Journal Junkie ~ Nature Journal

I recently mentioned our Queen Anne's Lace Jelly, and thought I'd share my Nature Journal.  

Possibilities

After reading a post on another blog, I remembered taking a dutch oven cooking class with my oldest daughter and best friend from high school.  That was April of 2011.  I haven't really done anything that exciting since then either.

Garden Surprise ~ A "Get'er Done" Project

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

Garlic was planted this weekend.  It will be harvested next spring. The heat wave we had is over, and they are calling for much cooler weather. 


I also made homemade seasoned salt. I used my homemade garlic and onion powder to make it.  It's the first time making it, so I am comparing it to the smell and taste of Lawry's from the store.

Recipe I used:

From the Handiwork Journal . . .

Front cover (sorry for the tablecloth behind it, it is too much of a busy background to really see the journal cover)

 Back Cover

Remember these fun watercolor journal pages?  From way back in July of 2012?  

...I decoupaged recycled cardboard, using magazine pictures, and made a front and back cover.  I punched holes and tied on aqua organza ribbon.  I just need to fill in the pages.

...knitted a few more dishcloths.

...remember this project?  It is my second knitted shawl.  I can't even remember when I started it.  It's finally done, but I am disappointed in the size.  In the book, the shawl goes way past her waist line, and well over her shoulders.  She must have been pretty petite, because the fringe on this barely goes to my waist line.  This pattern is cleary not for 6 foot amazon women.  Needless to say, it went to one of the girls.  I love this style too (sighing sadly). 

From the Handiwork/Crafting Journal

Painted several watercolor journal pages.  The top left one (in the photo to the right) was done by my 10 year-old daughter, and also the one with two flowers and no title (I later added the word "Grow" on it).  The barn one was started by me, but finished by my 15 year-old daughter.  I'm not an artist, but we had a lot of fun.

Decoupaged two journals - one for writing and our homesteading journal.  The second one isn't finished yet.

Made a pair of earrings.

I finally cut several cereal boxes and had them made into notebooks for the Farmer's Market.  I've had these boxes sitting in my craft supplies for over a year now.

I added a few easy embellishments to some pages in my camping journal. 

Crocheted another pot holder set for the Farmer's Market.  I used a different stitch this time.

Abandon Chores ~ Play Like a Kid

After dinner last night, I got out the watercolor paints and started painting some journal pages. 

This was so much fun.  The kids got a kick out of seeing Mom sitting at the table painting.  In fact, they were in so much awe, that my 15 year-old daughter got the video camera out.  She wanted to make sure it was caught on tape for the record.  Ha ha ha ha!

Some days, you just need to let the dirty dishes sit, and dig into your creativity.

Here's a look at yesterday's "garden" dinner - a meal my Mom used to make.  Potatoes, green beans and bacon, all mixed together. 

The potatoes were so creamy and delicious.  I finally figured out why I hated vegetables as a kid - stuff from the store is so tainted that it doesn't taste good.