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100 Mile Life/Grandma Core

Tag: living-local

Support Local Producers: A 100-Mile Journey — September 16, 2025

Support Local Producers: A 100-Mile Journey

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Day 16

Theme: Let’s connect a little deeper with the people who make your local food and goods.

Daily Task (active + simple)

  1. Take 20–45 minutes to map local producers within your 100-mile radius. Include farmers, mills, and bakers. Add yarn shops, honey producers, and maple syrup makers. Don’t forget cheesemakers, co-ops, and thrift stores.
  2. Pick one maker you don’t already buy from and plan a visit (or order one small item). If you can’t visit today, send an email or message. Ask them their story — who they are. Inquire about what they raise or make. Request one tip for shoppers.

Quick 100-mile recipe — Maple Pork Chop with Roasted Root Veggies

(Uses local pork, apples, maple syrup, root veg)

Ingredients (serves 2)

  • 2 local pork chops (about 150–200 g each)
  • 1 tbsp local maple syrup
  • 1 tsp mustard (local or pantry)
  • 1 apple, sliced thin (local)
  • 2 medium potatoes, cut into wedges (local)
  • 2 carrots, cut on the diagonal (local)
  • 1 small onion, quartered (local)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or local butter)
  • Salt & pepper, dried herbs (rosemary/thyme)

Method (30–40 min)

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss potatoes, carrots, onion with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs; roast on a tray for 25–30 min until golden.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a skillet. Sear pork chops 3–4 min per side until golden. Reduce heat; add apple slices to pan, pour on maple + mustard, spoon over chops and let glaze finish for 2–3 min.
  3. Rest chops 3 minutes. Serve with roasted veg and apples. Portion control: 1 chop + generous veg + 1 apple half per person.

Storage tip: If you bought extra local apples or veg, slice the apples thin. Dry them in the oven at a low temperature. Alternatively, simmer them in a little syrup to make a small jar of apple compote. It freezes or jars well.

Mini Craft / Maker-Love Activity (10–20 min)

  • Make a small thank-you/label card to include with your purchase from that maker. Add a hand-drawn logo or floral border. Include a short note: Example : “Bought with gratitude — Doll Creelman / 100-Mile Life.” Snap a photo for your socials.

Journal / Reflection Prompts

  • Who made the food in my kitchen today? Name them.
  • What surprised me about that maker’s story?
  • How does knowing who made my food change the way I eat or store it?
  • One small step I can take to support a local maker this week is…

Short devotional

“Small hands and steady work make the table possible. Today, by meeting a maker, we practice gratitude and stewardship — small choices that stitch us into our local community.”

Day-16 Checklist

  • Map 5 nearby makers (farm, mill, baker, yarn shop, co-op)
  • Visit or message one maker today
  • Buy one small local item (support local!)
  • Make a thank-you/label card to include with purchase
  • Cook the Maple Pork Chop recipe or try a local ingredient in a new way
  • Journal one reflection (line space)

“Little steps make a big difference. May peace and gratitude carry you through today.”

— Grannie Doll

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What Is the 100 Mile Life? Day 15 — September 15, 2025

What Is the 100 Mile Life? Day 15

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Living Local, Simply, and Well

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live more closely connected to your community? Imagine being closely tied to your farmers, your makers, and your land. That’s the heart of what I’ve been exploring through the 100 Mile Life Challenge.

In my recent live stream, I shared our half way point in this lifestyle. It is about committing to source as much of what we eat, wear, and use from within a 100-mile radius. It’s not about perfection—it’s about awareness, creativity, and building stronger connections with the people and places right around us.

What the 100 Mile Life Means 🌱

At its core, the 100 Mile Life is an invitation to slow down and live more intentionally. It asks us to:

  • Notice where our food, fibers, and household goods come from.
  • Choose local when we can, supporting nearby farms and artisans.
  • Celebrate the small joys of living simply and sustainably.

For me, it has meant rediscovering the flavor of local produce. I have relished in the beauty of hand-dyed yarn. I have also experienced the richness of community connections.

Why It Matters 💡

Living this way has been both surprising and rewarding. Sometimes it’s challenging—like figuring out how to replace ingredients I used to grab without thinking. But other times, it’s pure delight. I find honey from just down the road. I meet a farmer who grows the exact beans I love.

The journey has already reshaped my pantry and my perspective. It’s not just about what I buy—it’s about the stories and relationships woven into every choice.

An Invitation to You 🤝

Maybe you’re curious about what’s grown near you. Maybe you’d love to try sourcing just one ingredient locally. Or maybe you’re already on this path in your own way.

Here’s my challenge for you:

  • Draw your own circle. Look at a map and find your 100-mile radius.
  • Pick one thing. Choose a food, fiber, or product to swap for a local choice.
  • Share your story. Tell me in the comments or during the next live stream what you discovered!

Looking Ahead 🌸

There’s still time to join in the fun and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Together, we can learn and adapt. We will celebrate the joy of living more closely connected to the world right outside our doors.

✨ If you missed the live conversation, you can watch the replay here: YouTube Replay

Let’s keep this conversation going—what would living a little closer to home look like for you?

