It came about by accident. I am still recovering from having all four of my wisdom teeth pulled, so I am not eating much of anything that requires, or that would even be friends with, butter as of late. But Little Miss decided she would pull the heavy cream out of the fridge. The carton I was saving to make flan with. (Because flan is soft and squishy and I haven’t yet got the guts to eat something I have to chew.) So we selected a clean mason jar, a few pebbles, and set to work shaking. And shaking. And shaking.
  
There are another few steps to make your butter taste a bit better. But the shaking was the funnest step.
And the result…yummy. YUMMY! It was sweet, soft, creamy, fresh, and heavenly. I don’t know how I am going to go back to store-bought butter. I need to get me a cow. Oh, wait, didn’t I just write about raising animals and not liken’ it? Maybe I’ll find someone who lives near me that wants to share their cow.
But who knew, that you could make butter so easily? Not I! And, to boot, I figured out that the milk that separates from the butter fat is buttermilk. And that is why buttermilk is always low-fat. Oh, the things you learn in an ordinary day, by accident.
 
For formal butter-making instructions go here. (Thanks Soule Mama!)
If you’ve been following along for a bit here in the space, you might remember Suzy from Hip Mountain Mama challenge other bloggers and those endeavoring to live greener to make One Small Change. The challenge ended in April, but those who began this movement decided to continue on and are still making One Small Change every month to live more sustainably.
September as a pivotal month of change. A change of seasons, a change of schedule, and a change of weather. So I decided this month to be the time to jump back in and share the One Small Change our family is undertaking to live greener. I love organizing my home, so this month I plan to collect and create some greener organizing solutions, and of course share them all here with you.
There is just so much plastic a girl can take I tell you! This blog, Organizing-Life began with my passion for all things in its place. I organized everything really. And all in plastic containers. They are cheap, simple, modular, interchangeable, uniform, and plentiful. Now, as a girl going green, I am thinking about what else can I use to organize our belongings that isn’t going to leach BPAs, phthalates, and other toxins? What do you use to organize your home you ask? Why, natural materials of course! Remember stone, wood, glass, paper, and metal? Ahh, to bring a bit of the earth into our home would be really a relief.
This month I plan to share a few of the ways we incorporate organizing solutions made of natural materials into our home. It isn’t easy. I feel like I am on a safari sometimes hunting down organizing containers made of anything other than plastic. I am usually astounded at the prices of these beautifully crafted organizers. Think outside the box, get creative, and thrifty, and make do. And really, it works to help make the home a bit greener.
The first switch we are endeavoring is to get rid of our plastic bowls. I found these very dirty, but very sturdy, wooden bowls the other week at the thrift store. With a little bit of elbow grease, these were revived into working condition and are now part of our collection. In fact, they are the perfect size for popcorn.
- Sand them down. Use coarse sandpaper for wood first (like a #60) and then a fine sandpaper to smooth things out (like #150.)
- Rinse to get rid of the dust, wipe, and let them air dry completely.
- Let them be or seal them with linseed oil and beeswax. (Melt a 1:1 ratio, cool, and wipe on with a clean rag. Wipe off excess with another clean rag and let the piece dry completely. This concoction is food safe.)
- Hand wash these babies. Don’t try to put them through the dishwasher because they’ll dry out and crack.
Where to find it:
- Yard sales, Craigs List, Freecycle, Ebay, rummage sales, thrift stores, your parent’s attic.
How to use it:
- Knick knack drawer
- At the dinner table
- Fill with stones, acorns and pine cones and use as a table centerpiece
- Jewelry catcher on the dresser
We have a lot of plastic bowls. And we are slowly replacing them all with wood, glass, and metal. For food stuffs, it is a small way to keep the plastic out of your food. For the rest of your home, well, wooden bowls are a nice way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside. And we just like to limit the number of plastics we touch daily. (If that is even possible?) The fish Nemo’s friend Dori comes to mind. “Keep on swimming, keep on swimming.” We are just endeavoring to do the best we can in this world made of plastic.
Up next, plastic vs. baskets.
