Blueberry picking

Yesterday we went to Tendercrop farms in Newbury MA. I think it was the first hot day of the summer. They had a buffalo and llama that Michael just loveds to look at. I loved that he is finally interested in animals. We saw that they had blueberry picking and decided since Michael loves blueberries so much we would pick some. We had the most fabulous time and got some great blueberries. It's amazing how much different they taste than the grocery stores variety. We then went to the market that they have at the farm and bought chicken, hamburger, and a buch of vegetables and flowers. Everything that we bought was raised at the farm. We grilled the chicken tonight and what a difference from store bought chickens!

Today we went to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, MA. It was again, a perfect day. Michael had fun and it was so nice to be out in the fresh air enjoying summer without a bunch of crowds, like at the beach.

Newest Changes

Well, we decided to try cloth diapers, at least with our oldest. It's probably really crazy to want to attempt cloth diapers with all 3, but I really would feel great if they were all in cloth. Neither birth went the way I wanted it to and I was unable to nurse like I wanted to. So I hope that I can at least do some things that are more natural and better for them like cloth diaper and natural products that hopefully will be better for their skin. It's a work in progress and i have to say, my oldest's skin is so much better looking after 2 days with mostly cloth.

We also started planting flowers in the front of the house. They are mostly cutting from other people's gardens. I really like that most of the plants are not from big industrial chain stores, but from other's back/front yards. Yes, I am well aware that they all probably started at those big chain stores, but I like not propagating the use of chain stores when I can hlelp it.

Wish me luck with the changes that I am making and hope to make in the future!

Amy

The handmade life

Am I crazy? My goal is to be less dependent on stores for made items. I want to buy the raw material and then make things on my own. I have already started with some hair wax. So far so good. I have been making my own jewelry for sometime now and have also made a few things, like curtains, for the house. I hope to teach my children the value of being less commercial and more community sustaining, along with creating handmade things yourself. Since I have a son 16 months and girl/boy twins 6 months, I am undertaking a huge task. At this point though, I feel like I need to start somewhere. If I can't do all I want now, then I can start small and do more as things in life hopefully get easier. This blog is to document the trials and tribulations of attempting to be less dependent on the large commercial stores and items. I'm sure there will be ups and down like all of life, but I feel that it is important to try and support either handmade/home grown or your community. There will be certain things that I will still be buying commercially, but I hope to decrease it's amount.

Wish me luck,
Amy