Sunrise!

Morning glory is the best name,
it always refreshes me to see it.
-   Henry David Thoreau

It's been a busy and productive week for me and  the rest of the family; but there is always time to "be still" and witness the wonders of creation.

Red sky in morning?

Jesus referred to the familiar weather rhyme when he said, "When in evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: For the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and lowering." (Matthew 16: 2-3) Unfortunately, this glorious "Red sky in morning" didn't have we gardeners taking "warning" that day.   Sad to say, no foul weather  that day which would have been a welcome relief in our dry state.

Keep praying for rain and have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Anna apple blossom

The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears~Bill Vaughn

 Funny, isn’t it, how, with all of the radar, satellites and other sophisticated weather tracking devices that we have, we still rely on a rodent, also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig or land-beaver, to give us the lowdown? Isn’t that just a little bit like relying on a refrigerator repairman to tell us which fashion jeans to buy? Groundhog Day

Spring?

Spring looks like it's begun to sprung!  Thanks to our mild winter, the fruit trees are blooming a might early, if you ask me.   Let's hope we don't have a cold snap; otherwise, it will be a poor fruit year and a poor fruit year means not much to "Put Up" come summer.  Heck, maybe I  can take a vacation this year.  Kidding!

The mild winter has been somewhat of a blessings for us humans. We didn't even make a dent in the wood pile.  With no rain, new garden projects are being tackled that would have otherwise been pushed to spring.

The ol' groundhog has predicted 6 more weeks of winter.  Mr. Punxsutawney,  maybe you don't know this, but winter has never even really arrived!  Are you really saying that you are not giving up hope...yet? Or, do you know something we humans don't?  At this rate, spring is just around the corner!

Rain, Rain Please Stay

We are in trouble!    Deep trouble.   You know it's going to be a "bad year" when we are in high fire alert in January!    Last week's rain was a blessing indeed but now is a mere memory as temperatures have jumped back up into the 80's and there's a dry wind blowing.   It's too darn dry!   Unfortunately, they are saying with the high pressure  parked on top of us, it is highly unlikely we will make it up to normal annual rainfall.  That's grim news.

I know many of ya'll in other states (like Texas)  are in a drought too and we join you in your prayers for rain relief.

Word has it that it's been a mild winter across the country.  How are things looking where you are?

Everybody who visits the garden goes bonkers over the bottle borders we have.  I like the look on their faces whey they exclaim, "Are those bottles?" and I reply, "They sure are!"  You can tell right then an there those bottles gets their imaginative juices flowing!

We started using bottles as garden borders over twenty years ago.   As we built up our garden (as we  kept composting and building up our soil), we needed something cheap that wouldn't decompose after a few years.   When we'd deliver our produce to restaurants, I would spot, then pick up, the pretty green and blue bottles that were dumped out back.  Perfect!

A simple, cheap and colorful edging.  Definitely a creative and  attractive recycling/reuse.

Now bottle borders are popping everywhere!  Seems that I blogged about our Bottle Border in 2003, as a reader recently reminded me saying:

"Thanks to one of your posts about putting in a blue wine bottle border, I started a wine bottle border in my front yard. I can't drink wine because it gives me a headache, but that's okay, because everyone around here saves their empties for me, and I must have hundreds by now. So far, my border snakes abound on the inside of my picket fence. It's all curves, as putting them in a straight line just didn't work out. The more colors the prettier it is. It's a work in process, as I only put in around 10 each weekend. I have alot of weeds and roots to dig out, so getting them inserted can be time consuming. Alot of people that see my border, think it's a great idea. It is certainly a pretty way to recycle." - Nancy

Love it when readers remind me of some good posts and ideas.   After 10 years of blogging, I  tend to forget and it's good to revisit some of the Tips & Tricks that we've passed on over the years.

 :: Resources ::

Use Glass Bottles as Garden Edging

Sometime in 2007, I starting using  no shampoo after reading an article online about ladies who had quit using  their 'poo and were  having wonderful results.  Since then, I have had many people comment about my hair and asking,  " What do you use on your hair?"   The astonished  look on their faces when I tell them, "I don't use shampoo" is priceless.

