Granny's Parlour

The weekend is a good time for grazing. This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who wrote them.
Food canning equipment, tool carts, compost bins, growing kits, cider and fruit presses, the Squeezo Strainer, food dehydrators, juicers, smokers, cold frames, greenhouses and so many more innovations contribute to making our lives organized and healthier and to turning our homes and properties into an oasis where the living is good.

All of these things exist because we are creative and because we have a unique ability to adapt to our environment. In truth, foodies, homesteaders and gardeners who write about their experiences are telling the ongoing story of our inventive spirit. On their pages, every tool and appliance is like a paint brush; ready to express a new vision.

You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.

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Stick to the Plan: Part I – There is usually one project or another in process at Emerson’s Acre, but just as our bodies eventually feel the weight of hard work, so do our tools feel the wear of usage. Sometimes, the repair shop is the only logical next step. Sometimes, a contingency plan is the only logical next step, but when on top of this you face questionable business practices, the logical next step involves the tough decision to take the high road.

“This weekend is not what I would call my best. The weather was perfect… But as I look back on it I realize that it was just a little off from the beginning and the fault for all of it lies squarely at my feet… It all comes, you see, from not sticking to the plan… Two weeks ago I couldn’t get my push mower to start. The weed-eater wouldn’t cooperate either… That Monday I got a recommendation for a mower repair shop… They said they would call me if either repair ran over $50…” [Read Full Article]

Yes, there is a Part II and yes, again, not quite in line with the original plan. However, what matters most is how we ride the waves.

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What Should I Do If I Can’t Grow a Garden? We may come to the realization that we do not have the time or space to grow a garden, but sometimes that is as far as the thought goes. There is always the grocery store. This, at least, is a reliable source and a practical solution. One must eat.

“Let’s be honest — with the high level of urbanization in our world, growing seasonal fruits and vegetables just isn’t feasible for everyone,” observes the author of Frugally Sustainable, “But the good news is…during the peak of harvest there are multiple ways to acquire fresh, home-grown produce without having to set foot in a grocery store or break the bank!”

Among other creative ways to find a trusted food source, for indeed this is the goal, the author suggests a different take on landscaping, making friends with an avid gardener and gearing your fresh produce purchases to the season. There is a solution for every circumstance and every wallet. [Read Full Article]

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Storage Jars. 6" x 6" Gouache on paper.

Sharyn Dimmick, of The Kale Chronicles, recently suggested she might feel tempted to indulge in a rant about plastic and I looked forward to reading her article. As you might imagine, this sort of commentary can be risky. She handled it with great tact, not that I had any doubts about that.

I must highlight one particular statement she made in “A word About Plastic (Food Shopping and Storage.” It sets the tone to perfection: “I believe that people want to do the right thing and that the right thing varies according to person and situation.” This could be summed up in one word: Acceptance. And as Sharyn points out in the end, we also learn from each other, thus “the right thing” evolves as we change our perspective.

But one must first set the stage. “I had just stopped at Trader Joe’s for a couple of things…” explains Sharyn, “and had had to make the unfortunate choice between limes coated with ‘edible wax’ without packaging and organic limes in plastic netting…” [Read Full Article]

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We close with something for the whole family. We first visited this Blog several months ago. It offers unique a truly abundant resources for art and activities for children and the family. Upon landing on the front page of the recently re-designed and re-named site, you will discover clearly identified “departments,” each one more inviting than the other for anyone in search of creative ideas. It is like opening a door that reveals a world of utterly carefree playfulness, like a giant room filled with toys for children and for the adults who share their universe. Thus the new site name, Inner Child Fun, fits its mission perfectly.

Explore “10 Simple Pleasures for Cherished Childhood Memories.”

I dare you to resist to such suggestions as: Create an outdoor Mud Pie Kitchen, Grab a roll of pennies, and visit a local water fountain to Make Lots of Wishes or my personal favorite, Go shopping for sunglasses. Take several Glamour Photos. There is much more… [Read Full Article]

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Thank you for stopping by to read this Weekend’s Review. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the Blogs you enjoy, if you feel so inclined that is.