Snow Day Check-in
In light of the current world circumstances, I have been in full preparation mode of a number of things. These to dos have ranged from a significant amount of food preservation, creatin’ a stock shelf of sanitary water, more DIY home cleanin’ supplies in bulk to offset monetary costs of everything bein’ overly expensive, and teachin’ some of these skills to others. The work is rewardin’, to say the least. Some of it takes longer than I would like. But I find it to be a necessary skill set that needs continuous practice. These skills feed my family, stretch our budget further than makin’ purchase after purchase through main stream stores, and creates some great memories with my man cubs.
Just today, we had some friends over for some snow shenanigans. While the kids all ran amuck outside, my mom friend was able to rest in a little quiet and chat with me. Per usual, I was all over my kitchen doin’ things. We talked about our fresh stock of canned broth that we’ve both been workin’ on this past week. I showed her how to make bone broth specifically—which is amazingly nutrient dense. We talked cannin’ taters and peas, and my new found love for makin’ jams with honey. I’m never goin’ back to cane sugar. Ever. Honey in jams is the best thing I’ve ever had!
I was able to get four different soap scents poured while she was here as well. Our families enjoyed taco pie—-YUM! And we sat through the second segment of my sons’ baptism class. It’s good to do life with our church family. So good!
My stock of jarred is about to outgrow one of the cabinets in the kitchen. It’s becomin’ very real that I’ll need a solid space for our family’s food in the near future. I’ve been doin’ a little at a time—nothin’ major. Some things take longer than others, so I do have to plan my day wisely. But sometimes I can get multiple batches of jars finished in a day. When it’s time to put them away, I find myself reorganizin’ things to fit appropriately, but also by what type of food is bein’ added into the cabinet. I’m an organized person. Sometimes this means reorganizin’ a cabinet more than once to get things the way I need to them to be to find what I need quickly, but also to fit as much as possible in there without anything breakin’. My other cabinet with dry goods is on it’s way to bein’ full as well.
This isn’t said to brag. This is simply to say that I’ve been workin’ hard to keep food put away for my family. You can do it as well. One thing at a time. One batch a day. Whatever it is that works, do it. Learn one skill and get comfy with it. Then move to the next thing. We are the homemakers. Sometimes we know what we’re doin’. Sometimes we don’t. Either way, it’s our job to figure it out. I’m proud to say that I figured it out. And what I’m doin’ is workin’ well. :)
Business wise, things are growin’ as well. I’ve expanded on the number of soap bar scents, and am havin’ to keep more of each on hand for in person and online sales. I’ve added several items for travel that I designed and sewed myself. And there are some seasonal sewn items being added this weekend that I’m rather proud of . This is the busiest time of year for me. I have several weekends booked with anywhere from one to three artisan shows.
I brought a friend’s daughter home with us after church this week. We did a mini melt and pour soap session. She made a peppermint matcha bar and a raspberry lemonade batch as well. I apparently created a bit of a monster (in a good way). I now have pictures from her dad of them makin’ coffee soap. It’s worth the fun, havin’ the skill, and some good smellin’ soap to wash the stank away with! :) Love it!
On THAT note—I will be startin’ a three part class series in January that involves creatin’ non toxic household cleaning supplies that can be used on multiple services in every room of your home. There will be one class per month for this series through March. There are only eight tickets available per class. You can join the class through this link https://www.handmademommabear.com/shop-the-store/p/14msjt6x5jtfd5aycw8322wr4jer4c
Payment is required up front. Refunds are issued on a case by basis. I hope to see you at one of these classes!