RURAL magazine Summer

SUMMER Enter to win a gorgeous Giclee print - page 10

RURAL Magazine

Its not where you live its how

Sip into a tall cool drink of fruit flavored water p. 12 With her face towards the light p. 40 Beat the heat - tips to stay cool p. 22 Indigo Skies poetically beautiful p. 34

RURAL VOLUME 1 ISSUE 5 Summer 2016 Cover Image JEN VANDERVOORT

Advertising jen@ruralmag.com Subscriptions Visit www.RURALMAG.COM Copywriting Donna Donabella Carolynn Anctil

Published seasonally by jen Vandervort/rural magazine All Rights Reserved Copyright 2016

Find us on facebook : rural magazine

RURAL

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WWW.RURALMAG.COM IT'S NOT WHERE YOU LIVE, IT'S HOW

SIP INTO SOMETHING COOL

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Into the wild - a photographer documents her world

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Contents

A place of her own ­ a SheShed build that will have you dreaming.

FEATURES 49 Book reviews A Natural Eclecti c how to create stunning vignettes with your natural finds.

51 The Urban Farmer - can you farm in the city?

Yes you can!

16 Creative Cheesecake simple and easy with strawberries

10 Enter to win a beautiful giclee print of "Gracie"

04 Notes from Summer, letter from the editor.

08 RURAL Reflections : the cow jumped over the moon 56 Fencelines

Summer's here!

Relaxing days, long sunsets, cool drinks and hot nights. Time to sit down with the newest issue of RURAL magazine and explore the pages.

Be sure to enter for your chance to win a giclee print of "Gracie" hand illustrated by Carolynn. Then, stir up a pitcher of cool fruity flavored water to sip from a recipe created by Donna and snack on Kim's no bake strawberry cheesecake.

Take a moment to visit the mystical light filled worlds of Valarie and Tara, the photographers who share their work in our photo essays. and pick up a few tips on how to cool down in the extreme heat from Lillie.

Summer in all of its glory is short and it won't last. I know I'll be savoring the sweetness of a sun-ripened Okanagan peach, walking barefoot on the grass. and splashing in a creek, because those are the moments that make memories.

See you in the pages...

Jen, and the team at RURAL magazine.

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Sarah Huizenga

RURAL ::Â Contributors

RURAL Contributors

Jen Vandervoort is the founder of RURAL magazine. She blogs at The Light Laughed.

Carolynn Anctil is an artist and writer blogging at Tin Rooster Farm

Donna Donabella retired after 35 years in education.

She is now pursuing her dream as a writer/poet.

Lillie Normile is a writer and blogger at Notes from Napanee, living in South Eastern Ontario.

Kim Harbicht-Sczesny's business Turning Ground Yoga and Wellness is located in Sundre, Alberta.

Photography Contributors Sarah Huizenga Tara Soucy Heather Readshaw Valerie Lear Jann Olson Frida Isadåra Årseth Page 07

RURAL

::Â Reflections

Instagram feeds we've sourced that have beautiful RURAL aesthetics.

Follow RURAL magazine on IG for up to date information,, and rural scenes.

jen Vandervoort

Page 08

Frida lives on a small farm in the middle of Norway."I've always had a close relationship to the cows" she says "they've become a passion for me. What I wish to accomplish with my pictures is that cows are beautiful creatures with individual personalities and great intrinsic value. It's also important to show that these animals are an important landscape element in the countryside. What inspires me when I take pictures first and foremost are the cows and the landscape itself. The positive feedback from the increasing number of followers has also inspired me in my quest for new angles in my art. If I could make a living by taking animal pictures, that would be amazing. Follow Frida on IG @theedora Page 09

RURAL

::Â Contest

Carolynn Anctil is an Artist and Agent of Whimsy. Largely self-taught, she has always been fascinated by visual imagery. Her artistic creativity has found a voice, most recently, through photography and original watercolour illustration.