For the longest time, it was a mystery to me and my family about how people in the old days did  such and such, especially washing their hair without modern shampoos. We had watched the PBS series the 1900 House which put a modern day British family into a 19th century setting. The family had to live according to the Victorian amenities of the day.  The teenage daughter especially had great difficulty adjusting to the no  shampoo rule.  If I remember correctly,  I believe there was a scene where she had someone smuggle her some modern day shampoo so she could cope!

This question always bothered me: How did the people in the olden days ever survive without shampoo?  My prior internet searches found soapwort  which had been used as shampoo in times past as well as yucca and castile .    However, one thing that always seemed to make our family's hair look  so good was swimming in our natural swimming hole up in the mountains.  After a day of swimming there, our hair was manageable and incredibly clean sans any 'pooing.

Another thing I noticed is that, when traveling, one always took a risk with having one's hair look good because of the need to adjust to the difference in the water in every location.  And there were the lovely Mississippi girls whose skin and hair were always so beautiful.  Yet, when, as an outsider, trying to achieve the same results with Mississippi's amazingly naturally soft water which bubbled up so readily, it required a special touch when shampooing which one seldom mastered in a short stay.

So, I continually had to question: What was the age old secret of washing hair in the olden days?  It is well known that people often collected rainwater as it was considered to be the best hair washing water, something  our family learned  while homesteading in New Zealand.  Our water supply was collected from rainwater from our roof. It was great for hair and left it shiny and smooth.

I found out that the type of water you wash your hair in has a major effect on the end result.  When I had started my no 'poo experiment , I  had immediate success  but Jordanne did not.  Why was this so?  Some research lead me to see that, since I had thick curly hair, rinsing any shampoo residue off was not so easy but using just vinegar worked so well for cleaning my hair. The no 'poo method did not work for Jordanne so well because she has finer hair than I and she is still not sure the complete no 'poo method will work for her.   So, she occasionally washes her hair with baking soda and vinegar but still uses a natural  shampoo for the most part & salt (see post).

I found this link that  I think would help explain why the no 'poo method may work for some but not for others.  The secret may be in the water you use.

Here is an excerpt:

 Rainwater is soft and mineral free.  But, when it falls to the ground it seeps through the soil and rocks and dissolves minerals which give it its character.  If the rainwater water passes through hard rock, it remains soft.  However, if the ground water seeps through softer rocks, like the limestone very common in the Great Lakes Basin, it dissolves lots of minerals, principally calcium and magnesium, along the way.  The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases.  The term “hard water” was originally coined to refer to water that was difficult or hard to work with.  Hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than soft water; and the minerals in hard water can decrease soap’s lathering capabilities.

What does this have to do with hair?

You need water to shampoo your hair and hard water makes it harder to wash your hair.  Each hair shaft is made up of little scales, like shingles on a roof.  Hard water tends to make the scales stand up, which makes your hair feel rough and tangly.  Since your hair is tangled and rough, it is more difficult to rinse out all of the soap.  Soap is less effective in very hard water because its reacts with the excess minerals to form calcium or magnesium salts.  These are not easily soluble in water and can result in soap film.  Washing hair in soft water will have a different result because it leaves fewer insoluble deposits on the hair.

In commercial shampoos, natural soap has been replaced by synthetic surfactants.

What's the difference between a synthetic surfactant and natural soap?

Soaps are biodegradable products produced from natural, renewable resources like olive, palm, or coconut oils. Synthetic surfactants, like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS), and others, are made from petrochemicals and created in a chemical factory.  Although these synthetic surfactants do not react with hard water minerals as much, they do not produce the lather that consumers like.  The lather comes from the addition of synthetic lather or foam boosters--like cocamide monoethanolamine.  So, these detergent shampoos lather well in all types of water and rinse off easily and completely .

- Hardwater

But why on earth would you put something on your head you can't rightly pronounce?  The article explains that most modern shampoos are detergents and very harsh on the hair, stripping the natural oils from the hair shaft.  As a result, hair conditioners are needed - more stuff to buy!

Furthermore, by looking at the chart it would explain why our visits to New Orleans always left our hair a mess. The water was much harder than California's water.  And I believe Pasadena's water would be naturally softer (not shown on the map) because our water supply is from the snows from the mountain that also fed our swimming hole. However,  Pasadena city water is  treated and, thus, made harder than our swimming hole water but remains softer than water in other parts of California.  I think this would explain why some have success with no 'poo and others don't.  Not only is your hair type an issue but whether your water is hard or soft is also a determining factor.

