Learning New Skills

DearMother mentioned today that some folks on a homesteading-type forum she reads are doing a skill-a-month challenge. Participants learn one new skill each month (that they have been wanting to learn).

That sounds like something I need to do (I'm afraid I would fail though ~ I'll think about it next month). This idea got me thinking about what skills (or other things) I would like to learn. Now, bear in mind that even though this is in writing it's not a commitment of any kind. It's just ideas!

I would like to learn:

How to start seeds ~ veggies and seeds. I've done it, but not by myself. If I had to do it by myself I would be a wee bit lost.

How to knit. I tried to learn when I was little, but frankly I prefer crocheting so it didn't really take off. Knitting and crocheting aren't completely interchangeable so I'd like to know both.

Soap making. Why not? :-) Actually, since I use liquid soap, I need to learn how to make that.

How to make rye bread ~ light with caraway (I've made a dark rye).

Embroidery.

If I wasn't hungry I'd probably be able to think of a dozen more!

Garden Journal: March 17, 2009

Well, it's officially gardening season. I'm not sure it would be accurate to say that gardening season really stops for more than a couple of months, considering that we can still be preserving food in November and we starting planning our seed orders in January, but it has really begun now. We've cleaned off most of our garden plots and some of them have been plowed already. The green house is cleaned out and we're getting ready to start seeds. And yes, we've made our seed orders ~ but that's different ;)

We will be growing parsnips and salsify again this year, which we have not for a while. We're also trying eggplant and fennel for sure. Washing pots to plant seeds in is on the agenda this week (I really should try to wash some yet today ~ but houseplants keep showing up in the sink to interfere with that. I suppose it's all in innocence but it seems like a conspiracy to me!).

A Thought for This Week

"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."

~ Romans 4:7

Women and Homemaking

Surely, it is a pernicious and mistaken idea, that the duties which
tax a woman's mind are petty, trivial, or unworthy of the highest grade
of intellect and moral worth. Instead of allowing this feeling, every
woman should imbibe, from early youth, the impression that she is in
training for the discharge of the most important, the most difficult,
and the most sacred and interesting duties that can possibly employ
the highest intellect. She ought to feel that her station and
responsibilities in the great drama of life are second to none, either
as viewed by her Maker, or in the estimation of all minds whose judgment
is most worthy of respect.
From American Woman's Home by Catherine E. Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe