Your split fruit trees can be bolted together. I had this happen to an apple tree (about 3 years ago) that was full of fruit and a big wind storm caused the split. I first took all the fruit off and cut all the branches back to remove more weight, then with heavy duty bungee cords I pulled the 2 sides back together and bolted the trunk with heavy duty bolts and stainless washers. I have left the bungee cords on to give support at the branch crotch while it continues to heal and grow. It did continue to put on apples but the most damaged side I pulled the fruit blooms off until this year and it did put on some nice apples. I'm thinking about cutting off the one side then staking the tree and pulling it more upright to start a new canopy.
Nice! Thus far, the ones that have split have been cherry and plum. We had one split years ago, and we did put it back together like that successfully. The problem is, cherry and plum are really prone to disease when they get a break in the bark like that, and the tree died 3 years later from disease. We are going to put these back together and cross our fingers. Apple trees are a lot more resilient!
I made delicious liqueurs one year when stone fruits were affordable and ripe (amazing in Minnesota where we usually get fruit that is rock-hard so it can withstand the shipping) but none of my recipients would take their gifts! One didn't accept gifts from business acquaintances and another was a sober alcoholic, etc. It was very disappointing but I was able to use the gifts myself!
I enjoy your web site. There is always there for me when I need "help" in how to prepare/make something. Recently, my daughter, her partner, and I went camping for Thanksgiving. What fun. However, I need sources/help with cooking a meal on an open fire. We managed and had a complete Thanksgiving dinner using my Coleman stove, and precooked dishes at home. However, need help with making biscuits while camping.
We actually just got a camping oven to test out, and thus far I'm loving it. We just baked cornbread and cupcakes yesterday and they came out perfectly. The only trick is, it's small, so you have to get really tiny pans...but it's kinda like a twig powered easy bake oven so my kids absolutely loved the novelty of it. Anyhow, I'll have a review of it posted hopefully next month, but here's what I'm talking about: https://www.instafire.com/products/ember-oven
You can power it with twigs like a rocket stove for outdoor use, but it's also setup for canned heat that you can use indoors.
I don't know what OP does, but I make the base with a straightened wire hanger on which I wrap foraged grape vines. (In Minnesota, grapes are a native plant and I can buy old-fashioned wire hangers from a thrift store.) I use florist's wire to attach the parts of the wreath to the base.
So this one is all bio-degradable, no wire. The base is red osier dogwood, and you can get several pieces each about 4 feet long or so and wrap them together and they hold together without anything if you do it right. The same thing works with grapevines, which we used last year after pruning the grapes.
You just basically form a circle and then tuck it in to itself a couple of times until the tension holds it. Use probably 4 to 6 pieces until it's thick and durable, and the ends don't all line up so it's really held in a tight circle by tension.
I really should do a tutorial on this...
Anyhow, the rest it tied simply by wrapping twine. There's a process to it, but it's less complicated than you'd think. Just a long piece of twine, go around 3 times, tucking it in under itself on the 3rd one. Add more evergreen material, then wrap three times and tuck again. This is one of those times a video would really help!
I think it’s wonderful that you and your family enjoy the moment when making your gifts and making a blog of the occasion is forgotten and relegated to next year. To give your children your time shows them just how important they are to you. Happy holidays!
It is hard to find a balance sometimes for sure. Sometimes they really do enjoy that mama shows off their creations to the world, and other times they wish I'd just give it up already...the latter tends to win out at the holidays for sure. That's ok, the camera is put away and we just play. I keep thinking we'll re-make some of the stuff in January and February so I can do tutorials too, but somehow that never happens. Oh well, I'm happy with my priorities =)
This is the response I got from a telegram prepper:
‘Briggs and Stratton flywheel keys work as well or better than original sheer keys. In another lifetime I worked at a small engine shop to learn the business.’
You can decide for yourself but perhaps this might be helpful!
Not yet, but maybe when my kids are a bit older. I too love the hard copy stuff, but right now it's hard to make the time to create both online and in print.
