homespun living

in the kitchen recently

2012-01-26T14:15:00.000-05:00

The last couple weeks have been pleasantly

busy, spent mostly in my workroom

and at the sewing machine, filling a wholesale order.

I did find time to make a few favorite recipes,

though not all of the edible type.

1. glazed orange scones--I had no pecans to place

on top, but they were still delicious.

Recipe here.

2. lime body scrub--the perfect relief for dry

winter skin:

Stir together 2 cups Epsom salts and about

1 cup light olive oil or sunflower oil

Add 8 - 10 drops essential oil {citrus makes

a wonderfully refreshing scent}

Spoon into your preferred container,

ie. canning jar, etc.

3. facial oil cleansing blend--I've been using the

Oil Cleansing Method for several weeks and love

how it leaves my skin.

You can read more about it here.

So many readers have asked about making

or purchasing a vintage book planner,

that today I am working on a tutorial

and hope to have some for the shop

...so stop back again to find out more!

~Deb

planning & organizing

2012-01-18T16:44:00.000-05:00

In January 2008 I made this planner from

and old French lesson book...

...and here it is after 4 years of serious

use and it is still holding up great.

With sections for cleaning plans,

menus, notes, to do lists, etc. and

contacts,

it has made all the difference in helping

me stay more organized. I would be lost without it!

The subject dividers which I made myself

are getting a bit worn,

but the laminated, store-bought ones

are doing better.

{inside front cover}

This year I used some yellow lined paper

to print out my monthly calendars,

and I like having the lines to

help keep my writing a little neater.

{printableplanners.net has many

calendar templates from which to choose.}
~

I was feeling a bit anti-housework lately,

but this 'declutter calendar'

has me motivated again...

...just one task a day,

and if I can keep it up,

by the end of year

our house will be more organized

and free of a lot of unnecesary stuff--yes!

And less stuff,

means more time for knitting and

reading while curled up in front of a cozy fire...

~Deb

the pudding story & some new bags

2012-01-13T20:02:00.001-05:00

Reader, Pam, asked:

Did I miss your comments on the Christmas pudding? Have you eaten it yet?

...and I realized,I completely forgot to let you all know how my very first Christmas pudding turned out :)

After having stored the pudding on a basement shelf,

where it was cool and dry,

and brushing it regularly with some spiced rum,

I brought it up on Christmas Eve, which

we were hosting.

I put the pudding in my large crock pot and

steamed it {read this idea, somewhere?}

After the recommended time, I unmolded it...that

did not go so well. For the most part it came

out intact, but there was a bit of crumbling...it

was not a beautiful presentation ~ hence no

dramatic photos.

I didn't trust myself to 'light' it and

served it, as is, with some rum sauce--a recipe

that reader Wendy shared--thanks Wendy!

Luckily looks are not everything,

and the pudding tasted delicious.

We had leftovers, which were steamed and eaten the rest

of the week, sometimes with

vanilla ice cream, mmmmm.

So thank you to all who left helpful

comments and advice--I wouldn't have known

what I was doing otherwise.

I can't wait to give it another try

next Christmas.

The Christmas tree and decorations were

taken down last weekend,

and it was nice to spend some time this week

at the sewing machine.

If you're shopping for a new tote

for the new year,

or a drawstring pouch,

here's what I've added to the shop:

Have a great weekend!

Deb

another pre-Christmas project

2012-01-11T15:32:00.000-05:00

A mushroom Christmas ornament I crocheted for a friend.

The pattern is Drops 0-723 in case

you want to whip some up for next Christmas,

or maybe change up the colors

and keep some around for fun decorations,

or maybe even a pincushion?

Deb

gift knitting revealed

2012-01-06T16:09:00.000-05:00

It's safe now

to reveal some of the gifts I knit

for Christmas.

These fingerless gloves are
a pattern for Gardner's Gloves

from Debbie Bliss's book,

The Knitter's Year: 52 Make-in-a-Week Projects-Quick Gifts and Seasonal Knits.

The first pair,

for a friend,

were knit in Peruvian Highland Wool,

sport weight, from Knit Picks...

The second pair, for a daughter who doesn't

appreciate wool, are made with Comfy Sport,

a pima cotton/acrylic blend.

I think they've been worn almost

every day since Christmas...

Since they are knit on straight needles

they worked up fairly quick.

Seaming was a bit tedious, but for me,

preferable to working with double points--I just

don't have the coordination for them

with tiny finger openings.

For more details,

please see my Ravelry page.

Christmas 2011 ~ Part 2

2012-01-04T16:08:00.000-05:00

Thanks for taking our Christmas tour.
I love to celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas,
so all our decorations and tree will
remain until Epiphany.
I'm still listening to Christmas music also :)
Hope you're enjoying the season!

~Deb

Christmas 2011 ~ Part 1

2012-01-03T14:41:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope your holidays

were joyful.

Here is a look back at ours,

{ Part I }...

...and in case you are wondering,

the candles were only lit for a very short time

and

yes, we did have the fire extinguisher at the ready.

See you soon for Part 2.

~Deb

slowly making ready

2011-12-19T16:17:00.000-05:00

Making cookies today,

thankfully most of the decorating is done

but I have still have a couple gifts to make...how did

I get so far behind??

a giveaway winner...

