Robyn Dolan's Blog, page 8

Transitions – Brief Update

2017 was a year of transition. We moved to the urban homestead and are no longer on the road full time. I miss it. But the simple life principles I took from the homestead to full-time RVing I have taken with me to the Urban Homestead. I am not using all my simple principles. Just as many as are practical…

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Grocery Delivery – Amazon vs. Instacart

I am really loving grocery delivery. I have been using Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Vons for a few months now and it is a real game changer. No more fighting… Continue reading "Grocery Delivery – Amazon vs. Instacart"

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Costco and Aldi Grocery Delivery

I could not contain my excitement when I learned about Costco and Aldi grocery delivery in my area. I immediately checked it out and gave it a try. Instacart is the service used by Costco and Aldi here in Southern California. Ralphs, Stater Bros., Smart & Final, and Petco are also available through Instacart here, but … Continue reading Costco and Aldi Grocery Delivery →

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Amazon Fresh Grocery Delivery

My first Amazon Fresh Grocery Delivery was very exciting! I got to choose my delivery time of 8-9 in the morning and with attended delivery, which means someone has to be there. They also offer unattended delivery. When the postal service truck drove up and I saw my bags sitting there I got goosebumps. The … Continue reading Amazon Fresh Grocery Delivery →

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Moving to the Urban Homestead

I moved in with my 83-year-old dad at the beginning of this year to help him stay independent in his home for as long as possible. Hopefully to live out his life here. Although we are in the middle of the big city in Southern California, I am trying to homestead it as much as … Continue reading Moving to the Urban Homestead →

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How to use a Soap Cozy

How to use a soap cozy What is a soap cozy? Simply, it is a little bag to put your bar of soap in. It can be used for: soap storage as a washcloth, without even having to remove the soap put your soap ends in it and tie it shut, to use them up … Continue reading How to use a Soap Cozy →

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Summer School

We do summer school. Some homeschoolers take the summer off. We go year round. Some homeschools are structured. Some are completely unstructured. We are semi-structured. What I mean by that is that Yak has a daily list of assignments that he can pursue on his own time, within reason. I want his assignments done by … Continue reading Summer School →

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How to use Bar Soap

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The humble bar of soap.
Sometimes it seems like everyone has forgotten how to use bar soap. Since most people I know use liquid soap in tidy pump dispensers now. Yet bar soap is gentler, more economical, and does a better job of cleaning. Bar soap is truly a multi-purpose cleaner.
In order to make myself clear, when I speak of bar soap, I  am speaking of handmade soap. Rather like the kind I make, with all natural ingredients you can actually recognize. Like coconut, palm, and olive oils, milk, water, and essential oils, herbs, etc.
Sodium hydroxide (lye) causes a chemical change in the liquids and oils that soap is made with. This saponification neutralizes the lye and, as a result produces the familiar, sudsy soap that washes away grease and grime. Grease that washes away grease.
 
First of all, let me debunk the antibacterial myth:
Friction kills bacteria.
That’s right. Not soap, not hot water. Friction. Rubbing your hands together when you wash them creates the friction that kills the bacteria. Soap loosens foreign particles and oils from your skin, and water washes them away. But friction kills bacteria.
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Now let’s move on to the truth about bar soap:


lasts a long time as long as you keep it dry in between uses. (use a handy soap saver)


does not harbor bacteria and grunge as long as you keep it dry between uses. (don’t let it sit in a puddle of water)


can be made with ingredients you recognize and with none you don’t.


 
Finally, what are the advantages of bar soap?


lasts a long time as long as you keep it dry in between uses.


can also be used to wash your hair.


makes a great pet shampoo.


is an all purpose cleaner. What removes soap scum best? Soap.


makes a great laundry soap. In this case, it needs to be grated very fine and mixed with some other ingredients, but that is a whole nuther post.


is a gentle soap for hand washables.


 
How do you use bar soap?
Same as liquid soap, use bar soap for washing your hands. Keep a bar of soap next to your sink in a soap dish or saucer. It is best to elevate it a little to keep it dry. Many soap savers are available for this purpose.
First, wet hands and soap with water. Then rub soap between hands and replace on soap saver. Finally, rub hands together, spreading soap as desired. Continue rubbing hands together as you rinse the soap off with water.

