Posted in Alternative Education, Local "Green" Events, Natural Baby Care, tagged birth, central, CFBN, fair, florida, maitland, network, parenting on August 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Got one for a birth fair later in September sponsored by Central Florida Birth Network. It looks like fun!
Maitland, FL 32751
Posted in Organic Gardening, tagged florida, foot, fruit, garden, gardeners.com, gardening, grow, growing, guide, herb, kitchen, plan, planner, planting, salsa, SFG, square, vegetable on July 22, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Mid-July is seed starting time if you are planning a fall garden. But what if you are new and not sure what to plant?
It’s no secret that I’m a square foot gardening fan. One of my favorite resources is the Kitchen Garden Planner at Gardeners.com.
READY MADE PLANS
You can select from 6 pre-planned designs — the All American, Cook’s Choice, High Yield, Plant It and Forget It, Salsa & Tomato Sauce and Salad Bar.
MAKE YOUR OWN
You can also click and drag an assortment of plants from the menu bar down into the grid area to make your own design:
It will tell you how many of each plant will go into each square foot.
There’s also Step-by-Step care tips, a Vegetable Encyclopedia, and Supplies and Accessories that you can buy at the website.
BOTTOM LINE
While the vegetable encyclopedia is informative, you are also going to want to check out the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide from the extension office (PDF Version) to get Florida specific info.
I do wish it allowed you to specify how big your bed is rather than limiting it to a 3 ft x 6 ft bed in the planner. That would be a nice improvement down the road. Expanding the 30 item plant list to include more herbs, fruits and vegetables would also be good.
The planner is easy enough for kids to use and you can print out the designs. It’s definitely my favorite of all the online planners I’ve seen so far and good for beginning gardeners.
Posted in Alternative Education, Dance & Exercise, Local "Green" Events, Spirituality, tagged dance, dances of universal peace, family, First Unitarian Church of Orlando, florida, meditation, nature, Orlando, retreat, Spirituality on July 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The International Network for the Dances of Universal Peace is a registered charity in the USA. The network connects dance circles and we’re lucky enough to have a chapter in Orlando! Here’s a description from the International Website:
From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song and story have brought people together – at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration, as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and meditation, etc… The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless tradition of Sacred Dance.
As in these timeless mystic traditions the Dances use simple music, lyrics, and movements to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. No musical or dance experience of any kind is required and everyone is welcomed to join in. Participation, not presentation, is the focus.
No special attire is required, although comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is best. Participants join hands forming a circle with the Dance leader and other musicians in the center. Throughout the evening, the leader teaches the group the words, melody, and movements for the next Dance and often provides some background history about that particular Dance. The teaching is always done from a compassionate heart in a comfortable, quiet, and often sacred setting.
I’ve also been lucky enough to attend “Dances of Universal Peace” at First Unitarian. I found it wonderfully refreshing and something akin to “moving meditation.” Of course, the potluck afterward is fun too.
Unfortunately I don’t get to go to this groovy retreat, but you can! Check it out:
“Showering Blessings”
Dancing Peacock Paradise
20622 NE Hwy 315, Ft. McCoy, Florida
You are invited to our sacred space: the warm lake waters of paradise for swimming & boating, walking the labyrinth, picnicking in the woods, & dancing. You may attend any or all parts.
“The lover of nature is the true worshiper of God” Hazrat Inayat Khan
COST
LEADER:
SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
Saturday, July 5
1:00 – 2:30 PM Arrival, socializing, enojying nature, swimming & boating
3:00 PM Dances of Universal Peace (Please be here by 3 so we can begin together)
5:00 PM Enjoying Nature & companionship
6:00 PM Potluck Picnic Dinner: cottage porch & lakefront
7:00 PM Sunset & Crystal Bowls with Cindy in the Treehouse
7:45 PM Deeper Dancing & Zikr
8:45 PM Desserts
Sunday, July 6
Practices & Services as desired. Let us know if you will be here Sunday and what you’d like offered. Possibilities Include:
8:00 AM Morning practices on the dock
9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Universal Worship in the Gazebo with dances
ACCOMODATIONS AND SUPPLIES
You are invited to spend Saturday night (or more) for $25 per person per night (space is limited, $35 for the treehouse, or in your own tent for $15 per person per night.) Reservations must be made in advance for overnight. Breakfast will be included, but you need to bring your own food and some to share for the other meals.
Or just come for Saturday with your cool picnic potluck dish. Bring a cooler for your non-alcoholic drinks and food, or put the potluck dishes in the cottage refrigerator. Non-smoking premises. You may park at the cottage or at the house. (Dinner will be at the cottage; Desserts at the house.) The house has fresh warm breezes & paddle fans!
Bring your swimsuit for swimming, sunning, boating, and floating.
Wear cool comfortable clothing & shoes that are easily removed for dancing.
This will be a summer play day, so bring a big smile!
Please RSVP if you would like to spend the night at (352) 546-1345 or Kanoy8@alltel.net
WORDS TO SONGS WE MAY SING
Be ye songs of glory,
be ye songs of glory,
that the light of Allah may shine upon the world.
E malama i ka heiau
E malama i ka heiau
E malama pono i ka heiau
Your love for all makes luminous the now
Ishq Allah Mahbood Lillah
Blessed always,
blessed always
For the love of God surrounds us
Let our joy be so triumphant
That we rest in God and say Amen
May the road rise with you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
Goddess hold you
In the hollow of her hands
Lead us from the false to the real
Lead us from the false to the real
I’m not who I think I am
I am that I am
La illaha il Allah
La illaha il Allah
La illaha il Allah
Mohammedar Rassoul lilla
DIRECTIONS TO “DANCING PEACOCK PARADISE”
20622 NE Highway 315, Ft. McCoy
(352) 546-1345
Dancing Peacock Paradise is 5 miles N of Ft. McCoy, 4 miles S of Orange Springs, and 11 miles west of Citra
Tips
From Orlando
If you need directions from somewhere else please request.
Natural Family Living Blog
Melita Franzen