Yes – take it from the voice of experience – you do not want to fall as it is a PAIN in MANY ways.
Yesterday I looked at thermal cookers or the wonder box or a hay box cooker or some other names I can’t remember right now. I started out thinking there were only commercial stainless steal vacuum (add some other commercial advertising words to make you want to buy) but then stumbled on something that said you could make it yourself MUCH cheaper than the store bought cloth one, then I found one using an “ice chest” or picnic cooler and then I found other ways to make them and now my head is spinning and I’m going to have to do serious sit down and research research research. But to have the benefit of a slow cooker without having to keep the pot plugged in all night is great idea. This again is thanks (I think) to someone on this challenge. So maybe I’ve decided on the pattern I want to use, but want to research the science a little bit more to make sure I have the best design. This is obviously not a one day prep project, but I’m excited. However, if I go with the sewing pattern type it will have to wait until I get back the use of my arm. (see above first sentence again – no falling, no falling!)
Today, my John Jeavons book – How to grow more vegetables and fruits, nuts, berries, grains, and other crops) than you ever thought possible on less land with less water than you can imagine – came and I’ve started reading it. DH has always been the gardener and I’ve always been responsible for the harvest when it comes in the house (except his dried fruit) but I have become curious about getting more from our garden because the farmer’s market always closes right when I get to go to (late) lunch and often I just don’t get everything I want so then it’s back to the store and produce from many far way places, and we haven’t done much in the garden the last two years anyway because of various family health issues that absorbed all of our time. So if I read it and begin to understand the soil issues my DH talks about, maybe I will have a better idea of what we can do and how we can make it work. Amazing, but after all these years, this is the first time I ever even cared about any “concept” garden stuff – before it was just expressing a preference for a certain type of produce or which produce to grow. Thanks to whoever bought Jeavons book One Circle – the many years ago predecessor to my book (at least that’s my impression)
We survived February, but with a 4″ snow fall last night and more tonight and tomorrow. Well, we enjoyed the sunshine while we had it.
Doing a prep every day has been 1) an eye-opener about how many projects I haven’t tackled 2) really challenging given our temporary very cramped quarters and my busted shoulder 3) encouraging to see thing others are doing & 4) satisfying because in spite of it I am getting some things done, or at least planning for doing them.
Thanks Daisy and everyone else.