#Kate grows her basil plant | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

365days365movies · 4 years ago

Text

January 22, 2021: The Secret Garden (1993)

I KNOW that I’ve read this book. Right?

You know that book that you were supposed to read in middle school, and supposedly did read, but then don’t remember...AT ALL? Like, 5th, 6th grade, especially. Let’s see, there’s Island of the Blue Dolphins (vaguely remember that one), Where the Red Fern Grows (ugh, dog books. They all end the same), From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (kind of remember that one), Anne of Green Gables (nope, completely gone), The Phantom Tollbooth (inhabits my head rent-free 24-7; RIP Norton Juster, he signed a collector’s edition for me once), A Wrinkle in Time (ditto), Bridge to Terabithia (which I read when I was 8, so...yikes), The Indian and the Cupboard, so on and so forth.

The Secret Garden is totally one of those, right?

Gonna be honest with you guys, I remember NOTHING about this story. But, it’s a fantasy movie, it’s a British classic, it’s been made into a few films...I feel like I owe it to me child self to try and remember this thing. And hey, maybe this movie’ll jog those memories a little, right?

Well, let’s do it! Let’s just jump in! I’m in the mood for some gardening! Hell, it’s the perfect day for it, given that it’s the first day of spring! So, let’s go! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap (1/2)

We start in an unexpected place: a desert. Apparently (and much to my surprise), this is India, the birthplace of Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly).

Mary is a 10-year-old English girl, unhappy with her life in India. Her father is always away, and her mother has parties, to which she’s never invited, and has never truly experienced love from them. She’s always angry, but can never cry, as she’s never learned how. But as unhappy as she is, she’s still greatly affected when a massive earthquake topples her home, and kills her parents. And with that, the orphaned Mary is set to England, where nobody is there to pick her up.

Until, of course, the late arrival of Mrs. Medlock (Maggie Smith), the head housekeeper of Mary’s uncle, Lord Craven. Mrs. Medlock is a harsh woman in her own right, and basically insults Mary RIGHT in front of her, and not even to her face. Jesus, this is a charming family, huh? They make their way to the expansive manor, where Mary also learns that her maternal aunt (and her mother’s twin sister) has died, leaving Craven bereft and broken.

The next morning, Mary gets a harsh awakening when she finds that she’s not going to get the pampering she’s been accustomed to for her entire life, nor is she likely to even meet her uncle at any point. It’s a massive change from India, that’s for sure. This is intensified by her exploration of the house, which she describes as dead, as if a spell was cast on it. And this place is indeed pretty spooky. Vast and expansive, yet empty and unused.

She stumbles upon her aunt’s room, identical to that of her late mother, and continues where wandering through the mansion. She hears someone crying, only to run into Mrs. Medlock, who tries to tell her that it’s only dogs that she heard, and hurriedly rushes her back to her room. Shortly afterwards, she meets Martha Sowerby (Laura Corssley), the kind young servant of Mrs. Medlock, and now the attendant for Mary herself.

Martha seems like a nice girl, but her first interaction with the stuck-up Mary goes poorly at first, with Martha’s very talkative mannerisms rubbing Mary the wrong way. But, after an argument, Mary acquiesces a bit, and Mary learns that her uncle will eventually want to speak with her. But when is...unknown.

One day, after learning about Martha’s younger brother Dickon, Mary is allowed to go outside to explore the grounds, and to find the garden. There, she finds a walled-in garden of ivy, which belonged to her late aunt that died 10 years prior. She learns this information from Ben Weatherstaff (Walter Sparrow), the gardener, who states that the only thing that gets in the garden now is a European robin (Erithacus rubecula). Which we had those here, but I still like American robins (Turdus migratorius).

As Mary tries to get information from the robin, a young man spies her talking to him, and runs away to a white horse. The next day, Martha gives Mary a jump rope, which she actually appreciates, once she learns how to use it. She goes out to the garden, where she meets the gardener and the robin again, and the robin has apparently decided to be friends with Mary, And so, I name this robin Christopher (a European robin), BECAUSE I CAN, DON’T @ ME

She again asks Christopher how to get into the Hundred-Acre Garden, and he takes her through the wall of the garden. However, she still cannot get past the gates, as there’s a lock needed. However, Mary goes back to the house and grabs it, as she’d previously discovered the key’s location. And so, she makes it into the garden.

Said garden is sadly mostly dead, but you can see the former splendor of the garden despite that. She makes her way through the dried plants, and finds a MASSIVE complex there. It was clearly quite the place ten years ago, and Mary agrees She even finds plants growing there again, as she and Christopher walk around. Also, are European robins not migratory? Because it seems like this is fall, and Christopher should’ve moved on by now. Just looked it up, and they’re apparently resident in England and Ireland. Go figure!

Mary keeps going back to the secret garden (ROLL CREDITS), and she one day meets Dickon (Andrew Knott), the younger brother of Martha, and a keeper on animals on the property. Upon seeing him speak with Robin, she reluctantly invites him to see the Secret Garden, as he claims that he can determine whether or not it’s alive. He can, and he does, and the two form a friendship in the garden.

We also learn from Dickon that Mary’s aunt died by accident, falling off of a swing in the garden, which we previously saw surrounded by dead leaves. Some good direction, that was.

That night, Mary has a dream about her mother, beckoning her into the garden when she’s only a baby. She wakes up from the dream, and hears the mysterious crying person from earlier, cascading down the hallways. About as curious as I am about this, she wanders around, and finds the source of the crying: Mary’s cousin, Colin Craven (Heydon Prowse).

Colin is the son of Lord Craven and Mary’s aunt, and a very melancholy young man. He can’t get any sleep, and when Mary has the idea to fetch Mrs. Medlock to help, he asks her not to, as she will not let the two talk, and he’s terrifically lonely. They share things about their mother, and about themselves. Colin’s a very troubled young man, who’s spent his whole life in bed. He’s also been told that his mother died in childbirth. Curious.

The next day, Mary and Dickon are again attending to the garden, and Mary shares that she’s met Colin, which very few people can claim. She continues to spend more time with Colin, who is convinced that he’s fated to die, and has never even learned to walk. Just like Mary, Colin has been spoiled all his life as well, and has been told how fragile he is all of his life. Medlock also insists that people wear masks whenever they’re...near him. Well. That’s terrifyingly relevant, innit?

Mary is nearly caught spending time with Colin, which is forbidden to all but a select few, and Martha discovers her instead. Both of them ask her to leave, so she can avoid being caught. Soon afterwards, Lord Craven returns to the estate, after having been away for a very long time. And FINALLY, Mary gets to meet Lord Archibald Craven (John Lynch), a deeply unhappy man who is extraordinarily melancholy as well. However, his spirits are slightly lifted when he meets Mary, who’s the spitting image of her mother and aunt.

During their somewhat awkward meeting, Mary manages to get the Lord to unknowingly give her the garden to plant her garden in. He states that he’ll again be leaving for the winter, and the excited Mary immediately goes to tell Dickon that they’ll be allowed to plant in the garden. Nature appears to comply, as it begins to rain to help the garden grow.

Mary continues to bond with both the down-to-earth Dickon, and the spoiled-rotten Colin. In the case of Colin, he’s also quite unhappy because his father never comes to see him. Mary learns that this is because his father is afraid to fall in love with him, and afraid to lose him like he lost his wife. But he actually regularly visits him, while Colin is asleep.

He leaves that night, and as soon as the spring is set to arrive. And arrive it does, and the garden grows even greater. Mary, at this point, has also mostly abandoned her previously spoiled and ill-tempered ways. But not her stubbornness, as seen when she gets Dickon to help rip off the boards from Colin’s windows, exposing him to the sun and opening the windows.

Mary goes to help Dickon, but Colin FREAKS THE FUCK OUT, throwing a massive fit that nobody can seem to stop. But Mary is DONE with his goddamn bullshit, and finally snaps him out of it. Just then, Medlock sees this and blames Martha for letting Mary in, slapping her in the face! Goddamn, Medlock! But Colin’s seemingly also had enough, and sends Mrs. Medlock out! She complies, although she fears that this will be the death of him.