2011-12-17T20:07:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to look a little

like Christmas...

very simple decorations

this year...natural materials

collected on my daily walks:

fresh greens
English alder catkins
rose hips from the hedgerow
pine cones

Christmas cookie baking just

started today,

and tomorrow afternoon we will

head to the tree farm

to pick out our Christmas tree.

And now,

I'm happy to announce a winner of

Monday's contest:

Grace wrote: Ooh, I'm not a perfectionist but I would love one of your beautiful bags!

Congratulations Grace!

And, thank you to all who entered

for your kind and encouraging comments!

sewing with vintage fabric

2011-12-16T15:48:00.000-05:00

Creating from vintage materials

is so enjoyable.

I have been saving this bit of fabric

for just the right small project::

a great little zipper pouch

for cosmetics, sewing or knitting notions,

sunglasses...all those incidentals

that I tend to misplace.

Pattern by Keyka Lou

Pouch available in the shop.

~Deb

new bags and a giveaway!

2011-12-12T16:49:00.001-05:00

These first three bags have just been added to the shop.

I have been sewing away every spare moment,

not allowing myself to start Christmas decorating

or cookie baking,

until they were done.

{Oh, and 'miss scarlett' has a new special price.}

In the spirit of Christmas,

I would like to offer a giveaway

of a similar bag ~ it was made up as a sample

of the new spring-loaded frame closure bag style.

It measures approximately 14"w x 9"h x 4.5"d,

is fully lined,

and has 8 inner pockets,

plus,

it is embellished with a vintage button front & back.

My perfectionist side will not allow me to sell

this prototype in the shop,

but my practical side tells me it's a perfectly

useful bag that will serve someone well as a

knitting/crochet/project bag or handbag.

If you have any interest in giving 'her' a home,

please let me know in comments

and I will enter you in the giveaway~ international

readers are welcome to enter.

I promise to pop a couple little surprise gifts

in the bag as well.

Be sure you leave your email address

so I can notify the winner.

I will accept comments until Friday, 11/16/11

and will announce the winner sometime Saturday.

Best wishes to all,

Deb

12/17/11::Thank you so much, everyone, for taking part in the giveaway
and also for the kindest words, which are so very encouraging!
Comments are now closed, and I will be announcing
a winner this {Saturday} evening.
Best wishes :)

a table runner for the dining room

2011-12-08T16:04:00.000-05:00

A couple yards of burlap have been sitting on the

shelf waiting for just the right project.

So, when I saw this I knew that a table

runner for the dining room was just the thing.

It was very quick to put together

and inexpensive...and just in time for

some Christmas decorating

soon to take place...I hope.

on a Wednesday...

2011-12-07T14:24:00.000-05:00

For those who might just need a gift that

is both practical and pretty,

or maybe you would just like

to treat yourself...

some new clothespin bags have

been added to the

shop.

Much time has been spent at my sewing machine lately,

several more carpet bags are in the works...hopefully

to be finished soon,

and

I have made a new table runner

to show you next time.

Lots of knitting happening too,

for Christmas gifting.

But with all this creating

there has been no decorating done at all,

well, besides the little poinsettia on the table...have you

started decorating yet...or are you already done?

By the way, if you check out my sidebar under

Finding Inspiration,

I will be listing some links

for clever holiday crafts

and recipes...

Happy Advent ~ Week 2,

~Deb

I must have the nicest readers...

2011-12-06T16:17:00.000-05:00

In my last post I mentioned my attempt at making

a Christmas ~ Plum Pudding

for the very first time.

This is something I have had no experience

with or had ever tasted until last

year when my generous British friend sent some in

a Christmas package...and it was so

delicious I was inspired to try making my very own.

Not too sure of what I was doing,

many of you ladies pulled through

and answered my questions--and more.

I have learned that puddings::

in Australia, are put in calico and hung,
some are served flaming, some not,
they can be stored in a linen press, larder, or under the bed
butter can be used instead of suet,

and they are often served with:

brandy butter
hot buttery rum sauce
hard sauce
thick cream
custard

Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out!

I appreciate it greatly

and will be sure to keep you updated on the pud's progress :)

~Deb

a Christmas Pudding

2011-12-02T16:57:00.000-05:00

Once thing I really wanted to try making this year

was a Christmas pudding...I just didn't

realize that Stir Up Sunday

was the Sunday before Advent :)

So, a little late, I have put together

a Christmas pudding

to be enjoyed here on Christmas Eve.

Not knowing where to begin as far as

a recipe, I did a google search and ended

up choosing

The Best Traditional British Christmas Pudding Recipe.

Since this is my first try at the pudding,

I am wondering if 'store in a cool dry place'

means the refrigerator?

And, should I serve it flaming?...that scares me

a little...:)

Any expert Christmas pudding makers' advice

would be greatly appreciated!

a slipper pattern

2011-11-30T16:07:00.000-05:00

When I posted here about these simple slippers

I had crocheted,

a reader asked if I knew of any knitted

pattern for a something similar.

While browsing garnstudio.com for

Drops Design's latest collections,

I came across this pattern::

Very close, I think, so if you don't crochet

you might want to check it out.

