Picture Pages

As promised, a picture of the shrug that was repurposed last night AND a shot of the mouse hole in the house, behind the wood stove.  It faces Odis' food bowl so it is easy for the mouse to snack.

With that, I'm gonna finish baking cookies for tomorrow.  =)  Nite!

Repurposing

Found this yesterday and have just the sweater to use - glad I did not donate!



I hope to take a picture this afternoon - wore the bolero top today.  LOVE IT!

Now for a sweet non-halloween giveaway that does not expire until 11/3; check out the goods over at Keeper of the Home.  Another must read is over at A Homesteading Neophyte; read yesterday's entry about the snake and then today's - love young people's logic!
Lastly I fell in love with this book (The Sew-It Book) < would make a cute addition to our library! My girls would enjoy this, during one of their crafty  moments!


That Queen Anne's Lace scarflette is finished and I started one in black.  Crochet is so much faster/easier for me.  I believe once I finish this sock, the next one will be crochet!  =)  More on that later. 

Snap, snap!

I have wanted to make these for awhile now and yesterday afternoon decided to just sit down and do it.  What is it, you ask?  My own pantyliners. Ronnie looked at me as if I was daft or something and then incredulous when I asked him to attach the snaps for me.  LOL  If only you could have seen him.  I did not think about taking a picture until I decided to tell you about it.  These snaps did not require sewing; these came with a tool that looks like a pair of pliers.  Out of a packet of six snap pairs, I have two liners; on one of those liners, the snaps are on backwards so the wings do not lie flat.  *giggles*  He kept muttering under his breath while trying to get the snaps attached.  LMAO  Looks like I need to buy sew on snaps or use velcro (already have that). 

Overall, last night was productive; finished sorting and putting away laundry, dishes, dinner, sewing liners, looked at my sock project and began crocheting this pattern.   If you are in Ravelry, search under Queen Anne's Lace Scarf by Khebhin Gibbons.  The pattern is free.  I am using scrap yarn of Sunshine yellow so who knows how long it will be. 

Socks, the conclusion of a story

 I am now working on the toe *yipee!* Tried on my MIL foot last night and it was just a few stitches too long for her size 5 foot.  That's ok.  =)  I think this sock may be more of a primitive style Christmas stocking decoration than a foot adornment. 

On socks, knitting two a time, and a general review of different sock knitting styles can be found over at Knit and Tonic. . .A great summary and giggles to boot! 

Today was kind of hectic for a Monday and I am going to start up the wood cook stove and cook up some comfort food.  =)





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Award Lovin

Liz, from Lizzie's Logic,  emailed me the other evening advising that she had bestowed upon me the Honest Scrap award; this award is in recognition of pursuing honesty in every aspect of living one's life.  I feel honored, Liz, thank you for thinking of me!


Now to pass on the loving. . .

1. Share 10 honest things about myself
2. Present this award to 7 others who have encouraged me or whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design
3. Let them know of the award and guidelines.
   

Ten honest things about myself...  Well, here goes.

1. I am the worst procrastinator.
2. Not much of a housekeeper.  To busy doing other things.  =)
3. It irritates me when someones walk does not match their talk.
4. I love Peru.
   
5. I love ginger beer.  Makes me drool just typing the words!
6. I miss Mason (my kitty) every day
   
7. I love our lifestyle (living simply, cooking on the wood stove, gardening, etc)
8. I spend too much time at work hanging out with you guys/gals.  =)
   
9. I am a tribal bellydancer
   
10. I do not use fingernail polish

Now to share some love; this is the hardest part about receiving award lovin.  I follow and read so many talented women (and a few men) that choosing among then is difficult.  It  helps that some of these do not do the award thing, and I respect that.  Of those that do accept, I would like to pass this on to the following muses:

1. Phelan of A Homesteading Neophyte
2. Meadowlark of Just Wandering Through
3. Joyceann of Feather Spirits
4. Kathie @ Two Frog Home
5. Matronofhusbandry of Throwback at Trapper Creek
6. Sandra @ Thistle Cove Farm
7. Robbyn of The Back Forty

*whew*  Ladies, look for an email from me.  =)







This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

An Observation

This week I was able to walk home from work 3 different days; of those 3 days, on two, Ronnie picked me up and carried me the rest of the way home.  Yesterday was the first day I was able to walk home, start to finish - what an experience!  Oh, this picture was taken on my walk.  Now for the observations.

