tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13499447147477975632018-05-01T09:54:39.315-04:00with my bare handsI live with my husband, five quirky kitties, and two hens in Springfield, Massachusetts.
I love to knit, camp, garden, learn, and share. I'm a big believer in self-sufficiency, which generally steers the nature of this blog.
Most days, I can't sit still, so I learn and try a whole host of new things. Enjoy learning with me through the laughable failures and the great successes!Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.comBlogger672125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-48705359308207503462018-03-16T13:01:00.001-04:002018-03-16T13:01:46.873-04:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgZEXNnnFZdpcFFDvZ9RIXhu6aI2sEpqjQrzOs0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />My sons face after he tries the smallest amount of sriracha. We wanted to show him it wasn’t something he’d like. We were wrong. 😂🔥 #sriracha #notwhatiexpected #ahaha via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-49972755631893159422018-03-13T08:33:00.001-04:002018-03-13T08:33:57.950-04:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgQ3MwNH9d4doseIDULxUaCjmfquh5x3m1POsQ0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Someone demands to be my co-worker at my desk... every... single... day. #trubtrub #cats #coworkers #payattentiontome via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-80126023035059161692018-03-12T14:49:00.001-04:002018-03-12T14:49:51.829-04:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgO8W41n_L8vERSbffb68fI22YqvYKTLL73FCQ0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />An army of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in pints. Got them on sale for $1.24/lb, so I bought 30lbs and canned all of them. With the exception of a quart and a half, I got 28 pints of the stuff to add to the cellar pantry. 👍🏻 #canning #rebelcanning #chicken #foodpreservation #yum via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-31049168592220223782018-03-11T09:43:00.001-04:002018-03-11T09:43:32.947-04:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgL149Dn_Iwy-qkUtkBqtPrGj8wkbeQYaR_R3k0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Brining our own brisket this year for corned beef on St Patty’s Day. The brine smelled heavenly, and had lots of new spices in it that I hadn’t worked with before. Super excited to see how it comes out! #cornedbeef #diy #homecooking #yum via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-81789011115639885602018-03-09T15:02:00.001-05:002018-03-09T15:02:20.758-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgHXjVpHAKyFu4Yghoh4RDk3y1N-UU_DqYz3Nc0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Can you believe it, we’re going to a party tonight! We may even come home later than 8pm! We’re really pulling out the stops this Friday night. Some bread and eggs to go with my sister’s gender reveal for Baby #2 tonight. 💕👶 #genderreveal #party #yay #boyorgirl💗💙 #homemade #mychickensdidit via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-72800359225064499432018-03-06T14:19:00.001-05:002018-03-06T14:19:47.120-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf_kLDknyQ5GSjSBnnXNRfNfW79jIN1IP4D4y00/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />The most wonderful cat in the world, Trouble. 😍 #trubtrub #cat #kittylove #plops via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-37679119907183629402018-03-06T07:24:00.001-05:002018-03-06T07:24:22.666-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf-02VtHfE4N0DyFuGKK0nEUhOp1hDON60Gk440/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Good morning! Whole wheat bread loaves for the week and for the freezer. Yum! 🍞 #bread #freshbread #wholewheat #diy #budgetfriendly via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-44063477601613666922018-02-26T15:57:00.001-05:002018-02-26T15:57:40.383-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfq5nYiHuN2ZcbEeHnv1g1vBeM9u1pARMsiL2g0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Just to show you that I screw things up in my kitchen a lot 😂 My first ever batch of maple candy. I guess I was skeptical of my thermometer and decided to pour off the syrup early. Maybe. I dunno. The candy hardened some, but not enough for me to believe in it. So I decided to put it in the oven with today’s bread batch to see what would happen (would it lose more water content?) This is the result. The solid, dried parts are incredibly delicious and crunchy, but it’s a fail for sure. Ah well, lesson learned. Try, try again. #maplesyrup #maplesyrupseason #maplecandy #fail #kitchenfail via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-79743447187850766932018-02-26T11:31:00.001-05:002018-02-26T11:31:27.702-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfqqwAIHzcWNmR_Au2r7rMF_FfdQs-WpXlQ8Vg0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Yes I did. Now to learn a whole new set of cookery skills. Though we’re not Armenian, my sister and I grew up in an Armenian family, and I love love love the foods the matriarchs made. This cookbook was recommended to me, and so now I’m setting out to learn how to make all of the things we grew up with... and more. #armeniancuisine #armenianfood #delicious #cantwait #yum via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-75681009363373587352018-02-25T18:23:00.001-05:002018-02-25T18:23:34.419-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfo1IoJHM1qhttiSXcf85md3428vKA7X4yj44c0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />A gray day in New England, but a great day for Sagan! Grandma treated everyone for sweets at @whoopiedoocupcakes before headed into @sturbridgefleamarket for some fun finds. Look at how he stares at that whoopie pie! 😝 #sturbridgefleamarket #rainydayadventures #newengland #cupcakes #grandma via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-25761254853988475832018-02-24T09:22:00.001-05:002018-02-24T09:22:52.591-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BflSd5sHTbdC5ceD41TvQSA4E7Sa6rJ6FK8tgY0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Dinner. I was nervous about baking pizza in my small cast iron skillet but boy did it come out good! 😋 #pizza #castiron #skillet #homemade via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-40342499624713009342018-02-21T14:11:00.001-05:002018-02-21T14:11:28.016-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfeFG5IHbwh9MB1Ws5wBwNf6k3G2NF1ujzxEz00/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Finally replaced the above-stove, pull-chain vent cover. The house cane with a very old, very painted one that was quite pretty but beyond efficient use. When I pulled it out, I noticed the motor and housing were all covered in nastiness, which led to the Great Vent Changeout about 4 years ago. It was a nightmare to replace the vintage vent, but with help, it got done. The door of the new vent was decidedly cheap and ugly, but I vowed to use it until it broke, which it inevitably did this winter. This is the replacement, complete with a filter this time! I had to engineer it all to work (thank you eBay!), and now only I know how it goes together to look like it was always meant to be there. I’m proud of the look, if only I had a beautiful 40” 1953 stove to go with it. 😛 #vintage #retrokitchen #oldfashionedreno #backintime #makedo #kitchenventilation via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-52103354042935521552018-02-18T17:36:00.001-05:002018-02-18T17:36:17.374-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfWuKGhH3w9qpQk5vjoOow9fN6JJxieYcQK7Lk0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Mighty Trub-Trub protecting the family at sundown. She thinks she’s all-powerful and it’s wonderful. 😍🐈💪🏻 #trubtrub #cats #protector #mightycat via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-58646944224015026492018-02-14T15:11:00.001-05:002018-02-14T15:11:28.625-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfMKPQXn_TnTAY1GzGC6nkjb4oe-ORx1NXcJMc0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Feeling under the weather for Valentine’s Day, but who needs fancy flowers or gifts when these two are telling each other tales in the afternoon sun? #valentinesday #family #love #precious #savorthemoment via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-26666763059803057212018-02-10T19:37:00.001-05:002018-02-10T19:37:35.545-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfCVrqMnEumcFVCkwh9FOK1804eHSCjNMm_vWE0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Got some raw milk for a pretty penny. Decided to get my money’s worth: mozzarella cheese in the making here. I also made some yogurt. Yay local raw milk! 