Think I am getting a cold.  It will really make me angry since I will have broken my 4 year record.  Guess I should really be grateful, but Thanksgiving is coming and I have a heck of a lot of work to do.  For the past three weekends, I have done minimal housework and spent the rest of the time cloistered upstairs working with my weaving and knitting to get a lot done before Christmas.  Our Christmas is generally composed of mostly handmade gifts with a few gifts coming from elsewhere.  Always hard to remember what I knitted last year for each member of the family although I promise each year to make a list to help choose this year’s projects.   I generally start in October, but I always end up frantically hoping that I will have all done in time.  Here it is basically one month to Christmas and I am not even halfway there.  In a way, that is a wonderful situation to be in—to have family and friends that I feel so strongly about that I will stay up late and get up early to get it all done.  But, after all, what do we have but time---certainly not money!!

          Back to the threat of a cold.  For years I have promised myself to build upon the medicinal herb knowledge that I remember from my grandmothers.  I have always used my kitchen herbs copiously both for cooking and for minor medical needs – for bites, burns, colds, stomach aches, etc and have grown and dried my own, but I am going to gather my collected books, my bookmarked websites and my ancient sources and begin to study again in earnest.  The medical field is just too expensive and a little too much on the ‘surgery and pill pushing side’ and because Americans are so hesitant (read ‘downright nuts’) in not following more forward-looking nations regarding universal health care (even though after World War II, we were the ones who set up universal health care in Europe and Japan), we probably need to look to ourselves more to help ourselves.  Remember the old saying ‘Physician, heal thyself.’  So, with my anticipated retirement from the University in the next few years, I have yet another project to make my time count. 

Husband—digging all of our potatoes to put in storage and listening to a race on the radio in the barn while he puts them in net bags.  Me—finishing a bathroom rug, starting mug rugs for holidays, grabbing needles, yarn and patterns to do gifts for the same.  I think I got the better deal.

          These are the crisp fall days we all think about when someone says autumn.  Still warm enough to hang my clothes to dry on the line (I consider it a challenge to see how long into the winter I can line dry my clothes) and cool enough to dig around in the winter garden and not wear out due to heat.  Got a big clothes basket full of kale, Chinese cabbage (Napa) and swiss chard yesterday from the winter garden.  Beautiful, crisp and green.  Also got a great surprise—growing where we had planted spring turnips was a huge patch of beautiful green leaves.,  Upon closer inspection (and tasting), I realized that these were turnips that were going to seed when Mike went over that patch with the tiller a few months ago.  Now I have turnip greens that are just delicious and took no labor at all!! 

          This morning, I made a big batch of noodles that are now drying in the kitchen.  Have a few orders that I need to finish .  I also made my 2-month supply of  wash detergent.  This is so fast, easy and cheap and it does a fantastic job—even with my hard well water.  I am now making the detergent for my two older daughters who both have high-efficiency washers.  Works great.

          Got a DIY tip that I have been doing for 2 months as a trial. I do not have a dishwasher  (by choice), so I do use a popular dish liquid (read more expensive than the bargain brands that you generally end up using twice as much anyway).  I have found a way to stretch the expensive stuff and still have all of its good qualities --- lots of suds, grease cutting, etc.  Here’s the deal.  Divide one bottle of your dish liquid into 2 dish liquid bottles (save the last one empty one).  Into each bottle, add 1 Tablespoon of Borax and fill to the top with white vinegar, turn up and down to mix thoroughly.  That is all there is to it.  You will put in a bit more than you normally do in a dishpan of hot water, but even with that, it stretches it to almost twice as much with ½ the cost. 

          As Thanksgiving gets closer, it is a good time for us to recognize that some of our people are going to be hungrier due to the food stamp cuts that just went into effect.  If effects all of us, whether or not we need food stamps.  If you know of or are related to anyone who could use a little help, think of what you might be able to do for them.  And next year, at election time, remember those who erroneously think that the recession is over and that the only reason people are poor is that they don’t work hard enough.  Remember that most of them have no money worries and certainly wouldn’t know what to do if they did.  Enough said. 

 

A lot left to do today.

