Cluck Norris ~ Craft Show ~ Work Day

Yesterday's sunrise has some beautiful colors in it.

My rooster was still alive Friday (whew!).  I named him Cluck Norris, since he fought the predator and survived.  

The craft show is now over, and I'm up to start out Sunday work day.  

We didn't do that great this year.  First, I was in a different building (they use two).  Second, the way the had us set up the tables was so congested.  Third, we were way in the back and customers walked in and not all they way to our tables and left. I didn't sell one set, just a few things.  I'm starting to put the sets up on my other blog.

Today's to-do's:  repair the chicken coop, muck the coop, cut wood.  We are completely out, and the temps are to really dip low the early part of the week.  Then, if we get all that done, the Christmas tree goes up.

I posted the new Christmas tree ornament on my S.C.R.A.P blogspot.  I'll admit, it's not a very exciting ornament, but pretty.  I am still working on ideas for something else too.

Friday Snippets ~ Chicken Coop Chaos

...and just like that (snap), I was inspired by my friend's mother who recently passed, and who loved playing the organ.  I have started to create a new Christmas tree ornament to sell next year.  I'll have a post soon next week I hope.  The first one will go in my friend's Christmas gift bag in memory of her mother.

Sunday I had plans to start decorating and put up the tree, but if weather is good, I'll be mucking the coop and replacing wire on the coop.  One of these years we'll finally get the new coop built (amongst many other jobs on the list). 

I went out to the coop yesterday and found 4 feet of wire ripped from the frame, one hen dead with a broken neck, and my rooster with a broken leg.  I'm not sure he'll make it yet.  We can't wrap our heads around what would do this.  A very sad day for sure.

Christmas Ornaments Past

I love making Christmas tree ornaments.  I'm so ready to make something new for next year.  I made many policemen ornaments back in 2011 for a police station tree and for one of my brother's trees.

I made these one year too. I have so many that I made, golly. This year, our tree will be ornament-less (puppy proofed).  It'll be lights only, but pretty as well.

I had so much creativity and motivation back then.  I even made these.  I think I will check more books out of the library to get more ideas for next year.

I made these with all sorts of decorated "cookies" for an entire elementary class.  I used to make a homemade ornament for each student in my kids class for the Christmas school party.  I sure miss those days.  Hopefully, when my grand kids are older I can help with their class party (if they still have them by then).

I made these from toilet paper rolls, and gifted them to my family for Christmas.

I made these and gifted them one year also.  I still have some apples and skewers to make them again.

These were fun to make as well, and were also gifted.  Instructions are on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot.

I made these for an entire elementary class as well.  Made from brown paper bags.  I should put a tutorial up for this one as well, on my other blog.

I made these one year too - from recycled medicine cups.  The instructions are also on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot.

I got to the point where my family told me they had "enough" ornaments so I quit making them.  I am motivated to work on something new for next year after looking through all my old photos.  I made so many of them.

This and That

Sam I Am (at farmgirlSam blogspot) shared an ornament that reminded me of one I made for gift giving years ago.  The crocheted edging is different, but wanted to share.

I found wooden rings at the thrift store and used canning lids (old ones) for the backs.  The directions can be found on my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot if you are interested.

I will be digging through my crafting supplies to see if I have more rings to make the ones she posted.  They are beautiful!

Not much going on at our homestead right now.  

I got a few organic celery cubes frozen for winter soups.  Speaking of soups, I will be bagging my corn off the cob into smaller bags more so than the 3 cup bags, so I can use it for soups (but in smaller amounts).

I made crock pot leftover ham/veggie soup yesterday.  I left out the corn and added white beans and a small amount of lentils (shockingly high in carbs), leftover green beans etc.  I did some reading, and couldn't believe corn has more carbs (starch) than white potatoes.  Yikes.

I got my brown paper bags stamped for "shopping" bags for my customers at the craft show.

I baked my first loaf of wheat bread using whole grain Einkorn flour - no eggs, no butter or other fats.  I was a bit iffy on this recipe.  I had to wait 2 hours to slice a piece to try (what the recipe said to do).

Results?  

Surprisingly good!  According to what I am reading on the package of the flour, it is about half the carbs you would get in other (white flour) breads, and just a hair more than coconut flour (which is a low carb flour).

I'm crocheting and knitting like a mad woman.  The upcoming craft show will be the only one I'll do this year, but will work quickly to prep for next year, so I can spend my time in the garden next summer.

Tuesday Tidbits

I've put together 8 sets of crocheted items, with a bit of savings, for the craft show.  I will post any that do not sell Saturday, on my Rooster's Crow Farm Blogspot.

I'm still being haunted by the mouse.  It ate the peanut butter off the trap, and didn't even set it off.  Grr.  The glory of living in the country, and a lazy house cat.  

We will be going to yet another funeral this week.   Or at least visitation.  The mother to my friend (we were best friends in jr and high school together), passed away at the age of 86.

It snowed yesterday.  In the midst of rain too.  Not sure what today will bring yet.  I was up at 4am, so I stoked the fire and put on a put of coffee.

Oddly, this is a short and picture-less post today.  I have many things that need made like homemade lotions, but it'll all have to wait until next week.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

Tuesday, our daughter received her recognition award for Student of the Month for her school, in all of our county.  Her grade point average is 4.111.