That’s it! Now go out and support your local soap maker or make your own!

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Education Reform Starts at Home

 
For years now, our government has been lamenting the sad state of education in our country. So many methods of reform have been tried and have failed. As homeschoolers, we know that education reform starts at home. Education is not a one size fits all endeavor. The job market has changed and continues to evolve. Homeschoolers are in the unique position of being able to prepare our children for these changes, as we see them.

Yet, the basics remain the same. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are key to further education and success. Once a person can read, communicate clearly through the written word, and solve basic math problems, he or she can pursue whatever career opportunities may present themselves. Provide a strong foundation in the 3R’s during elementary school. Then step back and provide guidance, support, and encouragement to the young person.

Guidance,
especially if the student in question seems to think that gaming is an appropriate career choice. It can be, but it is about as likely as becoming a rich and famous actor, musician, or sports figure. They need backup skills.

Support,
in the form of books, supplies, activities, and mentors, as students explore possibilities for careers. Aside from textbooks and lab time, this might include internships; docent work at museums; a whale-watching trip with an oceanographer; a nature walk with a botanist, forester, or geologist; flight simulation with an airline pilot or an astronaut, etc. Once a student develops a more serious attitude towards a particular subject, they might spend more time with a mentor. Including assisting with projects, interning, transcribing notes, etc.

Certainly, all this must be documented in the student’s portfolio. Especially at the high school level. And even if you’re unschooling, your child deserves to have the tools he needs to get into college. If he or she so desires. So assemble the student portfolio with an eye to your state’s high school graduation requirements and general college admission requirements. At least at community college level.
We started high schooling this year. So I will post more about our activities and how I document them for Yak’s portfolio. How I blend it all together to satisfy requirements in several different states. How to make it good enough for college applications. And how I try to keep it interesting for Yak.

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Easy Potato Soup

Cooking from scratch is easy! Throw this Easy Potato Soup in the crock pot in the morning and it’s ready for dinner when you get home from work. Or whatever.

When we filmed The Potato Soup Movie for YouTube, it seemed to only make sense to put it here in writing, as well. I am including a number of things here that clarify and add to the info in the video. Proportions are for a 6 quart crock pot.

Easy Potato Soup
8 large (about 5 pounds) potatoes, any variety
1 large onion
5 large cloves garlic
2 quarts bone broth or chicken stock
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or fat from bone broth
water to cover ingredients
milk, heavy cream, or half and half (enough to thin blended soup to desired consistency)

Dice potatoes into bite-sized pieces and put them in the crock pot. I leave the skins on but you can peel them if desired. Add bone broth, set crock pot to high. Peel and slice the onion very thin or dice. Peel and coarsely chop garlic. Saute onion and garlic in butter until translucent. It is okay for it to be slightly browned or caramelized. Add to crock pot. Add water to cover all ingredients. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.

 

When potatoes are soft, turn off the crock pot. Soup will stay very hot for at least an hour.

You can eat the soup just as it is or make it creamy.

 

To cream the soup, ladle or spoon potatoes and a bit of broth into blender container. Fill about half way. Be careful, as you don’t want to shock a cold container and have it crack or shatter. Let the potatoes cool a minute or so and slowly add about a cup of milk or cream. Place lid on blender container and blend at high speed about 30-60 seconds, until creamy. Return mixture to crock pot and repeat until soup is as creamy as you like. If you run out of milk or do not like dairy, chicken broth or water can be used. Use less milk if soup is not thick enough. Stir well and serve.

One important thing I left out of the video: add-ins. Some of these could even be added into the soup while it is cooking. Sour cream, chives, and bacon make a particularly nice “Loaded Baked Potato Soup”. Put some of these on the side for people to choose from.
Add-ins:


Sour Cream


Chopped, cooked bacon


Chopped green onions


Shredded cheese


Salsa


Chopped tomatoes


Eat fresh and stay healthy.

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