Salt Pig...

1. Ceramic interior keeps salt from retaining moisture in steamy kitchens or humid climates down south
2. The large opening is to access salt while cooking
3. Keeps debris from falling into the salt. The side opening keeps debris from settling as it does when salt is in an open bowl.

"Most people seem to say that the opening resembles the snout of a pig & that's where the name came from. However an old Scottish definition of "pig" is a jar or pot made of earthenware."

Apparently, I love all things Scottish even when I have no idea that they are Scottish.

information taken from http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/358131

 

thanks Laurel.

http://highdeserthome.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-on-blessings-of-housework.html

thank you Laurel for this blog...what an amazing explanation of what we were talking about?! Interesting how this topic seems to be a universal one. That just seems to make it more about our calling as Christian wives and mothers than it is about a personality type.

oh.. and I am getting out my Gifts of the Sea again and starting afresh. I haven't read it although I have tried to. your mother gave me a beautiful old copy. wow... I have such great friends. I loved these experts that she quoted and can't wait to read more.

am I amish? no. I am not.

This is one of my favorite blogs. If you haven't read it...you should. http://www.dressaday.com/dressaday.html

I had recently informed you of my desire to create an modern day 18th century wardrobe.

let me tell you how it is going. I finished my winter dress. (yes, I realize it is spring) It fits wonderfully. I used the new look pattern 6587. It has about 4inches of ease in it so, of course, using my duct tape dress form, I altered it. This is a great pattern. Very easy to make. I added french seams b/c growing up sewing with Peaches...
www.peachesbarnes.com you just have to make french seams in everything. hand stitched the hem which I had lengthened to make it more conducive to gardening and cleaning house...bending over an insane number of times...etc. I used the bodice with out the collar. SO! what has been the response, I have been told my numerous friends that I look Amish.

since when did a sweet summer dress with pockets equal a change of religion and separatism? Never, I'd wager. SO! I am wearing my "amish" dresses especially since my charming husband thinks they are beautiful.
I will be posting pics soon.

I have had little success with the stays. Although very comfortable! they definitely give a specific shape and it is hard to hide. But, I haven't given up hope. I think with the summer dresses it should be more indistinguishable. I will make another update after I get the buttons on the new summer version.

house updates...

and the new table

and the new doorway through the kitchen to the outside. yay for kitchen gardens.

I realize that these are terrible pics. I really need a new digital camera.

for your consideration.

countertops link... per jessica's request.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40057754

and another new sink pic online...
http://ideas.houseinprogress.net/archives/001053.html


http://www.masterfaucet.com/masterfaucet/161premier-sonoma-kitchen-faucet-ceramic-disc-oil-rubbed-bronze.html
Premier Sonoma Kitchen Faucet Ceramic Disc Oil Rubbed Bronze [120026] - $133.00 : Master Faucet, Online Plumbing Superstore

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99822037

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60114980

so for some reason Alltel will not allow mobile uploads to facebook anymore, much to my disparagement. I am completely without my usual avenue for documentation. So much has been happening around here. We got the addition dried in .. .and the chicken run and coop are finished... (excepting a coat of paint) ..
I have a new dining room table and so the Ikea chairs are what I will add to it.
I also have put aside some money for the sink and faucet. David already purchased the new countertops for me. I am very excited about having a lovely functional kitchen.
we tore out the pantry shelves and got it ready to be made into a hallway to the new addition as well as a laundry room to the left of the hallway.
My dearest friend Laurel found an awesome rug for my kitchen that matches perfectly. Alas, no picture. Darn Alltel. And a new doorway through my kitchen to the backyard. I am very excited about this improvement. It has already made a huge difference in the positive for the functioning of our home.

OH! and got the library back from david as the new addition is going to be his studio. finally a great place for him to really work. And I get the library back. I can't wait to sit and read and knit in the cozy space. yay.

My new favorite song.

Matt Hyland, Kate Rusby. My new favorite song.

here was a lord, lived in this town
Who had a handsome, lovely daughter.
She was courted by a fair young man
Who was a servant to her father.
But when her parents they came to know
They swore they’d send him from the island.
The maid she knew her heart would break
Had she to part with young Matt Hyland.

