The third grade school year is drawing to a close for my children at our local Waldorf school, and they have been busy measuring, digging, and always learning. For those of you unfamiliar with the Waldorf education model, the third grade curriculum focuses on living on the earth, covering such things as shelter, building, farming, cooking, and working with fibers. Reading this, you probably ...
May on the Homestead
As the month of May draws to a close, I thought I'd give an update on happenings around the homestead. It didn't feel like there was much to report this month with all the rain. I started a lot of seedlings, got a lot of potatoes and onions planted, and had the neighbor come over with his tractor to plow the field again. I spent a lot of time waiting for the rain to stop. This last weekend of May, ...
Mystic Orb Giveaway!
I am pleased to introduce you to my friends, Jeff and Taryn, artists of Mystic Orb and give my readers an opportunity to win a set of these wonderful sassafras buttons. I met Jeff and Taryn through fellow crafters and Saturday Market friends a couple of years ago, and I am so glad that I did! These folks are modern day homesteaders, living out on the Siuslaw River with their beautiful ...
Fun With Rabbits
It's been a busy time of year, and in the shuffle I forgot to introduce two new additions to the homestead. Micke Fleur and Sanna Blossom the Netherland Dwarf rabbits were given to us by some friends in my childrens' class in interest of giving them a life out in the country. While my children are excited about having two new pets, I've got one thing on my mind. Manure. I ...
Stripped Down Patchwork
I would like to introduce you to my friend and great inspiration, Erin Gilday, the amazing woman behind Patchwork Underground. Erin is a fiber artist, crafts instructor, freelance writer and pattern designer from Portland, OR. Her sewing patterns and craft culture pieces have appeared in Stitch, Sew News, Quilts and More, Threads, SewStylish, The Quilt Life, Piecework, Sew Hip and Curve ...
The Birds of Fern Ridge
Living close to a large reservoir and wildlife refuge that is a major stop along the west coast's migratory flight path, this is the time of year when I've got birds on the brain. They're everywhere you look. All sizes, shapes, colors and songs. I spent a Saturday vending at our local Wings and Wine festival, and made this wall hanging in honor of our fine feathered friends. A canoe paddles ...
Hot Stuff!
You may have noticed these snazzy new tags on my blog giveaways, in my Mountain Hearth Handcrafts Etsy shop, or in my booth at recent festivals. This is my idea turned into reality through my husband's artistic abilities. I have often said that I write because I can't draw or paint, so it's a good thing knowing an artist of that sort. For some time now, I have been stitching these cast-iron ...
Fields of Blue
One of the first things I fell in love with during my first Spring in the Willamette Valley was the camas. Lining roadsides, in patches along trails and natural areas, in many folks back yards, and in waving masses of blue out in the fields and wetlands, this plant is a beautiful sight to behold. Camas (Camassia sp.) belongs to the lily family, and posesses a rich history as one of the most ...
A Foraging Lesson
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Feeling like a Spring chicken" and wondered what that must feel like? Well, watching all our little chicks out in the barnyard has answered that question in my mind. It looks like an awful lot of fun being a Spring chicken. You might remember Silkie, the determined little hen from my earlier post, One Proud Mama Chicken. As things turned out, one egg ...
Blog Giveaway Winners!
The names are drawn, the results are in, and we have three winners for my 100th Blog follower giveaway! I heard from readers all the way from Mapleton, Oregon to Victoria, Australia and I loved reading all your responses. I heard about such an array of wonderful homesteading endeavors and dreams of backyard bees, canning, growing food, chickens, goats, alpacas, mulching, fruit ...