.....from the handiwork journal

Finished a navy headband for my oldest daughter.

Finished these knitted dishcloths to sell.  They are almost restocked for the next craft show.

Finished another mug/coaster set.

Finished a set of elf boot cuffs for Youngest daughter.  I'll most likely adjust this pattern for a shorter top on it, and round the top round in white vs. green yarn.  Small bells will be sewn onto the tips of the red part too.  Or possible leave them as they are, and give buyers an option prior to a craft show.  I guess you could glue on pom poms too.  It'll be interesting to see what Youngest wants on hers.  She can't wear them to school, but can elsewhere.  This pattern is for sale at Etsy by AllieCatsHats (not an affiliate, just sharing).

Started this scarf for an order for a Christmas present.

Current dishcloth on the knitting needles.

Current lapghan on the crochet hook.

I got a set of boot cuffs crocheted to sell.  New pattern.  I started a second set for a Christmas present as well.  This pattern is online for free at Crystalized Designs.  The only problem selling boot cuffs?  Not everyone can wear the size they make (most have one size).  I love the elf boot cuff pattern, because the designer included a size chart, so they can be made for calf size.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


In light of my panic attack (coyotes lurking) yesterday morning, and yes I was in my PJ's and bathrobe, I let my ladies and stud muffin Sparta (chickens) in the coop.  I didn't even take the chance to put them in their run.  They were pretty mad at me.

Tater Tot wasn't happy with me either (Jesse).  He loves to roam, and is never on a leash.  He was on a leash all day and hated it.

Most of the morning I was out looking for one of the barn cats.  I hadn't seen her and that worried me, but she later showed up.

Cheeta Puff (Tiger) has had so much anxiety with dogs (Mia is a cat chaser) in the house again, he was throwing up all over, and would not leave the utility room.  I felt so bad for him, so I snuck him into my room to get some lovin' time, while I crocheted.

I baked a new recipe.  It's from a healthy dessert site online.  I'll be sharing if it tastes good or not.

. . . from the handiwork journal

Despite massive weeding, I've gotten a few projects started and a few still going on.

Finished!  A Harley Davidson inspired lapghan. It's up for sale now.

 (115th Anniversary colors this year)

Here are two more Harley Davidson lapghans on the hook right now.

Another scrap lapghan on the hook too.

Another knitted dishcloth on the needles. . .

Something new for the homestead.  New pattern.  We'll see if it turns out or not.

Oh, there are more unfinished projects buried in my closet.

I'm digging through patterns to possible start a requested item for Youngest (which could be a good seller with her crowd).  I guess we'll see after I look at some patterns.  I am pretty sure I printed one.

Some where.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today.  Sunday we fried.  It was 92°F with a heat index of 99°F.  We literally didn't go outside much at all.  Hubby and I hit the garden work first, but it was too hot and humid to be outside.  We even said no to a motorcycle ride to get ice cream.  It was that hot. 

Today, rain is once again in the forecast, and we may actually get some this time.  It's to rain all day, so first on the to-do list is work on the green beans in the garden.  If I can resurrect the second row, we plan to mow down the last two and replant.

On the breakfast plate. . .
Eggs, toast with home canned jam, coffee


The weather outside is . . .
It's hot and humid, and we are praying we finally get rain.


On my reading pile . . .
Herbal books from the library.


On the TV . . .
McCleod's Daughters


On the menu . . .
-organic roast, carrots, potatoes and onion
-stuffed shells, steamed broccoli
-chicken with home canned hot pepper mustard sauce, wild rice and beets
-egg salad sandwiches
-leftovers

On the weekly to-do list . . .
-work in the green beans in the garden
-dishes
-floors
-laundry
-shampoo half of the hallway carpet
-hang the last new curtain in the front room
-wash the front door curtain and wash down window and door
-dinner prep
-make a batch of homemade baking mix
-make homemade taco mix
-work on purging more books


What I am crocheting, knitting, sewing or creating. . .
Two lapghans, another set crocheted ice pop holders, and a knitted dishcloth


New recipe I tried . . .

Whiskey Balls.  They are pretty good too.  I adjusted a recipe from my Maker's Mark cookbook.  I used non-gmo organic chocolate crisp rice cereal, and organic ingredients.  You can't find a non-gmo, organic marshmallow whip, but you can make it homemade.  I found a recipe online at Attainable Sustainable.

Whiskey Balls

1 cup organic non-gmo chocolate chips
7 oz. marshmallow fluff (see recipe link above)
2-3 Tbsp. whiskey
3 cups organic crisp rice cereal
1/2 cup organic coconut
3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped

Melt chocolate, let cool but not harden.  Mix in the marshmallow and whiskey.  Add remaining ingredients.  Form into 1 inch balls and chill.  I used my large cooking scoop and it worked great.  They were larger, so next time for a larger Christmas crowd, I'll use the smaller and probably get about 5 dozen.

Next on the try it list are some serviceberry recipes.


From the camera . . .

I think my auracanas think it's Christmas in July.  I have gotten one of their eggs since last Christmas.

We had 3 visits in one day from this hummingbird.  It has a red chest.

In one day, a chickadee built a nest in one of my hanging pots.  He paid me a visit this morning too.  


Looking forward to. . .
Rain.

Midweek Tidbits

Youngest is finally home, after a 5 day camping, roller coaster riding, swimming and what not summer vacation.  I'm glad she got to go.  Tiger (her cat) has been so happy to have her back home.


I got the third load of wood unloaded and stacked.  One more truck load to pick up.  I think between the battle of the weeds everywhere (especially the  condition of the garden), the heat and working with wood, I've been a bit crabby.  I made a nice nettle tea infusion for both Hubby and I (for exhaustion).