While you are there,

you may want to wander through

their wonderful patterns~all absolutely free!

getting ready

2011-11-28T16:38:00.000-05:00

After planting a lot of spring bulbs this weekend:

allium
tulips ~ red & yellow
daffodils
narcissus

I grabbed a basket and gathered some pine boughs,

and took some clippings for my Advent candle arrangement.

As in past years, I used this old bread tin,

some floral oasis to hold the candles,

and tucked the pine in around them.

Every night we light the candle(s)at dinner

time ~ a tradition I have come to love.

For some wonderful Advent and Christmas craft and activity

ideas for children,

check out this link.

Deb

22 november 2011

2011-11-22T16:21:00.000-05:00

We woke up to a frosty morning today

and

going out for my walk warranted

some woolly layers:

wool sweaters,

wool socks,

handknit wool cowl,

and handknit wool gloves.

Everything in the field was covered

with glistening crystals of ice.

I hated to come in,

and yet,

the warmth of the woodstove was very welcome.

The rest of the day has been

a bit dismal,

but was perfectly spent sewing

some clothespin bags for the shop

while watching Elizabeth Gaskell's

North and South

via Netflix.

a couple thrifty ideas

2011-11-18T15:54:00.000-05:00

Crocheted facial cloths ~ washable & reusable

I used some organic cotton yarn

and found the pattern here

What a great idea!

And, if you would like to make your own

liquid hand soap,

and save a lot of money by doing so,

the recipe can be found here.

I'll be giving it a try this weekend.

Have a great weekend!

a simple cake & a simple slipper

2011-11-15T15:49:00.000-05:00

A bit of baking went on this weekend,

a habit I'm getting back into

as the fall weather keeps us inside more:

~zucchini muffins for breakfast this week

~these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies for snacks

and

~marie-helene's apple cake

{from Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours}

no mixer involved, just my old egg beater...

No picture of the finished product

as it was eaten very quickly with

a bit of whipped cream on top.

A simple cake that is just delicious!

The slippers are my most recent crochet project.

When I saw a picture of them online,

I couldn't resist purchasing the pattern.

They work up quickly using

two strands of worsted weight yarn

and a larger size hook.

I added a couple of vintage buttons

from my button tin.

On Ravelry here.

living with books

2011-11-11T16:13:00.000-05:00

"All that manind has done, thought, gained or been:

it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books."

Thomas Carlyle

It's hard to imagine a life or home

without books.

Over the years we've collected a few...

some new, but most from tag sales,

flea markets, and library sales.

This week I was thrilled to find

book plates, by one of my favorite artists,
each with a beautiful moth specimen.

I know what I'll be doing this weekend...

Hope your weekend is a good one,

and if you have a favorite book to recommend

please do leave a comment :)

this week...

2011-11-10T14:47:00.000-05:00

~after a string of warm sunny days

the milkweed pods have been bursting open

~white linen slipcovers have been replaced

with something more fall-like

~I just brought home these books from

the library:

Classic Knits: 15 Timeless Designs to Knit and Keep Forever (Erika Knight Collectibles)

We Sure Can!: How Jams and Pickles Are Reviving the Lure and Lore of Local Food

Good to the Grain: Baking with Whole-Grain Flours

Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours

I've read Classic Knits before, but not the rest, so I'll

have to let you know if the recipes are as fabulous

as they look.

~a couple new succulents: a jade plant and not sure about

the other?

~hanging pictures

~working on fingerless gloves from

The Knitter's Year: 52 Make-in-a-Week Projects-Quick Gifts and Seasonal Knits

using a favorite Knit Picks yarn: Wool of the Andes

Sport. The color, Tidepool Heather, is so pretty,

and a bit more green than it looks in my picture.
The edge of the cuff and fingers is done in a couple

rows of gray.

Hope your week is going well.

kitchen, by the early morning light

2011-11-03T14:09:00.000-05:00

With winter looming ahead,

I'm trying to soak up and savor

every last drop of sunshine.

on All Saints Day

2011-11-01T18:18:00.000-05:00

Enjoying:

my daily walks
homemade doughnuts using an old doughnut cutter and this recipe
tea in the sunroom
my new orchid

miss scarlett & friends

2011-10-28T15:44:00.000-05:00

Meet Miss Scarlett,

made from a vintage barkcloth curtain panel...

She has an old button front and back,

loads of inside pockets,

leather handles,

and a spring-loaded metal frame opening.

She has high hopes of becoming

a knitting/crochet/project bag,

or an overnight bag,

or maybe even a large handbag.

Though it will be hard to see her go

she's been listed in the firefly farm shop

along with a couple new clothespin bags...

Thanks for taking a look,

and hope you have a beautiful fall weekend!

a fall supper

2011-10-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

The weather has now turned wet and cold

with a chance even of some snow flakes.

Many of the trees are bare,

though some still hold on to their colorful

leaves, a branch of which I brought in from my

walk today to prop on the mantel.

The woodstove is now lit by late afternoon

to keep us cozy as darkness falls a bit

earlier each day.

A chicken {homegrown} has been simmering

in the pot this afternoon ~~

chicken & gravy over biscuits for dinner tonight,

with some butternut squash from our garden.

