Bad Weather ~ Baby Bootie Story

On Tuesday, the weather was horrible.  Woke up to freezing rain pouring down on layers of ice.  The temps warmed up later by noon, but then snow moved in.  What a stinking mess and I was so worried about Hubby getting to work (has a 1 hour drive that goes north of us and into worse weather areas). 

There was so much heavy ice, the tree branches were touching the ground.  Cell service went in and out as well.  Hubby made it to work safely, but gosh it was bad.  The trash pick up was behind due to road conditions and arrived an hour later than normal.

I popped open a jar of pumpkin butter for toast and rolls.  Mmm.  Cannot wait for this garden season.

Our daughter made it out for her birthday dinner, but wind picked up late last night.  It's still windy with a windchill of 8°.

Thank you all for the kind comments regarding the baby booties.  There is a story behind them.  A very short story.

I was working full-time during the first three kids births.  My Mom was working at a near by bank, and a lovely co-worker made a pair for one of my kids.  I loved them and had them on all the time when I could.

One day I went to get baby photos done, and upon leaving the store, I had lost a bootie.  I was devastated, but this lovely woman made me another one.

I got to thinking the other day, and emailed Mom to see if she was in contact with this past co-worker.  Boom!  She was.  I asked for the pattern, and at first she couldn't find it, but alas she did.  I don't have the info on the hook size, but the turned out nice and I sent her a thank you and photo of the finished booties.  I still have the ones this lady made too.  

Tuesday Tidbits

Rest in peace Sparta.  You will forever be missed.  Sad day on the homestead. He broke a leg years ago, and last summer had trouble getting up and down the ramp, so we even had plans to build a longer one with more ease for him.  I also found him cuddled up under the heat lamp (which is over the water), and often found him there during cold, cold days.  I'm sure gonna miss him.

School ended up closing yesterday.  Roads were pretty slick.  Today they are delayed, but may cancel again.  We have freezing rain (again).

I spent most of the day in the kitchen.  I decided on a ham/swiss chard egg scramble for the next few days.  That left me with two eggs to spare.  I also baked the birthday cake, and cooked millet for another recipe.  Then dinner prep started.  I was tired by 1pm, after being up at 4:30am.

I taught Youngest Daughter how to decorate a cake, and she looked like she really enjoyed it.  She did her own design too.


We may be starting the garage clean up a bit early.  All vehicles now need repairs and we'll need the garage to do it.  Lovely.

Hubby's workplace promised bonuses this spring, but last week reneged on the promise.  Hubby is pretty upset, as we had plans to put it to use.  Pretty low of them to do this, considering he was out fixing things at -40 some degrees a week ago.

Next time I cook meatballs for dinner, we are going to try topping them with homemade condensed mushroom soup.  I was out of it yesterday, so it's on the to-do list now.

Shipping prices have gone up.  My cost to shift crafted items will also go up a bit.  Just FYI.

Tip:  I purchased these plastic shallow baskets 2 for $1.00.  I put them under the sinks to hold items, so next time I clean, it will be much easier taking it out and putting it back.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  This photo is not from today, but if the weather is good, I'll be using my clothesline next week.

On the breakfast plate. . .
Farm fresh eggs, toast and coffee


The weather outside is . . .
Snow.  Enough to delay school today.  More like slush out there, but enough to make roads slippery.


Right now I am . . .

. . . thankful.  Thankful we found a truck load of split wood for only $60.  Snow moved in too quickly for us to cut our own.  I'm also secretly hoping school is closed.  I could use an extra hand at decorating the cake today.


Thinking . . .
It's gonna be a busy week.  We have a birthday dinner to have, and a wedding in the family.  Oh, and Daughter's Cosmetology speech contest is this week too.  Also, I'm "wait-listed" for a March craft show.  By the time I found out about it, it was already booked full.  Our Army daughter's Co. was deployed, but she didn't have to go.  There were too many with her job apparently.