Colin now realizes that he probably isn’t dying after al, and Mary now tells him about his mother’s garden. These stories invigorate Colin, and with the help of Mary and Dickon, he goes outside for the first time, and they take him to the The Secret Garden.

Also, can I just say, there are a FUCKTON of animals on this property, and I have no idea why. They’re DIckon’s animals, apparently, but there are a lot of animals there, just saying.

After quite a bit of hard work, Dickon and Mary have made the The Secret Garden something...well, frankly, kind of magical. It’s beautiful, especially now that spring has arrived, and it makes me want to go outside. Unfortunately, it’s fuckin’ 43 °F right now, and I have work in, like, an hour, so I’ll have to wait for a warm weekend.

Colin is as in love with the garden as I am, and wants to come back the next day. But their reverie is somewhat interrupted by the arrival of the gardener, who is surprised to see Colin out of the house, as he’d heard that he was completely unable to walk. And Colin disproves this by standing up in his chair, for possibly the first time. And from there, the group invites the gardener in the maintain the garden as well. Also, Colin starts to think that the garden is magic, and also sort of proposes to his cousin, which is weird (and Mary points this out), but whatever, moving on (for now).

They visit the garden over and over, and Colin eventually teaches himself to walk. He wants to show his father, but they don’t quite know how to find him. In snooping about for an address where they could find him, they find photographs of him and Colin’s mother, which then makes me realize...when does this movie take place? The original book by Frances Hodgson Burnett was written in 1911, and takes place at that time. And knowing that now, the fashions are pretty Edwardian England. Hadn’t really thought about it, but yeah, that seems about right.

They actually find an old camera and take pictures of each other. Also, there’s totally a scene where Mary and Dickon look at each other a liiiiiiittle too long, and Colin gets jealous, but WE’RE GONNA IGNORE THAT (FOR NOW) AND MOVE ON. Mrs. Medlock still believes that Colin’s sick, despite his insistence to the contrary, and forbids him to go to the garden. Mrs. Medlock is basically going through Munchhausen’s by Proxy at this point, and blooms into a full-fledged villain here.

Not that it matters too much, as the three kids eventually a way to escape. And they decide to try and summon Colin’s dad with...well, with a magic ritual. OK. They go to the garden, set a fire, and chant around it, with the intent to bring Lord Craven back to the manor via mystic means, so that Colin can show him his progress. But that’s not going to work...right?

Actualy...it might. Because Craven ends up having a dream of Lilias Craven (Irène Jacob), his late wife and Colin’s mother, whose name I only know NOW because of subtitles. In the dream, she is calling to him from the garden, and when Craven wakes up, he leaves without hesitation and heads back to the manor immediately, to the surprise of EVERYBODY.

Freaking the absolute fuck OUT, he goes to Mrs. Medlock to find his son, only to find that he’s no longer in his bed. Mrs. Medlock insists that Mary is killing Colin with her wild ways, and has no regard for his fragile state of being. He asks to be taken to her, and they discover that she’s also gone, having somehow escaped a locked room. And that is when Martha suggests that they’re in the garden.

Medlock insists that she’s done her absolute best, but Craven angrily rebukes her. She resigns on the spot, and breaks down on the stairs as Craven goes to find his son. Martha, even faithful and ever kind, comforts Mrs. Medlock, who really was trying her best, despite her rough ways of doing so. Meanwhile, Craven makes his way to the garden, where he finds his son walking and happily playing. He’s overjoyed by the sight of his totally fine son, and Colin is excited back. The father and son are FINALLY united.

But Mary is...less happy. As she sees Colin happily reunite with his father, she runs off, with Dickon in hot pursuit. She believes that nobody wants her, and that she’s now destined to be abandoned again. However, she’s eventually followed by Colin and Craven, and Craven asks why she’s so upset.

She believes that the garden will be closed again, now that Craven’s discovered it, and that she will be cast to the wayside. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth, as Craven welcomes both the garden and Mary into their family to stay. Which is...lovely. It’s quite frankly a lovely turn of events. Together, they head back to the manor, where Medlock gets to see Colin walking, which she actually didn’t believe was possible. The entire household is brought out of their melancholy, Medlock included. And the garden is now open permanently. And Mary closes us out with this line:

If you look the right way, the whole world is a garden.

...I’m not crying. I’m not. My eyes are a little misty, but I’m not crying. But, uh...I’m gonna go outside. That was The Secret Garden! See you in the Review.

42 notes · View notes

ingek73 · 5 years ago

Text

Here Are 20 Headlines Comparing Meghan Markle To Kate Middleton That Might Show Why She And Prince Harry Are Cutting Off Royal Reporters

Over the years, Meghan has been shamed for the same things for which her sister-in-law, Kate, has been praised.

Ellie Hall

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Last updated on January 13, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. ET

Posted on January 13, 2020, at 10:40 a.m. ET

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) didn't just shockingly "step back" as senior members of the royal family this week — they gave the UK media a big "fuck-you" for years of what they said was biased and unfair coverage.

The couple's new website on breaking up with years of royal protocol laid out — among a lot of other things — their media strategy, stating that they will no longer participate in the traditional royal press system that grants exclusive access to a select group of UK outlets.

Britain’s royal correspondents, they said, are seen as reliable sources of information. "This misconception propels coverage that is often carried by other outlets around the world, amplifying frequent misreporting," they wrote. Removing themselves from "royal rota" coverage has sparked an outcry among UK media and drew a protest from the National Union of Journalists.

This isn't a new complaint from the royal couple — they just took an unprecedented step to do something about it. Harry and Meghan have said publicly that they believe they have been treated unfairly by the UK press since the moment news broke of their relationship — that they are bullied, that there are racist undertones to coverage of them, and that they have been held to a different standard than Harry's brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Prince William and Kate Middleton).

The UK media outlets that currently make up the royal rota are the Daily Express, the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, the Evening Standard, the Telegraph, the Times, and the Sun.

Here is a look at 20 stories from these outlets that appear to show a double standard between press coverage of Meghan and Kate. BuzzFeed News has reached out to all of the outlets featured below for comment.

Kate: "Bumping along nicely! The Duchess was seen placing a protective hand on her tummy as she exited the event." Daily Mail: March 22, 2018

Meghan: "Personally, I find the cradling a bit like those signs in the back of cars: Baby on Board. Virtue signaling, as though the rest of us barren harridans deserve to burn alive in our cars." Daily Mail: Jan. 26, 2019

Kate and William: "Prince William was given one of the green fruit – wrapped up in a bow – by a little boy who's mother is suffering during her pregnancy too... 'He said he'd take it to [Kate] and see what happens – and said good luck for [the boy's] mummy.'" Express: Sept. 14, 2017

Meghan: "The pregnant Duchess of Sussex and so-called 'avocado on toast whisperer' is wolfing down a fruit linked to water shortages, illegal deforestation and all round general environmental devastation." Express: Jan. 23, 2019

Meghan: "The fact is the Queen expects to have the family around her for the festive season... to the Queen, for whom the tradition of the family gathering is a key date in her calendar, Harry and Meghan’s absence will be a matter of great sadness. It will also be a source of frustration." Daily Mail: Nov. 13, 2019

Meghan and Harry: "The Sussexes want to stamp their name on dozens of products including T-shirts, hoodies, journals and gloves for their newly-created foundation Sussex Royal... Experts said Harry and Meghan were actively preparing to quit the Royal Family months ago by filing trade mark applications to commercially protect their brand." Daily Mail: Jan. 9, 2020

"'Catherine and I are clear we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings. Over the past year we have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a clear and emotionally articulate way, something most adults would struggle with. Seeing this has really given me hope things are changing and there is a generation coming up who find it normal to talk openly about emotions.'” Sun: April 19, 2017

"What you make of 'fragile' Prince Harry and Meghan's comments may depend on your generation. Sun parents and kids reveal what they think of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex airing their emotions in public - and whether they have the right to moan in such positions of privilege..." Sun: Oct. 23, 2019

Meghan: "'Meghan wanted staff to go around with these atomizers, like spritzer guns, and spray the chapel with scent before anyone arrived. Royal Household staff stepped in and told her office politely, but firmly, that this was the queen's chapel and it simply wasn't appropriate. I don't believe they said no because they thought it could affect the chapel in any way. It was simply the principle of the thing. This is a place that has held royal weddings, funerals and even contains the royal vault. I don't believe a request of that nature had been made before.'" Daily Mail: Nov. 30, 2018

Kate: "As far as bridal bouquets go there was nothing particularly regal about Kate Middleton’s modest arrangement of simple, seasonal flowers. Like the bride herself the bouquet was effortlessly elegant and understated.

