A Sanctuary of Sustainability Echoes from the Mountain December 2011    Upcoming Events     We have committed to good thoughts every day this month. We have put down a list of qualities, that we plan to focus on this month. So when things get a little hectic we will keep the ‘thought for of the day’ in the fore front of our consciousness. What you think about, you get more of in your life, what’s in your thoughts. Join us or create your own.   December 1 Happiness 2 Embrace change 3 Do your very best 4 Live life to the fullest 5 Follow your heart 6 Rest 7 Reach for the stars 8 Be at peace 9 Laugh often 10 Enjoy the beauty around you 11 Share 12 Forgive 13 Grateful 14 Appreciate friends 15 Do what you love 16 Eat well 17 Give 18 Learn something new 19 Stop and smell the roses 20 Smile 21 Breathe deeply 22 Sing and Dance 23 Speak with kindness 24 Magic Happens 25 Love the ones you are with 26 Be in awe 27 Live with purpose 28 Listen 29 Be abundant 30 Joyful 31 Celebrate   Tid Bits   Thanks a Bunch   Thanks for your input from our last e-newsletter. It is always good to know we are doing a good job and the things that need improving are getting done as we write this. Thanks a bunch and hope to see you soon. Winter Solstice     Winter Solstice is almost here and if you look around at nature, everything is quieting down, going dormant, hibernating. If we live like nature we would heed this amazing time of quiet. Most plant life is putting its energy in it roots, the core of its existence. So what do we silly humans do, we turn this time of year into a crazy, over eat, shop and spend too much time of year. Fortunately we have made a lot of our gifts over the past year. John and the crew have been canning all season and Santa’s workshop is alive and well in my new art studio, and it is so relaxing and fun to play in there. What shopping we are doing is local and focused on supporting the American population. The small, local shops are so much more relaxing too. We hope you will find some quiet time for yourself this season, maybe even join us for a silent hike in the canyon on the winter solstice, December 22nd at 4:00 PM and shared some homemade soup and bread at 5:00 PM. Many blessings to you and yours this holiday season. Suzanne & John    Watch out for Newt     With winter rains coming to the Ranch, we are entering into Newt season. No, we aren’t talking presidential politics; rather, our California newts. These cute and friendly creatures come out with the winter rains and can be seen all over the Ranch between December and May.   Newts differ from salamanders in that they are generally larger and spend more of their life cycle in water. Salamanders [which can also be found on the Ranch] are also amphibians but live mostly on land under logs and rocks. Newts are brown on top with orange bellies and can be found swimming in the creek or walking across the trails. They have little fear from predators as they have poisonous skin – the same poison as puffer fish – hundreds of times more potent than arsenic. Newts are slow moving and can easily be stepped on by hikers or crushed by cars. They are our friends, eating many harmful bugs, including mosquito larvae. Newts, like many amphibians, are in danger of extinction. Their numbers here at the Ranch have fallen dramatically over the years.   Water pollution and destruction of habitat hurt, but even in relatively pristine conditions like the Ranch, newts are dying off. Destruction of the ozone has increased the intensity of UV radiation to which amphibian’s skin and eggs are susceptible.   Climate change is a long-term threat to newts that rely on a dependable cycle of wet and dry seasons. Recently, one of our guests attending a climate change symposium at nearby Pepperwood Preserve, talked about her research into an unlikely suspect – the earthworm. While these non-native worms are eaten by the newts, they are destroying the natural duff under redwoods where the newts live and feed when not in our ponds and streams. In the spring, when getting our big pool ready for the summer, we have an annual amphibian rescue when we collect all the newts and frogs that have gathered in our pool over the winter and take them to safety in the canyon. Come on up for our winter solstice hike and you will likely see a newt or two.     The Holday Season and our Pets      If you have young pets at home that like to nibble on things, beware the lovely Poinsettia plant. While they are very pretty and add a festive touch to the décor, you might think twice about using them for this year’s decorations – they are poisonous. So if your pets have a habit of chomping on plants, leave this pretty decoration for the pet less folks. Another poisonous Christmas plant is mistletoe. Keep it hung high and out of reach of your pets. Also, if you have a problem with your kitties racing up the tree, like we did, and finding it and the smashed bulbs on the floor, a guy-wire from tree to the ceiling works great. After all it is there natural inclination to climb trees and how thoughtful it was to bring one into the house. The presents under the tree might be for your loved ones, but they think the tree is for them and a race to the top is quite fun! We keep the ornaments on the lower branches cat-friendly and unbreakable. Try ornaments made with pipe-cleaners. Cats love them. Three for Two and Lower Rates Too   As the season winds down we are rolling back the prices to our off season rates. Lodge rooms and cabins are now $89.00 to $99.00 per night and the cottages are $124.00 – $134.00 per night. That is $20.00 off the current rates. The rustics are still at the everyday low rate of $69.00 per night. To add to the fun we are offering three nights for the price of two. For the months of December and January (space available). All of this and you still get our great home cooked breakfasts. Give us a call and book your room today!   Thanks to many of you,we are ranked number three on Trip Advisor for the Calistoga Region. Number one is Calistoga Ranch starting at $2,000.00 per night, number two is Solage at $500.00 a night and then there is us, ranging from $69.00 – $154.00. Thanks for your kind words, keep them coming.   Mountain Home Racnh Suzanne Pasky Fouts suzanne@mountainhomeranch.com       Save $10.00 We are offering $10.00 off your stay if you drive up in a hybrid, electric, natural gas or bio-diesel vehicle. Just mention it when paying for you room and we will take $10.00 off your stay. And thank you for helping our Mother Earth   Offer Expires:  December 2011

Mountain Home Ranch | 3400 Mountain Home Ranch Rd. | Calistoga | CA | 94515