Love your blog and am a native NYer ready to semi retire down south. For me the dark days of winter are too depressing. I don’t enjoy the cold and the ice or any outdoor winter sports any more. The less clothing I can wear and the more sunny days, the better I feel. I love baking and cooking etc and have found making Kombucha hospitable to any environment/climate and am currently learning how to make fire cider! Enjoy the holidays!
Nice! Having grown up in California where I was happiest with minimal clothing, I hear you! And it's honestly been brutal trying to find clothing that is warm and comfortable at the same time, but I think I've finally almost found a balance I'm happy with. And, I drink way too much hot chocolate for "self care" all winter long. That's my excuse anyway.
I wish I could retire someplace warmer...but that's where all the people are. I'll take cold if it means I can have a bit of solitude, but I hear you for sure!
Enjoy the fire cider and kombucha, they really are wonderful.
Your pic of the cinnamon rolls baked in the skillet reminded me of my mom. Cinnamon rolls were one of her specialties. I think I will make some in her honor!
If you happen to know your mom's recipe, I'd love to try it...I'm always up for trying a new cinnamon roll recipe, as that's something I could sample all day long.
Dear Ashley--thank you so much for your work! A long, long time ago I was a single mom working 2 jobs to raise my little girl. I am from the "silent generation" we are that group who were raised like our parents. The kids coming right after us about 3 years difference were "the hippies". Where I lived close to Berkeley we had hundreds of little street fairs every weekend. Though I didn't agree with their values (pot smoking, free sex, etc) I did so love their crafts!
One weekend I decided that DD and I could go to the beach north of San Francisco and make sand candles. Somebody had given me instructions and off we went. We built our little stick fire (that was a chore on a wet beach) and then we made our candle. It was pretty, but the wind was blowing the sand in our eyes and DD got a little frustrated with "mother" (this has happened on occasion:-)
We did not know how to get the candle out of the sand so we just dug it out with our hands and dragged the candle and half the beach back to our little Datsun pick up truck. I had enough money to stop for a hot chocolate and a doughnut before we made the 3 hour drive home! My DD is 58 now and we still laugh about this day! I tell you all of this so you will feel good about the fact that sometimes being self sufficient may irritate your daughter--but, she will never stop loving you!
That's such a lovely story, thank you for sharing.
Being self sufficient is irritating to the little sometimes, but they actually really love the projects and are excited about all the things we make. I think the fact that they're allowed pie for dinner anytime, provided they harvest the ingredients from the yard and make it themselves is motivating =)
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your email. They're like gifts. I learn so much from them and I dream about a time I might live somewhere like you do. Just wanted to say thank you.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and beautiful self reliant life. I live in a duplex at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs. I am 70 and enjoy walks in the beauty of nature here. It is high altitude here, fresh air and crisp weather that I appreciate.
I love that fresh high altitude air! Here we are deep in the woods but only at about 1000 feet. When I want to go on "vacation" it's to somewhere higher like that. There's nothing like stepping out on the porch to mountain air in the morning!
So sorry about your trees. Dang! Hopefully they will recover some of themselves. Agree on the cinnamon rolls, the cold and snow really kicks it. Appreciate all the information you lovingly put out for everyone. Happy Solstice almost here! Becky in Colorado
Your split fruit trees can be bolted together. I had this happen to an apple tree (about 3 years ago) that was full of fruit and a big wind storm caused the split. I first took all the fruit off and cut all the branches back to remove more weight, then with heavy duty bungee cords I pulled the 2 sides back together and bolted the trunk with heavy duty bolts and stainless washers. I have left the bungee cords on to give support at the branch crotch while it continues to heal and grow. It did continue to put on apples but the most damaged side I pulled the fruit blooms off until this year and it did put on some nice apples. I'm thinking about cutting off the one side then staking the tree and pulling it more upright to start a new canopy.
Nice! Thus far, the ones that have split have been cherry and plum. We had one split years ago, and we did put it back together like that successfully. The problem is, cherry and plum are really prone to disease when they get a break in the bark like that, and the tree died 3 years later from disease. We are going to put these back together and cross our fingers. Apple trees are a lot more resilient!
