Valeria Bressan
667 followers -
Living life to the fullest.
Living life to the fullest.
667 followers
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Valeria's posts
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It's perfectly moist …
California agricultural landscape is changing, but not so for the almond farms…
Simply, the nut trees will die if not watered... year round…
And, California growers can’t afford the risk to their investments. So, they are going after every available source ~ including groundwater ~ to keep their almond trees alive.
It takes up to a gallon of water to produce a single almond. That’s more than all water used by California’s entire population!
On the other hand, we can’t deny the importance of almonds to California’s economy. It is a multi-billion dollar business, and the top export crop in the nation’s agriculture state. Just in 2015, it brought about $5.33 billion to the state’s economy. So, absolutely water will continue to flow in the nearly 1 million acres in California.
But, as the drought continues to be a concern, is this the best use of our water? How much will it cost us to continue to grow these tasteful nuts? Are almond crops helping us create a better future for California? Are the almonds farms helping us to Create a Better Earth?
As crazy it may sound, the answers to the above questions may be Yes. Here is the reason why.
Apparently, the orchards have a huge potential to contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. They are capturing significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere and, most importantly, keeping the CO2 in their soil. That cuts the gas emissions significantly.
In other words, this has a potentially positive impact on air quality, soil health, and overall production efficiency. Another upside of high levels of carbon in the soil is that it helps dirt hold water. Thus, almond farming is getting a lot of attention and support from investors, almond farmers, politicians and even celebrities.
In all, the almonds farms and other orchard crops are sucking up a lot of water… but they are literally providing us more than crunchy, delicious and healthy nuts.
It is undeniable that ~ “the devil’s nut”, as many like to call almonds in California right now ~ are contributing to a greater sustainable lifestyle to all of us.
Oddly enough, a soil perfectly moist seems well worthy and an important asset. And, clearly the more we stop emitting, the better the Earth will get.
So, what else should we be learning from the California almond orchards?
Are the almonds unexpectedly becoming our rescuer to create a Better Earth?
......................................................................................................
We are a group of members of Google+ Create, a Google program for recognizing creative users of Google+. This year we are celebrating Earth Day with this small, symbolic project with the theme: Earth Day 2017 - My planet. My part.
#CreateCommunityEarthDay2017
#CreateABetterEarth
Photo Credit by Almond Board of California
California agricultural landscape is changing, but not so for the almond farms…
Simply, the nut trees will die if not watered... year round…
And, California growers can’t afford the risk to their investments. So, they are going after every available source ~ including groundwater ~ to keep their almond trees alive.
It takes up to a gallon of water to produce a single almond. That’s more than all water used by California’s entire population!
On the other hand, we can’t deny the importance of almonds to California’s economy. It is a multi-billion dollar business, and the top export crop in the nation’s agriculture state. Just in 2015, it brought about $5.33 billion to the state’s economy. So, absolutely water will continue to flow in the nearly 1 million acres in California.
But, as the drought continues to be a concern, is this the best use of our water? How much will it cost us to continue to grow these tasteful nuts? Are almond crops helping us create a better future for California? Are the almonds farms helping us to Create a Better Earth?
As crazy it may sound, the answers to the above questions may be Yes. Here is the reason why.
Apparently, the orchards have a huge potential to contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. They are capturing significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere and, most importantly, keeping the CO2 in their soil. That cuts the gas emissions significantly.
In other words, this has a potentially positive impact on air quality, soil health, and overall production efficiency. Another upside of high levels of carbon in the soil is that it helps dirt hold water. Thus, almond farming is getting a lot of attention and support from investors, almond farmers, politicians and even celebrities.
In all, the almonds farms and other orchard crops are sucking up a lot of water… but they are literally providing us more than crunchy, delicious and healthy nuts.
It is undeniable that ~ “the devil’s nut”, as many like to call almonds in California right now ~ are contributing to a greater sustainable lifestyle to all of us.
Oddly enough, a soil perfectly moist seems well worthy and an important asset. And, clearly the more we stop emitting, the better the Earth will get.
So, what else should we be learning from the California almond orchards?
Are the almonds unexpectedly becoming our rescuer to create a Better Earth?
......................................................................................................
We are a group of members of Google+ Create, a Google program for recognizing creative users of Google+. This year we are celebrating Earth Day with this small, symbolic project with the theme: Earth Day 2017 - My planet. My part.
#CreateCommunityEarthDay2017
#CreateABetterEarth
Photo Credit by Almond Board of California
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Spring is arriving early this year, and my garden is ready to welcome the blooms.
I have to say, I am super excited about this season!!!
Happy Monday, G+!
I have to say, I am super excited about this season!!!
Happy Monday, G+!
