So Many Thanks! Soap, Pies, Culture and Apples!

Today, as I wind up my week, and in preparation for Thanks Giving, I think of all that God has blessed me with. At times work seems a burden, but as I look back at all I have learned, I am humbled. Not more than 12 years ago I lived day by day with the slightest of clue as to how to sustainably take care of my family. Sure, I knew how to get good deals at the supermarket, but really and truly, I had no skills that were worth much merit in the kitchen. I had failed to learn all I could as a young woman, while still under the protective arms of my mother. And there I was out in the world, and didn't even know how long to cook potatoes. Might I note..it wasn't for lack of my mother trying to teach me, but my own ignorance that kept me so blind to the world of homesteading. The kitchen is where it happens. 

Yesterday I made Tea Tree Soap. This morning, as I uncovered the bar that had been incubating under warm towels, I realized that it was through great grace that I have come to a point in my life where I cherish skills such as soap making. I truly believe that in the essence of a woman and mother, God created a desire for us to care for our families and gave us a certain sense of nurturing that only mothers have. In a small way, making soap fulfills that desire for me. I thank God for not only the desire, but for bringing me to a place where fulfilling that desire brings me such peace. 

Aren't those pastries lovely? Our Family dinner is planned for Monday, and so of course that is the perfect excuse for two sisters to bake the day away! She and I, with our youngest, wrestled the flour and created masterpieces! Beautiful and tasty. Absolutely! Thank you!

What's this? That's what I asked too. A friend of mine (who I might add is an amazing artist, who also exhibits at O'tooles) invited me to share in her Milk Kiefer Grains. I vaguely remembered something about Kiefer, but after the botched batches of Kombucha that I endured a few years ago, my ambitions with cultured drinks went wayward. Alas, the time was right and the grains are here and I am pumped to try it out! Thank You.

Lastly, here are the cinnamon and sugar apple slices that I have been waiting for months to make! (we ran out in March!). My dehydrator, with 9 shelves has been running 24/7 drying Chaga & Mushrooms, and so I called in backup! A good friend of mine (who BTW makes the best pies in town) just happened to have a dehydrator collecting dust and so was willing to lend me the air power to speed my drying pursuits. Horrah! 7 Trays and a motor to dry them! It's a factory here now. Perfect! Thank You!

Today's Happenings at the Homestead...More of too much to do.

Yesterday I wrote about how I have too much to do..and that I best get doing it. Well, today that rhythm continues! After all, tis' the harvest season an what better way to spend the week before Thanks Giving! Absolutely, am utterly thankful for all that God has given me today.

This morning, I woke to these. The honey mushrooms that I picked yesterday on my way home from the milk run. The forest I pick form is an old, old forest. The towering maples and fur trees cover the mossy undergrowth. It is such a beautiful place to be. Away from all homes, the sound is beautifully silent. Apart from a passing car once in a long while, I hear the dropping leaves. And that is it. Bliss. The shrooms had fulfilled their duty overnight. Each had dropped sufficient spores as to confirm their ID..all but just a few.

Cylas an I then went off to Dukeshire's. Our local apple orchard with all intent of picking 4 bushels. We were late. The u-pick closed on Sunday and all the apples have been picked. But we didn't leave empty handed...it was a blessing in disguise, as the apples were the same price as u-pick, minus the work. Plus, the grade had been sorted and we bought 3 boxes of #1 (at and extra $4.00 per box) and one box of C's to eat and process right away. The superior apples will find winter storage in my basement. 

After leaving the apple house, we had plenty of time to spare..so of course we took that precious time to visit the garden. We have a few plots in the community garden just blocks from our home. My carrots have been slow growers this season, and so we tended to thinning them out more and weeded them so as to help them out a bit. The carrots we left to continue growing will need to stay until frost sets..they need as much time as they can get! 

Pole Beans. This was the first year for the pole bean in our garden. These are wonderful! They take up little space, and so are perfect for our urban garden. Even after a few light frosts, they were still heavy with beans. Today though, we picked them clean and stripped the poles. Beans, you are done. 

At home, I sorted the eaters from the seeders. 

Along the driveway to the garden are some old maples...as I inspected them for fungi (Oyster season is near), I just about jumped out of my pants when I saw these! HUGE Oysters! How did these get past me? Anyhow, they are home. I cleaned, and cut them.

 Here is the Oysters..ready for drying. Total of 2 trays full.

The dehydrator full of mushrooms. 6 trays of Honey, 1 tray of Late Fall Oyster, and 2 trays of Oyster.

Another haul from the Garden..our Sunflowers. They drooped and sagged. They were well on their way to being completely dry, but I needed to start cleaning up the garden, so they came home too.

 Here they are..I prunes the leaves and stems off, and brushed off the pedals and nectar thingies. Sitting on my hall dresser they will make for a great decoration wile they continue drying.

Finally, but not lastly, the boys are topping the carrots AND enjoying the sun! 

Alas, it is only 3:30 here, and we still have work to do. Chow for now!

Fall...and too much to do!

I have been working steadily for the past few months...I believe it started back then the last drops of snow melted. Oie! The spring was rejuvenating. Summer brought warm refreshing days full with motivation. Fall. Oh fall, how I always feel your burden. By the end of the season my arms are tired and my cupboards are nearly full..but then, oh then, there is always more! No wonder I go in a state of hibernation come November. This year, along with the canning and harvest for our own family, I have been working steadily on building a business. Making soaps, jams, jellies, lip balms, cleansers, and the list goes on. In the midst of stocking inventory, working the garden, and putting up the forever cans of preserves, we come upon hunting season. Now in full swing. Yesterday, as my husband and I talked about our schedule, finding time to do our chores, came the realization that the push time (crunch time) is on. Time for hunting? Time for apples? Time for Dehydrating those mushrooms? Need to make more deodorant? Dan's work? The garlic...yes, it's almost planted. Carrots in the fridge..waiting for me. School. Children. Among all of this, I am tired. As is the way, every year at this time. What refreshes me, is when I look at all that has been accomplished. I take a walk to the cellar and gaze at the rows of neatly stacked bottles, the bags of potatoes, the shelves of dried foods, I see the Grocery bill, which rarely exceeds $70 a week for a family of 5 (and this week will include the 4 bushels of apples my husband wants to winter store). Yes, of course we have all the time in the world for all of these things. It is our blessing. I will note though, that this winter I will be stocking up (WAY UP) on soaps. I intend to stock up so much in fact so as to not have that extra chore awaiting me during the busiest time of year. Any products that can be made ahead of time will be prepped in the slower winter months..hindsight aeh? I have been refreshed though, in the midst of the season. The leaves have fallen here, and with that comes the last press to prep for winter. Yesterday we put up our cauliflower and the last of the broccoli. Pulled and cleaned out the spinach bed to make way for the Garlic. Dan wonderfully turned the soil in with rabbit manure and today I will open the cloves of garlic to select the best of cloves for planting. While the air was still crisp and dawn was drawing near he went off to hunt for birds, and to also retrieve the 100lbs of potatoes we had dug and left at his parents. For today, I have more dehydrating to do, and will make and print labels for dried mushrooms to sell at the Gallery. Also make soap, and catch up on laundry and make deodorant. Later this afternoon I am to meet a young gentleman at the Gallery to be interviewed. He is interested in covering my business venture in the local paper that he writes for. He is particularly interested in my dedication to support local businesses, and my practices in foraging for use in the products. I am excited about the chance to be written about, but I am not the best speaker..somehow I know, all that is in my heart, won't make it out. I'll forget something terribly important that I wanted to share. With luck, my products will speak for themselves. 

Feeling a little fruity?