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100 Mile Life/Grandma Core

Tag: sustainability

Live Thankfully, Love Locally — October 11, 2025

Live Thankfully, Love Locally

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Discover how gratitude and faith can reshape your daily choices. This Thanksgiving, learn to live thankfully and love locally — nurturing community, faith, and simplicity within your 100-mile circle.

By Grannie Doll | DollCanCreate

The air turns crisp. The scent of cinnamon drifts from the kitchen. I’m reminded that gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a way of life.
This Thanksgiving, I’m learning that to live thankfully means noticing the simple gifts around me. To love locally is to cherish the hands and hearts that make them possible.

🍎 Thankfulness in the Everyday

Gratitude doesn’t always arrive wrapped in grand moments.
The morning light on a freshly baked loaf of bread can bring gratitude. The soft hum of a spinning wheel or the laughter shared over a home-cooked meal can also evoke this feeling.
When we live thankfully, we slow down long enough to see how much we’ve already been given. The small becomes sacred.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
— Psalm 107:1

🧵 Loving Locally

Loving locally means embracing what’s near. It includes buying from the farm stand down the road. You might choose wool from a shepherd you know by name. It could also mean supporting the little shop that remembers your favorite tea.
It’s about more than economics—it’s about belonging. Every local choice becomes a prayer of connection, a way of saying, “I see you. I value you. We’re in this together.”

When we love locally, we weave ourselves into the fabric of community. We become part of God’s quiet work of restoration—one handmade loaf, one kind word, one shared harvest at a time.

🕯 A Faithful Thanksgiving

This season, let’s make gratitude our posture and generosity our practice.
Let’s cook with local ingredients and bless the farmers who grew them. Let’s give thanks for wool, for warmth, for the steady rhythm of creation that provides what we need.
Let’s live thankfully—and love locally—because both are acts of faith.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
— Colossians 3:17

🌻 A GrannieCore Reflection

To live thankfully is to dwell in grace.
To love locally is to live it out.
Together they form a rhythm—slow, simple, sacred—that brings us back home to God’s abundance.

Reflection
What’s one way you can love locally this week—through your shopping, your crafting, or your kindness?


With wool, warmth, and gratitude,
💛 Grannie Doll

Practical Ways to Live a 100 Mile Life — March 20, 2025

Practical Ways to Live a 100 Mile Life

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

What if everything you ate, wore, and used came from within 100 miles of your home? No big-box stores, no global supply chains—just what’s near, what’s seasonal, and what’s truly local.

That’s the challenge I’ve taken on for 100 days: living as locally as possible. This isn’t just about food (though that’s a big part of it). It’s about fiber, household goods, and the relationships that sustain a truly local life.

What I’ve learned so far is that living locally isn’t about finding a perfect replacement for everything—it’s about rethinking what I actually need. It’s about discovering abundance in my own backyard.

Here are some of the ways I’m embracing this lifestyle, and practical steps you can take to live more locally, too.

Food & Cooking: Eating with the Seasons

Food is one of the biggest shifts when committing to a 100-mile life. We’re so used to having whatever we want, whenever we want it, that we forget food has a season.

  • Buy from Local Farmers – Farmers’ markets, CSAs (community-supported agriculture), and direct farm sales have become my go-to. Not only does the food taste better, but I’m also building relationships with the people who grow it.
  • Cook Seasonally – Instead of planning meals and shopping for specific ingredients, I’m flipping the approach—I buy what’s local and in season, then create meals around it.
  • Preserve the Harvest – I’m learning to can, freeze, and ferment so I can eat locally even in the off-season. (My first attempt at pickled beets was… interesting. But I’ll get better!)
  • Grow My Own – Even a small herb garden or a few raised beds can add fresh, local flavor to meals.
  • Trade & Barter – A neighbor has fresh eggs, another bakes sourdough bread. By swapping what we have, we all get a little more variety while staying local.

Clothing & Textiles: From Fleece to Fabric

Sourcing clothing locally is a challenge, but it’s one I’m excited about—especially since I love fiber arts.

  • Support Local Fiber Farms – I’ve been connecting with nearby sheep and alpaca farms to source fiber for my knitting and spinning projects. There’s something special about working with wool from animals raised close to home.
  • Make & Mend – Instead of buying new, I’m knitting my own socks and sweaters. And if something tears, I repair it instead of tossing it.
  • Experiment with Natural Dyeing – I’m trying out plant-based dyes from local sources like onion skins, acorns, and flowers. (I’ll report back on my results—expect some trial and error!)
  • Seek Out Local Makers – Weavers, seamstresses, and artisans are out there—you just have to look. Finding someone who crafts clothing locally is a rare but valuable connection.

Home & Living: Bringing It All Closer to Home

Beyond food and fiber, I’m also thinking about the everyday things I use at home.

