homesteading

  • Planning the garden

    Today I taught my first session with a new group of students: little guys (to me, anyway), 4th – 6th graders. We talked about reading and books and the program we’ll be starting tomorrow. The kids were fun, energetic, and… Continue reading

  • Old-fashioned remedies for everyday illnesses

    hyssop For the past week I’ve been battling a stubborn cold, drinking gallons of tea and piling up the tissues like Typhoid Mary.* Apparently it’s impossible to avoid being sick when you work with middle school children, and all the… Continue reading

  • 5 ways to reuse Mason jars

    Over the weekend Nina came over and we had another canning extravaganza (Cabernet Sauvignon jelly and pear & ginger preserves, for the curious). It’s much more fun, and efficient, to can with another person, especially if you both prep your… Continue reading

  • Canning: Apple butter

    We’re safe and sound here in Providence. The hurricane swept through yesterday and we stayed snug in the apartment, catching up on schoolwork and relaxing. There were several hours of Diablo III (Josh) and of baking cheesy pull-apart bread (me).… Continue reading

  • Canning fruit (II)

    Yesterday I recounted how my friend Nina and I decided to can 40 lbs of tomatoes. When I left off, we had just realized how much time (and patience) this project required. Nevertheless, we persevered. Once the crushed tomatoes had… Continue reading

  • Canning fruit (I)

    Last Sunday, over dinner at our local Ethiopian restaurant, my friend Nina said, “When can we can?” And thus began a rather silly and ultimately fruitful (heh) endeavor of canning 40 lbs of tomatoes. And making lots of canning jokes.… Continue reading