A regular contributor to Rural she shares her artwork and writing at Tinroosterfarm.blogspot.com. jen Vandervoort

Find her on Facebook @CarolynnAnctilArtist Page 10

VOL. 20

ENTER to WIN "GRACIE"

ISSUE NO. 3

1 Limited Edition Giclee Print of “Gracie” signed and numbered.

Image size approx. 6” x 8”, Paper size approx. 8” x 10”. Includes Certificate of Original Artwork and Artists’s Biography.

Value: CDN $48.00.

No.1

Cracking the System

Email contest entries to carolynnanctil@gmail.com Subject line: RURAL MAGAZINE “GRACIE.” Must provide your name and email address to be entered.

Prize includes free shipping to US and Canada PAGE 30

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RURAL:: Eat and Drink

Don't miss out on summers bountiful fresh, local fruit Now is the perfect opportunity to give our no bake cheesecake and fruit infused water recipes a try. jen Vandervoort

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Donna Donabella Written and photographed by Donna Donabella

FRUIT INFUSED WATERS

Berry Mint Lime Per each 10 cups of water or tea Add at least a cup of fresh strawberries sliced or whole raspberries 12 leaves of fresh mint 1 lime sliced thin

Blackberry Sage: Per each 10 cups of water or tea Add at least a cup of fresh whole blackberries 12 leaves of fresh sage

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FRUIT INFUSED WATERS With the heat of summer building, I seek out shade and something cool to quench my thirst. Of course ice water and iced tea are wonderful choices, but I like to change things up and add a bit more flavor to summer beverages.

To keep it simple and healthy, add fresh fruits and herbs, many I may grow or find at the market. With fruits and herbs, there is nothing artificial added and no sugar needed.

This recipe is simple, delicious and nutritious. It takes very little effort and if you can’t find fresh organic fruit, you can use organic frozen fruit instead.

The directions are simple: Put the ingredients together in the pitcher the night before. It takes about 12 hours to get the best infusion, but you can adjust it to your taste.

Lasts for about 2 days.

If you are not going to drink this beverage within 2 days, then you will want to strain out the fruit and herbs once it has infused. Don't crush the fruit either as it can stop up the spigot in your jug.

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Everybody loves cheesecake and while there’s nothing wrong with pouring the traditional mixture of eggs, cream cheese, sugar and cream into a pan and setting it to bake until it solidifies into a golden, sumptuous conglomeration of deliciousness,

Creative Cheesecake

By Kim Harbicht­Sczesny

"Wouldn’t it be nice to eat cheesecake without committing to the extra calories that

wouldn’t it be nice to eat cheesecake without committing to the extra calories that come with it?

Get creative in the kitchen and go for a no­bake cheesecake that smacks of flavour without any of the guilt.

Served in a wine glass, the layers shine deliciously through and everyone who tries this sin­free dessert will applaud your out­of­ the­box thinking.

come with it?"

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Crust 2 c. graham cracker crumbs 1/4 c. salted butter, melted Filling 1 large tub of ricotta cheese 1 package of regular cream cheese 1/4 c. agave nectar, maple syrup or honey Sauce 3 c. frozen strawberries 1/4 c. agave syrup

Place frozen berries and syrup into a pan and set over medium heat.

Keep uncovered and bring to a low boil (the berries will melt and become liquid­ish) and simmer until reduced to a light syrupy consistency (about ten minutes).

Pour melted butter over graham cracker crumbs and stir well. Scoop crumbs into bottom of the wine cup and press.

In a food processor, whiz together the ingredients for the filling. Once combined, taste and test to find out if it’s sweet enough. Add more sweetener if you’d like. Scoop the filling into the wine glass.

Pour strawberry sauce into the top of the glass, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for a few hours.

Kim Harbicht-Sczesny is a yoga teacher and wellness provider based in Sundre, Alberta. She teaches from her home studio and travels for workshops and events. Check out her website turningground.com for more information and discover daily insights at Turning Ground Yoga on Facebook

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“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” ― Charles Bowden

Jen Vandervoort

Heather Readshaw

RURAL

:: Stay Cool

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BEAT THE HEAT!