I think that, in the long run, one has to experiment with the agent of choice for cleansing the hair, the type of hair (fine  or thick) that one has  and the water, whether hard or soft, to be successful at the no 'poo method.

Are you ready to take the NO 'POO plunge?

If so, we are giving away a wonderful ebook No Shampoo Method by the gals at Feelin' Feminine who graciously offered up a copy.   Their collaborate book is an absolutely fabulous "How To" and resource guide, offering a wealth of information about caring for hair, naturally.

For me, my NO POO methods is quite simple.  I just rinse my hair with water - that's it!  If I do need a good cleaning I'll put a wee bit of apple cider vinegar and for conditioning nothing beats coconut oil (see post) or henna.  I am sure the cosmetic industry hates me.  LOL

Now, here's how to enter.

Comment below about your natural hair care journey.   Winner will be picked by Random.org.

Contest closes Tuesday February 6th Midnight PST

Good luck!

Don't forget, if you are looking for natural products at a reasonable price check out iHerb.com (Enter this referral code JUL275) and get $5.00 off your first purchase!

Front garden gets a new makeover

Putting in a bottle border

Placing pavers from a salvage yard

Love the round pattern!

Coming together! Second hand patio set from my Grandmere

Over these past few weeks, the front yard garden has gone through an extreme makeover.   Thanks to a local salvage yard and a second hand patio set, we've transformed a "garden space" into a "people space."

Farm Stand customers are always saying how they would love to sit in the garden and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds.   Thanks to the quick and creative work from our gardeners, Front Porch Farm Stand Customers  now  have their wish!  Of course, we aren't done yet!  Plans are to have a friend make an arbor that will support a climbing rose.  MMMMM.  I can just envision sipping tea surrounded by the scent of roses, jasmine and herbs.  Divine.

Treat Yourself

Retreat from the hustle & bustle of city and Refresh your spirit.   Place your order and reserve your garden space! Just one of the perks that come from being a Front Porch Farm Stand member (Open Sun - Fri 9 am - 7 pm  Close Saturday).

Not a Front Porch Farm Stand customer or member?  Then sign up at info(at)urbanhomestead(dot)org and ask to be put on the free Produce Membership List!

Support local foods & community!

Lend a Hand

Are you excited about this new garden space and  wonder how you can help?    We are doing this expansion for your benefit on a limited budge so please consider donating to this community space.  Remember your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Calling all local artisans.  Do you make functional and decorative garden products or art?  Contact us at info(at)urbanhomestead(dot)org

Make our garden place your space!

PS Notice the Ollas, or clay pot irrigation?   This unglazed pottery works extremely well to irrigate our herbs and edible landscaping.  Now back in stock at Urban Homestead Supply

Prayers were answered not once but twice last week!   We enjoyed a few days of rain - what a blessing!  Forecasters are predicting that there are more storms on the horizon, so let's continue to pray that they are right because we really, really do NEED the rain and that means Justin is out of a job for awhile - yeah!

Of course, this first chance of rain in the new year made us all go into a tissy, getting the garden ready to receive the liquid blessings.

Wildflower seeds were scattered, seedlings transplanted, blueberries given a caffeine boost (leftover coffee grounds), etc.  I'll have to post pics of the garden soon.  In fact, we are doing a few yard re-dos, especially the front garden.   Working on making it more "people" friendly.

Readers, how has this winter been for you?

Winner Announced

Homegrown Music Giveaway goes to Dawn Harris.  Congrats and thank you to all who entered to win.  For those who didn't win I highly recommend checking out ToneWay's "GETTING STARTED " FREE workshop Series

There's a controversy cropping up over the new smart meters in cities  all across America

A concerned reader asked us the following question:

Just curious if ya'll have a "smart meter" installed on your house yet? We do here in Claremont and Im worried about it. And if you do what precautionary measures are you doing to block any possible radiation from those meters? Would love to see a post about it. You guys and gals would really help the movement to get rid of these smart meters.

Edison says they emit signals at least once a minute, while videos all over Youtube shows these meter sending signals several times per minute.