  • Use Local Wood – Whether for furniture, crafts, or even firewood, sourcing wood locally is a more sustainable choice.
  • Find Local Artisans – Handmade pottery, candles, soap, and cleaning products can often be found close to home, supporting small businesses instead of big corporations.
  • Reduce Waste – Living locally isn’t just about buying local—it’s also about making things last. I’m focusing on repairing, repurposing, and reusing instead of replacing.

Community & Connection: The Heart of a Local Life

One of the most unexpected joys of this challenge has been the relationships I’m building. Living locally isn’t just about what I consume—it’s about the people I connect with.

  • Build Relationships with Local Producers – Knowing the farmers, spinners, and craftspeople in my area makes this journey feel richer and more meaningful.
  • Join a Local Exchange – Trading homemade or homegrown goods with others makes local living more sustainable and fun.
  • Learn Traditional Skills – Bread baking, cheese making, beekeeping—these skills are disappearing, but they make a huge difference in living a truly local life.
  • Support Local Businesses – Every dollar spent at a small, locally owned business strengthens the community.

Final Thoughts

This journey isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and living in rhythm with where I am.

I’d love to hear from you! What’s one way you could start living more locally? Let’s share ideas and encourage each other on this journey.

I’ll be sharing more updates, challenges, and lessons learned along the way—so stay tuned! 💛

Doll

Decluttering and Embracing the 100 Mile Life — January 29, 2025

Decluttering and Embracing the 100 Mile Life

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Hi friends, and welcome! I’m so glad you could join me. This past weekend, I went through a huge decluttering session with a group of others online, and it made me realize just how much stuff I have. Have you ever taken a moment to think about how many items are in your kitchen, in that one forgotten corner, or scattered throughout your home?

As I continue my journey with the 100 Mile Life, I want to dive into household essentials—what we need, what we don’t, and how we can replace items sustainably within our local area.

The Reality Check on Household Items

Take a moment to consider: How many dishes do you own? How many pots, pans, gadgets, and miscellaneous tools are in your kitchen? More importantly, when something breaks, what is your instinct? Do you immediately turn to Amazon for a replacement? That used to be me. But if we’re truly committed to the 100 Mile Life, we need a different approach.

For me, the answer is thrifting. Right now, I’m searching for a square baking pan—either an 8×8 or 9×9. Sure, I could order one online and have it delivered tomorrow. But instead, I’m choosing to visit a local thrift store, where I’m almost certain to find one. And even if I don’t, I already have round baking pans that will serve the same purpose. Do I truly need to spend money at all?

Thrift stores are treasure troves filled with baking items, dishes, utensils, glassware, and even kitchen electronics. However, it’s easy to walk out with more than you need, so I follow the “one in, one out” rule—if I bring something new into my home, something old must go.

Thinking Beyond Convenience

The convenience of new products often comes at a cost. Many household goods travel thousands of miles from manufacturing sites in China, India, and other distant locations. The transportation industry is massive, and while I love tracking ships on the Great Lakes and seeing what goods they carry, I’ve decided I don’t want to contribute unnecessarily to that cycle. I have enough.

Reducing Paper and Cleaning Products

Household sustainability isn’t just about dishes and gadgets—it extends to disposable products as well. How much paper do we really need? Could we use rags instead of paper towels? And while I won’t dive into the topic of toilet paper just yet, it’s another area worth considering.

Cleaning products are another area for reflection. Do we really need a chemical-based cleaner for every surface? Often, a simple spray bottle with water will do the trick. I plan to use up the cleaning products I already own before deciding on more eco-friendly alternatives. While sustainable options can be more expensive, buying fewer unnecessary items makes room in the budget for quality, local products.

Moving Forward with the 100 Mile Life

So, what can you do in your home to make it more 100 Mile Life-friendly? Are there items you could source locally instead of buying new? Are there ways to simplify and reduce waste?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you have any insights or questions, feel free to leave a comment and share this with anyone who might be interested. The 100 Mile Diet has its challenges—especially in winter—but I’m committed to finding a way, whether it’s through fiber, food, household goods, or clothing (which we’ll discuss in the next post).

Let’s create a life that is not only fulfilling but also conscious of our impact.

Buy locally. Live sustainably.

This is Doll from Doll Can Create and you can too. Thanks for reading—see you next time!

Living the 100-Mile Life: First Up, Fibre — January 25, 2025

Living the 100-Mile Life: First Up, Fibre

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Hey friends, welcome to my journey! I’m embarking on a 100-mile life adventure, and I’d love for you to come along. My mission? To live as locally as possible, sourcing everything within a 100-mile radius of my home. My first focus is on fibre, specifically wool, crafting, and all the amazing things that come with it.

Let’s dive in!

A Quick Fibre Tour

So, here’s what I’m working with. I’ve taken stock of my fibre stash, and let me tell you, it’s impressive and a little over-whelming; even embarrassing.

  • Bins full of fibre.
  • Bags that haven’t even been opened yet.
  • Work-in-progress projects and more fibre tucked away.

