Can you hear the earth whispering, prompting us to turn our creativity and energy into healing and nurturing? What a different world it could be...

We've finally begun the cycle of lengthening daylight hours as we spin around the sun. Though I know that January is typically our coldest month of the year here in northeast Wisconsin, having a little extra sunlight makes it pass more pleasantly.

The longer we live on our land and work with it, the more connected to it I become. Don't get me wrong - I still like my creature comforts, like indoor plumbing, but as we walk and work on the land, I notice more details, and see more possibilities.

"New to me" plants and fungi show up. New microclimates emerge as different areas mature. I'll get a vision of ways we can enrich an area for people or wildlife. These ideas don't always work out, but stretching the imagination is part of the journey.

I imagine how different the world would be if people spent just a little more time growing things - whether it's plants or relationships or faith. It's not always easy, but it's worth the challenge.

I saw a video this week about how white blood cells react to microplastics. It appears that the white blood cells target the microplastic and try to destroy, but can't. There's an inflammatory response, but no resolution. I suspect this is yet another contributor to the high rates of inflammation that are so common nowadays.

We've been working to reduce plastic in our lives, but it's everywhere. Even stuff that's supposed to be healthy, like dental floss, can shed microplastics (and possibly PFAS, the "forever chemicals"). We've been trying out silk floss, but it is a little tricky to use on close set teeth. Patience is key.

Duncan is also planning to make some small wooden bowls with the "new to him" lathe he purchased recently at a wood working show.

It's been less than 100 years since the world became dominated by plastics (post WWII). Hopefully, we can get back to less toxic options, bringing back some old options and creating some new ones.

If you have some favorite non-plastic options for items that are commonly made of plastic, I'd love to hear about them.

Helping you create resilience and abundance,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

For those who celebrate it, have a wonderful Christmas.

This week's featured articles...

For better or worse, the holiday season often involves eating a bit too much, eating at odd times, or eating unusual foods. If you find yourself dealing with a sore belly, check out these 12 Home Remedies for Upset Stomach.

You can also read this sister article about the Causes of Upset Stomach.

One of our favorite easy to make recipes is quesadillas. They are a great way to turn a dab of leftover meat into a whole new meal, or you can keep things simple and whip up a cheese quesadilla. Either way, whatever you make at home is going to be tastier (and cheaper) than hitting a drive through.

In case Santa puts some new cast iron under your tree, we have you covered with this step by step guide to seasoning cast iron cookware.