Breakfast ~ A Finish

Breakfast for the next few days - just whipped stuff together.  Eggs, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, jalapenos, garlic, bacon, kale, and oregano.

The chickens are still supplying good.  I'm still using last years garlic (but they are getting green tops), frozen green peppers, jalapenos, and other veggies we froze.

I finished the rag rug for the shower.  I'm not happy with the edges this time around.  I think it's not exactly square due to the thinner material I used in the very center, but it'll work.  The one I made for the bathtub was much more square on the edges.

(the one I made for the bathtub)

 

Random Tidbits ~ Happy New Year!

 

I managed to finish the rag rug I started this year.  It's for the bathtub.  Sorry about the lighting, I took the photo just before dinner time.

The book store never called me back on the book they were waiting to price.  I'm assuming it was a legit signed copy and they were selling it for well more than I could afford.  I don't want a signed copy anyway.  I just wanted the recipes.

Happy New Year!

2020 has been a total bunch of hot garbage.  It can only get better from here, as I see it.  Dad's place is empty.  I can't explain how I feel after seeing it that way.  On a funny note, he had several typewriters - electric and manual.  There were 4 typewriters when I arrived with one daughter.  I told her "load 'em up, they are your project now."  She was fascinated that people used to use them.

May 2021 (but I said this in 2020 too) be better than the year before.  We can only hope right?

Pearl ~ Purging the Bedding

Ever wake up feeling like Pearl (we accidentally left her out all winter)?  Rained on, snowed, on, hailed on, wind blown, knocked down.........looking all haggard?  I did.  All of December and all of January.

February is a new month, and I am back to almost walking 2 full miles a day.  It's been painful, but trips to the chiropractor are swiftly returning my body to a painless stage. It's a lesson to myself really.  I think about that miserable experience, and I wake up to a fully charged, positive demeanor.  

I don't skip the herbal teas.  I don't skip the exercise.  I clean something every day even in the midst of a canning day, or other engaging day.

Homestead Happenings ~ Rag Rug Using Old Sheets

Saturday we has a long list of chores - inside and out.  Wood needed restocked, bathrooms cleaned top to bottom (dusting included), recycling taken out, a trip to donate items to the thrift, and much more. 

I wanted some "fun" time on Sunday, so I put a limit on my deep cleaning, but 9 sconces (light fixtures) were taken down and scrubbed clean.  I have 8 more on ceiling fans, and then I move to the kitchen light fixtures.  It's such a relief to get that sort of cleaning done.

From a Journal Junkie . . .

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

. . . made my own bird deterrent for the strawberry beds - recycled pie pan, string, and a piece of recycled tent pole.  I used what I had, considering the budget is tight right now (from the tile project).  Later in the day I saw robins snacking away as soon as the wind stopped (and the pie pans stopped banging away).  I guess I better start saving up for bird netting and supplies.  However, I did spray paint some small stones red, and placed them under the plants for now too.  We'll see if they return after pecking at a stone. 

. . . planted new curly parsley, and more tomatoes. 

 . . .in preparation for hot days, I started to save and fill empty plastic bottles with water.  They are being frozen to place in goat water buckets.

. . . the bathroom tile project continues - humidity is a huge factor in it's completion. I cannot wait to use my shower again.

. . .found a way to recycle the plastic from an old, broken portable closet.

. . . made a homemade non-toxic, herbal fusion, disinfectant.  I'm looking forward to seeing the results.  I can make it from everything in the garden, with the exception of the organic apple cider vinegar (for the recipe and others:  14 Bleach-Free Surface Disinfectants).

. . . dehydrated 2 lbs. of organic carrots (with another 2 lbs. to dehydrate) I bought on sale for $.99 at the grocery store.  The only bad part about buying these, is the leftover plastic bag.




From the Handiwork Journal. . .

. . .crocheted another rag rug.  It's made from old sheets and pillow cases. 



From the Family Journal . . .

 . . .my youngest daughter gets to spend a few days with her Grandma.

. . . my son surprised me by cleaning out the refrigerator.

. . . my allergies are flared up from spending so much time in the wind this past weekend.  I hope to get some relief today.



From the Gratitude Journal . . .

 Today I am thankful for:

~ Much cooler weather. It's nice to have a break from the heat.

~ My rose bushes blooming again. 

~ My herb garden.  It's come in use for more than just cooking and baking.

~ God's promises.

~ The quiet morning here today.  I can't hear anything, but birds, and my dehydrator.  

 

From the Handiwork Journal . . .

. . . played around with a new "flower" dish scrubbie pattern.  I am making some to sell at the next Farmer's Market.

. . . finished my 11 year-old's tablet cover.  Finally.

. . . started another pot holder set, and dishcloth.  These are my "to go" projects.  When I need to go somewhere, and I am not driving, these go with me.

. . . got around to embellishing the crocheted cat bookmark.

(Click here to see more from my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot)

. . . spray painted chalkboard paint on a clip board to make a sign for Farmer's Market.  

. . . crocheted 1 rag rug for the master bath (sheets and pillow cases).

. . . crocheted another bookmark for the store/market.



The weather is hot and humid here.  I collected 70 pints of water in my dehumidifier.  We have been running it in our master bath, to help the the tile project dry completely.  Rain is in the forecast today, but you never know anymore.







 

From a Journal Junkie

From the Handiwork Journal . . .

. . .knitted 3 more dishcloths.

 . . . crocheted my very first recycled denim jeans rag rug.  I like these.  I will continue to collect old jeans from the family, and make more of these (only bigger than the pattern called for, see S.C.R.A.P. for details).




From the Homesteading Journal . . . 


. . . Hubby, and extended family, picked up a truck load of fire wood for us Saturday.  We were on the last day's worth.  However, the truck broke down after they loaded it with wood.  Sunday, we got the truck back, and wood re-stocked.

. . . made another batch of ginger ale syrup, and another batch of homemade shampoo.
 


From the Gratitude Journal . . .

Today I am thankful for:

~sunshine
~pillows
~my husband's job
~my camera
~God's Love
   


From my personal journal . . .

. . . according to medical experts, it could be another week before I feel better.