Snow Returns

After a weekend of fun and play, and a craft show, I was draggin' my feet Monday morning.  Oh boy was I.

First I consumed many cups of organic coffee, later followed by hot herbal teas.

Second, I wrote out a list of what needed restocked for the craft show, so I could better see how to split up my days this week. 

Here are the items that need restocked, and sold well at the craft show:

Camper ornaments
Pig ornaments
Headbands
Dishcloths
Coffee cup coasters
Scrubbies

I'll be focusing on these before making anything else this week.

Not much but dishes and laundry got done on Monday.  I spent a majority of it crocheting.  Oh, I got the fire going, but and plants watered, but not much else.

The snow didn't last long, but it's cold here today.  Jesse got me up at precisely 4:41am.   Daughter woke up with a scratchy throat and can hardly speak, and has musical auditions tomorrow.  I doctored her up with some tincture and tea, so I hope it helps her.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  While selling crafts at the recent craft show, I was asked what I did for a living.  Proudly, I told her I stayed home.  She complimented me on that, and for a very supportive husband. It was a high of 58° and sunny most of the afternoon, so we hooked up with two friends and took off on a motorcycle ride.  What a blessing that was.  My to-do list is for the week.  If you have any cute ideas for spring crocheted items people would want to buy I'd love to hear your ideas.  There is a chance for craft show then. I'm thinking of making some flower cup coasters, but I'm stumped on other items.  Maybe some embroidered kitchen towels?  Embroidered bread basket clothes?  Bookmarks?


On the breakfast plate . . .
Eggs and toast, coffee


The weather . . .
High of 40°, snow later


Looking around the house . . .
It's a mess today


On my reading pile . . .
Nothing.  Too busy


On my TV . . .
Regular TV.  Netflix would not work


On the menu . . .
Have no idea


On my to-do list . . .
-dishes, lots of dishes
-take trash out
-make a breakfast scramble
-tidy up the kitchen
-laundry
-crochet for another upcoming show
-decorate the trees
-start a fire, it's getting cold here again
-put the ear warmers back in my motorcycle helmet
-water plants
-vacuum
-wipe more woodwork down
-put tomato stakes away
-haul wood to the porch
-clean the fridge out
-strain an infused oil
-check library status
-start attaching price tags to crafted items
-place an order for Christmas
-clean bathrooms



Something I learned . . .
Oregano can be used to treat the common cold.  According to Mother Earth News (article is online), you can brew tea with oregano, because it contains carvacol, which inhibits bacteria growth.  Who knew?  I didn't.  I knew of using oil of oregano in tea, but did not not to make tea with actual oregano.


What I am creating . . .

Lots of stuff.  I need to write a list of what needs restocked for the next craft show.  I have about 11 camper ornaments ready to assemble.


A recipe I want to try . . .
Brandied nuts


From the camera . . .

Sunday morning sunrise.

On my prayer list . . .
My family, a friend who lost a pet, a friend who lost an Aunt

Chicken Noodle Soup ~ Craft Show

Friday morning Youngest woke up feeling the crud.  I felt it in my throat too, so teas were brewed, essential oils dug out, and so forth.  I pulled out all the stops for the both of us - rubbed tea tree oil/oil carrier on our feet, rubbed oils on my chest, ran the diffuser, sprayed down everything with anti-ill spray, and even had my first cup of slippery elm bark tea to sooth a small case of laryngitis.  Just the thought of all the germs brewing this time of year in a doctor's office had me motivated to mix up new tea brews for our throats.

I spent the day finishing up touches to the pig ornaments, made 4 more wine cork keychains, a few pairs of earring/necklace sets and more necklaces.  I worked on the lapghan (photo coming soon) after I took care of the hens, fetched firewood, and got the mail.

In the midst of all of that, I made some homemade chicken (no I didn't go to the coop for the chicken...not yet) noodle soup with homemade noodles, carrots I put in the freezer, celery cubes I froze, herbs from the garden, and bone broth.  I knew Youngest would really appreciate it in her condition, and I as well.  It sure was a blessing to have all the ingredients in the pantry, freezer, etc.  My special ingredient is tying some organic peppercorns in cheesecloth, and putting that in the soup until I add the noodles.  It aides in reviving energy, boosts the immune system, and other good stuff.

Oldest daughter came out for a visit and of course I fed her.  She is dealing with the struggles of adulting.  She is always looking for homemade cookies, but this time got a banana muffin.

I also stamped some brown paper bags for customers on Saturday.  My ink is running out, but it did the job.  

About 4pm, just as it started getting dark and while taking Jesse out, 3 very large deer (one a buck) came out of the woods behind our place, and ran across the road.  Jesse went nuts, and at the same time one of the eagles flew over the house.  Jesse does not like anything that flies and went ba-zerk!  It was truly like "Wild Kingdom" for a few moments.

Saturday morning I scrambled about and packed up the car for the 1st craft event.  It ran from 11am to 4pm, and Hubby and Youngest helped me set up, watch the tables, and tear down. 