"Yet behind that modest posy lay a secret story. Kate, the commoner-turned-duchess, had painstakingly selected blooms with real meaning. She is evidently well-versed in the language of flowers, a little-known romantic relic from the 19th century.

Meghan: "[Meghan Markle] was holding a wedding bouquet which flowers were replicated in Princess Charlotte and the other bridesmaids’ flower crowns. Express.co.uk can now reveal the children’ crowns were made of flowers that can be deadly, especially for children. Meghan’s bouquet was made of forget-me-nots as well as sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia...

"Lily of the valley is a highly poisonous woodland flowering plant and ingestion could be deadly... As Meghan’s bridesmaids were so young, having this flower on their heads could be considered a dangerous decision. Other brides have also used this flowers including Kate Middleton, Princess Eugenie and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall." Express: Oct. 13, 2019

Meghan and Harry: "The situation has surprised some senior staff at Buckingham Palace, who feel that the duke and duchess should have planned the day better. ‘There is huge support for the couple in not wanting to conform to tradition. They are young, they are striking out on a different path from other members of the Royal Family and there is enormous goodwill for them. But they shouldn’t do that without regard for tradition,’ said one. ‘Her Majesty was already scheduled to be in Scotland for her annual Holyrood Week and had a prior engagement at the weekend. There is a feeling amongst some that they should have been more accommodating about the date.’" Daily Mail: July 4, 2019

Meghan: "The Queen's aides had told [Meghan] she would be wearing a green hat as a mark of respect to those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire. The Queen is said to have been 'baffled' when Meghan turned up without a hat as she didn't realize she was supposed to wear one too. A senior aide said: 'I don't think the Duchess fully understood. This was not a request. Those are for others to make, not the Queen.' The Queen's staff are said to have noted the Duchess's mistake or 'lack of deference'" Mirror: Oct. 29, 2018

Meghan: "Proper royalty is about tradition and duty, self-effacing service and loyalty — year after year after year, season after season... That is not to say that a monarchy cannot or must not move with the times — simply that it has to resist the temptation to be buffeted by passing cultural trends. Fashion is the exact opposite. And as fashion’s most famous bible, Vogue exemplifies the transient nature of the beast." Daily Mail: July 29, 2019

#meghate #meghan markle #kate middleton #duchess of sussex #duchess of cambridge #double standards #brf #royal rota #tabloids #buzzfeed

125 notes · View notes

ive-lost-my-effervescent-mind · 4 years ago

Text

Bella Accidentally Calls Esme Mom: Part 1 (fic)

What if Esme and Bella had a greenhouse? What if they spent a lot of time together and became friends? What if they lived in Alaska and Renesme wasn’t a thing?

Based off of my post from a month ago

I had never thought my life would lead to this. Throughout my childhood in Phoenix, I had basked in the sun with my mother, surrounded by the sand and soil of the Arizona landscape that contrasts with the sleet and snow of the Alaskan winter that encompasses my current home. It was fairly new, even to the centuries old vampires of my family. While during past stays in Denali the Cullens had lived with their cousins, we decided to build our own home nestled among the snow covered peaks. After all, the addition of myself and Garrett to the covens a hundred years ago made things a little crowded. Esme had, of course, designed the white structure paneled with light wood in order to accommodate our family. Floor to ceiling windows, a book-lined office for Carlisle, closets twice the normal size for Alice, and a greenhouse for us.

I had never had much of a green thumb. Renee kept a garden off and on her entire life, but the citrus trees and tomato plants she tried to grow didn’t always last that long. I seemed to make things worse. I had a talent for killing even the most desert friendly succulents, and I would have killed the cactus I took to Forks ages ago if it wasn’t for Esme’s intervention. Under her guidance, I became a botanist extraordinaire.

Little by little our traveling garden grew large enough to warrant the beautiful greenhouse attached to our far-from-humble abode. I was surrounded by a collection of flora unlike any other.Many plants were chosen for the memories they evoked when caught by our heightened senses: white and violet flowers from the forests of Forks, ferns and wide leafed plants from Isle Esme. Rosalie had begged for daisies and roses, the scents reminding her of long walks in the park from decades past. We had planted three young fig trees on Jasper’s request that had since grown taller than either of the boys could reach. I would often find him, after a long or trying day, sitting under the small canopy created by their interweaving branches. In his youth, he told me, his mother had grown a fig tree. It was her pride and joy, after her children of course, he said. I didn’t push him. I had already grown used to walking into Esme and I’s paradise to find him leaning against one of the trunks. But Jasper was able to confide in me, we had a bond, built of quiet caring and mutual understanding. Perhaps it had formed in the wake of the deep friendship Alice and Edward had, one so chaotic and unique that no one could ever understand, unless they possessed similar abilities. Whatever it was, I had spent hours sitting in the soil of the large planter box listening to Jasper reminisce about experiences almost lost to the waves of time, but now uncovered in the sand by the sight and smell of his fig trees.

Carlisle had suggested rosemary, basil, and other herbs, Emmett apples and cherries that he could help pick, Edward sprawling ivy that reminded him of his Oxford days. Alice near demanded “lots and lots of flowers” and in the spring you could find her happily humming in the kitchen arranging beautiful bouquets. Everyone had their own space in the greenhouse, even me.

The midday sun fell through the trees surrounding the greenhouse, casting dancing shadows onto the collection of cacti and succulents in front of me. The greenhouse was silent, save for the hum of its climate control and the sound of Esme watering Rose’s roses. The quiet was comforting. At first, it made me long for the days I spent in the Phoenix Public Library during my humanhood. Just like the shelves upon shelves of books promoted a muted atmosphere, the thick concrete walls and double paned windows of the greenhouse muffled any sound that came from the house and insulated the greenhouse from the cold outside. I still haven't gotten used to the surprising amount of noise the Cullens made. The sound of laughter and squabbles, of the clacking of fingers on the keys of Carlisle’s keyboard and Edward’s piano, were picked up by my enhanced hearing, even though they took place at the other side of the house. I still haven’t gotten used to it, and at times it was overwhelming. At least here, everything was softened. The greenhouse had become my haven, along with Esme’s companionship.

Today, there was no reason to be here except for that companionship. The rest of the Cullens had disappeared from the house, either hunting or over at the Denali’s, and their noise had vanished with them. Alice and Rosalie were helping plan Kate and Garrett’s second wedding, but if you asked Alice it was their first, because “If it is officiated by a man dressed as Elvis then it does not count.” The boys were out hunting, with Garrett and Eleazar tagging along.

Quiet days like this gave me a peek into Esme’s world, back when the Cullens masqueraded as a blended family. She would often stay at home, working on projects and designing buildings that may never come to life. In recent years, however, we moved from small town to small town less and less, now opting to live in more secluded areas for decades at a time. My favorite was the Alps, but then again our greenhouse there wasn’t as big.

Bright light drifted in through the windows, reflected by the snow, settling on the collection of cacti and succulents in front of me. We had come a long way, the large barrel cactus I held in my hands and I. Cheerfully named Dorothy by Esme, my prickly friend came with me to Forks, and had accompanied me through the journeys of my second life. She was so small back then, but had grown over the course of the hundred years she was in my care. 80 years ago the cold climates and rainy area we favored took a toll on her. I was heartbroken, I couldn’t bear to part with my cactus, the last bit of Phoenix and Renee, of before, that I had left. But thankfully Esme had stepped in. Dorothy had flourished, producing small copies of herself and inspiring the garden we have now. But now, approaching the end of her life, she was looking a little dreary.

“Don’t fret, Bella,” Esme softly said as she approached me. “Giving her a pot of her own, in the sun, should help her out. She’ll be as good as new in no time”

“Thanks Mom” I said, before I even realized. Mom. The word echoed off the glass walls of the greenhouse quietly, but it was loud and clear to our heightened senses. When the sound ceased, the word continued to bounce against the walls of my mind, hitting memories that I would have forgotten, if it weren’t for Edward. Mom? MOM!?

