Saturday, February 22, 2014

movin' on out

We're in the final stages of moving out, so work can get accomplished on our house (for  more details see: The House that Apollos Built).  It's crazy, and hectic, and nuts, and you probably get the point by now. What would make it even more stressful? A huge custom order. 
I've been working on expanding the tiny bit of sewing for profit that I do.  In fact, I even set a monetary goal for myself, for the year.  $365, or one dollar a day.  So far, I'm no where near that goal.  In steps my friend's husband.  With a request for alterations on his uniform, 2 undershirts, and 2 new coats for his reenacting hobby.  I'm excited, and nervous at the same time.  Honestly, I think I'm more nervous about getting this order right for him, than when I sewed her wedding dress!
Back to the moving out topic.  We're trying to keep the amount we take with us minimal.  Then this order comes in, on top of the work I had planned on doing while we were staying at my in-laws.  So now I'm bringing one plastic tote of projects, a sewing machine, a serger, my knitting, AND having fabric shipped to their house.  Oh, and I need my reference books.  I'm a compulsive researcher.  If the littlest thing strikes my fancy I can spend hours reading up on it.  So, here are my research books I'm bringing with (I have other ones waiting for me at the library in town)

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Home EC...homesteading economics.

I'm starting an on-going challenge to post tidbits and how to's on the how what and whys of homesteading.  Despite growing up in the country on a 'farm', I feel like I've had a ton to learn, and still have miles to go.  I'm also going to be hosting guest bloggers on this, since I am, admittedly, not an expert in much. 
So...here is the first tidbit:

When it comes to being a woman, but having to break open livestock water in the winter, don't do it the way men do.  Men go out with their BFH (big friggin hammers, for those of you who didn't grow up in the Midwest) and bash away.  That's how I've been doing it.  Until today that is. Today I had to shovel a foot of snow off the top of the water before breaking it open.  Rather than walk the extra 10 steps back to a scoop shovel, I grabbed my garden spade.  Turns out it works great for breaking ice up.  In fact, it works better than the sledge.  I was able to break more ice open than in the last couple weeks, and then scoop the ice out of the water as well. 

It's the little things...

Jenny

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Attempting gluten.

Now that January, and my attempts at limiting foods are over, I'm going in the opposite direction. We've been gluten free for 10 months, and Paleo for about 9 of them.  I'd like to try reintroducing grains into our diet again, because we miss breads.  I'm still very cautious about gluten, as they led to stomach upset and cavities for Braeden last year. 
The cavities are healed (another post is coming on that subject), but the stomach upset still lingers.  Grains don't affect him nearly as bad as soy does, so we're experimenting with reintroducing soured and sprouted grains.
 I made a sour dough starter with the flour from my cupboard, so it's definitely not fresh.  I've been experimenting with biscuits and pancakes.  I'm slowly getting my chops back when it comes to baking with gluten, however Braeden's stomach doesn't seem to be appreciating it.  My wheat berries are sprouted, and going in the dehydrator today, so hopefully some freshly ground sprouted, and then soured grain will sit better with him. 
I also still have spelt and rye flour in the pantry to experiment with.  I'm hopeful we can find something that his gut will tolerate, so we can have 'normal' baked goods now and then. 
Jenny


Saturday, February 1, 2014

Happy February and a Giveaway!




HAPPY FEBRUARY!
I am so excited that it's February, and we're that much closer to Spring and warm weather.
To celebrate I'm having my first give-away! 1 pair of felt cupid wings, just in time for Valentines day!
Each person to enter will have their name written on a piece of paper and thrown in a bowl. The drawing will be next Saturday, February 8th.

 I have a couple ways to enter:

1.Share Spruced Corner's facebook page on your wall.
2. Have a friend 'like' our page and comment on our wall about who sent them. (Both you and your friend will we entered this way.)
3. Follow us on Etsy at :https://www.etsy.com/shop/SprucedCorner?ref=shop_sugg
4. Follow one of our blogs: (or both for two entries) http://sprucedcorner.blogspot.com/ or
http://apolloswilliamshouse.blogspot.com/ If you already follow both blogs, comment on a post and let us know you want to be entered!

That's right, there is the potential to get entered 5 times to win a set of wings for your little one!

The wings you'll win!