My Week on Wednesday… February 5

 

 

Welcome to this week’s edition of My Week on Wednesday… where I take a few minutes to share some of the things I did, and learned throughout the week. And some of the blogs I visited and articles I read.

Did the cover picture change? Why, yes, it did. I decided to put up a new picture with every season. We just passed Imbolc, the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, so I put up a new picture. I will change it again at the Equinox!

It seems that for days all I have been doing, talking about, or even thinking about relates to the Girl Scouts, their GMO-laden cookies, and that the Girl Scouts seem to firmly believe that you may not, indeed you must not, stand up for your beliefs if they happen to run counter to the Cookie Sale. A few week ago I wrote and article explaining Why my Daughter will NOT be Selling Girl Scout Cookies… and a few days ago I had to write a follow up article entitled The Girl Scouts Response…

In light of that, I spent yesterday outside, and out of the city, with my dog, and my camera.

There were snowflakes in the air, and the snow was crunchy.

The apple trees are beginning to awaken. Dare we hope for an early spring?

This is where I found out that the narrow spot in the creek is not quite where I thought is was. This is also where I found out that my boots really are waterproof.

I forced the dog to sit… for artistic purposes… even though there was important sniffing and deer-poop eating to do.

And we come to the woods. I know that the path is there somewhere… but between the snow and the deer trails everywhere, I couldn’t find it. Not important.

I found a great great grandfather grape vine instead.

And a woodpecker tree. There is a pileated woodpecker in the woods. I am not sure if this is his handiwork, or that of some other woodpecker, but I heard somebody tapping away while I was walking. I didn’t actually see any animals–though the snow was terribly crunchy, and I did have a dog with me!

 Coming out of the woods.

The trimmed trees look like monsters.

Winter apple.

While there is still plenty of winter left, it is time to start thinking of springtime and gardens. I struggle with my garden between my tiny lot and lack of sun. Of course, you don’t actually need sun to grow many things, and this link provides a list of edible plants that do well in the shade. I also loved These Light Footstep’s article about permaculture in small spaces; I am definitely going to incorporate some of her ideas into this year’s garden!

And, as for deciding what to plant, Little Mountain Haven has great suggestions for deciding what to grow… based on what your family eats. I know this sounds deceptively simple, but she has some great ideas of how to plan so that the whole thing comes together.

Now, if only someone would remind me to water my garden. And keep the dog from chewing up my plants, and the kids from running through my herbs. (“No, my most precious ones! That is thyme, NOT lawn!”)

Speaking of gardening, the Preparedness Mama has 14 Clever Uses for Shredded Paper Around the Homestead… including in the garden. I don’t know about you, but with two kids bringing home several worksheets a night, we have lots of paper around here! I could recycle it, of course, but isn’t it better to find a use for it right at home?

And — you are going to love this — My Lamp is Full has discovered the magic ingredient that gets the dishes in the dishwasher to come out CLEAN! No kidding, I have been following her directions since I first read the article almost two weeks ago, and I am actually loving my dishwasher now. For years I have had issues with the chemicals in the dishwasher detergent I had been buying. I had tried a couple different times to make my own… with less than fabulous results. But this is great!

Now there is a little bit of scrubbing involved… which is something I have always resolutely refused to do — why do I have a dishwasher if I have to wash the damn dishes first?!!? — but about two days before I read this article my husband, after having taken the dishwasher apart… again… to clean out the gunk gave me two choices: Either start scrubbing the dishes, or learn to plumb. Okay, I’m there — scrubby comes out.

By the way, if you are a Clever Person, check out this tutorial for making your very own scrubbies. 🙂

Finally, if you haven’t seen them already, be sure to check out my most recent (non-Girl Scout related) posts, Spiced Wine for Imbolc (yeah, it’s a little late, but it’s wine; make some anyway!), Mushroom Wild Rice Stew with Swiss Chard, and Pepperup Potion!

Also, if you haven’t already, come visit me on Facebook.

Have a wonderful week!!!