• Not the time to carry a heavy bag home from work.
• People think you are walking because your car has broken down, not because you want to.
• I have three friends who will pick me up (not including Ronnie)
• Crazy people drive down Rte 220 
• Rte 220 is not designed for foot traffic - it is not even foot traffic friendly.  Where is the shoulder??
  

I believe the second observation was the most profound to me.  My three now known friends that stopped were shocked that I would walk by choice.  What?  You are suprised that I have even three friends who will give me a ride?  tee hee.  It was a great indian summer afternoon/eve to walk; the smell of the leaves and horses grazing close to the fence, the sound of cattle calling to their babies.

That brings me to another moment of revelation.  I've been using a deodorant stone for awhile now and have noticed that on very warm days I can smell myself.  Not in a bad way, I just notice my personal odor.  Does not bother me, however, other people that I work with may feel different.  So last night I mixed a deodorant recipe that Melinda, over at One Green Generation posted.  No odor after yesterdays 2.3 mi walk, up an incline, home. 

Oh, and today I am the guest blogger for the 23rd day of Halloween - come see! 





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Cold Weather therapy

Today I'm posting over at Homemakers Who Work - come check it out!






This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Sock lovin & more

As promised, some sock lovin'.  Just a few more inches and then the toeing begins.  This pattern was fairly easy to learn with though, as stated earlier, I believe that using two circular needles or one really long one, would produce a more 'pretty' finished product.

Here is a close up of the gussett.  Over all I am very pleased with my first sock attempt - thank you, Meadowlark, for the encouragement, equipment, and 'push' when needed.  =)  *hugs*

Thank you to everyone  for your encouragement yesterday.  =)  I did not intend my post to be quite so dark.   

Oh, and my right palm is itching - good fortune is headed my way!  Similar folklore to be found here.

Yesterday I walked home from work; trying to save on gas $$ and wear 'n tear.  Didn't get all the way there before Ronnie passed me on the road and stopped.  I can say, though, that more walking is in order.  Can you say out of shape?  Oy. 





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

"To everything there is a season

and a time to every purpose under heaven" (Eccl  3:1).  Yes, it is odd for me to be quoting scripture; there are some versus that are true regardless of one's spiritual path.  I am in one of those 'dark, cloudy, overcast' times where the light at the end of the tunnel seems so far away I can barely see the glimmer.

As another blogger put it today, it is not all blue skies and sunshine.  Today Ronnie dropped me off at work on his way in, I am eating a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and will walk home after work Walking to work was my goal for the Doing Not Thinking Challenge; it did not come together during the challenge, perhaps it will now.  This dark time shall pass.  We will find a way through and will be wiser because of it.

One Green Generation has created an interesting challenge for the upcoming holidays; yes, it is getting close to that time again and if you are a crafter, it is too soon!  No way everyone will get socks this year, unless I use thicker yarn and larger needles!  On that note, I believe that using circular needles to create socks will produce a more seamless sock - yes, pictures are coming this eve!  Anyway, that leaves the question of what to create for whom.

You'll notice that I've blogged (or blabbed) about numerous giveaways.  Aside from increasing the awareness of different artists, it is also an opportunity to win items to use for said holidays or other gift giving occasions.  I am not saying that I would give my Mom a set of runes that I won - it is not her thing.  That necklace?  Oh, so her! - no Mom, I did not win either. =)  Just saying. Do not be afraid to regift, just not back to the person who gave it to you; that might be a bit tacky.

Take hope.





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Cold, slow, knitting day

Slow day today - really cold outside, nice and warm inside.  Would you believe VDOT was on call night for snow?  Yes, some of you already have had snow, and I am envious.  =)  Ronnie's trying to get the washing machine fixed; seems everytime it would spin the water out, it was leaking down the wall - not something we noticed until water appeared onto the floor!  *ack*  I've been cleaning in the living room, our room, making granola and yogurt is 'cookin'.  Now if I can get some knitting in, all the better!

