Things Do Get Finished Around Here!

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Marcia Stehouwer

If there is one thing that I tell people about me – it is that I don’t finish things. I’m a great idea person – but seeing the project through to the end – that’s something I find challenging. (I’m trying to stop using the words HARD or DIFFICULT – and embracing the challenge of solving the puzzle.)

This is a collage of the things I have finished during th month of July. I’ll tell you some of the stories that go with them!

The biggest project is the lapghan. On Ravelry, I have been a member of the “Block of the Month” group for several years. This blanket is a collection of squares made by designers who contributed to the group.

The hardest was the puzzle. Over a year ago my 2 year old grandson figured out how to buy puzzles. He bought me a set of Mystery puzzles that have only a pixilated image and a lot of pieces. This is the first one I have finished.

Most of my projects are pretty small. The beginning of July was stressful and I started a lot of little Make Alongs. The Lotus Tea light holder is my fave! I made a couple with less petals and I like them better.

The garden is going well. I’ve pulled the German garlic and the Rose de L’au Trec. The heads are pretty small, but I may not be planting in the fall, so I will dry as much as I can for powder.

I still have WIPs to finish…socks, a shawl, a baby toy and others. The trailer floor is one of them. I WILL finish that! Stay tuned.

Marcia…on a journey at home.

Enjoy your day.

The trailer floor.

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Seeing Stars!

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Marcia Stehouwer

I know you aren’t seeing them yet….because they are still in the WIP stage (Work in Progress). Some friends asked for a bit of an explanation and this is it.

These are pin loons, and you will find that there are many different kinds. Because she mentors us on Ravelry and in the Pin Loom group on Facebook, I am going to share her website for ordering: Hazel Rose Looms. I didn’t know about her when I got mine a few years ago. You’ll notice the offset PINS in groups. These are used to create the threads for weaving.

  1. My three pin looms – 2, 4 and 6 inch squares.
  2. The first layer of warp.
  3. The first layer of weft. (AKA the second layer)
  4. The second layer of warp.
  5. The FIRST row is between the pins and the first weft thread. It’s important not to miss this row.
  6. You weave from side to side between the weft threads of the second layer. The wrap around two pins covers the blank pin so all of them get a wrap….NO PIN IS LEFT OUT!!
  7. The square is finished and you wrap your end around the last pin standing ad weave into the edge for a thread or two.
  8. Popping it off the loom. This is easier on larger looms.
  9. The finished square.

This is the book that I have in my library. I’ve used it to practice different weaving patterns. These were joined together to make dish clothes and face wipes. Mostly it’s fun stuff that takes little time to make up.

This summer, however, I’m really making something – a star pillow. It takes 15 squares in 5 different colours. I’ll post more about that when it’s done.

I am also looking for someone who sells these looms in Canada. I’ll keep you posted!

In other news, the garden and trailer are moving forward slowly but steadily. Weeding and scraping are both tough tasks – especially in the heat!

Catch you soon!

Marcia

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Scapes Galore!

Posted on July 10, 2022 by Marcia Stehouwer

Well, it took a while but all my scapes are off the garlic and in the house! I did not realize just how many scapes come from over 1000 garlic cloves. Over a thousand is the right answer. Now to do something with them!

  • Put up a sign – GARLIC SCAPES FOR SALE! Not everyone knows how delicious these are – I certainly didn’t until 2 years ago. They are delicious. They also last a long time in the fridge!
  • Dry them and turn them into powder. I have a dehydrator, so this is one thing that will happen over the next week or so.
  • Freeze them – chop them (I’m going to do 2 inch pieces for soups and stirfries), blanch for two minutes and chill them. Freeze them on a cookie sheet and then pop them in a plastic bag or container.
  • Ferment them – I’ve fermented beets and turnips, so this should go well. The recipe I will be using comes from Vancouver Island and West Coast Foodie
  • And finally… make some JAM! This was my project this afternoon and I have to tell you, it is amazing. I had some for supper on Ryvita crackers with cream cheese!
Check out the recipe at https://www.bernardin.ca/recipes/en/scapes-jam.htm?Lang=EN-US

I have to tell you, I nearly quit when I saw the puree step. The balsamic vinegar changed the colour. There isn’t a lot of liquid at that point either, and you wonder how it can make 12 small jars of jam. (I doubled the recipe, by the way!) Once the sugar got added in picture 3, it became glorious! I really enjoyed seeing it change before my eyes! And the taste – this is why I like to grow food and make things out of it!