By LIllie Normandie Nat King Cole sang about the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

There is nothing lazy about summer for farmers and gardeners who toil in the sun to provide food for our table and feed for livestock.

If you are one of the hard working people on farms or gardens there are several safety tips to follow. Sunburn and heat 8 tips to stay cool stroke are dangerous take frequent breaks, rest in shade when skin is exposed to drink water every 15 minutes heat and humidity; and avoid caffeinated beverages (affects don't forget the ravages of hydration) skin cancer. use sun screen, don't forget ears, hands, nose, basically all exposed skin These recommendations wear gloves apply to the casual wear light, loose and breezy clothing gardener too. Growing with long sleeves and a hat your own vegetables to wear cotton breathable fabrics sell at a roadside stand, a wet, cool cloth around the neck or a enjoy on your own table commercially purchased cool, wicking or to preserve for the bandana is available upcoming winter months can yield hours of sun jen Vandervoort exposure.

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Should any of the following symptoms occur get out of the sun and if they persist or worsen seek medical assistance.

DIZZINESS, HEADACHES STOMACH ACHES CHILLS VOMITING MUSCLE CRAMPS PROFUSE SWEATING

Don't forget if children accompany you to the fields or gardens they too can be overcome with heat and rely on adults to be aware of symptoms and dress them appropriately.

If you are one of the many people who crave hot summer days, say a word of thanks to the farmers, country workers and gardeners. While enjoying a day at the beach or tanning by the pool you might like to review the above safety tips as well. jen Vandervoort

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Into the wild

Tara Soucy

By Tara Soucy I began shooting as a way to document my son's homeschooling and our family adventures homesteading, when we moved to central Maine from the coast, about eight years ago.

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Tara Soucy

Tara Soucy

I usually shoot early in the morning, and am never disappointed by what treasures can be found wandering on our property.

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Tara Soucy

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Tara Soucy

Living on ten acres, surrounded by woods, has inspired me to keep practicing my photography.

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Tara Soucy

A slant of light through the pine trees, wild blueberry patches, a new lady slipper bloom waiting to be discovered.

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Tara Soucy Tara Soucy

Watching the landscape transform through the seasons, particularly with our dramatic Maine winters, I find inspiring as well.

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Tara Soucy

Tara blogs at Perriwinkles and Pine.

Find more of her work on IG feed under rabbitridge50.

Click here to visit her Flicker feed

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Jen Vandervoort

RURAL :: Beautiful words

jen Vandervoort

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Indigo sky

Stars twinkle in the indigo sky Like notes to a score heard only by me, To catch the rhythm of the nite And ride it to the heavens.

Holding tight to angel’s wings, Watching the meadow with owl’s eyes, Knowing there is life here in these dark shadows.

Brimming with the almost imperceptible sound of moths and fireflies, I cock an ear listening to the music of little mice feet scurrying, mouths nibbling.

The evening symphony, surely missed by those who do not notice.

Under the stars twinkling in the indigo sky Like notes to a score heard only by me, To catch the rhythm of the nite And ride it to the heavens.

© Donna Donabella 2016

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Donna Donabella 2016

RURAL

:: Build

jen Vandervoort

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Aplaceofherown

Jann Olson

Who doesn't dream of a getaway cottage tucked into the landscape, a place to dream, to create, or to just...chill out?

Blogger Jann Olson of Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson dreamt of having her own SheShed. Her vision included a rusty tin roof, batten and trim, a Dutch Door, and it had to slip into the hillside on her property looking as if it had always been there.

She achieved all of those goals with the help of her talented and willing family who pitched in to help in the build.

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Jann Olson

Jann's decorating with found treasures she's collected over the years. From an old rusty saw blade found on the property to salvaged wood with hinge still attached, that has become part of a feature wall.