Wednesday, I had to make the stuffing, sweet potatoes, dessert, pie (yes I made them for other guests, but with little sugar), bake the turkey, ham and rolls.  I got everything done but the turkey, and baked that Thursday morning, along with 4 other veggie side dishes.  I put up my outside Christmas lights, which are minimal, but pretty and noticeable (no roof or ladder climbing).

Friday we had our 2nd Thanksgiving, and Saturday our 3rd, where I got to taste my first heated cider with a shot of salted carmel vodka.  We watched the Buckeyes win, and headed home to relax.

Sunday, Dec.1st rolled in with thunder and lightning.  A wintery-mix headed in with it.  We cut wood until the rain arrived again.

I can't believe my Mom saved this, and one of my brother's displays it at Christmas.  I made this way back in elementary school, ha ha!  It's a pringles can Santa.

Question:  Does anyone have a homemade whole wheat bread recipe?  Also, does anyone have a good homemade whole wheat roll recipe?  Thanks!  Or even a book title to check out of our library as well?  I'm going to try some recipes from Jovial's website.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom


The weather outside is . . .
Raining.  Again.  High of 36°F.


On the breakfast plate . . . 
Sweet potato scramble eaten with a fork for some, and for others in a spinach wrap (until I can make some tortillas using Einkorn flour), organic black coffee


As I look outside my window . . .
It's cloudy and dreary looking.


Right now I am . . .
Looking around on the internet to make plans for our 21st Anniversary this month.  Not sure I want to prepay a hotel, because if road are bad, considering it is winter now.  


As I look around the house . . .
I have 3 crock pots that need put away, and some tidying up to do.



On the to-do list . . .
Dishes
Laundry
Floors
make a breakfast scramble with greens



On this week's to-do list . . .
Finish up last minute projects for the craft show
Returns and pick-ups at the library
Cut wood



On the menu . . .
Leftovers...have no idea yet.  Now that I have to revamp and leave carbs and sugar out mostly, it'll be a bit different.  I am ordering some Jovial pasta this week.


Currently reading . . .
Nothing.  Too busy getting the craft show items ready


On the TV . . .
Movies on Netflix or from the library.


What I am creating . . .

Dish scrubbies and a set of boot cuffs.  I also started another set of hot pads.


New recipe I tried or want to try . . . .

I tried Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars.  The grandkids LOVED it.  It was time consuming, but so good and light (not like a thick cheesecake). 





Favorite photo from the camera . . .

My new kitchen night light.  

Prayers . . .
Prayers for my friend's mother.  She passed away last week. She broke her foot while in the nursing home, was sent to a medical clinic where she was on life support.   My mother - she fell and has lots of pain and one very big bruise.

This and That

Wednesday required more running around, which I am getting so tired of.  I just want to stay home for an entire day.

Breakfast - sweet potato hash with eggs, chives, oregano and basil (bell peppers, onion, jalapeno, and garlic too).

It ended up more like mashed sweet potatoes, because Hubby was helping and put a lid on them (instead of crisping them), but it was still very good and healthy.  I topped it with chives.

I had to start putting away all my crafting supplies, but made one more wine cork tree.  It was a pain to put everything away just for a meal, as my 2nd kitchen table is my "craft" work station (I do not have a craft room here).  The other table only seats 4 people.

I made the roll dough for the upcoming holiday, but will freeze what's left over to minimize carb intake at any meal now.  Thank goodness I picked sweet potatoes over mashed potatoes from the get-go.

As the holidays creep in, I can't stop thinking about Jesse and how he's doing (or the older two girls).  I haven't heard from either since that daughter moved completely back out and took Jesse with her.  I can't get myself to change my blog header and take Jesse's picture off and put Romeo's up.  In time...in time...

The two stray young cats are still around.  I have temporarily named them until we can trap them, see what's what and friend them enough to get them both fixed.  We believe Aurora is getting up in age, and we could use barn cats.

Today's list is too long, and I will remember it well next year when Hubby volunteers me (all by myself) for an entire meal.  He will be remembering this.  He won't be here to help as he insisted he would and our daughter is still feeling sick.  Now I have the sniffles and congestion.  Just lovely.  I'm about to tell them it's off, but we'll see what happens.

I have to make several dishes today and reheat tomorrow, putting a few more dishes (that Hubby cannot eat) into the oven tomorrow, and starting some veggies in crock pots.

The weather is awful - extreme wind and rain.  They say it'll stop by noon, but we'll see.  I pray you are all getting help with the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal, and that you are all healthy as well.   I'll be re-writing our menu for next year.

Everything is something Hubby cannot eat - cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots (sugar), BBQ green beans (Sodium), corn casserole (carbs, sugar), rolls (sugar, carbs), even sweet potato casserole has brown sugar.  I'll be back to making roasted brussel sprouts and other healthier sides like roasted or baked sweet potatoes.  It'll be a challenge for sure.  I'll be spending snow days trying out whole wheat roll recipes too.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I most likely won't get a post in tomorrow, but know that I'm wishing you all a happy holiday!



...finished a set of yellow pot holders.

I have ordered  Cassia cinnamon sticks to make Rosemary Gladstar's  tincture to help lower blood sugar for Hubby.  I also picked up steel cut oats for breakfast meals (oats help lower blood sugar).

Our weather is going to go from almost 60°F yesterday and sunny, to extreme wind and rain.  They are even saying traveling will be difficult, and we have our one daughter, her husband and the grand kids coming tomorrow.