This is not a cheap jam to make – even with “free” garlic scapes. There’s wine, balsamic vinegar and pectin to buy. Jars aren’t cheap anymore either – even at thrift stores. Still – it will be a nice Christmas gift or hosting gift and I’m glad I have them! The recipe did give me a dozen 125mL jars and two and a half 250 mL jars for the fridge!

Well, it is 9 pm and I need to end my day. My brother is coming over to help me with the trailer. That is going much slower than a snail right now!

Thanks for checking in and seeing where I am on the journey!

Marcia

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Let the Adventure Begin!

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Marcia Stehouwer

Last night, I was surprised to see Eric backing up with my trailer! It wasn’t what I was envisioning for how I would start this project. Still, it is here and this morning I was able to see the task ahead of me.

I’ve finished watching the series done by Elysia English. There aren’t very many videos that really show the whole process, so their reno series was fun to watch. Now I’m watching videos about gutting them.

The trailer came with a file folder full of receipts and information. Even though it looks really small, it is indeed 14 feet long. Still, I’m not sure I will be able to put my bed in the front end. The center picture shows the work that needs to be done to the front end of the trailer. That is where the ripping is going to begin!

Looking at it in the light of day, I am feeling a little bit daunted by this project.

Here’s what needs immediate attention:

  • The floor – super soft near the door. It probably needs to be lifted throughout the camper. Then I will replace the insulation and reseal it with a subfloor and topping.
  • The front window – it has a crack along the bottom. There is also water damage below the window.
  • The top right hand corner – also damaged.

The plan is to tear out as much as is needed and renew the flooring and insulation throughout. I just need to make one thrust with a crow bar – and that is proving somewhat of a challenge.

I think I’ll do some research on making cupboard doors. I’m not sold on the ones I have.

Any thoughts, encouragements or suggestions are most welcome!

Marcia the Builder (No relation to Bob, although our cat is Two-Ton!)

PS: Here’s the link to Elysia English’s Camper Makeover

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Embracing a Tiny Space

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Marcia Stehouwer

The journey is getting ready for a bend in the road.

I have bought a travel trailer that looks kind of like this:

I downloaded this from : https://archive.curbed.com/2017/3/31/15121656/vintage-campers-for-sale-trailers and I’m not sure this is what mine will look like!

My family is also on this journey – but they have their own project. So how does a 63 year old woman become a home renovator? Stay tuned, because there is going to be content on my You-tube channel in a short while. (I’m getting up my courage.)

Here’s what I’ve been doing so far:

I have been ( and I’m watching as I write ) a series by Elysia English on how they renovated their camper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKlFYqRGl6Q&list=PLkUyovm2kvjBT4kP4qC8TCwcsDRCwTW0E

I haven’t watched this far, but I’ve enjoyed the series. And this is what I’ve taken away (I’m on episode 24!)

  • Degut it to check for mould and leaks. Mine is already at that stage and I’m glad.
  • Use exterior paint on the interior. Exterior paint is more adaptable to changing temperature. I’m not sure I’m going to paint the exterior, but we will probably use it on both trailers.
  • Think about a colour scheme. I have some indigo table clothes that I would like to use for accents. I do want a whitish wall paint. What colour do I want to add to that? (Any advice is welcome!)
  • Check all vents and things that go from the outside to the inside and make sure they are sealed.
  • Measure the flooring carefully so that things are not wasted.

I am looking to buy some things at the Habitat for Humanity store, but I will reuse as much as I can. I’ve already found some wooden cabinet cupboard doors at the side of the road. I think they may be useful and if they aren’t – we’ll share them forward, right?

If you have any advice for me or recommendations, please let me know. You can do that in the comments or send me an email at ajourneyoftenyears @ gmail.com

You will have to remove the spaces to make this work!

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More Joy for the Journey!

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Marcia Stehouwer

It’s March Break here in Ontario and I’ve been kind of busy. In a household that is “mid-dream”, I am embracing the chaos of that.

I’m also trying to work ahead and this week’s Fitness Matters Podcast was all about that! Here’s the link for that! (Something else I learned to do is turning my text into a link.) The fact that I have most of this week’s lesson plans well in progress is going to make next week a joy!

The video channel is getting a breath of fresh air. In the “Planning Ahead” podcast above, Pahla mentions Tim Schmoyer, who is her You-tube coach. I began listening to his videos and others, pencil in hand. I’m taking notes – but I’m also getting started. Today I took a video while checking on my reality – that is part of creating my dream! My Youtube channel is also called A Journey of Ten Years and so far it has 7 subscribers. My first goal is to have a thousand. So…I have a learning curve and I am going to share that here, and on the channel!

