Handcrafted Simplicity

The foot stool above is one of my husband's creations. On New Year's Day, he spent few hours out in the cold barn, building this stool. He left the decision up to me to cover the top or leave it wood.

I opted for the fabric, as the fabric seems to bring a warmth to the stool. Another small item to mark of our list of things to accomplish.

However, my actual plan for the top is to use the wool from our sheep, and handcraft a wool rug top. But first, I must get the wool spun. Oh dear, the likelihood of it happening soon does not look promising. One more item to put back on the 'To Do' list. How does that happen? I thought we were making progress. {grin}


Enjoy the day!

Blessings!

Kris

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30 niv

Today's Hunt and Gather...

Our freezing temperatures finally gave a pause for a much needed walk through our growing plot. Today I hunted and gathered fresh foods that were available. There were not alot of choices, carrots, beets, and cabbage. Last year we discovered by trial that we could harvest cabbage during our non-growing cold season here. What a blessing for that discovery.

It has been our goal for quite a while now, to provide as much of our needs as possible. Cabbage has become one of those items we see vital, as it helps provide for our needs in several areas.

By growing cabbage for winter harvest, we are able to supply ourselves with a fresh vegetable that is packed with health benefits, especially when eating it raw. Staying healthy is a huge focus for us. If we do not have good health, it would become a hardship for us to continue our journey to a self-sufficient lifestyle.

~January, 2010~ Winter Cabbage Harvest~

With a layer of mulch over the top of root vegetables such as these Bulls Blood Beets, we are able to harvest beets and carrots from the ground in the midst of winter. What a blessing!

~Bulls Blood Beets ~January, 2010~

As I was out harvesting the cabbage and beets, I spied an enemy of our's! I have developed a keen eye for it, and can sight it out of a clump of weeds. It is called, Groundsel!

Groundsel is a winter annual, but can germinate in all seasons. Groundsel is lethal to cattle and horses. It causes irreversible liver damage. A local herd of cattle were fed hay containing Groundsel, unknowingly. Unfortunately, the cattle that ate the hay died within two days.

Cattle are not able to be as selective and pick through hay or pasture as goats, sheep, or even horses. Cattle use their tongues to pull the plant material into their mouths. Whereas the structure of the goat or sheep's lips and tongue allow them to be very selective about what they ingest.

I have read that sheep and goats can eat some Groundsel without liver damage, due to their rumen bacteria detoxifies the alkaloids. However, for my peace of mind, I'd rather not allow any of my livestock to eat it.

After I hunt and gather Groundsel, I burn it. I do not compost it, as I do not want the risk of it spreading anywhere.

I urge you, if you own livestock, learn to identify poisonous plants. Your local state university extension office or county conservation office will have information to help you. They may even be able to walk your property and help identify poisonous plants for livestock.

My bucket of Groundsel during today's hunt and gather.

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm86:5 niv

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings!

Kris

Wool Knitted Hats... An Update...

Before the days got too far ahead of me, I wanted to follow up on the knitted wool hats, my husband has completed. He enjoys knitting, and has just about knitted up all the commercially spun wool yarn we have.

When we purchased our sheep, the breeder told us that men were actually thought to be the first knitters. The breeder also showed us a sweater her husband knitted. It was a wonderful inspiration to see.

The hats below are in the order my husband knitted them. With each hat below he decided to change the look by changing stitches.

~100% Peruvian Highland Wool ~Worsted Weight~
Two Tone Purple with Heathered Green

This three tone purple hat below is my favorite right now. I asked him to make another hat which was made in purple tones with a flat brim edge rather than rolled. I also wanted the hat felted. I think it turned out especially great, since I think this is only hat number four.

~100% Peruvian Highland Wool~ Worsted Weight~

Three Tone Purple Hat Felted

The hat below is his first Romney wool hat. He said the Romney wool yarn is very different to work with compared to the 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, Worsted Weight. The Romeny wool is also slicker to handle compared to the Puruvian Wool, making it easier to accidently slip off the knitting needles, if not paying attention.

