The Feathered Nest: October 2009

If you're looking for a great weekend project, look no further. I have been feeling so completely inspired by this book lately. Lots of great general sewing tips and tons of fun projects; even the complicated projects are presented in such a way that they seem totally doable (even for a beginning sewer like myself).

I've also been feeling super inspired by the online scrapbooking class I'm currently taking at Big Picture Scrapbooking: Yesterday & Today, taught by my favorite scrapbooker, Ali Edwards. I wavered back and forth for quite a while trying to decide if I really wanted to take this on right now (it's a 12-week class), but am SO glad I signed up.

(I had to put this on hold while focusing on Permaculture for the last couple of weeks, but am planning to dig back in to the class this weekend, and am hoping to post some pictures in the next couple weeks as my album starts to come together.)

Last week I had an amazing opportunity to take a Permaculture Design Course. This is something I have dreamed about doing for the past several years, but until now had only found courses offered in other parts of the country. So when I discovered a course being held at Natures' Nest Farm in Montrose, only 20 minutes away, I knew I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by. I found out about the class only a week before it started, so that week was pretty hectic around here, working on all the prep work for the class and also getting things ready at home as Chris was going to be pretty much on his own with Ada for the entire week of the course. This class was going to be intense - Sunday-Friday starting at 8:30 am and going until 9-9:30 pm each day, and a half-day each on the Saturdays before and after. (Did I mention how amazing my supportive hubby is??) The certification course requires 72 hours of instruction - basically cramming a semester's worth of class into one week. I was SO TOTALLY excited!!

There were just under 25 of us in the class, with a pretty diverse mix of backgrounds and goals. It was so great to hang out with a group of people that are as excited about Permaculture as I am.

The week was a mix of classroom time, hands-on outdoor activities, videos, and even a talent show (enough said on that). :) Ada got to spend the day with me on Wednesday, when we went on tours of three permaculture sites around MN.

Instructor Mark Shepard

Checking out the world's coolest chicken coop at Welch Permaculture Gardens

On the last morning of class I got my certificate - I am now a certified Permaculture Designer! (At least on paper - I still have lots to learn!!) :) My mind has been in overdrive and I feel like I now really have the tools to dig in and work on our yard - so excited to start planning and making changes!!

More on Permaculture

The word was originally coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970's; it's a combination of "permanent agriculture" and "permanent culture" and focuses on designing sustainable human settlements. The three underlying principles are Earthcare, Peoplecare, and Fairshare (reinvesting surplus).

From Tagari, on Permaculture Design

The philosophy of Permaculture is to reduce the impact that human settlements have on non-renewable and renewable resources, while creating an abundant living environment, catering to the needs of all living creatures.

Permaculture is a science developed through the observation and analysis of natural systems. Through this analysis set structural patterns common to all natural systems emerge. Permaculture design then applies these “Patterns” to the development of sustainable human settlements, harmoniously integrating landscape and people while providing food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.