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An Ending and A Beginning

person holding green succulent plant

Yesterday marked a significant transition at Solace Farm as the last Finnsheep departed. The decision to cease shepherding this wonderful breed was not made lightly, but it heralds the start of a new chapter in my life.

Change is never easy, especially when it feels like letting go of a part of oneself. Since bringing home my first Finnsheep in 1995, I have cherished every moment spent learning from and growing with these delightful animals. However, this does not mean an end to Finnsheep fleeces, roving, and handspun yarns. I have been fortunate to help establish many Finn Flocks in my region, ensuring a continued supply of these cherished materials.

shawl Pattern
weaving Ben Nevin
Weaving the Ben Nevin Shawl
teal shawl1
Ben Nevin Shawl

With this change, I will have more time to dedicate to my passions for spinning and weaving, as well as creating new patterns. I hope you will continue to join me on this woolly adventure, sharing in the joy and creativity that these fibers bring.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to new beginnings and the exciting possibilities they bring!

NW Forest
Pretty Woman
Art Batt
Enjoy this Luxury Batt
Sample Skein
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How To Make Real Authentic Mayonnaise

Enjoy your homemade mayonnaise, and may it bring a touch of France’s culinary excellence to your table! 🥄🍽️

bread on a plate
Photo by Lucas Guizo on Pexels.com

There is only one authentic recipe for mayonnaise and that is the original one. Mayonnaise was invented in the resort town of Fort Mahon on the Somme River in northern France.  This was a small town of about 700 people, most of them considered to be excellent cooks.  When first invented it was called Mahonnaise.  Mayonnaise was invented and widely used in France long before 1757.   This sauce got its present name of mayonnaise purely by accident through a printing error in an early cookbook.

The recipe provided is indeed a testament to traditional cooking methods, emphasizing the importance of technique and quality ingredients. Making mayonnaise from scratch is a culinary skill that many aspire to master, and it’s clear that this authentic method is held in high regard.

For those interested in trying their hand at this classic recipe, these detailed instructions offer a great guide to creating a mayonnaise that’s not only authentic but also a reflection of culinary heritage. It’s a reminder of how recipes are more than just a list of ingredients; they’re a piece of history passed down through generations.

This recipe is indeed a classic approach to making this beloved condiment. The process of “turning” the mixture rather than beating it is crucial to achieving the right texture and emulsion. The addition of mustard not only adds flavor but also helps to stabilize the emulsion, which is the key to perfect mayonnaise.

Here’s a summary of the steps for making authentic mayonnaise:

  1. Chill a large plate with a flat center in the refrigerator.
  2. Separate the yolks from two refrigerated eggs onto the chilled plate.
  3. Add a heaping teaspoon of mustard to the yolks and mix with the flat of the tines on a fork  against the plate, using large circular motions “turning”.
  4. Blend in ¼ teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of white pepper.
  5. Gradually drip in 1 ½ cups of salad oil (preferably olive oil), continuing to turn the mixture.
  6. While turning, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and ¼ cup of softened butter.

Remember to have all ingredients ready and continue turning from start to finish. Your effort will be rewarded with a truly authentic mayonnaise that’s unmatched by store-bought varieties.

Enjoy your cooking, and may your homemade mayonnaise be a delightful addition to your dishes! 🍽️

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Harmony of Farm Life

In the bustling world of a family-run farm, the age-old adage “Many hands make light work” is not just a saying—it’s a way of life. This isn’t just about chores and checklists; it’s a symphony of shared responsibilities that creates a unique rhythm, harmonizing work with education, and duty with delight.

The farm is a living classroom, where every task is a lesson waiting to be learned. Here, children and adults alike find that weeding the garden or washing the dishes aren’t mundane tasks, but moments filled with song and conversation—a chance to grow more than just crops, but relationships as well. It’s where homeschooling transcends books, allowing grandchildren to inherit wisdom along with the land they till.

From arithmetic to zoology, the farm teaches it all. It’s a place where reading is learned from seed packets as well as storybooks, where science is understood through the life cycle of a plant, and where math is practiced in the measuring of feed. Every day is a problem-solving adventure, demanding creativity and resourcefulness, as the family strives to make the most of their resources.

The day begins and ends at the family table, a sacred space where planning and reflection bookend the day’s labors. It’s here that each voice is heard, sharing triumphs and trials, laughter and lessons. This ritual of reflection is more than just talk—it’s a cornerstone of resilience, a daily reinforcement of the family’s collective spirit.

