I have a husband that is addicted to SALT!

I can't stand a lot of salt and it makes me worry about him daily...
In order to cut his salt intake... when I cook I use herbs.. Lots of herbs, several herbs... this is one of my little patchwork herb gardens...

What can you find?

three Sage.

and SEVERAL types of Thyme.   Not ot forget the rosemary and several types of potatoes... not that you can tell what types they are, but this is a good way to keep the bugs from potatoes ...

Yes there is lavender and oregano too... Lots to work with in a TINY little spot!

so as a friend of mine says... How does your garden grow?

up at three am, boiled water while microwaving yesterdays coffee, made coffee, poured the rest into my trusty mason jar, wrapped it with two towels and had a bath mat in the bottom of my old but trusty grocery bag.  On to the barn by 3:30 soaking, feeding, brushing while a good soak occurs...

Then back to shower, and work!

Now done with one computer job ... on to the next!

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day. 
Some how I left my phone at home, but had this little vet emergency with Navarre, poor vet had to call my house, my boss, then finally I got to call them back.   As simple as we try to make life it is funny how difficult we cause it to be with one little side step.

making calls out, getting few calls back in... all while serving 12 a three course breakfast... cleaning/ turning over one room stripping two more doing 4 loads of laundry, and entertaining everyone in the house so they will come back.... Lovely day... but at least I was on my own and knew what ever going on (except for Navarre's foot) I had done all the negative to myself with no ones help.  I was able to laugh it off and get back on track by 1:30.  ahhhhhh what a day!

today is possibly getting 3200 gallons of water at the barn. While my trusty side kick (who is not fond of my large horses) tends to the horses while the large water tanker gets to the barn.

Gluing the phone to my hand as soon as the apparatus is invented to do so!

May today be less stressful than yesterday!
Here is to having enough peace within to make it through yesterday!
Here is to having enough today to do it again!

A...

Yesterday was a LONG ( demanding nonstop type)  day... after working such long hours ... only 13 but I came home to a down west wall in the horse pasture.

It is not a big deal but it required me stacking about two wricks of wood to keep my horses in.  I know ... you are questioning my statement.  I have no REAL FENCE on the west wall of my horse pasture.  In creating my pasture I had to clear a 25 year old ignored lot.  So MANY many trees, so much I could not afford to have any more hauled away, so I started stacking it!   We cut the trees into 2 foot lengths just too long for anyone to walk off with and directly put it in their stove.

It has now been there for 4 years, it is weathering well, but it is only poplar wood so it is VERY LIGHT.  How Poplar was ever classified as a hard wood I have no idea... Yes, it is the softest of the hard woods but still classified as such.

Navarre had apparently been pushing on it all day and cleared an area large enough for both of them to walk through side by side, but he remained in their pasture.  So I re-stacked... taked to a neighbor... covered my potatoes a little more, pulled some herbs for the Inn. Headed home and fell madly asleep.

So now I need to keep an eye on my west wall a little better than normal... a daily walk to the barn will work!

I can only hope your life is simple and worthy of YOU.

My love to the world
Amber

I have finished my computer work for the morning.  As I stopped typing it was the open window that caught my attention.

The birds
The bats as they fly to and from the house in this early early dawn.
The distant passing of cars that approach and disappear.

Oh what a beautiful morn in this in between state of dark and light.

Off for the second job,  on my way to the third by 7:30am

Life is full today!
My love to the world
A...

After a LONG while off I am back! 

While I am not refreshed I am at least getting used to my 14/16 hour days!   I'm no spring chicken any more and it wears me down worse than a chill on mercury.

Some say I am doing too much.
Some ask why I do it?
Some just shake their heads and say nothing at all.

I have to look at each person I tell and I wonder... WHY does everyone think life should be so easy?
Why does everyone that comments say it is too much or shake their heads.

