Chimney Sweep and other homestead happenings. . .

The chimney and wood stove has finally been cleaned.  This year the cost was $199.00. Last year it was $179.00 and the year before $159.00.  I see a $20 hike pattern here, but there are very few companies that do this in my area (and who are reliable).  Self sufficiency comes with it's own price, and there are no short cuts when it comes to responsibility.

Medicinal Herbs ~ Tea Time

Some days I don't look up an herbal/medicinal tea recipe.  I simply open my encyclopedia on herbs and pick a few I harvest, and brew the tea.
 

I think I picked this one up at a book sale years ago.  Not sure.  It contains a good amount of information on all herbs, but I noticed if I looked up "Stinging Nettle" it only mentions the medicinal use for asthma and regrowth of hair. No mention of allergies, poor circulation or other ailments.

Yesterday's tea was nettle/peppermint.  Nettle grows here wild and the peppermint I grow from organic seeds.

Christmas Unwinds ~ Rain

I'm sharing some jewelry I got for Christmas.  The necklace is made from a 45 casing, and the earrings shotgun shells.

Christmas ~ Anniversary

We had a wonderful Christmas day at our homestead.  Aside from my oldest two kids being in a 4 car accident (caused by one car) the afternoon of Christmas Eve, totaling the car that Oldest Daughter was in, and maybe Son's, running out of foil was a minor issue.   Oh, and Hubby got called into work at 6pm on Christmas evening, too.

Thankfully, I keep the camper stocked.  We popped up the camper and fetched a new roll of foil for covering Christmas Even dinner and the breakfast dishes for Christmas day.

Christmas Eve has Arrived

The outside Christmas lights have been put up.  Zuri caught a glimpse of Hubby climbing up the ladder and let out a "stranger danger" bark.   

Oldest daughter has been over two times with her new puppy Mia (hope I am spelling that right).  She is also 4 months old.  So, here in the photo, is Mia, Zuri and King.  All relaxing after a fun day of puppy play.  Jesse actually showed the first signs of playing with them, by playing with Mia.   It was refreshing to see Jesse join the fun for once.

Let the baking begin....

Before we got started, I had to empty a canning jar of homemade vanilla.  It smells so good!

 New cookie this season - whiskey caramel cookies.

Random Tidbits

I washed up and dried one last batch of sage for this season.  This past summer has taught me to harvest more than enough when I can.  The weather here dipped to the high 20's and it snowed, but not enough to stick.  

We have an upcoming full week ahead of us.  Its the week of December that tends to overwhelm me.  We have a birthday to celebrate, followed by Christmas Eve, followed by Christmas day, followed by our wedding anniversary.  It would be lovely to take a one night getaway, but we tend to give ourselves an island trip later in spring. 

I still need to find out what Youngest wants for dinner on her 14th birthday.  Hard to believe it's arriving so fast.  It feels like I had her just yesterday.