Growing food...

One thing I love about the internet is that there are SO many people sharing ideas in every possible topic.  This includes growing food.

I love to think outside of the box, and if you get bunches of people thinking outside of the box, you can get quite a conglomerate of ideas to glean from.

For example, look at this bamboo growing trellis.  I guess it's not a real trellis, as trellises go.  And what if you took nice large pieces of bamboo like this, hanging one from the other, and hanging them in front of your big picture window?  You get lettuce all winter!  Or whatever else that can be grown in a long skinny tube.  Ah yes the wheels are turning...




And what is this?  Rows of Jelly Bellies?  Nope... it's Gem Corn.  I don't know how good it is to eat, but if it's tasty, then that would certainly make it FUN to eat.  If not, perhaps it could be decorative.  Either way, tons of colorful coolness.



Holy Shitake!  Mushrooms growing on logs.  We have tons of logs here... must set this up!  Can't wait for winter to end!  lol

Also, there are TONS of wild mushrooms that grow on our homestead.  Edible mushrooms.  *drool*


Aquaponics.  Growing food and fish.  This is a small countertop version, and so it's not an edible fish.  But this little fish still provides valuable nutrition to the plants above.  We currently have a tank set up on the kitchen counter in front of the window.  It's almost ready for plants and fish.  Gold fish.  For now... Our plan is to build a bigger system where we not only grow food plants, but also fish to eat.  Mmmmmm


Chickens!  Eggs!  This is an example of how we want to set up our garden and chicken system.  And we want a variety of chickens so we can have a variety of colored eggs, brown, white, green and blue.  :D



Recycled plastic bottles.  Now this is a very interesting idea for a green house.  I do believe that the bottles would have a somewhat insulating factor.


What a handy dandy basket.  Even if you didn't make it yourself, this concept could be used when picking out a basket to use in this way.  Maybe something from the dollar store?



This will be my kitchen this fall.  I have some jars, but I plan to get more at second hand stores.  :D



I've started collecting compostable materials.  I've been mixing them with the ashes from the woodstove and putting them into a galvanized steel garbage can (for fire safety).  When the can is full, I'll try to pick out a spot where I'd like to keep compostables when the snow melts and dump it out there.  I do like this idea though, tumbling compost.  Nice! 



Hmmm, Look at THIS aquaponics set up!  So many great ideas...



I've been reading up on how to store food over the winter.  Some people still have fresh veggies into May.



I have a collection of antique windows.  This is "ok" but I think one could be much more creative with gorgeous antique windows and doors in making a green house.  Just saying.  :)




Now, THAT is more like it!  :D


Ok, we have tons of logs around here... I wonder if this idea would work in pine trees?



Mushroom laundry baskets.  Interesting!



More aquaponics.  Love this idea.



So many ideas, so little time.  *sigh*

Ah well, on with my day.  Have a good one!

Jesus and beer. Can you picture it?

I've been having a debate on Facebook about the idea of Jesus going to a bar and sharing a brewsky with the locals. I seemed to have touched a nerve! Lol

Here are some of the comments:

Person 1: I do not believe Jesus would be drinking a brewsky in the bar however I do believe he would be getting to know the locals in the bar for sure....also let us not judge our pastors or leaders without judging ourselves first.

I replied: I remember that he was enjoying wine at a wedding with his friends in the bible, so I disagree, I do think that in today's context, he would enjoy a good quality beer with the locals. :)

Person 1: Ok Bambi that is your opinion and belief and that is fine with me. I choose to put emphasis on Jesus being a lover of people and enjoying spending time getting to know them that is all.

Person 2: one way to look at this , is that, image can be a very powerful thing, what you see affects your mind weather you like it or not, and also even if you try to ignore it, it will always be on your mind as a human, and Jehovah also said to keep a clean mind, for you cannot praise God with a unclean mind, keep your body clean not just spiritually but also physically.
Jesus would never enter any bar, instead he would wait outside and do his preaching.

I replied: John 2:1-11. He was at the wedding.

Person 2: Bambi what are you really trying to say here? because drinking a beer at a Wedding is a completely different situation as to drinking a beer in a bar, these are two different mind concept.
And John 2:1-11 was the wedding ritual that was perform, everyone had to do it.

