Simple Dish Scrubbies ~ Bone Chilling Weather (again)

I'm trying out a new pattern for a simple dish scrubbie.  This one creates an edge (or ridge) on the scrubbie, making it easier to use.  I used one 10 yard length, 2 inch wide strip of netting.

Good Literature

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!  I'm not laughing at John Steinbeck, but at the oh, so appropriate title to describe this winter here.

I made a trip to the library yesterday, and stocked up on some good literature to read.  I decided to delve into some great authors, and hope to improve my writing.  Not to mention I may have lots of time if we do get snowed in this weekend.

Cold and Snow ~ Surprise Mail

We are all entitled to vent at some point, so grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and come sit a spell with me.  To be honest, it's not really that bad of a vent.  It's just life as we know it here at the homestead.

Timmy Goes to the Vet

This morning's sunrise (view from the front porch) was very warming to watch. It was incredibly peaceful, and a pleasant

way to start the day.

Thrift and Antique Store Finds

I found this vintage pattern pillow case (Fashion Manor Percale Penn-Prest) at a thrift store for $.50.  I love the yellow roses on it.  I thought about using it in the camper, but decided to give it to one of the girls to use (who loves yellow).  It was hard to give it up, but my pillows are king and this fit a standard.  I love the beautiful lace on it too.

A new page, A new possibility

To take over the goats or not to. 

That is the possibility over the next 2 years.  Daughter is talking about moving out after she graduates (and go off to college) and won't be able to take the goats with her.  If she leaves them, I would have to take over all duties that she took care of. Which is everything - all goat care, milking, and soap making.  I was simply the goat milker back-up.  And of course, watered them during the school year when needed.

This is only a "possibility" as I have a very large garden to plant, weed, harvest and stock up with.  Not to mention chicken duties, splitting wood and so forth.   And then there is possible employment outside of the home, and my freelance work inside the home.  And "Big Boy" is another element to the decision.  I'm not sure if I can handle his smell and attend his care.  And lastly, there is the issue of never leaving to travel anywhere, and being tied down to the homestead.

But, then again, we have somewhat of a goat history in the family.  Here is my mother with her goat Buttsey and cat named Dusty. 

Saying it's just a possibility, makes it easier to simply let sit for a while. 

"I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities."

~Whoopi Goldberg

 

 

Cleaning Out, Using Up, Something New

You might find this funny.  After revealing to the world I had a hoarded pile of recipes to try, my Mom sends me a Healthy Cooking magazine.  On top, she wrote "Let me know if you find any great recipes.  So many sound awesome!"  Ha!  More recipes.  Ugh.

My Name is Prim and I am an Ornery Goat

I jump the stall and help myself to hay, and jump back in.  I jump the stall and visit the chickens and jump back in.  I jump the stall, and when someone comes out to open the barn, I simply take a stroll around the homestead.  Even though it's winter, I can find roses that need trimmed, that were sticking out of the snow.  Tasty!

Psssst!  Prim doesn't know it yet, but she's starting to get bigger, and having more trouble jumping over the stall.

Winter Camping?

My oldest brother sent me this.  Camping in winter?  He asked "Who's in?"

I would try it.  As long as it wasn't -38°F wind chill.  We could have all kinds of fun - cook over the fire, sip hot chocolate, build a snowman, and hike.   We could ice fish!  Ha!

Speaking of snow and winter,  we got more of it last night.  School is closed today.  It's a wet snow, and it rained during the snowfall. 

I'm starting to feel better, and spent the entire day yesterday reading writer magazines that have piled up.  It was fun to just sit and read, and sip hot tea.  I actually did some writing too.

Head's up on the eucalyptus oil - it can reduce the effects of many medications because it detoxifies.  Once I stopped steaming, my medications worked much better.  Duh moment, and a learning experience.  Once I am healed, I will steam for preventative reasons.  However, the 3 times I did steam, really did help my sinuses. 

Weekend Update ~ Wood Splitting

(Jesse trying to nap in front of the wood stove)

We had a long weekend - baby shower, birthday party.  Today it's dentist appointments, and wood splitting.  Although I opted out of the birthday party (had a fever of 101.1), I should have rested the entire weekend.  Some things, such as wood splitting, have to be done regardless.

 (15 year-old Mattie warming up in front of the wood stove)

Hubby took the day off to split wood, as he knew I was not up to it.  With some luck, and through talking to others, we located free wood and just have to split it.  

Starting 5pm-ish today, we are to get about 3-5 inches of snow, then blowing and breezy.  So, getting the wood split before then is kind of important.
 