Patching S’s knitted blanket is one of the tasks that needed finishing this week. And I did it. I used my pin looms to make squares. I think I have that down pat, now. The plan is to try more interesting squares in the near future.

Another task was hanging up my whiteboard. That involved learning about z-clips. Then of course, finding the screws and the square screw-driver, which my son-in-law needs to call a Robertson. Honestly, I think women are much better at naming some tools. Square, straight, star.

Things that bring me “Joy in the Journey”

Wowsers! My phone has been using HEIC to save my pictures and they would NOT load into the blog until I made a collage on my phone.

So here are the things that bring me joy:

  1. Learning new things – pin loom weaving, z-bars and building a You-tube channel.
  2. Geocaching (I’ve found 4 in the past few days!)
  3. Getting things done – this post, my whiteboard hanging on the wall and a mended blanket.
  4. Planning ahead and getting things ready before hand. I’m already looking forward to Monday!

What brings you joy on your journey?

And do you have any ideas on how I can build my channel?

Please share your ideas below. You can also check me out on Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Instagram.

Here’s to living a great reality!

Marcia

#ajourneyoftenyears, #livingthereality

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JOY in the JOURNEY – Part 1

Posted on February 26, 2022 by Marcia Stehouwer

Life is full of things we have to do – work, play, learn, stay healthy, brush our teeth. I’m sure you can think of others.

Here are some ways I am putting joy in my journey! My goal is to find 22 ways, but that would make a lot of reading, don’t you think? Drink water from a water bottle you like. Mine is a Polygon 1 litre bottle. I drink at least 3 of them a day. Not to heavy, and it’s got the measurements. My daughter bought ours on Amazon for $26. It’s hard to lose! I also drink from mason jars with special lids for drinking.

I set up my workout the night before. I sleep in a tee-shirt and comfy pants. For the workouts I do – Pahla B Fitness at and Yes2Next – I don’t really need a workout top! And I haven’t missed a day in two weeks.

Foods that you like make eating (and not eating) more pleasant. I usually make overnight oats. I started with the recipes from Downshiftology. Well the link is part of the website name. I prepare the dry ingredients in small jam jars, and make my breakfast in the afternoon. Fruits and spices vary. What I did add is a bit of time in the microwave. I like my breakfast warm! Tweak things until you love them!

Thanks to libraries, Audible and Chirp, I can listen to almost anything when I want to. My latest listens include Braiding Sweetgrass, White Supremacy and Me, and Atomic Habits. Listening while I knit, crochet or do housework brings added joy.

I gather with my sister and sometimes my mom on Sunday mornings. Google Meets is wonderful for that. We also do a Bible study together on Youversion. THe comments are like mini chitchats that I enjoy!

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So…I’d like to know how you add joy to your journey! Please leave comment here on the blog or you can follow my Facebook page, too!

I am always looking for new ideas to add joy!

Here’s to us, living our reality!

Marcia

#ajourneyoftenyears #livingmyreality

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Me and White Supremacy

Posted on December 30, 2021 by Marcia Stehouwer

This is something I must face each day as I wake up in a home that is Indigenous. I am white. I am Dutch. I am a settler, a guest on Indigenous territory in a country on Native land. It is not and never will be my native land.

I am afraid of the journey ahead of me. It will bring change and change is not always welcome, even if it is needed! Think about your visits to the dentist.

Layla F. Saad uses white supremacy in her title because it is the truth. It is a bigger pill to swallow than privilege, and it is one I need to take every day, for the rest of my life.

Yesterday I picked up the journal to go alongside the book. I have the audio book to listen to, as well as, a Kindle version. I need to read this book, too. Hearing it is not enough.

It is not enough to read these words, hear these words, or write about these words. The goal is to change – and to be a better ally to my daughter and her family. And to remember always, that I am a guest.

If this is a journey you are taking, I invite you to walk with me. I will not go fast. I will take the time to write and speak. I will take the hand of my daughter and I will learn.

I hope you will join me.

Marcia

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21 in 2021

Posted on December 25, 2021 by Marcia Stehouwer

The year is coming to a close and it seems to be time to make new resolutions. I’m rather tired of resolving to lose weight. I’ve been resolving that for years. Even with the guidance of a fitness and life coach (Pahla B Fitness – see her on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook) weight loss and even fitness has been slow this year.