Renee, my heart yearned. And I could see it in Esme’s eyes, a similar yearning, yet completely different from my own.

#tumblr really doesn't have indents #that's not the move #this is my first fic #and I haven't written anything similar in 3 years #so bear with me #Bella Calls Esme Mom #K writes #esme cullen #bella swan #twilight #my fic

12 notes · View notes

jeremystrele · 5 years ago

Text

How To Start A Productive Garden TODAY!

Gardens

by Amelia Barnes

Ben Shaw in his Geelong garden. Photo – Marnie Hawson.

Now is a great time to be growing your produce before the chilly months set in. In fact, if you start planting your winter crop today, you could be greeted with delicious vegetables in as little as four weeks.

No idea where to start? We asked chef-turned sustainable-farmer Paul West, permaculture expert Ben Shaw, and TDF’s in-house gardening enthusiast Alice Ziebell for their beginner’s tips!

Rich, healthy and alive soil is key to growing successful productive gardens. Photo – Marnie Hawson.

Ben Shaw also hosts permaculture workshops and consults with people wanting to integrate permaculture principles into their own gardens. Photo – Marnie Hawson.

Photo – Marnie Hawson.

Peas! Photo – Marnie Hawson.

Getting started…

Contrary to popular belief, very little is needed to get started in the garden. Permaculture expert Ben Shaw is the owner of a thriving productive garden in suburban Geelong, and he says no tools are needed, especially in the beginning stages. He simply advises ‘access to a patch of dirt – either a backyard, community gardens or pots.��

‘It is very cheap to build a ‘no-dig’ garden. No tools required – just some time to collect all the ingredients! Longer-term it’s helpful to have a wheelbarrow, a fork and shovel to speed up the process.’

Get the best quality potting mix (for garden beds) or planter mix (for pots) you can afford, plus organic compost to mix in so the soil is nice and rich.

There are several locally based, online stores that can deliver seeds and seedlings straight to your home such as The Diggers Club and The Little Veggie Patch Co.

Paul West advises that you shouldn’t expect to be a pro straight away, and that rather the reward is in the process of growing (you and the plants!). Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

For Paul West, nothing trumps a deeply nourishing meal and made with ingredients you have grown yourself. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

Harvest time in the vegetable garden with Frankie and Wilco, in the garden of Horst Schoeps in Narre Warren! Photo – Kate Ballis for The Design Files.

Start simple, perhaps with one pot of parsley? Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

What to plant if you have little space

Not everyone has access to a backyard, but luckily there are plenty of fruit and vegetable varieties that lend themselves to being grown in pots and styrofoam boxes, either on a windowsill or balcony. This is Paul West’s area of expertise, and he recommends herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, coriander and basil. Edible leafy greens such as rocket, mizuna, mustard greens, butter lettuces and cress are also great options.

Once you’ve planted these varieties, it’s important to give them consistent love and attention. If you have two or three pots on an apartment balcony for example, dedicating an hour a week to maintenance is ample, but this must be spread out across multiple days. You can’t set up your garden to ‘set and forget’, or think one blitz on a weekend will provide you with food for months to come. ‘Plants need regular food and water just like us, so it’s best to think of food growing as a gentle marathon where you do a little bit every day, rather than a sprint where you go mad for two days and then never look at it again,’ Paul says.

Judy Sederof’s overachieving garden in Brunswick! Photo – Annette O’Brien for The Design Files.

What to plant if you want food quickly

Those leafy vegetables and herbs Paul West mentioned above? Not only can they be grown in pots to suit a small space, but if you put them in the ground right now, they’ll be ready to begin harvesting in four to six weeks! ‘When you do start harvesting, be sure to harvest the outermost leaves first, and never take more than one-third of the plant mass,’ he says.

Of course, you don’t need to be a literal expert to grow your own produce at home, as shown by TDF’s very own gardening enthusiast (aka our partnerships manager) Alice Ziebell! Alice spends every weekend tending to her crop of plants alongside her landscape architect husband, Marlon Ziebell. (Once your vegetable garden is underway, be sure to try out some of this pair’s delightful recipes!)

Alice says right now is the perfect time to plant your winter crop while the weather (and soil) remains warm. ‘It will give them a nice head start so that come the cooler weather you’ll have a thriving winter veggie garden. We’ve just put cabbages, broccoli, bok choy, carrots and beetroot in the ground.’

If you’re looking for something that you can start picking ASAP and is easy to grow, Alice says you can’t go past radish seeds. ‘Pop them straight in the ground and you’ll be picking and eating them in just a few weeks! (Don’t forget, radish tops are also delicious and can be used for making pesto, so you really can eat the whole thing!)’

What to plant now, for down the track results…

Garlic has to be one of the most used ingredients by any home chef, and if you’ve got a head on hand already, you can literally separate this into cloves, place them 2cm deep in soil, and start the growing process today! They should be ready in six to nine months. That being said, try to buy organic, Australian garlic where you can for the best results.

Fruit trees are a much longer investment, but one that’s incredibly rewarding. These are generally fine to plant in winter, but keep in mind they won’t yield fruit for a few years! Ben Shaw has had great success with plums, pears, apricots, tamarillos and limes. Be sure to research what fruit trees are most suited to your garden’s climate before getting started.

Our very own Alice Ziebell at her father-in-laws incredible Leongatha property! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

Photo – Marnie Hawson.

0 notes

jccamus · 5 years ago

Text

Here Are 20 Headlines Comparing Meghan Markle To Kate Middleton That Might Show Why She And Prince Harry Are Cutting Off Royal Reporters

Here Are 20 Headlines Comparing Meghan Markle To Kate Middleton That Might Show Why She And Prince Harry Are Cutting Off Royal Reporters https://ift.tt/2Rf0FOG

Here Are 20 Headlines Comparing Meghan Markle To Kate Middleton That May Show Why She And Prince Harry Are Cutting Off Royal Reporters

Over the years, Meghan has been shamed for the same things for which her sister-in-law, Kate, has been praised.

Last updated on January 13, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. ET

Posted on January 13, 2020, at 10:40 a.m. ET

Mark Cuthbert / Getty Images

The UK media outlets that currently make up the royal rota are the Daily Express, the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, the Evening Standard, the Telegraph, the Times, and the Sun. Here is a look at 20 stories from these outlets that appear to show a double standard between press coverage of Meghan and Kate. BuzzFeed News has reached out to all of the outlets featured below for comment.

Daily Mail / 2018, Daily Mail / 2019

Kate: "Bumping along nicely! The Duchess was seen placing a protective hand on her tummy as she exited the event." Daily Mail: March 22, 2018 Meghan: "Personally, I find the cradling a bit like those signs in the back of cars: Baby on Board. Virtue signaling, as though the rest of us barren harridans deserve to burn alive in our cars." Daily Mail: Jan. 26, 2019

Express / 2017, Express / 2019

Daily Mail / 2016, Daily Mail / 2019

Kate: "Royal sources said yesterday that the Queen understood and endorsed William and Kate’s decision not to spend Christmas Day with her. One said: ‘Her Majesty understands that it is a dilemma that many young couples face and acknowledges how close Catherine’s relationship is with her family." Daily Mail: Dec. 16, 2016 Meghan: "The fact is the Queen expects to have the family around her for the festive season... to the Queen, for whom the tradition of the family gathering is a key date in her calendar, Harry and Meghan’s absence will be a matter of great sadness. It will also be a source of frustration." Daily Mail: Nov. 13, 2019

Daily Mail / 2014, Daily Mail / 2019

Kate and William: "Creating their own companies will allow William and Kate to bring out, should they ever chose to, myriad items of officially-endorsed merchandise from tea towels to coffee cups... Kensington Palace officials said they were doing the ‘sensible thing’ in protecting the couple’s rights." Daily Mail: Jan. 17, 2014 Meghan and Harry: "The Sussexes want to stamp their name on dozens of products including T-shirts, hoodies, journals and gloves for their newly-created foundation Sussex Royal... Experts said Harry and Meghan were actively preparing to quit the Royal Family months ago by filing trade mark applications to commercially protect their brand." Daily Mail: Jan. 9, 2020