A perfect fall meal.

a gadget cover

2011-10-25T16:14:00.000-05:00

From

The Knitter's Year: 52 Make-in-a-Week Projects-Quick Gifts and Seasonal Knits

a 'gadget cover' I knit for my cell phone.

For those times when it gets tossed in

my purse,

this should give it some protection

and make it easy to find.

The pattern was designed for Blackberrys

or iPods and is a perfect project

to use up small amounts of scrap yarn.

More details on my Ravelry page

here.

A perfect sort of knitting project

for a stocking stuffer...Christmas

is exactly 2 months away~can you believe it?

...have you started making any gifts?

walking, reading, knitting, sewing...

2011-10-19T15:59:00.000-05:00

The last few days have been spent,

~enjoying as many walks & nature as possible

~finding some new books at the library:

Getting Started Knitting Socks (Getting Started series)

Vintage Modern Knits: Contemporary Designs Using Classic Techniques

10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters: A Guide to Holistic Knitting, Yarn, and Life

~and, indulging in the urge to knit that always strikes

this time of year

~starting on a Baktus and making a resolution

to dutifully record all knitting projects

in my little notebook from this time forward

~planning more drawstring pouches for firefly farm goods...

thank you to all who purchased a pouch last week!

Hope your week is off to a great start :)

knitting notes

2011-10-12T14:57:00.000-05:00

After a string of sunny Indian Summer days,

enjoying walks along the canal and through the woods,

washing windows outside,

harvesting what's left in the garden,

and enjoying an evening campfire making popcorn

and drinking hot cocoa,

today's rainy gray weather is a change of pace ~

perfect for a bit of knitting at teatime

and enjoying a pumpkin spice latte cupcake...

These cupcakes are wonderfully moist and good,

and keep perfectly in the fridge for several days...

I gave mine a cream cheese frosting as I didn't

have any heavy cream on hand.

The knitting is a bottom for a drawsting pouch,

several of which I hope to have in the shop

by the end of the week.

My first sock complete, I have not gotten too far on the

second. It's been on the back burner of late...

For years I have had a knitting needle case on my

          to do list ~ a project that I never ever got
           around to. Meanwhile I had to sift through
        a basket of needles to find what I needed ~ and
every time I would think that I really needed to get sewing
                       something for them.
         Then I saw this needle case and knew it was the
               perfect one...plain creamy colored

canvas and twill tape and some

number stamps...everything I already had

on hand.

Once I got started it didn't take long to make,

and now all my straight needles are organized.

You can find the tutorial here.

~Deb

a fall wednesday

2011-10-05T15:44:00.000-05:00

Everyday, I'm enjoying my walks and savoring

these golden days of fall.

In the mornings the grass is damp and the

dew glistens in the sunshine.

In the evening, a foggy mist settles over the

field as the sun sets.

Inside, I'm trying to bring a bit of

fall's beauty...but I really can't come

close.

{Finally, a use for all those acorns that

have come home in my pockets after many

a fall walk.}

The weather forecast is for lots of sunshine

and warmth through the weekend ~ hope you will

be enjoying the same!

random notes

2011-10-03T18:51:00.000-05:00

Some recent cool rainy days have been

perfect for sewing drawstring pouches.

We lit the first fire of the season

in the woodstove on Sunday

and it was quite cozy.

I pulled out a sweater I started

last year and, determined

to get it finished for this winter,

I sat and did some knitting.

Now that we're indoors more,

I've noticed some Fall Cleaning is in order,

...I found the "Mother of All" Fall Cleaning

Checklists here or check out the

'finding inspiration' links on my sidebar.

~Deb

home sweet home

2011-09-30T15:34:00.000-05:00

As much as I hate to see a vacation end,

it's always a good feeling

to return home again...

...to wipe the shimmering dew from the clothesline

and hang some laundry in the early morning sunshine,

...to check on the flower gardens and see what's

in bloom,

...to happily note that the pitiful little

pear tree is covered with pears this year,

...to admire a fresh coat of paint on the henhouse,

...to make sure the chickens are all doing well

and to see if they've begun laying again,

so I can stop

buying store bought eggs

{no such luck}.

...and to enjoy an early morning walk

with my pal Marley.

~Deb

postcards from Chattanooga, Tennessee

2011-09-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

Some highlights of my visit to Chattanooga, TN...

~ fabulous antique shopping

~ a visit to the Chattanooga Choo Choo

~ the Terminal Station is beautifully restored

~ a ride on the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain

{ Talk about STEEP!...I don't even like heights, but I still enjoyed this...the

grade here at the top is 72.7% {scary!} but the

view is breathtaking. }

~ a walking tour of downtown Chattanooga

~ a beautiful place for sure... and, we found a little cafe

with outdoor seating and amazing chocolate eclairs,

a perfect ending to our day.

~Deb

while I'm away

2011-09-14T06:00:00.004-05:00

Granola and yogurt have been made,

there's a pear cake in the fridge,

tomatoes and pears have been dehydrated,

the bathrooms are all cleaned

and bed sheets are changed,

the garden has been picked,

the henhouse cleaned,

and the freezer is full

for my family left behind.

