Calendula - Son may have Tourette's

[calendula]

Your garden looks wonderful! Congrats!

I remember our first summer in Wisconsin when I was a kid... we were invited to a 4th of July pool party and were sooooo excited. We ended up wearing winter coats that day!

That's funny. Were you just up here visiting, or did you live here? We had a nice, warm 4th this year, but last year was awful. We decided to have a 4th party, invited a bunch of people over and cooked a bunch of food...and it was freezing cold and rained all day long. Wasn't much of a party. The summers here can be so wacky sometimes.

 

[calendula]

We have had so much rain this summer. The garden is starting to get swampy!

In one section of the garden, I sunk into the mud up to my ankles. The only thing I'm worried about is the potatoes rotting. Otherwise, everything else seems to be enjoying this rain. I found some cucumbers that I didn't even know were there last night. I ate one for breakfast this morning, and it was delicious!

And we have one, lonely ripe roma tomato.

The kids left this morning to go visit Chicago with some family. So for the rest of the week, it's just me and the husband. It's going to be awfully quiet without them around.

 

[Wifezilla]

Love the toe nail polish

 

[calendula]

Thanx Wife. I have to paint them in the summer, they get so gross from walking around barefoot.

 

[calendula]

The kids are still gone on their trip. It's really wierd not having them here. But a nice break too; it got pretty wild here last night...I ate dinner in front of the TV. I'm such a rebel.

Well, not much else going on around here. The chickens are being chicken-y, the garden is growing... I have some rose petals sitting in almond oil right now. I'm hoping to make a nice smelling after-bath oil. I also have some pineapple vinegar brewing right now too. It's smelling really nice actually. Every time I open the door to my craft room--where it's fermenting--I get a nice blast of pineapple smell.

I have a butt-load of herbs right now. I am drying all that I can, and I froze a large container of cilantro. I am using some of my thyme to make thyme infused vinegar. Beyond that, I just don't know what to do with it all. I have cilantro, basil, thyme, calendula, and chamomile coming out my ears right now!

Other than that, it's just been kind of a lull around here. Of course when fall comes around we'll be canning like crazy, so I'll be wishing for these slow days again!

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

The kids are still gone on their trip. It's really wierd not having them here. But a nice break too; it got pretty wild here last night...I ate dinner in front of the TV. I'm such a rebel.

Well, not much else going on around here. The chickens are being chicken-y, the garden is growing... I have some rose petals sitting in almond oil right now. I'm hoping to make a nice smelling after-bath oil. I also have some pineapple vinegar brewing right now too. It's smelling really nice actually. Every time I open the door to my craft room--where it's fermenting--I get a nice blast of pineapple smell.

I have a butt-load of herbs right now. I am drying all that I can, and I froze a large container of cilantro. I am using some of my thyme to make thyme infused vinegar. Beyond that, I just don't know what to do with it all. I have cilantro, basil, thyme, calendula, and chamomile coming out my ears right now!

Other than that, it's just been kind of a lull around here. Of course when fall comes around we'll be canning like crazy, so I'll be wishing for these slow days again!

Just keep drying those herbs. Its amazing how much one can go through in a year. If its too much, you can make tiny herb sets for gifts this Christmas for the neighbors.

 

[calendula]

That's a good idea BB. I have lots of jars and bottles that I've saved. I could decorate them all cute and gift them.

 

[calendula]

I took a shot at the questions. I left some out that didn't apply or I just didn't have a good answer for.

1. What state/province/country are you in and what is your climate like?

Wisconsin, Zone 4.

2. How many people are in your family? Marital status?

Married with 2 sons (from a previous relationship)

3. How would you define self sufficiency?

Being able to take care of youself by providing your own necessities.

4. What would you do with your spare time if you had any resources you needed?

I'd probably have hundreds of different kinds of animals if I could. I love critters!

5. Have you ever built a house , or other types of building? Do you want to?

No, I am not mechanically inclined or handy what-so-ever. I know that I need to take the time to learn some of those skills though.

6. Can you weld? Steel, aluminum, MiG, TiG, stick, Oxy-Acet?

Nope.

7. Who or what inspired you to become more self sufficient?

My Grandma probably planted the SS seed in me. Later on, it was being a single mom, add to that the horrible food being sold in gorcery stores today, my worries that we are destroying our planet, and a dash of gov't paranoia.