Then straightway unto her love she goes,
Into his room him to awaken.
Saying, arise my love, and go away,
This very night you will be taken.
I overheard my parents say
In spite of me he will transport you.
So arise, my love, and go away,
I wish to God I’d gone before you.

Oh must I go, to her he said,
Oh must I go without my wages.
Without one penny allin my purse
Just like some poor, forlorn stranger
Here’s fifty guineas all in bright gold
And that’s far more than father owes you.
So take it now and go away,
I wish to God I’d gone before you.

They both sat down upon the bed
Just for the side of one half hour,
Not a word did either speak,
But down their cheeks the tears did shower.
She rests her head upon his breast
And round his neck her arms entwined.
Not duke nor lord, nor earl I’ll wed
I’ll wait for thee my own Matt Hyland.
I’ll wait for thee my own Matt Hyland.
I’ll wait for thee my own Matt Hyland

Kids new developments and funny phrases.

Roeland is crawling and has been for the past 3 weeks. He has started kicking his right leg monotonously whenever picked up, while usually sucking his thumb. Anice told me the other day after having a drink of water; "I appreciate it, mom". Brownie took my face in both hands and said "are you serious?".

adventures in wardrobe.

This pattern is the one I will be using. http://www.jpryan.com/ladiespatterns.html
It was pulled from an authentic 18th century pair of stays.

I have worn a costume pair that I have had for while for about two or three days now and have to confess that they are so comfortable. Today, I went back to my previous undergarment and it has proved to be even more uncomfortable than usual. I do not scrimp in that department either. My undergarments are professionally fitted and sized to provide the accurate shape and ultimate comfort. However, the pair of stays has won out. My lower back is supported. My posture is perfect. I have a nice silhouette. For all intensive purposes, they have been exactly what I was looking for. Who knew?!

I ordered another set from http://jas-townsend.com; they were even more comfortable than the costume pair. After wearing them for about an hour, I decided that they were to large and once having seen them I decided that I could make a pair that were in a neutral color. If you decide to order from jas-townsend be sure to call them. Take your measurements of bust and waist. You'll want to ask them to give you the measurements of one side of the stays from front to back on each size. Double this measurement. (Medium is 14.5 inches across one side, 30 doubled) Then, add four inches. You should probably have about two inches in between front closure and two inches in between back closure. If your waist is 30" around then, the medium will be to large and only leave a small amount for tightening laces.

If you decide to make them, here is a great link for instruction.

http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/howto/frauen/18corset.shtml

also the shift, which I made. Great nightgown and/or slip, btw. very comfortable and attractive.

http://www.marariley.net/shift/shift.htm

Stockings:
I started thinking, well; if I am going to wear a dress during the winter, then how am I to stay warm? ... well, dress out of corduroy. using the New Look Pattern 6587, style e with lengthened sleeves and hem, add pockets to make it more functional. And add stockings and a flannel slip!
I just had these come in from http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?cPath=5&products_id=239

They are wool and quite warm. I just use a bit of twill tape tied just below my knee for garters. very cute.

I will probably use another one of Janice Ryan's patterns to adapt a coat to go over my dresses until then, I might just knit some cardigans out of wool.

The dresses are so much more comfortable than my jeans. I never realized until I started wearing a couple of dresses for the past 4 or 5 days. I put my jeans on today, ugh. I am so uncomfortable!

On the outside I will look like any other dress wearer in the 21st century. However, underneath; I have managed an 18th century wardrobe but modern.

Its probably a phase. I go through these quite often but what the heck!?, you only live once right? why not?

Projects in the works.

Some things I am currently thinking about or researching.

1.the modern 18th century wardrobe robe. -Corset making, stockings, dress making, shift. I am currently researching the idea of wearing a corset instead of our modern day undergarments. I want to find a way to have my lower back supported without having to wear a crazy lift support frequently worn by lowes employees.