The shed sits on a hillside, surrounded by lush gardens. Plans to build a pergola and porch are in the works. While its newly faded charm gives it the patina of a long time resident.

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Jann Olson

Beauty is in the details, an old hinge still attached to salvaged boards, and batten and trim add to its charm.

Visit Jann's blog post about her build here:: Have a daily cup of Mrs. Olson

Jann Olson

Jann Olson Page 39

RURAL :: Light Catchers

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Valarie Lear

With her face towards the light

Valarie Lear

y y

Photo essa

b

Valarie Lear

I don't think I could say which of the four seasons of the year is my favourite.....

They are all my favourites.

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Valarie Lear

Summer is when we go camping and go on road trips and my cameras always come along on our trips.

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Valarie Lear

I realise that the images I chose were mostly golden.

I love the golden light of middle and late summer.

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Valarie Lear

....a few of my captured moments from trips to Brittany, to Gaspésie, to the shores of Lake Superior and, my own backyard...

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Valarie Lear

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Valarie Lear

Each season brings a different light with it and I love to capture light.

To see more of her work click on links below On IG:: @_anydirectflight_ On Flickr Tumblr Page 47

RURAL

:: Books

jen Vandervoort

Page 48

A Natural Eclectic Heather Ross has written a book for those of us who love to collect bits of beauty, items foraged from nature, or found in shops that speak to the heart and the eye. If your glance lingers over the fine detail in a piece of coral, or handblown glass, if you love to create vignettes by gathering items you have collected in your home, then this is your book.

The narrative within the book's lush pages excites and inspires, with subdued colors and harmonious tones taken from the photos that were styled and shot by Ross. Her stories and background draw us in as the stylist, artist, and photographer, who owns a shop in Vancouver BC, teaches us how to create our own oasis of beauty from what we have on hand.

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Figure.1 US/Can $42.95

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THE URBAN FARMER For many urban dwellers a green lawn may be the closest they get to farming, but according to THE URBAN FARMER, a new book written by Curtis Stone, you can live in the city, have your lettuce, and make a decent living growing it.

Commercial urban farming is gaining popularity with suburbanites who are interested in more than just knowing where their farmer market veggies come from. Stone explains how to maximize production, build your customer base, and make a profit from growing crops on land you own, borrow, or lease.

The hand drawn illustrations, colorful photos, and detailed business plan will give any motivated urbanite enough of a start to grow their own dream.

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THE URBAN FARMER cont..

Stone has first­hand experience successfully growing and selling veggies as the owner/operator of Green City Acres in Kelowna, British Columbia.

He also works as a public speaker and teaches courses on how to manage your own urban farm sites in Kelowna.

The Urban Farmer is published by New Society Publishers. $29.95 US/Can Visit Curtis Stone's webiste and find more about his method of urban farming here.

SOIL SISTERS A toolkit for women farmers this book contains detailed information and case studies from real women who have taken up the farming life.

Its down to earth, and informative style will not only answer your questions but inspire you to start your journey into sustainable agriculture.

New Society Publishers US/CAN $24.95 Page 52

The Backyard Field Guide to CHICKENS

Ever dreamt of fluffy feathered chickens running around your backyard?

Mornings spent gathering fresh eggs, but not quite knowing how to get from the dream to the reality of raising chickens?

Extensive chapters on breed profiles with full­color photos will help you determine what type of chicken will be best for your home flock.

The book also covers chicken house design, care, and feeding of your hens. Pests, diseases, chicken care, feeding, and much more.

Author: Christine Heinrich Quartoknows.com $24.99 US $29.99 CAN

Books were furnished by publishing companies for review purposes.

All opinions stated are those of RURAL magazine.

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RURAL Magazine

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Don't miss out Advertise in RURAL magazine Creative issue available Autumn 2016 Contact :: jen@ruralmag.com

RURAL magazine

Page 55

Jen Vandervoort

Fencelines: Look for the next issue of RURAL magazine titled Creative, during Autumn's cooler days.

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