Old Style Life Skills

The Old-Style Life Skills Series (OSLSS) is a monthly series of workshops for the whole family devoted to rediscovering rural wisdom. Our mission in offering these classes and workshops is to foster self-sufficiency, neighborly interdependence, and sustainable agricultural practices. As we thus rebuild cohesive community, we strengthen our families, and improve the lot of all mothers.

Please visit Our Blog to read first hand reports of previous workshops and join us on the second Saturday of every month!

All OSLSS workshops are scheduled from 10:30 until 1:30 with a pot-luck lunch and are $35 per family.  Because the workshops are limited in size, registration, BEFORE each workshop, is required. To register, please write lifeskills@motherhouse.us or call Debra Tyler at (860) 672-0229.

2010 OSLSS Workshops

ALL THE REST January 9 and February 13, 2010 Taking our cue from Mother Nature, we will be quietly resting during these times in order to greet the spring with renewed vigor.

BEE-GINNING WITH BEES March 13, 2010 Learn about life in the hive of our friend the honey bee: who’s who and what they do. Buzz over the tools of beekeeping. Fire-up a smoker. Examine an empty package and go through the steps of installing the real thing. Make beeswax candles.

A STITCHIN’ TIME April 10, 2010 Work together as a family to create an Amish-style covered-dish carrier. (Great to use for pot-luck gatherings!) Learn about reading patterns, using a sewing machine, and other tailor-trade tricks. We’ll provide all materials unless you have a favorite T-shirt, quilt block, or other fabric you’d prefer to use.

PEAS & CUKES: ORGANIC GARDENING May 8, 2010 Celebrate our wonderful earth while producing healthful food without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Get dirty as you learn about creating raised beds, co-planting mutually beneficial plants, mulching and other organic practices.

EGGS-PERIENCE CHICKENS June 12, 2010 A hands-on inquiry into a creature that enriches your garden, turns table scraps into eggs, and can be a tasty roast, which you prepare for the oven.

JAM SESSION July 10, 2010 Preserve the sweet fruits of summer for year round enjoyment. Learn to make jam, jelly, preserves, and fruit butters. Take home the fruits of your labors.

YES, WE CAN CAN August 14, 2010 Wyatt Whiteman will demonstrate methods of putting-food-by (preserving food) in glass jars. Learn when to use pressure canning or a hot water bath. Work as a group to prepare fresh produce and go home with a few jars so you can eat local all winter long.

SOMETHING CORNY September 11, 2010 Join us grinding corn at the Cornwall Agricultural Fair where we’ll also be selling freshly grilled sweet corn for lunch. Fair Admission is Free!

PI(e) EQUALS WHAT? October 9, 2010 Celebrate the harvest season with a homegrown pie. Pluck a ripe squash, collect eggs, milk a cow, grind flour and render lard to make a delicious “pumpkin” pie from scratch.

SERIOUS (BREAD) DOUGH November 13, 2010 Cheer up seasonal grumps with the smell of fresh bread. Grind wheat. Mix and knead dough Form your own loaves to take home and bake. Sample and discuss the differences between yeasted, quick, and sourdough breads.

ALL THE REST December 11, 2010 Taking our cue from Mother Nature, we will be quietly resting during these times in order to greet the spring with renewed vigor. (HOME)