If given natural life existence ... it starts with a struggle. 
You GASP for that first breath of air!
You ache with movements
You struggle to learn what is going on around you!
You must learn everyday or you get left behind.
Every choice you make has a consequence. 


I have to ask why others don't do more!
I understand the older we get the less we can do, but I could do so much more when I was younger! and at times I did, but not always.

I do have a plan!
I plan to work at least one more year ... putting away as much as possible and then cut back to what it cost me a month to care for the horses.  That way I don't go into my emergency fund! That way I have a little of a nest egg for them!

While life is ever changing
While life is FULL of struggle, don't expected it to be its worse everyday... but NEVER expect anything to be handed to you. 

Why do you think ANYTHING will or really in my mind should be handed to you?

YES things were given to me when I was a child.
BUT most of them were from someone else having worn the clothes I was given.
YES things were given to me as a child
BUT I knew I had to take care of them to give them to the next person, OR use them till they/ it could no longer be used.

It may be some of our problem as a society... thinking everything should be easy.
Easy is giving up on a thought process, because it is not like others
Easy is not doing something because it takes too much time, effort, or thought.

LIFE is hard... you can face it head on or run from it!  IF you are doing nothing that is out of your norm you are not facing life head on your sitting behind a rock hoping it doesn't find you.


my love to the world...
GO  DO something that is hard! and see how rewarding it is.... in so many ways....

Like mind

It is so difficult to find those who think like you do, want to live in the same way, and respect personal dicessions made that only work in the life of one person, couple, or like minded group. I would love to have a place where I could say or do anything and not be slammed by everyone else that read it and didn't understand, see, or respect another persons view. I completely get that I think differently, more simplistic, archaic if you will, but it works for me. The thing I don't understand about general society is that good is good, bad is bad, hard labor is not a sign of ignorance, dialects are not the sum of a human, only an indication of source. I do not get what skin color has to do with content. I do not understand how one group dislikes another without knowing them. I am so sick of the pointing of fingers, words thrown around as if they have no meaning. I do not allow certain things said in my house, I do not welcome it being said in my presents. I do not like it in my world. I protect my little part of the world no matter where my friends reside, come from, what language they speak, what country they live, what clothes they choose, and what ever color tone they were born into. In a facebook note recently read.... We are all of color, some of us are of less color and while we label everything some are just the absents of color. The point is we are all human, act like one! Clean your house, neighborhood, city, , state, country.. And tell those whom are not responsible to get with it!... Example is I just told a relative I love dearly how disappointed I was with a situation... It is my responsibility as another human. I'm not his mother... But I will not allow his bad to be brought into my house and he knows it. Life really is what you make of it, if you dont apply good you will only get the absents of good!

Early morning reflections

The day is beautiful ... A mere 53 and barely after 8am. As I sit on the stairs at the 1847 Blake House Inn, the birds chirp, the music plays, and I await my guest for a vegan a breakfast. The inn is well equipped for any type of food allergy or special needs as along as we knows little in advance (meaning before arrival) Rocky... Our fat house cat has climbed the few stairs and now sits in my lap. As he purrs from any human contact, he is as cute as any cancan be! A delete to me and a frequent conversation piece of about guest as they check in, some with their dogs etc...

It is such a a lovely morn, I had to let the world know a simple summer cottage of the 1800's is such a a delight today. (of course I have a broken my own rule and got my old friend a double espresso) So I have a little energy to write.

I must rush back to my breakfast...
My love to the world
amber

A new gadget...

New Gadget, new addiction ...  http://pinterest.com/wrprincenavarre/  Yep I can go to this place, look at the world collect things I like, dream of and want more of without adding it to my home.   My life my clutter...

I find I can use this site to collect ideas and not have to collect magazines ... This part of the addiction I greatly admire.  I do however only allow myself so much time on the site, as with all things balance is a must.

Check it out see if you feel the same way OR am I just not getting out into the "real" world enough...

