Ahh, back to normal here (in so many more ways than one). It’s Sunday. I’m home alone. I just went out and worked in the yard for a while – that felt so good. My yard is finally looking like something that resembles a garden. I just love Spring. Everything is in bloom, the bees … Continue reading »
Rescuing my mind
First off, I want to thank everyone who reached out for your loving words and support. I am blessed to have so many beautiful people in my life, you are all truly loving and compassionate people and I am there for you too. It’s comforting to know that there is such a support for me, … Continue reading »
How I try to find the words
So what does being “self sufficient” really mean? It means, to me, that I can be independent – financially, with work, with my food systems, with my emotions, and finally with my body chemistry. This last one has been a challenge. So this is my blog, so this is my life. I’m just going to … Continue reading »
Recipes
So…. I don’t like using recipes. Or for whatever reason I usually look at a few and say “screw that, I’m going to do it my own way.” Is it my form of rebellion? Possibly. Or maybe just culinary laziness. But I tend to look at a bunch of recipes, more for inspiration than anything, … Continue reading »
All Grain Brewing
So as of 10 minutes ago, I have made 4 all grain batches: “Weekday Wheat” “The brown ale that I put in a keg” “Chamomile Saison” and “2-Row Cascade SMaSH”. Pretty much all of these I have spearheaded and loved every minute of. I just finished the SMaSH, which is a Single Malt and Single … Continue reading »
Beer grains
(sporadic topic blog post, nothing really solid…) It’s a beautiful day here in Santa Cruz. I really should be out in my garden. But I feel hesitant to plant anything for fear that bad puppy might go dig it up. Our yard is now a barricade. There are ugly wire fences all over the place … Continue reading »
Today
I am tired. I am sore. I am exhausted. I am drained. Today was long and difficult. I hurt my back again, and hopefully with enough stretching and heating, I can work it out by tomorrow. There aren’t enough bodies to do what needs to be done right now – mine can’t be broken. My … Continue reading »
Sick day tribute to Smitten Kitchen
So I am home sick today which is a rare occurrence. I’ve been battling a cold and while normally my butt is kicked in the beginning of the cold, this time it caught up with me and I cannot speak today. So I’m going to take today, let my vocal chords rest, drink some tea … Continue reading »
My journey to liking kale
I hate kale. I think it’s gross. It’s bitter, tough and depending on how I’ve eaten it, it’s slimy. That’s the 5 year old in me being resistant to healthy things. We all hate brussels sprouts, right? So let me tell you a story that began this journey. I was at a friend’s house and … Continue reading »
102 jars of goodness
So last weekend I did an inventory of all the jars of stuff that I have. Thank goodness Christmas is around the corner, all my work can finally be enjoyed by my loved ones as lovely little gifts. My mom once told me that this was an addiction. I didn’t believe her. I still wouldn’t … Continue reading »