I replied: What I'm saying us that Jesus went where people went. He went to synagogue, to weddings, to dinner at people's houses. In the context of THIS century, he would likely be seen with people at the mall, at a resturaunt or bar, and maybe even a church. While with people, he ate with them and drank with them. I doubt he would be drunk and unruly, but I do believe that he would enjoy fellowship with people in all kinds of contexts, and in some cases he would have a beer or wine.

Back in the day, he wasn't supposed to speak to Samaritans, and we have the story of the woman at the well. He wasn't supposed to touch lepers lest he become unclean, yet he did that too. He let a woman bathe his feet in tears - shameful! He did things that removed barriers and brought people closer to him so that people could experience HIM.

So, what I'm saying is that I have no problem imagining Jesus in a bar with people, enjoying fellowship with them, and probably enjoying a beer or something like that. The Pharisees of his day frowned upon him then for the things he did and I'm sure there would be lots of legalistic religious leaders who would do likewise now.

In fact, I went to a bar in a town where I used to live. I was there with another Christian friend. We went to support some mutual friends who were playing in a band that night. While there, there were two regulars there, drunk on their asses who came and sat with us. Rather than snub them, we welcomed them. We both understood that we were Jesus to them in that moment. Since we were open, these guys poured out their hearts to us. So much pain in these men's lives, and we knew that's why they were always drunk.

I invited them to come to church. One took the offer. He didn't think he would be accepted. I told him that when Jesus walked the earth, he spent time with all kinds of people and if he were here right now, he would have no problem sitting here having a beer with you, that's how important YOU are to HIM.

The man had tears in his eyes at that point. But he had another problem. He lost his license because of DUI. So I offered him a ride.

Now, even though I got all manner of criticism, because I was married and female and I met the guy at the bar, I still did it. I brought a hurting man to church, because for HIM, I was the right person (open) in the right place (in a bar having a beer) at the right time.

My friend and I both felt it was a divine appointment.

Person 2: k

Person 2, you just got owned. Booyah! I hope he keeps this in mind for future reference. :)

Home Made Lemon Cleaner

Click Here For Recipe for HomeMade Lemon Cleaner



I found this recipe online and I thought I'd share it.

One Lemon makes about 4 tablespoons of juice.  You have to strain it before putting it into the spray bottle so your nozzel doesn't get clogged.

So, I've been using this recipe for the last few days, and I like it.  :)

So then I ran out of cleaning liquid in my Swiffer Wet Jet.  So I decided to make some more of this Lemon cleaning spray to use in the Swiffer.  I've used my own cleaning solutions before, usually vinegar and water, but I find that the solution beads on the floor, and it just didn't have the consistency that I was looking for.  So with this batch, I chose the lemon spray recipe with a twist.  First of all, I doubled the recipe because one lemon makes about 4 tablespoons of juice, and the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons.  Secondly, I used hot tap water so that the borax and washing soda would dissolve well and not clog the spray nozzel.  Thirdly, I added a couple of pumps of hand soap to just add a wee bit of soapiness to the solution.  (I saw this tip on an episode of "How Clean Is Your House?").  Fourthly, I added a few drops of LIME essential oil, which gave it a bright clean scent.

This solution has the consistency that I was looking for, and it smelled awesome as well.  Success!  :D

I share this because it's super cheap to  make!  Plus, it's not damaging to the environment, or to our children and pets.

Legalistic Logistics

I ran into a gal I went to bible college with yesterday.  She seemed really uncomfortable in my presence.  I introduced her to my beloved, and shared a bit about how we just moved into the area.  He left us to catch up a bit while he grabbed some dog food.  She asked if we were living together, I said yes.  She asked if we were married.  I said no.  She asked if we had separate bedrooms.  I said no.  Then I told her that my beloved embodies everything that most "Christian" men aspire to be.  Just then my beloved returned, and we politely excused ourselves.

I find that this is a topic that brings discomfort as well as MUCH judgement, fear and avoidance from a large segment of the Christian population.  Because of this, I have written some blogs about some different viewpoints regarding divorce, remarriage and such from an open minded, yet biblical perspective.

Here is a book report that I wrote in Bible College for Marriage and Family Class.

My blog addressing the question of remarriage being biblically ok or not.

