Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  Sunday we got "Big Red" fired up.  Here's hoping she'll keep starting now.  It (the truck) could need a few parts yet.

We drove "Big Red" to the "Big City" and delivered a gift and Christmas cookies, picked up load of straw and headed back home.  I forgot to renew my library books, but it looks like only a few are late (this time).

On the breakfast plate . . . 
Homemade breakfast burrito and coffee


The weather outside is . . .
Rain is on the way, with a high of 56°F, but will quickly go back to the low 20's at night for the next week.


As I look out my window . . .
It's still dark out.


On the to-do list . . .
-take care of the chickens
-feed barn cats (Leo still comes once every often)
-put away clean dishes
-vacuum
-empty ash pan (depends on the rain today)
-start another tincture
-knock down some cobwebs
-put a few Christmas decorations away
-put a Christmas tablecloth away
-re-file all of the recipes I got out over the holidays
-take down the snowman shower curtain and put it away
-sweep kitchen
-measure out dry ingredients for homemade biscuits



Currently reading . . .
Nothing

On the TV . . .
A netflix series called The Ranch, and another called Rain.  not sure if we'll finish the Rain series.  It's getting weird like the Walking Dead got weird.  I don't enjoy movies where they eat people.  Yuck.


On the menu this week . . .
I'm about to go check my pantry.  Possibly homemade stove top tuna and noodle with some veggie sides.  I'm taking meals much easier this week. 


What I'm creating . . .

More sunflower keyfobs

Sorry for the dark photos.  I took the rest of them very early in the morning this morning.

Started a granny square winter scarf

Working on some mini crocheted hearts

Knitted dishcloth, another scrap lapghan, and more crocheted headbands.

Finished some spring cup coasters

Finished a few knitted dishcloths

Finished a few heart dishcloths

New recipe I tried or want to try . . .
Nothing this week.  


Favorite photo . . .

I haven't been taking a lot of photos lately.  This one makes me smile.  It's always a good day when laundry can dry outside.

Gettin' Fresh Air ~ RIP Sapphire

The weather yesterday was fantastic as fantastic can go in winter.  Not only myself, but the laundry was out getting fresh air.  Low 50's, a bit breezy, but cloudy.  I still took advantage of it and put the laundry outside to dry.  I even got a load of towels dried outside.  Felt great, since it's been awhile to be out.

What went up, must come down.  I am starting early due to our schedule right now.  I feel like it's coming down as fast as it went up though.

I pulled out my recipe book for my 4 Thieves vinegar and was short of one ingredient.  Thankfully, I got an order placed and will restock my ACV as well.  My gallon jug is almost empty.  I have one more jar of 4 Theives already made.

Other than laundry, bills got paid and one daughter came for a visit.  She took her Jeep to a dealership to have the heat looked at (not working properly) and when she took her Jeep home (heat not fixed) it was making a horrible sound.  They told her it would cost her $100 to be tested.  Instead, she drove to our place where Hubby fixed it and helped her fix a few other things after work.

Thankfully, she was here too.  While I had thought someone hit a raccoon across the street from our homestead, she had walked across the street to double check. 

Sadly, it was our barn cat Sapphire.  In all the 10 years we've lived here, both her and Aurora have been safe.  My heart is so heavy.  Sapphire had a thing with me, while Aurora with Hubby.  They'd love on us daily.  Strangest sort of barn cats - kill rodents, but love on us.

The two were like glue.  Always cleaning each other, sleeping with each other, hunting with each other.  We always believed Aurora was her mother, but there was no way of telling.  Sapphire is the gray cat and we called her "Sassy" and I will miss her greatly.  She would kill full sized rabbits and bring them to the porch.  Nothing got past her either.  She was a good guard cat.  I'll never forget the day the cats were screeching out back.  They were warning us of a black water snake at our back door.  Oh, my heart is so heavy today.  She'd be the first to greet me in the morning and the last, while out with the dog.  She even loved on Jesse and the other dogs.  She visited me in the garden, barn and anywhere outside.  Sapphire will be upset she can't hunt in heaven.  RIP Sapphire. Aurora will miss you, but we'll give her extra attention and love.  

One last gathering ~ Winner winner chicken dinner

When I went to feed Tiger yesterday morning, I noticed the bucket gone from my utility room. My first thought?  Oh no.  My youngest is sick now. By 2pm, she had not come downstairs so I tip-toed up the stairs and took a look.  She was sound asleep.

Christmas had me all discombobulated, ha ha!  I woke up thinking it was Wednesday and it was Thursday.  Only one more holiday and I can get back to my "to-do" list and recoup.

