Depression Era Challenge - Week 2 & 3 & 4

 Well, I am running a bit behind in documenting things, so let's jump back in and get caught up!!!

The theme of week 2 was Basic Skills/DIY. I have been learning how to sew. I kind of know the basics, but have never made anything from a pattern since high school. Proud to say, I have finished my first dress! My mother is an amazing seamstress, and was very patient in guiding me. I used the Dottie Angel Simplicity pattern, about 10 years too late to that trend but oh well! 

I am going to make 2 more under her guidance, I already have the next fabric ready to go. I LOVE this dress. It was relatively easy to sew and I love the look.

Week 3 was finances. We were challenged to create a create a piggy bank to tuck money into. I am using a nice tin from steel cut oats. I need to get back on my budget train. I've been trying to record what I spend each day and see at the end of the month what everything breaks down to. I lost my debit card recently so oh boy is that keeping me from spending anything. Or paying bills. Yikes. New one is coming eventually I guess. 

Week 4 was Garden! I have a fairly big garden for veggies and a smaller one for herbs. We are expanding both by a foot on all sides this year. I also have a small orchard that I have started and several berry bushes and fruit trees tucked around. I started my seedlings this month and they are rowing nicely. A lot of peppers, two kinds of tomatoes, job's tears, hibiscus, and some korean mint. Most things I'll start outside when the ground warms a bit. One of my friends is doing a neat project that I am helping with, tracking soil temperatures, when things get started, how they do, and so on. We'll track it year over year to get a feel for changes.

That was a lot of catch up. Onto week 5!

Depression Era Challenge Update

I have spent this week visiting people in real life, including my aunt who I haven't seen since last summer. I spent the night with my daughter, and she and I drove and had a nice long visit with my aunt. Then I drove my daughter home, and spent the afternoon with my mother.

My mom is teaching me how to sew. I have never had much patience for it, but I found the cutest pattern and want a million of these dresses. It's the dottie angel pattern by Simplicity. It's a little overwhelming, but has gone pretty quickly with her guidance. I'll post photos when it's done. Then I'll start my next one. I guess that's my new skill. I also got a neat tutorial for an upcycled frock made out of men's shirts which looks a LOT easier to make.

I can sew simple things on my own, bags, and stuff. But I don't know when I last sewed my own clothes. I am using linen and cotton and it will cost a fortune. But should last a good long time. And it is a very cute little frock. As usual I am about ten years behind the trend, but I don't care.

So, that's an update for now. I like this little challenge. it is pretty chill, but it gets me thinking.

Depression Era Challenge Update, Week 2

Week 2 begins with a challenge on reducing technology usage.  This is tricky for me and my job, but perhaps I will take an afternoon this weekend and unplug.

There was a video as a part of the challenge that began with thinking about the last time you were lost while driving. What if there was no cell service? As a good Mainer, I always have the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer in my car, as so much of Northern Maine has such terrible service. I use it often when planning trips. I *think* but am not sure that getting a copy is a requirement here in Maine when you first get your license. Just kidding. But I learned to read it and use it when I started to drive, and now 35 years later, still make sure I always have a copy of it.

From the challenge;

In today's world, we cannot completely disconnect from technology. But we can still do a few things without it. Here are a few suggestions: Use cell phones only for conversations - no texting! Send Snail Mail - no emails! Cook from Scratch (no microwave!) Mix by hand Use Paper & Pencil instead of a calculator Visit with a friend or neighbor IN PERSON

I will probably, instead, do more things from scratch. I do need to feed my sourdough! I'm trying to think of a new tech-free skill to tackle.

I'll go feed my sourdough starer while I ponder this. Will check back later this week.

Depression Era Challenge Update

 I picked out a bag of butterscotch candies. I'm turning into a grandma. Will have to put some in my purse.

