I had such a good time with Jenna. She’s the bravest person I know. Jenna is young, single and just bagged her job to write and farm full-time. Jenna is no trust fund kid with parents ready to bankroll her. She’s just a woman who wants to raise her animals and not be confined to a 9-5 job. I wish her well.
The participants were just as interesting as the presenters at the workshop. People came from all over the North/Eastern US and Canada. The had experience in a number of different arenas and brought up a lot of interesting ideas. One thing I took away was from a fellow who had spent years in the health care industry. He said that often, in any emergency, as many people die from the lack of soap as anything else. I have never made soap but it’s on my “really want to learn how” list. In the meantime, I just might have to make a stop at Big Lots and pick up a few more bundles of soap.
I was privvy to an on-line conversation that upset me this morning. It was all about how to get rich after a collapse. People listed the things that run out after an emergency and were suggesting what you could stockpile now and barter or sell later. I fear it misses the larger picture of the troubles we now face. Greed got us where we are and if we are still thinking about how to get more then we’ve missed something. If I stock up on soap, it isn’t to sell to desperate people after a tornado. It’s to have enough to share with my neighbors. We better learn the difference between social capital and financial capital if we ever hope to create a more durable living arrangement.
The weather here has been stunning for several days and I’m getting lots done. I still have to get the squash and corn in and some of the tender plants will wait until next week but the main garden is planted. I have a bag of potatoes left over and we keep on looking for odd spots to pop things. if there’s room at the end of a row you can bet I’m poking in another tomato or a bush bean. I had terrible germination with my beets and carrots and replanted yesterday. There’s the big reason I save seed. You never know when a crop will fail. I want enough seed to start over. Right now, no carrots would be an inconvenience. The day may come when it would be a tragedy.
The big moves are in process around here. Kids are moving from here to there so quickly that I can hardly keep up. By this time next week, Nate and Amanda and the kids will be here and Young Bruce’s girlfriend will have arrived from the Ukraine for the summer. The inspection for his new house will be complete in 10 days and the sale will take place ASAP after that. In preparation for a summer of picnics and parties and lots of coming and going, I need to call my neighbor and order a 1/2 side of beef. What I would love is about 100 pounds of free-range, local chicken breasts but nobody sells those. I’m going to pick up a couple of boxes of tea bags for making iced tea. I plan to make some big salads and keep the fridge full of greens and cheese. I also hope to get the freezer full of good bread. Then we’ll always have the makings of an easy meal. Life feels very full just now and I’m loving every minute of it.
May 21, 2012 at 8:50 am
I have been stockpiling dish soap, bath soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, and shampoo for some time now. My husband was a little irritated at all the things I had in the garage until I asked him how he would like it if an emergency happened and we had no toilet paper. He has no complaints now!
Our cucumbers are bearing like crazy. We are sharing with good neighbors who help us in many ways but don’t garden themselves.
I make bread myself but also buy 100% whole grain bread at the bakery thrift store to freeze and have on hand for quick meals when the other things swarm on us. It also makes great French toast!
Our cherry tomato plants are loaded; so maybe I can pulp and freeze a lot this year. Nothing better as one of the bases for soup. Lentil soup is great made with a cup of tomato pulp as part of the liquid.
Tea that is sealed in the box stays fresh for a long time. We have a lot from Big Lots that can be used instead of coffee (we love to drink hot tea anyway).
May 21, 2012 at 3:10 pm
If I am freezing tomatoes, I just leave them whole, as soon as they defrost a little the skins fall off and we always eat the seeds anyways.
I thought I had had a parsnip germination disaster, so sowed again in another place and lo and behold the first group are now growing. So, lots of parsnips in our future. I, to,o am following the gardenign technique of popping in a plant where ever there is a space, it seems to mostly work! The tomatoes are still to find their summer home, but are doing ok in a small plastic greenhouse, perhaps for another week. Cucumbers, melons and peppers are still being babied inside!
It’s raining here for a few days, after 2 weeks of sun, so the plants are loving it and I hope to use the time to make lots of bread and snacks without over heating the house and complete a couple of sewing projects.
May 21, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I’m so glad to hear your workshop went well. Time to stock up on soap! For now, it’s certainly easier to buy from the store, but I think still worthwhile to know how to make your own. Theoretically all you need are lard (here piggie) and wood ashes for a bare-bones soap. On my project list as well.
Small local farmers are rarely going to sell boneless skinless chicken breasts alone, because a chicken grows with wings, thighs, legs, as well as heads and feet. What is the farmer supposed to do with the rest? I know of one other local farmer here in central NC that due to popular demand sells the boneless/skinless breast meat at a whopping $15/pound. I am flabbergasted that people buy at this price. Otherwise, I’ve never seen anything but whole chickens sold at markets. Whole chickens are most economical to buy, and if you &/or family do not care for the other parts a la carte, they are easy to turn into delicious stock, soup, or stew. And when it’s time to cull the laying flock, they also only come “whole.”
May 21, 2012 at 7:26 pm
You’re right, of course. I’m afraid I’m commiting one of the sins of the modern world which is thinking you can solve a problem by throwing money at it. I’m concerned about time and energy but the wise choice is to grow up and cut up the whole chicken. We like it all but the breasts are so versatile when I’m rushed for time. Thank you for the reality check.
May 21, 2012 at 9:48 pm
One of the vendors at our farmers market sells chicken breasts, (but not for $15 per pound!), and they also package chicken legs separately (leg and thigh together). I buy the legs because they are so much cheaper, and the family really likes them. I’m sure it’s more trouble for the farmer, but it’s a lot faster to defrost for me! I hope to get some on Wednesday. Hurray for Farmers Market season!
May 22, 2012 at 11:14 am
Kathy, how aptly timed is your post. I just returned from a fabulous soap-making class at the John C. Campbell Folk School in the mountains of North Carolina. I appreciate now why artisanal soaps at the farm markets cost what they do — pure, healthful ingredients that are good for your body. Knowing that I can prepare soaps, lotions, salves and balms for my family is a comfort. Organic, natural, home made — my kind of clean! Best wishes.
https://www.folkschool.org/index.php?section=subjects&subject_id=40