For the sustainability class, one of the books I chose was Jenna Wognirich's Made From Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life. I had been a fan of her blog before I designed this class and knew I wanted to include her work somehow, as she seems to be down-to-earth, accessible, and motivating. A fan of her blog, I had yet to read her books, but I did read MFS over the weekend. I dug into it like a garden, let it carry me away like her dogsledding team would, gobbled it up like the bread she writes of baking. (I know I'm being corny here, but her prose is so homey and light that it just feels right.) I don't know about anyone else, but upon finishing her book, I propped it open at page 72 and proceeded to bake bread from her easy recipe (with a few modifications, including whole wheat flour); it turned out wonderfully and V., L., and I ate half a loaf immediately, still warm and slathered with butter and honey.
I already cook and bake from scratch, but Jenna has inspired me to try baking our own bread weekly (instead of on the random occasions when the mood strikes me). Already a passable crocheter but a very-beginning knitter, after finishing the book I picked up some knitting needles I had previously discarded and set to work again on a scarf I've wanted to make for V. Additionally, in late December I had declared to my husband that one of my intentions for the new year was to have backyard chickens, and now that I'm half-way through Jenna's second book, Chick Days, I'm feeling more eager and better informed than ever.
I appreciate reading the memoirs of someone who works a 9 to 5 job and still has taken it upon herself to live a more self-sufficient and sustainable life. Her books really do serve as a guide for anyone who has a homesteading itch, which apparently I do.
Who knows, maybe my next flash of homesteading inspiration will be to pick up a dulcimer, which Jenna described as "beginner-proof." As someone who's background in playing instruments is two semesters of violin in college, I think beginner-proof sounds just perfect.
That sounds absolutely amazing professor! My uncle used to raise chicks and from what I remember they're relatively inexpensive to keep if a bit of hard work. That's eggs and meat on your table in just about 6 weeks though so that's an excellent idea. I also like this knitting and crocheting thing. I have tried a bit myself but am absolutely hopeless at it. I wish I could make more of my own things that would be used daily. I'll just have to learn I suppose. I feel so behind.
ReplyDeleteSo, Timothy told me to read your blog because you are an excellent writer. I must say, he was correct! Looking forward to the rest of the semester in your class.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the crocheting and knitting! I went through a 'broke-no-joke' phase one Christmas so I crocheted everyone I know scarves! My five year old sister still wears hers!
Thanks, Thimble and Jess, for your comments. I'm really eager to have chickens, though I think we'll raise strictly egg birds. As for the knitting...find someone who can help you; Jess, it sounds like you're a pro!
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