Welcome to 2020! That sounds like that TV news show doesn’t it?!?! It’s a new year, a new decade, a new dawn. That reminds me of a song. I’m writing you from the early morning hours as the cats fight behind me, the electric fireplace warms my feet, and I’m watching it snow out the window, dreading having to go out there today. But, it’s our first weekly roundup of 2020 and there’s been a lot happening around here! Let’s get to it, shall we?
The past few weeks I’ve been nesting. Big time. We’re redecorating, pulling up some carpets (not yet, but it’s on the to-do list), painting (chalkboard wall is complete, now for the other rooms I want to paint), hanging pictures and such. We’re pretty much done with the picture hanging, at least until we paint the rooms we want to paint. We’ve rearranged the craft room slightly. You can see that in the pictures above. The Christmas decorations came down and the mantle got a makeover too. The Mister has always wanted the tuna canvas over the mantle so he finally got his wish! HAHA. I don’t mind. It looks good and I’ve added some interesting driftwood pieces, some shells collected along our travels, and various other things. Like that quilt book above. And all three of my diplomas!! That was exciting!
We finished hanging all the fish pictures. We utilized the stairwell for the biggest pictures. You can see that in the above photo. That was interesting hanging the top one on the right. I was hanging over the side of the railing on the side, holding the hook. The Mister was hanging over the front of the rail using the hammer! But we got it done. And no one got hurt in the process. I got my 50 pounds of flour in from the Webstaurant Store. I ended up ordering this flour. And I bought a container with lid to store it in but it wasn’t big enough. Thankfully there’s a restaurant supply store not too far from me so I can buy another one. Did I tell you guys about the flour dilemma? I just checked and I think I only put it on instagram. Although I did mention something about it briefly here. Sigh. Anyway, with all this homesteading I’ve been doing lately I thought I needed to try to purchase flour in bulk. I use a lot of flour for pies and breads and other baking that I like to do. And I like using King Arthur flour (eventually I’d like to find NY or PA made flour, but that’s for some time in the future when I have the extra funds for it). So I was looking to source King Arthur All Purpose flour. I found it online via the Webstaurant store but shipping is a killer! Shipping is almost as much as the flour. I get it. Not everything is going to have free shipping. But I can’t afford to pay $40-$50 for flour. So I went to the ‘gram to ask all my fellow homesteaders if they purchase in bulk and where they purchase from. I had some really good conversations. Most of them via the message feature since I asked the questions on my stories. But what I decided was that I needed to check out the local Mennonite store. I mentioned it here. They sell 50 pounds of flour and one of them is King Arthur. It’s not the AP one but rather their ‘special’ flour. So with some research and some kind comments from instagrammers, I’ve decided to purchase that particular version of King Arthur and try it. Well, I actually purchased a small bag so I can play around with it. But if it doesn’t work for my pie crusts (it has a higher protein content than what is normally good for pie crusts) I’ll just cut it with something else. This excites me. I’ve been wanting to experiment with baking using different flours. And now I get the chance, out of necessity. I’m also thinking I want to make a starter. I just read Ashley’s post. She is the queen of baking and sourdough as far as I’m concerned.
We’ve been outside a lot too. New Year’s day we had some friends over. My friend wanted to learn to can and since I was making venison stock, I invited her and her husband and their dog over. We all had a playdate that day! We canned 6 quarts of venison stock, the Mister fixed some monster sandwiches for lunch, and we ended our day with a walk through the woods. It was good. I canned 3 more pints of stock the next day along with 5 pounds of coriander pickled beets (I ended up with 5 pints of pickled beets). The recipe is from this book, which I highly recommend. It’s now on my Amazon Wishlist for future purchase. I also discovered I had a bag of figs in the freezer so those turned into 5 half-pints of Fig Preserves with Thyme and Balsamic. Recipe is from the same book. I’m telling you, that book is wonderful!
I received the loveliest note and gift from a dear Instagram friend. I’ve known Brianna for a while now. I don’t remember exactly when we met but I do remember how. She made a rope basket (with yarn she hand dyed!!) from instructions in Taproot Magazine. They shared it on their instagram (post or story, I can’t remember). So I looked her up. She is so talented. And so very nice. She and I hit it off almost immediately. We have a lot in common, although she is way more talented than I. But what I love about this is it’s not a competition. We learn from each other. We inspire each other. Not just Brianna and me. But all of us. Anyway, she sent me the loveliest handwritten note and that super cute hand sewn bag. I don’t think she was aware of my love of all things pouches. I have a ton of them. A hoarder, you could say. I use them all the time. And the ones that are handmade by friends are my most favorites. Please show Brianna some love. She is truly wonderful.
In other news, I’m nearly finished with Chapters 1-5 of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and should be on track for our first discussion on Tuesday! I’ll admit I’ve been listening to it. I’ve been so busy in the kitchen and around the house that I downloaded it and have been thoroughly enjoying it. I listened to it years ago and since it’s read by the author I really enjoyed listening to it then, as I’m enjoying it now. You can find all the details of our book discussion here. I really hope you will join me on Tuesday. I’m very excited about this book and the ensuing discussion!
I haven’t started back on the business yet. I actually have some major changes I’m working on over the next few months. I’ll give you more details as they emerge. It’s exciting. It feels right. It feels like me. It feels like coming home, so-to-speak. We’ve had a lot of discussion about meat here on the homestead. I made a really yummy venison stew from this book that I received as a Christmas present. We’ve been pheasant hunting a couple of times. Oh! That picture above? It’s got a good story. The Mister wanted to go ‘drive the road’ and look for pheasants. If we saw one, we would stop and stalk it to see if we could shoot it. I was wearing a dress and wellies and a handknit scarf, so I asked if I needed to change. He said, ‘nah. We won’t really see anything’. So I didn’t change. Then we get to the gamelands and he says, ‘let’s just take a quick 5 minute walk’. I looked at him dubiously. Ummm…you told me I didn’t need to change! Of course our 5 minute walk turned into a 30 minute walk. But the pheasants were safe that day. At least from us. They call it hunting. I call it walking through the woods wearing orange, carrying a gun. Either one works. We’ve been back since but went a different direction. This time we went down along the river. It was so pretty. The PA Game Commission does a really nice job of keeping the habitat nice and the trails maintained. But not all hunters do their part. There were spent shells everywhere. I started to pick them up. Each time we go back I’ll make sure to load my pockets with them. That kills me. They’re right on the trail. Whoever made the shot had to know full well where their shell(s) went. It’s disgusting. And it gives hunters a bad name. If you do this and you’re reading this, please stop. Pick up your trash-this includes your spent shells.
This weekend and next week, I’ve got some things on my to-do list to take care of. I need to make soap. I have about 5 kinds that I would like to make over the next several days: avocado; oat, milk, honey; rose; lavender; ditch daisy; and pumpkin (if I have any pumpkin puree left in the freezer). That should last us for at least 6 months. We’re hanging posted signs along the river. We’ll stop by Home Depot this week to pick up some needed items to finish some projects. I have a trip to TN planned. My parents are giving us their old truck. I’ll fly down, spend some time with the family, and then drive the truck back. That will be the Mister’s fishing vehicle but we’ll also use it to haul things around. It’s very exciting! And knowing my Dad and how he takes care of his vehicles, it’s sure to be in better shape than my Subaru! I’ve been living in my lined Carhartt overalls. I was totally feelin’ myself yesterday! I’ll leave you with this. ‘Til next time friends!
Bekah
What a great week! A mix of getting stuff done, spending time outside, hanging with your man, and some friends sprinkled in. Sounds fantastic 🙂
Do any of your local stores (maybe even the Mennonite one) sell food grade 5 gallon buckets with the twisting top (It has a special name, but I can’t remember it. A Gamma seal maybe??). They are pretty affordable…about $15. That is what I use to store my grains in. I can fit a 25 pound bag of grain in one of those buckets. Just a thought!
I am almost ready for Tuesday’s book club discussion. I should have looked at checking out the audio book from my library. I didn’t think about that. I have a paper copy I have been reading, but I would love to listen when I am working on other projects. Hmmm.
I hope you have a great time going down to see your parents.
And enjoy the snow today. We have rain, again.
chickenlibrarian
I’m not sure if the local stores sell the one with the twist lid. I’ll check it out. That would probably be the best. The bucket I bought has a pretty secure lid but you can’t be too careful. I just saw on instagram where someone purchased a bunch of stuff in bulk. There’s some good information there too. I’ll continue my research. So far I like the results with the special flour but I’ve only used it with bread. It needs some tweaking. The dough is ‘more wet’ than what I’m used to.
Anyway, I’m having fun with learning new things, trying to be more self-sufficient and environmentally conscious! Which is great since that ties in with our book discussion!
