More Finished Gifts

I finally finished the baby bonnet and booties for the expected baby next month.  I used two free patterns from the Internet - Granny Square Baby Bonnet and a bootie pattern on Bernat yarn site (you have to register to print it).

Organizing Gifts for Christmas 2012

If you follow my blog, you know I am a journal junkie.  Now is the time for me to drag out my craft journal.

Years ago, I bought this "Crafty Gals" organizer/journal at a Christian bookstore.  Gosh, that must have been over 5-6 years ago.

To-Do List Keeps Growing

Sunday was a strange day for sure.  Since we had the family reunion on Saturday, all of our work was pushed to Sunday.  I don't like to "work" on Sunday at all.  I try my best to honor the Sabbath.

Exod. 34:21 "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest."

We ran out of homemade laundry detergent also.  So, in the process of washing dishes for 2 hours, and running the dishwasher 2 times, I was at the stove melting my zote soap down in a large pot.  I now have a full 5 gallon bucket of laundry detergent.

After that, my son and I cleaned the chicken coops.  Due to some bad weather days, they have stayed inside.  However, today they will be outside.

This week we have a birthday to celebrate, just a few days before Christmas.  My youngest daughter turns 10.   

Yesterday, three kids needed something to bake and take to school.  For some reason, the Spanish teacher asked kids to each bring in a dish to eat.  Talk about stress......we just baked up a storm of cookies that left the kitchen a mess and then we have to cook again? Ugh...... (next year we will ask someone else to bake the cookies).

I convinced my 9 year-old to take chocolate covered oreo's for her school birthday treat.  My 15 year-old baked a Mexican Wedding cake herself, but my 17 year-old was sick yesterday.  She needed a hot Mexican dish and requested enchiladas.  So there was another dish we needed to bake, and we were all so tired that I didn't even cook ourselves dinner.

Now....today, I have yet to clean another messy kitchen. 

Do you ever feel like your "to-do" list is never completed? 

Reunion is Over

I'll spare you the photos of my messy kitchen, but the end result of a very, very messy kitchen was:

Thanks to a farmgirl barter (or two), I had fun gift giving lids for my jelly this Christmas. 

This year I made my candy apple jelly using apple cider vs. apple juice.  The kids love it!  I need to make a second batch after the kitchen is all cleaned up too.

Now that I have given Mom her blanket, I can post a photo of it.  I also gifted my brother a thin line (blue line) scarf (which I forgot to take a photo of).  

I was given a pattern from a very good friend to crochet my brother's thin line scarf.  I used royal blue and black for police colors and if you would like to know the significance of the "thin line" or "blue line" meaning click on "The Thin Blue Line (emblem)."

Today is Sunday, but Monday brings more baking needs:  one daughter needs a birthday treat to take in tomorrow, one needs to bake something for Spanish class, and another needs to bring in a Mexican food dish for Spanish class also.  I am considering (gulp) visiting the frozen section of the grocery store today, for at least one of these.  There is only so much one person can do.

Santa's Helper ~ Preparing for a Christmas Reunion

Santa's Helper mailed my 9 year-old daughter a present:

The golden cat looks like her own cat.  She is in love with this apron.

 (Tiger, her cat)

My 19 year-old son baked his famous M&M cookies for our family reunion, which is Saturday.  My 15 year-old daughter is helping bake almost all the rest of the goodies.  

She has made a batch of buckeyes (left), a batch of chocolate covered oreos (right), chocolate covered pretzels, a batch of noodle ting-a-lings and has plans to help make more goodies after school.

I admit, I am stressing a bit.  I may not get everything made this year. I should have made my jelly a month ago.  Sheesh, what was I thinking?

I may break out my Christmas albums (the old-fashioned records) and play some non-stop, commercial free music to relax. 

Cinnamon Honey Butter

I spent the other day mixing up several jars of Cinnamon Honey Butter.  They will be gifted for Christmas.

Excerpts from a Journal Junkie

from the homesteading journal. . .

The goat shed is finally up and ready for winter. It's been painted with primer, but we will now have to wait to paint it after winter.  He's so happy with his new house.


from the handiwork journal . . .

I finished one square baby blanket for the baby due next month (extended family member).  I missed the baby shower when I was sick.

 (rose pink)

I also finished one baby bib.  I just have to sew on the button. 
 

from the family journal . . . 

. . .some kids are in big trouble this morning.  I am crunching something underneath my feet in the kitchen.  I can remember when it used to be legos underneath my bare feet when they were very little kids. Boy those hurt!


from the gratitude journal . . .

Today I am thankful for:

~propane in our tank

~a beautiful sunrise that I was able to view.  In a few minutes after I took the photo, the sky literally turned gray.
~the extra drying racks that my mother gave me.
~slippers to keep my feet warm.
~endless projects to keep my mind busy.
~God's Love.
~the heating pad that is helping my sore ear.
~more cut firewood.
~friends.
~socks.