That wreath is fabulous!
Thank you Kathleen!
I made delicious liqueurs one year when stone fruits were affordable and ripe (amazing in Minnesota where we usually get fruit that is rock-hard so it can withstand the shipping) but none of my recipients would take their gifts! One didn't accept gifts from business acquaintances and another was a sober alcoholic, etc. It was very disappointing but I was able to use the gifts myself!
I had a similar thing happen too, and it is always disappointing. I enjoyed the drinks in their stead. It all worked out in the end =)
Thanks. That's what I did.
I enjoy your web site. There is always there for me when I need "help" in how to prepare/make something. Recently, my daughter, her partner, and I went camping for Thanksgiving. What fun. However, I need sources/help with cooking a meal on an open fire. We managed and had a complete Thanksgiving dinner using my Coleman stove, and precooked dishes at home. However, need help with making biscuits while camping.
Biscuits are tricky while camping!
I've baked them in a dutch oven with coals, and it works pretty well. I've also baked them in a gas grill on the upper rack.
Here's some discussion of dutch oven baking, I'm making banana bread in this post, but biscuits work the same way just faster: https://practicalselfreliance.com/dutch-oven-banana-bread/
They have really nifty reflector ovens that work really well, like this one: https://campfirecookware.com/shop/ols/products/the-sproul-baker-kit
We actually just got a camping oven to test out, and thus far I'm loving it. We just baked cornbread and cupcakes yesterday and they came out perfectly. The only trick is, it's small, so you have to get really tiny pans...but it's kinda like a twig powered easy bake oven so my kids absolutely loved the novelty of it. Anyhow, I'll have a review of it posted hopefully next month, but here's what I'm talking about: https://www.instafire.com/products/ember-oven
You can power it with twigs like a rocket stove for outdoor use, but it's also setup for canned heat that you can use indoors.
Thank you for all the information. I had no idea there was so much available out there. Bette
Wreath Making: Can you make the circular base? Then do you use any kind of wire to attach your branches, vines, flowers, etc.?
I don't know what OP does, but I make the base with a straightened wire hanger on which I wrap foraged grape vines. (In Minnesota, grapes are a native plant and I can buy old-fashioned wire hangers from a thrift store.) I use florist's wire to attach the parts of the wreath to the base.
I hope this helps.
P.S. I forage the grapevine in the summer and let it dry all year.
So this one is all bio-degradable, no wire. The base is red osier dogwood, and you can get several pieces each about 4 feet long or so and wrap them together and they hold together without anything if you do it right. The same thing works with grapevines, which we used last year after pruning the grapes.
You just basically form a circle and then tuck it in to itself a couple of times until the tension holds it. Use probably 4 to 6 pieces until it's thick and durable, and the ends don't all line up so it's really held in a tight circle by tension.
I really should do a tutorial on this...
Anyhow, the rest it tied simply by wrapping twine. There's a process to it, but it's less complicated than you'd think. Just a long piece of twine, go around 3 times, tucking it in under itself on the 3rd one. Add more evergreen material, then wrap three times and tuck again. This is one of those times a video would really help!
Thank-you! Wonderful gift ideas.
God bless your whole holy season.
Thank you so much Katey and the same to you and your family this season!
I think it’s wonderful that you and your family enjoy the moment when making your gifts and making a blog of the occasion is forgotten and relegated to next year. To give your children your time shows them just how important they are to you. Happy holidays!
It is hard to find a balance sometimes for sure. Sometimes they really do enjoy that mama shows off their creations to the world, and other times they wish I'd just give it up already...the latter tends to win out at the holidays for sure. That's ok, the camera is put away and we just play. I keep thinking we'll re-make some of the stuff in January and February so I can do tutorials too, but somehow that never happens. Oh well, I'm happy with my priorities =)
Thanks so much Carol!
