Hubby swears I’ve gone round the bend. For those of you not living in Southern Indiana, Kentucky or Tennessee, “gone round the bend” means about the same as ” suffering from diminished mental capacity.”

Feb 20 (Day 51): To Do List by dmachiavello, on Flickr

Feb 20 (Day 51): To Do List by dmachiavello, on Flickr

I have water kefir granules rehydrating in one corner of the kitchen so I can try making some delicious homemade (and healthy) soda pop. In another corner is my ever-present kombucha bowl and second-ferment flavored bottles of the stuff. In yet another corner is some villi culture, rehydrating itself so next week it can make me some lovely villi—a yogurt-type cultured food. In the cupboard are vanilla beans in bourbon turning themselves into vanilla extract. In another cupboard, lemon peels are soaking in olive oil in two jars: one will become insect repellent, the other jar will become furniture polish. I’ve devoted an entire shelf to cheesemaking supplies so when my kit comes next week I can make some mozzarella. Four quart canning jars of chicken stock are cooling on the counter next to the dehydrator that is humming along full of the last of the season’s strawberries. A grocery sack full of pecans, hammer and nut-pick hangs from a drawer handle. The sponge that will become tonight’s bread is proofing on top of the microwave. There was no room in the kitchen for the slow cooker full of beans, rice and greens that we’re having for dinner, so it got sent out to the dining room. A pot of blackberries is simmering itself into preserves. I just finished taking inventory of my soapmaking supplies and am calculating lye percentage based on the available oils in the bottom of my bedroom closet.

Hubby just came to ask what was for lunch. I don’t know why, but it took me a moment to register the question, and I guess I kind of had a dumbfounded look on my face. He cracked up and said, “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink!” He laughed himself all the way back to his home office to work some more while he patiently waits for his lunch.

Oh, shoot, that’s right. I need to refill the water cooler! Better put that on the list…