For the Love of Birds

Hello, friends.  We actually got some rain last week.  Almost 1/4" on Weds., and it's raining as I type this on Sunday, ending up with close to 1/2".  Each time it dips much into freezing temps, J has to drain the pipes leading from the house to the cisterns.  If we don't, the pipes crack.  Ask us how we know.  Which means, each time it rains after a frigid spell, it takes something like 50 gallons to refill the pipes, before it ever starts collecting in the tanks.  So, you can see how collecting water in the winter is a more complicated proposition than in the warmer months.  Our neighbor recently told J his well ran dry.  It replenishes enough that he has access to around 100 gals a day, to provide his household, herd of cows, and flock of chickens, but can't go over that without running dry.  We're all hoping the drought ends soon.  There had been snow forecast for the afternoon, but it stayed north of us. 

 

I'm keeping an eye on the monk's journey, as they get closer.  My sister, niece and little ones, and I are trying to figure out a safe place to witness them.  They're walking in rain and snow today, bless them.  I saw this video and song last week.  I can't watch it or most things, without being moved to tears, as their journey resonates deeply with me.  Wish us luck, in finding a safe, quiet place to honor them.  We were down to our last jar of crowder peas, and I was able to can a batch.  I've continued going through a file cabinet, and shredding much of it.  The shreds are being saved for chicken bedding, which will end up in the compost system.  We've started implementing a compost system the permaculture consultant recommended, which uses the chickens to scratch it up and add their manure.  It's often referred to as a chicken tractor on steroids, which you can find on YouTube.  We need a warmer day or two to get it fully set up.  Hopefully, the chickens will cooperate, and do their part.

Though I still have a long way to go, I've been learning about the effects of light on our body... sunlight, red light, blue light.  There's plenty I don't know, but it's convinced me to pull out every LED bulb I can, and switch back to incandescents.  I've had blue light blocking glasses for the computer, and do use the night light setting to lower blue light in the evening, but now have an amber pair on the way, which apparently does a better job.  I'm very interested in learning more.  If you know of any great resources, especially books, I hope you'll share.  Two resources I've listened to are Sowing Prosperity and Dr. Jack Kruse.  Another health-related item I was recently made aware of, when researching for a safe lipstick, is almost all (as in >99%) is contaminated with lead.  Yikes!  Apparently it's not new, and the FDA allows a certain amount.  I don't know about you, but I really don't want any in something that will be on my lips.  So, now I'm looking into trying to make my own natural version.  I don't wear it very often, but do like it on occasion.  The blue birds began showing up at the fountain and bird bath, which made me happy.

blurry pic, but the best I could do

Last week, J told me he ordered 25 chicks, to arrive in March.  That was a surprise!  That's several more than we've had in the past, so he'll be making an addition to the coop.  It's always interesting, here on the homestead.  Looking over my photos, it seems there's a bird theme going on.  He's making good progress on the skoolie transmission swap.  I should make a separate post soon about that.  Stay well, friends, and may all your surprises be good ones.

Peace is Possible

Hello, friends.  Last week, I found a wonderful documentary on Thomas Dambo and his giant trolls.  We've booked an Airbnb, so my friend and I can visit the ones in Asheville, in a few weeks.  I did end up canning the last of the winter squash, while we remain on well water.  The two nights and day we were forecast to have good chances of rain ended up being only a 5 minute sprinkle, so nothing measurable.  It looks like there's another chance at the end of the two week forecast, so I continue to hope.  There's some exciting news on the skoolie.  J has been intending to swap out the transmission this winter, got it jacked up, and has begun working on removing all that needs to come off first.  Here's hoping our first real trip isn't too far down the road.

can I come in, Mom?

Our washer gave up the ghost last week, something to do with what holds the drum in place.  We bought it 13 years ago, so of course, parts are no longer available, other than used, so we ended up buying a new one.  We'd both read about Speed Queens being some of the best out there, and decided to get one we hope will last at least as long as we do.  We don't need lots of bells and whistles, so it's one of the simplest ones.  J found an appliance store with one significantly less than those online.  We called, and asked if he would hold it until the next day, which is good, as he said two other people called wanting it that night.  It's much quieter than any washer I've had, which is lovely.

the latest heart to show up, bread in a pan for drying

I harvested lettuce, oregano and rosemary, and made golden paste and ketchup.  The weather was so beautiful Saturday, we were able to open several windows.  Have you been following the monks walking across the US for peace?  There's something very moving about watching them, and watching the crowds swell, as their journey continues.  They'll be coming through 30 minutes from here, and I'm looking into how to stand and witness, and support them.  Though the major media outlets are mostly ignoring it, as a post I saw beautifully said, their walk is proof that peace is still possible, hope still exists, and loving kindness has not disappeared from this world. May their light add to the ongoing shift.  Wishing you a beautiful week, friends.

