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Gail Butler

Heartsease Cottage

As a childhood mud-eater (I don't remeber this, but my Mom tells me it was so), I've spent most of my life digging in the dirt - rockhounding, gold prospecting, gardening - and am happiest with my hands in the soil communing with its mysteries.

Interests: Anything "dirt" oriented and writing.

Recent Activity

Elective Frugality: The Angle On Automobiles

Automobiles evoke in us feelings and emotions that are aided and abetted by marketers. An automobile is truly more than just transportation! Our vehicles can make us feel good or bad. Invincible or vulnerable. Powerful or humble. Rich or destitute, or that perhaps others are admiring and envious of us.... Continue reading

Posted 4 days ago at A New Heartsease...

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Elective Frugality Strategies: Gratitude, "Enoughness", and the Capsule Wardrobe

It's time to "cross the road", dodge those "debt-potholes", and "jump the curb" to a more sustainable life strategy! Continue reading

Posted Jun 14, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Simplify! And Free Yourself of Consumer Debt - A Continuation of the Elective Frugality Lifestyle

This sign used to hang over the walk-in pantry of my old Folk-Victorian farmhouse named, "Heartsease* Cottage". It now hangs as the sole focal point on the entry hall of my condo I've named, "Heartsease Haven". My "simplify" sign is a reminder to maintain simplicity in all I do whether... Continue reading

Posted Jun 8, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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The Elements of Elective Frugality

This plaque hangs near my front door as a reminder of two of the elements of an abundant life. By "plenty" I don't mean lots of needless stuff or endless acquisition. For me the concept of "plenty" extends beyond just physical items and possessions. Of course, Elective Frugality means having... Continue reading

Posted Jun 1, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Elective Frugality

Elective Frugality is about peace of mind, time to be, and having the luxury of some spare cash! Now there's a novel idea... Continue reading

Posted May 17, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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"Growing Food On My Balcony" Update and A Definition For Elective Frugality

My Oregon Sugar Pod II peas have grown a lot since they were plants a few weeks ago. This photo of my peas was taken in mid-April when they were mere sprouts. The bare root strawberries now have leaves. Last month my bare root Tribute strawberries from Stark Bros. Nursery... Continue reading

Posted May 10, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Live Was Never Meant To Be A Struggle

Once exposed to the windy Utah atmosphere, my Wind Girl turned and twisted on errant breezes and seasonal gales. Exposed to not only the wind, but rain and snow, too, my Wind Girl grew battered and grey. Now, freshly painted and in a sheltered, stable spot, she's at rest and... Continue reading

Posted Apr 26, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Growing Food On My Balcony

. There's not much to see just yet as its still early Spring. A box of peas has just sprouted. The box beneath holds strawberries. The pot to the lower right will be refreshed and planted with bush wax beans. The pot to the left contains one of two bush... Continue reading

Posted Apr 17, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Caring For Bamboo and Wooden Knitting Needles

This is a small sampling of my collection of wooden and bamboo knitting needles. I love knitting with bamboo and wooden needles. They simply feel good in my hands and I enjoy their organic texture, warmth, and smoothness particularly when I'm using natural fibers and yarns. Wooden and bamboo needles... Continue reading

Posted Apr 11, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Creating A Balcony "Garden" Room

Created with items I already have, my balcony has now become an outdoor "garden" room! "Party" lights strung around the perimeter of the balcony walls add a festive feel to evenings on the balcony. I love my cottage-style condo at the edge of the woods! I love my balcony that... Continue reading

Posted Mar 28, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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On Thanksgiving...

...that sinister-named "Black Friday" when deal-seeking, money-waving, mania-maddened multitudes mob merchandisers (Ahhh... how I love alliteration!). Continue reading

Posted Nov 20, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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I enjoyed my own private stateroom - an approximate four-foot by four-foot compartment with bunk beds that I named, my "Cozy Cubby. Continue reading

Posted Oct 31, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Golden Leaves of Indian Summber

Just outside my balcony an old crab apple puts on leaves of gold to celebrate Autumn Just after the death of the flowers, And before they are buried in snow, There comes a festival season, When nature is all aglow— Aglow with a mystical spendour That rivals the brightness of... Continue reading

Posted Oct 23, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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My "Winter" Garden

Here in far Northern Idaho we're expecting our first frost anytime! On the living room bench under a bank of south-facing windows I've gathered my geraniums from front porch and balcony to sit out the Winter safely from the frosts, freezes, snowstorms, and ice. Temporarily, I brought in my hosta... Continue reading

Posted Oct 9, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves. ~Humbert Wolfe, P.L.M.: Peoples, Landfalls, Mountains, 1936 Continue reading

Posted Oct 1, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Gathering and Drying Homegrown Herbs

I simply must have herbs wherever I live! Continue reading

Posted Sep 19, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Never Forget...September 11, 2001

Never forget. Always remember. September 11, 2001 Continue reading

Posted Sep 10, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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I Love A Place Where Deer...

I love living in a place where deer feel at ease enough to have a "lie down" beneath my balcony. * * * How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude! ~Emily Dickinson, letter to Mrs. J.S. Cooper, 1880 Continue reading

Posted Aug 28, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. ~Celia Thaxter I have so enjoyed this Summer. Yes, it's been mostly smoky with a few hot days in the 90's, very little rain, and two or three days over 100-degrees. Smoke from the fires burning all about. The last few... Continue reading

Posted Aug 22, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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The French Paradox: Solved!

Oui! Oui! How do all those French people consume all that butter, those creamy sauces, and simple carbs and still not gain weight? Continue reading

Posted Aug 13, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Eat Your Broccoli! All of It!

The stalk is actually the tastiest, tenderest part of broccoli! Really! The trimmed stalks of broccoli are wonderful for raw eating. Use them in healthy appetizers such as crudites for dipping or chopped for salads. Or, you can steam them, chopped, right along with the budding tips. First, stalks need... Continue reading

Posted Aug 7, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Corn! Best Way To Cut Corn Off the Cob

Summer's corn is here! Sweet, delicious, and seasonal corn is here and ready to eat cooked with butter, salt, pepper, roasted on the barbecue, or cut from the cob and frozen to enjoy the rest of the year. Living at the Cottage, I grew a patch of heirloom sweet corn... Continue reading

Posted Aug 1, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Foraged and Homemade Pine Salve

Because I spend time rummaging around in the forest I first wanted a pine salve to apply to cuts, nicks, scrapes, and bites. Continue reading

Posted Jul 23, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Poults On Parade!

I heard "gobble, gobble" as I sipped my morning dande-ccino (roasted dandelion cappuccino) whilst sitting at my front porch bistro table doing a crossword puzzle! Looking over the railing I saw this flock of wild turkeys with their poults/chicks meandering over the lawn. I wondered if one of the hens... Continue reading

Posted Jul 16, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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Recover Project for My Chaise Lounge

Recovered! My chaise now wears traditional fabric slip covers! I also made a slip cover for the lumbar pillow * * * * I have such a wonderful balcony to enjoy! When I first moved into my condo I bought a chaise to relax, read, and nap on. My chaise... Continue reading

Posted Jul 10, 2018 at A New Heartsease...

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