I'm headed to Georgia and Tennessee

to spend time with my sisters, aunts, cousins,

and mother ~ sure to be much fun!

Although I'm gone, I'll be guest posting over at

Victoriana Quilt Designs today,

where you'll find the pattern for the dishcloth

pictured above.

Just click on the button below

to pop on over.

Have a great week!!

~ Deb

handwork while you wait

2011-09-12T06:36:00.001-05:00

I did it--I've finished a sock!!

I had to rip out a couple times and

wasn't sure I was going to make it through--

when it came time to shape the gussets,

I didn't arrange the stitches properly

on the needles...knitted awhile and realized

something was very wrong.

I ripped out and read the instructions

over & over til they finally sunk in,

and then it made perfect sense.

Then I cruised along, but upon finishing

the toe, I found the sock was too short...ripped

out again and easily corrected that.

I've cast on for the second and am thinking

it may be a good 'take along' project to pack this week

for my flight to Atlanta--I must have

something to keep my hands {and mind} busy on the plane,

{I'm not really fond of flying}.

Speaking of 'take along' projects,

I hope you will check out Handwork While You Wait Week

at Benita's website ~ Victoriana Quilt Designs.

Each day will feature a guest post encouraging taking along handwork with you, for those times you have to wait.

Plus, Benita will also be giving away a prize ~

a FQ Sampler from Connecting Threads 'Bit's & Bobbins' fabric, plus Yo-Yo Maker, Embroidery Angle Scissor and a Spring Design Tape Measure! The fun starts today...

just click on the button below

to check it out.

Thanks!!

~Deb

swedish visiting cake...apple version

2011-09-07T13:12:00.000-05:00

One morning last week I needed something

to have with tea--preferably quick & simple--and

I remembered a recipe I have tried before,

Swedish Apple Cake, a variation of the

Swedish Visiting Cake.

The name itself, a 'visiting cake'

just conjures up an image of a

cozy gathering of friends enjoying tea or coffee

and cake fresh from the oven.

The ingredient list is short--basic

staples that are sure to be found in most kitchens,

and the recipe comes together in about 10 minutes.

This cake is so good, you would never

guess it is so simple to make--no mixer needed

and just a bowl and some spoons to wash up.

Best of all, it bakes up in a cast-iron skillet...

perfectly rustic.

I found the recipe for the Swedish Apple Cake here,

and found the Swedish Visiting Cake recipe, here.

Enjoy!

~Deb

canning day

2011-09-01T15:39:00.000-05:00

The new Aracauna and Black Australorp hens,

who have been free-ranging for some time,

have suddenly discovered the tomatoes in the garden...

half-eaten remains were still hanging on the

vines when I went out early this morning.

Since our tomato crop is pretty meager this

year, I was especially unhappy!...needless

to say they will be relocating to the confines

of the henhouse and the enclosed chicken yard

until the garden is officially done.

I did my first cannerful of tomatoes today,

but only had enough for 4 quarts...if I

can get 30 more, I would be happy :)...and

a few for dried tomatoes in olive oil

would be really nice.

The cherry tomatoes {in my newly acquired 50-cent

yard sale wire basket}

are abundant and wonderfully sweet...

wondering if they would make a good marinara sauce?

~Deb

a footstool makeover

2011-08-30T15:54:00.000-05:00

This little footstool started out with a

dingy brown velvet covering which

it was wearing when I bought it.

I was in my needlepoint phase,

{yes, that is mismatched green wool you see}

and one of my first projects was

to staple this finished piece

to the footstool...

A couple years ago, I crocheted a cover

for the footstool,

which just slipped right over the needlepoint...

Lately I've felt ready for a change and

a little less color, so

I removed the crocheted cover and the needlepoint,

took a coffee sack--which I would usually

sew into a tote bag--and cut out a cover

for my stool...

The burlap coffee sack was stapled to the underside,

and then I used black upholstery tacks to attach

some wonderful jute braid that I found at Walmart.

I should finish the underside off with a black

fabric dust cover, but haven't gotten to that yet...

It presently sits right next to my cubbie unit,

handy for whenever I need to reach something up high...

~Deb

this summer's garden

2011-08-26T15:40:00.000-05:00

A May that was all rain, and a June

that had virtually no rain made

for some difficult gardening,

...string beans planted twice that never came up

...ears of corn that never filled out

...and a poor crop of broccoli

But, some things did really well,

...zinnias, sunflowers, black-eyed susans, and

morning glories are plentiful--the morning

glories are covering the fence on

the east side of the henhouse and have

found their way inside, where they are

blooming above the nesting boxes--sadly

it has not improved the number of eggs I'm

collecting.

...there are tons of cherry tomatoes,

which I eat for lunch and put into tomato,

basil, & mozzarella salads.

...there are plenty of eggplant--some I am

dehydrating {first time trying this},

and some went into penne alla Norma--excellent!

...lots of zucchini for freezing and being

baked into my favorite chocolate courgette

muffins.

...several different peppers, onions, and collard greens

have done well,

and butternut squash, lumina pumpkins, and one

lonely watermelon are coming along.

...the cucumbers vines are starting to shrivel.