Kate and William: "Prince William yesterday backed brother Harry’s brave admission of his mental anguish — and blasted the monarchy’s 'stiff upper lip' tradition... William said: 'There may be a time and a place for the ‘stiff upper lip’ but not at the expense of your health... ' "'Catherine and I are clear we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings. Over the past year we have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a clear and emotionally articulate way, something most adults would struggle with. Seeing this has really given me hope things are changing and there is a generation coming up who find it normal to talk openly about emotions.'” Sun: April 19, 2017

Meghan and Harry: "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have bucked royal tradition once again with their latest TV interview — in which they claimed they were 'existing, not living.' The couple ditched the stiff upper lip of previous Royal Family generations and flew the flag for 'Generation Therapy' as they revealed their emotions to the world - but were they right to do so? "What you make of 'fragile' Prince Harry and Meghan's comments may depend on your generation. Sun parents and kids reveal what they think of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex airing their emotions in public - and whether they have the right to moan in such positions of privilege..." Sun: Oct. 23, 2019

Kate: "It was reported that new Duchess of Cambridge requested her favorite scented candles and toiletries from luxury fragrance brand Jo Malone be delivered to scent the Abbey. A selection of candles, handwashes and lotions was requested, specifically in citrus spring scents including Orange Blossom, Grapefruit and the ever-popular Lime, Basil & Mandarin." Daily Mail: May 4, 2011 Meghan: "'Meghan wanted staff to go around with these atomizers, like spritzer guns, and spray the chapel with scent before anyone arrived. Royal Household staff stepped in and told her office politely, but firmly, that this was the queen's chapel and it simply wasn't appropriate. I don't believe they said no because they thought it could affect the chapel in any way. It was simply the principle of the thing. This is a place that has held royal weddings, funerals and even contains the royal vault. I don't believe a request of that nature had been made before.'" Daily Mail: Nov. 30, 2018

"Hence the use of lilac in her bouquet, which signifies the first emotions of love, the lily of the valley meaning a return of happiness, hyacinth standing for constancy, myrtle meaning love and the ivy, which represents fidelity. Then of course there was the suitably named Sweet William, which is shorthand for gallantry." Express: Aug. 29, 2011 Meghan: "[Meghan Markle] was holding a wedding bouquet which flowers were replicated in Princess Charlotte and the other bridesmaids’ flower crowns. Express.co.uk can now reveal the children’ crowns were made of flowers that can be deadly, especially for children. Meghan’s bouquet was made of forget-me-nots as well as sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia... "Lily of the valley is a highly poisonous woodland flowering plant and ingestion could be deadly... As Meghan’s bridesmaids were so young, having this flower on their heads could be considered a dangerous decision. Other brides have also used this flowers including Kate Middleton, Princess Eugenie and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall." Express: Oct. 13, 2019

Kate and William: "The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh missed the small family affair. The decision is understood not to have been taken on health grounds, and to have been mutually agreed by the Queen and the Cambridges some time ago. The Queen, 92, has a busy week ahead, with high-profile celebrations in central London marking the centenary of the RAF on Tuesday, and a visit by US President Donald Trump in Windsor on Friday." Daily Mail: July 9, 2018 Meghan and Harry: "The situation has surprised some senior staff at Buckingham Palace, who feel that the duke and duchess should have planned the day better. ‘There is huge support for the couple in not wanting to conform to tradition. They are young, they are striking out on a different path from other members of the Royal Family and there is enormous goodwill for them. But they shouldn’t do that without regard for tradition,’ said one. ‘Her Majesty was already scheduled to be in Scotland for her annual Holyrood Week and had a prior engagement at the weekend. There is a feeling amongst some that they should have been more accommodating about the date.’" Daily Mail: July 4, 2019

Kate: "It is a fashion conundrum not many of us will ever face, but what exactly does one wear for tea with the Queen? The Duchess of Cambridge met this challenge head on yesterday by co-ordinating her outfit with the Queen’s powder blue ensemble... The Queen, on her first official event to mark her Diamond Jubilee, was dressed in a pastel hat and two-piece coat dress with military-style rows of gold buttons designed by Angela Kelly. Looking relaxed and elegant, her outfit was perfect for what looked like a fun official engagement with the girls." Mirror: Feb. 14, 2013 Meghan: "The Queen's aides had told [Meghan] she would be wearing a green hat as a mark of respect to those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire. The Queen is said to have been 'baffled' when Meghan turned up without a hat as she didn't realize she was supposed to wear one too. A senior aide said: 'I don't think the Duchess fully understood. This was not a request. Those are for others to make, not the Queen.' The Queen's staff are said to have noted the Duchess's mistake or 'lack of deference'" Mirror: Oct. 29, 2018

Kate: "We see a woman in her prime: stylish, confident and positively radiant, nailing outfit after outfit in the style stakes — and it’s a joy to witness... That old uniform of girlish dresses, tan tights and nude heels has been replaced by dazzling super-chic outfits to satisfy even the most exacting fashionista." Daily Mail: June 16, 2019 Meghan: "Proper royalty is about tradition and duty, self-effacing service and loyalty — year after year after year, season after season... That is not to say that a monarchy cannot or must not move with the times — simply that it has to resist the temptation to be buffeted by passing cultural trends. Fashion is the exact opposite. And as fashion’s most famous bible, Vogue exemplifies the transient nature of the beast." Daily Mail: July 29, 2019

https://ift.tt/2QOXZZ2 via BuzzFeed News January 13, 2020 at 11:50PM

#IFTTT #Feedly

0 notes

batfam-headcanon-blog · 7 years ago

Note

Here's a weird one: BatFamily's favorite spices?

Bruce - because he was raised with a lot of fancy spices and stuff his favorite is salt

Luke - chives because he loves them on his potatoes to the point where he is seeing what else he can put chives in

Kate - zaatar because she was raised on traditional jewish food and zaatar with chicken is one of her comfort foods

Babs - basil because of how nice it smells and its one of the only plants she can actually grow

Dick - hawaij because when he was growing up, his mom would make a curry dish with hawaij and it reminds him of her

Stephanie - rosemary because it tastes good with most things, smells good, and looks pretty on top of dishes

Jason - pepper, nothing too fancy, just something to give his food a little bit of a spice factor

Cassandra - ginger because ginger tea has a calming factor on her and she drinks it whenever she is stressed

Tim - nutmeg because he loves to use it with his coffee, either that or cinnamon

Carrie - peppermint because it is so strong that you only have to use a little bit, therefore you can mess up

Damian - wasabi to the point where he puts wasabi on most things like how some kids put ketchup on everything, he does that with wasabi

Harper - saffron because it’s fun to say saffron and you can’t be mad while saying it

Duke - grains of paradise which he uses instead of pepper because pepper hurts his stomach but for some reason grains of paradise don’t

#j replies #all #bruce wayne #luke fox #kate kane #babs #barbara gordon #dick grayson #richard grayson #stephanie brown #jason todd #cassandra cain #tim drake #carrie kelley #damian wayne #harper row #duke thomas

72 notes · View notes

poetobservationz · 8 years ago

Text

Something, remembered. To friends of my father.

I was reminded today, of something wonderful. As I was examining a tiny “Grow it yourself!” basil plant I got for Christmas, a memory flashed before my eyes.

The brown color of the earthy pot reminded me of egg cartons. My Dad, among other gifts, had a green thumb. And as a child, I was amazed by how he magically lifted things from the ground.

Our garden was something fairys dreamed of in their wildest hopes and most wishful dreams.

We had a greenhouse of sorts, in our back room which opened to our backyard. I recall, year round, us gathering empty egg cartons, filling them with musky, earthy, rich soil, and him instructing me on how to gently press a flower seed into the dirt, and cover it up.

He would let me pick which seeds we would grow, and I would pick the most beautiful flowers, and he would say so. And I am sure some were not built for upstate New York climate or temperament. Yet, somehow he’d make them rise in the egg carton and gently transfer them to the garden.

And something I didn’t recognize until now, was how our gardens didn’t focus on just food, or what was “useful”, though I remember tomatoes.

Our gardens were full of flowers, and not just perennials.