Such great ideas have been collected for the barn, the home, my own creations... or simple inspirations all together!

My love to the world...
Amber

What am I doing?

Living simply is not as easy as it sounds... Yes I have said this before.

I have done this thus far...
I gave up my smart phone.  While it never really rocked my world it did make it very easy, too easy,  to do social status things, see what others were doing, and basically bring more "crap" into my daily life.   Gone!   Back to a phone that only works as a phone.  No text, No pictures, No internet access and NO Gadgets to play with.

I've done well... THUS far with not purchasing soda/ Coke/ Coffee/ anything out of the house.  Now this is NOT going to work for the summer! I can tell you I will need a COLD drink and I'll just have to work the extra $2.00 a drink into my cost of labor!

I have thus far carried a carrier to work of both coffee and hot tea from home each day.  I have not purchased a Coke a Cola out of the "fast" lane.  This has also helped with not eating as much junk food!   Although using all my camping food for lunch is not the best thing I should be doing either but better than soda, chips, and something chocolate to keep me going.  OH DEAR...  but going through the grocery line late the other day... AFTER doing work on the estate... I was dying for a coke.  I did well and waited till I got home.  Got one glass and was done.  $2.00 saved! I kept saying to myself.. but you've done so well, not now, not now!

I figured I wasted as much on coke and junk food as I will now spend on a monthly haircut!  Doesn't sound like much but it all adds up.  even just one coke a day is over $1.50 a day... at 30 days,... that's 45.00 with NO other junk food to go with it!   And what can you get under a dollar? ? under a dollar including tax... one more thing brings it beyond $75.00 a month!   Crazy... $ 75.00 a month... and $900.00 a year on NOTHING except fat on my hips!

Oh well.  Simple... but not so easy!
I'm trying to keep these figures in mind, trying to keep myself on track!
 So far so good, but summer will kill me! I'm sure!

Why? They ask.

It is early morning here, and as I sit at my computer awaiting the time to leave for the barn, then to my next job... (number two for the day) I ponder my little horseback trip.

A local paper is picking up the story they asked me what I was doing.

Several people ask me WHY and each time my answer is somewhat different.

WHY?
My mind screams each time I am asked... WHY NOT?   I try to keep my cool and not get lost in the society standards of living within a certain frame,  What is the big deal?  The big deal to me is not that I am doing it, but that I didn't allow a dream to die.  We all have dreams when we are younger... I'm going to do this when I grow up!   And yes some of them change as we change, but what about those dreams that only grow with us, that never fade?   How could I go to my grave knowing that I never even TRIED!   Just trying to do something is half the battle.  OH I'm too old, OH but I only have a little time in the dead of winter.  OH that would take forever.  OH that sounds crazy. OH it cost too much.  Oh that's not safe. Why would you want to? Your a girl, surely you can't do this alone!

I understand EVERY excuse in the world!  I get it! I'm asking my friends to help, I'm asking my husband to trust that I will do everything to keep myself safe on this little venture.  I'm asking my parents to grit their teeth knowing their child is out in the freezing cold, on a back road, in a strangers yard, and begging along the way. NOT a comforting thought for any parent at any age.    But I was raised that my limits were my own, as society puts up walls it is up to us to de-construct these walls brick by brick and to put them in a place that supports our own dreams, ambitions, and expectations of life.

I recently saw on facebook where the word life was described as a verb, an action noun, while I see it more as a four letter word... Life was never meant to be easy... it was meant to be lived... living, choosing, and acting on life is hard... but hard work brings about hope... again all four letter words
hard work = hope

So while I am older... with aches that are beyond my years (xrays to prove it ... ha ha ha... )

While I am on a sick horse...

While I am doing this in the dead of winter and crossing some of the best mountains east of the Mississippi ...

While I am taking a slower horse, that will take me even more time than others that go coast to coast.

While I am alone in my dream, which makes it sound outlandish to society...

