1. Plant something: tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, more popcorn, chick peas, great nothern beans, pole beans, more onions.
2. Harvest something: Lilacs and spinach.
3. Preserve something: Dehydrated mangoes.
4. Reduced Waste: Feeding scraps to chickens. Carlie's teacher is giving us her old straw bales for bedding. She didn't know how to get rid of it and I gladly accepted her generous offer. I don't have to buy any soon. We both win. :)
5. Preparation and storage: Husband Bruce finished up the chicken coop, the girls are enjoying their new home. Thoroughly cleaned the kitchen and made room for the dehydrator on the counter. Rearranged my soap room so it's more efficient for storing supplies and drying soap.
6. Build community food systems – worked in my mom's garden
7. Eat the food: Um, hmm. We've going through the fruit and veggies like crazy. Not a lot for us to harvest yet. Spinach salad tonight.
That must be it! I have a few more things to plant this week (oats that are going in late, herbs and flowers) and lots of weeding. The veggies we planted earliest have all sprouted and are looking good. I'm looking forward to all the rain we're expecting this week!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Great Escape
We have 6wk old hens livng in a giant bin on our kitchen table. The 5 girls are just about ready to make the move to their outdoor abode. After the last few days, I'm more than ready!
A few chicken stories :
Okay, one of the hens got out of the cage yesterday. Good thing I was standing in the kitchen and saw it. I was able to grab her while she was still on the rim of the blue box and before she flew... whew. I'm not sure who was more surprise by the whole thing - me or her! I think they're ready to sleep outside!!!
Today Jack let one of the hens out. He just lifted the top so it could fly out. Truman (our labradoodle) was right there and didn't even care. We're so blessed to have such a mild-mannered dog!
Jack informed me he is the 'birdie papa', Carlie is the mama, and I am the big mama. I'm glad he really likes the chickens, but this does nothing for my sefl-esteem.
We'll make the final adjustments to the coop in the coming days and our 5 beautiful girls will move outside.
A few chicken stories :
Okay, one of the hens got out of the cage yesterday. Good thing I was standing in the kitchen and saw it. I was able to grab her while she was still on the rim of the blue box and before she flew... whew. I'm not sure who was more surprise by the whole thing - me or her! I think they're ready to sleep outside!!!
Today Jack let one of the hens out. He just lifted the top so it could fly out. Truman (our labradoodle) was right there and didn't even care. We're so blessed to have such a mild-mannered dog!
Jack informed me he is the 'birdie papa', Carlie is the mama, and I am the big mama. I'm glad he really likes the chickens, but this does nothing for my sefl-esteem.
We'll make the final adjustments to the coop in the coming days and our 5 beautiful girls will move outside.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Independence Days
1. Plant something: broccoli, pumpkins, popcorn, zucchini, cukes, onions, plum tree, cherry tree, 2 pecan trees.
2. Harvest something: Lilacs for the jars on the table.
3. Preserve something: Nope.
4. Reduced Waste: I've been doing better about saving leftovers and turning them into something else the following night. Putting more in the compost and soon will be giving scraps to the chickens.
5. Preparation and storage: Received some summer clothes and pants for Carlie from my cousin. Stored the items that are too large and sorted out her drawers so we know what doesn't fit.
6. Build community food systems – worked on church garden with youth - planted and discussed how we'll be sharing the food.
7. Eat the food: We've bought some local asparagus and rhubarb. Made rhubarb sauce (my very first attempt) to go with some angel food cake. Very yummy.
2. Harvest something: Lilacs for the jars on the table.
3. Preserve something: Nope.
4. Reduced Waste: I've been doing better about saving leftovers and turning them into something else the following night. Putting more in the compost and soon will be giving scraps to the chickens.
5. Preparation and storage: Received some summer clothes and pants for Carlie from my cousin. Stored the items that are too large and sorted out her drawers so we know what doesn't fit.
6. Build community food systems – worked on church garden with youth - planted and discussed how we'll be sharing the food.
7. Eat the food: We've bought some local asparagus and rhubarb. Made rhubarb sauce (my very first attempt) to go with some angel food cake. Very yummy.
Where I'll be
Hilltop Soaps will be sold at a number of local events and markets over the coming months.