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Wind
Under the universe
Smiles and sparkles
Feeling the grass
Feeling the light
Feeling the wind
A wonderful night
It so bright
It is so clear
It is so perfect
Barefoot and safe
Nothing more to say
Turning the music on
Making it loud
and...
dancing with the Wind
Barefoot
Under the light
This entire night!!!
Poem by +Valeria Bressan
Under the universe
Smiles and sparkles
Feeling the grass
Feeling the light
Feeling the wind
A wonderful night
It so bright
It is so clear
It is so perfect
Barefoot and safe
Nothing more to say
Turning the music on
Making it loud
and...
dancing with the Wind
Barefoot
Under the light
This entire night!!!
Poem by +Valeria Bressan
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What makes Create special?
I joined Google+ Create as a proud founding member, not sure about the road ahead, but very excited about the program. I quickly came to realize that this was a very special place, and over the year I have been fortunate to meet many of you, to share ideas and to collaborate with like-minded people.
The first initiative that I collaborated was the Earth Day Celebration (https://goo.gl/VAEDWL) and it was an amazing experience.
I participated in many other initiatives after that, and at one point I collaborated with +Tauno Erik on a poem (https://goo.gl/9tSqLg).
The collaboration with +Tauno Erik was just the first step towards something much bigger…
Over the past few months, Tauno and I have been collaborating on the production of our first book. It has been a long process, full of brainstorming, hard work, and many long nights, but a truly rewarding and lovely experience.
We can’t wait to share more details with all of you. For now, this is just a quick preview on what is coming up. Stay tuned, connect and follow us. We plan to share more as we progress…
Happy anniversary, Create, and thanks Google+ for such an amazing program!
Valeria
Do you want to create with me and us? Here's the Create Application Form: http://goo.gl/HuPMcf
#CreatorsFirst
I joined Google+ Create as a proud founding member, not sure about the road ahead, but very excited about the program. I quickly came to realize that this was a very special place, and over the year I have been fortunate to meet many of you, to share ideas and to collaborate with like-minded people.
The first initiative that I collaborated was the Earth Day Celebration (https://goo.gl/VAEDWL) and it was an amazing experience.
I participated in many other initiatives after that, and at one point I collaborated with +Tauno Erik on a poem (https://goo.gl/9tSqLg).
The collaboration with +Tauno Erik was just the first step towards something much bigger…
Over the past few months, Tauno and I have been collaborating on the production of our first book. It has been a long process, full of brainstorming, hard work, and many long nights, but a truly rewarding and lovely experience.
We can’t wait to share more details with all of you. For now, this is just a quick preview on what is coming up. Stay tuned, connect and follow us. We plan to share more as we progress…
Happy anniversary, Create, and thanks Google+ for such an amazing program!
Valeria
Do you want to create with me and us? Here's the Create Application Form: http://goo.gl/HuPMcf
#CreatorsFirst
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Suzanne McKechnie Klahr
Some people come and go in our life, but there are some that stick, stay and leave a profound mark on us.
Today, it is International Women's Day and I could write about many famous women's who are around the world and are already well known. But instead, I want to write about a woman who has inspired and impacted my life tremendously.
She is a mother, a friend, and an honored graduate student from Stanford Law School. I honestly can’t remember how she came to my life, but I feel very blessed for meeting her a few years ago.
Suzanne dropped a potential successful career to dedicate herself to kids that need help and guidance. She developed a wonderful program with her fellowship award, which I was very grateful to be involved and part of it.
The program became a bit complex as the years passed by, but the ultimate goal was and has always been to make sure the high school kids will stay, improve their grades and continue their education through College ~ independently of the environment, any discrimination, violence and background.
We (volunteers) were a reference, the mentors ~ the one’s who were there when sometimes nobody else seems to be.
The results were marvelous; the students were engaged, were interested and wanted to succeed in their education and life. We had so many blessings during the school year and discovered very talented and creative individuals. I had the best years of my life.
Suzanne is an example to many of us. She truly cares about others. She is a simple woman that genuinely made the decision to create a big impact to many residents ~ kids and their families ~ around the Silicon Valley Bay Area.
She gave me the opportunity to provide a direction to kids who were once so discourage. I will never forget that and will always be grateful for. She inspired me back then and she still does.
Today, I celebrate Suzanne McKechnie Klahr. I hope she will continue to inspire many others that come on her way!
Happy International Women's Day to all, and in special to you – Suzanne!
#SheInspiresMe
#InternationalWomensDay
If you want to know more about Suzanne's program, please visit http://www.build.org
Some people come and go in our life, but there are some that stick, stay and leave a profound mark on us.
Today, it is International Women's Day and I could write about many famous women's who are around the world and are already well known. But instead, I want to write about a woman who has inspired and impacted my life tremendously.
She is a mother, a friend, and an honored graduate student from Stanford Law School. I honestly can’t remember how she came to my life, but I feel very blessed for meeting her a few years ago.
Suzanne dropped a potential successful career to dedicate herself to kids that need help and guidance. She developed a wonderful program with her fellowship award, which I was very grateful to be involved and part of it.
The program became a bit complex as the years passed by, but the ultimate goal was and has always been to make sure the high school kids will stay, improve their grades and continue their education through College ~ independently of the environment, any discrimination, violence and background.
We (volunteers) were a reference, the mentors ~ the one’s who were there when sometimes nobody else seems to be.
The results were marvelous; the students were engaged, were interested and wanted to succeed in their education and life. We had so many blessings during the school year and discovered very talented and creative individuals. I had the best years of my life.
Suzanne is an example to many of us. She truly cares about others. She is a simple woman that genuinely made the decision to create a big impact to many residents ~ kids and their families ~ around the Silicon Valley Bay Area.
She gave me the opportunity to provide a direction to kids who were once so discourage. I will never forget that and will always be grateful for. She inspired me back then and she still does.
Today, I celebrate Suzanne McKechnie Klahr. I hope she will continue to inspire many others that come on her way!
Happy International Women's Day to all, and in special to you – Suzanne!
#SheInspiresMe
#InternationalWomensDay
If you want to know more about Suzanne's program, please visit http://www.build.org
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Carnaval Season...
“Carnaval” is an international festival that attracts millions of people from around the world.
The festival normally happens sometime between February and March and marks the beginning of Lent (forty-day period before Easter). It is truly a beautiful and unique festival. In fact, many people in Brazil work the entire year to put this huge festival and “party” together.
How wonderful the only thing we have to do is to enjoy.
I am sure this information is not new for some of you, and also very easy to find ~ thanks to Google -:).
What you may not know is (that in reality) a Carnaval, or some small version of Carnaval, or even a mini Carnaval happens anytime and literally anywhere during the calendar year.
The reason is very simple. Brazilians are a passionate group of people who love to have lots of fun with friends new or old. We take our traditions very seriously and most importantly with us whenever we go.
Chances are you may find some form of Carnaval in very unexpected places such as this one: Lyon, France...cold weather, wrapped in a warm coat, gloves, a scarf and a hat.
Indeed, it was quite different than a Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or Bahia... but still very warm, special and now a lovely memory…
A Brazilian (native or by heart) can always find the sound of drums anywhere. I can’t wait to see the surprises I may get this weekend!
Happy Carnaval Season!
#mycarnaval
Note: The video is a bit dark and the camera moves a lot. Sorry, but I am sure you all can understand the reason!
“Carnaval” is an international festival that attracts millions of people from around the world.
The festival normally happens sometime between February and March and marks the beginning of Lent (forty-day period before Easter). It is truly a beautiful and unique festival. In fact, many people in Brazil work the entire year to put this huge festival and “party” together.
How wonderful the only thing we have to do is to enjoy.
I am sure this information is not new for some of you, and also very easy to find ~ thanks to Google -:).
What you may not know is (that in reality) a Carnaval, or some small version of Carnaval, or even a mini Carnaval happens anytime and literally anywhere during the calendar year.
The reason is very simple. Brazilians are a passionate group of people who love to have lots of fun with friends new or old. We take our traditions very seriously and most importantly with us whenever we go.
Chances are you may find some form of Carnaval in very unexpected places such as this one: Lyon, France...cold weather, wrapped in a warm coat, gloves, a scarf and a hat.
Indeed, it was quite different than a Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or Bahia... but still very warm, special and now a lovely memory…
A Brazilian (native or by heart) can always find the sound of drums anywhere. I can’t wait to see the surprises I may get this weekend!
Happy Carnaval Season!
#mycarnaval
Note: The video is a bit dark and the camera moves a lot. Sorry, but I am sure you all can understand the reason!
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Call me old-fashioned...
I am missing the stars and the moon, but I honestly can't complain. Instead, I am getting the precious gift of lots of rain and even snowflakes.
The weather feels fresh, clean, crisp and at the same time so soft. It is truly spectacular and almost hard to describe. I think someone really have to experience to make conclusions.
Now...pay attention...1,2,3. The fire is on. The snow is falling...
I am "armed" with socks, a very special wool blanket, and of course, my notepad and pencil.
Yeap! Surprise, surprise...I am "old-fashioned" and don't necessarily embrace all the new "tech" trends. I am very selective and I guess there are certain aspects of our personality we can't really change.
For me, there's something special about writing down in a clean sheet of paper with a pencil, and I am not giving up.