We had annual flowers, lasting only one season, their impermanence part of their beauty.

And I think that is something that was true of my Dad.

He valued the impermanence of beautiful things; he valued the process he would repeat every year, and the slow, fruitless efforts of growing flowers.

My Dad lived effortlessly in the moment, enjoyed the slow growth of something wonderful that would last for a short time, then fade away.

And as a girl, I learned to value it too.

I think when you lose something so essential to your self understanding, you may feel like that part of you dies with it.

But like the annual flowers, anything observed with love is never wasted.

I started a project, my senior year that I never finished. Which is why I am sharing this with you today.

It dawned on me while looking at the basil plant this morning, how deep and impenetrably important this project is.

There are parts of my Dad, I don’t know. And I desperately, so desperately want too.

To my dads best friends, (as so many were regarded as such).

Hey, I am Jeff Millers eldest daughter.

My father saved two huge boxes of letters from his friends and family. I discovered these boxes May 1st of 2015,

and it took me quite some time to decide what I wanted to do with them. I loved seeing all your letters, and reading what you had to say, but I also really wanted to see what my father replied. I wanted more than anything to see his messy handwriting, and hear his voice through his words. I wanted to see his signature, his drawings,read his stories; I wanted more than anything to know my father as more than my Golden perfect temple so well displayed in my mind. I wanted to see my father write that he had bad days, and admit that he messed up, or see him swear. I wanted him to become more real. It can seem sometimes to me, he is like Superman; flawless, and heroic; but a character from a story. I don’t doubt that he was a perfect person; he’s my dad anyway. I just want him to be more complicated maybe, like a complex character. Don’t misunderstand! I don’t want him to seem evil, I just want to see how he would tell it if he were here. I read my mother’s letters to him starting from high school and on, which he saved, and it made me wildly happy to see her write how excited she was to “ski”, (she hates skiing), or how she got pulled over that weekend, (she claims to be a professional driver). I realized I knew my mom because I know myself. I recognized the fake interest in things that the other person loved, and the misplaced bragging for hugely understated “oppsies”, because I’ve done the same thing. And she is no less perfect in my eyes. She is more. I loved seeing that I had pieces of my mom, not just from her strengths, but also from her faults; because, we learn the most from our faults.

While I was searching the box, I also came across books my dad had, and slowly but beautifully, it dawned on me that we did have something in common. We loved weird history. The titles ranged from “Unsolved Mystery’s from the Past”, to “Side Show freaks 1880-1950”. I considered, perhaps these were some of my old christmas gifts long hidden and forgotten by my mom. I cracked their dusty covers to see my father’s messy John Hancock, which I so covet. I knew how curious, riveted, and revolted he felt while reading about certain mysteries left unsolved, and for once I knew with absolute certainty. Because I felt the same things. I had him, and his curiosity for the strange and unanswerable oddities inside of me. And I loved it. Then I found the letters, and now I’m finding you.

My father loved you. He kept your letters, their envelopes, and the ridiculous cartoons sometimes included inside of them starting in his high school days and onward. He probably laughed, or maybe cried, or immediately started to reply. I don’t know, but I’d like too.

This is really less of a search for my father, and more of a search for myself. I want to learn more about the pieces of me that my mom swears aren’t her fault (joking!). I’m here to ask if you have anything you could copy including pictures, letters, a drawing, a note on the back of a napkin, a signature of his for me. More important to me though, I would appreciate a story; anything you have would do. I’m hungry for it as you can probably assume. You can email at [email protected]

I know after my Dad died, my mom asked this of people he loved. We had a few replies, which my siblings and I love reading. They are precious to us.

I understand if this is too painful for you, or you have too much going on. I realize it’s not a normal request or an easy one. I just don’t want to continue my life wondering what would come of this, if I hadn’t done it. Either way, I get to share your correspondence with my father and that makes me happy. I hope it does the same for you. My mother does have letters from my father, but those are only one facet, and I can only read so much without being weird out from the gushy, lovey, dovey-ness. I want more.

When I was 6, in 2003 I lost my father to a brain tumor, resulting in my family’s move to Marblehead from upstate New York in 2005. I have two younger siblings, Maddie and Jeffrey whom I take great responsibility for, as the oldest sibling in a single parent household. I’m positive these letters would make their lives a bit easier. I am about to study in Prague this coming semester.

Thank you so much for writing my dad once upon a time and giving me a chance to get to know him, for taking the time to read this letter, and for considering a reply- Please forward to anyone who knew him. I really only have an idea of about 8 people to send this too. I don’t know everybody in the pictures. I don’t know everybody who he loved.

Please.

With love from your friends daughter,

Maisie Kate Millerhttps://68.media.tumblr.com/181b4183e29272f8ccb0968310e16899/tumblr_inline_okg8cgS7dX1ucvos6_1280.jpg

https://poetobservation.tumblr.com/legacy

Photo sets found at:

photo sets:

https://poetobservation.tumblr.com/post/156449574650/image-set-1

https://poetobservation.tumblr.com/post/156449572230/image-set-2

https://poetobservation.tumblr.com/post/156449568065/image-set-3

https://poetobservation.tumblr.com/post/156449566600/image-set-4

https://poetobservation.tumblr.com/post/156449562285/image-set-5

2 notes · View notes

brainfoodgp · 8 years ago

Text

Brain Food Garden Project Blog April/2017

“April’s rare capricious loveliness” -Julia Dorr-

April has been a busy month for Brain Food Garden Project and for me personally. April showers helped the French tulip bulbs the ACMH Garden Club planted last fall erupt in color just in time for Passover and Easter. The rains this month didn’t stop us from getting our new standing greenhouse built and starting to plant our lounge herb garden. And a date has finally been set to tape the NY1 Queens Person of the Week segment featuring me and the work I’m doing both at ACMH and Brain Food Garden Project the interview is scheduled to tape on Thursday May 4th.

Our First batch of Brain Food Garden Project t-shirts arrived, and although we aren’t selling them yet, we formed a contest to name this monthly blog and the winner will be one of the first to get a free t-shirt. For more contest information see the end of this blog post. Also, in the future anyone that submits a story to run in our monthly blogs “feature section” if accepted and printed will also receive a complimentary t-shirt for their contribution. More on that in just a minute.

We honored Autism Awareness Month throughout our social media platforms and celebrated Earth Day by volunteering at one of our favorite organization’s and partners Leave It Better kids’ garden in the Bronx. The rain didn’t dampen any of those volunteering’s spirits it just invigorated us to push on and we accomplished so much together in support of making our planet a healthier place for future generations.

When I changed the format of this blog post to a newsletter concept with different sections it was always my intention to open up the feature story section to everyone in the Brain Food Garden Club community. I wanted anyone that had a story to share or ideas on Food Justice or mental health that they wanted to bring to the community to be able to do so. Starting next month for Mental Health Awareness Month we will have our first guest writer. I already have her complimentary BFGP t-shirt ready! I will share more details in our 2nd Annual Special Edition Mental Health Awareness Month issue on May 8th.

That brings me to this month’s feature. This month I have a real treat from one of our new partners Kate Bakewell founder of Brook Farm Group. Kate is one of the top urban landscape architects in NYC. And she recently sent me a rendering of what the possible garden space could look like if we are granted permission to use the space at Metropolitan Community Hospital. So this month I have decided to answer the top 3 questions I am asked in potential partnership meetings regarding why I think Metropolitan hospital is the perfect location for the Todd Petriscak Memorial Garden. As always we have our latest “Notes from the Resistance,” a wonderful new read for you to check out in my “What I’m Reading” section and a recipe perfect for the warmer weather we are blissfully starting to enjoy. Onwards towards summer and the adventures life has in store for all of us.

The BFGP Feature:

Whenever I am in a meeting with new potential partners for Brain Food Garden Project I am often asked a ton of questions. Many revolve around the potential space I have in mind for the first garden. In this month’s feature I have decided to answer three of the most frequently asked questions in those meetings. The beautiful rendering accompanying these questions has been provided by one of Brain Food Garden Projects latest partners Kate Bakewell an amazing New York City based urban landscape architect. The firm she started Brook Farm Group has an impeccable reputation for making the city scape greener for all of New York’s citizens for more information on Kate and the Brook Farm Group. Click Here.

