Three Unconventional Tools That Make Life Easier

I said unconventional.  So, you know I don't mean a butter knife instead of a screwdriver.  These tools are unconventional because they're not power tools.  They can't be found in the tool section of the big box hardware stores.  Although, nowadays, they can likely be found in the big box hardware store, but in another department.  The three items that I use almost daily to make life a little easier are  my:

1.  Computer

I'm taking some time to homeschool my children this year and to commit to insurance sales.  I've got so many things going on.  In order to keep track of everything, my computer has been instrumental.  I typically have at least six windows open.  Additionally, word documents, powerpoint, or a calculator are also on my start bar.  Most recently, I made a list of every item that we shop for at our club store. By making it into an excel document, I was able to create spaces for price and quantity.  It's on the fridge now so that I can highlight items that we need, like cornstarch.  We're running low on cornstarch.  Everyone has their thing that they need to do on a computer.  Some people like to scroll Facebook or Pinterest.  I do too.  I have a serious addiction to Pinterest.  I try my best to complete the necessary tasks before I get to scrolling.  There are always things to do around the house.  There are ways to interact with my kids.  So scrolling social media, for me, is a guilty pleasure.  This is a tool that requires wisdom and discernment.  Time can be spent using it to argue with strangers about who should be president or current sad events.  Or, time can be used to engage in learning a new thing or working.

2.  Stand Mixer

This was the best gift.  I'm not counting people in that, by the way.  Gift, meaning, it was a surprise that I didn't ask for (Ok, some people can fall into that category).  It's the best "non human/animal" gift.  I didn't know that I needed it until I had it.  I didn't know that I could use it confidently until a YouTube view of The Kneady Homesteader demonstrated how to make a loaf of bread.  Since I've watched it, I've made bread, cakes, and body butter.  I was asked once if I kneaded my bread by hand.  I admitted that I hadn't.  I used my stand mixer.  It does a great job.  I was 100% unsuccessful at baking bread before.  I feel very proud that I was able to make my family fresh bread successfully.  If I didn't knead it myself, they didn't care.  I've also been able to make my natural body butter, pictured above.

3.  Crock Pot

This tool seems like such a fixture that it's not a tool.  It's the busy person's best tool for getting things done without being tied to the kitchen.  I can't even count the amount of times that I've put some meat, veggies, and potatoes into a crock pot and went to work.  I've made applesauce for my kindergarten students.  That was a great science lesson on how heat changes things.  I've made ugly vegetable soup for my second grade students.  Now that's bringing a book, The Ugly Vegetables, to life!  In a crock pot devoted to crafting, I've made hot process soap.  Natural soap that conditions my family's skin and is safe for everyone (including my babies).   I have a crock pot or two that I can spare if you need one.  Lol!  I love crock pots!  They're even easy to clean up.  I'm not going to bother posting a picture of a crock pot.  Go to the thrift store and find a used one.  They work just as well as a new one.  I will, though, share this awesome book.  The Ugly Vegetables, by Grace Lin.  Ironically, we're having soup for dinner.

Enjoy using your tools.  Use them wisely and as often as possible.  Yes, they do require electricity. Tools that don't require electricity is a subject for another post.

To place an order for Natural Soap or Natural Body Butter, send a message through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fourhornsfarm/ or send us an email to fourhornsfarm@gmail.com.