2.weaving. -I have purchased a book on how to... I have yet to get all of the necessary accouterments needed for starting this project although I do have a table loom (alas, it is borrowed but still at my immediate disposal with no time limit).

3.tea-we have begun this, I just haven't blogged about it yet.

4.cheese making -I have all the supplies just no press yet. I will post on the various kinds. I believe I am just going to build one.

5.square foot gardening. -Pretty much have a plan. 4 boxes 4x6 to start out. Potatoes, herbs, corn, tomatoes, peppers, turnips, various squashes, beans, etc...

6.Raw milk. -we have begun this, I just haven't blogged about it yet. We are currently getting milk through a co-op from south carolina. We began doing this in December. so delicious. Making most of my own butter now.

7.bee keeping. I come by this interest honestly; my grandfather had over 100 hives at one time. I am still a little nervous about the all to real possibility or certainty of being stung multiple times, but that is what the internet is for... more research on how not be stung multiple times!

8.natural material hair accessories. Such as: what would a modern day woman use to make hair pins and combs out of since tortoise shells are illegal? Well, Bone, clearly a natural material and Cellulose, which I am told is plant derived and therefor a natural material. I have some links I will post on the blog entry regarding this research. Very exciting!

9.food preservation. Canning. Looking into buying a squeezo. also into buying some European canning jars. beautiful. I mentioned the company in an earlier blog but would like to expound on this issue.

10.beer and wine making. I would like to purchase a press for making cider. possibly for making wine. An ale or lager still would be substantially more involved, but nonetheless, I am interested.

11.Natural laundry detergents, drying clothes in the sunshine. I have built a clothesline and started using a natural soap called Soapnuts. I will have an expounded entry on these too.

soap!

The soap is ready. It cured for 4 weeks, and I was able to use it for the first time yesterday. It is wonderful. It has a very clean scent. My skin is clean but not dry; my face didn't feel oily after using either. My face tends towards break outs if I do not use the right kind of soap. This hasn't caused any problems. It also floats in the bath. I used the chips left over from cutting it into bars to make shampoo. I was able to use the shampoo for the first time this morning. I used a recipe for chamomile shampoo with a little extra things added in. The link I used for the soap was http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/easy_homemade_s.php. My soap came out a really beautiful color of light sage green. I don't know why. I followed the recipe.
shampoo recipe is basically as follows:
1 handful of Chamomile flowers
4tbsp of soap shavings
1tbsp of glycerin

boil 11/2cps water and steep flowers for 20 minutes. strain, add soap shavings, when soap has melted then add glycerin.

I didn't use the glycerin. Its supposedly a soap making by product; I made my soap and didn't have any by products, so, I don't see the reason for adding something back in. I added 1tsp of tea tree oil and 1 tsp of grapeseed oil since I have curly hair. It tends to be dryer than most other types and prone to frizz.

The shampoo came out more watery but a beautiful golden honey color. I used it this morning and was very pleased with the results.

Its that time! not cadbury egg time, chick time!

Cochin
auracana
partridge rock
Golden lacewinged wyandotte
speckled sussex



http://www.healthychicksandmore.com/home

I found this fabulous website from which to order our chicks. I am raising some for a friend, so I ordered 6 for us and 8 for her. They threw in a complementary chick for free. I am sure it will turn out to be a rooster. I ordered speckled sussex, partridge rock, auracanas, golden laced wyandotte. For my friend, sussex, patridge cochins, auracanas, and golden laced wyandotte. All very exciting and all for only a blanket boxing price of 5.00 and 5.00 a pullet of the breed of my choice with an minimum order of 10.

wellies update...

these are a great deal less expensive! they have red too! http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?section_id=2006&department=3073&search_type=category&search_value=1161&cm_val=&cm_pos=&cur_index=2&cm_type=&pcode=9711

The Stick Blender. Invaluable kitchen appliance.

http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1988730

This little kitchen item is, in my opinion, simply priceless. It is inexpensive, extremely versatile, and shortens cleanup. I first came into contact with this little piece of kitchen equipment when my friend and culinary graduate, Marianne Pitts, gave me her Braun cast away. Since, I have upgraded to this Cuisinart version that also includes a wisk(not shown) and a food processor. I have basically ceased to use my standard blender (which sticks and sounds as if the engine might explode!) for this item. I just this morning used it to make peanut butter. I have used it to make the afore mentioned peanut butter, smoothies, whipped cream, pureed soups, any kind of baby food, mashed potatoes, soap, and the list goes on and on. I am constantly finding new uses for it.

remodeled the chicken coop.

before

after

Its that time again. Cadbury Cream egg time.

david knows my addiction to these candies and brought home two last night, which I promptly ate.