P/S Can I also submit this as an additional Small or rather Large Change? My husband just took a new position with the Department of Energy managing government loan guarantees for renewable energy projects across the country. I am pretty darn proud of him as I too believe that renewable energy sources will pave the way for our continued future energy consumption. As a former poli-sci undergrad, I am a bit taken aback that now we are part of that bureaucratic system. Yikes! All for a good cause perhaps.
P/P/S
Take a peek at what others are doing to live a bit greener at the One Small Change Blog!
 P/P/P/S
Can I do that many P’s? For a much better tutorial about how to restore your wooden treasures, visit The Magic Onions blog here.
It is almost September on the calendar. In my mind, and according to the thermometer outside, there are many days of summer left this year. Even so, some of my most recent projects are in preparation for autumn and the coming holiday season. A little embroidery creating oh, so cute, Advent motifs doesn’t feel as wintry in my lap as I sip iced tea, as does knitting a woolen sweater.
So, as we are enjoying the last days of summer, in 97 degree heat, we are also looking toward the next season to turn itself in. Autumn is my favorite season of the year. The rich colors, the cool crisp days, and smells of caramel, apples, and cinnamon lift my spirit. As much as I plan for the months to come, I am sincerely grateful this doesn’t make the days on the calendar turn more swiftly. Here is to taking pause this morning in late summer.
I am still here feeling a tad sore. Still alive, although very weirded out and sick to my stomach at times when thinking about what has gone on in my head. Thank you readers for your well wishes. I so appreciate your comments sending good luck.
I now almost believe everyone who told me that “it really isn’t that bad.”
I was sedated, so I don’t remember any of the procedure. My husband took very good care of me and the kids this weekend so I could rest and heal. My kids, though a bit puzzled, tolerated the mommy-can’t-pick-me-up-because-she-has-an-ouchy weekend. I didn’t need many pain meds and I didn’t swell very much.
And now it is Monday morning. I think I might have to eat solid foods at some point. I am still terrified of the holes in my head. And I am a down a bit on the wisdom factor. And one day I’ll just look back at this distant memory. (Maybe even with straight teeth.)
P/S I forgot to tell the doctor just to toss the teeth and not send them home with me. Now I have this pink plastic tooth that contains all four of those little suckers. Hearing them rattle around in there makes me feel really queasy. No way am I looking at those things. Ever. Yuck.
P/P/S
Stay tuned for some ideas for greener organizing. There are so many plastic organizing solutions. Some of which can be very useful…but there are also a million and one organizing aids made from more natural materials. Stay tuned for some tips on how to stay a bit straighter the greener way. Have a great Monday!
But I hope for not too long. Tomorrow, Friday, I am getting all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed. For those of you who have been reading for a bit, you know I have a bit of a doctor phobia. And well, when it comes to dentists, it is just white-knuckle, butterfly tummy, and jaw-clenching time for me. (I still have the same headache that I developed the moment I scheduled this appointment.) I’ve never had anything more than a simple cavity filled. I know my body doesn’t respond well to anesthesia. And I have a family to care for through it all. (Not to worry too much, the entire procedure will only take 30 minutes and I will have help in the early days of recovery.)
On the up-side of all of this, I’ve always wanted straight teeth and with more room in my mouth this is an option. My bite actually makes my profile look like I am storing cotton balls in my mouth, and I just tend not to look at myself from this angle. (And I destroy all photos of me taken from the side.) I am not usually one to be so vain, and in fact, I am a bit timid of the pain and expense involved with all that reverse-aging stuff. But really now, there are digestive reasons I can justify braces right? Is it a periodontal preventative measure? Or am I just stretching?
I plan to take a bit of time off from this space, as I haven’t a clue how recovery will be. I hope to be back in this special space as soon as my chipmunk cheeks are calming down.
I’ve had this little family of black plums sitting on my wooden butcher block for the past week. I know they are getting ripe because their skins are ever so slightly wrinkled, and the fruit flies are starting to come around. It is the season again to enjoy the juicy sweetness of all stone-fruits. It is the season I loved as a child and continue to adore now.