And the cost.... Anything worth doing correctly takes time... to plan, and save.  I have and keep a horse fund, this is coming out of my horse fund.   You can't responsibly have a horse and not have a fund, a plan, or a savings account ... Besides this is why I have three jobs! yes THREE!

While my adventures are not safe, but life is not safe if you live it to its fullest!  Your passion may be skiing, diving,or motorcycles each has its risk.  Each cost as much as you can afford to support your passion, people upgrade as much as they can afford to feed their passions, this ride is no different than that black diamond rush, that night dive taken alone, or that track day at the most technical of tracks.

I want to do it because I refuse to die or live the last of my life WISHING I had done something, wishing I had tried, regretting the facts that I allowed a dream to fade instead of throwing a log on the fire and allowing it to heat my soul in my last days.

I have always said life is what you make of it!
I believe this and live by it!
I am what I am ... and I am a dreamer, a risk taker, and a woman who doesn't mind being alone listening to the beet of my horses feet, the wind in my hair, cars passing me as kids gawk out the side window.

I can only hope ONE kid sees they too can do what ever it is they dream.

I get so embarrassed

yes it is a double edge sword, Travel (in a timely manner) requires a LARGE carbon print.  But I can only hope I do enough each day to off set what damage I do in my travels.  I get so embarrassed when I come home the pain makes me write the following ...

I have seen a little of the world and hope to see more of it, if my life allows, but seeing and learning is my largest textbook in life and continuing this is important to me.  Eyes Open People!

Ecuador trip while not a travel trip more of a tourist trip was enough for me to figure out where I wanted to go back and learn more of the country and its people.

My choice would be the highlands.  People whom seem to cherish the OLD ways but welcome some of the new technologies that can make life better.

 While still using animals for moving items and / care taking of the lands some have newer ways of caring for soil and the eco system.

While many will NOT agree.  I believe animals to be a serious part of the full circle when it comes to land and food.

Animals can not exist without grasses and few GOOD grasses for the animals can  not exist without bacteria and worms which help to digest and soften the land into a workable system able to support humans, as WE are the heavy burden of the lands.    We as humans require so much and WE (as Americans) require more than ANY OTHER COUNTRY in the WORLD!

Why?   Because WE in the US are not connected to the land as most.  We are not learning as a country we are living life with blinders ... that our food supply will continue at no cost to the earth OR to our health in the long term.

While I am only one person, and I do not EXPECT every US citizen to do much to help their house (with future bills, by using low wattage bulbs CFL's) or their community ( by simply creating their own compost pile, OR recycling all their plastics they can, or purchasing things in glass) OR our country ( by cutting back on water use, electricity usage.. by using a water heater timer)  and even less for the WORLD we live in.. by purchasing local food, drinks, and cutting down on their use of GAS!  purchasing high mileage cars, using public transportation (where available)... There is little OIL in the US and it would never support our greedy appetite  for quick one person travel several times a day.  

I travel daily but only in a specific circle as to save my gas, my car, and my time.  I do all the things above as it is easy for one person to do so many things in order to make life better for others.

We only have CFL's in our house!
While we do not have the ability for an instant delivery hot water system (yet) we have a TINY 50 gallon water heater that is NOT allowed to keep water VERY hot only hot enough to wash with.
We purchase local foods when we can (road side stand)
and while my car is OLD... 12 years old she still gets over 50 miles to the gallon and only uses 2quarts of oil for each oil change.
I use glass when ever I can,
I carry a reusable stainless steel container in summer and winter.
I recycle everything I possibly can and even send things to be re cycled else where if needed. (my area only recycles certain numbers, but will take all plastics to keep them out of the land fills.)

All of this is NOT enough for WORLD wide effects but if everyone did a little it would add up more each day! If everyone added one more thing to do each year it would continue to add up as well.

Please Try people.
This is not about me.
This is about how hard we are on the land, the continent and the world.