The only thing getting cooked or baked here (besides meals) is a big batch of whole wheat blueberry pancakes.  Now we don't have to make breakfast the rest of the week too.  It's been hot again - heat index of 95°F.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I'm am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

We have a pretty nice weekend, yet cold.  We had a family wedding to attend, which was held outdoors (yes we froze our bums off, but the sun was out too), cut up more barn wood,  and Hubby got up Sunday morning and cooked me breakfast (even though he had to work nights starting last night).   We actually have started putting wood up (cut and ready) for this next winter.  It's a small start, but a start, and it makes me feel so relieved.  Say a prayer Hubby sticks with it this spring, summer and fall.  He's notorious for putting it off. 

We finally picked up our seed potatoes, although it was "slim pickin's."  No red potatoes this year, just white.  Red hasn't been that great with lasting long without a root cellar or basement, and white does better in my kitchen bin.  We'll see how it goes this year.

My routine will be discombobulated this week. I need to do things backwards, like make a pot of coffee at dinner, which we never do.  I need to make sure something else is leftover for Hubby's lunch too, or more like breakfast.  It's gonna be a crazy week for us.


On the breakfast table . . .

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's Monday and I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  You know, many years ago, when I attempted to do the cleaning routine from a book author, I revised my own routine.  I can't remember the book, but I signed up for the daily emails and it was very overwhelming.  I got tons and tons of emails on what to clean and organize.  I deleted the program she offered and simply made up my own routine.  

Monday became my "attack it with gusto" day so my week would start out fresh and clean.  So far I've managed most of the my list on Monday.  

Also, here is a cleaning tip:  if I'm taking off for a weekend getaway (which doesn't happen often enough), I clean the bathroom the day before we leave, and finish up laundry.  I I also make sure the kitchen is cleaned up, dishes washed sink empty etc.  When I return, I don't feel like I have jumped back into reality too fast, or add more stress from a chaotic home.


On the breakfast plate . . .

Wonky, fra-dazzled day....

I started the day by skipping my work out one more time.  I just thought another day of resting up was in order.

After working outdoors, which seemed rather short, I gravitated to the kitchen.

The night before must have started something, or it's these meds that are making me feel wonky.  I had to rip out an entire, almost completely done, knitted dishcloth.  I have no idea where I messed up, nor how.  I have made quite a few, and this was not such a happy moment.

Back to yesterday. . .

This and That

The southwestern quesadillas were wonderful!  The recipe is from Food Network (available online).   These are wonderful with our without the sour cream/lime dip to dip them in.

A Little of "This" and a Little of "That"

I brewed a canning jar of home picked, wild growing nettle yesterday.  It tasted so good.  I am running low, but I have many other teas to enjoy this winter - chamomile, ginger root, tulsi, lavender, lemon balm, catnip....the list is long.  The health benefits are awesome.

I'm gearing up for a possible "Farmer's Market" season this year.  I may only do a few dates, as it 's taking a long time to create the "goods" to sell.  This is one "set" I am creating - over sized pot holder, hot pads to match, one crocheted flower dishcloth, and a soap saver bag.  I am using up extra "country yellow" yarn, but many not have enough to knit a matching dishcloth.  I guess we'll see.  I like to make an entire matching set, even if I put them all in separate groups to sell.  One customer once told me she buys "matching sets" for three family members each Christmas.  That put a light bulb on for me.

Surprise Mail and Other Homestead Happenings

There is a lot going on this weekend.  One surprise I can't tell you about until tomorrow.

The mail surprise was a blessing. My cousin messaged me that he had his Mom's knitting needles and crochet hooks and wanted to know if I'd like to have them.

I said yes of course.  My Aunt is the Aunt I hand wrote letters to so often, along with "happy boxes."

Camping Prep ~ Crochet Projects

Remember all those English Walnuts we bartered for?  I was still cracking them this month.  Apparently, the kids have lost their mojo with helping me.

The shells are always saved from these walnuts.  My older brother and his wife gift me their cardboard egg cartons.  

Four dozen campfire starters are in the making today, and I have more shells.

Winter has arrived, and other homestead ramblings

It rained here again.  No big news, considering our monsoon year.  In with a bang, out with a bang.  Although it is a new year, so it can stop now.

I'll let you know of the weatherman was right.  We are to get an inch of snow tomorrow.  We haven't had any snow that has stayed this winter yet.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Happy Homemaker Monday today.

. . .from the Handiwork Journal

. . . making progress on the scrap crochet blanket.  I have not repeated a color yet.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

Although I posted today already, I decided to join the Happy Homemaker Monday today.  I have a few minutes before the laundry needs to go out on the line.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I am joining Diary of at Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.

. . . from the handiwork journal ~ Random Tidbits

. . . finished the last two cup coasters for one of the kitchen tables.

It Begins ~ Rhubarb ~ Recycled Vintage Coffee Filter

Canning season started early for me this year (giddy excitement).  I canned jelly yesterday.  

This was the first time canning with my new stove.  It heats up much faster.  I wanted to get a feel for it, before I start canning fruit jams, which tend to be the beginning of my yearly canning.

Handiwork Developments

The cat blanket is finally finished.  I got the ends sewn in, and it's on the couch....out of the closet and into good use.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today - 1/12/2015.

The weather outside is. . .

On the breakfast plate this morning . . .

I kind of made this up as I went.  I'm out of bacon, so I simply made it with baby kale and beets - breakfast quiche.  I opened a jar of home canned (spiced) beets for this breakfast.  The ingredients I used:  onion, garlic, chopped baby kale, fresh eggs, Greek yogurt, beets (canned spiced beets from this past garden season), and salt and pepper.  It was actually pretty good.  I saved some for Hubby.