Backwoods MamaJosée

45 Ways to Conserve Water in the Home + A GIVEAWAY!

45 Ways to Conserve Water in the Home + A GIVEAWAY!

When thinking about water conservation the saying goes: reduce, repair and retrofit. Many of the suggestions below are easy to do, even for the laziest cornucopian. Some of the ideas are on the fringe but not impossible. I was tempted to include a running commentary...

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Happy 1st Birthday Teddy!

Happy 1st Birthday Teddy!

Today we celebrated Teddy's first birthday. As a mother I find first birthdays to be bittersweet. My baby who was, only a year ago, so small and helpless is now moving around and exploring world. There are so may changes, struggles and joys that happen in...

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A Winter Weekly Menu #9

A Winter Weekly Menu #9

We had a lovely visit this weekend with friends from near and far. Our house was bustling with excitement and laughter. We celebrated birthdays and shared conversation. Now everyone has returned home and the children have been put to bed. I wrap myself in a warm...

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A Three Bin Compost

A Three Bin Compost

Yesterday I showed you the project that I had been working on the last couple months, thank you for all the kind complements. My husband has also been working on a project too.Last month we maxed out our Earth Machine compost bin. In my efforts to unfreeze the pile,...

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My First Twin Size Quilt

My First Twin Size Quilt

I have been working on a twin size quilt for my daughter the last couple months. Because I am a newbie quilter and a perfectionist each stage of making the quilt has been a painstaking process. The quilt is made up of disappearing nine-patch blocks and I...

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An Apple A Day: Please Vote for Me

An Apple A Day: Please Vote for Me

February is apple month so celebrate by making some coconut curry and lentil apple soup or a delicious apple cake served with coconut caramel sauce. Both of these recipes were enjoyed by my family.You could also participate in the Good to Go Apple...

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The Myth of Water Abundance in Canada

The Myth of Water Abundance in Canada

In school we were shown a map of Canada that highlighted all of our country's lakes and rivers. There was a sense of awe and pride seeing that map. Our lakes are some of the largest in the world and we have most lake covered area than any other country. It's...

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A Winter Weekly Meal Plan #8

A Winter Weekly Meal Plan #8

Today our visitors returned to their home. It was strange not having them around and I felt a little lost. But I carried on and completed some much needed projects around our home. I will post some pictures of two projects my husband and I have been working on...

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Making Memories

Making Memories

It has been so nice to have family visit us. We are having so many adventures together, both real and fictional, and I have to admit, it's handy having a extra hands around. I wish they could stay longer. It's going to be a sad morning when we have to say our...

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Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Kettle Valley Rail Trail

Exploring new areas around our home brings us a sense of wonder and excitement. Today my sister and her husband join us on a walk/run along part of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. It was my first time trying out the KVR but I had heard about it from many of...

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Winter Weekly Meal Plan #7

Winter Weekly Meal Plan #7

This week we have two special guests staying with us, my sister and her husband. I am thrilled to have them here and I can't wait for the adventures that await us this week.Weekly Meal Plan template (html)Sundaylunch:...

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Remembering to Slow Down

Remembering to Slow Down

Last month our days were slow and steady. It was a good pace for us. We had time for reading and relaxing. This month is turning out to be quite the opposite, so far it is much more intense. There has been some unexpected news this month. Some that everyone...

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The First Day of Lent

The First Day of Lent

It's Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and I am glad that the Lenten season is here. After Christmas I felt a little lost and overwhelmed but I know that Lent will help me refocus and prepare for Easter and the continuing year.I managed to get...

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Mardi Gras Masks for Children

Mardi Gras Masks for Children

Last night I made two Mardi Gras bird felt masks. I didn't used a pattern but these masks were an inspiration. I used a piece of paper to trace out the approximate distance between their eyes and measured the circumference of their heads. With a...

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Fostering Music Appreciation in Young Children

Fostering Music Appreciation in Young Children

I believe that all people have a natural instinct to enjoy music. When a good tune is playing I notice the baby bopping and the youngins wiggling around. My children will ask me to repeat a catchy tune over and over until they can dance no more. I...

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Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread Recipe

Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread Recipe

This post would be better titled: How to get your weekly workout while making whole wheat sourdough bread. It makes for a long title so I opted for the simpler one above.I don't buy ground whole wheat because it loses it's nutritional value and goes rancid...

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