And then, there’s Sunday, a day of rest and reverence for the work done and the work yet to come. It’s a gentle pause in the cadence of farm life, a necessary respite that renews the spirit and readies the hands for the week ahead.

This is the story of a family where life is a tapestry woven from threads of hard work, learning, and laughter. It’s a testament to the fact that on a farm, hands do more than work—they teach, they bond, and they love. It’s a reminder that in the right hands, work isn’t just light—it’s luminous.

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The Quiet Rebellion: Embracing Gardening as a Form of Advocacy

person holding green succulent plant

In a world where the pace of life seems to accelerate by the day, there is a quiet rebellion taking root in gardens across America. It’s a movement that doesn’t march in the streets but grows in the soil of community plots and backyard gardens. It’s a stand for sustainability, self-reliance, and a return to the basics of living.

Gardening is often seen as a peaceful pastime, a way to connect with nature and unwind from the stresses of daily life. However, for many, it is much more than that—it’s an act of rebellion and advocacy. By choosing to garden, individuals take a stand against the industrial food complex and the pharmaceutical industry. They advocate for a life that values slow living, real food, and hands-on learning.

The benefits of gardening extend beyond the individual. When done correctly, it can improve soil health, water, and air quality, providing a haven for wildlife and a legacy for future generations. It’s a form of activism that doesn’t shout but whispers, encouraging a shift away from processed foods and towards nourishment that comes directly from the earth.

For those who garden, it’s a partnership with nature that goes beyond mere cultivation. It’s a spiritual and creative act, a co-creation with the forces of life that sustains us. Gardeners often describe the deep satisfaction that comes from working the land, the sense of accomplishment from watching their plants grow, and the joy of harvesting the fruits of their labor.

This movement is not confined to rural areas; it’s present in urban community gardens, on city balconies, and in suburban backyards. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s desire for autonomy and the innate need to connect with the earth. Gardening as rebellion is a testament to the power of quiet actions and the impact they can have on our world.

By embracing gardening, we join a community of like-minded individuals who are not only advocating for a healthier lifestyle but are also taking steps towards it. It’s a journey back to the fundamentals of human existence, one seed at a time. In the act of gardening, we find not only sustenance for our bodies but also for our souls. It’s a rebellion, yes, but a soft-spoken one that promises a greener, more sustainable future for all.

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Putting Work in Order

I have often struggled with knowing where to start when there is always so much that needs doing. I have learned over the years to make lists, so I won’t forget anything, but I still waver on what to tackle first.

As a wife, mother, farmer (and now grandmother) it is challenging to balance everything that demands to be accomplished. I have often gone to the verse in Proverbs 24:27 to help me to prioritize my list.  “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that build your house.”  Accepting that Nature waits on no one makes it easier to avoid the mundane chores of housework and laundry if only until the outside tasks are done.  Animals and weather have cycles and deadlines that cannot be ignored.  But having said that if you don’t want a naked and hungry family, laundry and dishes must also be done.

I have found that having routines in place for tasks helps a great deal.  Routines make daily tasks into habits and provide a comfortable structure to life.  We have daily routines, weekly routines and seasonal routines.  Simple things like making sure everyone, including the animals, starts their day with full stomachs is important to having a successful plan. Not all routines are set in stone, some change as the seasons change and some are completely blown out of the water by the unexpected.  But, having a framework to plan in takes a lot of wavering out of prioritizing your to-do list and keeps you from overlooking something until it becomes overwhelming.  It also gives one a sense of accomplishment even when nothing goes according to plan.

Daily: Breakfast together and go over the plans for the day.  Dinner together to go over the day’s accomplishments and challenges.

Weekly: Monday through Saturday, clean one living area each day.  Clean one area daily in the Barns, Shops etc.  Plan one thing to recharge yourself.

Seasonally:  Winter is time for paperwork, planning and rest.

Spring is prepping fields and planting crops and gardens, followed by fence maintenance.

Summer is all about harvesting all the plant life and putting up enough feed and food to last till the next harvest.

Autumn is the continuation of harvest and prepping the gound for the next year.

By breaking these jobs down to daily tasks, no one task becomes so overwhelming that you just want to avoid it.  Keeping up with the cleaning and organizing the time intensive jobs of planting, birthing and harvesting are not such a hardship.

haying
Photo by Fred on Pexels.com
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