However, I do remember, having listened to her earlier podcasts ( Episode 5 of the Fitness Matters with Pahla B podcast on Spotify and other platforms. ) Here she talks about looking back over the year to identify the things you have accomplished over the year. So here is my list – and a few pictures.

Some of this years mittens

I started this last night and needed to get to bed on time (9:30 pm). Since then I have listened to another podcast by Peggy Malone at https://drpeggymalone.com/podcast/ It’s number 183 and I thought I would simply make a list of 21 things I accomplished this year, whether they were goals or not.

  1. Totoro Mittens (This pattern is no longer available – https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-totoro-mittens
  2. Dragon Mittens https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/green-dragon-goes-to-norway
  3. This was actually the first – where I used the TinCanKnits pattern and added a second colour: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/DippyKnitter/the-worlds-simplest-mittens-3
  4. We couldn’t find a Poppy troll mitten, but we found another one: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trollunge
  5. Robot mittens were also coveted! https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/robot-mittens
  6. For the beekeeper in our family this one was perfect. Lots of adjustments and they are still in need of thumbs, but they will be finished by the end of this year! https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bee-key-pears-mittens
  7. I grew garlic for the first time
  8. I made garlic scape pesto for the first time. I got my inspiration and recipe from Vino Farms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74tzvONRhvM
  9. I planted four different kinds of garlic – Music, Red Russian, Rose de Lautrec, and German.
  10. I bought another pitch fork kind of tool similar to the one that is shown in the Vino Farms video.
  11. I got deep into debt due to challenges in our family.
  12. I made a plan to get those debts paid.
  13. I hooked up a second monitor to my laptop and that has been a gamechanger for online teaching and blogging.
  14. I have built a connection with my sister through our Sunday morning Google Meets.
  15. I have been consistent in listening to the Bible and I’m on track with the reading plans that matter.
  16. I built a 550 day plus streak on My Fitness Pal and when I lost it, I started over.
  17. I tried several ways to grow carrots and figured out that the best thing is to plant them with coffee grounds and cover them with boards until they sprouted.
  18. Together with my family, we processed 15 dozen ears of cord for ourselves and the freezer.
  19. Mebee’s Apiary was born and I helped to process and sell our honey. Check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/M%C3%A9bees-Apiary-109186394790483

20. I survived my first of 3 bee stings in our second year and got very wet doing bee rescues during two flooding incidents!

21. I became much more competent in online teaching – Jamboard, D2L, Google Classroom and creating work for my students.

Limits are good. 21 accomplishments are good. Next year I am creating an accomplishment jar. Every time I do or learn something new, I will write it on a piece of paper and pop it in the jar!

But now it is time to look to the coming year and things I want to accomplish.

Enjoy your look back on your year! What did you accomplish?

|#ajourneyoftenyears

Cheers,

Marcia

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Cherries Galore

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Marcia Stehouwer

It’s the first week of July and cherries are coming from the Northwest US at $1.98 a pound. This is a fabulous price and I have already bought 10 bags.

My first foray went to the dehydrator, the freezer and the vinegar. I will be making sweet and sour cherries later today or tomorrow.

Yesterday we pitted the cherries and this morning they will go into pint jars for winter enjoyment. But the pits went into a pot with some water and sugar. Boiling this concoction kills the cyanide in the pits. We will strain that for syrup over our ice-cream!

So, now that I have some pictures – let me give credit where credit is due.

Oxtail soup was my dinner contribution yesterday and the recipe comes from The Joy of Cooking.

On the top right is my harvest of garlic scapes. I planted garlic in October, 2020 and it has brought us pleasure since early spring. I watched https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74tzvONRhvM which is part 2 of Vino Farms series on growing garlic. I’ll be re-watching part 3 and 4 this summer! I’ve discovered I ❤❤❤ garlic pesto – especially mixed with a bit of mayonnaise. I dip my carrots and celery in it!

The other pictures are of day one of cherry preserving. I loaded our round dehydrator with cherries and it yielded a 750 ml jar.

The biggest picture is from Day 2 of dealing with cherries. This is the day I took the pits, let them boil over on the stove and made cherry pit syrup. It is still in the process of setting, but I got the recipe here: https://www.newlifeonahomestead.com/preserving-cherries-use-cherry-pits/

The remainder of the cherries were turned into 8 small jars of cherry marmalade and 8 jars of cherries in a light syrup. I consulted my Bernadin canning book for that!

Suffice it to say that I am an exhausted Oma today. Time to put my feet up and set a spell!

See you next time!

Marcia

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