So, my notepad and pencil are literally in my hands, and under (such) a magical sky, weather and fire, page 19 is in progress...
I can't wait to share...(and probably in the old-fashioned way!)
Happy Monday from the CA mountains!
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Reflections ...
Who said winter is a cooler season!!??
Next to a fireplace and literally with the most beautiful view in front of me, I never felt so warm-hearted…
We may be experiencing one of the most cooler seasons since 2011, but I am convinced... (100%)... that it is not the coldest one!
Wishing you... and all of you the most wonderful and "icy-warm" weekend!
Photo Credit +Valeria Bressan
Who said winter is a cooler season!!??
Next to a fireplace and literally with the most beautiful view in front of me, I never felt so warm-hearted…
We may be experiencing one of the most cooler seasons since 2011, but I am convinced... (100%)... that it is not the coldest one!
Wishing you... and all of you the most wonderful and "icy-warm" weekend!
Photo Credit +Valeria Bressan
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The language of flowers…
The main purpose of a flower is the reproduction of the individual and the species, but no one really pays attention or associated them with such an important purpose.
From antiquity to the modern age, flowers have been used as a method of an “abstract” communication and in a wide range of events and functions. Because of their smell, variety and colorful appearance, they have been the number one choice and favorite element among people to beautify environments. A practice that is still alive and widely accepted in almost every culture.
What I found most interesting about this cultural aspect is that very rarely people will consider choosing flowers based on their biological function, medicinal properties, history and meaning.
There are considerable differences among many species and it is here that their “abstract” language can become quite complex.
For instance, we all know a red rose symbolizes “love and desire”, but do you know that a lavender rose means “love at first sight”?
A red tulip “perfect lover”? A white gardenia “secret love”? A blue lily of the Nile “lasting love”? A acacia blossom “concealed love”? And a lily of the valley “you make my life complete”?
The list is vast and while they are all unique and stunningly beautiful; each flower has its own meaning and represents so much more than just their beauty.
This is the essence in the language of flowers. So, whether you are planning to give – or hoping to receive - be mindful about your flowers options or arrangements.
From your garden, a florist shop, fresh market, a nursery… single, half dozen, a dozen… that it is your decision. Just be creative, keep your heart open and remember to select your flowers very carefully.
You really don't want to pass the wrong message or miss the opportunity to express your most sincere and deepest sentiment ~ especially on February 14!
I honestly can’t live a day without fresh flowers around me. They make so happy and their scent ….ahhh, that literally sparkles my soul!!! ...
Flowers create beautiful bouquets; but individuals create beautiful moments and memories!
Happy V's Day ❤️ !!!
Photo Credit by +Valeria Bressan
#CantLiveWithout
The main purpose of a flower is the reproduction of the individual and the species, but no one really pays attention or associated them with such an important purpose.
From antiquity to the modern age, flowers have been used as a method of an “abstract” communication and in a wide range of events and functions. Because of their smell, variety and colorful appearance, they have been the number one choice and favorite element among people to beautify environments. A practice that is still alive and widely accepted in almost every culture.
What I found most interesting about this cultural aspect is that very rarely people will consider choosing flowers based on their biological function, medicinal properties, history and meaning.
There are considerable differences among many species and it is here that their “abstract” language can become quite complex.
For instance, we all know a red rose symbolizes “love and desire”, but do you know that a lavender rose means “love at first sight”?
A red tulip “perfect lover”? A white gardenia “secret love”? A blue lily of the Nile “lasting love”? A acacia blossom “concealed love”? And a lily of the valley “you make my life complete”?
The list is vast and while they are all unique and stunningly beautiful; each flower has its own meaning and represents so much more than just their beauty.
This is the essence in the language of flowers. So, whether you are planning to give – or hoping to receive - be mindful about your flowers options or arrangements.
From your garden, a florist shop, fresh market, a nursery… single, half dozen, a dozen… that it is your decision. Just be creative, keep your heart open and remember to select your flowers very carefully.
You really don't want to pass the wrong message or miss the opportunity to express your most sincere and deepest sentiment ~ especially on February 14!
I honestly can’t live a day without fresh flowers around me. They make so happy and their scent ….ahhh, that literally sparkles my soul!!! ...
Flowers create beautiful bouquets; but individuals create beautiful moments and memories!
Happy V's Day ❤️ !!!
Photo Credit by +Valeria Bressan
#CantLiveWithout
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Once a month...always with me! Always different, always unexpected, always special, always worthy... no matter what or where I am ....
Lucky me, I am finally well (here) and the sky is so clear!!!
Happy weekend everybody!
Photo Credit by +Valeria Bressan
Lucky me, I am finally well (here) and the sky is so clear!!!
Happy weekend everybody!
Photo Credit by +Valeria Bressan
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