National Novel Writing Month ~ Are You Ready?

I have been waiting for NaNoWriMo for a while now.  Yay!  It starts tomorrow and ends at midnight the last day of November.  

If you are a writer, go to their site, and sign up to write a novel (50,000 words or more) in 30 days.

It's fun.  It's spontaneous.  It holds me accountable.  It keeps my mind in tip top shape.  Anything goes.

Now go tell everyone you are going to be writing a novel next month.  I am. 

I Forgot the Back Porch Furniture....

Sunday we officially started to use the wood stove and corn/pellet burner.  It's taking time getting used to the routine of stacking wood and loading stoves again.

Yesterday the kids helped me put all of the front porch furniture in the barn and cover it up.  However, in our hurry, we forgot the back porch furniture.  Hmpf.  That's one of the pieces in the photo, covered with morning sleet.  It looks like snow, but it's really icy sleet.

Yesterday morning I fought the rain, at getting my laundry dried. I ended up bringing it in and drying it on racks in front of the stoves (including the bed sheets).

The school had a scheduled 2 hour delay for a teacher work day, but we would have had one anyway.  The sleet continues to come down.  I'm so glad my son helped me re-stock the wood on the front porch.

I hope we get another break in the weather soon.  We have much more winter prep to do on the chicken barn. 

Family Funny ~ You've Been Shrink Wrapped

I have one regret - not getting pictures. 

After my 16 year-old daughter helped me shrink wrap gift baskets for a fundraiser donation, we had a few pieces of basket shrink wrap left over.

They girls were him-hawing at the table later, and I was in the front room knitting.  

"You know what we should do?" one asked the other in the kitchen.  "We should shrink wrap "K's" stuff  before she gets home."

(My 13 year-old was out shopping with hubby, and would be home to go to a sleepover)

"Let's do it," responded the other with a devious eyeball response.

(giggling)

So they got the hair dryer out, and shrink wrapped their sister's hair brush, flat iron, eye liner, and mascara.  

When she got home, and looked at her items to pack for the sleepover, she was very confused.  

"What happened to my makeup?" she asked me. 

(more giggles)

"My hairbrush?!"

(more giggles)

"And my flat iron?!  Really?"

        

Cinnamon Cider Jelly

I make Cinnamon Cider Jelly every fall.  I typically give this away for gifts versus selling it.

Cinnamon Cider Jelly
4 cups apple cider
1/2 cup cinnamon imperials (red hot candies)
1 box powdered pectin (1-3/4 oz)
4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  
Add cider, cinnamon candies, and powdered pectin to a 6-8 quart stainless steel pan.

Heat and stir on high, until it reaches a rolling boil.

Add sugar, and stir on high until it reaches a rolling boil.  Boil for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and skim.  Pour into sterilized, hot jars,  wipe jars with a clean wet towel, and add lids and rims.  

Place jars into canning pot.  Process for 10 minutes.

Remove from canner and place on towel lined counter/table.  Let sit for 24 hours.  Place any jars that have not sealed into the refrigerator.

Yield:  Approximately 7 half pint jars.


For Candy Apple Jelly, simply use organic, unsweetened apple juice in place of the Apple Cider. 

Excerpts from a Journal Junkie

from the homesteading journal . . .

Days here either mighty cold, warm, windy, rainy, or all of the above.  Mother nature can't make up her mind.  We took out some of the plants from the garden, unhooked the water hose and put it away, and pulled any plastic that was down for weeds. There isn't too much left to pull.  I treat the goats to the pepper plants and the mustard greens.

Every day now, I sweep the patio(s) and gather the leaves.  They go directly on the garden this year.

I emptied the dehydrator once more (with green peppers) and filled it back up.  I have more peppers to dry, but the garden is done producing now (other than sugar snap peas, mustard greens and more lettuce). 

...canned more organic applesauce and two batches of Cinnamon-Cider Jelly.

...sprouting mung beans in a canning jar for us, and to see if the chickens will like them.

from the handicraft journal . . .

. . . continuing to work in the knitted dishcloths that were ordered.  I am about to start the 6th one.

. . .worked a few rows in my second shawl.  I need to spend more time on this project.

. . .worked on a few homemade Christmas ornaments.

 

from the gratitude journal . . .

I am thankful for:

~heated rice packs, for recovery and rest

~help from the kids, especially in the garden

~the organic/natural pet remedy for bad pet allergies

~pillows, for more rest

~elderberries, for their healing properties
~my camera, for getting that one exciting photo when I can
~yarn, to keep my sanity
~good, hot coffee
~God's Word 

from the family journal . . .

. . . my son bought himself a new toy - a digital art tablet.  He has not been hired full-time yet, but he's now working 8 hour days at a distribution center (through a temp service).

. . .my 10 year-old is creating a game, for a school assignment, using a recycled board game (and pieces).  She also taught herself how to braid a 5 strand braid.  She is preparing early for a career as a hair stylist. 

. . . I put up my Christmas tree in my bathroom.  It makes me happy - a white tree with all red ornaments and lights (I'm making the ornaments, so there are only 3 on it right now).

. . . my 13 year-old is reading The Three Musketeers.

. . . my 15 year-old turned 16.  I bought her 16 helium balloons as a surprise.  

 

Tea Time in Tanganyika

It's been stressful the last few weeks.  Sorry for the lack of postings.  When there is nothing good to post about, I don't feel like posting anything.

When I am stressed beyond belief, when I can't think without my head pounding.....I think of the way my Dad would handle it - Tea Time in Tanganyika. 

He was (and is) always good and staying calm in any situation that involves chaos, strife, the devil trying to tear my family apart, and so forth.

Thanks for hanging on and following.  I hope to have a more interesting update soon.

In the meantime, here is another key chain of mine.  It's a mini pink boxing glove.  The color is faded, as it used to hang out in the open.  The last time I counted my collection, I had over 400.  Wowzers is right....

The weather is warm today, the birds are singing, and the windows are open.  I'm drowning out the engines of bulldozers working down the road, using jazz music today.

 

Dollar Store Finds ~ USA Made ~ Stocking Up

Waxed paper - $1.00 (65 Sq. feet).  Made in the USA.  If you bake, especially over the holidays, this is a great price too.  If you have kids, it comes in handy for craft projects.  This sells for $1.29 at Menards.   I found this waxed paper at a store called The Dollar Tree.