My phone was blowing up too.  Apparently, Hubby's family wanted one last get together before one family returns to GA.  Gah!  They asked us to host.  Double Gah!  Hubby said no way, ha ha!  

Even though I am tired of cooking and baking, I whipped up a breakfast scramble with bacon and dandelion greens.  We all could use a dose of detox and nourishment.  I had a lot of dishes to wash, so I thought why not dirty some more.

Within a short time, the family decided to do a "taco" dinner night (Hubby's family).  I am just thankful someone else hosted it. 

Jesse (aka "tater tot") table surfed for the first time ever.  It was chicken of all things.  He does love chicken.  Oye.  We have no idea why after all these years, and he had been fed just prior to that.  I guess we'll have to make sure food is put up from now on.  

Merry Christmas

Oh my gosh, we had the house packed with family and friends.  What a good time.  Birthdays were a hit too.

We have leftover cake too.  Everyone was stuffed to the gills.

I had to laugh this morning.  I found a sticky note on the oven door "Food inside."  Mia came to us for the night, and before the kids went to bed they put all the food away for us.  I was so stinkin' tired.

Youngest got a load of birthday presents and was very happy to celebrate with so many folks.  We had so many we almost couldn't fit in the family photo.

Hostess with the most-est. . .

...with the most-est headache.  I got a text asking for us to once again change the time of the Christmas party.  I've already sent out invitations to people and it's getting out of control.  Hubby wasn't happy either.  He has to work the next day.  

My 19 year old came out to help with the candy making.  We had issues of course.  I wasn't running on all "cylinders" and she hadn't worked with candy for a year.  We were a bit rusty at it, but after one batch, turned on a Christmas movie to take a break.

We made buckeyes, mint chocolate covered crackers (mock mint girl scout cookies) and I made another batch of salted caramel fudge. The guys at Hubby's work were begging for the fudge.

A plate of goodies went to work with Hubby this morning.

It rained all day Thursday.  Cloudy, dreary, and cold.  It's wet and cold today, and I have no plans to bake one iota.  It's a house cleaning day.

You may see a blurp or two in my posts from now on.  It'll start to get crazy busy.

Making Dirty Dishes....and then some....

Wednesday the weather was just about the same - high of about 44°F.  I woke up super exhausted, so I took my time early on (again).  

Here's why.

The night prior, Hubby and I drove to the other "Big City" to pick up some last minute baking supplies for the holiday baking.  However, there were zero half-pint canning jars anywhere.  Sigh.  Literally.  Even sugar in the smaller bags, and toothpicks were sold out.  Frustrated and beyond tired, we returned home to crash.  Someone please, please (I beg you) remind me to buy my holiday supplies in September.  I even stopped at the dollar store for parchment paper - zero in stock and lines so long I would've walked out anyway perhaps.  At the craft store, the lines were long, and one cashier.  I almost fell asleep in line.  Nope,  not doing it next year.  I'll order online if I have to.  It's crazy out in the people-y world.

The only reason you all get to read another post, is because I was once again downing coffee just to wake up and start the day.  Not to mention a bit of procrastination.

More baking went on at the homestead . . .

Salted Caramel Fudge, Peanut butter blossoms, more candy apple jelly, and one last batch of cashew brittle.  

I spoiled tater tot with some homemade dog food - organic oats, chicken, peas and a bit of bacon grease.  My original recipe calls for a "human" vitamin, but I did not add that.  I don't even take them, except for raw Vitamin C.  I didn't add the salt substitute either.  I figure the bacon grease is salty enough.  He devoured it of course.

The only bad thing about a gathering at our place, is we get pantry pirates.  I won't name names, but it's not my side of the family. Sigh.  Seriously, they open pantries and take canned goods.  They have no idea what work goes into a canned item - work the garden, plant the garden, weed the garden, pick the garden, can the garden....a LOT of work, and for organic food for the family of my own.  We had a terrible garden year this year, so it's slim pickin's in the stock-age here as well.  Not to mention the cost of organic seed/plant and the cost of canning supplies, double with the time involved in all of it.  I just find it downright disrespectful and rude.  I am not going to let it continue.  Okay, off my soapbox....I'm just going to put a few kids on guard this time.

Christmas Baking

I woke up Wednesday dragging my feet.  I was full force on Tuesday, and so happy with my progress.  Slowly, I got things rolling.  With a 3rd pot of coffee.  And some rock n' roll.  There is one radio station that plays all Christmas, but it's slow stuff.  I had to hook my phone up to the radio and get some rock n' roll going on.  

Baking resumed. More brittle was made too.  I called out to the kids and got reinforcements to finish the baking.

I literally gave the cashew brittle to my daughter and told her to hide it.  Otherwise Hubby would have it gone before the festivities started, ha ha! 