Wellies.

my new favorite shoe. I can't wait to get some. Great for mucking about in the backyard. I am so excited.

http://www.wellie-boots.com/usmofcart/coloured.html

subsequent musings on single girls settling.

Recently, a dear friend of mine was fallen prey to a modern day Mr. Willoughby. Jane Austen would be very proud at this projection of her character. This serial dater (as my sister so eloquently put it) struck gold. I find that this man or shall we say boy as he is a coward of the first rate, did not say anything ambiguous and made no promises. Does this free him from any obligation toward my friend? In this case, he, like Willoughby, made every implication towards his intention with action and yet never said anything untoward or "incriminating".

My friend was careful to allow him the pursuit of the relationship never stepping over the boundary, allowing her father to step in as a barrier and as a monitor of the relationship. I wonder in this case how the hurt could have been avoided due to the resultant fact that she behaved in a manner that would be described as nothing lower than above board. I think in this case, he used his ambiguity and lack of promise to his advantage; thinking that if he was to actually "say" anything, he would then be held accountable for what he "said". Consequently, I have to revise my statement considering single girls settling for men they have to conjure into a relationship. There is apparently another type.

The Willoughby factor hereto unrealized in my immediate circles has made himself known. So girls, beware of also the guy who makes no promises even though his actions state otherwise. The guy who never talks of marriage and yet calls all the time. The guy who pays for things and dates yet never talks of future plans that include you. In short, I think that the man who you can trust is the one who has put a ring on your finger. Who simultaneously speaks of dating for the purpose marriage but doesn't speak of it unless he knows you are "it" deep down.

Many girls that fall for this "dating for marriage or to find a wife" line are the ones that have the characteristics of a great Christian girl. The ones that are pretty, intelligent, godly, who more oftentimes than not come from great homes with wonderful parents, and are typically easy to get along with. Who wouldn't want to date someone like that? Who wouldn't want to marry someone like that? I think so often these girls allow themselves to be pursued by someone who wants these qualities but doesn't really care about who they actually are. The things that make them different from the next godly, pretty, intelligent girl from a great home?

I suppose in this way you actually have to know someone to find those things out, but why doesn't have to be under the label of dating? The more I think about these issues, the more I am convinced that dating (a product of the 20+ centuries) is a foolish venture. As my husband puts it, its preparation for divorce.

Wide margins. A great post from my friend.

Wide margins.. like making my bed or vacuuming while listening to a book on tape. working in the yard. Etc.. this is a great post happy at home

Newest Crisis averted

Roeland's newest near death experience,
a half eaten paper tag on a stuffed animal.
Guess who threw the animal in the playpen with him? anyone, anyone?

birthday.

a response to a friend as to what i did on my bday.

well. you know. once you have children ... birthdays become somewhat obsolete. no sleeping as late as you want and doing whatever you want... that is of course unless you are absolved of the responsibility by a mother who dearly loves you and sees the dark circles that makeup wont even cover. Unfortunately, the morning in question, I had all three children. One of which, you'll never guess who, came downstairs to the potty instead of using her own across the hall and lets just say, the pull up didn't work. In the midst of cleaning that mess up, Roeland wakes up with a ferocious appetite. The morning continues with a really bad breakfast of pound cake for all girls in the house, followed by a huge mess in the playroom, which will take me about three days to clean up or a lot of yelling and spanking the girls into submissive servitude. Guess which course of action I am taking. I did have a few moments of respite on the day in question. My mother did graciously take ALL THREE kids for about two hours, in which time, david and I, with a car ride of blissful absence of questions and screaming, took a meal to a newly delivered mom and went to lowes to get material for remodeling the chicken coop (the highlight of the day), then on to the mall for really bad chinese food. needless to say, it wasn't very exceptional but then I am alive, no one I love is dying or dead, and very happy in my life. so. it was a good birthday in its own way. Thanks for asking. :)

Valentines day.