The sock is coming along.  I did pull out stitches back to the heel flap and have reworked the gusset.  It looks good except that I am not pleased with the left side of the gusset; knit one, slip two stitches to working needle, then knit them. For me, knitting left to right is difficult, right to left, no problems.  *shrugs*  Could be the way I hold the yarn. *shrugs*  Have not found a link on youtube yet that shows an easier way to do this.  Easier is not the best word - makes sense way for me is better.

Again, I'll try to get pictures up for you today (or tomorrow).  Getting back to the cleaning/organizing. 

Giveaways that end at 9pm est tonite. . .

• The Essential Herbal magazine
• Hand painted witch pendant from the Gypsy Mare
• From Fat Femme Laboratory, pumpkin hair sticks (so cute!)
  

Get yourself some Halloween lovin!





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Room decor and giveaways

Some great giveaway's today, and yes, I am late with the posting.  We totally rearranged the huge living room to include a dining area - the kitchen is too small for 5+ people to eat.  We also set out the Halloween decorations.  I'll get some pictures.  =)  Now to the goodies. . .

• Hand made runes from Art from My Heart: she does some amazing things with polymer clay.  Stunning!
• Saffron incense from Lavanah
• Wintra the witch of warren wall hanging
• a whole bag of Halloween from Octoberfarm.

So hurry over and enter!  =)






This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Repurpose clothing

This weekend I will once again tackle the laundry, craft room which has become the collect-all.  Potatoes need to go into a better form of storage other than a bucket in the floor. This room also holds a pile of clothes that were gifted to me by someone who has a different body shape than I, meaning I cannot wear these clothes.  This pile is viewed as gifted crafting materials;  Ronnie has a different name for it.  *clears throat*

When thinking of what new items could be created from these various pieces, I found these sites:

• Ohio online
• Sew Mama Sew Scrap Buster series

Am I crazy?  It is not like I have a slew of time to sew and when there is spare time, knitting is what is picked up.  The more I think about it, and Phelan's post about hording vs prepping.  Torn, I am, on if this is considered hording or saving for a day when I will have more time to craft.  Clutter does pull down the energy so am I just crazy?  

Your thoughts?





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Getting ready for the Garden and giveaways

Our greenhouse will not be built in time to use for this year so seed starting will begin indoors, hogging the window space.  My challenge is how to create pots to use for seeds that will not require me to buy plastic.  The round, newspaper pots I made last year (using a glass) did not work well; the bottoms would not stay closed and the round shape made it difficult to keep them close together.

Thankfully, dancingfarmer has reposted information on how to make newspaper pots; this design makes sense to me and appears to be what I am looking for.  The link to directions can be found here.  There is also this video. . .



And now for giveaways:

• An artful wand created by Marie Segal.  My favorite piece in her shop are the Dia De Los Muertos pendants. 
  
• Beautiful babbles from M. Augusta Woodland. 

I spoke to the good neighbor today and she knows someone who has a garlic farm about 30 minutes from here.  He is coming to her place to talk garlic and I think I may head over to listen in. 

We might see snow this afternoon eve; it is raining and the current temp is 37.4.  Brrs!





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Halloween giveaways and a little story

I love horses.  This is no secret to some, a revelation to others.  Some horsebacking riding lessons as a child coupled with 4-H membership in the horse judging club and collecting Breyer Model Horses has kept this love alive.  We did not own a horse when I was growing up - horses are not cheap.  I made due with riding other people's horses in exchange for mucking stalls, cleaning tack, etc.  Then 20 years swept past without the opportunity to ride and I moved to Hot Springs VA and went to work for the Homestead Resort as a trail guide.  Thankfully I was able to take my riding test on a fairly calm horse and had the job.  My love affair with horses was resumed and lasted for 4 months, until I received an offer to accept the job I now have. 

Riding everyday was every little girl's dream; does not pay the bills so I changed carriers.  All of this to tell you about Gypsy Mare Studio's Halloween Giveaway.  In this giveaway you get to choose any Halloween, hand painted theme'd pendant from her etsy shop.  < no I am not getting paid for this; I earn 3 entries towards winning and it gives me a chance to reveal a little something about me.  (I love horses, Halloween and giveaways!) This one will expire on 10/18. 

