New Projects

This time of year makes me want to nest.  All of the time spent harvesting and preserving food gives me a sense of urgency to not only get outdoor tasks done but also to get the inside prepared to be our comfort in the colder months ahead while still enjoying my favorite season.  Part of this nesting is also reflected in a return to creativity.  Sid asked that I knit her a beanie.  Hmmmm, I have knit quite a bit in the past, but only blankets and scarves, things that could be knit in a straight line with no particular shape.

I found what looked to be a reasonably easy pattern, used supplies that I already had in the house, and knit two hats (one wearable) this week.  It was a great learning experience, and really not that difficult.  The first hat was plagued with problems.  I had to scrap it more than half way through when I realized that I had knitted a twist.  Lesson one was learning how to avoid a twist and as I began that hat again and then the second one, I paid close attention to avoid that!  The second lesson was in the weight of the yarn.  Though the pattern called for a medium worsted yarn, it really needed something heavy and the wool blend that I chose for round two was perfect.  The third lesson was when knitting in a round the length of the circle is very important.  Even if you cast on a certain number of stitches if you stretch them too far on say a 24" round vs. a 16" round it simply will be too large.

What I am left with is a happy daughter, more confidence and two hats, one that I think will fit perfectly on a scarecrow this fall!

In the Garden :: August 9

In the last week the garden has definitely hit its stride.  The extended cool to the beginning of the season has us running a little behind last year's harvest. Most notably, several of the plants themselves are much smaller.  Though our harvest dates have started a bit later the yields all seem to be great, even from the smaller plants.

We harvested the garlic, which in and of itself ended up being quite an adventure.  B ended up putting on his bee suit to harvest the last few rows as we had discovered a group of ground wasps had decided to take up residence in that bed.  We yielded 168 heads this year!

We enjoyed the first of our yard long beans.  They have been fun to watch grow, and have a special sweetness to them that gives them an asparagus like quality.  I think these will become a quick favorite, and be something that we grow again.

Both summer and winter squash are making impressive showings.  It is not unusual for summer squash to be abundant, I am sure you've heard of national sneak zucchini on your neighbors porch day (which happened to be yesterday)!  What is most exciting is the sheer volume of butternut squash that is well on it's way to maturity.

The late summer wildflowers are abundant and peppering my kitchen with their display.  There is just something about fresh cut flowers!

As I mentioned earlier, this is the crunch time for food preservation.  So far we are keeping up, but are really trying to get ahead.  As you can see the tomatoes are beginning to blush so along with what I hope is a big tomato season and the backlog of everything else, I know we will come back to quite an onslaught after we return from vacation.

#100HappyDays :: Day 44

We do not often get much of a spring.  Many times we go straight from winter to the mud of the thaw, and then onto balmy summer temperatures.  This year however, we seem to be stuck in perpetual Spring, as we head into the solstice this weekend, we have seen persistent rain, and many days of cool temperatures peppered with a few warm days here and there.

As a result the garden's summer veggies are off to a slower start.  Thriving, and even some beginning to flower, yet still small plants aching for warm and sunny weather to grow.  On the flip side of this is the cooler early summer crops of lettuces, cabbages and broccoli are growing beautifully and beginning to grace our nightly table.

#100HappyDays :: Day 34

Garden treasures are emerging.  Even on the most hectic of days when there may not have been time to tease out a happy moment, a quick evening walk surveying the days growth will begin to balance the scales.

A Lot of Bang For the Buck

Last weekend, when I finished shoveling, I looked down at my dry weather affected hands and thought that I should go grab some of the Burt's Bees cuticle moisturizer.  Then, just as I was going to head out, I came across a do it yourself one from doterra.  It utilized some of the beautiful bees wax that we had just collected along with some essential oils.

It was one of the more simple and satisfying do it yourself projects that I have done.  It took a short time, was simple and the small volume in the recipe made ten little jars.

I linked the recipe above, but it is short and sweet.  Combine 2 Tbsp. Shea butter, 1 tsp. bees wax and 1 Tbsp. fractionated coconut oil in a glass measuring cup.  Place 2" of water in the bottom of a sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Place the glass measuring cup in the saucepan (similar to how you would use a double boiler), and stir with a wooden Popsicle stick until completely melted and combined, about 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat, let sit for 3 minutes, stir in 10 drops of essential oil, I used lavender. Then pour the oil into small containers and let set for 3 hours.  Viola!  This recipe has a lot of bang for the buck, and I am certain that I will do it again!

Weekend Projects, Better Known as Cans of Worms

Have you ever started a project, quite out of the blue, spent half of the day on it and then it is just not quite right?  That was how my Saturday morning went.  B was working, so I decided to attempt re-organization of our entry.  I bought an additional piece of furniture (since returned), moved/hid our device charging area, and thoroughly cleaned everything only to be unsatisfied with the result.

Once B got home we made a couple of more adjustments and he suggested one of those big bench hall trees.  After looking at the furniture already in our room, I could not picture another large piece.  Then he suggested hanging a giant hall tree on the wall.  Better yet, let's make one from old scrap material in the barn!

What we are left with is a cool old weathered door, gently cleaned, varnished and affixed with several large hooks that were in various areas of the barn.  B even fashioned a way to securely attach it to the wall staying true to the picture rail that is already there, and it is sturdy enough that he could hang from the door and it will not budge (not just a figure of speech, he hung from the door).

Moral of the story; a little moving of furniture, creativity, $35 and a lot of elbow grease and we have a cool piece that makes the whole room feel like brand new.

Adventures in Breadmaking

I was so excited last weekend when the River Cottage Bread book arrived.  I read it cover to cover and among other things committed myself to regular bread making, and learning metric measurements.  Good grief, all of my favorite recipes need to be converted! 

On one of the kids two cold days from school this week, I began a sourdough starter and made my first batch of the basic bread recipe.  Though I am well equipped with my beloved Kitchenaid, I felt that we should experience learning what the textures feel like when hand mixing.  I love that Charles is always all over anything new and messy in the kitchen, so while Sid was out with a friend, he pipped up to help with the bread.

Those first two loaves did not stand a chance and were gone by yesterday.  So first thing this morning, I started another batch, but this time using a generous scoop of my incredibly happy sourdough starter.  It is a couple days before I should be using it, but it already has a wonderful aroma and takes so well to its daily feedings.  The book suggested a rye starter as a favorite, so that is what I am doing.

This lovely dough rises beautifully.  I have been letting it ferment it for about an hour, tamping it down and then letting it go another hour before shaping into loaves and letting prove.

I have ventured once before into bread making, but never used a pizza peel.  I just resisted spending the money on one.  Well just to illustrate how serious I am, I did go out and buy one earlier this week.  Now after using it for two rounds of bread, I have no idea why I was so resistant before, it has already saved me from burns and frustration.  Money well spent!

Since it is Super Bowl Sunday, in honor of the day, and since not a single Monday night football went by without them in my childhood home, BLT's are what's for dinner, on homemade sourdough bread.

Making Lemonade

When life gives you lemons constant snow, ice, and windchill...

make lemonade a warm wool blanket.

How are you passing these cold gray days?