The Romney wool below is our own hand spun. The burgundy color was purchased already dyed in a roving. Once the burgundy wool was spun, I plied it with a single strand of the silver Romney wool, making it a two tone yarn.

He is at a standstill with the knitted hat below, due to my being behind on getting some wool spun up. Yikes!

~100% Natural Colored Silver Romney Wool~
and
~100% Natural Colored Silver Romney Wool Plied with Burgundy~

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Blessings to your homestead!

~Kris

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew then the Gentile. Romans 1:16 niv

December's Thoughts...

December has arrived and I am behind on a list of things I wanted to have completed by now. Last year at this time, we decided to move our daily life to another level of living. We knew when we decided to take this next step of providing more of our needs, time would become an opponent. I had hoped by now, that my daily life would allow some rest from such a busy year. It is not appearing to happen.

We had steady rain fall the last three weeks of November. November was a hard month for me, in regards to accomplishing things. The dark clouds, short days, and rain seem to take my energy away.

As I write this now it is snowing again. Although my husband and I eagerly take the cold and snowy weather over the rain, this cold, dark weather does have us eagerly yearning for spring already.

Over the Thanksgiving week, we had house guests from Wednesday through Sunday. Wow! That was alot of meal preparation, washing dishes, and more meal preparation and more washing dishes. The guests were amazed at the great tasting meals, which were made entirely from scratch ingredients. They also did comment how much time I spent in the kitchen preparing the meals. Yes, it was often.

When it was time for our guests to leave, I asked if they would like to take home a loaf of bread, a few fresh eggs, and a few goodies to eat for their long drive home. Yes, Yes, Yes was the reply.

After our guests had left, I was back in the kitchen making another batch of bread for the coming week. It was then, I realized how easy it has become for me, to make bread from scratch. At that moment, I had a glimpse back in time, when I used to have some anxiety when it came to bread making. I've worked my way through rock hard, bricks of bread; under baked bread; bread dough that would rise and look promising, then once in the oven fall under the heat; bread dough that would not rise at all, and bread that crumbles apart when slicing after it has cooled.

Although our way of life right now is tiresome, I truly do believe this way of life gets far better with time and practice, just like making bread from scratch.

100% Whole Wheat Seed Bread

Enjoy your day!

~Kris


The Lord your God is with you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 niv

Thanksgiving

2009 Barley


~Giving Thanks~

~We wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving~

Last Hike Before the Snow...Part 2

These are the final photos of our last hike.

Photo above:

On the otherside of this grassy area is a deep ravine. The mountains continue on and on, as far as you can see. Some of the mountain peaks are 8,000 feet tall.

Photo above:

This photo is looking down into another ravine. There is a small pond that is frozen below. I told my husband, 'I'd sure like to climb down there, to get a closer look'. He said we should not, as it was quit steep and icy.

Photo above: Crossing the ridge top.

Photo above: Evidence of harsh weather conditions.

Photo above: Looking off to the west from the ridge top.

Photo above: Endless mountains. Road to summit.

I hope you enjoyed a part of my world.

~Kris

Last Hike Before the Snow...

The first weekend in November, my husband and I decided to spend a day in the mountains. There was a winter storm arriving in the next few days. This would be our last opportunity to hike in the sunshine, on bare ground.

We packed a homemade lunch of baked beans, coleslaw, pickled beets, bread, trail mix, and a jug of water.

We drove about an hour to our destination, which is at an elevation of 5200'. The temperature when we arrived at the summit was a cool 33 degrees.

Once reaching the trail head, we would hike another 525' in altitude. Whew! It is hard to catch your breath in that thin, cold air.

The day was perfect, with all peaks and valley's visible; the colors were glorious!

Heavy frost covered some of the higher areas. Although my photos do not do justice to the heavy frosted scenery, it was very eye catching to view.

We were blessed with a beautiful day.

Thank you for stopping by.

~Let me live that I might praise you, and may your laws sustain me. Palms 119:175 niv~