And here is a blog I wrote which deconstructs the idea of marriage vows.  If you are a Christian who is struggling with the idea of unmarried people cohabitating as if they were married, this is for you.  :)

Marriage Vows - Biblical or not?

At the end of the day, I don't care what people think of me.  I have my beliefs and values, and I govern myself accordingly.  What people think no longer dictates the choices I make in my life.

I still have Jesus, people.  But I don't allow legalism to get in the way of enjoying the gifts that He has brought into my life.  Especially my Beloved.  :)

Au Natural

I don't know why, but I am continuously intrigued by all of the home made things that people are making for themselves.  I want to get in on the action.

I already make my own laundry soap.  Here is the recipe:

Heat up a big pot with 8 quarts of water.  Add a half bar, grated, of pure soap.

This can be Sunlight bar soap,

or ivory, or the equivalent of those tiny bars of soap from hotels.  LOL  I see americans using Felsnaptha soap, but so far, I haven't seen that anywhere in Canada....yet.

Then add a half cup of washing soda



 and a half cup of borax
.  Bring this all to a boil, then turn down and simmer until everything is dissolved and melted.



Then you add 8 more quarts of hot water.  And if you want, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  This last time, I added Lime Essential Oil.  I swear to God, it smells like commercial soap!  All this time I had been using Tea Tree Oil, because I love the smell and it's anti-bacterial qualities.  But I love the Lime.  That was a winner with me. :)

This recipe makes enough soap to fill this many containers:



THEN...

I found a recipe for hair removal wax.  Now, what is THIS madness?!?!

2 cups of white sugar
1/4 cup of lemon juice (I used a real lemon)
1/4 cup of water

Bring to a boil, then simmer on low until the mixture turns an amber brown.

Pour into a pint sized mason jar.  Let cool.

When you want to use the wax, put the jar into a bowl of hot water for about 20-30 minutes.

Put a little powder (or corn starch) on the area you are waxing.  Take a wad of wax out of the jar.  it should not be sticky, it should feel like silly putty.  Spread and smush the wax into the hair to be removed.  Rip it off quickly from one side to the other and it removes most or all the hair.  Perfect, and uber cheap.


I've also made lemon spray cleaner, lime fabric refresher, and home scents that I put into a fire safe container on top of the woodstove.

 

This particular pan I obtained from MCC (a local thrift store) for $4.50

More to come....

My Audience

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Family Christmas

Yep, so we've made it through another Christmas.

As a single childless person, it seemed to be a big job to finagle a way to get to the family Christmas. All the married with children coworkers get priority for holiday time and it can be expensive to get there, nevermind the gifts.

Then you meet "the one" (she said, sardonically) and now you have to juggle your holiday time between two families. Do we go go to my mother's or his on C day?

Then the kids come and it seems even more important for them to spend time with extended family over the holidays.

Then you get divorced. That changes a lot. You no longer spend time with his family, some you're glad about, lol... But some not because you miss them. So you juggle the children to ensure that both parents get to see the children equally. Then you try to fill the empty days with no kids. Parties? Home renos? Stay in bed with a bottle of wine and movies?

Then life moves forward. You meet someone new, with children, extended family, etc. So take the above and multiply it by 2 or more. How can you schedule everyone and everything so everyone gets to do everything? And on time? The answer is simple. You don't. You just do your best. Sometimes people are missing from events. Sometimes you're late. Sometimes you didn't get to make that dish you promised a month ago to bring. Or you did make it but in the chaos, you forgot it by the door, or you had a migraine and you're just barely making it to the event at all.

What I propose in the midst of all this is to chill. If everyone knows that the snacks are being served at 3, then serve them at 3. Even if people are late. The late people will likely appreciate that you didn't wait because they are late for a reason, reasons that are probably due to falling behind because of the juggling and the stress. The last thing they need is to feel guilty because THEY made YOU wait. They aren't expecting you to wait. They know the time. They know they are late. Don't text them a million times asking where they are. You'll just make it worse. They are doing their best to fit you into their very busy holiday schedule. You're lucky they are coming at all. Lol

Try to schedule a day or two over the holidays where you don't do anything. How can it be a holiday if you never relax? Take time for that. :)

I could write more but I must get back to my boxing day of relaxing. :)

I miss my kids. They are with dad today.

But I am with my Honey and three of his kids. He really adds so much value to our lives. <3