Repurposed

Once upon a time, feed sacks were made of cloth. When we started raising chickens, feed came in paper sacks. We would use them to recycle papers, line the rabbit hutch or mulch the garden. Then came the nylon bags. I didn't know what to do with them and piled them up in the shed, never wanting to add them to the trash, yet another landfill victim. Sometime later, I saw feed bag totes for sale at the feed store made by the 4H kids. I started making them for our groceries, then as gifts and recently, I have begun filling orders for them. Nothing like making a little extra cash while recycling! Shoot me a line if you'd like to place an order.

An Apple...An Idea

Behold the apple. In it's current state, a possible danger to my digestive system. More test will perhaps lead to a diagnosis and meds to alleviate the symptoms. But, that is not what the apple means to me today. It is what the apple may become. With the right ingredients and know how, it can be be transformed. Today, the simple visual of the apple means a beginning, an idea, a spark of things it can become. A neighborhood icon, The Benson Bakery has become available for rent. It has not been run as the bakery for a few years now, but the space and most of the equipment is there. Usually, I do not long for money, but today, if I had the finances, I would restore this community favorite to it's former self. Not an upscale bakery with $4.00 cupcakes and artisan breads, but a neighborhood bakery with the baked goods we grew up with. Breads in sacks, doughnuts, kringles, kolaches carried away in those cardboard boxes back to coffee and orange juice waiting at home. It wouldn't take much money to get it back off the ground, and I am on the hunt to find the finances. This is just the business our whole family could be involved in...with a little hard work and elbow grease, this apple could become a pie!

Our Little Soul in Seoul: Arm Scripture

What a beautiful idea! Blessings to Katie on her journey!

Our Little Soul in Seoul: Arm Scripture: So many of you know how I have had some tough days in this wait for Zinny. After the emotional roller coaster this summer with Korea putting...

End of Summer Soup

From Real Simple:

End of Summer Soup

Ingredients
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
(We use veg broth)
1 15 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 large zucchini, cut into bite sized pieces
1 large yellow squash, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 pound green beans, cut into bite sized pieces
2 cup corn kernels, cut from 2 ears or frozen
1 medium onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup fresh dill sprigs

In a large saucepan over medium high heat, bring to boil. Add the beans, zucchini. Squash, green beans, corn, onion, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Simmer until the vegetables are tender. Stir in dill.

Honestly, I have one child who is a vegetarian, and with all due repect to her life choice, I think the chicken broth would have been better. Maybe a little shredded chicken to boot!

Gadget Guru

I think that my sister held me in higher esteem for my ability to try new things than I held myself.  But look at me now, blogging from my phone.  This will surely inspire me to post more often.  So, here goes! This is the beautiful floor we found after removing the carpet.  Wish it hadn't taken 15 years to convince my husband we should do it!

Yogurt & Quark

Trying my hand at making yogurt and then quark. If all turns out well, it should yield a surplus of yogurt and quark at a fraction of the cost. Thank you Robin Mather for the inspiration. I am loving your book The Feast Nearby! Meanwhile.....Thunder, our exchange chicken, was supposed to be the bold one of the flock she came from (insert aggressive)but has yet to fight her way into the group. And yes, I tried all the tricks suggested for introducing a new chicken to the flock. It will boil down to a battle royale or death. Such is the life of a chicken on an urban farm.

Months later......

I really should do a better job of posting. You'd think nothing happens here, but, that is further from the truth. Knitted, and sold several mascot hats. Went full time a Gallup. Chickie Bock Bock passed over after 12 years of dutiful service. Acquired a new hen, a Dominique, but sadly, the flock is rejecting her. My kitchen garden is in and is determined to grow despite the influx of rain. Most importantly, Daniel and Lacey's wedding is a week from today and the reception is in our back yard. I can hardly wait!