by Melissa Jeter aka HUF
When I arrive at Mama B's homestead, I am greeted by the dog, a 50 pound tan and white collie. I return the excited greeting and she leads me to the door. I knock on the door and turn the handle. Mama B greets me with a big hug and we move into the dining room, where there are bagels, cream cheese and tea. After nibbling and a few sips of tea, we begin our conversation.
HUF: What do you grow in your urban farm?
Mama B:
I have grown many things over the years in my suburban garden most notably "All Blue" Potatoes in containers and heirloom tomatoes and peppers. I tried to grow catnip once, but the cat ate it. I unfortunately did not get the green thumb that runs in my mother's family, so my yields are quite small.
HUF:How do you feel about the small yield?
Mama B:
No matter how small though I do like the connection to the earth and teaching my children how the food actually grows and what needs to be done to harvest it. I like to see things growing and I like the hope and excitement of what might be produced. I tend to get sad though when I don't get the results I want. That is why I tend toward making things from scratch like soap, lotion, etc. If they fail I know right away. I don't have to wait to be disappointed.
HUF: Yes, I have that same hope and excitement about what could grow. So when I grow vegetables, I like to use compost and organic fertilizers. It's really important to me. How do you make your own soap?
Mama B:
I make soap the old fashioned way with lye and mostly vegetable oils. Seeing the chemical reaction occur and feeling the heat from it are exciting and fun and I my entire family benefits from it. Not only do I get a sense of self-sufficiency from it, I have soap that is better on my skin than any store bought bar. I also feel a connection to my ancestors. My grandfather (and I'm sure others in my family way back in Scotland) used to make soap. I was never blessed with knowing him in person, but when I make soap, I always feel like I honor his memory and he is there. I also see him in my bleeding heart plant in my garden which has actually been handed down directly from his garden to my mother's to mine.
HUF: Wow! So you get a quality bar of soap and this connection to extended family. I can relate to that. I think that my extended family in rural southeastern Ohio grew a lot of things. Somewhere in the family there's this photo of my great grandfather growing peanuts. He's just holding them up in the air. It's so inspirational. Now, tell me, is it important to you to use specific supplies when you make soap?
Mama B:
For the most part, I am not too picky about my supplies although the shea butter I bought is fair trade and naturally pressed instead of processed with chemicals which makes me feel better. I try to think of ways to use what I have on hand. That doesn't always work. I buy meat locally from farmers who I know and I plan on making suet cakes with bird seed for the birds with the lard that is stored in my freezer. As yet, I have not found a use for the beef heart that still sits in my freezer awaiting an inspired recipe, but I can hope.
HUF: Well, I'm coming to the end of my questions for you. What would say to folks to encourage them to make their own?
Mama B:
When it comes to telling people about making your own good stuff, it is a hard sell sometimes. I used to tell people that lotion is as easy as making mayonnaise, and then I realized that most people have never tried making their own mayonnaise either. We are bombarded with so many products that make our lives easier, sometimes we forget that some of the things people used to have to make were pretty easy to begin with. They just took a little time and a good recipe and maybe some knowledge along with it. I don't think any of those things are necessarily obsolete.
HUF: Yes, I agree. A little time, a good recipe, and a little knowledge to go along with it. Mama B that is hip advice!
