I've been getting more into making my own things from scratch... not just food but some furniture items, wooden signs, vanilla extract, body soap, lotion, etc. I have also canned a few items in the last couple years. I am still a beginner so they aren't all the greatest... mistakes were made, and I realized how impatient I am! What I have learned is these things take time. They take energy. They take thought and planning. They take intentionality. But they are so much better tasting and more rewarding.
The vanilla extract I made as gifts- that had to sit for eight weeks! I had no idea, so I had to start those quite early to be ready for Christmas. But it tastes amazing and I know weird chemicals weren't used to speed up the process to make a company money. On the flip side, some things are easier than I was expecting but it does take time and planning to make sure you have all the ingredients you are going to need.
I have also been planning on redoing my bathroom and looking at furniture- and it makes me sad because so much of what is available is quick and cheaply assembled particle board crap that isn't meant to last. It dawned on my after listening to Ben Stuart's talk, Sex on the Front Lawn, that this is the direction we are going in like every area of life. We have moved from things that take time and energy to grow and create, to cheap quick imitations. In relationships as well as food and products.. all over the market. The sad thing is we are giving up such good and beautiful quality things- for something that isn't meant to last, and is just there to look good for a short period then be thrown away.
I want the good- handmade- quality materials used- built to last furniture... relationship... products. I want to stop worshipping the gods of busyness and cheap to put the time, effort, and intention into having something better and lasting. Especially with food. I've made things that taste SOOO good and are actually healthy because I put the time and effort into it. I need to step up this year and cut out the things that are just distractions to be intentional about seeking quality this year.
