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Recycled sweater into baby cap

I finally had time today to work on something that I've had waiting on me for the last several months.  I had purchased a gray wool sweater.  I had already felted it in preparation for these projects.

I knew for sure that I wanted to make myself a cap out of it and I would see what else I could do. 

I managed to also get some hand/arm warmers from it.  I simplyl cut off the arms of the sweater to about the length that I wanted and cut a slit in the seam side of the piece.  I don't have to worry about raveling since it has been felted.

Then there was also a smaller piece that I kept looking at and thought it would be just the right size for a newborn cap.  Then looking through my scrap bag I found just the right size of pink wool that I trimmed it out with!  Isn't it just the cutest little thing?


And as I was further looking at the piece of sweater, I envisioned a cape or poncho for a small girl.

I'll probably take a little time and embelish this a little with some yellow yarn that I have. 

The cap is already listed on my Etsy store 5PineKnoll   @ http://www.etsy.com/  

Christmas light round-up and containment!

For the last 3 years, our farm has provided us with a Christmas tree.  Since we have an abundance of cedar trees, I can't see going out and paying money for something we can get for free.  Besides, it makes one less tree on the place!   I always look forward to going out and finding just the right one.   And they always smell so good when they are finally in the house!  Now, since it's been in the house for a week, it is getting dangerously dry.  So today, I undecorated it and while rolling up the lights, I thought I would share a way I have found to keep them all contained and ready to use next year without having to detangle them. 

There is a use for all of those paper rolls that are now empty after wrapping all of those Christmas gifts.  Cut a roll about a foot long and put a slit in both ends.  You will stick the plug into one end and wrp the lights til you get to the other plug at the other end.  Stick it in the other slit.  There you have it....your lights all contained and neat for the next time you pull them out.  One less hassel for the next year!

Merry Christmas!

I've spent the day preparing for a family dinner tomorrow.  I've done today what I could, so as not to be too rushed tomorrow.  I've got a small turkey and a ham also.  I've crumbled the cornbread and sage in preparation for the dressing.  I baked a pecan pie and a pie shell for a lemon meringue which I'll finish tomorrow.  I've a little picky about my cream pies.  I don't like them to sit over night...I want them freshly made the day they are to be eaten, that way the crust doesn't get soggy or the meringue weepy.  I've  dipped oreos in white chocolate.  Dipped Ritz crackers spread with peanut butter sandwiched together in chocolate.  Made bon bons.  Made fudge.  Gotten the dry ingredients ready for homemade bread and wrapped all the gifts!   Whew.....I'm just a little tired!

I'll close tonight's post with this thought.  May you have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are.  I hope you have family or friends to spend time with.  If not, there is always someone at a nursing home that would welcome a visit.  There are many people in nursing homes that don't have anyone to visit them.  Merry Christmas and may you remember that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ our saviour!

Fruit Cake

My oh my how time flies....I look back and see that it's been quite a while since I last posted.  Finals are over and life can get back to "normal" for a short while.  So guess what I did first?  I baked fruit cake.  I love doing this every year.  No matter what you think of fruitcake, I love this recipe and hope that maybe you'll try it and be converted.  It is a white cake and doesn't contain any of that nasty citron, which I think has given fruit cake its bad reputation. 



In your mixing bowl, beat the butter,  sugar and eggs. Add the lemon juice and vanilla extract.   Then add the flour and baking soda.  Mix well after each addition.  Next you will stir in your fruit and nuts. By this time the batter is pretty stiff and you will have to stir in your fruit by hand.   Prepare your pans by greasing just the bottom with shortening and then coating with flour.  Shake off excess flour. 

Put your batter in your pans....I use a couple of different sized small loaf pans.  This works great for us....just two in the house now.  This way, I can give some for gifts.  You could also use a tube cake pan and make just one cake.  What ever works for you!

Place them in the oven and bake til done.

Aren't they pretty!

Now...wrap them in cheesecloth, put in a couple of plastic bags and pour in some Apricot Brandy.  You will continue to add brandy occasionally as the cakes absorb it over the next several weeks.  The cakes will last a couple of months, allowing you to enjoy every bite!

