Sunday, July 21, 2013

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.     

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