🐮🥛 #rawmilk #local #eatlocal via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-55985333056960176062018-02-09T07:53:00.001-05:002018-02-09T07:53:52.999-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Be-gWwcHwZ6XqeufNKWcdj3o4X9isM0b-me4Fs0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Some light morning reading 😂📚 #cutieman #babythings via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-37062239915406652902018-02-07T13:22:00.001-05:002018-02-07T13:22:06.190-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Be58NMUHQIqTCU1qag4JDszIL8XqsuPC_ocdMM0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Snow day CSA soup. Not sure it’s “soup,” really... but holy cow is it good. Improvised a bunch of crap from the fridge roasted a while... butternut squash, parsnips... add some chicken broth, nutmeg... toss in a blender...delish for a snowy day! ❄️ #snowday #homemade #delish #rootveggies via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-31168289163965984092018-02-03T11:19:00.001-05:002018-02-03T11:19:54.981-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BevbKmFHQlsIkuSp1kIT-xUa7mXDlCtg5q9TT00/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />I could hardly fit all the loot from our first CSA share on the counter. A head of cabbage, 2 lbs of shallots, 4.5lbs if colored carrots, 2 lbs of parsnips, 2 lbs of sweet potatoes, a third of a pound of leafy greens, and popping corn on the cob - all local! How great is this?! I think I’m in love. #csa #local #eatlocal #redfirefarm #veggies #winterveggies via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-89515623022634197242018-01-31T12:18:00.001-05:002018-01-31T12:18:25.188-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BenzeKmHHjghMh2UAeWqnZJqcHAbL6dAdCs0gM0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Okay, okay, just one more for now. The star of the show is in the background, in between bottles 2 and 3. You can just make out the bucket. 🌳🍁😋 #maple #mapletree #maplesyrup #newengland #newenglandwinter #springiscoming via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-59821977311192288432018-01-30T20:14:00.001-05:002018-01-30T20:14:13.690-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BemFH5fnzK_wEJtW30b_NvmZNcxeZ5SDk427Us0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />The first maple syrup for the season. A full 5 gallon bucket beget this small amount of syrup after hours and hours of boiling. Beautiful golden syrup from a tree 💕🍁🌳 #maplesyrupseason #trees #signofspring #homegrown via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-4833287447228818222018-01-30T09:40:00.001-05:002018-01-30T09:40:08.860-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bek8kcEnkWZaoSm8FpwYN0hKN4ADqrgEvrd-1I0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />It’s that time of year again! Boiling maple sap means spring isn’t far... I had a full 5 gallon bucket after only a few days. Hope the heavy duty kitchen vent is up to this! 🍁😋 #maplesyrup #syrup #diy #springiscoming via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-9467955074618831792018-01-21T16:24:00.001-05:002018-01-21T16:24:30.555-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeOfrp-HpVOBqL4NswtvlCgFQ9ZPd11FgGXnSE0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />One of my favorite places to visit seasonally. This time, the gate out to the pump house (a huge, beautiful, deco tower) was open, so we took time to look out over the dam and throw snowballs down to the ice far, far below. #knightvilledam #winterfun #deco via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-75678733096177290312018-01-19T07:22:00.001-05:002018-01-19T07:22:09.089-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeIYCJGHwch1VLdA4s-oeCdzW36fN1Hmdyjv7A0/embed" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Chris stole my new hat. I think it looks great on him... maybe he was right to take it. I have been sitting on his gloves all winter. Wool from #oldsturbridgevillage dyed in a natural sage dye. Pattern is my own spin on the Bray hat. via <a href="https://ifttt.com/?ref=da&site=blogger">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-67452667702470908032018-01-17T13:15:00.001-05:002018-01-17T13:15:10.672-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="http://ift.tt/2DrPGwC" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Coming soon to an Etsy shop you may know 😜 Nap time projects; custom embroidered baby birth records. Made one for Sagan, loved it, making more for the shop. Name and date will go at the bottom, and it will be placed in a cuter hoop to hang. #embroidery #babyshower #babyboy #babygirl #birthrecord via <a href="http://ift.tt/16Xitlp">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1349944714747797563.post-42757442193140261872018-01-16T18:05:00.001-05:002018-01-16T18:05:31.643-05:00Instagrammed<iframe src="http://ift.tt/2DbJvt6" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br />Yolanda the Giraffe is at the stuffed animal hospital tonight. Her ear fell off from too much smashing. He’s very happy to have her back. #yolanda #stuffedanimals #handmade via <a href="http://ift.tt/16Xitlp">IFTTT</a>Danielle http://www.blogger.com/profile/17277799285922475728noreply@blogger.com0