On the reading pile . . .
Library crafting books (lots of them, ha ha!)


On the TV . . .
Whatever looks good on netflix


On the to-do list . . .
-bake a birthday cake
-laundry
-canning, but it may get pushed into next week
-Work out
-fold dried laundry that's been on the drying racks
-clean down cobwebs, and dust
-sweep and mop the kitchen
-sanitize kitchen counters etc.
-take trash out
-make a breakfast scramble or frittata
-make homemade dog food
-vacuum carpets



On the menu . . .
Monday:  Meatballs/BBQ sauce, wild rice, brussel sprouts
Tues:  Chicken spaghetti, corn, beets, birthday cake and ice cream
Wed: Chili, cornbread
Thurs:  leftovers
Fri:  Baked chimichangas and steamed broccoli
Sat:  leftovers
Sun:  have no idea yet, depends on leftover status


What I am creating . . .

Booties, knitted dishcloth, more pot holders.  Trying to think of something new as well, as spring craft shows are booking now.


Looking around the house . . .
Just need to tidy up for a birthday dinner tomorrow.


On the camera. . .

We had a very short, but beautiful sunrise Sunday morning.

Praying for . . .

Us, the kids

Trip to the Big City ~ More Booties

The weekend went pretty quickly, although we had to get out of the house, even with these ridiculous temps and wind lately.  

Daughter had Winter Homecoming Friday night, which if you have girls, you know you get the "I need it" list last minute.  We ran to one of the "Big Cities" in search for neon knee socks (it was a casual glow in the dark event), and I took that trip to an advantage and went to the craft store.

Saturday we had a lunch date with our 19 year-old and her boyfriend.  We have only met him once over the course of a year or more.  I can finally tell you the bad news about this daughter - she lost her job as manager of the movie rental store.  They are officially closing.  The previous movie rental store she used to work at cut their hours, and I'm sure will close as well.  Luckily, she was re-hired at her other previous job and is applying elsewhere as well.

We ran errands and forgot to pick up chicken feed.  We were so tired when we arrived back home, we literally got into PJ's and collapsed in front of the TV.

Even with the busy weekend, I got more crocheted items done, although I should be working on pot holder sets right now. I'm just working on my PHD (Projects Half Done), ha ha!

I got these cuties all stitched up, and am searching for a bonnet pattern for boys and girls now.  What got me on crocheting the first pair was the fact my step-daughter is pregnant with her 3rd child.  

Not sure what's on the agenda for today, although we will either be cutting wood in this frigid weather or hunting down someone that already has split wood. 

I'll also be ordering seeds I forgot to order.  I might as well pick something new to grow this summer too.

I was gifted these spice jars from our 19 year-old daughter.  They are two different sizes, and I am excited for this year's garden(s).

Tea bag Tidbits

In lieu of watching the mail lady (to avoid someone possibly stealing it), I decided to plant myself in an area I can see better, and get some insurance points out of the way (at the same time) before garden season.  These videos we have to watch are sooooo boring.  Financial ones are superdity duperity boring.

I earned this sign on the porch for a reason, ha ha!  There has been some questionable activity, but nothing to do anything about.  Maybe they have noticed I'm watching them now?

I'm glad I am remembering to get these points out of the way.  I'm always in a rush come fall to get them in before the end of the year.  I'm cheering Hubby on too.  Pre-planning has worked out great.  Plus, it's a perfect way to sit and watch for the mail (and possible activity).

I made these yesterday.  They'll be gifted to my step-daughter, who is expecting a boy in late April.  Yep, we'll be grandparents again for a 3rd time.

We've been getting an onslaught of rain, fog and now dipping in temperature.  I told Hubby I'm so glad we are including probiotic foods in the menu, but now they want pancakes and sausage for dinner.  I wanted fish.  Hmpf.  I guess fish will wait another day.  By the way we hit an all time record of 60° yesterday, and we are back to 22°F at 6am.  Yeah, just making sure those probiotics and physical activity are getting in my day.  The treadmill has been great to have this winter.

