Kitchen Makeover Progress and Other Boring Stuff

Before

After - In Progress

I got the second coat of paint on 2 cupboard doors and 3 drawers.  I also got a second coat on the cupboard front itself.  When we moved in here, the cupboards did not have hardware.  We bought cheap knobs, and those will be replaced also, as income allows it.

The dishwasher hose, under the sink gave way the other day.  The clamp simply gave up, spraying water everywhere.  The back door knob is needing replaced now also.

I made 3 quarts of organic apple sauce, but was too tired to can it.  It's going to be eaten at breakfast, lunch and dinner for a fruit side.  I love making this, don't get me wrong, I just didn't have time to can it.  I love not having to recycle jars from store bought applesauce.

My son helped install new smoke alarms - all have been checked and have batteries.  He also took items to the recycling center and took the library returns in.  He also cleaned the chicken coop for me (YAY!)

All the chicken barn windows are now covered with plastic.  We just need to get the goat stalls going, and fast too.

I finished the last dishcloth for my Aunt, and working on scarves for those in need, next.

 Although we are still getting a few sunny days, some are cold and rainy.  I am still hanging my laundry outside.  This really helps on keeping our electric bill down, and it smells better anyway.

 

From Garden to Tree - Frugal Okra Ornaments

From:

Treasures for the Christmas Tree

101 Festive Ornaments to Make and Enjoy

by Carol Taylor

I had to share this.  We grew okra one year, and no one really liked the slime it produced when sliced.  It's great fried, but if you have any you have dried up, and are looking for frugal ornament options, this is a fun one.
  

Homemade Grout/Tile Cleaner

I have to say thanks to a blogger friend over at farmgirlsam.blogspot for this recipe.  She posted about a book Do It Gorgeously, How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive and More Beautiful Products, by Sophie Uliano.

I tested this recipe out, and I have to say it gets two thumbs up.  It worked immediately on my tile bathroom shower.  I will never again have to buy those nasty smelling sprays that choke me while cleaning.  

Toilet Tank Tim ~ Farm and Family Updates

I had to laugh when I saw Tim.  He was sleeping in the toilet tank outside.  We called him "Toilet Tank Tim" as he slept here most of the day.

Honoring Our Veterans

My father - served in the Navy

My Uncle (on right in above photo) - served in the Marines

(My Uncle's Graduation)

My Grandfather, Uncle and Grandmother

              Grandpa  - served in the Ohio National Guard.

         (If I locate a photo of Grandpa in uniform I will post it) 

One Dog's Anxiety Cure ~ No Pills

We had thunderstorms last night.  My daughter donned her pup with his thundershirt.  At first he did shake, but calmed down and even went to sleep during the worst of the storm.

It worked!  This is Jesse in the morning.  When we bought it, they offered to embroider his name for free.  His thundershirt is personalized.

By no means is this meant to advertise this product.  We are simply sharing our dog's experience.  

Prior to the thundershirt, he would shake, pant heavily, his veins would stick out from stress, and he'd hide in places like the bathroom.   He would experience this during any storm, loud noises, fireworks, guns firing, orwhen the stone company blasted stone down the road.

Thank goodness he doesn't have to take pills, and we found a healthy alternative. 

Playing with Soot and Other Family Funnies

Hubby had just cleaned out the corn/pellet burner.  

"Honey, you better go wash that off before you get it on something," I said.

He stands up, swipes both his cheeks with his soot covered hands underneath both eyes, and says, "Now do I look like a real football player?"

(Giggles)  

School was out for conferences and my 10 year-old daughter was frustrated.  She wanted to write very badly, but she needed a computer.  The other kids were pretty much taking over it.

"Mom! I want to write, but they are hogging the computer!" she squealed.

I was writing in my room, at my desk.  A few minutes later, she comes in, plops on my bed, puts on her reading glasses and begins to read "How to Write Fiction."

"Mom! This stuff is great!" she said fifteen minutes later.  "You gotta listen to this..." and she read to me out loud from the book. 

(Giggles and head shaking)

And one more,

"Mom!? What's the bus gonna think think when they pull in and see a toilet out there by the door?"

"Why do you think I put it there?," laughed hubby snickering

"Can we cover it up with something?" our 16 year-old begged.

"Uh....no," I said, "It's going to frost tonight and the blanket will just get wet."

The next morning, after the bus had left, I looked outside to see if the barn cats had been fed.  Next the the cat feed box, sat the toilet - covered with an old moving blanket.  Ha ha ha!