Wouldn't you know that I have been struck with "insomnia" yet again. I don't get it. I should be sleeping sweetly. Blast.

There's been a lot of mention on homesteading, living off the land, and going granola... Daddy Mock made a really cute comment the other day when he agreed to go cloth (as in diapering) for Everett.

Me: "Babe, are you sure you're down for this? You used to be so opposed".
Him: "I wouldn't have married you if I didn't like change".

Isn't that the truth? Just in the past 6 months, my poor husband has endured:
-his wife stopping showering more than 1-2X/week. Why, you ask? Read here to find out.

-his wife's discontinuation of deodorant (TOXIC TOXIC aluminum and other ingredients!)

-his wife replacing sunscreen on his children with something called "Extra Virgin Coconut Oil".

-his wife ending the use of freshly scented laundry detergents.

-his wife substituting all cleaning supplies with vinegar, olive oil, lemon, and baking soda.

-his wife changing toothpastes. (Actually, he went out and bought his own natural toothpaste!)

-his wife abolished white sugar, white flour, pasteurized milk, juice, and honey in the house.

-his wife started a compost.

-his wife started sewing.

-his wife switched the baby to cloth diapers.

Poor guy.

Back to living off the land (he got his line of sympathy, let's move on)...So, in my quest to become more resourceful, I'm grateful for inspiring friends and family that happen to be super knowledgeable in this category. One friend happens to be on the other side of the fence, which makes things very convenient. (I would feature her here, however, she's so resourceful, she spends little time on the internet *blush*. Well, she probably sleeps at night!)

Her grandmother owns a whole ranch down in Hollister and many times we have reaped the benefits of her abounding garden. Nothing like fresh organic veggies and newly gathered eggs being handed over the fence! My embarrassment shot to the highest degree when we were out back watching our kids play. Our 100 yr-old concord grape vines were overflowing with plump and juicy grapes.

Tasha: "Oh my gosh, look at all those grapes! Why haven't you picked them? Ahma (Grandma) can make jam for all of us".

Me: (Tail between my legs) "Wow, I never thought to do that as they have seeds in them. We just snack on them when we're back here".

So I picked and picked and picked and they still kept coming.

Now these sad little unused grapes greet me below the barren grape vine--as a reminder that no matter how far I have come, I have more to go on my journey of self-sufficiency.