Ok. so I don't want this blog to turn into a rant and want to be mindful that others besides myself are reading it. I realize that things I say could be construed as extreme but goodgrief, I am an extreme person. So, please, everyone... a grain of salt. That being said, I think that Valentines day has been so commercialized (for that matter, was created by commercialism at its finest) that we cannot think of anything to do that doesn't involve money.

What does it take to get us to live with each in the same world, something like cancer or death? Valentine day suggestions often include an activity like "vegetabling" out in front of a romance movie and watching someone else's love life instead of living out your own; oh, to be sure, that is exactly what I call romantic! Why do we give each other cards and candy and presents all to avoid actually talking to one another and sharing your soul with the other person. Cards that say things for us, instead of sitting down and actually thinking about what the other person means to us in particular, writing that out. Candy to satiate the desire to gorge ourselves on a drug that will make us fat and unhealthy in order to ignore the fact that our relationships are bankrupt. Its a cop out; and frankly, I could care less if I ever get another gift. I don't want things, or chocolate. Yes, its nice and my body might disagree with me. But what my soul longs for is decent communication of thought, the sharing of ideas and body, not stuff, not escapism. Suggestions:

1. walking in a park or laying in the grass on a blanket if the day is nice,
2. working on a project together,
3. spending time in bed,
4. make out
   
5. talk about your future,
6. tell the other person WHY you love them,
7. tell the other person What you love about them,
8. write them a letter telling them these things IN DETAIL in order that they may be able to read them in the future, thus reminding them of why and what (take notes from Song of Solomon
   
9. Tell them all your heart without fear of rejection or laughter.
10. make something and give it, something they'll appreciate.
11. serve the other person. do some chore that he or she doesn't want to do. It has to be something that is their responsibility
12. find out what the other person is stressed about or frustrated about. loves or hates.
    
13. ask them questions. about their opinion.

So, I am angry, in a way, at our culture again, because its they that have told and sold the lie that it isn't a decent valentines without stuff and we've bought it hook, line, and sinker.

disclaimer. not all candy is bad all the time. and movies can, from time to time encourage you to love your spouse more fully. but come on people, its mainly a crutch and our legs are broken.

crises averted. count 3.

1. Roeland was on a blanket in the backyard. I was working on the chicken coup and was distracted. Whilst I was not looking a certain 4 year old gifted him with a pile of leaves which he promptly began to chew or gum, rather. I was unaware of this potential deathly hazard until I heard a choking noise from his direction. Alarmed, I turned to see what could be causing this sound as, according to my recollection of thought, he had been placed in the center of a large quilt with nothing but a few very large inedible toys. Seeing the leaves or what was left of them, I dropped the power tools, snatched him up, and immediately put a nun to clean finger in his mouth, probing for remnants. He is still alive and well, if missing a couple of braincells due to 20 seconds without oxygen.

2. Bronwynne broke her snow globe given to her by her Nana. She had it about 5 minutes. I suppose I was a little naive to think that she wouldn't immediately begin banging it into the floor upon receiving it. no cuts in hands or feet. we are still missing a piece though. As things go, I am quite certain that it will be David who "finds" it .

3. Anice broke her snow globe too. She, however, was running and landed with the full force of her body onto the globe, causing it to shatter into a thousand bits. It should have cut her hand to pieces as she landed with it in her hand as it shattered, but in her usual manner, she miraculously escaped virtuously unscathed excepting a small cut on her palm.

Letting the night come.

