Makings

There has been quite a flurry of making around here lately. Unmaking too, as the cat on the baby laundry pile proves. I guess we just prefer to create instead of clean. Can you blame us?

When we were in Oregon during the fall, K and I had gathered a bag full of walnuts from Walnut Hill (at our beloved school) for the purpose of dyeing yarn. I forgot about the walnuts for awhile but then found them again at the end of November. K wanted to make a dye bath immediately so we researched how to do so. We found quite a few different recipes and tutorials for making walnut dye but K and I ended up choosing the fermentation method in this book. The walnuts sat in a bucket fermenting (the book said at least 3 weeks) until last weekend when we finally opened it up and made our dye bath. It was an intense dark brown but the dye yielded a beautiful warm honey brown. I'll share photographs once it's dry.

The children has all been immensely enjoying a new part of our baking rhythm - grinding our own grain in a grain mill Grandma gave them for Christmas. Little L, especially, loves to grind the grain. I swear he could go on for hours! This wonderful gift has inspired us to grow some grains in our garden this year so we can enjoy bread truly made from our own hands from seed to finished product. How great will that be? I just hope we have enough space to grow enough for this endeavor.

And what is a post without something pregnancy/baby related (at least this month)? The children and I are also working on some baby bum bath salt (a natural remedy for diaper rashes). We made our chickweed, plantain and calendula infused oil and now just have to add the rest of the ingredients. Funny thing about our infused oil - I don't know what I was thinking but I put it outside in the sun for a solar infusion like we normally do (as indicated in this book), forgetting that the current temperatures are below freezing. My oil became solid so we brought it back inside and did a double boiler infusion instead.

I was hoping to finish up the baby bum bath salt today but when I opened the Epsom salt that I had purchased a strong smell came from it. I checked the ingredients and there was fragrance added to it. I hadn't come across that before so I never thought to check the ingredients when I picked it up. Oh well. So our salt soak is on hold a couple days longer until I can get to the store again. Now what else can I find to make whilst avoiding the laundry?

Makings

Crabmari (AKA Kevin's Konmari method)

The seasons here in southern Idaho are definitely very different from anything we are used to, and we have lived all over the country as well as in Korea, so that's saying something. Normally by September we would be ripping up our garden and preparing it for winter, but here a lot of our plants were just starting to come to life in September! We waited until what felt like the last possible moment to pull everything up, plant our cover crop and put it all to rest for winter (Well, minus our dyeing plants. The honeybees are still visiting them so we thought we would leave them a bit longer). That happened to be the last weekend of October. We spent a whole day outside working and playing as a family. The children happily taking full responsibility for their own gardens and then even helping Kevin and I with our bigger family gardens. The loved going around and harvesting anything they could, including some funny looking carrots that were hidden by the tomato plants. These are some of my favorite times. All three of them really seem to flourish when we labor together. Hard work makes our family stronger (and bed time so much easier!).

I know I mentioned using The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up a few months back when I posted the children's bedroom tour, but I can't remember now if I have since mentioned my failure in implementing the Konmari method in the rest of the house. I keep meaning to but I just can't seem to find a whole day to dedicate to it (you know, with all my free time). I have, at least, started in their playroom and kept it off limits for a couple of months as I try to sort though everything in there so that's something, but still nowhere near enough. In the meantime the children's bedroom is becoming messier and messier because they end up bringing things from other areas of the house into their room. Now I see why Marie Kondo said you can't just do a room at a time.

Kevin actually implemented his own decluttering/tidying solution for the children that he named "Crabmari". This involves him pretending to be a crab and walking into the children's room with an empty box (after giving them a warning to prepare) and filling it up with everything he finds out of place. Then the box disappears (he puts in the garage to go through later). Little L gets a kick out of being "mini-Crabmari" and helping Daddy fill the box.

When Kevin first told me about this I thought the children would flip out over their things being thrown in a box, but the funny thing is that they welcome it. They actually get to the point that they ask for Crabmari to come and get rid of their things. You should see the relief in their faces when he does and the clutter is gone. It makes me realize that as much as I thought I downsized their belongings, they really need even less. They get so overwhelmed by having too many possessions and really need to live even simpler - as do Kevin and I. I guess I had better try harder to find a day to finish decluttering and tidying the rest of the house so we can all feel as relieved as the children do -  all the time.