All of the giveaways I blog about often allow for additional entries if you twitter about the giveaway.  I do not have a twitter account and even for extra entries, I will not open a twitter account.  It is enough that I blog, read a slew of other bloggers, and keep up with my facebook account (HA!).  Twitter is something else to distract me - not gonna do it.  =)






This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Animal Additions

We are always looking at methods that will help to increase our food security and two of those include the addition of chickens and rabbits to our homestead; chickens for eggs and rabbits for meat and possible yarn (shear and such). Instead of building a green house, Ronnie is going to put together a coop, and we are looking at this one; 'easy' to move around in the garden and yard.

Coop Plans
From what I have read, additional ventilation needs to be added to this coop, though it is not included in these plans. Ventilation not only for the summer but also for the winter (sounds contrary, yes?). Humid air in the roosting/nest box area can lead to frostbite on combs and toes - anyone experience this? With their chickens, I mean, not on your person. Does anyone use a tractor like the one pictured? Where did you add ventilation? I am thinking that louvered ventilation in the top of the triangular end pieces? From what I've read, it needs to be above the chickens.

The other possible addition would be rabbits for eating and shearing. I've butchered chickens before (or helped with it) but have not actually gutted anything. Rolf would need to come back over and show me, since he has experience.

Who here has rabbits for fur? Meat? The Ward House, historically, has had chickens and hogs. Hogs may be a stretch at this point, rabbits and chickens easier to slip under the radar. Some day I'd like a few pigs and a dairy goat or two. That is SOOO in the future.

So many plans, so little patience!


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Halloween Giveaways

More to come - wanted to share these first to give you enough time to enter; These expire at 9pm est tonite so hurry!

• Halloween sign from The Old Country Crow.
• Interesting twist to Sense and Sensibilities - add Sea Monters to the mix! Win a copy.
• Spooky half apron from Apron Frenzy.
• Halloween kitchen labels (for bottles and spices) from the Dead Spider. The crusty cauldron cleaner would be great on a bottle by the wood cook stove. =)
• Halloween Barette - perfect for your halloween outfit.
  

Tiling done

The upstairs shower looks great, even without grouting. Ronnie was up until 1:00 am this morning finishing up. He broke three blades and ended up finishing the heart cutouts on a wet saw - designed for straight, not curved cuts. Looks amazing! I'll have pictures for you later today (I hope).

Now we have extra tile - lots of extra tile; pink, white, beige. This is tile that was gifted to us, not something we bought and can return for money back. The people that gifted do not want the tile back. What does one do with extra tile? One reads up on how to paint them for possible gifts. Cynthia posted this:

But if you'd like to paint your own artwork or even each tile there are several specialty paints that are made to be permanent on already fired & glazed ceramic pottery & tiles. I like a brand called "Glossies" by "Liquitex". I've seen these sold in the higher-end painting supplies at Michael's craft store. There is another brand called "Porceline" (I believe) sold at most art & painting supply stores. The main trick is to wash your hands well to rid them of any natural oils & hand lotion then clean each tile well with rubbing alcohol before you begin.

Another artist, recommends the same paints and adds this to the finishing process:

fter the paint has completely air dried on the tiles, place the tiles on a cookie sheet. Put the cookie sheet in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 325 degrees F and "bake" the ceramic tiles for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, turn the oven off, open the oven door, and let the tiles slowly cool. You can remove the tiles from the oven when they are no longer warm when touched.

Other than locating these paints, now I just need to decide on designs. Has anyone done this type of painting before?

New toys!

I could not wait to tell you about this. Please do not get upset if you are a coffee aficionado; I bought a non electric percolator to use on the wood stove. The electric coffee maker is just fine, though it has a different taste to it than the percolator. I prefer the percolator taste. Actually cold brew is the best, not set up for that atm. Oh and I also picked up two wind-up alarm clocks to replace the plug ins. Now for the exciting part - all for $10! Whoo hoo. Yes, I've already made a pot of coffee; 4 cups of water + 4 tbsp of coffee + time (will depend on how hot the stove is) = goodness.