I am sitting in my house, essentially alone. It is dusk. I have characteristically always been a lamp person, never failing to turn on the strategically placed lamp at the slightest provocation from the setting sun. Now, however; I find myself enjoying the darkness creep into the different corners of my home. Imagining the days before electricity enabled late night forays with the same amount of light as the daytime hours. there is a certain peace that comes with dusk. a lavender calm that passes over the house. No doubt enhanced by the absence of everyone but the sleeping baby, but regardless, I am enjoying it. I have been getting up at dawn lately because the baby has been waking for his morning feed. It is peaceful then too. I have a lot of respect for the celestial clock. the schedule it creates. I suppose it also has a lot to do with farm life. I can see how close relationships were formed by waking at dawn to work with your body all day alongside others and then to lay down at nightfall in the home, the family together during the long nights with no interruptions. no television to distract, no movies to escape to. just life. just now. I long for that.

stewardship of Gen X

stewardship. What kinds of stewards would our culture produce if there was work involved in every area of life? Would produce the kind of stewards my Gen X culture is notorious for producing? If I had to go through the process of laying the floor in their house, would I be so careless with scratching it? Better yet, what if I had to grow the tree, cut the tree, mill the boards, carve the grooves, and lay the floor?

Pondering quality of our culture.

I have currently been the recipient of a beautiful bed as a gift. It is iron wood, hand carved in Costa Rica, King sized, and very very beautiful. This gift has necessitated a new coverlet since the previous bed was a Queen size. I haven't written about this previously however, I do seek a simple existence, not necessarily only in things but in activity. That is an entry to itself which I will leave for another time. In searching for a coverlet, I found that there were so many choices. I was thinking about the fact that our culture has created so many possibilities for the purchase on one thing. "Technological advances", that make polyester bedding possible and cheaper than linen or cotton. This began the downward spiral, well, really I am not sure what direction, to asking the question I always end up asking, "If we didn't have so many choices, then would things be of a better quality?" and "If so, would that choice be cheaper than what it is now?"

If we didn't have polyblend sheets then would the cotton ones be the low end, and the higher thread count cotton be the higher end? Is what was then considered "LOW end" actually considered what is "high end" now?

These questions inevitably result in a disgust for the packaged processed culture in which we live. Where nothing is handmade, and if it is handmade its probably poor quality. (I am thinking crocheted toilet paper covers here) where are the artisans? The artisans who do take the time to learn the skill and do it correctly charge a ridiculous amount for those of us who know quality when we see or feel it. I know, I am one in some areas. The sad thing is that 100 years ago our entire culture consisted of people who created beautiful things, it wasnt just the artists who made things. God created man in His image. He is a creator. Why then, has man turned over creating to machines? There is something amazingly fulfilling about working with your hands. There was work in the garden before the fall. I recognize the validity of machines. If it werent for machines or the people who made them many people would die in hospitals or at a young age from hard manual labor. many things wouldn't be possible. at any rate, There is no conclusion to an entry like this. just a statement and admission of thought. I clearly haven't thought it through completely but like so many other musings, I can't really ever finish a complete thought without being interrupted a million times for something like juice in a sippy or a potty treat. so. leave comments if you happen upon this entry and perhaps a good debate will begin.

right of passage into yr. 29

I will be turning 29 this year. I had to pause and think before I actually wrote that sentence. I keep thinking that I am turning 28, the late twenties all being the same in my book. I might as well just get it over with and say that I am thirty. I don't have a problem with this. I feel I am well into the ebb and flow of my life with three kids and a six year marriage behind me. I have much to look forward to, but getting on to the situation that demanded an first entry on the blog. This morning as I was getting a head start on my daily grooming, which doesn't usually start until around 11:00 am or later. It also doesn't involve much more than a few hairpins and some under eye concealer. This morning however, I noticed that my eyebrows were seriously needing attention. Call me what you will, a flake, a priss, but I find that a finely plucked eyebrow covers a multitude of flaws. Lack of makeup and large nose not withstanding. In this particular foray into my habitual maintainence of my particular pair, I came across my first gray hair. Yes, it was an eyebrow hair but a hair nonetheless and it was white.

science of sexy, dressing for your body type.

get your book asap. its awesome.

http://www.amazon.com/Science-Sexy-Unique-Figure-System/dp/1592402607