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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“Bringing traditional home and garden arts to a new generation,” pretty much spells it out. Have I taken you on a tour of Rural Spin yet? If not, I know you will like it here, where you will find a wide range of topics ranging from food preservation to gardening, homesteading and outdoor survival, something for the children and even fun experiments.

Today we drop by a recent article titled, “A Depression-era Kitchen, and a Matter of Opinion.” If those walls could speak. Notice the broken window pane, and there are only two chairs. Today, seating often outnumbers a household’s headcount. The tone of this article does not lean toward the common, “Don’t complain. Some have had it harder than you.” Instead, it brings to light an era and what it meant to live a certain lifestyle; not one that was “less” by definition, but one that required ingenuity and perseverance in its own way. Every era brings its own set of challenges.

“Back in April, I posted a photo of a kitchen onto the Rural Spin Facebook wall, with little information beyond saying the photo was taken between 1935 and 1942 via the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information program,” explains the author. “I asked people for their thoughts…  And so the comments ran… this is about the power that an image can have over us…” [Read Full Article]

If you are interested in the history of the war-time American homestead, or simply curious, you will also find a link to a first-hand account by a woman who lived during that time.

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The author: Mandi. How she describes herself: “I build crap. I’m raising 4 homies. I take massive amounts of pictures. And I’m not afraid to show the embarrassing ones… I believe you can never have too much trim… I believe that projects always come before cleaning.” The Blog: Tidbits from The Tremaynes

You will get the gist of the playfulness of this Blog and the creativity of its author the moment you enter. I invite you to begin with He Is A Sailor On The Pirate Ship Revenge and I invite you to browse through the many photos and projects of this tool-wielding mom with an attitude. This gal has no fear. She calls a spade a spade. She will make you smile about human idiosyncrasies and dream of doing projects before cleaning!

“Are you ready to discuss the “Pirate Ship Revenge” room? ‘Cause I am… Here’s where the parents got crazy with the cheese whiz. The Pirate Ship Revenge bed wasn’t enough for this room. Oh ho, no. Remember that they have 16 grandchildren…” I will say no more. [Go to it now]

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New Life on a Homestead has a Mixed Up Chick. “It all started when this mama hen decided she was tired of waiting on her last two eggs to hatch, and left the nest with her babies in search of food,” explains the author… “The two eggs sat alone for two days before a little boy discovered them. In his curiosity, he began to crack them open. When his mother (uh-hum, me) realized what he was doing, she quickly rescued the remaining egg from its captor…”

It is interesting how the kindness of humans can change everything. Would the little peep have survived in the wild? Probably not. Some might argue that we should not intervene. But it seems the impact of one little life has so much significance and far beyond what we imagine. There is the experience of the observer. There is the lesson this procures for her son. And there are readers who, due to personal circumstances of which we know nothing, will read this, smile and carry on with renewed spirits just when they needed it. Saving one little life actually saves many. [Read Full Article]

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When in doubt buy more seeds begins with these words: “I realize I’ve been neglecting my blog for a couple weeks, but it was for a good reason.  I had to get through my last set of finals to ensure I’ll being wearing this lovely getup next Thursday…”

We stopped by Attempting Sustainability several months ago. In fact, it was just about the time the author had settled in New York to go to school and contemplated what seeds to purchase for an urban garden. Here we are again, graduation time already. What’s next, I asked, besides teaching little plants to make it big in NY?

Stephanie, the author, did not neglect her gardening in the city experiment. In fact, it appears this project demanded much of her care and attention. It was also a great learning experience, one she took to heart. “I’ve learned a great deal in graduate school, but I’ve learned quite a bit from starting this blog too. Mainly, there’s a reason why people don’t garden in fifth floor walk-ups,” she begins. But that does not mean one should give up. Like people, plants have different temperaments. [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.