Homemade Baking Mix ~ Vintage Hairbrush Set ~ Sneak Peek at Shadow Box

The last couple of days we have had a thin layer of snow each morning.  The problem is that it's over a layer of rain that froze, melted and froze again.  The school closed yesterday and today they have a 2 hour delay.  

I mixed up my first batch of "baking mix" that will be stored in those two containers you see in the photo.  Last year my Uncle gifted us with some dishes and those containers have been very useful.  The mix will be used to do baking with, and to see if it's useful for us (in saving money).  I am a whole wheat flour kind of person, so this is a real test for us.  If you haven't seen Candy's blog, this recipe can be found here:  Lazy J Bar C Farm.

I'm starting to work on my "family history" projects (in teeny tiny steps), and remembered that Mom gave me her mirror and hand brush set last year.  This set was given to her in 1956 for my Grand parents.  It is completely unused and in perfect condition.  The question now is, use them or store them?  Honestly, they are so pretty, that I may be using them.  What a treasure these items are.  The box can be used as a jewelry box, but it's been a wee bit smashed in over the years.   It has a lock and key on it, and lined with red velvet. 

Yesterday I posted about possibly framing my Grandma's 1924 Valentine in a shadow box.....and I did.  Here is a sneak peek at the quilling that I have started for the upper two corners.  Behind it is old wall paper.  I am using an acid free scrapbooking adhesive to attach the card and envelope.  I was actually considering cutting the writing from the envelope, but kept it whole.  Just this much quilling took about 1 1/2 hours.  I'll update it when I have it finished.

True Love on the Farm and More Projects

Jasper and Tiger were playing and fell asleep right afterwards.  Jasper is sleeping with his head directly on top of Tiger's head.  Both are sound asleep.  Awwww!

 My 15 year-old and her Billy goat.  It takes a lot of love to love a Billy goat.....

Good barn kitty!  This doesn't show the love that this cat has, but she is a wonderful mouser.  We have 3 barn cats and they are so loving to us.  They can kill a mouse one minute and curl up underneath our chins the next.  Aurora (pictured above) can purr very, very loud.  She's truly one of a kind.

If you've been following my blog, you know I've finished the egg beater rack, the strainer plant pot, the garden mushrooms, and the drapery ring ornaments.

You also know I still working away on the sherbet colored afghan, and a knitted block blanket.......well, guess what? 

I've added more "projects" to my list.  I have a wonderful idea for using yo-yo's for a few more Christmas ornaments.  I have an idea for something I haven't even found yet in thrift stores, and about 3-4 more gifting projects.  Crazy isn't it?!

I also have a beautiful Valentine's Day card from 1924.  My grandmother won it in a drawing contest at her school in the 6th grade. My wonderful Aunt mailed it to me.  I am working on what I am going to do with it.  I'll post that when I finish it too.

Finishing Up More Unfinished Projects

If you get a chance, zip on over to my S.C.R.A.P. blog to see the latest finished, re-purpose project.  It started with an old hand egg beater:

 http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-can-i-do-with-old-hand-egg-beater.html

I'm working on more later today if I feel good enough.  Yesterday, I found out I have an ear infection and sinus infection.  The antibiotics are making me very sick and very tired.

Oh...and for my "list" I have added more projects (LOL!)

Last night we tried Spicy Tuna Melts, and they were a hit.  So easy and very healthy.  We had a salad for the side dish.  Tonight, I have no idea what I'll be making.  They family is counting on me, now that they've had a week of really good food.  Maybe western style ribs in the crock pot?

Mac n' Cheese Please ~ Health Update

We have tried a few healthier versions of Macaroni and Cheese, but haven't really found one we all like.  Of course, this is a tough dish to replace that ooey, gooey cheese sauce we all like.

After searching the Internet, I found a few that may taste pretty good.  I baked Sweet Potato Mac' n' Cheese, and we loved it!  It doesn't have that cheesy taste you get with a cheese sauce but my kids devoured this. 

The ingredients are simple, and some day, I hope to be making my own cottage cheese from scratch (or ricotta).  I know we will be adding "sweet potatoes" to the garden this year also.  For our dish, I used whole wheat penne noodles. Very simple, and very good.  I had broccoli as a side dish.  