Good news.  Jesse ate his breakfast.  However, Daughter (his Mom) called me last night.  We are going back to all homemade food for him now.  He doesn't have many years left, and we will be spoiling him.

Tuesday Teabag Tidbits ~ Holiday Baking Starts ~ Cashew Brittle

Canning took up most of my morning yesterday.

We've been out of Candy Apple Jelly for over a year, so some of this is going in the pantry.

I had to whip up a batch of homemade ginger-ale syrup.  Youngest texted me that she was feeling pretty sickly.  Thankfully, I have club soda on hand, but now I'm out of honey.

Made my first batch of organic cashew brittle.  I hope to make one or two batches more yet.

Dinner was easy yesterday.  I used leftover mushroom gravy, combined with homemade condensed mushroom soup, and cooked pork chops it in the crock pot.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a stay at home Mom for today's "Happy Homemaker Monday."  I am blessing you all with 2 posts today.  Why?  Well, I need a list to stay accountable for (sigh).  I'm puttering around early, growling like an 'ol grizzly bear, looking at all the things I need to do before next Saturday.  We had a pretty busy weekend, so my list is loooooooooooong.  Oh my, so long...grrr.  I am reaching down inside my soul for some uppity positive mojo to get things done.

Last night my husband surprised me by making dinner.  He's not the foodie type, but lately has gone nut-so.  He cooked us steaks with fresh mushroom gravy, and mashed potatoes, and it was fantastic.

Mushrooms are a good source of B vitamins, copper, potassium, vitamin D, and other good stuff.  I love to toss these in casseroles, soups, stews, and gravies.


On the breakfast plate. . . .

Two farm fresh eggs over easy, toast with home canned wild violet jelly, and lots and lots of coffee.

The weather outside . . .
Cold, but we should see some sun this morning for a short time.


Looking around the house . . .
Like I said, I gotta quit growling like a grizzly bear and just turn on some fun music, and dance my way through this week. Lots and lots to clean up and get ready.


Right now I am . . . 
Getting ready to start dishes, while waiting on the washing machine.


On the to-do list (week long list) . . .
-laundry (already started)
-wash bedding
-wash last nights dishes
-unload and reload the dishwasher
-thaw chicken for marinating 
-thaw chicken for the dog
-put pork chops in the crocky
-thaw corn
-can jelly
-wash dishes again
-infuse herbal tea
-clean off large table and put a new tablecloth on it
-bring in wood
-spot clean carpets (again due to a sick cat)
-start elderberry elixir
-dehydrate organic mushrooms I got a great deal on
-start baking/making Christmas cookies and candies
-continue working on handmade gifts
-clean up bedroom
-clean up utility room
-clean up hearth
-take books back to the library/do a pick up also
-sweep of front porch
-wash the curtain I never got around to wash yet
-wipe down one window
-dust
-sweep/vacuum and mop
-clean bathrooms
-wipe down any cobwebs
-tidy up office area
-write out shopping list for the last of the last before the party

Household tip . . .
You'll have to bigify to read, but as I was looking up the temp to dehydrate my mushrooms (rehydrates great), I came across this page (what rehydrates poorly).

Currently reading. . .
Nothing - no time to read, lol!


On the TV . . .
Netflix


On the menu . . .
Crock pot pork chops with mushroom gravy, corn, wild rice
Mac n' cheese, steamed broccoli
Fajitas
Leftovers

What I am creating at the moment . . .
A hand embroidered kitchen towel, and some handmade jewelry (photos to share later).


Favorite photo . . .

...when Jesse used to beg me for his meal.  Lately, he's back to picking out the meat/veggies and leaving his dry food.  I'm gonna have to figure out how to step up my game and get him to eat better.  Poor guy.


Prayers . . .
For my step-daughter, who recently lost her grandfather.

Weekend Updates

Friday I was stuck home due to a dead truck battery, so it was a full-blown house cleaning day.  It needed it anyway.  I got laundry caught up, woodwork wiped down, bathrooms cleaned, clutter tidied up, dishes washed etc etc.

I left myself "me" time despite the work load. 

Saturday morning we had a very sick cat.  He got allergy medication this time of year last year, and I finally figured it out.  Geraniums.  They are poisonous to cats and dogs.  I started bringing them in last year.  Not anymore.  Out the door they went, and off to the vet we went.  I caught him eating one and looked it up.  I feel horrible.  I'm always so spot on, when it comes to "pet safe" around here.