In between gardening chores,

I started a quick upholstery project...

...be back with the results.

~Deb

new bags for fall

2011-08-23T15:21:00.000-05:00

So happy to finally have my sewing machine

back from being repaired,

I've been stitching up a storm...here are

a few bags in the fall shop line-up...

{ Beacon feed sack tote }

{ Washburn's Gold Medal tote }

{ Washburn Crosby tote }

{ upcycled military tote }

{ upcycled military shoulder bag }

Thanks for taking a look!

~Deb

Lately....

2011-08-16T14:19:00.000-05:00

...we've been enjoying lots of cucumbers

from the garden...especially good with some humus!

...still picking and freezing blueberries,

though they are finally reaching the end,

I think.

...I started a new knitting project,

Elizabeth Zimmerman's 'Woodsman's Thick Socks'.

I'm using Paton's Classic Wool in dark gray marble.

My first and last pair of socks never made it past

the first heel...I'm hoping these go much

better...maybe they will even get finished

before the snow flies!

...it's peach season and Red Haven's

are my favorite...we came home with an 8-quart

basket last weekend and there will be a

pie before the week is out.

Hope your week is fruitful!

~Deb

randomness

2011-08-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Wondering why I don't bring flowers inside more often.
These are from a few weeks ago...

With the turning of the calendar page

to August,

the weather has already begun to change.

We've had some much needed rain,

and the grass is beginning to grow again.

The mornings are cool now

when I head out for my daily hour

of weeding in the vegetable and flower gardens.

We've found ourselves reaching for an

extra blanket at night.

And, Canadian geese have been passing

overhead, on their way South already?...time

to savor the remaining golden days of summer.

I happened upon this little visitor the other

day...

~Deb

blackberry biscuits

2011-08-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

The wild blackberries are plentiful this year,

and I've been picking for a couple weeks,

freezing and dehydrating them.

The other day I found a recipe I'd saved

from Country Home magazine Jul/Aug 2005

for marionberry biscuits...marionberries

are the most cultivated blackberry in the world,

apparently, and prized for their flavor.

My berries are average wild blackberries,

but still tasty.

If you don't have this issue kicking around,

just try your favorite buttermilk biscuit recipe,

{add a little extra sugar--I used 1/4 cup}

and roll out about a half inch thick.

Cut out bottom circles a little smaller than

the top circles--an equal number of each.

Load the bottom biscuit with plenty of berries,

the more the better,

and top with a larger biscuit circle.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 30 minutes.

Glaze with a mix of buttermilk, powdered sugar,

and vanilla,

and top with a fresh blackberry.

These are great eaten warm from the oven!

And, if you're picking wild berries,

watch out for poison ivy/oak/sumac--

I didn't realize I was walking right through

every time I picked :(

~Deb

reading

2011-08-02T19:35:00.000-05:00

The library is one of my favorite places!

On my last visit I found three books of interest,

and while I sit here on the glider,

watching the sun set on a busy day,

I will share them with you.

1)The Knitter's Year by Debbie Bliss...

...with lots of lovely projects to last the whole year through,

like the pretty pot covers above,

and these fingerless gloves,

which I can't wait to make...

2) Rediscovered Treasures

This book is full of ideas to reuse old objects,

one of my favorite things to do :)

3) Natural Watercolour:Painting From Nature Made Easy

If I could learn to do the simplest of watercolor painting,

I would be happy.

I am hoping this book can help me do it...

I found a small watercolor set on clearance

at Michael's for $7 marked down from $26--perfect!

My first painting was done on our last visit to

the lake--not great, but it's a start...

~Deb

blueberry season

2011-08-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

There's been a lot of blueberry picking going on

for the last couple weeks.

Our blueberry bushes are quite loaded with

berries this year, though the Japanese beetles

have taken a toll on a fair amount of them.

Most of the blueberries are being frozen,

some dehydrated for scones or granola,

and some have found their way into a pie,

some smoothies,

or blueberry buckle.

When I don't feel like heading out to pick ~again~

I think of how good they will taste mid-winter.

It's an extra special tea time

that's enjoyed outside, with a piece

of fresh blueberry pie

and some new library books

to look through...

I'll be back with a peek at the

books I found.

~Deb

simple pleasures...

2011-07-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

* a row of tea tins as planters

* a humble rag rug at the back door

* delicate old fashioned favorite, love-in-a-mist

* a bee who made an entrance just as

I hit the button...

Deb

fresh from the garden

2011-07-22T13:15:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy time in the kitchen lately,

and with fresh pickling cucumbers from the garden this week,

I decided to make some refrigerator pickles...

I brought these straight in from the

garden to the cutting board within minutes...

I used a combination of this recipe, which I

used last year, and this recipe,

which I hadn't tried before.

I did cut back the sugar a little.

Instead of jars, I'm trying them in some of

my old refrigerator glass containers.

I love picking these up cheaply from yard

sales and using them for food storage

rather than plastic.

Hope you're staying cool--the heat index

was over 100 F here yesterday,

and I was melting--very hot for us

northerners, but just what we look

forward to after a long cold winter!

Deb

a perfect evening

2011-07-19T10:59:00.000-05:00

What better way to spend an evening

than at the lake

with three of my favorite people...