The windchill is 4°F this morning, and the weather is crazy.  Yesterday I noticed my daffodils coming up.

I had to laugh the other day when Daughter came home from school.  She was giving us a speech on misconceptions regarding hair and hair growth, and nail growth.  Yes, I already knew prenatal vitamins do not do that job, but it was interesting to her what they are learning, but do not know about natural remedies.  

Maybe I can teach her a thing or two?  She also pulled out one of my hairs on my head (ouch) and examined it for elasticity and health.  Glad to be a "guinea pig" for her, but I am already working on mine being back to normal.  I'm still drinking my tea, eating the right foods, using my hair oil and hair tonic etc.

Rosemary Gladstar's Famous Face Cream ~ Tidbits

I've had this recipe on my "to-do" list for many months now.  First I had to infuse the oil.  The recipe is in this book, and so is the recipe for the Four Thieves Vinegar.  I have more recipes yet to try this year, so stay tuned for more updates as I get around to making them.

Winter has been harsh this year, and dry skin is an issue.  I even resorted to putting my calendula lotion on my face, it's been that harsh of a winter.

Step one - let the first ingredients cool and turn into a creamy mixture.

Step 2: Add next ingredients with a blender.  I have a hand blender I use specifically for lotions/creams. Recipe states it lasts up to a year, but I know it will be gone quickly.  It can be used for face or body.

I will continue to make my calendula cream too.  It's great for super dry winter skin like hands and feet.

I had a rather less hectic day in the kitchen, with only needing to make banana bread, and dinner prep.  Hubby requested I put chocolate chips in the banana bread this time.  Hemp seeds went in, in place of flax seeds this time.

It was time to drain my Four Thieves Vinegar too.  Only two more months of "flu" season, but I now make this to have on hand year round.

 During the stage of cooling in step 1 of the lotion, I decided to pull out a drawer and organize it (again).  We are moving from plastic to glass, but I haven't cleaned this out since our last daughter moved out.    As I went through the drawer, I went through the cupboard next to it to find containers to match with lids.  

I found no containers.  Hmpf.  The nice part of all of this cleaning?  I can find what I need and can now buy more glass containers with BPA free lids.  I have one more drawer to organize.  

The cabbage dinner didn't last long enough for a night of leftovers.   Hubby and Daughter loved it so much, they took the rest to work and school for lunch.  That meant I had to make dinner.  

Breakfast for dinner it was.  Fish is on the menu next.  I really miss eating a nice fresh radish or tomato or.....

I asked Hubby if he could build me a "she" shed.  I have determined I need one to crochet and knit away from eyes in the house.  Youngest caught me crocheting another sunflower keyfob and asked for one.  Every time she sees something new or cute, sigh....

Feels Like Spring ~ Rain, rain and more rain

When we returned from our ride on the Harley the other day, Hubby took a nap.  A well deserved nap.  He snored so loud that Jesse popped his head up in alert, ha ha!  I let him sleep as long as he needed.

A ride on our "sanity saver" always replenishes my energy.  

I made homemade sausage and homemade meatballs (recipe at Lazy J Bar C blogspot).  

Laundry soap got made.  I still have some of our homemade goat's milk soap too. 

Youngest Daughter is competing in regional contest this month for Cosmetology.  It's a speech contest, timed without notes on a certain subject.  We are not able to watch the contest, but we can attend the awards ceremony. She needs black dress shoes, and while (ha ha!  This is sort of funny since I'm mostly in muck boots/work boots etc) I was scrolling through stores online, I saw a pair that I liked and remembered I had a pair!  I ran into the closet and low and behold found them.  The nice thing about shoes here, is that her and I wear the same size 11.  I hope they fit her so I don't have to buy a pair.


Dinner prep involved a cabbage, potatoes and sausage.  It's raining this morning, and more is on the way.