Memorial Day - Genesee Family Fun Festival from 11am-6pm
June 5th, 19th - Clio Farmer's Market 10am-5pm
July 3rd, 17th - Clio Farmer's Market 10am-5pm
August 7th, 21st - Clio Farmer's Market 10am-5pm
August 15th, 16th - Flint Bowman's Club Annual Fall Shoot (tentative)
Please visit the website for further news, details, and product information. www.hilltopsoaps.com
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hilltop Soaps
I've been making all-natural homemade soap for sometime now and have decided to sell it online (or in person if you are close by). The website is http://www.hilltopsoaps.com/
Here's an excerpt from my brochure: "All our soaps have the same basic ingredients: olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil, distilled water, and lye. We add the essential oils, herbs, spices and such to that base. Any coloring or fragrance comes from these all natural ingredients. This is in stark contrast to commercial cleansers (which aren't soaps at all) that are full of detergents, chemicals, dyes, and perfumes." This means the all-natural soap is gentle and nourishing for you skin and great for those of you with allergies or sensitive skin. It's also better for the environment. It contains no parabens (cancer-causing preservatives), no petroleum by-products, and no phosphates (which create problems with our water supply).
All bars come wrapped in brown paper and is labeled with name and ingredients. The brown paper wrapping is biodegradable and can be added to your compost pile. The commitment to being eco-friendly and all natural should come as no surprise to most you! Please, pass it on to friends and neighbors you think may be interested. Tuesday, January 06, 2009