Halloween giveaways that expire at 10 pm tonite:

• a beautiful hand woven runner from the Chicory Cottage Weavery
• Artwork from Emily Balivet

While I am in here blogging, Ronnie and the girls have ceramic tile all over the living room floor creating the design that will be set around the upstairs bathroom tub. Yes, we will have a second working shower soon. Maybe by next weekend??

Tummys have begun to growl so it is time for me to make some dinner. K13 is doing better; her temp has come down to 100 or so, without the aid of meds. Means her body is fighting it off and will have some killer defenses!

Stay well.

Un techologizing

Today I am writing over at Homemakers Who Work about un-technologizing. Say that fast 5 times!

More cooties

I just picked k13 up from school - she has a temperature of 101.4. When I arrived at the office to take her home, there were three other kids in the office waiting for parents, temperatures ranging from 99 - 102. The office says that they are not going to close school since some parents do not have day care for their young kids. Ummm, does this sound skewed?

Just yesterday one of the track and field members was confirmed to have swine flu. Just prior to his dx the team was at a match and four other kids drank from his water bottle. *shakes head* I think this may be just as bad as having an out break of head lice!

Here is to hoping that the rest of us stay well and do not catch this cootie.

More sweet Hallowe'en giveaways

So much news, I'll start with the goodies first. These giveaways end at 9pm est tonite, so you gotta be quick on the draw:

• Kaleidoscope Kat Halloween Glass Tile Pendant
• Colonial Style Earbobs
• spooky-cute Ghost Pin

Other news gets a separate post - cannot write atm. =)

My cell has died

It is a new experience for me, to be without a cell phone that is. I did not grow up with a cell phone and did not get one until I was in my late 30's. It was a trac phone that eventually grew up into a contract with Verizon.

Last night the button pad died yet I could still call numbers that were saved in contacts. Well, as of this morning that is not even an option. *sighs* I actually feel vulnerable without it! How pathetic is that. Looks like it is time to find that old trac phone, charger, cancel my Verizon phone and buy some minutes for the trac. At some point all of our contract phones will be replaced with trac phones so looks like I will pioneer that change.

Sad that I have become so needful of my electronic toys!





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Yummy Ginger Beer

I love ginger beer; cannot seem to drink enough of it these days. It is expensive to buy at the store and that's if you can find someone who sells it; city dwellers probably have much better luck than us rural peeps. Rhonda Jean, over at down--to--earth, has published her recipe; it is a live culture that you create and that is what I love about it. I plan to start some of this tomorrow eve - cannot tonite as there is a volleyball game and it is my turn at concessions - whoot!



This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Saturday + Sunday

It has been a quiet weekend, of sorts. Both Saturday and Sunday Ronnie and I spent cutting/splitting wood while the girls and a friend hung out here and got ready for the homecoming dance (Sat. nite); both girls enjoyed the dance, came home and collapsed into bed. Dancing is such hard work!

Cold temps have moved in with a wind that really makes me think of winter. Sunday we talked about stacking the corn stalks and decorating the front yard - talking is as far as we got. After 1 load of wood on Saturday and 3 loads yesterday we were pooped. Last night we did watch Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp. So enjoy me some Depp. =)

More Halloween giveaways - this ends today at 9pm est!

• Charming Enchantments: a most excellent necklace.
  

And a bit of sobering news: our local hospital's billing office is closing at the end of this month. It would appear that people in Alabama can do the job for less than what the hospital was paying these local people. I am sad to see people loose their jobs (even if they were grouchy) and wonder how the older people in the community will cope with trying to talk a medical bill over the phone with someone who does not know them?

I am thankful to have a job, my home, and a healthy family.

Friday Hallowe'en Giveaways

If you are into Halloween, than do I have some giveaway's for you!

• Divination kit - even if you are not into divination, this is a talented artist. Cauan's work reminds me of some of the amazing artwork we saw while visiting Peru.
  
• Paper mache, vintage'y candy cups - Love the look of these.
• Custom Zombie print - this one ends tonite at 9pm.
• Mouse giveaway - not a real one, silly. Check it out!