I've had two good meals in a row, so the family is counting on me.  I'm back to searching for clean eating dishes, and hopefully find a delicious dish again.

As for the update, hubby and I have been back to the gym for over a week now.  I continue to walk on the treadmill at home and we are already feeling much better. However, I am going back to the doctor today and hopefully, they can finally put an end to my ear trouble and sinus issues.  

Recycling updates:  I've been collecting plastic cheese bags for the school.  I  hope to be sending in our first shipment this week.  The school receives $.02 for each one I ship in, and the landfills will be a cleaner place.  

New Twist on Fries

I am trying to add more vegetables and fruits to our meals, so I made Rutabaga Fries to go with baked Tilapia and peas mixed with carrots.  

These were okay, but nut spectacular.  We used a recipe that required fresh chopped rosemary and onion powder.  They were good, but not really good.  

There are so many recipes available for baking these.  I may try using a garlic herb mix on them the next time I bake them.

When the Kids Don't Feel Like Watching TV

That's a shocker title - "Don't Feel Like Watching TV."  You'd have to wonder what's wrong with them.  Even though I try to limit what they watch, for them to say that, is a rarity in this house.

I guess it's proof that your kids watch what you do, and I do a lot of handiwork here.  I do think that "craft" got a bad name somewhere along it's lifetime, and we often hear people say "I don't craft."

If you think about it, even cooking can be a "craft."  It's a skill using your hands, and it's a bit sad that "crafting" has been stereotyped.

Okay....back to my story.  After a long day of working out, shopping for groceries, and picking up one kiddo at an overnighter, I was ready to relax early.  I decided "jammie" hour came early and began to knit in my room. 

All the sudden, kids started coming in and going in an out of my closet (also the storage area for most of our crafting supplies).  I watched and wondered what they were up to.

"I need to do something to expand my creativity.  I feel like my brain is rotting."

Out the door she (my 15 year-old) went with the box of paints.  Then she came back.

"Do you have any large paper?" she asked

"Of course I do," I proceeded to explain where I had it stored (I still have large paper I bought over 3 years ago at a S.C.R.A.P. store in Michigan).

Out the door she went again.

About an hour later, I was being shown paintings that my 17 and 15 year-old daughters painted - finger painted.  They were all giddy and laughing and having a good time.  My younger two daughters were also painting.

Then my 10 year-old walks in, "do you have any bows in there?" she asks pointing to the closet.

"No, those are all in the garage now."

She goes into the closet.  

"Oh, I know what I can use!  Ribbons!"

She later hands me a letter and a wrapped gift.  The letter told me how much she missed me when she stayed overnight at a friends, and the gift was a recycled valentine's heart candy box (small) painted with foam figures and beads glued to it.

I'd say my kids are full of creativity.

Chopped and other updates. . .

We've been watching the "Chopped" Foodnetwork show, and the kids love it.  Last night our 12 year-old begged for her own box of food to cook with.

We gave her 2 boxes of black wild rice, a jar of pimentos and a bag of mini-marshmallows.  I had no idea what to get, or how creative she could be.

She cooked the rice, added the pimentos and added leftover diced chicken we had that she marinated a bit in soy sauce.

She made a dessert with the mini-marshmallows and crushed rice chex cereal.  She added raisins also.  It kind of tasted like rice krispie treats, but tougher to chew.  She did pretty good.

I think they had so much fun with this that I may purchase items for her and her younger sister for another round.

Gus came home late afternoon yesterday.  He's doing good and getting lots of pampering.  He follows my son everywhere now.  The vet told my son that the growth/lump was very deep, black and very nasty looking.  My son agreed to have it tested in a lab, so we will know for sure.  However, my son felt another lump in another area, so he'll be watching that too.  Thank you for all you prayers for Gus.

The weather is a teensy bit warmer, and we got more snow last night.  The pipes finally thawed by late evening last night - YAY! We get showers!


Although yarn and quilling paper has arrived in my mail, I continue to knit and crochet daily.  I am amazed how fast I can knit know compared to last summer.  I can remember days where I could not knit when the kids were home.  I literally had to take entire knitted block apart, because I lost track of rows and stitches.  I'm not an expert at it, but much better.  Now, when I get back to tatting, I'll probably have to re-teach myself again.  Ha ha ha!

 A recent sunrise from my front porch.