Rag Rugs, Paper Towels, and Noodles

Really got soaked at the Farmers' Market yesterday.  Wind and rain.  Some of the vendors' awnings were ruined or at least are now in need of repair.  We left around 10:00 since we were soaked.  As we left town, we noticed that the entire town of Attica was without power.  Luckily, when we got home our power hadn't gone off.  Of course, we didn't get quite as much rain and storm as Attica did.  We could have used more rain on the gardens.  We have orders for 1 large frame rug loom (27 inches x 39 inches) and 1 square frame rug loom (15 inches x 15 inches).  I intend to put a list of websites and instructions on this blog soon so that anyone who buys one of our looms can get started on their first project.  Our first customer, though, will get a hands-on demo right at the farmers market when she picks up her looms (hopefully it doesn't rain like it did yesterday).  I love to see people take up a craft that is beneficial to them and to the environment.  What can be better than using old rags from worn out clothing, linens, etc. to make a long-lasting, rustic rug or placemat or chair pad or mug rug or handbag or whatever the mind can conceive.  It’s time we realized that talking about saving the planet and recycling doesn’t do the job.  Doing it does the job.  I plan to sell my rag rugs at various venues, including a web site, within the next year or so.  Until then, I will have them at the Attica Farmers' Market and at home to sell. 

    Speaking of that, I have given up paper towels. Yes, I know paper is recyclable, but I also know that the recycling does come at a price—the energy to re-make paper from paper, the bleaches that are added in the process, the eco-miles to bring the paper towels to us so that we can indiscriminately reach for them for tiny spills, etc. and throw them away.  So, since I subscribe to a million DYI sites who help me re-think my wasteful habits, I finally took the plunge and made my own.  Now, I will always have a roll of 'real' paper towels at the ready for things like cat’s hairballs (disgusting) and wandering insects that do not need to be in my home, but for everyday stuff, no point in using them.  Years ago, I purchased colored washcloths to use for napkins so we don’t use paper towels for napkins anyway.  Well, here goes (read with great concentration since this is REALLY hard – sarcasm intended).  Take an old flannel sheet and, using pinking shears to cut down on unraveling, cut into about 8 x 12 squares or something close.  Regular cotton fabric is not appropriate since it has no absorbency, but flannel certainly does.  Anyway, make up 30 or so of these (I do laundry once a week and that number is adequate for us), fold and put in a basket near your kitchen sink area. Voila!!  Amazingly simple and you will not notice an increase in your laundry since they take up only tiny amounts of space.  One more thing you don’t have to buy.  If you don’t have any of your own, you can pick up an old flannel sheet at Goodwill or the Salvation Army or your local church rummage room for very little.  
     New baby chicks arrived last Wednesday.  Have had predator problem with red-tailed hawks this past few months and thought it would be wise to start some new chicks as replacements to our flock.  We generally get new chicks in spring or fall alternate years, but with our chicken loss to the hawks, thought we had better supplement.  Want to make sure that everyone has a chance to eat those great eggs and noodles.  Speaking of noodles, please be sure that when you buy noodles from the farmer's markets or from any venue that they are dry noodles.  Noodles are only allowed to be sold at farmers' market venues if they are below 5% moisture (can break a strand in half at this percentage).  Never buy fresh 'raw' noodles.  Even if frozen, by the time you get them home, you have prepared the way for bad bacteria to begin breeding.  You can make them yourself and use them quickly or dry them.  Raw eggs are a breeding ground for e-coli and salmonella and all kinds of bacteria  (that is why they use raw eggs to develop and manufacture vaccines).  Only buying a dry noodle will give you the assurance that you are not purchasing real problems.  Yes, I know our great-grandparents did not dry theirs to that point and used them as raw noodles, but they made the noodles to be used immediately and, if they did store them, they dried them completely.   My noodles are made with eggs, flour and a tiny bit of salt, dried quickly on open screens, and, as soon as they are dry, the noodles are weighed, packaged and put in the freezer until time to take them to the market.  Another tip--the freezer is also the best place to keep your handmade dried noodles. Jars let in light which will deteriorate the product and humidity may be a factor in maintaining quality.     

Wet garden, clotheslines, appliance propaganda

Another day too wet to get into the garden which is very frustrating because I have a wonderful crop of pig weed that thinks it is supposed to be in my gardens and I can’t get in to weed them out.  The chickens will be more than glad to eat those weeds for me, but the weeds are getting large enough I will either have to get more chickens (more chicks coming this month) or just leave them where I pull them and use them for mulch (yes, you can).  For those of you who do not garden, working in a garden with wet soil is the worst thing you can do to your soil.  The repercussions last for years.  The ground seizes into clods that take years to come apart and your ground also compresses under your footsteps to create a tough top layer.  Thanks, Dad, for impressing that upon me all of my life.  We miss you every day.    