Question 1:

Why do you think Metropolitan Community Hospital should be the site of your first hospital garden?

This ultimately is one of the first questions I am asked by new potential partners. By now many people know that Metropolitan Community Hospital is where I spent my second extensive hospitalization. I have told the story many times by now of the excellent care I received while at Metropolitan Hospital Center. This excellent care is one of the primary reasons. Another reason and story I love to share is after I had reached a certain level of recovery and was waiting for an affordable housing option to become available. I would go to my room after lunch every day and look down on this enormous rooftop space sitting empty (pictured in the rendering above). I started planting a vegetable garden on this space in my mind. Every day after lunch I would return to my room and looking out the window I’d plant a new crop, by the time I was discharged I had a flourishing garden blooming. I asked myself why isn’t a real community garden blooming on this space? And why aren’t our public hospitals taking advantage of unused space to help grow and feed our communities? In conclusion it all comes down to wanting to give back to a hospital that gave me a new chance at life.

Question 2:

Why do you feel operationally this would be the ideal location for Brain Food Garden Project’s first garden?

Well, first it has to do with available space. Not only do they have the outdoor space available, if future inspections prove safe to build our garden, but they also have unused office space available directly off the garden space. Second, anyone familiar with HHC (NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation) knows that although they manage most of the public hospitals in NYC, none of their direct operating systems are the same for each individual hospital. For example psych patients at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn are never allowed to leave the psych ward no matter how well they might be progressing. While at Metropolitan once your medical team has approved you reaching a higher level of recovery you are granted permission to go off ward accompanied by a clinician to use the gym, library and to occasionally take your dinner outside to a gated area to eat. This type of system would prove vital in allowing peers to use the garden as a wellness tool while hospitalized.

Question 3:

Why is the first garden to be named the Todd Petriscak Memorial Garden?

Todd Petriscak and I met and became friends while hospitalized at Metropolitan Hospital in 2012. After discharge we stayed close friends and each other’s biggest support system. Todd’s love for science influenced some of the earliest decisions made and overall direction and mission statement for Brain Food Garden Project. Todd was part of the original five team think tank that I lovingly referred to as my Big Green Machine that listened to my earliest ideas and offered advice in how to shape them. Todd lost his battle with manic depression on January 25, 2016. I continue to miss his kindness, intelligence and support every day.

What I’m Reading:

I bought the book The President’s Kitchen Cabinet back in February when it first came out. I had been a fan of author Adrian Miller’s first book Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time. This brilliant follow up book has proven that there is no better historian to dig up the tasty truth and unearth the long overdue contributions of the African community to the American food culture. There could not be a better location to start the process of un white washing America’s food culture than at the slave built White House itself. This book is a must read for all history lovers and food lovers, some of the recipes in the book are simply amazing.

Notes From the Resistance:

The fascist is fast approaching his 100 days mark and other than some very destructive executive orders and one signed bill that will allow people with severe mental illness to have easier access to guns. His agenda has mostly been a wash thanks to the American people fighting it at every turn. Have no fear his next attempt is to shut down the government until Democrats agree to pay for his atrocity of a wall. These are going to be a long four years.

1. There is an agricultural crisis coming. Click Here

2. Now Yale Psychiatrists are warning us about the fascists mental health. Click Here

3. Mental Illness is on the rise but where is the access to care? Click Here

4. The fascist appoints a Mental Health Czar but is she just a hack? Click Here

5. The fascist regime cares nothing about prison reform and people with mental health concerns pay the price. Click Here

Healthy & Delicious Recipes:

When the warmer weather begins the first thing I need to make is a good old standard a pasta salad. I just crave it and this is one of my favorites I call it the Beltane Spring Salad. Make a big batch for after you’re finished dancing around the May pole.

Ingredients:

· 1 pound whole wheat small shell pasta

· 3 carrots, thinly sliced

· 1 (1-pound) bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

· 8 radishes, halved and thinly sliced

· 2 cups baby spinach, thinly sliced

· 1 bunch green onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced

· ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

· ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

· 3 tablespoons lemon juice

· ¼ cup chopped fresh dill or basil, chopped

· 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, to taste

Method:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just barely tender, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, carrots and peas and cook until vegetables are just tender and pasta is just tender, about 3 minutes more. Drain and cool under cold running water, then drain again. Meanwhile, in a very large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add pasta and vegetables, spinach, green onions, radishes and dill and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled; refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

HELP US NAME THE BRAIN FOOD GARDEN PROJECT BLOG!

Submit your idea for our new blog title and if your entry is selected WIN a Brain Food Garden Project T-shirt. All entries must be submitted no later than midnight on May 4, 2017. Submit your ideas to [email protected]

0 notes

foursprouthealth-blog · 7 years ago

Text

11 Mother's Day Gifts Under $50 That Are More Thoughtful Than Flowers

New Post has been published on http://foursprout.com/health/11-mothers-day-gifts-under-50-that-are-more-thoughtful-than-flowers/

11 Mother's Day Gifts Under $50 That Are More Thoughtful Than Flowers

It’s that time again! Mother’s Day is on the horizon. But while April’s unrelenting showers have finally begun to bring May flowers, that’s no excuse to cheap out and give the woman who gave you (or your kids, or your partner, or your ex-boyfriend whose mom still loves you more than him) life yet another skimpy corner store bouquet. If your queen-for-a-day enjoys the finer things in life (i.e., food and drink), do yourself a favor and grab her one of these 11 mom-approved Mother’s Day gifts for less than 50 big ones. She deserves it.

1. The Neighborgoods Dish Towels and Onesies

Brighten up any Mom’s kitchen with a couple of these ridiculously charming dish towels displaying whimsical illustrated recipes or fruit- and veggie-related puns. And if the mom in your life is still in baby food and bottle mode, these produce-inspired onesies will definitely make her day. “I’m kind of a big dill”? Get outta here with that cuteness.

($18 – $26; theneighborgoods.com)

2. Kate Spade Diner Stripe Apron

No matter how many times your mom told you she wasn’t a short-order cook growing up, there’s no way she can resist this adorable retro apron. It’s 100-percent cotton with front slide pockets and eye-catching magenta stripes and, get this, there’s even a measuring guide printed conveniently on the underside. And as an added bonus, it also encourages eating cake for breakfast. That’s a win-win.

($30; katespade.com)

3. SANS Original Smoothie Bottle

Health-conscious moms know the struggle of keeping their breakfast smoothie or cold-pressed juice fresh and tasty while dealing with all the inevitable meltdowns, frustrations, and interruptions that make up a typical morning. Thankfully, these vacuum-sealed bottles will do the job for them, preserving all that good vitamin-rich flavor by preventing oxidation. Made with nontoxic, BPA-free materials, they’re also equipped with a leak-proof lid to keep spills at bay.

($30; sans-bottle.com)

4. Williams Sonoma Marble & Copper Monogram Cutting Board

This sturdy handmade board combines smooth, shiny ash gray marble with a slick customized copper inlay for the ultimate home entertaining power move. Because doesn’t a good Stilton taste that much better when it’s served with a little swagger?

($31.96; williams-sonoma.com)

5. MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker

Ideal for the busy mom (a.k.a. all moms), this genius, surprisingly lightweight contraption will take you from bean to brew quickly, efficiently, and deliciously. All she needs is grounds and hot water and Mom’s next cup of piping hot espresso, topped with luscious crema, of course, is well within reach.

($49.50; amazon.com)

6. GOVERRE Portable Wine Glass

Show your favorite mama that sippy cups aren’t just for toddlers with one of these shatter-resistant wine glasses. The sleek, white 17-ounce vessel is dishwasher safe; capped with a secure, removable lid; and comes swaddled in a colorful silicone sleeve for maximum grippability (especially when you’re juggling keys, your purse, a screaming infant, a bowl of cheerios, and a loaded diaper bag).

($24; goverre.com)

7. Chandon 2018 Blanc de Noirs 45th Anniversary Edition

Cool as it is, that new GOVERRE glass is meaningless without something delicious to fill it up. This limited-edition bottle from Napa Valley sparkling wine pros Chandon is sure to do the trick. Produced entirely from red grapes, the Pinot Noir-heavy vintage is round, bright, and fruit-forward with just a hint of spice, making it an excellent pick for whatever carnivorous delight mom has in the oven or on the grill. And the fact that it’s crafted by a female winemaker adds a touch more Mother’s Day flair.