Honestly, do you think I have enough? I think so! This hidden treasure trove is a great start for my journey. Now, the plan: use what I have, source local fibres, and dive deep into the crafting process.

The Three Rules

  1. Use What I Have: I’m committed to using my existing fibre stash. I have my spindles, my spinning wheel, and even some natural dyes I’ve been eager to experiment with.
  2. Source Local Fibres: Supporting local shepherds and fibre farms is a top priority. I already know of a few farms within my 100-mile radius where I can visit, meet the shepherds, and select the fibres I need.
  3. Explore Local Tools: While I don’t necessarily need new tools, I’m curious about local artisans who might create spindles or other crafting tools. It’s all part of staying true to the 100-mile life.

No More Impulse Buys

This journey isn’t just about where I source my materials; it’s also about curbing unnecessary spending. No more buying yarn just because it’s pretty. Instead, I’ll focus on:

  • Attending local fiber festivals (like the one coming up in March).
  • Visiting thrift stores for second-hand supplies when needed.
  • Making do with what I already own.

Wool’s Journey

Have you ever thought about from where your wool comes ? Shipping fibre across the globe is expensive and environmentally costly. For example, wool shipped from New Zealand to Vancouver and then across Canada incurs tremendous costs, both financially and environmentally. By choosing local, I can minimise this impact while supporting Canadian wool growers and fibre mills.

Beyond Fiber

This journey extends beyond fiber into other areas of my life, including food, clothing, and more. For clothing, I’ll use the fabric I already have or source it second-hand. I’ve heard that church groups often have surplus fabric they’re happy to share, which is a great way to keep things sustainable. As for undergarments… well, that might be a bridge too far for my crafting skills!

A Question for You

What steps can you take to support your local economy? Have you considered from where your crafting materials come? Living a 100-mile life is about more than just sustainability—it’s about building connections and strengthening local communities.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll dive into the topic of food. For now, think about your craft supplies. Are there ways you can source more locally or reduce waste? Let’s create a more sustainable world together.

This is Doll from Doll Can Create, reminding you that you can too. Many blessings, and bye for now!

Living Local: My 100 Mile Life Challenge — January 23, 2025

Living Local: My 100 Mile Life Challenge

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Living Local: My 100 Mile Life Challenge

(this is not a direct transcript)

Have you ever stopped to think about how far the things you use every day have traveled? From the food on your plate to the clothes in your closet, many of these items have journeyed thousands of miles before reaching you. What if we could change that? What if we could bring it all closer to home?

That’s the inspiration behind my latest adventure: the “100 Mile Life in 100 Days” challenge. Over the next three months, I’ll be focusing on sourcing everything—from food to household goods to wool—within 100 miles of where I live. It’s a journey that’s about much more than just shopping locally. It’s about connecting with my community, reducing my environmental footprint, and uncovering the incredible resources in my own backyard.

Why 100 Miles?

This challenge takes inspiration from the “100 Mile Diet,” a movement that encourages eating locally and sustainably. But I’m expanding the concept beyond just food. By incorporating wool and other locally made goods, I’m embracing the richness of what’s nearby while supporting sustainable practices. Wool is a big focus for me—it’s a chance to connect with local producers and celebrate the artistry of textiles created right here at home.

The Rules of the Challenge

There will be a few rules I’ll set out for myself. If you follow along your rules might be different.

  1. Stay Within the 100-Mile Radius: Everything I purchase must come from within this boundary.
  2. Allow Necessary Exceptions: Some items, like medicine, may not be available locally, but I’ll aim to minimize these exceptions.
  3. Focus on Learning: This isn’t about perfection. It’s about discovering new ways to live more sustainably and sharing what I learn along the way.

What to Expect

Over the next 100 days, I’ll be documenting this journey—the successes, the challenges, and everything in between. From finding local flour for baking to meeting incredible farmers, artisans, and wool producers, there will be no shortage of stories to share. Along the way, I’ll also offer tips and tricks for anyone who wants to try living more locally. Whether it’s sourcing one meal a week from local producers or supporting a nearby wool artisan, even small steps can make a big difference.

Why It Matters

Choosing to live within 100 miles is about more than convenience. It’s a way to:

  • Support Local Economies: Every purchase invests in the community and keeps resources circulating locally.
  • Reduce Environmental Impact: Local goods often require less transportation, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Rediscover Seasonal Living: Eating and living locally means aligning with the rhythm of the seasons, which can be both grounding and fulfilling.

Join Me on This Journey

I’d love for you to follow along or even join in your own way! Whether it’s by exploring local farmers’ markets, trying out regional recipes, or seeking out local wool for your next knitting project, there are countless ways to embrace the 100 Mile Life. Want local wool to spin or use in your crafting? I have a few options for you. Send me a message or check out my Patreon for more information.

Are you ready to explore the richness of what’s right around you? Let’s embark on this adventure together and see how local we can go. Here’s to discovering the beauty of living closer to home!

Enjoy!