Hair Cut ~ Write Out

It's a bad photo, but you can see the length of my hair.  I have not gotten it cut at a salon for two years.  Why? I simply put it off, due to expenses for the kids, school costs, car repairs, and household expenses and repairs.  Basically, I put myself last.  It's a bad habit.

I think my kids get one once a year, and then I try to trim their hair myself.  With such a large family, haircuts are not that often around here.

So....today's the day.  I will donate the hair, as I have done before, if I have enough to cut off. If I get the chance, I'll have a photo taken of the length after it's cut, and update it here.

Today, I'll be roasting the Thanksgiving turkey a day in advance, baking a pumpkin pie and writing.  I hope to write all afternoon today.

Have a Happy and Peaceful Thanksgiving!   

One Woman's Scrap ~ Another Person's Winter Warmth

Simply Scrap ~ Scrap Happy Moments

....taking those, somewhat larger scraps of yarn, and putting them to good use. These will be shipped to New Jersey for those in need.  

Thanks to my son and telling me he saw clumps in the chicken feed, we immediately got rid of it (too late to return it), and started giving the hens apple cider vinegar.  We may still lose one hen, but thank goodness he noticed something wrong with the feed (worms, most likely came off the truck that way).

UPDATE:  The hen died. :(

The kids are helping me finish up a few ornaments to put up on my S.C.R.A.P. blog.  My 16 year-old put the eyes, nose and buttons on the one I posted today.  

Is it worth it?  You know....those crochet projects you want to sell, but take 3 days to make?  These ornaments take about 2 days to finish (considering my chores I do in a day), and one day to block.  I'm not sure these are prudent to my time, in regards to selling.  

On another note, we tried a coffee mix, to test it out for gift giving.  It's called Merry Mocha Coffee.  I could not find the instant coffee I wanted, so this tasted a bit bitter.  We added a splash of peppermint creamer, and it tasted okay.  It's not the best, but then again, it could be the instant coffee.
   

Organizing ~ Setting Boundaries

To keep tabs on my organizing, I am putting limits on them now - one crate for recycled items that can be used for other uses, school projects and so forth.

I am limiting the height of how many magazines we keep for school projects and journaling.

It's easy to think we need to run out and buy the next best organizing unit, but I try to use what we have.  Organizing can become expensive if you don't watch yourself. 

I'm organizing my sewing supplies in recycled pill bottles.  Take a look over at S.C.R.A.P. to see how nice it's turning out.   

 

What I am Reading ~ My Morning Coffee

This Way of Life

 Reflections of 800 country women who express a speical philosophy that comes from down-to-earth living.

A Countryside Living Book

Complied and Edited by Maude Longwell 

One person writes about the school bus being a "monster."  That one really made me laugh.

I was surprised to see my 10 year-old making coffee this morning.  She not only set the pot to brew, but poured me a a special cup, in my special cup.

The cup was bought at a village, where the school took a field trip.  They have demonstrations for glass blowing, basket weaving etc.

She added peppermint mocha creamer and topped it with whipped cream!  Mmmmm!  I just may have to make a second pot of coffee after they are off to school (tee hee!).  Don't worry, we switched to half-caff coffee recently.  So that means I can have twice the amount, right? (ha ha ha!)

There were a few requests to see more of my key chain collection, so I'll try to dig a few out next week. 

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.