Tracy
Wow, you continue to be so busy, Kristin – but isn’t the nesting great? Mr. Gordon and I hung up 49 (haha, I just went and counted) family photos in our hallway during the past year. We did it over time – I had to buy frames here and there – but it was wonderful to get them up. I’m sure we’ll add just a couple more. Our efforts weren’t as dangerous sounding as your railing antics, though! 😀
I LOVE figs – I actually wanted to make a fig dish for our NYE dinner, but I couldn’t find any fresh ones at the grocery store. (Feeling slightly guilty now for even considering it with all of our local produce reading / discussing because of AVM, but in the end, no figs anyway.)
And how nice to have your friend come over and learn how to can with you! It’s such a valuable skill, as you know. I have never canned anything with meat in it – yet. I’d really love to can soups and chili. Do you ever do “canned venison”? My Mom told me her mother used to can the venison meat and it was great (she said). No venison for us this year – no luck for Mr. Gordon or my father. Amazing since we often pass dozens of deer in the farmers’ fields on the way home. Mr. Gordon is convinced that they know when hunting season is and avoid the State lands.
Love the photo(s) of you. I’m glad you are sharing them! The last one in your orange hat is so cute. I’m like: I’d so totally want to hang out with her. 😀
Food containers: don’t know if you have access to any public markets with vendors who use 5-gallon food-grade plastic containers, but one year Mr. Gordon and I got a bunch for free just by asking, “hey, what cha doing with those empty containers?” (GREAT for making big batches of sauer kraut!) This vendor was a cheese vendor, actually. I think his buckets had contained mixed olives, or bulk cheese like Feta in whey. Anyhow, “food” for thought!
Ugh, the shells left in the woods: Good on you for picking them up. I loathe litter. In WNY (and Western PA) where I grew up, our “litter” in the woods consists of a lot of abandoned rusty pipes and paraphernalia from the old oil wells. Grr.
Well, I see Bekah commented on the book club post today, and I want to read her thoughts! Loving the Kingsolver book! 😀
PS: Yay for the new truck – travel safely and enjoy your family, too. 🙂
chickenlibrarian
Oh the nesting has been wonderful! I’m just loving it. I finally left the property yesterday, first the first time in about 6 days! Don’t tell anyone though. LOL. I’ve just been busy doing things, walking through the woods, enjoying time at home. I’m still living in those overalls too! Same hat, same overalls. I do wash them everyday because I’ve been tromping through the woods in them and they get messy. We took all our pictures to get framed, or we framed them ourselves, a couple of years ago. So thankfully most, if not all, of our pictures are already framed and just needed a new spot in the farmhouse.
I’ve been looking for things to do with the shells. I think I found a couple of projects that look easy but fun. I think that’s the issue. What do you do with them? You can’t really recycle them (I guess you could if you took them apart-separate the plastic from the metal) but who’s going to do that? So rather than deal with it the hunters just leave them? I’ll continue to pick them up and then make something with them. Maybe I’ll try to sell a couple of things. Who knows?
We usually find the same types of trash as you do. Although lately I’ve also been finding balloons. That kills me too. I can only hope that some little kid was carrying the balloons and they accidentally got away from them. They’re all those aluminum ones with Disney characters on them. So I’m going to think positively and say it was an accident.
As for canning meat. We haven’t tried it yet but it’s on our list. I mean, we’ve canned stock but not the actual meat. The Mister wants to can our own homemade stew, ala dinty moore stew. We’ve been discussing the vegetables though. We’ll do some experiments this winter. I’ll keep you posted on how it turns out.
I agree with Mr. Gordon on those deer knowing exactly when hunting season starts! They must hear that first shot and that’s their warning bell to lay low. Although the deer I shot was literally walking down the path that Anna and I take through the woods. So who knows?
Food containers–that’s a good idea! I guess I kind of forgot about that. There’s a cafe in town that might have some. I’ll ask. I have a coffee date with a friend on Monday! I’ll put it on my list. Otherwise I’ll see if one of the other restaurants wouldn’t have a couple of extra ones!
Okay. I’m with you…gotta go check out those AVM comments! So excited about this book! And don’t worry–I’m not exactly eating 100% local right now. I just had an iced coffee from a fast food restaurant. 😱
Shugunna Alexander
Lol Kristin, even your down time is busy😄 love the part when you say “no pheasant got hunted today”. Love that you get to spend so much time outdoors, one thing I miss the most about the south; I felt safe to do that there. Love the roundup
chickenlibrarian
thanks you! Yes. The pheasant are safe from us!! I love being outside too. I tend to spend way too much time inside so getting a quick walk in always helps.