Woodstove Cooking

A few years after my husband and I were married we purchased this cookstove at an auction in Indiana where we were living at the time. This was our second attempt to buy a wood cookstove at an auction, because two weeks prior a similar one sold for over $400. This was our day, not only was this stove in better shape but we bought it for $250.  It has two warming ovens on the back and a 10 gallon water resevoir, for heating water. That was over 25 years ago and I'm happy to say it is still doing it's job. With all the cold weather we've been having it has been especially nice to have this baby fired up. It has an honored place in our home, hence the name Home Comfort.

Looking Ahead

As we take this time to look back over the year and what we might do different in the coming year, my thoughts and plans turn to next summer's garden. The new year is when we gather all the seed catalogues and make our choices for next years garden. What varieties did good for us and what ones didn't. As I make these selections I will post them for you, so you too can know what varieties have proved themselves year after year in our own garden. We plant hybrid and heirloom seed. One we plan to try this spring is an heirloom open pollinated sweet corn and letting it dry on the ear for grinding into corn meal. Fruit trees can also be pruned now although late fall and early winter are better for the trees. Even though there is not alot to do outside, we can minimize the business of spring by being prepared now. Sharpen the hoe, take care of broken handles, (my husband custom makes hickory handles) oil in sand makes a good preservative and cleaner for hoe heads, forks and shovels. Let's be ready.

There were shepherds abiding in the fields

With Christmas just days away, may we stop and remember what the true meaning of the season is. Glory to God in the highest,on earth, peace and good will to men. Merry Christmas to all.

Yarn

I've been blending and dyeing some fibers to create some new skeins of yarn. This first skein is Suri and BFL it has a nice demi luster and drape. This dye combination I call Envy.


This second skein was created by drum carding strips of solid color BFL/mohair fiber side by side on my carder and spinning a singles yarn starting at the same end of the batt to create a consistent pattern. Then I plyed it with a singles white BFL. This dye combination I call Festival.

Farmers Market

Most Saturdays you'll find me at the River City Farmers Market in Marietta, Ohio, selling yarn and woven rugs. I really appreciate all you knitters out there who have purchased yarn and have encouraged me with your compliments. I will begin posting dates of when I will be at the market for your convenience. My yarns are handspun and are one of a kind. Wool yarns are from my BFL sheep and the alpaca yarns are from local alpaca breeders in Monroe and Washington Co. I am always warping up my rug loom for new and different rugs using recycled clothing. This Saturday the farmers Market( located at Washington Co. fairgrounds) will be open from 9-2 for all you shopping for handmade Christmas gifts. Free raffle tickets will be handed out for items donated by vendors and drawings will be made this Saturday, so come on out and see what the more than 45 vendors have to sell.

Winter Fare

Deer meat is now plentiful in our household and two favorite ways to prepare it are either jerked or made into salami. I have had a few comments on my salami recipe and I am considering marketing packets of the spices to mix yourself. Since I am new to this sort of thing I am getting advice from someone who is marketing her own spice mixes and condiments. My goal is to have it ready by next deer season(2010).

Well winter has set in and that means no more greens from the garden. I have no greenhouse(yet), so getting fresh greens in our diet can become challenging. I get tired of lettuce from the grocery store so I am sprouting seeds. Through the process of sprouting, the starches and proteins in grains and beans are broken down into simple sugars and amino acids, which are simpler for the body to digest, and their high enzymatic value makes them arguably the healthiest fresh food on the planet. (Fresh Food from Small Spaces) I think alfalfa are my favorite. It takes only 4-7 days to sprout most seeds and they keep well in the fridge.

border collies

What can I say about this versitile breed. About 7 years ago a 4 month old border collie pup was given to me, and since that day Kate as we call her has been a worthy helper. As soon as she settled and learned her name the training began. I can say that I've been training dogs in obedience for many years but nothing could have prepared me for this experience. It wasn't long and Kate was training me. Since then we have gotten a litter of pups from Kate and I am training a couple of them. The 23rd Psalm has a whole new meaning to me.