The next part of the challenge isn't for a few days, so I am reflecting on the gratitude that I have to just be able to run to the shop and get candy whenever I want. I live in a small rural town, and am just learning it's history. I beleive the corner shop, which is now a diner/general store/pizza place has been a shop for a long time. This town used to be quite busy, I think. But I am able to just pop across the street whenever I want or need something.

The workbook for this challenge is a nice tool. I've got it printed and ready to go. The first part of the challenge is on Basic Skills and DIY. The emails come out on Friday so I have more time to prep. Definitely have a ton of projects I could DIY right now. 

When I moved here in 2019, I was so excited about building community and reestablishing old friendships. The pandemic kind of shut that down, but I have been working on this in 2023.  Stone Broke Bread & Books  opening up in Gardiner is going to help. Those good people know where its at. And going to my art class is nice, a quiet way of meeting new people. I wish there were more things in my immediate area, I need to get over to the library and see if there's any new programming. I'd like to meet more people in town. Working on community is a big thing for me, so I am hopeful for this year.

Back to the Depression Era Challenge... sorry for getting sidetracked. In the little write up they talk about savoring each piece of candy. I just found a book called Frugal Hedonism and there was a similar section in there! And then, while sharing some of the cara cara oranges I just got with David, he was talking about savoring each segment and thinking about how even 100 years ago it was hard to get oranges in Maine, and he imagined what it would be like for a child back then to eat their first. Good reminder to slow down and appreciate what we have.

I got 20 pounds of them from the buying club, so have had a busy few days eating them, processing them, and sharing them. I made a jar of them in brandy and brown sugar simple syrup, have dehydrated 2 trays of slices and one tray of zest. Think I will make a jar of them in just plain syrup as well. The rest we will probably eat. I may get more soon, but they are so expensive this year! 

Peels go in vinegar to clean with. Little waste. I'm trying to not throw away food scraps. What can't be eaten go in a bag for stock, fed to bunny and guinea pig, fed to chickens, fed to worms, or composted. Last year I started dehydrating scraps and then whizzing it up in a blender and using it in stew and soups.

Well, that's it for today's ramblings.

Depression Era Challenge

 I have joined the Depression Era Challenge over at The Farm Wife blog. Today was the first challenge, which is to buy a bag of penny candy to have on hand. Before each challenge we're to unwrap a piece and savor it, and reflect on how candy is a luxury that often was only available at Christmas, if there was food on the table. 

I lead a privileged life. I have food in my cupboards and fridge. I have a roof over my head. I have a good paying job that enables me to take care of myself. I wasn't always food secure, there were times when my daughter was young that I had no idea where the next meal was coming from. Or my big meal of the day would be "frybread," essentially just water, flour, and a little salt. Living like that for so long has made it a bit hard for me now. I tend to get a bit panicky about having enough food. 

But I think this challenge will help me appreciate what I have. I need to be more thrifty for sure, and this will help. There is a good, free workbook for the challenge and the nice group page to post our reflections. 

I haven't bought my bag of candy yet, but I'll pick one up after work. I'm not much of a candy eater, so I know it will last.

Another Christmas card!

 This one is for a submission to the Try It on Tuesday Traditional Christmas challenge. You can find their site by clicking the image below:

Here's my card. Close to My Heart paper and sentiment, and a little printed die cut I got last year in my stocking. Love the Scandi style.

Just a cute little Christmas card I made.

It's a one sheet wonder card, so part of a series. Made mostly with Close to My Heart papers and stamps and inks. I made 7 cards with the one sheet of 12x12 paper! I made it for The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge.

Hello and Welcome!

 Hi! I'm Amy. This is just a little personal blog to share creations, ramblings, challenge entries, and whatever strikes my fancy. I live in Maine, with my partner and four cats, four chickens, a guinea pig and a bunny. In my free time I love to garden, ferment, study herbalism, cook, forage, scrapbook, play with paper, do mixed media art journaling, and make soap. And so much more. Rampant ADHD and empty nesting! I don't expect many people will find this blog, but if you do, hello!