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.
2012 OSLSS Workshops
ALL THE REST
January 14 and February 11, 2012
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 10, 2012
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. |
 
GARDEN GUARDS
April 14, 2012
Work together as a family to create your own scare-a-crow. Make a simple wooden wind-catcher to make the earth vibrate to discourage moles, voles, and chipmunks. Start seedlings of insect- repelling plants.
Discuss using scrap-metal mosaics, hair, soap, urine, electric fences, foil reflectors, fake owls, and other ways to protect one’s garden plants and seedlings from hungry free-loaders. |
WOOL GATHERING
May 12, 2012
Work with area “spinsters” while you learn to card, dye, spin, felt, weave, knit, and crochet wool. Make your own knitting needles. Pat a sheep. |
EGGS-PERIENCE CHICKENS
June 9, 2012
From egg to table, learn about raising, keeping, caring for, and killing chickens in your backyard. See a variety of poultry housing solutions. Dress out a bird to take home for another day’s dinner. |
Jelly & JAM SESSION
July 14, 2012
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 11, 2012
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 8, 2012
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! |
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October 13, 2012
Learn to “capture” wild lacto-bacillis in order to make sauerkraut, beet kvaas, natural ginger beer and other healthful fermented delicacies. |
 A STITCHIN’ TIME
November 10, 2012
Make candles, blank journal books, notecards, paper boxes, herbal eye pillows, tree decorations and other simple holiday gifts. |
 ALL THE REST
December 7, 2012
Taking our cue from Mother Nature, we will be quietly resting during these times in order to greet the spring with renewed vigor.
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