A departure from the usual, today I’d like to share… mostly pictures. I’ve shared a lot of these on Facebook, but I thought it would be fun to do a catch up of sorts for people who don’t see me over there. Enjoy! 
My book’s cover appeared on Amazon a few weeks ago. I’d been watching to see when the generic grey “no photo” image would be replaced. Eventually it was! The book comes out on April 3. You can pre-order here.
I’ve been doing Q&A videos right at my desk off the kitchen. See that colorful painting behind me? A friend painted that for me in December as a birthday gift. If you could see it more closely, you’d see my curly head in the kitchen hanging cheese and baking bread, chickens free ranging outside, and quilt blocks and Bible verses inscribed all around. I love it! It ranks up there with one of the most special things I’ve ever received.
I was able to purchase a new computer at the beginning of the year, an iMac. I started out making eCourse videos on a MacBook Pro, but outgrew that when I started working with HD video. Still I used it for two more years. Where videos would take 5 to 6 hours to export on the laptop, my new computer takes 20 minutes to an hour. This boost has enabled me to get my daily work done more efficiently, and also to (almost) complete the huge project of redoing all past eCourse videos to be mobile compatible. Yes, even on iPads and iPhones! (This project is about 80% complete.)
I don’t know how I lived without the extra monitor space!
It also has a better web cam. At the last webinar, you all told me you noticed the better video quality. I was glad to hear it. (Speaking of which — have you registered for our next webinar on grain mills? My guest will be Vickilynn Haycraft of Real Food Living.)
Do you see my wool glove clad microphone? Wonder what’s going on there? I am holding off on buying a “pop” filter and this seems to work just as well to reduce “p”, “t”, and mouth sounds when I’m doing audio recordings. When the kids saw it for the first time, they said, “Mom, what ARE you doing?” In a nutshell: just trying to make do. 
I’ve worked in enough crafts to know that I get bored just churning out the same stuff all the time. With the online classes, eBooks and menu plans, I do a lot of the same stuff over and over. Improving what I do is how I keep myself interested — besides getting to work with all of you, of course! That’s partly why I decided to rig up a green screen in my house. (Another reason is I just think they’re cool and I wanted to try it!) A green screen allows me to swap out the background for anything, even a plain white background as you see below. For a first try — just yesterday — I am pretty pleased with the results!
Today’s eCourse lesson on naturally sweetened desserts — aptly released on Valentine’s Day! — features my first video using the green screen. I look forward to doing it more. (I’m working on a Ron Paul video and plan to use the green screen for it, too.)
And here are a few personal pictures. Here I am, comfortable and content with a cup of tea at a friend’s house. I’ve gotten to visit more than a few times lately, and I’m thankful for the nourishing soul food.
One evening, the kids and I drew together. I felt so blessed right then by my sweet family and this is what spilled out of the pencils.
I received a review copy of Michael Bunker’s new book, the fictional end-times story called The Last Pilgrims. It is actually the first of a series. I started reading it this weekend — and I’m hooked. (Michael Bunker is the author of Surviving Off Off-Grid.) Visit The Last Pilgrims website to learn more or read this review by Shannon at Nourishing Days.
The scheduled book bomb date on Amazon is February 24th. If you’re going to buy The Last Pilgrims, buy it then to help it rank highly on Amazon. In fact, consider buying several copies and sharing them with family and friends.
Here’s the trailer. You’ll want to read the book after watching this!
What’s been happening with you and yours lately? I pray you’re knowing and experiencing God’s mighty presence in your life!
About Wardee Harmon
New: 
Two hard 'g's and stress the middle syllable. 
I cannot tell you how much I am LOVING watching the video lessons on my iPad. This is really ridiculous, but I watch them at night while I’m taking a bath after the kids are in bed. Silly, I know! I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am!
I’m so glad to hear it! Pretty soon they’ll all be done!
Wardee, do you mind sharing what kind of microphone you have there? Is that a Mac specific one?
Michael — Sure! It is the Blue Yeti. I’m really happy with it. I’ve been using it for more than a year.
I forgot to answer the second part of your question. No, it is not Mac specific. It plugs in via USB.
Wardee recently posted… Behind the Scenes
Thanks! I definitely need a new one. Where do I get that awesome glove cover
Michael Bunker recently posted… Want a FREE E-book copy of The Last Pilgrims?
I could send you its match.
The microphone looks like it’s waving at me, Mom!
A. recently posted… Of Frost and Novels. And Vacuuming.
A. — Doesn’t it, though?
Wardee recently posted… Behind the Scenes
Love our imac (yours is newer and nicer than ours though
! The green screen is neat! I’m looking forward to the Ron Paul video with it! I’ve been resisting looking at the book because I’m so behind on my reading as it is, but I’m going to just have to take a look at it. I can’t resist a good book!
Kara recently posted… Weekly Focus: Kitchen & Dining Update/This Week: Living Room
Just love seeing updates of your life and what’s going on with you lately, Wardee! So glad to hear that your computer/video processing time is so much shorter now. That is fabulous news!
And how exciting to see the name and front cover of your new book! Woohoo!
Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com
Thanks, Julieanne!
These are fun Wardee! Would love to hear more about your adventures in “green screening” some day.
Marlene Hielema recently posted… Three valuable tips to help you take better pictures
Marlene — Of course!
Is your book basically the ecourse in book format?
Heather recently posted… Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 13, 2012
They’re different. Some recipes overlap, but this book includes more recipes and even a few food groups we didn’t touch in the class. Yet they are similar in overall principles; I can’t help that!
Wardee, loved the behind the scenes peek. You look very comfy on the sofa.
Marg recently posted… Stuck in a winter rut
Wardee, great post! You do look so cozy on your friend’s couch. Yes do send Michael Bunker the other glove, haha: two artist authors on the way to stardom! BTW, could you take a picture of your BD gift painting w/o the reflection, and closer up? It looks very colorful,beautiful and a real work of art. Would love to see it better! Love, Mom
Wardee, you listen to your mother! She knows best! Of course I’d love to have the newest thing in microphone cozies. It would also remind me not to take myself to seriously.
Michael Bunker recently posted… Easy Giveaway
Thanks for the look behind the scenes! I’ve been wanting to make some videos for our blog but don’t know where to start at all. My experience of video editing has been frustrating at best! How did you learn? Do you have any easy-to-follow resources to share?
Joy at The Liberated Kitchen recently posted… Lemon Curd for GAPS
Thanks for sharing your life with us, Wardee. It’s great that you’re so willing to share who you are and what you believe. It’s so hard to find like-minded people who are trying to go back to the old ways. I’m blessed to have a few close friends who are walking this path with us but it gets kind of lonely out there.
I’m thankful that, for awhile at least, we can learn from each other across the country. May God bless your family richly as you seek His ways.
Can’t wait for Michael Bunker’s new book to come out. It’s on my calendar!! On my 3rd time reading Off Off-Grid now (and there’ll probably be a 4th when I’m finished…)
Wardee prepares food very traditionally but I find it ironic that you say she’s going back to the old ways considering all the technology.
Marg —
Totally off subject, but your hair looks really cute in the green screen photos, Wardee! Love reading your blog, keep it up!
Thanks, Bethany.
Wardee recently posted… Amish Butter: Really?