   Clothes on the line and watching for rain drops.  I do my laundry on Sundays during farmers market season since we are at the market on Saturday mornings.  When I retire from my $$ job, I will do all of my laundry on another day during the week (probably the old traditional Monday).  Anyway, laundry is on the line which is a tremendous time and energy saver over using the dryer.  Your clothes last longer and the fresh smell is incredible.  Whenever possible (March through December when we are lucky, put them on the line as low as 40 degrees), I use my clothesline.  Not much ironing at all if you have a nice breeze.  About the time savings--- the running back and forth to switch loads in the laundry plus the same thing for taking clothes out of the dryer, putting clothes into the dryer—I can’t get anything else done.  Ah, but when I do the laundry early in the a.m., get it all on the clothesline and let it dry in the sun and fresh air, I don’t have to run back and forth at all.  When it is dry or when I am ready to take the clothes down from the line, I put them in baskets, take them in the house, fold and put away.  Done and the time in between is mine!!  That is why I am incredulous when women tell me that the dryer is so much more convenient.  Not for me and probably not for you if you get yourself a clothesline.  Another way to save precious, expensive energy (and your own!!).    What we have to remember is that the appliance companies need to sell appliances and, especially in this country, making a buck is the name of the game.  So, the propaganda (some call it advertising) is to make us all think that we must have this time-saving (read ‘energy, $$ sucking) appliance.  Right………………….        

Rags to Rugs

  

So this is how it began.  I was researching old styles of weaving, saw the rugs and the rug looms online.  Decided I wanted to do something like this—that repurposes and recycles and realized that this was exactly what I wanted to do.  Now I have 2 large rugs done and numerous other articles.  My first rug is on the floor in front of my kitchen sink and my feet (generally in socks or barefoot in the house) love me for it.  Nice and thick and non-slip.  Using old clothes, sheets, flannel sheets, curtains, the possibilities are endless.  Also, Mike took one look at the simple, primitive floor looms and duplicated various sizes right away.  Wish I could do that, but glad that he can.  We will sell both the rugs and the floor looms at the farmer’s market and at another venue I have my eye on for the winter months.  Along with that will be my handmade socks and other unique knitted wearables.  See Mike and I at the Attica Indiana Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from May to September.  I will have a lot of my wares (including my soap) there for display and for sale.  If you are too far away and you are interested in what I have for sale, my e-mail is fentersj@gmail.com.  Web site coming soon. 

Bits and Pieces

    All of the farmer's market stuff is put away.  After vending on Saturdays, it really is a job putting everything away until the next week.   Love talking to the people and telling them about the vegies we have.  Very surprised that in our area, which is an old farming area, that there are so many unfamiliar with what we consider everyday vegetables.  Love talking to them and hopefully get them to try a new food. 
     Too rainy today to go into the garden.  Need a break anyway.  Have a lot of things I have to get started to get inventory of rugs, knitting, etc. ready for the holidays.  At least, I need the time to think of what I want/must do. 
     And today, I feel like writing about how thrifty we can be and the value of making stock (cooks by itself if you are away and use a crock pot, cooks by itself with minimal oversight if you are at home and using the range).  Nothing is cheaper and adds more flavor than stock.  Chicken is the least expensive and since we all seem to eat a lot more chicken than beef these days (good for us.....it takes only 4 lbs. of feed to create 1 lb of chicken, while it takes 22 lbs of feed to create 1 lb of beef--not a good use of resources AND you can feed a lot of people with 22 lbs of grain---and by the way cattle are not evolutionarily equipped to deal with grain--that is our myth).  Anyway, throw in a roasted chicken carcass (please buy your chickens whole) or a whole chicken and old carrots, celery, a halved onion (leave the skin on, lots of color comes from the onion skin), some pepper corns, minimal salt.  Fill with cold water to cover the chicken/carcass and bring to a boil with lid on.  Turn down until the surface is just bubbling and let it cook probably 4 - 5 hours.  Strain all taking out the chicken and boning it.  Put stock freezer containers (leave out a quart or so for immediate use.  Will last 3  days in fridge) and chicken meat in freezer bags (good for any casserole, soup, pot pie, salad, etc) and thaw as needed.  Nothing simpler.  Not only do you now you have a base for soups, gravies, the list is endless, you also have chopped chicken meat to use).  Keep a container in your freezer just for onion bits and peelings, garlic bits, old carrots, celery, etc, and you are always ready to make stock.  I try to make stock at least once a month, more often if I can.   Old cheese can be shredded and put in the freezer to be taken out and added to cheese sauces. 
     The name of the game is 'no waste'.  Use those leftovers, recreate dishes, cook, cook, cook.  We are in the midst of a slow food revolution since we all know what the fast food revolution did to us.  If you have the capabilities, cook at home.  If you don't have the capabilities, get them if possible.  Cook for yourself, for your family, for everyone.  And if you don't have the money for enough food, go get food stamps.  That is what we pay taxes for and it is nothing to be embarrassed about. 
     What we should be embarrassed about are legislators in Washington who actually say that food stamps should be cut when, if anything, they need to be increased so all can afford decent food, not just starch!  Somehow, our elected officials reasoning is because there are always a small percentage who 'play the system', that all hungry people should be punished.  The fact that we have hungry people in this country should be our national shame and embarrassment.  Hopefully the rest of the world is aghast at the way we treat hunger and why we have it.  The fact that we have those going without medical care because they cannot afford it is tragic when we realize that we are the only industrialized country in the world which does not have universal health care.  In other words, the only industrialized country in the world which doesn't give a damn.  Hunger and poor or nonexistent medical care does not just effect poor people, it effects all of us.  Hopefully, we are on the edge of health care reform for all, but there are many of our own elected officials who just don't get it so we need to get them out. 

