Girl's Work

I wrote this short post last fall for our farm blog ( http://www.faithmtnfarm.com/blog/ )and I thought it worth re-posting on this, my somewhat neglected personal blog.



I have observed that girls, by their nature and talents, usually carry their duties out in the home and surrounding environs, involving themselves in pursuits that are rightly theirs to do. We enjoy this “women’s work” and find great solace in carrying out the duties given us, the duties such as preparing meals, beautifying the home, teaching children, pursing various handicraft skills, shopping for the home, ordering the days, and creating various things.

Most females are not interested in taking part in “Men’s work,” things such as mowing the lawn, building things, operating power equipment, shooting guns, splitting wood,etc.  However, I happen to believe that it is not only beneficial for ladies to learn skills that are normally performed by men, it is very enjoyable. For one thing, I found it makes you appreciate and empathize with the work your brother or father or husband toils through each week.  Another, it is a wonderful change of pace from our usual sphere of work.

This past week I made good on a promise to do a bit of woodsplitting with my brother. Remembering how much I enjoyed splitting wood as a child was one of the motivations for this promise. It proved just as enjoyable as it had been when I was young. We split the logs until our splitter ran out of fuel, then he informed me that now I could pick up what logs I could and place them near the splitter for the next workday. Sullivan then left to do someother thing, and I began scouring for logs I could move. I came upon four gigantic ones, each weighing at least 85 pounds apiece. Thinking I couldn’t possibly move those, I walked on until I spotted the sledgehammer and wedge sitting a few yards away. Immediately I was intrigued. Mimicking what I had seen my brothers do, I placed the wedge in a groove in the wood and started by hammering it gently with the sledgehammer to keep it from falling over and then I started hammering in earnest.  After several hits from the sledgehammer, the wedge really began sinking into the wood. Soon, across the stillness of the field, I heard a crackling sound that was soft at first, but grew into a loud symphony of crackling. Seeing the end was near and breathless with delight at my success, I kept hammering furiously.Then, with a loud THWACK the log split in half and splattered in the mud nearby. I was hooked.  I did the same to the 3 other logs, the last one taking the longest to split since it was a hardwood log. At one point I was so engrossed in my project I hardly even noticed several cars with their drivers ogling me as they rode by. What I sight I must have been! Muddy all over, red faced, wild hair, and wielding a sledgehammer with the determinedness of a madwoman. I did not care in the least, for I was having too much fun! After the logs were all split into a size I could carry, I took them to the splitter one by one. It started to rain as I was carrying the last log, and thus ended my day on the job.

 

It goes both ways. Put a man on laundry duty for a day and expect them to stand in awe for the next week of every shirt that miraculously appears, perfectly folded and pressed, in their drawer. Put a girl on wood splitting duty for the day and she will appreciate each piece of wood put into the fire for warmth. Not only that, but you may have to fight for the possession of that wedge and sledgehammer.

New Website

Well, it's done!
What, you might ask?
Our brand new website!
New, improved and spiffy! Place your orders for Honey and Granola now, and we can ship to anywhere!
Well....
Unless you live in Timbuktu. Even then, we may be able to arrange something. A Camel, perhaps?

Check it out:
www.faithmtnfarm.com

Cheers!
Margaret

Painting with Little Ones

Today when I was helping my younger brothers and sisters paint rocks, (one of their favorite pastimes)  I realized that an old styrofoam egg carton makes a fantastic paint tray! Quick, convenient, and, best of all, disposable. I definitely dislike rinsing out those plastic cartons of the (usually dried!) paint and ruining my nice clean sink. :)

Singles and Valentine's Day-An Exhortation

 I wrote this on the occasion of Valentine's Day 2012.

Ah, Valentine’s Day, we meet again. Hearts in various shades of pink and red brighten the hallmark aisle and cheap boxed chocolates line the aisles of the stores. The jewelry stores are quite busy. Cupid has decided to upgrade to an AK-47 this year and gleefully fires his shots with deadly accuracy and astonishing rapidity.

One might suppose that, being single, my day would somehow be lacking in those elements we consider essential to a “good” Valentine ’s Day, things like receiving flowers, jewelry, or a note from that special someone.

I have found that those pleasantries and niceties, good as they are, are neither essential nor necessary to have a good Valentine ’s Day. You see, I am a Christian. I happen to believe that there is a person who loves me above and beyond much more than anyone on this earth will ever come close to. Not love in the sense we sometimes use it; casually, almost degrading the word by how often and nonchalantly we use it (i.e. I love that new dress! It is sooo cute! I loved that chocolate! )  Yes, how did you guess those were direct quotations from my own life?

You see, God loves us. He loves us, not as we claim to love that new dress that will soon lose its appeal, or the chocolate that will soon be gone, but LOVES us, truly, completely, even when we don’t return it or push it out of the way with disgust  like a love note from someone we don’t esteem.  It even says in Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” It says He will quiet me with His love. In another translation it reads that He will “quiet ALL our fears” with his love. Better and better!  That doesn’t leave any room for our voices or minds clamoring for something more! God, help us to fully realize this great love!

Those of us who think that we must, at all costs, have a husband or wife to make us “complete” are deceived. Scripture does make it quite clear that we are already complete in Him! 2 Peter 1:3 declares that “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…”  That sounds pretty clear to me! How about Colossians 2:10? “And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”
Speaking to my brothers and sisters in Christ who are single, how can we, who profess to believe God created this world and everything in it and that He sent His son to suffer and die for our wrongs, fail to trust and believe God in this matter of finding someone to spend the rest of our lives with? Do we think he would have any trouble whatsoever orchestrating a love story that not only provides us with a husband or wife, but glorifies and exalts his name through it all? Of course he wouldn’t. His timing is perfect. He wants what is best for us!