{I know...he looks like a golden

retriever, but truly, he thinks

he's a human}

...supervising our first-time

triathlete-in-training...

...and some stick-fetching training

as well...

...while I sat, walked, and soaked it all up.

Some of us didn't want to leave.

Deb

raising chickens

2011-07-14T15:37:00.000-05:00

Karen asked recently if I had any advice

on raising chickens,

so I thought I would mention

it here, rather than just in comments.

Raising chickens {10+years}

is still a learning process for me,

and we've certainly made some mistakes

along the way.
I started out by reading up on the subject,

and Ashley English now has a nice

book out called

Homemade Living: Keeping Chickens with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Care for a Happy, Healthy Flock

which might be a good place to start.

I've been ordering my chicks from Murray McMurray Hatchery

from the beginning. Great company to deal with,

and I have always had great luck with their birds.

They supply you with good instructions for getting

your baby chicks started.

We began with Rhode Island Reds,

but soon branched out to other breeds.

These are my favorite layers:

Araucana/Americana

Black Australorps

Partridge Rocks

Buff Orpingtons

Speckled Sussex

Buff Brahmas

My Araucana's are my best layers,

and their colored eggs are lovely.

Picking a breed suited to your climate is a good

idea too--the catalog recommends certain breeds

that are good winter layers for those of us in

colder climates.

I think keeping our hen house very clean,

and providing fresh water daily

are two important factors for healthy hens.

The biggest trial we have had with our chickens,

has been dealing with foxes--we lost many

of our hens in the beginning.

We did not make the fence surrounding the chicken

yard high enough, and they were able to fly out.

Many an evening we would have to herd

them back in through the gate,

and not all would cooperate.

Somehow it was much harder for them to figure

out how to fly back in,

and by morning there would be a pile of

feathers left in the yard.

We have since extended the height to about 6 ft.

and it keeps them in.

The fox has also dug under the fence,

so it is important to bury part of the fencing

below ground level.

I hope this helps a little bit Karen,

~Deb

at the lake

2011-07-12T15:13:00.000-05:00

One beautiful day last week, we packed some

chocolate courgette muffins,

a thermos of tea,

and our bikes

into the truck and headed to the lake.

As we unloaded our bikes

and goodies, I dropped the thermos of tea

and the glass inside smashed into a

hundred pieces--graceful I'm not.

Once we got to the beach,

it was impossible to be sad,

and, the muffins were enjoyed, while sitting

on some drift wood, along

with the view.

I found some sea glass

and two more heart stones for the

collection.

I've added a pair of sea glass earrings

to my crafty to-do list...

wire-wrapped or not?

~Deb

chickens...

2011-07-09T11:42:00.000-05:00

This past week has been one of our

stay-at-home work/play vacations.

It started last weekend with a trip

to farm country to deliver our 12 meat birds

to be butchered.

The scenery is always a treat,

and it was a gorgeous day...
{well, depending upon whom you asked.}

My new laying hens arrived recently

and have taken up residence in the vacated barn

stall...

The Silkie bantams are loving their free-ranging

lifestyle and have done no damage to the garden!

They are extremely well mannered, calm and

gentle--not sure if it's because they are bantams

or if it's just the breed.

We can even pick them up without

a fuss.

~ Deb

waiting PATIENTLY!

2011-06-28T15:27:00.000-05:00

Desperation is setting in--my sewing machine

went in for a minor repair on May 26th

and I still do not have it back.

The part needed was not even ordered until

weeks after I dropped the machine off...

I have been very polite on the several

occasions I've called them,

but secretly I did feel like screaming...I must

work on patience...:)

Thank goodness I have been loaned a

sewing machine, which is getting me by

for the lightweight projects ~ drawstring

pouches and some clothespin bags are in the works.

On a happy note, the workroom has a

lovely 'new' wastebasket, found

at a barn sale for a dollar...

I suspect the farmer had been keeping

tools/parts{?} in it,

but it cleaned up nicely.

{ Did you know that homemakers of old

would wax the inside of the wastebasket

to keep things from sticking and help it

to be easily emptied out? }

~Deb

making homemade whipped cream

2011-06-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

My favorite whipped cream is homemade.

Although there is usually an emergency can of Redi Whip

in the fridge,

if I know I'll be wanting whipped cream

for something, I make sure I pick up

a little carton of heavy cream

{with no additives, preferred}

from the store.

I was excited to try out my new

flea-market-found

Speed E Whipper

recently

and see how it would work.

After pouring a half pint

of heavy cream into the glass container...

...I added a tablespoon of vanilla sugar.

{Just add a split vanilla bean or two to

a jar of sugar, cover, and give some time

to flavor.}

With the plunger inserted and the top secured,

I pumped the handle up and down

and had perfect whipped cream in no time.

My favorite new kitchen tool!

~Deb

more June flowers

2011-06-22T12:56:00.000-05:00

Trying to find a home for a bouquet

of peonies and lady's mantle~

always a favorite combination!

Deb

there was a bit of excitement here...

2011-06-21T12:49:00.000-05:00

...Sunday, in the wee hours of the morning,

5 am to be exact,

and it involved these two.

Don't let their innocent looks

fool you...

