Batch 3 of the soap is colored with matcha tea and scented with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils.

#grownostr #soap #soapmaking #homesteading

I start the majority of my garden plants at home. I might browse through a greenhouse or two in the spring to see if there's anything unique or interesting that I don't have.

It's really expensive to fill up a large garden when you buy all of your plants. Also, some varieties that I like are not available in local nurseries for any amount of money.

I will be starting onion seeds here in February. Can't wait!

nostr: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 I make this recipe for sourdough tortillas which has butter in it. They are so good!!!

https://alexandracooks.com/2020/10/03/sourdough-flour-tortillas-made-with-discard-or-not/#tasty-recipes-71809

This is one of my favorite quotes that is included in Herrick Kimball's "Idea Book for Gardeners". If you like gardening and like to read, then you will find something in this book to enjoy.

#grownostr #gardening #reading #homesteading

Batch #2 is looking much better than the first one. This time, I used a purpose-built mold that we cobbled together from some scrap wood. And I lined it with freezer paper (not wax paper!). Now I just have to wait 4-6 weeks for the soap to cure.

#grownostr #soap #soapmaking #homestead #homesteading

Those are dried lavender blossoms on top. The scent did not last though.

The soap just smells like soap.

I ventured into soapmaking for the first time this weekend. I had a large amount of lard that I didn't want to waste. A couple of YT videos later and I was outside mixing lye, water and fat in the calculated ratios (http://soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp).

It was quite the learning experience. I definitely cut the soap loaf too soon as you can see from the mild slump in the bars on the curing rack. Also, wax paper does not peel off fresh soap; I had to cut it off.

This concoction does make suds though so it's not all bad news!

#grownostr #soap #soapmaking #homestead #homesteading

Wow, that looks spicy!

I made some kimchi for the first time too! Did you taste some as soon as you made it? I couldn't resist trying it right away. It's actually pretty tasty when fresh. Now it's in the back of the fridge waiting for the right meal to come along.

This little milk frother turns butter and coffee into a delightful morning beverage. It's great!

#coffeechain #grownostr #GM

Love that you have a good source of olives where you're at! They are pretty scarce in Midwest USA.

I feel good about keeping meat in the deep freezer though. Power backups include a gasoline generator and solar panels that can recharge a battery bank. We'd run out of meat before we run out of power.

Beef jerky is done. I'm not the only one who thinks it's delicious!

#grownostr #jerky #beefjerky #dogstr #homemade #homesteading

I've tried to mute this disrespectful Digit character repeatedly. Does anyone know why I'm still seeing their posts? #asknostr

Hey, the Addy account can be helpful sometimes, but they are pretty automated. I've never received a non-scripted reply from them.

You don't have to speak in the third person!

Addy is referring to your NIP-05 verification. I'm still learning how it works myself and I only use Primal right now. It might not work for you on Amethyst. What worked for me was to copy my lightning address into my Primal profile where it says "NIP-05 verification".

There are AI bots on nostr too? How does that work? #asknostr

I guess I just have to mute each one as it pops up.

I've been a gardener ever since I was a kid tagging along with my parents. It's never felt more important than it does today. Looking forward to growing more of my own food this year!

#grownostr #gardening #freedom #homesteading #2025

Bok choy growing in my mom's hoophouse. This is the 'Bopak' variety from Johnny's Seeds. It's a hardy green veggie that can withstand freezing temperatures without too much damage.

If we plant bok choy in the fall (September in zone 5b) it will stay good for many weeks in the hoophouse during the winter. If we plant bok choy in the spring, it will grow very fast and then bolt as soon as warm weather comes.

#grownostr #gardening #homestead #homesteading

#grownostr #coffeechain #sunrise

Good morning and happy New Year!

I'm off to visit family today.

I grew two types of sweet potatoes this year.

'Beauregard' is an orange sweet potato that has been the standard in my garden. It only needs 90 days to produce a good crop and grows very well in zone 5b. The tubers are set in a clump right under the main stem which makes it easy to dig.

'Murasaki' was the new one that I tested out in 2024. I really like the flavor of this creamy sweet potato. However, it was somewhat of a challenge to grow. I had it spaced at 12" and it should have been closer to 24". The tubers were set very deep in the ground and they spread out from the plant. Hard to dig them without slicing a tuber.

#grownostr #gardening #homesteading

I have two Govee temperature sensors in my chest freezer and upright freezer. They seem to be accurate enough.