Sunday Wrap Up ~ Elixir Inquiry ~ Tidbits

I succeeded in restocking all of these for a craft show yesterday.  They were the hot sellers in the previous show, and sold out of all the camper ornaments and scrubbies, and most of the headbands.   This last show?  Well not one camper or headband sold, but I sold other items.  As well as an opportunity (would be my second location) to sell my soap saver bags on consignment with a local business.  I made one outside sale, possible two more as well.  So all in all, a pretty good December.  However, I am whooped.  Tired.  Worn out.  Looking forward to the rest of the month off and enjoying family and friends.

Question:  Does anyone have a recipe for elderberry elixir?  I have lost mine.

We woke up to a brisk 15°F.  Our pole light would not even come on, it's that cold right now.  Of course I woke to no wood on the hearth, so once I got that job done, it was coffee time.  I was up at 4:30am.  Not sure why I can't sleep, so I'm going to down some Valerian tea tonight.

My hen is in isolation now.  She has a new splint, and is by herself in the "emergency" coop.  She is eating and drinking, so hopefully over time she'll heal up like Sparta did when he broke his leg.  I have no idea how she did it, but glad my daughter was out to help the other day.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . .

Tree #1 up.  Blue lights this year.  And yes, it's in one of the bathrooms.

Tree #2 up.  

Tree #3 up.

Tree #4  up.  Here are a few of the hundreds of handmade ornaments I made that will be going on it.  I'm reviewing them all to see what I'll be making and selling next year too.

Instructions on how to make this one is :  Here

Tree #5 is being debated.  I need a place to put it, ha ha!

In the midst of taking inventory, I realized we sold out of the dish scrubbies last weekend  I spent the day restocking, but colors are limited due to lack of netting.  I restocked the headbands, and added more color options too. Needless to say, the house is a mess due to lack of cleaning, ha ha!

Finished and other Tidbits

The camper ornaments are restocked.  I have 3 more I can assemble for extras if I have time too.

I finished another Harley Davidson inspired lapghan.

I have 3 snowflake dishcloths made too.

I hope to have photos soon of our Christmas trees.  I've been crocheting like a mad woman, so only about 15 ornaments made their way to the main Christmas tree.  Needless to say, the housework isn't getting done and I'm so far behind on my to-do list, ha ha!

I forgot to fetch a load of firewood last night, and Hubby came home feeling ill.  It's on top of the to-do list today. 

Daughter took my car to drive herself to the school for musical auditions, we were to drive over later to meet up for the National Honor Society Induction.  We dressed up and headed out to the truck, only to find it wouldn't start.  We had not used it since it was borrowed, so we think they put cheap gas in it.  We hope to get it running soon.  We were pretty sad we could not be there for Daughter, but she was understandable with us.

I'm so thankful I made sage tincture.  It's been a blessing for sore throats here.  It will be doubled next year, making 2 jars vs. 1.  I may plant another sage plant in the spring too.  

My hen that we put a splint on, is doing okay.  She's still hobbling around, so fingers crossed.

Wednesday Tidbits

It is in our hopes that Jesse's Mom lets us keep him permanently.  He's had to go out more often due to tumors on his bladder, and he's getting up in the age that surgery is not a good option (he's already had a few).  I felt so bad for him the other night, when he could not get up on our bed.  I pat the bed now, and he'll put his front feet up and wait for me to help him up.  Then he curls up and sleeps.

He's also eating better with homemade food, and I doubt that his Mom will do that for him.  He's been like glue with me most days too and loves to help me feed the chickens.  

He's been getting me up too early, but I do feel it's because he loves to eat again.  Oh my gosh, and you should see how excited he gets when the school bus rolls up, or when Hubby gets home.  He always makes me smile how he trots after both of them for some love.  In fact, I told Hubby that Jesse could use a playmate, so we are seriously considering a puppy next spring.  

My project basket has been overflowing with good progress.  This will be for the last craft show of this year.  Photos to come soon. 

Yesterday was a full day of crochet, several loads of laundry a trip to the "Big City" to return rental movies, pick up chocolates for Christmas baking, a delivery to one daughter, a stop at the grocery store, and dinner with one daughter.  Last night I actually slept past 5:30am.

One of my hens, an araucana, has hurt one of her legs.  We popcicle sticked her leg with tape, in hopes to heal it.  I will be checking on her first thing this morning.  Not sure what happened.

Snow Returns

After a weekend of fun and play, and a craft show, I was draggin' my feet Monday morning.  Oh boy was I.

First I consumed many cups of organic coffee, later followed by hot herbal teas.

Second, I wrote out a list of what needed restocked for the craft show, so I could better see how to split up my days this week. 

Here are the items that need restocked, and sold well at the craft show:

Camper ornaments
Pig ornaments
Headbands
Dishcloths
Coffee cup coasters
Scrubbies

I'll be focusing on these before making anything else this week.

Not much but dishes and laundry got done on Monday.  I spent a majority of it crocheting.  Oh, I got the fire going, but and plants watered, but not much else.