Apparently for some time they've been

hatching a plot,

biding their time,

waiting for the clip that secures

their stall latch to be forgotten

by their girl as she tucks them in for

the night...

It's not good to wake up at 5 am to the sound

of a gallop past one's bedroom.

I ran to the window just in time to see

a very bad little donkey race back past as fast as

his stumpy little legs would carry him.

I ran to the other window,

and saw Miss Jessica in the back yard

galloping in circles for joy.
It was barely light yet,

but I saw the two of them disappear together.

A look out the front window proved our

worst fears,

there they were, traisping around the

new neighbors' yard and barn.

Won't they be glad to have us as neighbors...

The culprits were soon apprehended ~ some

grain in a bucket was too much to resist ~

and returned by the early morning light...

...waiting no doubt for their next opportunity.

And that, dear people, is about as exciting as it

gets around here!

~Deb

this week...

2011-06-16T13:47:00.000-05:00

::hoping the birdhouse gourds, grown last year,

soon become occupied...

::picking the first of the strawberries;

there are not a lot, and they are small,

but the flavor is most delicious this year...

::enjoying meals outside with a view...

::feeling relieved that the soil finally

dried out enough to plant the vegetable gardens

this past weekend...

::hoping the now-grown Silkies will not wreak

too much destruction...

~Deb

there's a lot to love about June

2011-06-13T11:35:00.000-05:00

...especially out and about in the garden:

I love the combination here...

{johnny jump-ups & dusty miller}

{roses, peonies, and catmint}

{clematis}

{lovely lamb's ears}

{foxglove & another clematis}

{lupines}

{more roses}

{a bucket of nasturtiums on their way

in front of the henhouse}

Still lots of weeding to get done it seems;

if you have a method to keep up with it all,

please share :)

Deb

my new old door

2011-06-07T20:19:00.000-05:00

It's always fun to repurpose an old door

or window. I have made old windows into mirrors

and bulletin boards and have hung the unique ones

just for decoration.

Two salvaged doors like the one below have become

entrances to our barn and henhouse.

This one, found some time ago, was in

exceptional condition, but at first I wasn't sure

exactly where it was to end up...

then I saw that it would be the perfect replacement

for the solid wood door between the front hall

and laundry room. Both spaces were short on natural

light, so this door is perfect ~ both areas

seem a bit brighter now...

{paint color ~ Ralph Lauren's bone black in satin}

a coffee sack tote for the shop

2011-06-01T16:10:00.000-05:00

With a half dozen or more bags in progress,

my sewing machine broke.

I am miserable without it,

but

luckily this bag was completed before

disaster struck.

It's in the shop

if you're interested.

A huge thank you to all who are patiently

waiting,

~Deb

the annual Memorial Day flea market trip

2011-05-31T14:56:00.000-05:00

My treasures from the Memorial Day flea market:

black metal box
gray enamel ware bowl
small white pitcher
old, world globe bank
'made in Poland' basket with handles {only $3}
beautiful aqua mason jar with metal lid
3 feed sacks
a short stack of vintage embroidered linens
1950's Speed-E-Whipper manual creamer...

...I used to have a new plastic version of the whipper--I loved it for making fresh whipped cream, but one day the plastic broke. I was so happy to find this 50's glass/metal version!

Hope your weekend was wonderful!

~Deb

school desk makeover

2011-05-24T15:54:00.000-05:00

This poor old school desk has sat on our

back porch for years, and was really

looking shabby and seriously neglected.

Any former finish was gone,

so this past weekend I decided to get

out some paint and see what I could do.

This piece was handed down to us from
Mike's family and his parents, aunts/uncles,
siblings, and nephews names were all
carved into the top...

After a good sanding down and cleaning,

I applied two coats of Behr's french gray blue

in eggshell.

The next day, I distressed it with the

sander, then waxed it with a brownish wax

to age it.

And, the brownish wax filled in the

carvings so they are still visible...

~Deb

take some time to smell the lilacs

2011-05-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

Loving the scent of lilacs scattered

throughout the house.

~Deb

in between raindrops

2011-05-22T12:57:00.000-05:00

The rain stopped long enough one day

for me to get out to the gardens with

my clippers & camera.

Lady's Mantle is always bejewelled

after a rain!

Best of all, the lilac bush that didn't

flower last year has made up for it this,

it is just covered with blossoms.

Probably my most favorite scent {well, that

and lily of the valleys} in the whole garden.

Yesterday was warm and sunny, and we

crammed in as much gardening, lawn mowing, biking,

grilling, and sitting on the glider

as possible.

Today it's back to rain as usual.

Hope your weekend is sunny!

~Deb

making the best of rainy days

2011-05-19T15:08:00.000-05:00

The sunshine did not last long--only enough for

us to desperately catch up on the lawn mowing and weeding

and to think perhaps summer had arrived.

But just as well, the gloomy days have forced

me to keep at the sewing machine and

work on some more recycled coffee sack

and military duffel totes for the shop.

{Old glass insulators and sad irons work

great for holding fabric in place, by the way :)

And, here and there, I've fit in a tiny

bit of crocheting of granny squares...

The best part is seeing it

all come together.

~Deb