Island Yurt Getaway

Guess where I've been? He he!  This was where we had lunch one day.  By late afternoon, the marina was packed with boats.  Just a warning, this post may be long, as you know I like to talk.

Hubby and I have been working on spending more nights together, we call "date nights."  They vary from a dinner out, to a candlelight dinner at home, to an outing of some sort.  Sometimes, it's a long bike ride, a trip to the orchard, or even renting a DVD to watch at home (with some yummy "snackages").  With 5 kiddos still living at home, we both feel it's so important to not let our time together wash by in our lives.  The younger girls moan and groan, but they'll get over it.  Besides, they get their "trips" and special times too.

Newest Addition to the Farm

Meet Alias.  He's a 12/13 year-old pit bull mix.  His owner, according to the shelter, lost his job and could not take care of him properly.  He was up for adoption at a "kill" shelter. 

My son and I walked all the cages, and we asked to visit with Alias.  It's been about 9 months since we lost our dear friend Gus, and I know we will never be able to replace him.  However, we felt there was an empty spot here on Rooster's Crow Farm, and we thought we'd take some time to go look for a new member.  The shelter said, that if there was a problem, we could return Alias within 10 days of adoption.

Most of the dogs at the shelter were of a hound breed.  In fact, one was in there because it was caught going after chickens.  There were a variety of dogs of all ages and sizes.

Homemade Vapo-Rub

Remember those baby food jars I needed?  Well, I finally got around to making one jar of homemade vapo-rub.  I think I will be trying several recipes.


A farmgirl shared the recipe with me.  This recipe is for adults (over the age of 12 I believe, but you could always swap out the peppermint for a safe oil for children).  Always do your research on what oils are safe, if you have young children, infants or if you are pregnant.

Recycling Tiny Plastic Hangers

These plastic hangers are typically found on packages of socks, kitchen towels, and other linens.  

I've been saving them in a recycled glass jar, and keeping them with my craft supplies.  I finally found a way to reuse them.

Reclaiming the Garden

I'm reclaiming my vegetable garden . . .

. . . cleaning  it up

Granny Squares Everywhere ~ Reclaiming Home and Garden

It was bound to happen.  I got bit by the "granny square bug."  I made several bottle cap keychains with round granny squares for garden.  These can be made into magnets also.

I made several bottle cap necklaces (and more keychains) as well.

Frugal Tip ~ Dehydrating Cottage Cheese

I am learning to be much smarter with my dehydrator, and saving money at the grocery store.  They had 16 oz. tubs of organic cottage cheese marked down for clearance.  I paid $1.49 each, for two tubs.  They are normally $4.89 each.  They fit nicely on the 4 trays in my dehydrator.