Laundry Pals

Hello, friends.   A few dandelions are still blooming.  Well, maybe not after tonight, as we're forecast to get down to 13, and we're often a little lower than the forecast.  I added a wheelbarrow of leaves to the chicken coop, to add a layer of warmth, and hung all the windbreak shower curtains, around their feeding area.  Vitacost was running a deal, where if you spent $120, you received $20 to spend on a future order.  As I needed several supplements, it was pretty easy to do that, and I've already received the code for the $20.  On the order, I also used a code for 20% off, and went through Swagbucks, for 4% back.  Not bad for one order.

A creative project I've wanted to do was finished.  I matched up fabrics with microfiber cloths, sewed them, and are gifting them with my kitchen soap.  Two of them went into packages mailed out for the holidays.  During the week, there were two canning days.  First were black beans.  Next, the bone bag was pulled from the freezer, which included the carcass of J's turkey breast from Thanksgiving.  This was simmered on the woodstove overnight, and the bone broth and bits of meat were canned the next day for Guinness' future dinners.

There were some windy days last week.  When I went to take the laundry off the line one day, I was greeted by this sight, which made me smile.  A tree is casting a shadow, so it's not the best pic, but these laundry pals made me happy.  Biochar materials were gathered... some pinecones, but mostly sweet gumballs.  I appreciate that it's a chore that gets me outside, this time of year.  We received some flurries off and on one day, with a brief period of large sleet or small hail, not really sure which.  My brother was playing some jazzy Christmas music on Friday, with a group in Greensboro, and J & I went to see them.  They did several Vince Guaraldi tunes, which are some of my favorites.  It was a lovely evening, and one I'll especially cherish, as now that my brother is 70, he intends to significantly scale back his music gigs.  It's one thing to take a flute or violin into a venue, but to bring in, set up and take down a drum set is another thing entirely, so I understand his decision.  We'll be having my family gathering this week, so there will be more to cherish.  I hope you find moments that fill you up this week.  Addendum:  I just thought to share a holiday video my brother posted.  I hope you enjoy.  

Amish Tomato Prep

Hello, friends.  I did get some of the ripening tomatoes canned last week.  There were four pints, though one didn't seal, because of a tiny chip I missed on the jar.  That's alright.  I just used it in pasta sauce the next night.  With tomatoes on my mind, I also prepped four pots of tomatoes for spring, as in Stacy's video on Amish tomatoes.  I took advantage of the woodstove, melting soap oils and cooking small sweet potatoes for Guinness.  It's been cold recently, and I've been enjoying huddling up by the woodstove, whenever I need some warmth.  Wood heat is such a toasty heat.  Lettuce and chard were harvested, including some for the chickens.

Amish tomatoes

I've been working on my to-go bag, or bug-out bag.  If it wasn't possible to remain in our home, or I was away from home, this is meant to keep me going for a few days in an emergency, whether it's due to weather, fire, or some other catastrophe.  J & I went to the local army-navy surplus, where I picked up a few things that would be helpful.  I hope this is never needed, but I'd be so grateful to have these things, if it was.  If you're interested in putting together something like this, there are multiple resources online.  The Prudent Homemaker has a list here.  The lists vary, so you may want to read a few, then decide what would be best in your case.  I used up all the carbon material for biochar the week I worked at the gallery, so I need to gather more.  These cans will become the newest retorts.  I noticed in the Prudent Homemaker post, there was a mention of charcloth, which I learned is made the same way.  I may have to give that a try.

I made colcannon, using a portion of our last cabbage.  With the holiday season, my soap shop has had lots of orders coming in.  I'm grateful.  J & I went to get our Christmas tree on Sunday.  One of the local schools was selling them as a fundraiser.  We got the last small one (4-5'), for $40.  All the others were 8' or so, and cost $90 and up.  We're not quite ready to put it up, but I'm glad we went when we did.  J put the trunk in the pond, so the tree will be better off than at the lot, in no water.  I'm thinking about starting to wrap and decorate, making things festive.  I hope your week is peaceful, and meaningful in the ways that matter to you.

Tomatoes

Hello, friends.  As I mentioned, I was working at the gallery last week.  Besides bringing a book to read in between customers, I brought soap to wrap, thank you cards to write, which I include in my orders, and  holiday cards to write.  It's enjoyable to be a bit more social than usual, talking with customers.  It's also very nice to have time to take care of some personal things during the down time.  Our tomatoes continue to ripen.  Shortly before I started work at the gallery, I was able to can a few pints, and it looks like there will be a few more to can.  I'm cutting up the imperfect ones for the chicken mash.

Being I was gone every day except Thanksgiving, not much got done at home.  We had a simple Thanksgiving.  J prepared a turkey breast for himself, and I made mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, roasted brussels sprouts, and fresh cranberry sauce.  The pumpkin pie I froze last week was heated.  We opened a bottle of Prosecco, to make it a little festive.  I'm very excited to see that Temple Grandin will be speaking at a local theater in March.   I've cared about the treatment of animals since at least the 80's, and have followed her for some time.  She's a beautiful example that despite being different, you can make a huge, positive influence in the world.  There was a wonderful movie about her in 2010, and I see there's a new one on Amazon.

Sunday was all about playing catch up.  Lots needed to be put in its proper place.  Groceries were bought on the way home Saturday.  I was pretty tired by the time I got home, so produce was washed and prepped on Sunday.  The chickens were happy to receive their mash again.  I've also been opening their gate, after I bring the mash, so they can wander.  It made them happiest of all, I think, to have some freedom again, after having to stay in their yard all week.    Wishing you a cozy week.