A Night Away

The younger kids really needed to get away for a night, which gave the older kids a break from Mom and Dad too.

We booked an inexpensive hotel, not far from home, and packed the bags for a night away.  

The kids got an entire night of swimming and fun, and we got the chance to rejuvenate.  

The pool was very busy with kids, but our three that we took with us, had a break from chores and homework.

While the kids, and Hubby, were swimming, I got the chance to stay up in the room to write.  I love to write in places that are away from home.  I have no idea why.  Possibly the "fun" in all of it, or the seclusion, or simply getting away from the same everyday "stuff."

Only seven miles from home may seem like a lame attempt to "get away" but for us it didn't matter. 

When we got home, we were talking about the fox that someone hit in the road, just down from the house.  As I was exiting our vehicle, I looked toward the open barn, and a big white dog walked out.

 Thankfully, the dog had current tags.  We searched the tag number on-line and called the owner.  Owner and dog were glad to see each other again.

Vintage Tray ~ Dry Mixes ~ Books

After a long debate, I decided to simply use my vintage serving tray for what it was intended for.  I considered adding a ribbon to hang it for a magnetic board (to hold photos), but did not.  It will come in handy this summer when I take iced tea out to the porch.

Ring Bling ~ One Writer's Muse

Who knew that a gift from my mother would also be my inspiration to write?  For years, "ring bling" has been my writing muse, along with a secluded place.

On the left is my grandmother's ring, in the center my mother's ring, and on the right, another vintage spoon ring (also my mother's).  


I love these unique rings.  They not only have family ties, but are so fun to wear. 

On the far left is my fun, department store bling.  My 10 year-old also uses ring bling for her writing inspiration.  These rings are on one of my mother's vintage hankies.

I think I'll spend time writing today....

Yesterday I made a trip to the grocery store.  I came home and filled small lunch size containers with fresh pineapple, grapes, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

I also filled bags with pistachio nuts, almonds, and bought organic raisins.

Now I can finally break the kids of grabbing store bought granola bars for breakfast.  I stopped buying them, but cannot make them myself every day, so I stocked  up on fruit.  Now the kids, hubby and myself, can grab a healthy snack "to go."

Although I am not keen on buying plastic lunch bags, it will have to work for now.  I need to invest in more reusable containers.


This morning, I heard one daughter screaming in delight.  She was thrilled to have healthy food already packaged up for a trip to school.


Yesterday, my daughter and son, placed cement blocks out for the billy goat to stand on.  He was so tickled to get them, that my daughter had to have my son hold him off, so she could place the blocks together.  When I heard that Orion (billy goat) was thrilled, I went out with my camera to snap some photos.  


However, he was already tucked away in his shed and was not about to come back out for me.  On my walk back up to the house . . .

....I snapped these photos.  Each one in another direction.  It was light out, so the back ground on the moon is interesting.  The jet was pretty neat to see too.  Next time, I plan to take a tripod out and get better photos.


A year of quotes:
"A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking."  ~ Earl Wilson

Breakfast Freezer Cooking

Yesterday was a good day for drying clothes outside.  The wind was perfect and the sun came out later.  I was able to dry bedding and put another load of pants on the line.  I love the smell of laundry that's been drying on the clothesline.

I pulled another container of frozen pumpkin from the freezer.  This time it was for breakfast.  The woman that works at the gym, shared this recipe with us, and even brought some in for us to try.  Here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Oatmeal

1 cup old fashioned oats

2/3 cup water

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup pumpkin, canned

Note:  If you use home grown and pureed pumpkin you will need to add pumpkin pie spice or similar to flavor this.

2 T. Maple syrup

1/8 - 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Follow directions on your oatmeal package to prepare oats, and add additional ingredients.

Top with whipped cream.  

I used our home grown pumpkin, and added spices to flavor it.  I did not have pumpkin pie spice, but used ground cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon to flavor ours.  It's delicious and healthy.  You could add a bit of ginger as well.


A year of quotes:

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers

The Case of Missing Spoons

It's Monday cleaning day, and although I typically don't get it all done, I get a good majority of it done.  I look forward to sitting, crocheting and sipping hot tea later.  

It looks like I'll be needing boots to put my bedding out on the clothesline today.

Made another batch of homemade taco seasoning mix, and plan to make taco salads tonight.

Taco Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup dried onion flakes

4 tsp. cornstarch

2 Tbsp. salt

3 tsp. cumin

4 Tbsp. chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. oregano

3 tsp. dried minced garlic

3 tsp. crushed hot red pepper flakes

2 tsp. beef bouillon

Mix ingredients and store in airtight container.  

2 Tbsp. = 1 package

I do use whatever dried herbs I have from the herb gardens I grow, such as oregano.  Last year I attempted to grow cumin, but the heavy rains killed off my plants.  I will attempt it again this year.  Now that I have my dehydrator, I can dry my home grown onions and garlic too.

My bread crumbs are stored nicely in a canning jar.  I hope to dehydrate more today.

If no one in the house can find a spoon to eat breakfast this morning, it's because my 10 year-old put them under everyone's pillows last night.  Her school principal once told them that if they put ice cubes in the toilet and put a spoon under their pillow, that school would cancel.  It did cancel today.   

Excerpts from a Journal Junkie

from the Homesteading Journal . . .

  Made another batch of homemade dishwasher detergent, our chicken coop project is delayed due to rain, read a bunch of information on what to expect when Peanut is ready to kid (I sure hope it's when my daughter is home).

 Had a load of stone brought in, and filled the holes the buses are making in the driveway.

 Dehydrated a bunch of soft pretzel sticks that my Mom gave us.  I made them into bread crumbs.

from the Crafting Journal . . .

Weekends are more work than play this winter, but I still try to squeeze in time to get projects finished...

Finished the last coat of decoupage on the clipboard

 (Found at: Rainy Day Projects.... )

Started making items from old records...

Ironed on the first embroidery pattern to start another daughter's towels.

I continue to braid rag balls for my braided rag rug.  My strips are not 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide, so they are not folded to have a flat look, and strays of fabric are sticking out, but I don't care.  I have about 16 feet braided now.

 

from the Family Journal . . .

   A stone was placed on Joey's grave, and a handful of fresh flowers, stones are around it for now, but we are talking about fencing it in with small fencing.

  Last Sunday the kids got bored, which sparked a creative and funny episode - three of the girls created a rock band and dressed up in items I have in our costume boxes.  Hilarious!

I spent a day sitting on a chair in the 60°F weather, reading a good book.  All of our summer lawn furniture is still stored away, so I used a chair from the house. 

The elementary school canceled their "family movie night" and we had one at home instead.  My 10 year-old was so upset about not having it (we had plans to attend in our pajamas), so we rented a DVD and had fun snacks, including cotton candy at home.  They girls loved it. 

from the Gratitude Journal . . .

Today I am thankful for:
~my dehydrator
~the extra food Mom brought us
~our DVD player
~blankets
~God's Mercy
~friends, for lending an ear to listen
~family, for bringing in our load of stone
~my kids
~pretty vintage tablecloths - they bring cheer to the kitchen
~our cordless drill...tools are so essential here

A Roaming We Will Go

Who's that lurking in my wood barn?

Who? Me?  

Orion, with the wet ground, pulled himself free yesterday.  We caught him munching on tree bark in the wood barn.