25 random things about me
1. Have 1 husband, 2 children, and no pets.
2. We're getting chickens in the spring.
3. I like to garden and grow our own food.
4. Last year we grew things like corn, carrots, and tomatillos.
5. This year I want to grow popcorn, potatoes, and maybe a grain (like oats)
6. I have a degree in biology but I'm a stay at home mom.
7. I'm a soapmaker.
8. Occassionally I teach after-school classes about archaeology and we run a mock 'dig' site for the kids.
9. I cannot ride a bike.
10. Or whistle.
11. My name is Jill and my son's name is Jack.
12. That was not my idea - his sister named him.
13. I met my husband at a bible study.
14. My husband, Bruce, and I teach the teens at our church.
15. I read a lot. Usually more than 1 book a week.
16. My goal last year was to learn to make bread from scratch.
17. We no longer buy store-bought bread.
18. I have a younger brother. I'm 15 years older, but he's 4 inches taller (so far)
19. My sister-in-law taught me how to knit.
20. I like to makes lists. My family and my youth kids tease me about it.
21. I like to walk my daughter to and from school.
22. When I was young I wanted to be Indiana Jones.
23. I don't like to drive.
24. My daughter claims my favorite color is green.
25. I like green, but I like red better.
2. We're getting chickens in the spring.
3. I like to garden and grow our own food.
4. Last year we grew things like corn, carrots, and tomatillos.
5. This year I want to grow popcorn, potatoes, and maybe a grain (like oats)
6. I have a degree in biology but I'm a stay at home mom.
7. I'm a soapmaker.
8. Occassionally I teach after-school classes about archaeology and we run a mock 'dig' site for the kids.
9. I cannot ride a bike.
10. Or whistle.
11. My name is Jill and my son's name is Jack.
12. That was not my idea - his sister named him.
13. I met my husband at a bible study.
14. My husband, Bruce, and I teach the teens at our church.
15. I read a lot. Usually more than 1 book a week.
16. My goal last year was to learn to make bread from scratch.
17. We no longer buy store-bought bread.
18. I have a younger brother. I'm 15 years older, but he's 4 inches taller (so far)
19. My sister-in-law taught me how to knit.
20. I like to makes lists. My family and my youth kids tease me about it.
21. I like to walk my daughter to and from school.
22. When I was young I wanted to be Indiana Jones.
23. I don't like to drive.
24. My daughter claims my favorite color is green.
25. I like green, but I like red better.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Wood stove Wisdom
1. When you think you have enough wood chopped and stacked for winter - double it (at least!)
2. A 4 year old can carry and stack wood and will choose it over playing on the swing set every time.
3. A woman can chop wood too! (although her husband is much better)
4. A house temp of 62 degrees F isn't chilly. 55 degrees is another story.
5. The living room is the warmest place in the house. The bathroom is substantially colder.
6. It's smart to shower at night. (see #4 and #5 for reasons)
7. A cool house + shared blankets = an excuse to cozy up with your spouse.
8. Upstairs bedroom temperatures are best equated to those experienced by Arctic researchers.
9. But that's okay. Kids like to sleep in the living room. It's a lot like camping.
10. People are now compelled to wear the scarves, hats, and handwarmers I knit for them.
11. Kids know the stove is hot and do not touch it. Adults, however, must see for themselves.
12. When you heat with wood people either think you're crazy or they're jealous.
13. Bean soup will simmer all day and be perfect in time for dinner.
14. Humidifiers are necessary so everyone doesn't get sick.
15. On the upside of this - homemade soap cures in half the time.
16. My drying rack is my best friend. 2 loads a day will dry by the fire saving us both money and energy.
17. Long hair and an open flame are not a good combination. Ponytails are good when adding wood.
18. Burnt carpet stinks.
19. Saying, "The chimney is smoking." is not adequate.
20. One must add 'in the living room' to illicit the correct response from one's spouse.
2. A 4 year old can carry and stack wood and will choose it over playing on the swing set every time.
3. A woman can chop wood too! (although her husband is much better)
4. A house temp of 62 degrees F isn't chilly. 55 degrees is another story.
5. The living room is the warmest place in the house. The bathroom is substantially colder.
6. It's smart to shower at night. (see #4 and #5 for reasons)
7. A cool house + shared blankets = an excuse to cozy up with your spouse.
8. Upstairs bedroom temperatures are best equated to those experienced by Arctic researchers.
9. But that's okay. Kids like to sleep in the living room. It's a lot like camping.
10. People are now compelled to wear the scarves, hats, and handwarmers I knit for them.
11. Kids know the stove is hot and do not touch it. Adults, however, must see for themselves.
12. When you heat with wood people either think you're crazy or they're jealous.
13. Bean soup will simmer all day and be perfect in time for dinner.
14. Humidifiers are necessary so everyone doesn't get sick.
15. On the upside of this - homemade soap cures in half the time.
16. My drying rack is my best friend. 2 loads a day will dry by the fire saving us both money and energy.
17. Long hair and an open flame are not a good combination. Ponytails are good when adding wood.
18. Burnt carpet stinks.
19. Saying, "The chimney is smoking." is not adequate.
20. One must add 'in the living room' to illicit the correct response from one's spouse.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sew much more...
I finally started the dress I wanted to make for Carlie for Christmas. (about time, I know) All that's left is to attach the binding on the collar and sleeves and maybe a few decorative buttons on the front. Sewing from a pattern was pretty painless this time around. If I keep working at it I'll have the shirt for Jack and the pants for both kids finished in time! (keep your fingers crossed for me) I've been wanting to make a skirt for myself, but it'll have to wait until after the holidays. (it's a really great pattern I found on burdastyle) Sooner or later I'll get around to posting some pictures of the clothes. I haven't been knitting much, but I did manage to sew a fleece hat and mitten set for Jack. I've been working hard on improving my skills. I"m just focusing on one skill set at a time.
In regards to the other challenge: the house has been between 62 and 66 degrees in the day and somewhere around 60 at night. Not too bad.
We're trying hard to use less energy. We invested in a set of heavy drapes for the bedroom and I might make some for the living room. Bruce noticed that a lot of cold air is coming up from the basement through the heater ducts. Right now we're just covering them with pillows or blankets until we come up with a better solution.
It's been cold and windy here in Michigan. We're trying hard to stay warm (but not too warm). Grab an extra sweater, make a cup of tea, and curl up under a blanket with a good book.
In regards to the other challenge: the house has been between 62 and 66 degrees in the day and somewhere around 60 at night. Not too bad.
We're trying hard to use less energy. We invested in a set of heavy drapes for the bedroom and I might make some for the living room. Bruce noticed that a lot of cold air is coming up from the basement through the heater ducts. Right now we're just covering them with pillows or blankets until we come up with a better solution.
It's been cold and windy here in Michigan. We're trying hard to stay warm (but not too warm). Grab an extra sweater, make a cup of tea, and curl up under a blanket with a good book.
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