February 8, 2011

• Making things and snow

  In addition to the photo cards that I make,  I've also started printing my photos on actual canvas that is treated for use in ink jet printers.  The canvas is archival quality.   After I print it, I stretch the canvas.  I'm still working on the stretching bit and I hope I get the stretching down perfect enough to sell the prints.  Today,   I'm making soap, bottling up tinctures, and working on my stretching skills getting ready for Saturday's indoor farmers market.  I'm hoping folks will buy some soaps, creams, tinctures, cards, etc for Valentine's Day gifts.    

  The photo in this stretched canvas print was taken a few years ago at the Botanical Garden.  It was at an exhibit on Charles Darwin.  They had recreated his gardens and they were truly breathtaking. 

  
     
  This print is going to someone very, very special in my life. It is for her birthday. Unfortunately, the stretching is not perfect yet, but I know she will appreciate it.  I'm sure with a little practice I will have it mastered.

  

  It's still snowing here.  We received another 3" last night.   My sweet hubby has plowed pathways for us and the animals.  I stepped off the plowed area the other day and the snow came up to my mid-thigh!  Hubby has been removing the snow from the roof.  In the front of our house, we have a compacted snow pile of snow and ice....it is almost 6 feet tall!  We do love snow,  but I must admit,  I'm ready for some green.  I've been having trouble getting into the high tunnel from the ice and snow.  I had to chip ice away from the door the other day.   Watering the animals this winter has been tough with all the snow.  The water freezes in the barn so we have to use four water hoses hooked together.  Watering can take up to two hours by the time you hook the hoses all together,  water, and then drain the hoses.  If we don't do a good job draining,  we have frozen hoses and that becomes even a bigger job.  Walking in the deep snow also slows you down.   I think about how difficult it can be some days and then I think about how much more difficult it is right now in other parts of the world or in the past on this farm.  

  

  I was reading about India the other day.  Someone had visited recently and said,  "the water we flush down our toilets is cleaner than the drinking water for most of the population in India."  It really makes you count your blessings.  Even when hubby was in Cambodia a few years ago,  it was the same way.  However,  one thing he pointed out...these people were happy.  Many did not have electricity,  running water, sewage, etc yet, these people were happy.  It really makes you think about things in our country and how many people in our country behave.  

   

  • 8:00 am
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