Work isn't to make money; you work to justify life. ~Marc Chagall
It’s still raining! Come Saturday, it will be a week of rain. A weather occurrence that is very rare here in So Cal. Anyone have a row boat?
There sure is plenty to do inside but outside the work is piling up; however, it's hard to do with everything SOOO wet. Animal compound needs cleaning and you can forget laundry (it's not cold enough to start up the wood stove). We still manage to sneak in some outside work in between waves of rain showers.
Another plant project this year was growing hops. Adding to our couple hundred of flora grown in one season here at the homestead. Since it was the first year, we didn’t really have enough to brew hooch but I did harvest enough to make some herbal sleep sachets. I mixed in some fragrant botanicals that are growing here on the urban homestead like roses, lavender, lemon verbena, mint and chamomile. Smells delightful! The herbs in this blend are traditionally associated with rest and dreaming. Combine them with calming oils they make a dream inspiring sachet to slip into your pillow at night.
Now that all the homestead herbs are nice and dry I put them into little unbleached cotton bags tied up with a ribbon. They are now on display on our front porch farm stand and selling for $4.00. I only have just a few sachets and think they’ll make nice little gifts, especially for the holidays that are just around the corner.
Speaking of gifts, going to put our crafty heads together and hopefully offer more homegrown and handmade goodies from the urban homestead.
How are you growing your own home economy and working for your daily bread?
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23 Comments: "SWEET DREAMS" »
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I would love to buy one of those hop sachets. I can't find hop pillows for sale anywhere in the U.S.
@Dan Langhoff: Sure, I can send you one! Think shipping will be about $4 too. Would you like to do Pay Pal transaction.
@Anais, That works for me! What is your paypal address? So the total comes to $4 for the hop pillow and $4 for shipping for a total of $8?
@Dan Langhoff: Ok, but I checked and it is actually $5 for shipping priority mail here in the US. I'll email you our email addy.
ME TOO ME TOO!!! I would love a couple of these as well!!! I love homemade goodies!! I know you can't share all of your secerts but I would love to know how to make these one day:) You have inspired me to continue to grow more and more and next year I think we might try hops too.
@Jeni: Wow, thanks! Sure, I can send you one, two? Think shipping will be about $5 (I just checked) for Priority Mail. Would you like to do a Pay Pal transaction Here's a link to make your own http://www.suite101.com/conten.....ts-a141527
@Anais, I would love to buy 2 if you have enough. Thanks so much for the link too!! Can't wait to try these! Let me know how to go about paying you:)
Yep, I can send you two! Thanks. Look for an email in your inbox.
Anais, to answer your question. I am a Involuntary Hermit, as I am recovering from cancer. So we live on one income. My job now is while at home grow as much food as I can, this is the first year I did my garden organically. Made lots of mistakes but am learning from them. Whether here in Oregon did not help also. I also have three hens that provide us with the most beautiful eggs that are much healthier. I plan on making almost all Christmas gifts this year, mainly knitting, baking, and giving away some of my canned preserves. Being forced to live simpler has become a blessing, and I alway look forward to reading you blog and scanning your website. I learn so much. Have a blessed day.
Konnie
@Konnie: I love hearing how you are living a more simpler life. I just went to a party yesterday where we gave the Bday girl a hat knitted hat and scarf. So much more meaningful than just going out and buying a gift. Thanks for sharing! Blessing to you too
Greetings, fabulous homemade gifts we make include making our own Culinary herb blends with homegrown, or co-op purchased bulk herbs. We do a homemade seasoning salt, Italian blend with just a bit of red pepper flake thrown in, and my favorite, parsley, sage , rosemary and thyme. I package them in small ziplock jewelry bags purchased at a craft store, print up fun tags, and viola, gifts everyone can use. Great stocking stuffers, birthday gifts, or just little somethings to give away. At Christmas the tags read "Seasoned Greetings".
@SarahS: Sounds delightful, thanks for sharing. Don't forget if you are wanting herbs and such to support this site with our affiliate program with Mountain Rose Herbs They have a wonderful selection of organic herbs and supplies
Just a general question. If I purchase my seeds now will they store alright for next years planting season or should I wait. We live in New Jersey. If they are OK to order now, how should I store them?
As always thank-you
@Lee Johnson: Sent an email to you this morning. Hope it helps.
You could make cards with either your pictures or by gluing dried flowers/leaves to the fronts. You could make handmade recycled notepaper that has bits of dried herbs in it. Combine both and make cards with a picture of a flower on the front and where the card itself is made from homemade paper embedded with seeds, so the receiver can plant the card itself and grow the flower/herb. Even 3x3 inch gift tags with dried flowers on them would be beautiful in a pack of 8.
Your pictures are so beautiful, maybe you could enlarge some, frame them or not, and sell them as individuals or sets.
This is all, of course, in your spare time, right? LOL! This is why I like making cards, though, because once you have the materials out each one is a quick project. I also make them because I was tired of paying 4 and 5 bucks for a single card at the store. I make mine in sets as gifts. I bet you could sell ones made out of handmade paper that are plantable for 4 or 5 bucks a card with an envelope no problem. Great teacher's gift for parents, also a card with a pretty bookmark would be nice for teacher's gifts.
@Christine: Those are some great ideas. I love homemade cards!
I would love to buy one too, would you send to Wales.
@ROSE VERNON: Sure, just let me check to see what the shipping charges are. What city are you in
@ROSE VERNON: Shipping to Wales FIRST CLASS - $4.00
@Anais, Sorry i should have said Wales is part of Great Britain. Do you have two i could buy i would pay with pay pal. Kind Regards Rose.
@ROSE VERNON: Sure, I have two. I just sent you an email (hope you got it) so you can change it to $12 total ($8 for two sachets and $4 for first class shipping) Thanks
@ROSE VERNON, I
I have just received the sachets and they are lovely the smell is heavenly. I am so pleased with them thank you.
@ROSE VERNON: Wonderful! Thank you. Enjoy and sweet dreams