Coffee Pot Collection and Tidbits

(sharing photos of my coffee pot collection, and we use some on camping trips)

Hamburger-Potato Crock Pot Dinner

First, the night before. . .
 

make a batch (best, or make ahead and freeze), of homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup.

Button Switchplates ~ Quinoa Burrito Bowls ~ Walnut Shells Going Camping

Man, I just can't win for losing.  My doctor now has me on another prescription.  This frustrates me.  Although I am enjoying the time resting, I am getting that itch to get things done, and tired of getting tired in a short time when I am up.  Hopefully this one will do the magic I need.  I did clean out 3 complete binders yesterday.  I know, what was I thinking?  I am a pattern hoarder no more.  Phew.

Here is one magazine page that did not make the "cut" when cleaning.  It's cute, but I could see this being a dust collector and difficult to clean if I made them.  It came from a 2000 issue of Woman's Day magazine.

My Name is Mom, and I am also a Pattern Hoarder ~ Vintage Rag Doll Pattern

I'm so rested up, that you get two blog posts today.  However, that doesn't mean I will leave my cozy jammies just yet.  I am thankful that we have leftover Kale and Bean soup to warm up with today too.  Hot tea has done wonders too. 

So, grab a cup of hot coffee or tea, and sit a spell.  This one is longer than the last.

I'll spare you the photos of the pile of plastic page covers I have now restocked into the school supplies.  While up from my very long nap yesterday (which felt great by the way), I pulled many of my binders and started cleaning them out.

I would have passed those patterns and craft instructions on to someone, but my kids voted they were "old" and needed to go.  

Cupcake

This is the story of how my 14 year-old daughter just got the nickname of "Cupcake."

After homecoming last weekend, she opted to go home with a friend and stay the night (so she could shower too).  We, at the time had no hot water.  The dance ended at midnight.

The next day, Hubby was to pick her up around 4pm.  He was not home by then, and called me.

Clothesline Shoveled

Although I am still coughing a bit, I donned my winter coat and boots, and finally shoveled out the clothesline.  As most folks driving by will turn their head, I had a nice time getting fresh air, listening to the birds sing, and enjoying the sunshine.  However, I probably should have stayed inside.

Dehydrating Ginger ~ Making Homemade Ground Ginger

Of course, organic ginger root is best, however we rarely find it in our grocery stores.  We typically find it at a nature store about 2 1/2 hours from here.  Why don't they have more of those stores everywhere?  We really could use one here.

Homemade Lemon Extract ~ Gratitude

We love lemon here.  We can't grow them, but we can buy them organic, and thus we made lemon extract. This will be ready to use about March 28th (I'm waiting at least 8 weeks to try this first batch). 

My Name is Mom, and I am a Recipe Hoarder

I wish I had a photo of last night's dinner.  Remember when I said I was increasing our salmon and greens?  Well last night I dug out two recipes from the pile.

Finished! ~ Randomness ~ Weather Woes

A few sunflower cup/mug coasters.  Small accomplishment, but finished.  I just may have to make more later if I have time.  Still crocheting the Bavarian stitch baby blanket and knitted dishcloths (depending on my mood).

Snowed In (again)

As you can see, the weather forecast was correct.  This is the "U" in our horseshoe drive.  The rest is drifted over too - some 3 feet high.

I was greeted with a 1 foot drift smack dab in front of one door too.  You can see where the dogs went out.  Jesse wasn't too happy about that.

Thinking Christmas 2014 in February? ~ Hot Ginger Tea

Don't throw tomatoes at me just yet. Ha ha!  I found this wonderful book at our library.  It's full of edible gift ideas (many that are brilliant ideas for handmade/homemade Christmas gifts), and there are a few that I plan to try early this year.  Just sharing in case you are looking for new ideas.

Mom's (Make Ahead) Dried Beef Casserole ~ Only Healthier

Today I am sharing a family recipe that came from my Mom.  Only this time, I made it using homemade cream of mushroom soup.  

Homestead Tidbits ~ Baby Booties

Saturday it rained heavily the entire day.  It was a very gloomy, get-in-your-jammies-early day.  We still made a trip to the gym for a must needed workout.  According to my fitbit (tracks my steps etc) I am short about 3,000 steps per day this winter.  Yikes!

Back to the weather. . . .

Homemade Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

On a whim, I decided to find a recipe for making my own condensed cream of mushroom soup.  There are many recipes I do not make anymore, simply because I don't want to feed my family those canned foods.