Making Lemonade

Hello, friends.  Happy New Year!  Our rain last week consisted of a couple of showers, maybe 1/10" total.  So, we're still on well water, but as they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  It occurred to me that with all the water canning uses, now would be a perfect time to can as much as possible, saving the precious future rainwater for our personal use.  The first day, I canned up all the cushaw squash for J.  The flavor is not my favorite, so I'll be making pies with it for him, as he enjoys it.  Two other days, I canned various other winter squash, including two massive ones.  J believes they're from seeds a friend gave me, which people around here called pumpkin squash.

The girls have started laying eggs again, after many months.  We think it was August, or possibly earlier, when we got the last one, so it's a very nice surprise.  I requested books from the library, knowing I'd be in town for an appointment.  More biochar retorts were made.  I've been doing some research on eczema, and found it would be helpful to have a lipid rich barrier on my hands.  Savannah Bee Company's products were highly recommended, so I'm trying their honey almond beeswax hand cream first.  If you're interested in their honey or health & beauty products, the above link gives you 100 pts. on a $25 order.  Each 100 points give you $5 off.  

GF bread ends were ground into bread crumbs.  Our homegrown red pepper flakes container was almost empty, so the last of our dehydrated hot peppers were ground to refill it.  Two items were hand washed, and hung on the line.  Our New Year's dinner consisted of homegrown sweet potatoes, collards and field peas, with cornbread, which J ground the corn for.  With almost no rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future, I plan to continue to work on canning the winter squash, and may also can some beans this week.  I'll end with one of my favorite YT channels, Hey Wanderer.  They're two young women, who built their off-grid home from a shed, started a homestead, and just generally get things done. Watching their videos never fails to uplift me, and gives me the feeling that all is well with the world.  I hope you enjoy them too.  

Another Love Wink From the Universe

Hello, friends.  Last week, our freezer reached it's limit of 10 gal Ziploc bags of veggie scraps, so I defrosted them and made broth.  As usual, I let them simmer on the woodstove overnight, then strained and canned the broth the next morning.  The cherry tomatoes that are still ripening in the house are fairly tasteless at this point, so I made the decision to add all the ripe ones, almost all of them, to the broth, to get whatever nutrition they may have.  That seemed the best use of them.  I used the $20 credit I had at Vitacost, in addition to a code for 20% off, and 4% cash back through Swagbucks on an order.  We've had a really dry few months, and have been on well water for several weeks.  After building up through several showers, it makes my hair feel like straw.  Yuck.  Once we're back on rainwater, I'll do a vinegar rinse.  There's a slight chance of rain today, but doesn't appear to be much accumulation, if we get any.  

While J was cutting wood one day, this heart appeared.  A little love wink from the universe.  I made a double batch of cashew parmesan, as we decided to have Giada's pasta with olives and bread crumbs for Christmas dinner, and parmesan is one of the ingredients.  We enjoyed dinner with our granddaughter on the 26th, then headed to an upscale village nearby, where we viewed a large gingerbread display in the lobby of a hotel.  This year, the gingerbread had a Whoville theme.  My new car key was ready to pick up.  As it was only 15 minutes from our granddaughter, we went by there on the way to pick her up.  I tried inserting the key and removing it 25-30 times, and it seems to be working well.  The parts department told us if it didn't work, I'll probably need a new cylinder, which made J think they've had this issue before with my car.  Hopefully, the key is all I need.  Saturday was a warm, sunny day.  It was enjoyable spending time harvesting carrots.  May the New Year on the horizon usher in greater hope, peace, love and light for us all.

Happy Winter & Happy Holidays to You

Hello, friends.  Last week, the holiday baking was accomplished.  Four types of cookies were made, and more than half of them have been handed out so far.  I needed more sugar while baking, and not knowing about some J had put in storage, I ground sugar cubes that have been in our preps for some time.  I got the cubes, knowing they'd last in long term storage, better than a bag of sugar, and they worked fine this way.  Suet was made for the birds.  After having a massage and delivering soap 45 mins. away,  I had some car issues, and J had to come rescue me.  I believe the car itself is fine.  I just couldn't get the key to turn in the ignition.  J thinks it's likely just a worn down key, and I've ordered a new one.  Hopefully, that will take care of it.  If not, I'll need a new ignition lock.  I do have a back up key, which is what J came with, but it's as old as the one I use (15 years).  For all I know, that key was the previous owners main key, so I'd feel safer having a new one.  Our Christmas tree is up, and the lights are hung.  Next up, ornaments.  Wishing you and yours a holiday filled with peace and all the things you love.  

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.