We had lots to do Saturday as well - groceries, hardware store, library, and all the other stuff around here.  Including test the truck battery, pick up parts to fix the pellet stove (electric bill arrived at a whopping $500-some amount), and put the last string of Christmas lights up outside.  We hauled a load of wood to the house, fluffed up the chicken coop with what little straw I had (still waiting on Hubby to get our order picked up), and more.  A total of 8 stops.  And we forgot to stop at the library.

Sunday we got up and ran 3 more errands.  Visited Mom, and drove back home to finish trimming the tree, and put all the totes back in storage.


What's off the hooks and needles right now?

One hand embroidered kitchen towel for one daughter.  Nothing fancy, but yet cute and something useful.

One hand embroidered kitchen towel for another daughter.

Cute for a "dog" person, and daughter who is struggling to keep her bills paid on a budget (who just shoveled out $80 for a vet visit, and $150 for new tires for her car).

I'm not done with handmade gift just yet, but I'll get back to work on them, just after another long day of cleaning.  I'm looking forward to a tidy house once again.  How was your weekend?

Big Red and other stuff ~ Crochet/Knit/Crafting neck lamp

Big Red has now been dubbed "Ole Unreliable" by Youngest.  Hubby worked over and the truck for some reason wouldn't start for her to go do volunteer work.  It worked fine for me early in the day.  Hubby believes it just needs a new battery.

A funny to share about Big Red (truck).  I had so many library books to return that the truck kept telling me my "passenger" didn't have a seat belt on.

We will be looking for a new, better, TV antenna.  The one we have doesn't always work depending on the weather.  While Hubby worked over, and I wanted to watch TV and crochet, I had a horrible time.  Three clothespins and maneuvering a curtain, I was able to get three more channels, ha ha!

Check this out!  I had been debating buying the crochet hooks that light up, or a neck lamp.  After talking to someone who had the hooks, I went with the lamp.  She said the hooks are light weight, but sometimes too bright and can cause headaches.

So far, I love it.  It's rechargeable, so no batteries needed.  I'm not an affiliate for this product, but I found it on Amazon.  Now I can work on dark colored yarn projects much easier.  Just thought I'd share.

In preparation for the big gathering with two combined birthdays, I started on one homemade gift....

. . .a kids scarf, Buffalo Bills colors.

I also started on a few more handmade gifts - photos to come soon.  Just a bit late on getting them started.

I've also collected patterns for new items for craft shows, but the main focus is cleaning up the house.

I've now created cow Christmas tree ornaments.  What's next?  I guess we'll see.  Hubby told me to create some (cows) a while back, and low and behold, someone asked if I had any at a recent craft show.  Now I do.

It's a warm 42° this morning.  Feels like a heat wave compared to the 20's.  

Lights are up . . .and one light went off

I sorted through the old outside lights, and found a few strings still working.  I managed to hang some on the front porch without climbing a ladder. So happy about that, and the other table is mostly cleaned off and ready to don a new Christmas table cover.

Never run out of batteries.  Sigh.  I do believe the reason Jesse has gotten us up so early, is that he refuses to do his business late the night prior, due to his collar light not working.   The battery died, but alas, we have replaced them, and will have flashlights on backup.  Now I find him sleeping soundly at 5:30am.  What a relief.  Getting us up at 2:30am was not fun.

We've been sipping hot herbal throat teas here lately.  Warding off whatever germs have come home from Hubby's work and Daughter's school.  

Speaking of Daughter, she is now the understudy for this school year's musical - Drowsy, in the Drowsy Chaperone.  She had hoped to land the main character, but landed the main character's understudy.  I told here she has one more year to try and get the star lead.  We are pretty proud of her.

We enjoyed some garden comfort food the other night - tuna and noodle with homemade condensed mushroom soup, garden sweet potatoes with "full throttle herb/spice mix" and green beans (sadly not from my garden but good).

New item for next Christmas - hat and scarf for dressing up a bottle of wine, herbal oil, etc.  This will be topping a bottle of wine for one gift this Christmas.  So cute too.  

Daughter came home from school, and announced they are doing a gift exchange in her cosmetology class.  She asked me to whip up a handmade gift (so proud she is all for handmade).   I was up for the challenge now that the craft shows are over for the year.  These will be added to craft show events soon.

I also had a customer ask me to crochet a different type of ornament.  Gulp.

It's getting packed up and shipped to her ("f" bomb).

Tuesday Tidbits

We literally went through 3 pots of coffee before Hubby was off to work and Daughter off to school.  Hubby asked me not to decorate the tree, and wait for him to get home.  He wanted to do it as a family.  He hates Mondays, so I was skeptical.

Breakfast scramble this week - sweet potato/potato/bacon and swiss chard.

The lights blink slow then fast.  Battery operated.  Just love these new additions to our Christmas this year.