We also woke up to rain and much colder weather.  Rain poured down all day, with evening thunderstorms and an evening high of 48°.  The weather has been very strange.

We sold every single camper ornament, and a lot of other items.  I came home last night and watched the football game and started on more camper ornaments.  I sold some pig ornaments too - we are in corn country, so lots of farmers.  We did not sell one snowflake or tree necklace/earring sets though.  I haven't checked the inventory, but we sold a lot of my dish scrubbies and knitted dishcloths.  We were very busy for a small town event, and thrilled at what we sold.  I even sold some soap saver bags and a set of pot holders.  

Today it's warm out, but a bit wet.  The high is said to reach up to 58°F.  Sunny too.  I mentioned to Hubby over coffee that we should clean the coop, but he has other ideas, ha ha!

Teabag Tidbits

Today's teabag message.

We made ham/pea pasta with leftover ham for one dinner.  Yum!

I've been making anniversary plans.  It's a mini, one-nighter, combined with a winery trip not far from home.  Our plans to travel further were changed due to Hubby's work schedule, but it should be a fun time.  I'll post our updates next month on how it turns out. We still plan to have a HUGE party at our homestead next summer.  Including two bands.  We may need to rent a hall though.  Not sure if we'll have enough electric hook-ups for the bands.

It's strange having Youngest being a legal driver.  She's been borrowing my car to run errands, but I'm enjoying her help in library book returns.  She also helped me bake some banana muffins, although she had too much homework to finish decorating a Christmas tree.

In between cleaning and decorating, I've started on two more pig ornaments, and continue to work on the current lapghan.  Hubby suggested I crochet a few more snowflake earring/necklace sets, so I started on that too.  There are over 40 vendors at the first upcoming craft event.

After several attempts, and changing our schedule around, we've come up with a date for the family Christmas get-together (Hubby's side of the family).  We set it early to accommodate family that is traveling from Georgia.  It'll be a combined event, although in the past we tried to keep Daughter's birthday separate from Christmas.  We will have two cakes to celebrate two birthdays that fall together on the same day.  Hopefully both kids will have a special day.

Tree decorating continues.  I will have photos maybe within the next week.  I had to order another string of lights, ha ha!

It was snowing yesterday, but it's raining this morning here.  My chickens are still not laying.  

Extreme Clean ~ Decorating

Youngest was out of school a few days ago, so I got her to help me put the sliders under my heavy dresser, so I could move it, clean and push it back.  What a job that was - one heavy son-of-a-gun dresser.

I still have large items to move in the bedroom, but a few may have to wait until after Christmas and New Years.  I guess we'll see.

Christmas trees and decor are going up.  Its looking mighty fine this year too.   I found several rolls of ribbon in one of my totes, so I decided to wrap all of my upper kitchen cupboards like this.  I would like to do it again next year in blue ribbon and white or silver bows.

I'm waiting on lights for one tree, while we need another string of lights for another tree.  

Caramel Apple Salad

Caramel Apple Salad
1 pkg. instant, organic butterscotch pudding
1 14-15 oz. can of organic crushed pineapple, with juice
1 cup organic mini-marshmallows
5 organic apples, peeling on, diced
1 container of organic whipped cream
1 cup organic salted roasted nuts, diced

Dice the apples and all remaining ingredients, adding whipped cream last, by gently folding it in the mixture.  Chill and serve.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom blogspot.  You are graced with two blog posts today due to inclement weather.  I just feel like being lazy today, but the show must go on.

On the breakfast plate . . .
Egg, bacon and cheese sandwich, coffee.  Lots of coffee.


The weather . . .
Raining like crazy, which is to turn to snow later this morning.  Cloudy, dreary, and a bit on the cold side.

Thinking . . .
...that hunters shooting out back of our homestead stay off the property.  I hear shots going off already.


Right now I am . . . 
Waiting on the washer to quit, and getting ready to start on dishes.


My reading pile . . . 
More old writer magazines


On my TV . . . 
Movie rentals from the video store where one of our daughters is a Manager.


On the menu this week . . .
Leftovers.  Lots of good, tasty leftovers.


On my to-do list . . .
Laundry
Dishes
Put Christmas decor and trees up
Move dresser and clean under and behind it
Wash down two nightstand lamps and put new light bulbs in them
water plants


What I am creating . . .
Embroidered kitchen towels for gifting, a lapghan


Looking around the house . . .
I have some walnuts that will need to be cracked and put into the freezer before the Christmas meal.  The woodstove is going, and warming up the house.  I need to take down one curtain and wash it.  The kids played hide-and-seek during our large meal, and got food on it (hurumpf!).


From the camera . . .

Despite shotgun starting this morning, the Eagles are still out flying around in the rain.

On my prayer list, Bible Verse, Devotional . . .
I don't have any special prayer requests, but I do pray for my kids and family.  Two daughters who are in between living arrangements are on top of the list.