Have you heard about "Switchel"?

It was a big hit with the guys!

I recently discovered this refreshing drink called Switchel.  Just the name itself peaked my curiosity and I had to check it out.  It is taken from The Old Farmers' Almanac, their website has two recipes that vary just a bit.   "Switchel is a refreshing drink from the colonial era and early American farming days.  Switchel was how hardworking farmers quenched their thirst out in the hot, sunbaked fields. That's enough of an endorsement for me!  This drink is also called Haymaker's Punch (because it was drunk while haying fields)..."

I made it today and served it to my two farmers, and it was a huge hit!  I made the second of the two recipes.  I think I would like to add a bit more water, sparkling water, or tonic water next time, and maybe a little less sugar.  I think it's much healthier than some other options such as iced tea, lemonade, or soda, and it is more thirst quenching than just plain water.  In addition, a little vinegar is very good for you!

Here's the recipe I used:

1 gal. water
2 cups raw or dark brown sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ginger (fresh)

Switchel, a delicious and refreshing old time beverage!

I used light brown sugar and powdered ginger because that's what I had on hand.  I think I would like to use raw sugar and fresh ginger next time.  But if, like me, that's what you have on hand, make it anyway, it's worth it, it's delicious!


Carpe Diem! Lil and Bill

Something Old Is New Again

In need of some tender loving care!

When we finished our pergola last fall, I wanted to throw away our old, faded, and battered glider.  The joints were coming apart, and I was afraid to let anyone sit on it.  Since we've now hung our new porch swing under the pergola, I have suddenly become a bit sentimental towards that old beat up glider.  It has provided us with many hours of relaxation.

Looking good!

So, Bill decided to get out his glue and clamps, and did some major repair work on the old thing.  Then he did some sanding.  I was rather surprised, it started looking pretty good.  We got out the linseed oil, and I put a good coat of it on the dry, parched wood.  Bill oiled all the metal working parts.  It's looking great!  I began looking for a new home for it, and I found one!

Growing Sprouts at Home!

Sprout Jar Wooden Rack with Jars

Growing your own sprouts at home is a rather simple project that can provide excellent nutrients at a very reasonable cost compared to purchasing them in your local grocery store.  In addition, it is a very compact way to store food in case of an emergency.

What you will need in order to grow your own sprouts:

1. A jar in which to grow them.  A standard wide-mouth quart size canning jar is what I use.
2. You will need to have a piece of mesh cloth that will enable you to drain off the water from the seeds as you rinse them each day.  I didn't have any lying around the house, so I ordered mine online. 
3. You will also need to have a way to keep your jars upside down so they can completely drain, and have some air flow to the sprouts.  My very talented  husband made a wooden rack for me that holds up to 3 Mason jars and folds flat for storage.  You can purchase one from our Marketplace if you wish.
4. Then, you will need to have sprouting seeds.  I found mine online.

Canning jar, mesh cloth, and metal ring

Folding Wooden Rack

Homemade Shampoo Soap Bar!

Luxurious Shampoo Bar!

I have spent a lot of time researching homemade shampoo.  I have even tried a couple of my own recipes, without much success.  Not too long ago I came upon this recipe from Great Cakes Soapworks for a Fabulous Shampoo Bar Recipe.  I have always used salon quality shampoos and conditioners, therefore I was a bit apprehensive at first.  We ladies can be very protective about our hair, but I went for it and made up a batch of her recipe, and wow, was I ever pleasantly surprised!

Baby Chicks At 24 Days Old!

You Lookin' At Me?

The chicks are growing so fast!  Every couple days it seems that they have just exploded another inch.  They are coming into the stage when their feathers are growing in, and they look rather ragged and prickly as their fuzzy down gives way to feathers.  This chick is one of the more advanced ones with her pretty red colors beginning to show.

Babies at the big girl feeder!

Here are a couple others where you can see the different stages of

Baby Chicks At Two Weeks Old!

Growing fast they are!  Red Star babies are doing well, and sprouting their wings as we speak.  Here is the latest video I took today.

The chicken coop has been cleaned and prepared for the babies.  The three-year old hens have been moved over to the back side of the coop, and Bill and Jim put up a barrier on the bottom of the chicken wire divider wall to make certain the babies can't get stuck in the fencing.  All that is left to do is move the heat lamp out there, they will have much more room to flutter and practice their flying skills.  We will wait as long as possible before moving them.  I feel better as long as I can check up on them as often as I like while they're in the house.  But, they are starting to manufacture a whole bunch of feather dander already!  So, it won't be long now.