Scrub a dub dub soaking in the tub... or someone that bought my scrubs are.

On top of having 5 kids, a dog, 10 rabbits in my rabbitry...some of whom are pregnant, a job, a blog, gardening, composting, and baking, Ebay business, I have decided to get a hobby. I have always wondered how women start there own business, and was certain I did not have any good ideas.

 I began making salt and sugar scrubs for my husband during the winter because his skin would get so dry he would itch constantly. So to save my arm from falling off from all the back scratching I made a home made sugar scrub, and it worked wonderfully. The result: smooth soft skin that was moisturized for days. YEAH!

Well, recently my church had it's annual Christmas Bazaar, so I decided to make and sell my home made salt and sugar scrubs, bath salts and powders. The first day I did horrible...no one was interested, but the next day I placed some samples scrubs in the bath room, and it was a hit. People were able to try my product and realize how wonderful they worked. I did well enough I decided to participate in another bazaar. I woke up excited and ready to go, just to walk out into the SNOW....why Ohio? Why do you have the most ironic weather on earth? Sunny and beautiful and boom snow, and anyone that has ever visited Dayton OH in the rain or snow knows people don't drive well at all, like it's something new they have never seen before. So they just don't get out.

My friend Angie and I had a great time eating soup (10 different flavors...mmm mmm good) and socializing. I was able to make a little money but not what I had hoped. But God has always got a plan, the woman next to me invited to make baskets of my products and sell them at a Quarter Auction.
What a blast. If you have never been, it's great. I was able to actually make money for my products and my husband won a massage all in the same day. Talk about fabulous.

I have decided to name my company Melody of Hope after my beautiful daughters who help me make my products. It's good family time, and helps put a little extra in our pockets for things we need around the house.

I am excited to do another quarter auction, and get my name out there. Who knows between a rabbitry, and hobby maybe I can make a little extra money.

Digging In the City (my experience in homesteading in the city): Ahh The Holidays...have wore me out already

Digging In the City (my experience in homesteading in the city): Ahh The Holidays...have wore me out already

Ahh The Holidays...have wore me out already

Ok, so doing it the home made way takes a little more gusto than just going to the store, buying a pie and popping it in the oven. I found a great deal on sweet potatoes, and bought 50lbs...yes I said 50, thinking what a great save. I can make the pies I need and ...freeze some for christmas pies.
I made 10 delicious Sweet Potato pies, and stayed up all night the night before Thanksgiving just making the crust and pies filling from scratch. I was so tired that I decided to transport the pies to Indianapolis and bake them in the hotel oven when we got there. Well needless to say it sounded good, and it worked, but I REALLY should have started these pies earlier. All in all they were a success at the cost of my sleep though.
So what about the other 25lbs of sweet potatoes? you ask. There still in the fridge. Yep, I was so exhausted after our trip, because our car battery died, so we called AAA, then we still had to pick up some rabbits in South Indianapolis for our rabbitry, and go see family on the way out...we didn't get home till 11:30 Friday night. Our plan was to be home at 3. Ooops. hahaha such is life.

One lovely concoction came up in my effort to get rid of some of my sweet potatoes though. It's a delicious treat if you want something sweet, but good for you (hard to come by these days.) It's a twist on a roasted potato fries recipe I make. It's a little gooey, but so good hot or cold. You'll see I'm not a cook book author when you read my recipe, but it's easy to follow.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries w/ maple syrup

4 Sweet Potatoes cut into strips (skin on or off)
2 tbls. Olive Oil
1/4 c. Maple Syrup
Pinch of Cinnamon, Nutmeg or Pumpkin Spice
1/4 c. Demera Sugar (or what ever you have)

Set oven to 450 degrees, cut sweet potatoes into strips or wedges, place in a bowl and drizzle olive oil, maple syrup, mix in spices and sugar. Toss until all the potatoes are covered, add more if desired.
Place on cookie sheet, and bake for 35 min. If you want crispier fries, only toss in olive oil and add the maple syrup, sugar and spices after they have baked.

I served this with Turkey burgers and corn, and snacked on the fries the next day. My son who is a junk food junkie loved them, and ate a bunch, but I didn't mind cause it was good for him.  Happy Holidays.