Handiwork Hustle ~ Extreme Holiday Clean

Despite deep cleaning, I've managed to sign up for not one, but two craft shows in December.  And even though I've been doing so much organizing, purging and cleaning, I've managed to whip up these cuties . . .

Scrap yarn Christmas ornaments.   I believe I got the pattern from a library book.  I'll post it if I can locate the book.  I apologize for the bad photo, it was pretty dark out and I turned on a pretty bright light.

I'm also putting the finishing touches on the Starbucks ornaments, and wine cork keychains.  

I've finished another washcloth and scrubbie set, and have another knitted dishcloth almost finished.  I would like to get a few more ornaments made before the shows too.

Hubby is tickled pink to see the deep cleaning getting done.  I'm hoping it will motivate him to get started on other bigger projects that need done here too.  I finally got my antique rug beaters up on the wall.  We've actually used them, but they had been tucked here and there, and while cleaning, I just thought what the heck.  Up they went.

The hefty armoire was moved, carpet cleaned, wall trim wiped clean and whatnot.  We bought "sliders" for this heavy job, as well as for moving he bedroom furniture (which is getting done after Thanksgiving).

The hutch was emptied on the lower end, wiped and cleaned up.  The top (sigh) will have to wait.  I'm getting close to running out of time.  I actually found a cookbook I forgot about, and excited to flip through it later.

I had a visit from Oldest Daughter, and her dog Mia.  Tiger was enjoying his sleep in a kitchen chair, when Mia went nose to nose.  Tiger finally figure out how to hold his ground.  He gave Mia the meanest glare and loudest hiss.  Poof.  Mia backed off.  She'll chase if Tiger runs.

Saturday we had a ton, and I mean a ton, of errands to do.  Our youngest joined, and when we returned said, "Man, I love to shop, but I can honestly say I am worn out!"  We were too.  We were all in PJ's, in bed, watching movies and football by 3pm.

Sunday we were up at 5:00am, and went right to work.  By 1pm, we were thoroughly pleased with progress and hung up the broom and cleaning rags for another day.  PJ's went back on for a well deserved rest of the day off.  It was cold, cloudy, and uninviting outdoors anyway.  

We have set a day to cut wood, so cross your fingers the weather cooperates too.  

More Cleaning

The farmer finally took out the corn across the road.  Now I can see animals creeping much better.  He got it out just before the nasty weather too.

All schools closed yesterday, so I had a helper to move the breakfast bar.  Internet was finally back up and running normally.

When I moved that hefty breakfast bar yesterday, it became an instant cat toy dispenser, ha ha!

Jesse isn't eating like he should be lately.  He devours homemade food, but some days won't touch is dog food.  He's acting normal though.

Chickens are still not laying.

Holy Dust Balls!

I apologize on not getting around to reading blogs, commenting, etc.  Two days of the internet issues slowed me down, so please be patient as I get time to do that.  By the way, it's day 3 of internet issues.  In the midst of it, I got a text alert that someone was trying to hack my microsoft account as well.  Hm.   Hubby immediately mentioned our internet provider.  Who knows, but I'll be on the phone again today, so my patience will need more coffee perhaps.

I took the plunge and emptied this . . .

My breakfast bar.  I just have to empty the drawers, but those will be done after the holidays.  I just needed it empty to move from the wall, wipe down cobwebs, clean wall, trim and carpet, which will happen later today.  School was closed due to weather.  It's an icy mess out there.

I'm thinking I need to host here more often.  I'm cleaning things I haven't cleaned (yikes) in years.  Like the carpet under the larger furniture.  It does feel good to get it done though.

Just a note on the internet issue - I can't access my email.  Hmpf.  Yet.  I will be asking them for a refund on my internet bill today, so it may hurry them up to fix the problem. 

Our youngest daughter has been accepted into the National Honor Society. Induction was to be tonight, but with school closed they will most likely change the date now.  We are so proud of her.

. . . from the gratitude journal ~ Internet Issues

I'm thankful for all the recipes I haven't tried yet.  The anticipation keeps me fired up, looking forward to something.

I'm thankful for having Jesse with us.  He's been a blessing and he's getting much needed exercise on the homestead.  And of course he's a great watch dog.

I'm thankful for anti-ill oil spray.  It's been killing off germs for us.

I'm thankful for coffee.  Without it, I would be a bear to deal with, ha ha!

I'm thankful for one daughter who has stepped up to the plate with helping out at get togethers.  She's bringing pie, cookies and other items to the meals, and I am so happy for that.  Woohoo to her helping out.

Here's what's been going on at the homestead.  First off, our internet provider has caused us problems.   We cannot access the internet on the desktop computer, due to a problem they created, and most likely to force us to use their DNS server to track and sell our browsing history.  I have already called another provider and we cannot get them (dish, and no clear path to a tower).  It's day 2 and they are telling me the same ol' story.  

I am using an old laptop, so all of my photos are not on here.  Another frustration. 

I had the pleasure of an all-day visit from our oldest daughter the other day - fed her breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Even the wifi cut out about dinner time, while she was doing her homework (college).

Here is what's been going on in the kitchen -  a large pan of overnight Mexican breakfast casserole, more einkorn peanut butter cookies, and a large batch of breakfast burrito filler (sausage, bacon, egg, potato, pepper, onion and dandelion).

...so what's going on in the living room?  

This job was completed, and I'm onto the next now.  I completely emptied my pie safe, dusted everything, purged, moved it from the wall, cleaned the wall, wall trim, and carpet.  What a job that was.  It has screens, so everything needed dusted.  I have to store my mixer, food processor, and as you can see many other kitchen items due to space in my kitchen.

