really old style living?

seasalt_2

I feel a bit guilty now because I could very easily have a house cow - was offered one right back at the beginning and actually learnt to milk when I was about 14, before I ever came here, but MIL and SILs (who grew up with one!) all said "noooo...don't do it!" Can only think of about four households here that still have a house cow. No one in our family drinks much/any milk but soft cheese/yoghurt would be good - and the best icecream ever! (I do get the odd bottle if OH has to milk a cow for some reason eg udders too full for calf to suck etc).

I don't even have hens -yet (whispers!) for similar reasons and because I struggle to keep on top of everything as it is, although I do get my eggs from folk who do. quite often in exchange for vegetables. What I really want is small ducks to help keep the slugs down - had even "designed" my duck house (duckingham palace!) and a small pond but then bird flu hit the headlines and it didn't seem like such a good idea. One day though!

Red_Doe

Trading eggs for veg is lovely OS. I barter my surplus eggs for lifts and various bits and pieces too.

mardatha

I would love a cow. I go through 24 pints of milk a week and theres only two of us! Maybe we need a whole HERD.
Speaking of really old style, the OH is planted on the couch today and has orders not to get offit or else. He somehow stood on a bit of wire yesterday which went right into his foot - he and son were using a wire brush on the bike- and he's diabetic so I was a bit worried. Just been poking around in a hole in his sole with a needle and pair of tweezers and GOTIT :j So now its all slathered in honey, covered in cotton wool, and sellotaped in place !:rotfl: (the foot, not the wire) ..But by tonight it will be clear and clean.

annie123

*closes eyes re: eating cute animals*

Pleased I had a stock pile to fall back on, had unexpected building expense and whilst DH has done the work every weekend for nearly 2 months, the materials cost £££, and the only budget cut possible was 'housekeeping'

But this has been interesting as I have found it so much cheaper to buy milk/butter/bread locally rather than the BIG shop at MrS, so at the end of the month after hubby paid, I will do 1 carefully planned shop and just top up at local shops.

This site is very interesting:
http://victoriandecorating.blogspot.com/2007/02/victorian-kitchen.html

"Shopping was often done seasonally, buying things at the time of year that they were cheapest. Housewives would stock up whenever the price of something fell. Rice could supposedly be stored for 3 years if you followed the directions."

Not that I have the space to store enough rice for 3 years! (still got 60 loo rolls in the boot of my car:rotfl:)
it's interesting to note that we are being 'very old style' 150 years later, often out of need still , so no improvement there then!

mardatha

Oh annie, what a brilliant site ! ta x

mardatha

So what we were talking about before was a "cinder sifter "...and one of the most important bits of kit in a Victorian kitchen was a "bread grater"...

ChocClare

Actually, mardatha, if you got yourself a cinder sifter and saved all your woodash, you could make your own lye, then all you need is that cow and the ingredients for your soap will be absolutely free...

ginnyknit

...and homemade bread makes the best breadcrumbs! Oooh just looked at that Victorian site - I have black leaded ranges and donkey stoned the steps and kitchen floor - and Im only 50. Just think what the youth of today are missing out on.

NualaBuala

Great site Annie, thanks for the link.

I know some of you have made your own skin/bath stuff and I was wondering you if you could help me out. I've been asked if there are any "natural" ingredients that can be used as antimicrobials. And what is the legislation on it? I know teatree oil has activity but not sure of the concentrations needed. The situation is this: someone wants to sell their homemade organic skincare stuff at a market and says the antimicrobial is derived from a natural ingredient. The organic aspect is very important to the people who run the market and they want to make sure the ingredient is indeed natural and organic and that it's all legit from an EU regs point of view. So I'd be grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction.

Edit: I'm not the one making the stuff ... just said I'd look into it

mardatha

Is quite a long way round innit - maybe Sainsbugs Basics soap at 13p might do after all !