The snow didn't last long, but it's cold here today.  Jesse got me up at precisely 4:41am.   Daughter woke up with a scratchy throat and can hardly speak, and has musical auditions tomorrow.  I doctored her up with some tincture and tea, so I hope it helps her.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  While selling crafts at the recent craft show, I was asked what I did for a living.  Proudly, I told her I stayed home.  She complimented me on that, and for a very supportive husband. It was a high of 58° and sunny most of the afternoon, so we hooked up with two friends and took off on a motorcycle ride.  What a blessing that was.  My to-do list is for the week.  If you have any cute ideas for spring crocheted items people would want to buy I'd love to hear your ideas.  There is a chance for craft show then. I'm thinking of making some flower cup coasters, but I'm stumped on other items.  Maybe some embroidered kitchen towels?  Embroidered bread basket clothes?  Bookmarks?


On the breakfast plate . . .
Eggs and toast, coffee


The weather . . .
High of 40°, snow later


Looking around the house . . .
It's a mess today


On my reading pile . . .
Nothing.  Too busy


On my TV . . .
Regular TV.  Netflix would not work


On the menu . . .
Have no idea


On my to-do list . . .
-dishes, lots of dishes
-take trash out
-make a breakfast scramble
-tidy up the kitchen
-laundry
-crochet for another upcoming show
-decorate the trees
-start a fire, it's getting cold here again
-put the ear warmers back in my motorcycle helmet
-water plants
-vacuum
-wipe more woodwork down
-put tomato stakes away
-haul wood to the porch
-clean the fridge out
-strain an infused oil
-check library status
-start attaching price tags to crafted items
-place an order for Christmas
-clean bathrooms



Something I learned . . .
Oregano can be used to treat the common cold.  According to Mother Earth News (article is online), you can brew tea with oregano, because it contains carvacol, which inhibits bacteria growth.  Who knew?  I didn't.  I knew of using oil of oregano in tea, but did not not to make tea with actual oregano.


What I am creating . . .

Lots of stuff.  I need to write a list of what needs restocked for the next craft show.  I have about 11 camper ornaments ready to assemble.


A recipe I want to try . . .
Brandied nuts


From the camera . . .

Sunday morning sunrise.

On my prayer list . . .
My family, a friend who lost a pet, a friend who lost an Aunt

Chicken Noodle Soup ~ Craft Show

Friday morning Youngest woke up feeling the crud.  I felt it in my throat too, so teas were brewed, essential oils dug out, and so forth.  I pulled out all the stops for the both of us - rubbed tea tree oil/oil carrier on our feet, rubbed oils on my chest, ran the diffuser, sprayed down everything with anti-ill spray, and even had my first cup of slippery elm bark tea to sooth a small case of laryngitis.  Just the thought of all the germs brewing this time of year in a doctor's office had me motivated to mix up new tea brews for our throats.

I spent the day finishing up touches to the pig ornaments, made 4 more wine cork keychains, a few pairs of earring/necklace sets and more necklaces.  I worked on the lapghan (photo coming soon) after I took care of the hens, fetched firewood, and got the mail.

In the midst of all of that, I made some homemade chicken (no I didn't go to the coop for the chicken...not yet) noodle soup with homemade noodles, carrots I put in the freezer, celery cubes I froze, herbs from the garden, and bone broth.  I knew Youngest would really appreciate it in her condition, and I as well.  It sure was a blessing to have all the ingredients in the pantry, freezer, etc.  My special ingredient is tying some organic peppercorns in cheesecloth, and putting that in the soup until I add the noodles.  It aides in reviving energy, boosts the immune system, and other good stuff.

Oldest daughter came out for a visit and of course I fed her.  She is dealing with the struggles of adulting.  She is always looking for homemade cookies, but this time got a banana muffin.

I also stamped some brown paper bags for customers on Saturday.  My ink is running out, but it did the job.  

About 4pm, just as it started getting dark and while taking Jesse out, 3 very large deer (one a buck) came out of the woods behind our place, and ran across the road.  Jesse went nuts, and at the same time one of the eagles flew over the house.  Jesse does not like anything that flies and went ba-zerk!  It was truly like "Wild Kingdom" for a few moments.

Saturday morning I scrambled about and packed up the car for the 1st craft event.  It ran from 11am to 4pm, and Hubby and Youngest helped me set up, watch the tables, and tear down. 

We also woke up to rain and much colder weather.  Rain poured down all day, with evening thunderstorms and an evening high of 48°.  The weather has been very strange.

We sold every single camper ornament, and a lot of other items.  I came home last night and watched the football game and started on more camper ornaments.  I sold some pig ornaments too - we are in corn country, so lots of farmers.  We did not sell one snowflake or tree necklace/earring sets though.  I haven't checked the inventory, but we sold a lot of my dish scrubbies and knitted dishcloths.  We were very busy for a small town event, and thrilled at what we sold.  I even sold some soap saver bags and a set of pot holders.  

Today it's warm out, but a bit wet.  The high is said to reach up to 58°F.  Sunny too.  I mentioned to Hubby over coffee that we should clean the coop, but he has other ideas, ha ha!