Keeping Warm

by Tomato Lady on November 6, 2009

images-1

If it snows anything like it has been raining in my neck of the woods this year, we are in for a lot of power outages.

Ice is all twinkly and everything and goodness knows there’s nothing like a good snowball fight, but there’s very little fun associated with being stuck in an all-electric house during the dark of winter.

There are many ways to heat without electricity–corn, pellets, wood, coal, even recycled cooking oil. It’s not easy to sort through the heating options for the coming chill. I would love for those of you who have been there to share your wisdom and experience.

Please comment with your favorite ways to heat: your experiences, tips and tricks for keeping the winter at bay.

I’m feeling warmer already.

{ 4 comments }

Best Books of 2009!

by Ivory Soap on November 5, 2009

Gold Book 170First Ballet just received an award!  It’s one of those totally awesome stickers that’s on all the toys I buy!

I wonder if they’ll give me one to wear on my forehead…

And by the way, someone should give TL an award.  I haven’t written a post since the book came out.  Up to my EARS in stuff.  She’s doing all of the projects, posting, and comments.  Give her a big smooch, okay?

{ 12 comments }

Blackberry Leaf Decoction

November 4, 2009 Health & Beauty

As I was trimming back a few blackberry shoots I got to thinking–Aren’t blackberry leaves Something–you know, something in their own right other than the prickly part of blackberry production?
As it turns out, they are something. High in tannins and vitamin C, they are good for:

skin
mouth/gum tissue
intestinal health
immunity

Teas and decoctions (concentrated teas) made from blackberry [...]

Read the full article →

Wimpy Snap Repair

November 2, 2009 Crafts & Projects

When a favorite shirt became unwearable recently I was asked to fix the snaps. My first thought was, “You can’t fix snaps.”
But then I figured it was worth some research and, whadyaknow, you can fix snaps. It’s easy.
Take a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the post part of the snap. You’re trying to make [...]

Read the full article →

Marigold Insect Spray

October 30, 2009 Gardening

I can’t bring myself to pull up the giant marigold that’s hogging a good one-third of one of my best raised beds so I’m determined to get the most benefit out of it.  One of the uses for this plant is in a spray which is said to combat tomato hornworms, other leaf-cutting insects, plus [...]

Read the full article →

Neem Oil Soap

October 28, 2009 Crafts & Projects

Neem oil, if you believe all its fans are saying, will do anything and everything, and has done for millenia. For repelling insects, treating eczema, psoriasis, acne and dry skin, it has a league of admirers. Do a simple search and prepare to be amazed by the breadth of its curative wonders. If it does [...]

Read the full article →

And the winners are……

October 26, 2009 Misc

1.  Signed copy of  FIRST BALLET
KAT

2.  Kitchen Goodies
DIANE

3.  Spa Happy
ALLI

Congrats, ladies!  Send us your addresses at littlehousemail@gmail.com.
Each of our winners put in several chances by signing up for email subscriptions, tweeting, facebooking, blogging, posting on a message board, or getting a friend to sign up for the email updates.
And though the randomizer didn’t chose them…honorable [...]

Read the full article →

What is This Thing?

October 23, 2009 Gardening

It’s very fancy.
A little bit of Carnivale in my backyard.
I have no idea what it is.  I think it came in a packet of Fedco mixed salad greens, but, of course, it could have been dropped from the heavens by a tropical bird.
Something like this:

Compared to the cabbages and the lettuces it looks like the [...]

Read the full article →

Homemade Car Air Freshener

October 21, 2009 Crafts & Projects

My car doesn’t smell bad to me, but someone was making a stink-face every time we had to go somewhere.
Enter child-labor. What we did:
Draw (or have someone draw) the motif of choice. Someone wanted a star. Cut out pattern and pin to felt of choice and cut out:

Make two:

Pin together and stitch around the edges [...]

Read the full article →

Pure Olive Oil Soap

October 19, 2009 Crafts & Projects

I heard the stories about 100% olive oil soap, that it was so gentle and mild, yet “slippery” and “low suds.” I made up a batch and have been very pleased with it. Here’s the deal on the “low suds” issue–it’s true to some extent UNLESS you use one of those scrubby plastic bath puffs. [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries