(title in progress)

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Bringing Etsy back! I am going to try and list something every day! Funds are needed for upcoming Top Secret vacation. I know my photos need help...but the products are awesome! Oh when will someone invent Sniff-O-Vision?

OMG

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:49:00 +0000

The first day...

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:50:00 +0000

Helpful

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Scraptastic Afghan (WIP)
featuring Dante

Before & After

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:16:00 +0000

Earth Hour 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:15:00 +0000

drum roll

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:09:00 +0000

I have finally chosen a major! I am going into marketing (no matter what you nay sayers say!). It's so nice to be able to check that to-do off my list! I am going to start attending the community college here in the Fall. Hopefully a lot of my credits from my last college will transfer! And then I plan on going to the university here to finish up. Yeah for decision making!

1 Million Pound Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:53:00 +0000

This growing season I am going to track what we grow (weight wise) and add our meager amount to the Freedom Harvest challenge. Think we can grow 200 pounds of food? Eh. Me either. But it's worth a try! I think last season our harvest was about a pound...
Here's to hoping this season will be better! To learn more about this challenge, and to participate, read about it here.

So far we have baby lettuce sprouts, morning glory (not edible, of course), some cauliflower...and I think that's about it.
Come on Spring!!

Free Rice

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Use your noggin'! Feed some people!

Cogito, ergo sum

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:05:00 +0000

INTPs are pensive, analytical folks. They may venture so deeply into thought as to seem detached, and often actually are oblivious to the world around them.

Precise about their descriptions, INTPs will often correct others (or be sorely tempted to) if the shade of meaning is a bit off. While annoying to the less concise, this fine discrimination ability gives INTPs so inclined a natural advantage as, for example, grammarians and linguists.

INTPs are relatively easy-going and amenable to almost anything until their principles are violated, about which they may become outspoken and inflexible. They prefer to return, however, to a reserved albeit benign ambiance, not wishing to make spectacles of themselves.

A major concern for INTPs is the haunting sense of impending failure. They spend considerable time second-guessing themselves. The open-endedness (from Perceiving) conjoined with the need for competence (NT) is expressed in a sense that one's conclusion may well be met by an equally plausible alternative solution, and that, after all, one may very well have overlooked some critical bit of data. An INTP arguing a point may very well be trying to convince himself as much as his opposition. In this way INTPs are markedly different from INTJs, who are much more confident in their competence and willing to act on their convictions.

Mathematics is a system where many INTPs love to play, similarly languages, computer systems--potentially any complex system. INTPs thrive on systems. Understanding, exploring, mastering, and manipulating systems can overtake the INTP's conscious thought. This fascination for logical wholes and their inner workings is often expressed in a detachment from the environment, a concentration where time is forgotten and extraneous stimuli are held at bay. Accomplishing a task or goal with this knowledge is secondary.

INTPs and Logic -- One of the tipoffs that a person is an INTP is her obsession with logical correctness. Errors are not often due to poor logic -- apparent faux pas in reasoning are usually a result of overlooking details or of incorrect context.

Games NTs seem to especially enjoy include Risk, Bridge, Stratego, Chess, Go, and word games of all sorts. (I have an ENTP friend that loves Boggle and its variations. We've been known to sit in public places and pick a word off a menu or mayonnaise jar to see who can make the most words from its letters on a napkin in two minutes.) The INTP mailing list has enjoyed a round of Metaphore, virtual volleyball, and a few 'finish the series' brain teasers.

INTPs in the main are not clannish. The INTP mailing list, with a readership now in triple figures, was in its incipience fraught with all the difficulties of the Panama canal: we had trouble deciding on:

1) whether or not there should be such a group,
2) exactly what such a group should be called, and
3) which of us would have to take the responsibility for organization and maintenance of the aforesaid group/club/whatever.

For more, click
To take an abbreviated Myers-Briggs, click here

Finances

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:32:00 +0000

Money is something that is sometimes hard for people to talk about or even to be honest with themselves about. I know that it helps me immensely to be able to see where my money is going and why. I use Money to track my transactions at home, because I like to see the graphs and projections. The Boy uses a mix of Excel and Money (I'm not sure how he does it. Magic?) It is a huge goal of mine to work my way out of the debt that I have stupidly put myself in. Every week I track my progress and do the happy dance when the debt number is lower than it was the week before!

Wheels, kilns, and galzes! Oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Oh yes. I was gifted with a potters wheel a couple days ago. Oh hell yes.

My mind has been a non-stop mash up of pottery ideas! Toothbrush holders, pitchers, soap dishes, mugs, bowls, my own glaze recipes, fermentation containers, sponge holders! Oh hell yes.
Rumor has it that a kiln is also on the horizon. I can hardly contain my excitement!

In other news....
I began a new etsy site yesterday for the new face of the wee soap company (which is soon going to have pottery added). Stay tuned for that unveiling.

01/20/2009, baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Finally!

Eat Local

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:32:00 +0000

The Boy and I are going to sign up for the Los Poblanos Organics CSA. We know that eating with the season's is important, as is supporting local farmers (and business people!). Hey, and they even deliver! How much more simple can it get? According to their web-site, this weeks box (all for only $28.00) contains 4 apples, cherry tomatoes, celery, garlic, bok choi, cilantro, wild carrots, avocados, red pears, baby spinach, and 3 kiwis. Other than the kiwis, it all looks really good! Add in a bag of beans from the Farmers Market and a bag of rice...endless meals! Ok, not endless, but tasty meals if nothing else!
They also offer a work share program! Work 2 1/2 hours a week and you get 50% off the cost. Good to know in case money gets very tight.

Busted. Totally.

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:11:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Hug A Stranger

That's all I have to say today.

Winter Sowing

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:18:00 +0000

This year we are going to try our hand at winter seed sowing (more info here). It makes perfect sense to let Mother Nature do Her thing and have the seeds get to growing when She tells them too. The practice is also fun because you get to recycle containers, and boy do I love recycling! We've got two flats set out now (we ran out of seeds), but hope to have more set out soon so that they can go through the fun freezing and thawing stuff!

Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi) (we are Winter Sowing these bad boys)
Seeds from Johnny's

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Roundel of the Seasons
Sheila Waters

Sneaky Yarn

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:28:00 +0000

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Years.
Here is a sneak peak at (part of) a project I've been working on....

And here is a huge hint as to what it is....

I've got one piece mostly done. I ran out of farking orange, so I still have 5 rows to finish on one of the lads. I'm so excited about this project!

Re-Branding

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:26:00 +0000

I'm considering re-branding the soap biz. I want a stream lined look, something memorable, something people will pick up and say "wow! I must have this" (OK, that last bit is what I always want). I'm thinking a Victorian meets steam punk look. Very feminine, but with teeth, as it were.
I am going to have to clean out all the soaps that are currently packaged with the old label/style. Last year I cleaned out the inventory with a huge ass sale on Etsy which was very successful! I'm thinking maybe 3 for $10 rather than $5 each. Stay posted! Fear ye not, I will come to some sort of decision!

I lack creativity when it comes to naming the soaps though. A thesaurus is my best friend.

Here is the current style:

(sorry about the blurry photo)

I really love the tree. It's just so...plain? boring? nondescript?

I need a new name. And new graphics. And new images. And new descriptions. Oh my! I'm open to the universe (or any humans) providing me with inspiration.

Skits off to play with fonts and inspiration

Vegan Mac and Cheese

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:23:00 +0000

We have been eating a lot of more vegan food over the last couple of days and I wanted to share an absolutely fantastic dish we had for dinner last night (and lunch today)

The low down...
Vegan Dad's Creamy Mac & Cheeze (As directed. We didn't have any sunflower seeds, so I subbed more raw cashews)
1 Tbs Green Chile Powder
1 Tbs soy sauce
1 bag Morning Star Crumbles (I have a weakness for these)

-Mix everything together.
-Pour into a greased 13x9 pan.
-Top with homemade bread crumbs (ours are, of course, spiked with some green chile powder)
-Bake in a 400* preheated oven for about half an hour.

So. Tasty! Even tasty as left overs!

Rather Lazy

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:36:00 +0000

I've been rather lazy about updating this blog. Oh my. Hopefully I will have some exciting adventures over the weekend to share.

Current Fermentation Stash:
1/2 gallon organic wine
1 gallon wild fermentation apple cider
1 1/2 gallons wilder fermentation mead
1 pints kimchi
9 bottles wild fermentation ginger beer
1 very large bowl of some scary looking stuff The Boy is wild fermenting
2 gallons kombucha (our last batch was perfect! they keep getting better and better!)

We bought a little space heater to help the fermentation group since we are refusing to heat our house with the furnace this year :)

Fermentation Madness

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:15:00 +0000

The Boy is reading Wild Fermentation and seems to want to make every single thing in it. Since we are short of flat surfaces to store our jars of bubbling goodness we will be putting in shelves this weekend.

Currently bubbling away-
Kombucha
Ginger Beer
Hard Apple Cider

On the short list of things to get started this week-
Kimchi
Mead
Sourdough (this is a maybe for me, but The Boy loves sourdough)

We are in desperate need of more glass jugs though. Sunburst Bottles has a great selection of large capacity glass bottles, if we can't source them locally that is where we will get them for future projects.
Oh the excitement of wild fermentation! I love to sit and watch the jars start to spontaneously bubble with no aid from us other than a piece of muslin to keep the flies out. (photos coming soon)

Omnivore's Hundred

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:36:00 +0000

It's been ages since I was an omni...
Bolding=something I've eaten

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos Rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom Yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Woo-hoo! 44% I love food!

Wild Fermentaion and New Fur Kid

noreply@blogger.com (Brittney) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:37:00 +0000

I've been a bit MIA lately :) We got a new furbug! His name is Ziggy and he is such a little terrorist! He is a doll, but rather a handful. Here is a photo of him while still at our local Animal Services Shelter (he is an ex-stray)

(Can you see his little goatee? So cute!)

After reading several stellar reviews of the book Wild Fermentation, I just had to get it. It's a brilliant book! I read it in one day and we now have two (not including our kombucha) wild fermentation projects going! One is a hard apple cider and the other is ginger beer, both are starting to bubble and do their fermentation dance. I'm so excited about this project! I've been taking lots of photos, so hopefully a how-to/step-by-step post for ginger beer will be in Herb-Cat's future...