In fact, a " ...growing numbers of activists who are protesting against Smart Meters ...  They contend that the radio frequency (RF) Smart Meters emit is harmful to human health. People living with the meters are claiming mild to severe symptoms that are all over the board: Concentration and memory problems, dizziness, tinnitus, heart palpitations, headaches, sleep disruptions, nausea, anxiety and behavioral problems in children." - via Smart Meter Radiation Risk

Our response:

We are not too thrilled at the prospect of smart meters but from what I can tell we (thankfully) got a AMR (aka "Automatic Meter Reading") meter so the city still has to send someone out and "Walk By" to take a reading

But the installation of smart meters may well be on their way in your area.  However, many adverse side affects are being reported, such as ringing in the ears, headaches and even cancer.   See:  Living Nightmare How Smart Meters Led to Health Problems

Here is a list of counties in CA that have made smart meters illegal.

For an in depth look at smart meters and what you can do about it see Stop Smart Meters

We all need to educate ourselves and make sure we know what the dangers are and what our options can be.

What are your concerns, if any, over Smart Meters?

:: Resources ::

Smart Meter Dangers

Say No to Smart Meters!

Western Bluebirds I think the two guys are wooing the female... taking her to the local watering hole / pub. She must be hot stuff!

Here's my second installment of my "End Quote" featuring a favorite quote, poem, saying, story or something I found interesting or inspirational.  Of course , this musing MUST be accompanied by a few favorite photos of the week!

A Bird Came Down

A bird came down the walk:
He did not know I saw;
He bit an angle-worm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw.

And then he drank a dew
From a convenient grass,
And then hopped sidewise to the wall
To let a beetle pass.

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all abroad,--
They looked like frightened beads, I thought;
He stirred his velvet head

Like one in danger; cautious,
I offered him a crumb,
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home

Than oars divide the ocean,
Too silver for a seam,
Or butterflies, off banks of noon,
Leap, splashless, as they swim.

-- Emily Dickinson

I couldn't pass up this opportunity to share with you some recent feathered visitors to our garden.  In fact, since 2011, we've spotted 5 new bird species here on the homestead.  After 25 years we are pretty excited spotting all these new species!    Of course, I am curious and can't help but wonder,  "What brought these birds to the homestead?" Could it be because of the devastating Station Fire (largest fire in LA history)  which brought these birds into the inner city or is it "global weirding."  No matter, these birds are such a joy to watch.

Do you readers have any thoughts on WHY so many new birds all of a sudden?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Now for some bird pics I took this week - enjoy!

Western Bluebirds & Cedar Waxwings

Western Bluebirds await their turn to visit the bird bath

Cedar Waxwing in the fig tree

A whole flock of Cedar Waxwings

Bathing beauties. Colorful finches have a pool party

Everyone gets a turn

Splish, splash just lovin' this bath

Oh no! Somebody is WATCHING us... humans!

Finches, Western Bluebirds & Cedar Waxwings all getting along.

1900. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

There’s an old Irish proverb that says, “always carry two handkerchiefs... one to show and one to blow."  In our modern times, we've blown past such simple habits and traditions.

Handkerchiefs remind me of my New Orleans grandmother who had always felt that a lady should never leave home without a cloth handkerchief in her purse (or even wearing gloves for special occasions)!  Today, no one ever leaves home without their cell phones even when attending special occasions!

For the younger generation, who have no idea what a handkerchief is, it is a piece of cloth (not a paper tissue) which is usually square in shape, either very plain or highly decorated with embroidery( for women's use).  In the "olden days" men always wore a clean white ironed handkerchief in their suit pocket as that was considered being well-dressed. There was also a very specific folding technique to correctly display the handkerchief in the suit pocket  which was meticulously and artfully followed.

Women often had several handkerchiefs in their purses for blowing their noses, for gently patting their moist brows from overexertion, and for fanning themselves when they felt the "vapors" coming on.  For the more dramatically inclined female, it was also used to wave farewell to a lover going off to war and to wave goodby to loved ones from a cruise ship. It was also sometimes used as a symbol of surrender during war time.

As you would expect, Miss Manners, the notable etiquette expert on all things proper,  does give instructions to the younger generation on the proper use of a hanky:

Miss Manners suspects that the problem might be that the handkerchief is a forgotten artifact, and no one knows how to operate it. So here are the instructions.