Is this collection of rambles somehow a rant against those married or in a relationship? Absolutely not! All of us believers, regardless of our age or marital status, should seek to develop a deeper relationship with God and to believe fully in His great love for us.

So, speaking to singles again, this Valentine’s Day, or ANY day when you are tempted to throw a pity party for one and feel “less-than” or that you are “missing out” because you are not currently in a relationship, as a Christian, don’t forget that you ARE in a relationship, whether you realize it or not, of the most meaningful kind. Make it count. Build it strong.

One last thing: let God be the author of your love story. Don’t vie for being the co-author or editor. Give it all over to Him. Let him write it all. If you flip through the bible, you’ll quickly see- He’s the best author and storyteller of all time.

Chronicles of a Kitchen Alchemist, Part 1

Recently, I caved and purchased this book. I use the term 'caved' because I had been afraid that if I bought this particular cookbook I would go a little nuts and become totally consumed with all the incredible possibilities for healthy recipes.

Since getting the book, I have made butter, whey, cream cheese, soaked blueberry muffins, and Kimchi. I have been amazed at the ease and simplicity with which these formerly formidable soaked and fermented foods came together.

This afternoon, I made Korean Sauerkraut, or 'Kimchi' as it is called there. I have never made anything like this, and this being my first foray into the world of fermented vegetables, I thought it necessary to chronicle my experience here.

For a little background, here is an excerpt from Nourishing Traditions (by Sally Fallon) about fermented fruits and vegetables-

"The ancient Greeks understood that important chemical changes took place during this type of fermentation. Their name for this change was "alchemy." Like the fermentation of dairy products, preservation of vegetables and fruits by the process of lacto-fermentation has numerous advantages beyond those of simple preservation. The proliferation of lactobacilli in fermented vegetables enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels. These beneficial organisms produce numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anticarcinogenic substances. Their main by-product, lactic acid, not only keeps vegetables and fruits in a state of perfect preservation but also promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine. Other alchemical by-products include hydrogen peroxide and small amounts of benzoic acid."

Does this give me license to call myself an alchemist? I think I shall.

"Lacto-fermented condiments are easy to make. Fruits and vegetables are first washed and cut up, mixed with salt and herbs or spices and then pounded briefly to release juices. They are then pressed into an air tight container. Salt inhibits putrefying bacteria for several days until enough lactic acid is produced to preserve the vegetables for many months. The amount of salt can be reduced or even eliminated if whey is added to the pickling solution. Rich in lactic acid and lactic-acid-producing bacteria, whey acts as an inoculant, reducing the time needed for sufficient lactic acid to be produced to ensure preservation. Use of whey will result in consistently successful pickling; it is essential for pickling fruits. During the first few days of fermentation, the vegetables are kept at room temperature; afterwards, they must be placed in a cool, dark place for long-term preservation."
(all italicized text from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon)

The ready-to-ferment product!

Korean Sauerkraut, or 'Kimchi'

(from Nourishing Traditions)

makes 2 quarts

1 head Napa cabbage, cored and shredded
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 cup carrots, grated
1/2 cup daikon radish, grated
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1 tablespoon sea salt
4 tablespoons whey* (or use additional 1 T salt instead)

Place vegetables, ginger, red chili flakes, salt and whey in a bowl and pound it with a wooden pounder or a meat hammer to release juices. Place them in two quart sized glass jars and press down firmly until all the juices come up to the top and cover the vegetables. The top of the vegetables should be at least an inch from the top of the jar. Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for about 3 days at which time you can put it in the fridge or cold storage.

Or, you can store the kimchi in your dungeon if you have one handy.

What, you don't have a dungeon?! Oh, how much you miss.....

While I was making this recipe, I saw that it called for using a meat hammer or wooden pounder to help the mixture get juicy. I had neither on hand, and so I went ahead and used the remnant of the daikon radish (which was at least 20'' long and 3'' in diameter) to pound it with. Yes, I just said to mash your vegetables with a vegetable. But, it works!

Well, there are some who do not appreciate my efforts.....

but hey, that leaves more for the rest of us!

Stay tuned for part 2, in which I shall attempt a %100 Whole Wheat yeast-less sourdough bread.

With Loving Memories...

My dear Grandma (who was affectionately known as "GiGi") passed away early Friday morning, May 1st. She had battled the crippling effects of Alzheimer's for fifteen years. In her honor I am posting the slide show that was played at her beautiful memorial service this past Sunday.



We love you, GiGi.

A Recipe

Strawberry Cake With Whipped Cream Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups turbinado sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup mashed strawberries
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and the turbinado sugar. Add the eggs, and beat for 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla and salt.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and the baking soda until the baking soda has dissolved. Add the sour cream mixture and the flour to the egg mixture. Beat well, then stir in the mashed strawberries.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly touched.

Icing:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1. In a small bowl beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then fold in whipped cream.

Frost the completely cool cake any way you wish. You can also easily use this recipe to make about 24 cupcakes. Enjoy!


If you are like me and just don't do white sugar most of the time, it is definitely worth the splurge.

I think that it is so ironic that I haven't posted a single recipe on here, seeing as we bake and cook all the time. And later, so that my little blog will be healthy and will not perish from a sugar and cream overdose and a lack of wholesome food, I think I will be posting another recipe soon- either my favorite hummus recipe or whole wheat graham crackers. We'll see. :-)

Have a blessed day!
~Margaret