Wrapping Up Week 2 of My 100 Mile Life 🌿✨ — September 13, 2025

Wrapping Up Week 2 of My 100 Mile Life 🌿✨

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

By Grannie Doll

I am two weeks into my 100 Mile Life journey. I’m beginning to see just how much richness comes from living closer to home. There is also a new rhythm to this lifestyle. Week 1 felt like dipping my toes in—learning, adjusting, and asking, “Can I really do this?” By the end of Week 2, I feel a shift. This lifestyle is less about rules and more about noticing the blessings woven into each day.

What Week 2 Taught Me

This week was about settling in. I learned that the 100 Mile Life isn’t only about food or fiber—it’s about slowing down and choosing with intention. Here are some highlights from the past week:

  • Farm Store Treasures: Apples, corn, tomatoes, and green beans filled my basket again, alongside maple syrup and (yes!) another cinnamon bun. Each item reminded me how local food tastes better when I know where it came from.
  • Kitchen Simplicity: With fresh ingredients, my meals became simpler and more flavorful. I didn’t feel deprived—if anything, I felt abundant.
  • Knitting Progress: My 100 Mile Sweater grew steadily. Every row became a meditation on patience and place. It feels good knowing the wool came from a farm within my circle.

Cozy Connections

Evenings this week were marked by cooler air, warm tea, and the click of needles. I found myself reflecting on the 100 Mile Life. It pairs well with the heart of DollCanCreate. This involves making do, making beauty, and making memories. Creativity thrives in rhythm, and I’m finding a gentler pace that feeds both body and spirit.

Blessings from Week 2 🌸

  • Apples that tasted like autumn’s first note
  • A growing sweater that warms more than my shoulders
  • Neighbors’ smiles at the farm stand
  • Quiet moments of knitting, prayer, and reflection
  • Gratitude for choosing what’s near instead of always chasing what’s far

Looking Toward Week 3

As I step into Week 3, I carry a sense of calm and confidence. I want to keep trying new recipes with local produce. I aim to deepen my knitting progress. I will continue noticing the little joys that come from living this way.

If you’re considering your own 100 Mile Life journey, take heart—it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start small, find joy in one swap, and let it grow from there.

✨ Thank you for journeying with me. If you want to see more of my daily rhythm, join me on YouTube. You can also subscribe to my newsletter. I share behind-the-scenes glimpses of both the 100 Mile Life and my DollCanCreate projects there.

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Catching Up on My 100 Mile Life — Check-In — April 9, 2025

Catching Up on My 100 Mile Life — Check-In

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Hi friends, it’s Doll. Just popping in with a little life update — where I’m at in this 100 Mile Life journey.

  • We took a quick run to Costco after Bible study. Some hits, some misses!

The Misses (and lessons learned):

  • Grapes from South Africa — delicious, but not local.
  • Mandarins from Morocco — sweet, but definitely outside the 100-mile goal.
  • Blueberry bagels — I thought they were fresh, but it turns out the blueberries were simulated. Big disappointment! I should have read the label more closely.

The Wins:

  • Oak Run Farm Bakery English muffins — made in Brantford, which is local.
  • Plain bagels (also from Costco) — possibly made in-house, but unclear.
  • Local apples still in my fridge.
  • Summit Dairy cream and chocolate milk — both local.
  • Allen’s Apple Juice — made in Ontario.
  • Local maple syrup (label gone, but I promise it’s local!).
  • Liverwurst — also a local purchase.

Freezer Peek (yes, I showed it!):

  • Bacon — 100 Mile approved and Canadian.
  • Shaw’s, My favourite ice cream — Canadian-made
  • Pierogies from Toronto — a great local find!
  • Leftover chili and other good things waiting for me.

Other food notes:

  • All our meat is Canadian, much of it local.
  • One exception: canned ham from Denmark — and yes, I love it.
  • Coffee is tricky. I’m finishing up my stash but plan to switch to Canadian-roasted or locally roasted beans soon. The price jump is real though , my favourite coffee— $18.99 now vs. $9.99 back in the day!

Reflections:

  • The journey is real — and full of trial and error. I do my best and pray over the rest, as the saying goes.
  • I started this for 100 days, which brings me to Easter Monday. After that, I might refine it even more and lean harder into local. As we move into spring/summer and planting season I believe that the journey will be a bit easier.
  • Local fiber is especially important to me — I’m really passionate about Canadian wool.
  • I’m still spinning every day (100 Days of Spindling!), and yes, I’m still knitting too. A mitten for the fall mitten tree, and slowly working on a sock.

What’s Next:

  • A new video coming soon on my fiber declutter and de-stash project.
  • Planning for Palm Sunday and the big parade — so exciting.
  • After Easter? I’m taking a reading week — some rest, some reflection, and gentle learning. A little soul-care.

To You, My Reader:

  • If you’re trying a 100 Mile Life or a 160 km journey, I’d love to hear from you.
  • What’s worked? What’s been hard? What have you joyfully given up on?
  • We all have those “I’m still buying bananas” moments — and that’s okay.

Final Thoughts:

  • I feel so blessed. I’m doing what I love, surrounded by people who care. That’s a gift not everyone has, and I don’t take it for granted.
  • Let’s keep encouraging each other. One little thing at a time is how it starts.
  • Until next time, friends — God bless and take care.
  • And remember: you can create too.