Simple Living & Learning
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How to Make Hot Pepper Jelly
The post describes a recipe for homemade hot pepper jelly, ideal as a holiday gift. It serves well with cream or goat cheese and crackers. The recipe yields nine half-pint jars, which can be stored safely for one year. Detailed steps for preparation and sealing are provided for successful preservation.
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Learning How to Watercolor with The Mint Gardener
This was a four hour workshop hosted by Ciderpress Lane and taught by Sarah Simon, The Mint Gardener. The workshop consisted of three parts; 1. Floral Design, 2. Learning how to watercolor, and 3. Connecting with other workshop attendees while enjoying appetizers, drinks, dessert & coffee. It was a gorgeous fall afternoon to enjoy the workshop in the Ciderpress Lane orchard. This post will focus on the second element of learning how to watercolor. Each attendee was given a watercolor workbook that includes 25 beginner-friendly projects on premium watercolor paper (written and designed by Sarah Simon, The Mint Gardener), Stoneground Paint Co. watercolor palette that has 24 different colors, and…
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Low Waste Simple Living Bathroom Solutions
As a marine mammal biologist I am an eco-conscious person, I am dedicating my career to protecting these species and key to their survival is a healthy ocean environment. We all hear about the large patches of garbage in the ocean and I don’t want to contribute to that problem if I can help it! This year I’ve been exploring low or no waste bathroom solutions to cut back on how much I am throwing away. Here are just a few ideas to consider… Homemade Makeup Remover – I’ve been making this for years (15+) and it’s still my favorite go to make-up remover. I use this on my eyes…
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How to Make All Natural Cleaning Solutions
If you are a close friend or family member of mine you know how much I love a clean and well organized home. Earlier this year I started experimenting with all natural cleaning solutions and I am surprised how well the below cleaning solutions work for keeping our home sparkling clean. I also like that I am no longer purchasing throw away plastic bottles each time I need more cleaning supplies. Win win! One common ingredient you’ll find in all natural cleaners is vinegar. I was a bit hesitant at first since I’m not a huge fan of the smell but I don’t even notice it when I add citrus…
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How to Make Simple Sourdough Bread @ Home
In March 2024 I went to a Sourdough Workshop and learned how to make sourdough. Everyone was sent home with 25g of starter and basic instructions of how make it yourself. After several months of practice and many loaves made with plenty of reading and research I’ve finally perfected my loaf and my process – I am sure this will be ever evolving but I wanted to share my step by step guide. Are you new to sourdough? If so, you can check out some of my top tips and tricks on my Learning How to Make Sourdough Bread post. Note: If you have a bread machine and would like…
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How to Make Homemade Butter
This was really quite simple, far easier than I would have thought! It requires just one ingredient and ~ 15 minutes of time. This is so delicious spread on a hot slice of sourdough or on homemade buttermilk biscuits. You can also add in fresh herbs, honey, cinnamon sugar, etc. to taste at the end if you’d like. This recipe makes ~ 1 lb. of butter and ~ 12 oz. buttermilk. Ingredients: Step One: Pull your heavy whipping cream out of the fridge a few hours in advance and leave it on your kitchen counter. You want your cream to be at room temperature. Step Two: Set up your Kitchen…
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Learning How to Make Sourdough Bread
In March of 2024 I went to a workshop with a close friend to learn how to make sourdough bread. I knew nothing about the process involved or how enthusiastic I would become about making hot, fresh, delicious bread at home. In the past I just wasn’t patient enough to embark on a journey of waiting 24+ hours to pull a loaf of bread out of the oven. As I have navigated grief after my Mom’s passing these past 3 1/2 years I have changed in many ways, it turns out I now have enough patience to start making sourdough. What I am craving is simplicity and getting back to…
