Fall makes me think about canning and preserves. With my lamentations on the end of the growing season in sight I have been looking for ways to bring it into the cold season, winter. I started with a little online search and came across an Unusual Jelly Recipes website with a beet jelly or fauxberry jelly as I like to call it. I am thrilled with the idea that I can have jelly on toast for breakfast, pickled beets with cold cuts for lunch, and greens with dinner all from one bunch of vegetables. I did also come across a Mountain Dew jelly that would make a fun gift for my sister.
While searching I also came across a few blogs on sustainable living. Missing willow farm is a fun blog to read a follow a dairy goat farmer and the amuzing problems her animals, including different kinds of fowl, can get into. Mademoiselle Chaos has some beautiful handspuns, crocheted lacework, and fun gardening topics. I especially love the geurilla gardening topics. Down to Earth has some great information from aquaponics to canning to fiber arts. And finally, A Rustic Life showcases her experiences that include canning, raising sheep, and of course fibers. These topics have seemed to become more trendy over the past few years. And while it may seem to some that I am jumping on the bandwagon myself, these are characteristics that have repeated through my whole life. It is funny to remember my father's mother exclaiming, "Didn't your grandmother in Iowa teach you anything?" when we asked how she wanted the lettuce cut. The funny thing is my grandmother in Iowa taught me how to crochet, sew, and cook. She also taught me to love garden fresh produce, canned goods, and to respect your elders. She also taught us how to hatch chickens from eggs, how to laugh, and how to love. Other Grandma, she taught me how to deal with difficult people and well that I don't like having to go through pigs to get to the hen house. Growing up these things were around me. When combined with love they were invaluable, when they were combined with indifference then I probably missed out on something that could have been wonderful. As money has been tight in the past, I have also learned to be creative and confident in my skills. I can make a roast chicken stretch like no other. Not that I have in awhile. I am trying to bring back those skills that I put aside when I started working. I want to bake bread again and eat real food that comes from ingredients and not from a box. I want to start saving money and develope financial security. I may not be jumping on that bandwagon but I am cheering them on. |
AuthorThe person behind the persona... I am a single mother of three teenagers and a Respiratory therapist. Although I get bored with domestic chores, I have several domestic hobbies. I enjoy all the fiber arts and crafting. I enjoy cooking challenging new dishes. As long as I have fresh ingredients and a clean kitchen. Archives
November 2012
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