Winter Canning

Venison in the freezer, Venison on the shelf. The guys have been dressing out a few deer. Mr. Fix~it hunts for 3-4 households. His cousin Mike ( more like a brother, remember the guy who drove through my garden? Yes him, We love him anyway) hunts also but has no freezer space. So together they hunt for various homes…Ours, a bit for Mr. Fix~It’s parents & 2 of our daughters Erika & Danielle. Until recently the majority had to fit in our freezer…which was fine when the girls lived at home.

But when they have moved out and Erika’s family expanded, so did the need expand. As you might have guessed we do have 2 deep freezers but, even they can only hold so much. So canning some of the stew and soup meat has saved a surprising amount of space. Especially since there are 3-4 more weeks left in the season

Also has the side benefit of warming the house.

I have to say I was hesitant at first but it’s great! Especially when I forget to thaw meat for supper. Just open a jar of meat, toss in some veggies, make some dinner rolls and Suppers Ready !

Technorati Tags: Winter Canning,hunting season,venison

Home Made Bread Anyone? Check one off the list!

In the past I’ve made mention I’m a list maker.  I have monthly, weekly & daily To~Do Lists.  I have lists for summer and all the projects to accomplish, I have knitting lists, sewing lists, gardening lists….And a ‘”Skills I want to learn list.”

I’ve been whittling away on all the lists but, these past few weeks I’ve focused on a few from the skills list. We’ve always been “from scratch cooks but one thing I’ve never been able to master is

Bread…Home made…fresh baked…

hot from the oven

bottom spreading bread.

Thanks to (or I should say it’s her fault…the bottom spreading that is!) Debbie from “ Our Old Homestead” I’ve got it down. 

I should have worked on this in the summer when I was more active because you can’t have bottom spreading bread with out fresh butter.  Rhonda from the Down~to~Earth Blog has the easiest butter tutorial I’ve ever seen or tried. 

It works, it’s goooood & I want some

right now!

So come summer, if none of my summer clothes fit, I know who to blame.  Because who can turn away from the aromatic lure of fresh, warm, bread!

What skills are you working on?

Technorati Tags: bread,homemade,skills

Toothless & Knitting!

The Boy needs to learn a new song…

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth! The lisp started on the second day. The twisted Grandma I am, I love watching him try & eat an apple.

I’d love to show a photo of Miss Evie…but that child has not stopped since she started walking! I have to try and get a video of her. NONE of mine walked this early but, I just know it comes from our gene pool!

And, I can say that with total confidence as I don’t think her Daddy even knows I have a blog

Its been a crazy past 2 weeks but I have been knitting. These photo’s are terrible as nothing is blocked but here you go!

Green and teal heather stripes. The green has the same teal threads. I love how Cascade heathers match perfectly!

Rainbow stripes

The last of them so far….

HEY SANTA!

I can just see some little one with Elf ears wearing these!

All listed on Etsy!

Mr. Fix~It has been hunting….So I’ve had lots of free time to knit.

Am I the only one who is waaaay behind on Christmas gifts?

Please tell me I’m not alone!

Technorati Tags: Katidids,Etsy,Longies,Isaiah,Evie

We’ve Got HAIR!

I’m sure you realize I’m a bit excited for her!

Rachel’s been keeping a bit of a weekly photo diary of her hair growth. This is the 4th in the set.

About 1 month of hair growth! YEAH!

Its interesting how some areas are filling in faster than others.

The spot behind her ear resembles a hair bow. Which is ironic because as a child she would pull out any ribbons or bows as fast as I put them on. Kind of like God saying..can’t pull this one off!

I’m way behind on posting and will catch up soon, we’ve had a lot going on.

Technorati Tags: family,chemo,hair growth

Just Been Knitting

This has to be one of the cutest sets I’ve ever made. Remember the custom Longies with Sheepy Time Knits color way “Sean” that the mom paired with the earth shirt?

She decided she needed a hat and booties to complete the set

The photo’s are rough but…

Washed and drying for tomorrows mail! Mom said she will send pics with baby bean in the outfit once he’s born.

Scrap shorties for summer stock

And rainbow longies on Brown Sheep wool.

Love the colors on these. Just need to complete the cuffs. I hope to have these listed in Etsy tomorrow.

Also another custom hat for Ciara’s little guy

And a few pairs of booties for Evie.

What’s on your needles?

Technorati Tags: Longies,custom knits,knitting,shorties,Etsy

Reader Homemade Projects Take 2!

Our Paige is a busy girl.  She sent a photo of a holiday top she has embellished for another gift!

She started with a nice red turtleneck..

Great Christmas color

A beautiful appliqué

A bit more time at the Ironing board…

And Grandma has a brand new party top!

Appliqués are a great way to dress up a garment or, cover-spots on hand me down kids clothes. 