This is the response I got from a telegram prepper:
‘Briggs and Stratton flywheel keys work as well or better than original sheer keys. In another lifetime I worked at a small engine shop to learn the business.’
You can decide for yourself but perhaps this might be helpful!
Oh thanks! I'd never heard of those, I'll have to check them out!
Ashley,
You have such good info. My favorite homesteading site. Do you have any hardcopy books or pamphlets?
Odiie
Not yet, but maybe when my kids are a bit older. I too love the hard copy stuff, but right now it's hard to make the time to create both online and in print.
Hi Ashley
Love your blog and am a native NYer ready to semi retire down south. For me the dark days of winter are too depressing. I don’t enjoy the cold and the ice or any outdoor winter sports any more. The less clothing I can wear and the more sunny days, the better I feel. I love baking and cooking etc and have found making Kombucha hospitable to any environment/climate and am currently learning how to make fire cider! Enjoy the holidays!
Nice! Having grown up in California where I was happiest with minimal clothing, I hear you! And it's honestly been brutal trying to find clothing that is warm and comfortable at the same time, but I think I've finally almost found a balance I'm happy with. And, I drink way too much hot chocolate for "self care" all winter long. That's my excuse anyway.
I wish I could retire someplace warmer...but that's where all the people are. I'll take cold if it means I can have a bit of solitude, but I hear you for sure!
Enjoy the fire cider and kombucha, they really are wonderful.
Your pic of the cinnamon rolls baked in the skillet reminded me of my mom. Cinnamon rolls were one of her specialties. I think I will make some in her honor!
Wonderful, I'm so happy I could bring back memories. If you need a recipe, this one is the best I've found: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/best-cinnamon-rolls/
If you happen to know your mom's recipe, I'd love to try it...I'm always up for trying a new cinnamon roll recipe, as that's something I could sample all day long.
Dear Ashley--thank you so much for your work! A long, long time ago I was a single mom working 2 jobs to raise my little girl. I am from the "silent generation" we are that group who were raised like our parents. The kids coming right after us about 3 years difference were "the hippies". Where I lived close to Berkeley we had hundreds of little street fairs every weekend. Though I didn't agree with their values (pot smoking, free sex, etc) I did so love their crafts!
One weekend I decided that DD and I could go to the beach north of San Francisco and make sand candles. Somebody had given me instructions and off we went. We built our little stick fire (that was a chore on a wet beach) and then we made our candle. It was pretty, but the wind was blowing the sand in our eyes and DD got a little frustrated with "mother" (this has happened on occasion:-)
We did not know how to get the candle out of the sand so we just dug it out with our hands and dragged the candle and half the beach back to our little Datsun pick up truck. I had enough money to stop for a hot chocolate and a doughnut before we made the 3 hour drive home! My DD is 58 now and we still laugh about this day! I tell you all of this so you will feel good about the fact that sometimes being self sufficient may irritate your daughter--but, she will never stop loving you!
Wishing you the best Christmas and New Year!
That's such a lovely story, thank you for sharing.
Being self sufficient is irritating to the little sometimes, but they actually really love the projects and are excited about all the things we make. I think the fact that they're allowed pie for dinner anytime, provided they harvest the ingredients from the yard and make it themselves is motivating =)
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your email. They're like gifts. I learn so much from them and I dream about a time I might live somewhere like you do. Just wanted to say thank you.
Thank you so much Jennifer, I'm so glad you enjoy them!
Your the best.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and beautiful self reliant life. I live in a duplex at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs. I am 70 and enjoy walks in the beauty of nature here. It is high altitude here, fresh air and crisp weather that I appreciate.
I love that fresh high altitude air! Here we are deep in the woods but only at about 1000 feet. When I want to go on "vacation" it's to somewhere higher like that. There's nothing like stepping out on the porch to mountain air in the morning!
So sorry about your trees. Dang! Hopefully they will recover some of themselves. Agree on the cinnamon rolls, the cold and snow really kicks it. Appreciate all the information you lovingly put out for everyone. Happy Solstice almost here! Becky in Colorado
Happy Solstice Becky!