison will also have an open studio next door that showcases his work and works in progress. Refreshments provided.

201 1/2 North Street Suite A downtown Normal (located in between The Rock restaurant and C tees shirt store)

The show can be viewed again on Sat night from 6-9 pm.

The current call for artists is a gesture of sharing wall and creative space for local established, emerging and non formally trained artists. Wall space is affordably leased to artists either weekly, monthly and for special events.

Artists in this group show include:

Jared Wittenmyer (mixed media)
Lauren Crossett (oil painting)
Karissa Kotovsky (photography)
Connie Richards Aigner (mixed media)
The Lumiere Brothers (photography and drawing)
Karen Hanrahan (photography)
Doug Johnson (oil painting)
Ted Diamond (photography)
Tim Kowalczyk (ceramic)
Evelyne Tardy (acrylic painting)
Chris Martin (oil painting)
Jay Miller (performance photography)
Amy Phillis Wolfe (ceramic)
Brad Kalavitinos (mixed media)

It’s taken me two years to get back into the classroom.

It felt tremendous to be teaching again!

Thank you to the Community Education division of Heartland Community College for the opportunity

I started consulting folks on how to begin blogging this past December. People kept asking me. Why do I blog? Why WordPress? How has that helped your business?  I not only had strong passionate opinions about it.  I found myself giving away a lot of tips and tricks!!  Seemed like an opportunity to service a need with the people around me.  I don’t think of myself as an expert on blogging more like an advocate on how powerful the medium of blogging is to someone’s personal voice and an expert in ideas to get someone going!  I had such great mentorship along the way, I really feel I want to pass that same mentorship onto others.

My students were seriously awesome.

Some things my students taught me:

• Plan for time to become related.
• Students really do do their homework!
• Being savvy in the technology of the classroom is a plus
• Various levels of interest and experience bring a richness to the class
• a student said “i have no idea what the “f” you are all talking about” SERIOUSLY funny
• Revelations about one’s expertise, personal brand and the potential of published voice is positively inspirational!

one student realized that her topic, as shared by others was very toxic, she wanted her voice to be different, and found her passion around that

another had two blogs and realized by merging them together it would enrich her brand.

some just beginning began to play with blog names, post titles, language and how to illustrate

another realized that perhaps blogging daily might be too ambitious.

The reality of the class may unveil some new and very exciting bloggers!

The topic is Green Pets in honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month.

While many might be touting  really cool and very green minded stuff like natural flea recipes or how to make your own pet food,

I felt I had to get down to the most organic reason of all for owning a pet.

They are simply adorable!

The cuteness factor for having a pet to me is why we get them, why we walk them, why we put up with their hair, their excrement, and their quirks.

I experience pet people as happier confident people. Don’t you?

It intrigues me the length a pet owner will go re: their affection, pampering and inclusion of their animals in their lives. Myself included.

With cats and dogs as folks very best friend …why wouldn’t one include a dog in things like doga or tinker with barkery treats for foodie expression?

Remarkable non-profits strive to provide sanctuaries for animals that in addition to providing haven for unwanted cats and dogs, this house also provide astounding benefits for the facilities founder and volunteers alike.

What about the abundance of the over the top businesses that cater to those with pets?

Oh my gosh check out OH My Dog Photography!  When was the last time your pet stayed at a Pet B & B?  What about the devotion and enterprise of  Cesar MIlan? He’s about teaching the dog owner new tricks. Ever hear of Dog Barking 101? I mean dogs need to be heard too!

People get paid very VERY well to be of all things Cat Chow Correspondants.

When I was young we didn’t have such things as Dog Walkers.  Now, they and Dog Poop Removal are part of every communities phone and web directory!

I think it’s important to pause and realize that owning a pet and the catering to pets is a HUGE Industry.

Conscientious consumer choices are important to the well being of your pet and the planet!

I hope you find this month’s Green Mom’s Carnival resourceful!

For me, I have taken seriously WAY too many pet images – one simply can’t help it. Here is a bit of “miss kitty” animal cuteness from my past:

I did get some great shots that day of while they were filming though!

Taboule is made with Quinoa – say KEEN _WA – a versatile high protein nutrient rich whole grain from the Andes, and one that is often tolerated by those with allergies to grain.

Cook one cup dried Quinoa in 2 cups water. Takes 12 minutes.

Mix with 1 C chopped parsley, 1/2 C chopped scallions, 2 T chopped fresh mint ( I always use more)  1 T chopped fresh basil, 1/2 C juice of a lemon, 1/4 C olive oil, 1-2 cloves Garlic chopped, 1/4 teas salt – i use sea salt and find a pinch is enough, loads of fresh ground white pepper.  I often need to add chopped tomato and crumbled feta cheese to my taboule. My version also smacks with garlic and mint, just my personal preference.

Ingredients for this salad were sourced from the certified organic Ackerman Farm - Angie promises me she will someday make this recipe, always asking me why I buy mint.   I love how Angie ties her bunches of herbs with yarn – a loving gesture somehow.  It makes me happy. She and her husband Tom are an integral part of my Saturday mornings at our Farmers Market.