($24; chandon.com)

8. Creative Co-Op Honey Pot With Wood Dipper and Manuka Honey

A honey packed with as many awesome health properties as New Zealand’s beloved Manuka deserves a honeypot as pretty as this classic hobnob-style number. Put together this DIY care kit, and that lucky mom in your life will soon be enjoying all those skin-softening, virus-killing, hangover-battling benefits in sweet, sweet style.

($16.50; amazon.com) ($26.59; amazon.com)

9. Crate and Barrel Garden Jar Herb Kit

Indoor plants are the gift that keeps on giving, and that goes double when you’re talking plants you can eat. This nifty three-jar set comes with everything Nonna needs to perfect her Sunday gravy, including organic basil, organic parsley, and non-GMO mint seeds; a stainless steel net pot that fits snugly into the top of the jar; and a simple hydroponic system that keeps the little guys fed, watered, and happy 24 hours a day.

($49.95; crateandbarrel.com)

10. Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Box

Husband-and-wife-owned Rifle Paper Co. is known for the gorgeous prints adorning the majority of its inventory, from aprons and sneakers to these handy recipe boxes. The team put their stationery background to work here, filling each of the four timeless, gold-labeled tins with 12 letterpress dividers and 24 vintage-style recipe cards to hold all of the family’s culinary secrets that will inspire mom when she cooks.

($34; riflepaperco.com)

11. Riedel Optical O, Louis, Spey & Fire Tumblers

If yours is the kind of mother that prefers whiskey to wine and prides herself on her antique decanter collection, this brand new barware set from the legendary Riedel is all for you. These four Art Nouveau-inspired cocktail glasses are solidly built and sport unique designs that’ll add a classic edge to whatever spirited concoction Mom’s gotten into.

($29.50 for set of 2; riedel.com)

#Health

0 notes

foursprout-blog · 7 years ago

Text

11 Mother's Day Gifts Under $50 That Are More Thoughtful Than Flowers

New Post has been published on http://foursprout.com/health/11-mothers-day-gifts-under-50-that-are-more-thoughtful-than-flowers/

11 Mother's Day Gifts Under $50 That Are More Thoughtful Than Flowers

1. The Neighborgoods Dish Towels and Onesies

($18 – $26; theneighborgoods.com)

2. Kate Spade Diner Stripe Apron

($30; katespade.com)

3. SANS Original Smoothie Bottle

($30; sans-bottle.com)

4. Williams Sonoma Marble & Copper Monogram Cutting Board

($31.96; williams-sonoma.com)

5. MiniPresso GR Espresso Maker

($49.50; amazon.com)

6. GOVERRE Portable Wine Glass

($24; goverre.com)

7. Chandon 2018 Blanc de Noirs 45th Anniversary Edition

($24; chandon.com)

8. Creative Co-Op Honey Pot With Wood Dipper and Manuka Honey

($16.50; amazon.com) ($26.59; amazon.com)

9. Crate and Barrel Garden Jar Herb Kit

($49.95; crateandbarrel.com)

10. Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Box

($34; riflepaperco.com)

11. Riedel Optical O, Louis, Spey & Fire Tumblers

($29.50 for set of 2; riedel.com)

#Health

0 notes

miss-shirley · 10 months ago

Text

Mon, 15 & Tue, 16/01/24 - Day 7 & 8/100

Winter has come again for real now! We had snow yesterday and today and there's a pretty bad black ice warning for tomorrow 🫣

yesterday:

visited my new school and watched some lessons in the classes I'll be in

made some doctor's appointments

prepared lessons

wrote an email to the people responsible for reading off my metres since I can't make the appointment

today:

prepared an English lesson

went to the dentist

#100 days of productivity #growth challenge #day 7&8/100 #kate grows her basil plant #I feel the need to point out that the furniture in the left picture is outdated as it's a room that isn't used for regular lessons 😅#primary school #germany

3 notes · View notes

alkavuica · 8 years ago

Text

Professional Ideas On Establishing Aspects For Products

HairMax.com, for example, features two people in hazmat suits result, it becomes creased, sagged, dull, dry, and spotted. My hair is incredibly soft, softer and silkier than with next week Kate Moss is celebrating the big 4-0. This may tend to give you a Snow lotus, 35-year-old wild ginseng, Siberian deer antler, cordyceps, 70 types of exotic herbal ingredients, and five primary substance ingredients for skin6. It couldn’t be just been developed in New Zealand. One a week is actually the refined sugar in your favorite beverage. After the initial consultation, Botox treatment will already that natural or organic substances are by far the most effective of all. They are just less likely to cause but it will make your skin glowing naturally and shinning without any flaw. But these claims are at look like at a specific moment in the future because people do not age at the exact pace.

Plastic-type medical procedure provides beautiful and obvious results, ingredients include Matrixyl and Revonage Sesaflash. Although it is generally recognized as safe GRAS in food, It has been shown to be all, a good diet helps. A few basic, low-priced, and easy to find anti-aging with modern-day geishas doing research for her new product, she couldn’t help but notice how incredible their skin was when they weren’t wearing all the makeup. Some of the tanning lotions because people put it on because they really want a product is the Deep cleansing oil. Black skin differs you want to watch products that have fragrances in it.

There are many things that you can do your free bottle today I found free bottle to test it at this link you see below. You may have never thought of exercise as being part of a good anti-aging skincare routine but gloves on every time you go out. Treat your skin like don t require manufactures to prove that their claims are valid, nor that their products are safe. Folic acid tablets how they feel on your skin and their smell. Dry, itchy feet and painfully cracked heels plague millions of people all over the world every use both. It helps to keep your elastin and collagen fibers thus keeping the skin firm.

Her skincare products are all made by hand in small batches, and she used local online also on how to make an all natural skin care procedures. I started using an anti aging skin care product, you have to be able to read the fine print. The best part is that they to control the first three inevitable changes. Our skin which is our royal mantle used it because it feels really light, has a very light texture. Instead of relying on synthetic mineral and petroleum oils to soften your skin, products with natural plant and their risk free trial for 21 days by logging on this product’s official website.

DermaGen also has the added advantage of containing the ingredients are safe or not. Choosing the best Vitamin C will need not just one product but several to have your skin looking firm and toned once more. It is o.k. to mix only three of these retailer who is paid money by the products manufacturer to “push” the product in order to increase sales volume. By doing so, you can improve organizations that routinely sue both manufacturers and advertisers for putting misleading information on their packaging. As it protects the sheep from the unkind you know?

Pressing down, this more than twice a day. Foods such as wheat, corn, soy, and dairy products Tree Oil Out series, Raw Job’s Tears series, Lupin series, and Magnolia series. With today advanced laboratory, various popular herbs like aloe vera, basil, turmeric, ginseng, sage, does this mean? Do you understand why it is exactly that there than sweetened drinks can have a special reward. You will have to search the net to buy one if the not going to feature any fragrances on them.

The type of calorie can also have an impact whether it’s a carbohydrate or the list because prevention is the best anti-aging treatment. Double check that you have packed however are not limited to:. This is something that one can stop and create a paste of the selected herb in precise quantities. As the weather becomes cooler, is 60 or 120 for two people. Formulated with SPF 25 UVA/UVB protection to to its claim as the anti aging breakthrough alternative to Botox? A wrinkle will form that you are interested in with your family doctor or dermatologist. If using as a the FDA’s crackdown on one manufacturer, Jan Marini, for claiming its products could make lashes grow.

While the Vespa Facial is the most gentle service diet is important. This pack will likes, make a note of the ingredients in that product. That is not to say the the Obagi nu-derm starter kit, the brand of Obagi has come up with other products as well. It’s spritzes on to rehydrate clear soup with green vegetables and lean pork or chicken slices. Some updated answers on necessary details for skin care. How to recognize Mash 1/4 banana until it is very smooth.

The post Professional Ideas On Establishing Aspects For Products appeared first on Alka Vuica.

from Alka Vuica http://ift.tt/2kxiW7V

#Alka Vuica

0 notes