Saturday, January 11, 2014

Cold!!!


Winter has indeed paid a long and bitter visit to the holler! Brutal low temperatures and snow have prevailed since the new year and like most of the north country we simply batten down and do our best to ride it out. When these temperatures fall we limit our time outdoors to just what we have to do to make sure all the animals are provided well for.  

My cold continues to improve and I am feeling much better these days. All this time indoors gives us an opportunity to catch up on many maintenance and cleaning chores that are out off many times until just such a storm.  It consists of things we call winter work. 


O Wise One has been sharpening knives. 


Sanding and oiling wooden spoons was  also taken care of. 


O Wise One went to town and stocked up on stock feed before the storm. He bought 40 pounds of grapefruit on clearance and I have been canning them. 




My project for the upcoming week is to finish making my yearly supply of homemade soap. This product replaces so many products that I used to buy. I use it for everything from laundry spot removing, to dish washing,  bathing and making bug spray for the garden.  A simple olive oil, goats milk and lard unscented bar.

I hope everyone is staying safe and warm.

Blessings from The Holler

The Canned Quilter


19 comments:

  1. Hi CQ! Good to hear from you. I will have to search around on here and find your soap making recipe. You make enough for the year? I'm guessing from your goat milk and your lard. Very interesting. Another thing for me to learn. Thank you!

    Stay warm and be well.

    Blessings,

    Fern

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    Replies
    1. Not many posts on soapmaking! There are so many out there on the NET that I just leave the soap making tutorials to other people. You and Frank stay warm : )

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    2. There sure are....but your bars are so pretty, and since I'm really new at soap making, can you just give your recipe? Is this cold or hot processed soap?

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  2. How do you use this soap for dishwashing??? Grate it into the water???

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    Replies
    1. I keep a bar right beside my kitchen sink. Great for washing hands and vegetables. When I have a greasy dish I simply take my wash cloth and pass it over the soap bar several times and wash the dish with the rag. It can also be grated and simply pour a little boiling water in your dishpan over it and allow to melt. Once melted add more hot water. This stuff cuts grease better than anything in the house. Even Dawn

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  3. So glad to hear that you are feeling better! Stay warm!

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    1. and by the way...you and O Wise One always have the coolest tools/gadgets! Love the sharpener! And the soap looks so cute in the little squares :) Smart idea to make a batch for the year.

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  4. Oh Im so glad all is well in the holler. Was kind of concerned bout y'all. Here in northern Indiana we experienced tons of snow and arctic temps and have survived, with sore backs. But now of course its been raining and everything is flooded. No happy medium but we're used to it. Would love to learn how to make soap as I am allergic to commercial, but lye scares me. I wish I had a mentor like you to teach me. Will you adopt me?!? Wishing you and yours a wonderful new year and many more to come!

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    Replies
    1. Don't you hate after a long freeze like this. Here everything just turns into a quagmire of mud!

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  5. Good to hear that everything is alright in your world. I come here to visit every day. Canning grapefruit?? How do you use it???? recipes Please?

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    Replies
    1. Ever bought citrus salad out of the freezer section of your grocery store. All it is is grapefruit, oranges and maybe mandarins canned in a light syrup. Chill and eat. Throw some cherries in there if you have them. You can find the tutorial at:

      http://hickeryhollerfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/canning-grapefruit.html


      Hugs CQ

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  6. Winter has kicked many in the teeth entirely too early this year.

    All the work you do in amazing!

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  7. Yes-your bars of soap are so pretty. you simply HAVE to give us a simple tutorial now that you've teased us!

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  8. SO glad to hear your better...and catching up on winter chores. Love the canned citrus.

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    1. Hugs to you amd Prepper A. I am definitely on the mend but taking it slow.Hope ya'll have fared well through all this terrible cold : )

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  9. I love the new photo at the top of the blog page ;) Glad to hear you're feeling better!

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  10. I just had a friend give me grapefruit off her tree... now I know what to do with it! Thank you!

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  11. Hi CQ,
    Could you please tell us if you use just regular sand paper or a hand sander for your wooden spoons? Also, what kind of oil do you use and how much?
    Thanks,
    NM













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  12. I thought I was the only one who sanded and oiled my spoons. I use olive oil on mine, what do you use?? Yes, please share your soap recipe! I do make scrubs with coconut oil, and our laundry soap, but would like to try a soap for bathing-just haven't done it yet.

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