when you are out of words........show photos

I haven't been very chatty lately...........so here's a few pictures to show you what I've been up to. 

Kombucha............

It looks like fudge. It smells like mint chocolate. Even though I KNEW it was soap I was still beckoned by this delicious looking soap every time I walked into the kitchen. I finally had to find another room to let this soap "cure" in because I was afraid I was going to eventually bite into my chocolate mint soap. I bet it doesn't taste as good as it looks and smells.

                                                                                           

Remember my wax mess?

Well, I tried all the tricks that I could find to try to get the wax out of my carpet.  Ironing, Goo Gone, and even WD40. After hours (I am not exaggerating) of ironing a paper bag over the hardened waxed carpet..........I gave up. 

Admitting defeat, I headed to Amazon, found a rug to cover the spot (cheaper then new carpet....or wood floors which is what I would like to do someday because really, who puts carpet in the kitchen?) and put the iron in it's storage spot where it will not move for another year or two because I DON'T iron. 

Below, top left: One day I used all three of my crock pots...I don't remember what I had "brewin'" in each of them but it was a good and productive day. I'm sure of it. Anyway. The three crocks had been washed and were waiting on the radiator for me to put them in their proper sleeping places (my small kitchen and my abundance of crocks necessitate storage elsewhere). I had to take a picture of my three best friends and say a word of thanks. They truly make my life easier. 

Below, top middle: The next picture is the display of the 7 foods that I exclusively ate for 7 days....well...almost 7 days. I promise, I will write more on this experience later (this week is my 7 pieces of clothing for 7 day....much easier then giving up food!). 

You guessed it.....below, top right: Valentine Pizza! Tortilla cut into heart shapes, homemade pizza sauce and shredded cheese. The kiddos loved them!

The middle-middle picture? Oh, that's just a few pounds of pig fat. I rendered lard for the first time with my a borrowed roaster oven. The middle bottom picture shows the chunks of fat left over. These are called cracklings. I've read that after rendering these little cracklings can be fried up and tossed on top of salad (tastes just like bacon). Haven't tried this but I do know that they make great doggie treats!

Bottom right is a picture of chicken stock and fresh-still-in-liquid-form lard. That was a busy day. 

I hope to get my voice back soon as I'm excited to share my 7 Lenten Experiment with you (based on Jen Hatmaker's book "7"). Here in the Minnesota tundra we're expecting many inches of snow this evening so it sounds like a perfect time to catch up on some writing. :)