Crabmari (AKA Kevin's Konmari method)

Looking after those who are lost

The calendar says autumn is here. My heart says autumn is here. Yet the weather does not seem to comprehend and is still acting like it is summer. I think it is teasing me. I so look forward to the autumn stillness and slowing down so I am acting as if the weather is cooperating as much as I can. I have been digging through baby clothes - months ahead of time, I know, but I thought it best to take advantage of the current sunshine and hang them outside for some fresh air and stain removal. These clothes have been through three babies (some even more than that as they were hand me downs) so they need lots of sun time. This is also giving me the chance to take inventory of what we have and what we need. A lot of the baby clothes really need to be replaced (due to aforementioned use) so I am making lists and budgeting in preparation (baby kind of blew our no spend challenge for the year but that's okay!!). Baby woolies and pilot caps are definitely a must in my book. Our woolies are really stained but still useful. I do hope I can swing getting this sweet miracle baby will get a few new wool shirts before February, though.

Our garden is still growing like crazy, even though I have already started pulling a lot of it up. We decided to keep the flowers that we can use for dye baths and medicinal purposes in as long as possible. I have been trying to keep up with them and harvest at least every other day now. Surprisingly some of the things we planted in the spring are just now starting to come to life. C's morning glories bloomed for the first time today. Oh, our garden is a bit wacky.

Just a couple days before the feast of Saint Francis, a sweet little lost dog made it's way to our home. K said he was sent to us by Saint Francis. She loved it so, if you couldn't tell by the photos. We would love to have a small dog, maybe someday we will, but that would not work with our current big dogs. Especially Paw Paw. To him, all little dogs are yummy snacks. *sigh* That adorable little pup ended up spending the whole day with us as we searched for his owners. We missed out on homeschooling that day but I think the lesson of looking after those who are lost was far more important.

Looking after those who are lost

Just call me Grandma

Ack! Land Shark!!

Well, it's official. Our garden plot is just dirt. We have less than three years left here in Idaho so instead of amending the soil we decided to just go with raised beds. Unfortunately as soon as we came to that conclusion and got the supplies, Kevin's boss had him working twelve hour shifts along with weekend duty so we haven't made any progress. The snow has already melted off of Mount Bennett (a local informed me that is the day you can plant your sprouts outdoors) so my children and I are chomping at the bit to start planting. While we try to exercise our patience, we are experimenting with some very old seeds we found, seeing if they will grow or not.

C received her birthday present from Nana and Grandpa early this year because... well, it's alive! They sent her this butterfly garden. The caterpillar voucher that came with it said it would take 3-4 weeks for the caterpillars to arrive. I put the order in on the first and they arrived within one week. Oops. C is thrilled, though. She has ten caterpillars to watch over. They are actually forming into chrysalises now. This wonderful gift inspired some nature lessons and has C pouring over our Nature Anatomy book. Both her and K are very interested in butterfly life cycles and the difference between butterflies and moths. As if on cue, Kevin found a waxworm (greater wax moth) outside and now K is taking care of it so she and C can see how different a cocoon looks.

Speaking of C, she and I have been a bit obsessed with wild crafting and herbs lately. We started up some calendula and comfrey salve today (from Rosemary Gladstar's book) and are dying to make some fermented dandelion stems. We are two ingredients short and have to wait until this weekend to make the drive to Boise to pick them up. As for K, she has been learning about time in her math lessons the past week and part of that was making a human sundial. I think she loved the excuse to go outside every hour to measure her shadow. She had a fieldtrip to a bank today with a local homeschooling group. We all enjoyed ourselves and I have a feeling we will be seeking out this group more often in the future.

Oh and Land Shark! Doesn't it drive you crazy when you are trying to craft a bed for your bunny and out of nowhere a shark pops up?!

...and then on a rather comical note:



C, Little L and I were playing at a local park while K was in her RE class. I took a knitting break after the three of us discovered an edible herb - shepherd's purse (although we didn't dare eat it knowing that the park was probably sprayed). A little girl maybe seven or so walked up to me and said, "Hey I know that girl (pointing to C). Is she yours? Are you her Mom or Grandma?" I smiled and said, "Her Mama." I laughed to myself and thought, it must be the knitting or my frumpy clothes (note to self - put a much overdue shopping trip higher up on the priority list). Maybe my laugh lines? Eh, I accept them as proof of a life lived well.