Another way to make good use of these is for shopping bags.  If I have to purchase the darn bags, I’m sure not advertising for them.  Besides the Kroger folks are not very happy when I come in with my Meijer bags & I like to use them for more than groceries. Like the library & farmers market.  So, a quick & easy fix is to iron a appliqué on the front to cover up the offending logo. 

Paige has another project in the works & here’s a sneak peek!

A gift in the works for her father in law

Can’t wait to see the finished project!

Technorati Tags: handmade christmas,home made,Christmas gifts,frugal christmas gifts,appliques

Readers Handmade Christmas

Paige of Notes From the Backyard Gang,  sent photo’s of her Handmade Christmas gifts.  She has some wonderful creative ideas for family.  It seams her sister’s love ball caps but, have a difficult time finding feminine hats that fit.  Paige, being the creative genius that she is solved that problem! 

Since her family would see them on her blog she’s allowing me to share her creativity to possibly spark some ideas for others

She found some plain caps in colors appropriate for each 

Appliqué's to coordinate

A bit of time with the iron

And now has gifts

personalized by color and design

for each sister

For just about $10.00 Each!

How creative is that!

 

I just want to ask…Paige, may I be your blogging sister!?!?

Technorati Tags: handmade christmas,embellished ball caps

Computer issues! YUCK!

So I have Vista on this computer. Everything was fin….. Now, all of a sudden I’m not able to log in to normal sites like Ravelry!   I’m getting little boxes  that say things like Allow this site to leave a cookie?  Do they want milk with that?  Pie?  Fries?  Now programs are being blocked….I’m ready to drop kick this thing out the door!

Technorati Tags: Vista computer issues

Painting AGAIN!

But this time for a different daughter. Danielle our oldest has moved to a different rental. She has lived “in town” for a year or so and couldn’t take neighbors and noise any more. She had a sweetheart next door that was a woman with adult children & grandchildren living with her. If the children ventured outside they were called back in by grandma with kind words to the affect of “get your a$$ back in the da&#&#&m house” When we were moving her in, we introduced ourselves and she just looked at us and walked back inside…yanking the kids along. Have I made mention Dani is a counselor in a residential facility for abused children?

Abused children have a look. When you see it, you just know.

Not a friendly family and it did not get any better.

Lets just say she had a few numbers on speed dial.

Growing up with the closest neighbor a field away, you get used to the space, the quiet & privacy. One day she called me and said
”Mom, kids are walking in my front yard!” Turns out they were just playing, a ball would go in her yard and they would go after it. Not hurting a thing….she’s just used to her space. So, to avoid being the cranky lady who fusses at little kids…she moved! Partly for a larger yard. She wants to garden and she only had room for a few tomato’s. Now, she’s on a couple of acres with room for a HUGE garden. Room for her dogs to run & play, a garage….and free reign to make any changes to the property she wants. Johanna, one of my best friends owns the house. Her instructions were very clear “ you can do any thing you want to the place”. And she means it! Did I mention its an old house? after scraping about 20 layers of wall paper we painted. It’s the old style kitchen with the original glass front cabinets, flour bin, ironing board cabinet that has been converted to a spice cabinet. It’s old enough the bath & laundry room were an addition to the original house! Before she moved in Jo remodeled the bathroom, put in new kitchen floor & water heater.

She has a few unwanted house mates though……

Cave Crickets

his guys about palm sized

This photo was taken after she beat it with a broom about 4 times.

Had no affect what so ever.

She may be rethinking the move!

Technorati Tags: danielle,moving

RETARDED GRANDPARENTS

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school.
One child wrote the following:
We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa.
They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Arizona.
Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass.  They ride around on their bicycles and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore.
They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now. They do exercises there, but they don't do them very well.
There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with hats on.
At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it.  He watches all day so nobody can escape.
Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts.
Nobody there cooks, they just eat out.  And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds.
Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house.  The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck.
My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too..
When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house.  Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren.
.... PRICELESS

Longies Hot off the needles

I’ve been having so many requests for small Longies I decided to do up a batch to have for stock & have a bit of stash busting at the same time!

“Purewool in Blues”

Brick Red with Cream

The same in Green, both ready to be embellished or used as is.

Silly Christmas stripes in Medium

And mid-weight Mediums

All listed in the Etsy store & Yes, My fingers are a bit tired!

Technorati Tags: longies Custom Knits,wool,Katidids,knitting,stashbusting

Parenting not Baby-sitting!

FIRST THING this morning watching the news, there was a special interview with a Father of 7. The female news reporter said, To give the homeschooling Mom a break, he “BABYSAT HIS CHILDREN,  being a heroic & miraculous  Father by taking all 7 camping for the weekend BY HIMSELF!!! 

