and I can't really say anything has happened. Except the holidays, of course. I tried being distributist-y in our Christmas shopping, but we did wind up at wally world the week before! I had started working on gifts in November, which I know is way to late. However, since I also run a scout pack, home school, and a myriad of other commitments, earlier is not going to happen! I made the girls each a pair of slippers, I even got natural fiber yarn, purchased at a locally owned store, and the total came to $30 a PAIR!! Our eldest son got a new, real, sleeping bag. The kind for 0 degree weather. Which we bought at a locally owned store, around twice the cost of going to wally world! The youngest wound up with lots of legos. From Wally World. There was only so much in the budget! The kids had voted to pool their money and get DH a Gilbert Magazine subscription, which I think should count as a distributist Christmas success!
With the holidays, I was really grateful for the canning we had done. PB&J doesn't quite work with out the J! Now if I could figure out how to raise beef in the yard! I have a few "green" projects in the works for the house, and I am really trying to stay out of the stores!
I do wish I knew more people who made/grew things. I have one friend who grows veggies, and, even better than sending over her extras, I get the starts when she thins her plants. This year, (we're hoping!) rhubarb! By special request from the oldest! I told him he had to weed and water! My step-mom knits, and is always knitting up little goodies for us and the kids, but she doesn't want us to buy from her! LOL, if my kids were willing to pay for me to sew, I'd take it! But that is it! None does wood working, or welding, or anything. I know lots of moms who go on and on about how they wish they knew how to _______(fill in the blank with whatever craft/art/hobby), but when I offer to teach them, they say "can't you just __________ for me? For free? I mean, it's so easy, and you know how and it would only take a couple of minutes....." Oh yeah, that's how you get out of my phone memory! GRRR! I just wish I knew other people I could call up and say "hey, can I buy some hand spun wool yarn from you?" With out having to search for hours online! We do have a farmers market, but it's pretty pricey, and it is the day BEFORE payday. So there's no money anyways! HAHA! I know when the kids are grown I'll probably be wondering "what am I going to do with all this?" Find some family and anonymously drop off locally grown veggies for them!
I did try to make vanilla extract this week. In 6 months we'll know if it worked or not! ;)