Typically, I am not a huge fan of black plums. The super tart skin just makes my molar teeth ache. (Yes, even as I type these words my mouth hurts!) So, I peel them, and then usually lose the entire bowl to Mini Mister who turns into a fruit bat during the summer months. This time, the fruit was so ripe that peeling would have just juiced the entire lot. So I decided to make up my own baked plum recipe of sorts. Gluten-free of course. The same oat-sorghum-flour granola topping would work on baked nectarines, or peaches as well. Add a dash of vanilla extract to baked nectarines and perhaps a drop of almond extract to complement the peaches.
If you have fruit hanging out with no where to go…give this summer-time recipe a try. It is a supreme partner to vanilla ice-cream!
Baked Black Plum Crumble
- 8 black plums – the riper the better, wash, halve, and remove the stone
- 1C rolled oats (I used gluten-free oats, though some with Celiac disease are unable to tolerate oats)
- 1/4C sorghum flour
- 4 T butter, melted, divided
- 1/4C raw, unfiltered honey
- 2 T roasted sunflower seeds
- 1/4C chopped raw walnuts
- 1/4t ground cinnamon
- 1/4t ground nutmeg
- 1/4t salt
- Preheat oven to 425° F. Butter shallow baking dish, large enough to hold plums in a single layer with 2 teaspoons of melted butter.
- Set plum halves in a single layer in buttered baking dish.
- In a medium bowl mix to combine all other ingredients, including remaining melted butter.
- Use fingers to crumble oat mixture over plum halves, covering all fruit surfaces.
- Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until oat topping is brown and fruit juices are bubbling.
- Remove from oven and cool slightly. Place portions in small bowls with a mini-scoop of vanilla ice cream, and serve immediately.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serves 8.
And I am linking to Amy’s blog Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free, this Slightly Indulgent Tuesday. Head on over her way to take a peek at some other delicious summer culinary creations!
Today I am thankful for
- the life-giving rain that turns the leaves that surround our home green
- lazy mornings playing in pajamas and having no where to go
- an exciting and optimistic employment opportunity for my husband
- the roof over our heads when we are praying for those facing times that are financially tight
- summer produce, the colors, the textures, the smells and the tastes, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, leafy greens, eggplant…(I could go on and on)
- a moment in the morning with a cup of hot tea and fresh eggs, and a bit of peace and quiet before the day gets underway…
What are you thankful for?
:: :: ::
Just a note, I am guest posting over on Progressive Pioneer today about Tips on Baking with Toddlers. Thanks to Amy!
:: :: ::
I am a planner. I love planning ahead. And I know that the best laid plans don’t always go as planned. But I can still try.
Last year I spent Christmas sick on the sofa. Dog sick. And I didn’t finish any of the handmade gifts I’d plan to give. This year I thought I’d start in August, so at least I’d have a chance, with sick-days built, in to finish everything.
So periodically, I am not promising when, here on the blog, I hope to give a few updates about what I am stitching, knitting, and concocting. (Mostly because those who would want a surprise can’t read and the others who can read and will be future recipients, don’t read here.)
So far, I’ve nearly finished this embroidered pouch…and I’ve just started on this linen stitch knitted scarf.
The embroidery pattern is from the book A Rainbow of Stitches by Agnes Delage-Calvet, et. al.
And the scarf is the Cerus Scarf by Hillary Smith Callis. I am knitting in Huacaya Sport Alpaca by Furnace Mountain in Chocolate Heather.
When I asked my mother the other morning over the phone what she wanted me to give her for Christmas, she just laughed at me. Are you as crazy as I am and planning holiday gifts in August?
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Inspired by SouleMama.
|
thank you for stopping by my blog  I am a 30-something mom to a 4 year old son and 2 1/2 year old daughter, and a wife to my life wonderful. I write in this space when my crafty inspiration strikes or when I get to pondering about how we can better connect with the earth around us. We are a family surviving the suburbs, contending with commercialism, and getting to a greener lifestyle. Welcome! ~Abbie a few blogs I like in no particular order 
One Small Change can help the environment!
In Jan we stopped using paper towels
In Feb was Ziploc elimination
Check back at the end of the month to see how I did and for recipes to make your own all natural lotions, shampoos and soaps!
Permission © Organizing-Life 2009
All images and designs are property of Organizing-Life. Please do not copy any original designs or photography without written permission. Thank you!
|