OK, that was written the beginning of the week but it still ticks me off. The family was caught in a freak snow storm and did very well due to the fathers smart thinking ….but  he was considered heroic because he “babysat” his children for the weekend !  BABY SIT????   Um, is that not called parenting!?!? 

What a thoughtful husband and father providing a break for the mom & good time for the children.  I thought it was great, something Mr.~Fix It would have done

Sorry for all the exclamation points but, it irritates the dickens out of me when I hear a father say he’s baby sitting his own children.  Like they are some one else’s.  It makes fathers sound stupid & selfish.   There is enough disrespect to parents with out input from the newscasters.  There were many TV programs touted as “family programs” we did not allow our children to watch as they referred to the Mom as clueless and the Dad as stupid or the kids would mock the parents & tell them to shut up. 

Call me old fashioned but how about a few programs where parents not children run the home, show’s dealing with everyday families issues.  Parents who say no to the children, Fathers who are portrayed as anything other than bumbling idiots!

Oh, That’s right, they were taken off the air!

5:30 am is to early to blog

More Customs, WIP’s & Pay-It-Forward

I picked this up from Mel’s Backyard & if you’ve never visited with her before, you should because your missing out!

OK, Here’s the deal

I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people who comment on this post. I have 365 days to do it in. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!

The catch is that you must participate as well: you must have a blog and before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Just cut and paste this one if you like, which I did. *Change the From "here" link above to now link to my blog on your new post. You can email me via the link above your name and address, just let me know its Pay-It-forward!

I’ve seen these around the net before & those that have participated have had a lot of fun. Just a fun little something appropriate for the person your gifting!

I’m still not moving fast but I’m moving. Getting a lot of knitting time though so that is a positive thing!

Right now on the needles I have a infant aviator hat & a pair of medium longies for stock. No photos yet But they are coming along.

I’m also working on a pair of small longies using “Purewool”

Wonderfully soft, just like cotton balls. Perfect for newborns tender skin

I’ve also started some Christmas Longies in Medium. I’ve had a few asking for red and green stripes so, these will find a home soon.

And I completed the Custom using the Sheepy Time Knits color way Sean. The longies and this little T’ will be his coming home outfit!

How cute is that! Thanks Amanda for sharing the photo!

Technorati Tags: WIP'S,Longies Custom Knits,Pay-It-Forward,customer photos

Customs, Completed & In the Works

Have I told you I’m in love with this yarn?  Will someone in my family PLEASE have another baby? There was enough leftover to make a Stocking Hat & Booties.  I’m sure hoping Mama sends me photos of her little one wearing these..HINT HINT!!!!

Also in the works are a pair of small longies for a baby bean yet to be born.

These are a custom pair using a Sheepy Time Knits color way “Sean Stripes”.  Super soft Merino, and again Mandie produces pure, clear & vibrant colors.  I love her work she is so consistent its easy to recommend her products!

I hope to have these ready for the mail tomorrow.

It’s been a slow week for me.  I’ve had a headache for about 2 weeks that I could not shake loose of & in fact kept getting worse spreading pain to my jaw, neck and temple.  Well, I drove the older Mazda we have and the muffler just happens to be falling off….any way the vibration & noise about put me thru the roof! I caved and went to the Immediate Care Center & found out I have a mega ear infection!  He said it’s been there for quite some time.    My eustation  (SP?) tubes are blocked and there is scaring….so were talking months.  Yet I had no problem flying.  Guess Larry is right, I really am hard headed!  The best thing is the antibiotics were free at Meijer & the pain meds were only $2.50!  He wrote me a script for Vicadin & I gave it back.  I’m 5’9 but, I so rarely take any meds that if I even licked that stuff I would be on the floor.  As it was 1/4 of a Tylenol 3 let me sleep 1/2 the night.

So, that’s my week and why its been so quiet here…Now, how have you been!

Technorati Tags: Custom Knits,Longies Custom Knits,Sheepy Time Knits

Serious Yarn Lust

I’m working on a pair of custom longies & experiencing some serious yarn LUST!  The colors,  the feel…oh, the feel.   Just so soft an yummy!  The yarn they sent is by Punta Yarns, Merisoft hand painted 100% Merino single ply.  I’m in love.  The customer also sent a beautiful deep Wine to coordinate.

No pooling of color, just beautiful.  I almost hate to finish them

Last night I completed a pair of small longies

Greens, deep Wine, Cream & Rose.Love this color combo!

Posted to the Etsy shop this afternoon.

I got a call from Erika today, Miss Evie stood up in the middle of her living room and took 7 steps before she sat on her rump. Stood right back up and took a few more.

At 9 months, I think Miss Evelyn is taking active to a whole new level!

Technorati Tags: Evelyn,Etsy,Longies Custom Knits