Kevin laughed when I told him about it. I asked him to take a picture of me but he flat out refused. Rascal. So I tried my hand at a selfie as a gentle reminder to myself that I don't look like I am old enough to be a Grandma yet. But I can not master that art, at least not in a flattering way! He,he. Oh well.

Maybe I should be slathering on my butterbean on a daily basis, just in case.

Just call me Grandma

Old Fashioned

The other day I was asked if I make my girls' clothes. I shyly answered yes, just as I normally do when I am asked that question, or if I knit my children's clothes. Back in Portland, a question like that would be a compliment, as many of us there love to be more connected to our roots, live simply and make or repurpose as much as we can ourselves. But this time, the question seemed different. I felt it in my stomach. The question reminded me of those childhood moments when someone asks you something they already know the answer to, just to hear you say it so they can make fun of you about it later. It was almost as if sewing our own clothes wasn't "good enough" or perhaps too old fashioned.  Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think this person was trying to come off that way at all, but the tone made me think about how others may look at us and our choices.

This interaction took place shortly after being told "We were poor so my Mom sewed our clothes." by someone speaking of her childhood. Needless to say, all of this talk has me feeling a bit self conscious now. I wouldn't want my children to be embarrassed or to feel out of place because they wear handmade things. I mean, I don't think they do feel this way at all. They always tend to gravitate towards the things I make them in their closet over the mass produced items they own. The same goes for toys or other everyday items. They seem to choose handmade, just as I seem to.

I choose to make my children's clothes because I love doing so.  Contrary to what might be a popular belief - sewing (or knitting for that matter) your own clothes is not less expensive than buying them. Sometimes it actually costs much more. But the satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands for someone you love just does not have a price. Not to mention that I am not particularly fond of the styles for children clothes nowadays. I prefer to dress my children as children - not miniature adults or teenagers. That's just my own personal choice though.

My Grandma used to sew my Halloween costumes for me as a child and I loved it. I used to take her talents for granted not understanding how much goes into what she made me. Boy do I appreciate them now! I just wish she was still here for me to tell her so. I can still remember one Halloween lamenting over the fact that there were no Princess Allura (of Voltron) costumes available. My Grandma sat down with me and watched an episode of Voltron, and sketched out Princess Allura's dress and crown. Then by the time Halloween night came I had the best costume there was! Those are the kind of memories I truly hope my children have.

Why should making things from our own hands be looked down on? Is it not something to be happy and perhaps maybe even a tiny bit proud about? Every stitch tells a story, and each fabric used speaks of what my children love at the moment. And what about the food we make from scratch? The sprouts we loving tend to in our gardens? Call me old fashioned but these are the things that I love. They are part of the fabric that weaves my family together.

Old Fashioned

Winter to Spring

I adore this picture. K used makers to draw it for C to color. Her own coloring page. Look what came this week! No, not the cat who always finds the most uncomfortable spot to sleep but K's fourth grade curriculum! I am really excited (and yet a bit intimidated) to plan for next year. Of course we have to get through this year first. Starting later in the year and taking too many breaks has taken it's toll on us. But hey, now we know what NOT to do this autumn, right?! I was originally planning on homeschooling year round but after reading some Donna Simmons articles and researching deeper into how Waldorf education works, I realized that was not the best idea for us. My children need that time off to let everything internalize and digest. With the way Waldorf works, they should just pick right back up when we come back to it all three months later. At least that's how it works in the Waldorf schools. I shall pray that I am doing okay enough that it works out that way for us, too.

I have been feeling a bit like a mad scientist in my kitchen lately. Our water kefir (AKA Beatrix) is really taking off and starting to grow. We now have two batches going at a time. I have also been working on some home remedies to get us through this winter to spring transition that has been weakening our immune systems - elderberry syrup from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health and some homemade congestion rub (think Vick's vapor rub). Oh, not really related but that popsicle you see Little L eating in the first couple of pictures is strawberries and cream made from this recipe. It is by far the best cream popsicle I have had since I gave up dairy nearly 20 years ago (eek, I am getting old!).

Have any of you been hit with the spring cleaning bug? I haven't been able to find time to really start yet, much to my dismay, but I did at least reorganize the children's linen closet. That is bringing a smile to my face.

p.s. - What do you do when you miss your friends so much you can hardly stand the pain any longer?
Make sock dolls of them, of course! The girls proudly showed me these dolls they secretly made at night (when they were supposedly sleeping *ahem*). They hope to share them with their friends soon. Very soon, indeed!

Winter to Spring