8 Cloth or paper?

Both. We still use paper in the bathroom, and my husband will be darned if he's going to give up paper towels. We compost or recycle any paper products that we can.

9. In what ways are you self sufficient now and in what ways would you like to learn more?

As far as food, we have a steady supply of fresh eggs from our hens. We grow lots of veggies and herbs, but they generally don't last us all year, so we still end up supplementing from the farmer's market and grocery store. I also like to wild forage. As far as meat, the only meat we get ourselves is venison from deer hunting. We live in the city, so livestock is not an option for us right now. I love making my own cleaning products, bath and beauty (including soap), and herbal preperations.

10. In what way(s) will you never choose to become self sufficient?

Coffee and chocolate, though I have cut back a lot. I have to drive to get to work, so I need gas. I enjoy indoor plumbing, but I suppose if it came down to it, I could do without. Sure would miss a hot shower though!

11. Are you interested in stocking up for future needs?

Yes, we are slowly building up a reserve of food, seeds, and other supplies. Just in case!

12. Where do you end up when you sink into yourself, away from the outside world?

I don't really know? I've never really sat and meditated or anything.

13. Can you drive a farm tractor or a semi?

No, but I'm sure I could learn.

14. Do you make crafts or useful items? Would you want to teach others how to do these?

Yes, I like to make all kinds of stuff, and I would be happy to spread the knowledge. It's gratifying to see someone learn how to do something for themselves.

15. Can you have legally livestock where you are at? Do you have any? What kinds? We have 4 hens, which is the only livestock we are legally permitted to have in our city.

16. Can you operate a lathe? Metal, wood?

No.

17. Do you like to garden? If so, what do you enjoy growing?

I love to garden! My favorite thing to grow is herbs, but I enjoy growing anything.

18. Do you fish? Bait or explosives?

Yes, we enjoy fishing. I prefer to use bait; worms to be exact.

19. How much space/land do you have or rent? City? Country?

We live on a standard size city lot...not exactly sure of the footage.

21. What is your self sufficient specialty? Or what one would you like to learn?

I would say my most valuable asset would be the ability to propagage plant life. I would like to learn more about building and using tools.

23. Do you do wood work? framing, finish, cabinet?

No, but my husband is excellent with wood.

24. Are you interested in herbal medicine?

Very much so. I don't like taking pills. I also believe that it is important to take care of yourself and eat the proper foods as prevention for health problems so that medicine is not needed in the first place.

25. If you could live any place you chose, where would it be?

Right here in Wisconsin.

26. Do you use a wood stove for heating or cooking?

No, but I would like to some day.

28. Are your family or friends also interested in self sufficiency?

Most of my friends are not. As for family, some are, some aren't. But most people are generally interested in what we do, and think it's cool.

29. Do you like to cook? Are you interested in whole foods and natural foods? raw milk? farm fresh eggs?

Love cooking, and dreaming of the day when it is legal for me to buy raw milk. Or just have some cows of my own.

31. Do you forage or hunt for part of your food needs?

Yes, we hunt. Deer and sometimes turkey. I love wild foraging as well. I have eaten evening primrose root, lambsquarters, burdock root, different grass seeds, wild mushrooms, dandelion greens and roots, and we love to pick wild growing raspberries and black berries.

32. What skills do you have that help you be more self sufficient?

I'm a fast learner, and I enjoy trying new things, so that helps a lot. Also, I'm not afraid of hard work, and I don't mind getting dirty or sweaty. I can garden, forage, hunt, fish, make soap and herbal preperations. My husband is one of the smartest people I know, and he is great at building and fixing. He can look at something that's broken--even if it's something he doesn't have experience with--and figure out how it works and what's needed to fix it. I loves him.

34. Do you have solar panels? Plans to use solar energy?

Not yet, but we are looking and saving.

35 What is the mass/weight ratio of a European swallow carrying a coconut from the tropics to England?

A 5 ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut.

36. Have you ever lived completely off grid? Would you like to?

No, but I'd love to!

37. In what do you trust?

That our earth and this universe is pretty much going to do what it does, and people have little control over it.

 

[savingdogs]

What interesting answers! you are so cool! I love that you included your husband on so many things...

I'm really happy with the new questions, I think they are much better for our group.

*SD pats herself on back*

 

[calendula]

You did a great job putting them together SD!