Surprise Delivery ~ Busy Saturday

In my hustle and bustle of daily duties, including the terrible habit I have of worrying, a delivery arrived to my door.

A very special delivery.

A beautiful bouquet of  flowers, that were arranged in a beautiful vase.  

Smelling and seeing them is just the prescription I needed for stress. 

They came from my sister-in-law, who sent me a very inspiring note, regarding her enjoyment of reading my blog.

Saturday was a busy day around here too.  

The girls started their day by working on the horse fencing and building a make-shift stall with what ever they could reuse.  I had to make a trip to town for horse feed, wood pellets and pick up something at my brother's.  Then it was back home to unload the second truck load of wood.  I still haven't been feeling good, but the elderberry is definitely helping.

While unloading the second load of wood, I ran inside to fetch my camera.  We've been having some beautiful sunsets here recently.  

It was then, that I saw all my laundry on the line, and had to run out and get it all down in the dark.  It was nice to come inside and find the turkey in the roaster ready to eat.   Boy were we all hungry. 

The horse fencing and stable were completed and her horse is to arrive Sunday. 

From the Handiwork Journal . . .

Front cover (sorry for the tablecloth behind it, it is too much of a busy background to really see the journal cover)

 Back Cover

Remember these fun watercolor journal pages?  From way back in July of 2012?  

...I decoupaged recycled cardboard, using magazine pictures, and made a front and back cover.  I punched holes and tied on aqua organza ribbon.  I just need to fill in the pages.

...knitted a few more dishcloths.

...remember this project?  It is my second knitted shawl.  I can't even remember when I started it.  It's finally done, but I am disappointed in the size.  In the book, the shawl goes way past her waist line, and well over her shoulders.  She must have been pretty petite, because the fringe on this barely goes to my waist line.  This pattern is cleary not for 6 foot amazon women.  Needless to say, it went to one of the girls.  I love this style too (sighing sadly). 

Soap Making Day ~ Beautiful Sunset

Just a regular day for me.  Make a 5 gallon bucket of laundry detergent, and a container of dishwasher detergent. I now make it with grated goat's milk soap (unscented) that my daughter makes here.

Had to drive to the vet for Jesse again.  That infection is back in his paw again.  We are pretty sure it never completely healed.  We have no idea what happened to it, and the vet recommended another prescription.  Thankfully, it was only $7.20, and we didn't need a vet visit this time.

Nursed a day of the sniffles, and downed some elderberry extract.  Jesse and I spent some time on the couch together.

I'm sharing a snapshot of a recent sunset here the other day. 

And one of the moon, on the same night.

 

Thrift Store Find

1 (Morgan Jones) double bed sheet and 2 pillow cases - $3.69 total.  1 cotton blanket - $1.00

Lentil Casserole ~ Delicious!

I'll be honest when I tell you that I had my doubts trying this recipe.  Once again, I found it in a library book.

It's a win-win recipe.  My kids devoured this and wanted more.  I'm not exaggerating either.  It's inexpensive, healthy, and delicious.  They were even asking for it the next day.  No kidding.

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

...canned two batches of Holiday CranberryJam. I was quite pleased with it.  Thank you Candy at Lazy J Bar C Farm for your post on this.


...mixed up more dry, homemade taco mix.

Grandma ~ Her Creative and Frugal Living

Both of my grandmothers had their own talents and special ways, in which they enjoyed living life.  I am lucky to have one container of crafting supplies that belonged to one of them.  She made jewelry from beads, crafted with empty styrofoam egg cartons, and made so many usable things from other people's trash.

During the Great Depression, my grandfather, repaired vehicles for extra cash.  My grandmother (both on my Dad's side of the family), made everything and anything.  She grew everything, canned everything, sewed everything she wore, and was very resourceful.

My Dad used to tell me stories on how Grandma would get lamp poles from people's garbage and re-build them into useable lamps.  She would then sell these.  She was good with carpentry also.

In memory of her frugality, perseverance and love for creativeness, I posted a re-creation of her Egg Carton Jewelry on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot.  Enjoy!