I'm dusting off the emergency candles (literally) too.  Oye, the dust bunnies are everywhere, so I am thankful to stop and get a few breaks.

It's been cold here, and too early for November.  Hopefully, our internet issue will be resolved soon.  It's happening to other people, so I'm not the only one.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I'm a bit slow today.  Oh my....

We delivered a meal to Hubby's best friend (who recently lost his wife) and son last night (his daughter was away in another state), and we brought along our daughter.  I baked chicken spaghetti and corn casserole (just like a lighter corn pudding, but baked).  They loved it thankfully.  But...but....here's the kicker.  Stories where shared all night, although we had intentions of leaving early, the bottle of Jack was pouring shot after shot.  He he.  Oh my land.  I'm  gonna be putting honey on everything today.  Yep, I am hungover for the first time in a very long, long time, but all in good.  We loved spending time with them, and they kept thanking us for the food we took over.  Thankfully, we had a driver.  She was a trip too.  Kept talking to us like we were the children and she was the parent.  And in truth she was, ha ha!

On the way home, guess what we saw.  A coyote.  A lone one.  Sitting a the edge of the road, halfway down the field south of our place, which is adjacent to our property.  Yep.  Not good.  Not normal for this late in the season either, and the farmer has yet to take his miles of corn out across the road.  It's just harboring animals of different kinds.

Speaking of corn, someone hit a deer last week (same place one was hit last year, almost across our north drive). One crossed the other night while I was out with Jesse too.  Anyway, I noticed someone came during the night and cut the head and tail off.  I'm guessing it was buck, but why, why, why?  Who would want to pay a taxidermy for a deer you didn't kill nor even put in the freezer? Do poachers sell that sort of stuff?  I just don't understand the logic of taking a deer head to mount if you didn't kill it yourself and harvest the meat.


The weather outside is. . .
So-so.  Snow is on the way though. There is no wind and it's 29°F.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Blueberry pancakes with honey.  And about 3 pots of much needed coffee, followed by hot tea with honey.


As I look out the window . . .
There is not much of a sunrise this morning.


Right now I am . . .
Washing a crocheted blanket my daughter's friend used to sleep Saturday night.  She came over for a sleepover, but came sick.  Yes.  I said sick. Coughing and hacking the entire time.  Who does that to people???  I sprayed the entire couch with vodka/lavender spray and anti-ill spray.  Man alive.  I went to town and sprayed everything she may have touched too.  I'm sorry, but do not, do not go out if you are sick. 


As I look around the house . . .
Deep cleaning must resume.  I am having a Thanksgiving dinner here this year.  It needs done anyway.  I like to live chaos free.


On the to-do list. . .
-a mountain of dishes
-anything I can manage to get done today, ha ha!  Literally.


Currently reading. . .
A stack of old writer magazines.


On the TV. . .
Nothing.


On the menu. . .
A new recipe!!  I'll be updating if we like it or not.  It's breakfast dish, but we are having it for dinner.  Other than that, I don't have a menu planned. I have a HUGE stack of dishes to wash this morning before I write one out.  I need to consume lots of honey today, so my brain can function normal enough to even sort out a menu (ha ha!).


What I am creating at the moment . . .
Crocheted Christmas tree ornaments, and embroidered kitchen towels (photos to come soon I hope).


Favorite photo from the camera. . .

My Dad.

Prayers, inspirational quotes, or devotionals. . .
Continued prayers for Hubby's best friend and family, as they continue to grieve.  

Peanut Butter Einkorn Cookies

Although Saturday felt like I was running around, and not catching a break, I got some einkorn peanut butter cookies baked.  Recipe is online.

Breakfast for the next few days will be einkorn blueberry pancakes.  I made a big batch while Youngest slept in.

Man what a day yesterday - cold, cloudy, snowing etc.  The water in the chicken's watering unit froze.  There was just a lot to get done.

I finished one handmade Christmas gift.  I may post photos, but I may need to wait until after the gifts are gifted too.

Today's another run-around day, so I surely hope to get Monday off for once.  Things will just need to sit so I can catch my breath.

I'm up early doing the usual homestead hustle.  I'm letting Hubby sleep in on his only day off.  It's 25°F, but no wind thankfully.

Star vs. Moon ~ Delivery ~ Spreadable Butter

It's very rare to catch a close up of a star holding my camera (vs. using a tripod).  We saw a very bright star early this morning.  I thought I would share.

The snow eventually turned to rain, then back to snow this morning.   I'll admit, as the wind died down, the slow falling snow was relaxing and pretty.

I got a good laugh the night I made the rolls and chicken teriyaki.  You should have seen Hubby and Daughter packing food for the lunches the next day.  They talked and looked like carnivores, fighting over the leftovers.  Daughter never takes homemade food, but she did this time, ha ha!

I promised one kiddo I'd deliver some of those yummy rolls, so I whipped up some spreadable butter to deliver too.  She was working, and I knew she'd want butter and pop one of those (or more) delicious nuggets of comfort into her mouth.

I wanted to go to the big hardware store too, but could not.  There was an accident at the entrance, and with the rain and snow, I was not going to sit around and wait.  I snagged a good deal on some organic mushrooms though, and popped them into the dehydrator when I got home.

Spreadable Butter
1 cup organic butter, softened
2/3 cup organic olive oil

Mix with an electric hand blender.  You can add a bit of salt if you'd like, but we just use salted butter.  Place in refrigerator until it sets.

We like to make this in winter.  Although our kitchen is next to the living room, the butter typically isn't soft enough to easily butter toast or bread.  There's nothing more frustrating than trying to spread hard butter on soft bread, to make a grilled sandwich.