Rant time over!

But please! do SOMETHING!

putting myself to the test.

While this blog is about living basic!

I am putting it all to the test and I am going to be traveling BY HORSE BACK in the dead of WINTER from Asheville NC to Nashville TN starting in January.

YEP!   I will be living off my horse during the day, setting up my tent each night as we move across the land.   While I am at a little more of a disadvantage than my ancestors in one way I am more prepared in other ways.

My ancestors had towns to stop, pay to have their horses cared for, and could get a room with no worries of their animals.  It was also during the time when it was normal for a stranger to ask to sleep in your barn, or even ask for a spare bed.  (these things I will not be doing)   I will be worried to death, as many horses are stolen for meat market now a days or just shipped cross country to make a dime, a dime is all they would make on mine!  (as one is more likely to die if feed is changed, and the other...well she is a special needs as well, but more mentally than physically )

Having said as much, I am far more on the advantage side... as my equipment is good, my mind in active,  spirits excited. And I am doing all I can to get the word out... Asking others to tell their friends so I ride up to a house and ask for Water, two trees to tie my horses and a place to throw my tent I am not turned away as quickly if the word was not out there!  

Sounds extreme!  I know! it is... but I at least have to try!   I have to know I didn't put something on that bucket list and not attempt to do it!

Here is my blog for the trip ...http://ambernavarresweetpea.blogspot.com/ This trip , its preparation, and daily updates along the way are all I am putting there.  I will rarely put things on this simple blog as while Simple to the extreme... not quite what normal people do to go simple!

The name of the blog?   Me, and my two horses.   Amber, Navarre and Sweet Pea! after all we are all each of us will have on this little trip, unless I get some followers that want to help, want to spread the word, and want to see me accomplish my goal! ?  we shall see.

its the little things in life.

I know I live in a strange place!  Rarely does someone NOT drive on the wrong side of the road, as they straighten out a curve.  Rarely does someone go the speed limit, and if you do! you're more likely to get hit from behind!

Life is fast, busy, and a pace I never knew it was going to be, but I live it! I hang on, I do my best, and I try to slow it down as much as possible where ever I can.

But tonight it was the simple act of several someones taking turns at a one lane bridge.   (I cross this bridge 6 times a day as I go to and from the barn)  Normally who ever hits their brakes first stops, while the on coming traffic barrels over the creek as fast as possible, more often than not with whom ever behind them stuck to their bumper as if lava rolling down the mountain at them.

Tonight it was the act of kindness of as each person stopped and allowed the next to go.  I was the last one in line, but just seeing the act of kindness was a lift of my spirit.  It was the simple act of each person treating the other as they wanted to be treated.

It is the simple things in life!
From a hand written note, a cold drink of water, down to the daily hum drum of stopping at a one lane bridge and allowing others the right to go instead of TAKING their turn for speed.

One thing every woman needs. WELL worth the money!

This is one of those things one needs when she travels...

Please check out this link.
one thing every woman needs.

check out the video on how to use this one piece of clothing! it is on the link above...

throw this over your little black dress, over your little black skirt and you have more outfits! get a basic color and you have a top, a cardigan, a cover up... and more! it ROCKS!!!!!

CLEANING HOUSE again.. .

This time I'm cleaning out my HORSE SUPPLIES.

Most everything I need to get rid of is GIVE AWAY! 

The only two things I am SELLING are two very expensive horse blankets.  I am only asking $25.00 plus shipping!  for each of these blankets I paid well over $200.00 for!   Otherwise everything else if free!

SO ... if I have it ... and you want it, just pay shipping and it's yours.

I have TONS of horse leg boots,

I even have great chaps for riders!

I've got a pair of barely worn English boots!

warming throws.

leather halter,  brass breakaway...

what ever you are looking for just ask, I may have it in your size.

I've got pictures... I'll add as the weekend continues but first come first get... so send me an email NOW!