As the first farmer's market of the season approached, I realized that the last time I blogged was in June of last year.  We were in the middle of a draught--well we thought we were in the middle but we were at the beginning.  It went on and on.  Also, my father became ill in July and died in August so we were all preoccupied with saying goodbye to the patriarch of our family who died with such dignity that he taught us in death as well as in life.  Anyway, blogging just paled in comparison to our other activities.

So, I have taken on a new craft which repurposes, re-uses scraps of fabric otherwise thrown away and it is really a lot of fun (also very useful).  I have been making rag rugs on a rug frames (various sizes including mug rugs).  My husband makes the frames based on instructions from our first purchase of them.  What a way to preserve an old-fashioned craft and to reuse and repurpose.  I will be bringing a few examples to the farmer's market and, of course, they will be for sale.  If anyone is interested in doing this themselves, we can also sell them the frames to do it with.

A year of great handmade laundry detergent!!!

Garden in full swing.  We have rain this year which  is already better than last year.  We also have agribusinessmen who feel they must irrigate (more about that in the next blog-- so we aren't really sure how long our wells will hold out).  Note that I didn't refer to them as farmers.  Hopefully the small farmer still cares enough to think this through. 
         I have discovered in the past year a great money saver that I want to pass on to you.  I now make my own wash detergent and it is so cheap and easy that there is no reason not to.  Works great even in tough farm dirt.  I make the liquid kind because we have hard water and it is hard to dissolve powder.  Not only does this work in the new high-efficiency washers, but also in the older ones.  It also is great to mix it half & half with dish liquid (the good stuff--no antibacterial varieties) and does a great load of dishes.  Makes at least 3 gal of detergent and I use (remember, I have the old washer) 1/2 c to 1 c per load.  My daughters have the HE models and they use much less.  I think it costs me about 75 cents to make all of that (but then, I have my own bar soap so it may cost you a bit more).  By the way, one of my daughters actually switched from using Tide to this detergent!!

LAUNDRY SOAP (especially good for high efficiency washers)

¾ c. Borax
¾ c. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda  (NOT Baking soda)
1 bar soap (I use my handmade soap, but you can also use Ivory or Fels Naptha--don't use the bars of detergent they sell as bar soap now--more on that later)
Water

Heat 6 c water. Grate soap and add to hot water. Stir and continue heating until soap is melted. Add Borax and washing soda to hot water/soap & stir until dissolved.  ( I just save slivers of soap until I have enough and put them in hot water overnight.  The next morning they are either completely dissolved or only require a little heating to finish)

Place 4 c. hot water in bottom of a bucket and add soap/borax/washing soda to water to bucket. Stir. Add 1 ½ gallon cold water (that is 6 quarts) & let sit 24 hours. Wisk together and use (will be goopy gel)

Use ½ c. large loads and ¼ c for small loads  (see my measurements in bold above)

This can also be used in your mop water, as an all purpose cleaner although I use vinegar in a spray bottle for that. 

Back to the comment about bar soap on the market.  The reason I make my own bar soap, among other things, is because commercial bar and liquid soaps take all the natural glycerine out and resell that to you as lotion to moisturize your skin because of the drying effect that your soap has on your skin--vicious circle.  My soap is real soap (yes, it is made with lye, but after the saponification process the lye is gone AND I age my soap 2 months in the open air before it is ever sold/used).  I use my soap on face and hands, in the bath.  I also use a lot less moisturizers than almost everyone because of the cocoanut oil content.   Anyway, that is one reason.  The other is this complete nonsense about 'antibacterial' properties.  First of all folks, soap is antibacterial because that is what soap is.  You don't need the extra chemicals to get you squeaky clean.  Soap does that all by itself.  That and the more we use the added antibacterial chemicals, the more resistant we are to antibiotics when we really need them (not nearly as often as they would like us to believe).  Anyway, if you want to try my bar soap, it is available for sale at the Attica, Indiana farmers market or by ordering from me for $3.00 per bar.  Send me an e-mail at fentersj@gmail.com

My granddaughter's softball tournament final game is tonight!!