There must be a fresh handkerchief every day. It must be kept within easy reach, in an outside pocket or tucked into the cuff or decolletage. The freshly pressed and folded handkerchief is shaken out, time permitting, and the sneeze goes directly into it.

It is then not refolded to look pristine, but returned crumpled to its nesting place. Repeat as necessary.

Miss Manners is confident that people who manage to carry, operate and whip out their electronic devices, will, with practice, be able to master this.

-Via Dispatch.com

When we traveled through India a few years back (See our Indian travels), we were greeted with  the ubiquitous  handkerchief.  They probably didn't even know what Kleenex tissue was.  As a result, I got a "hankering" (sorry about that) for the old time hanky.  It only makes sense to have the handkerchief make a comeback in today's world. To us, they are more eco friendly and better for the environment.

I consulted an old book I have about handkerchiefs.  It recommended that soaking soiled handkerchiefs in salt water (using ordinary table salt) was sufficient to kill the bacteria and viruses that are on the cloth.  Afterwards, they are easily washed in your nearly full washer  (needing so little space themselves) and washed in cold water.  No need for bleach!

Whilst I am reminiscing, I remember my Belgian grandmother always using cloth napkins at every meal.  I don't think I ever saw a paper napkin in her home. And  I thought she was just being elegant and classy.  But I found out it was a habit carried over from the old country and, undoubtedly, she was also influenced by the need to be frugal as she had gone through WWII in her homeland.  The tradition continued all her years here in America.  I always thought it was a nice touch.  And it didn't really increase her workload at all.  She reused the napkins for family use only (there were eight family members) and only washed the napkins with the family's clothes once a week.  She then would neatly fold them while damp  and never would iron them. I don't think she ever ironed them even with a dryer as they were for family use only.  Napkins for guests were treated differently, of course.

This is a tradition that we have always followed in on our homestead.   I can't tell you how many times folks comment how they noticed we don't have a paper towel dispenser in the kitchen, or when a visitor comes calling  and we give them a bite to eat, they certainly notice  our cloth napkins.    It most certainly makes both economical and eco sense.

What about you?  What SMALL changes have you made on your homestead that are having  BIG impact?

Last January was when I made a resolution to RE-learn guitar.   I'd fiddled around when I was younger but resolved myself that 2011 I was to get serious and get practicing!   Happy to say that that was one resolution that I did keep.   Then this summer, I received this lovely gift from a friend.  Boy, is it such a joy to play!  I actually sound like I'm making music... or something close to it. *grin*

Though it's not easy, I try to make a habit of practicing a bit each day and, from that perseverance, I got me some nice looking callouses.  Now it takes about an hour's worth of playing for my finger tips to start smarting.  So, I  guess I am making inroads in that department.    As for the strumming, I(think) am getting better at timing and have a few basics songs that I'm learning.

Music brings such joy to lives.  Homesteaders of old relied on music to wind down after a hard day's work.

In the popular and beloved Little House books music and Pa's fiddle  the musical renditions of Pa were an important part of Laura's childhood. From the Big Woods to the Dakota plains, Pa's voice and music transported his little clan to a musical land of dance and song.

To celebrate the importance of homegrown music, we are offering a giveaway from the  Abbot family music project.

You haven't heard about the Abbot family?  This talented (and homeschooled) family is bringing music back to the people.

It’s rare to see a family playing music together these days, especially one with children in their 20’s, but the Abbotts hope to inspire more folks to join in the fun. They’ve dedicated themselves to teaching others to play this very approachable ‘people music’ with their friends and family, and have created a unique learning method to greatly simplify the process of learning to play music, and to play with others.

We are going to giveaway their "Mountain Music if for Everyone" Song book and CD set  (Check out their GETTING STARTED Free Workshop Series)

And for some fun... featuring brothers Luke & Kyle Abbot

To enter, please comment below how much music means to you and which instrument you play... or would LIKE to play for that matter.

If you POST this giveaway on your Blog or Facebook page, thanks!  This mean you must comment AGAIN (twice likely to win)  and tell us where you shared this musical giveaway.

Winner will be picked by Random.org

Comments will close Sunday January 22 nd at 12 midnight PST