This is a recipe I have created using a couple of different recipes....I hope you like it!

Let me know what you think!

1 cup real butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

5 eggs

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

3 cups pecans

20 oz. candied red, green or combination, candied cherries

20 oz. candied pineapple

1 1/4 cup golden raisins

Bake in a slow over, 275 degrees til done.  If you are using a tube pan, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.  Remove and cool on a rack.  Wrap in cheese cloth, place in plastic bags and pour approximatly 1/2 cup brandy of your choice.  Rewet with the brandy every few days and after a couple of weeks.....Enjoy!  Let me know what you think!  I hope this recipe will change your idea of what fruit cake is!



Sorry about being gone for so long, but this school thing is taking up a LOT of time and this little project is one of those things that has gotten put on the back burner.  I hope I didn't dissapoint anyone who might be poppin in to read this blog.  There is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel and it's called Thanksgiving Break!!  I do love that part of being in school.  We didn't have a whole week off when I was working a job so this is GREAT!! And then comes Christmas Break and then Spring Break and then Summer!!  I do love that part of being a student.  It's just all of the projects that are assigned to be turned that I'm not liking so much.  But, you know what?  We are just almost finished with this semester ....YEAH!!!!!!
I did have a few minutes and was looking at another blog  http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot/ 
Go on over and check it out and enter for a chance at a gift card!   Good Luck!
And there are all kinds of good nifty thrifty ideas listed on her blog....can't get too many of those!

Building Fence

Yesterday was a glorious day!  I don't get to go to the farm with the Mr. very often anymore since there is so much homework to be done.  But yesterday we were up there and building fence.  It's been a tough job, but I love getting the physical exercise that I crave.  It's also wonderful putting in this time getting the farm ready for cattle again.  You get such a workout using all of your body....stretching wire, walking along, putting clips on the wire, bending, stretching, pulling.....all the things a body is supposed to do.  People are too sedentary these days.  A body longs for movement and exercise.  Even when I am at school, I park the car as far away as possible and always take the stairs in the buildings.  I've getting my weight bearing exercise everytime I grab my rolling bag and heft it up or down the stairs.  I originally had reservatons about getting a rolling bag but after a couple of times to the chiropractor after trying to carry a too heavy bag around campus, I'm ok with the idea.  Besides, there are lots of young people also using them!  So, today, get up and go take a walk or ride your bike!  There is no excuse with this beautiful weather we're finally having.  It's finally cooled off and the air is a little crisper, especially in the mornings.  You don't need to join a health club, just lace up your tennis shoes.  So, get up and get out there!  

Dog Bed from recycled materials

Maybe my two dogs are special or maybe not. There is an inside bed and an outside bed. The big dog, Annie is an outside/inside dog. And the little one, Petie is mostly inside now while she is still young. Also, since she is still a puppy, she chews on EVERYTHING!

So, the outside bed has been shredded and stuffing all over the place. I didn't want to spend $35 on another and began to think about what I could do instead. So, last week while at a garage sale, I found a twin sized comforter for $2.00 and thought, ah ha....there's what I need for another bed. So I brought it home and folded into half twice and that worked for a little while, until Petie discovered there was stuffing in that too! Well, yesterday at another yard sale, I found a piece of fabric for .10 that someone had folded in half and stitched on three sides already. Wahoo.....I thought here is what I need for the dog bed. I'll just put the comforter in this and stitch it up. Well, then I began to think about using some velcro or a zipper in it, but then I thought that I probably wouldn't be washing it. Before putting in the comforter, I folded it in half length wise and then half again and stitched it where I could to keep it from shifting. Then stuffed it into the other piece of fabric, turned under about 1/2 inch along the edge and stitched it shut. The dogs love it and can't tell the difference in it and one that I would have paid $35 or more for!

Since being in school now is taking up a lot of time, some things just don't get addressed as they have in the past. I like decorating for the different seasons a little. I don't get obsessed with it as some do, just a little touch here and there. In the fall, I like to use a mum, which can be planted in the flower bed later and a few little pumpkins, which can be eaten later. The gourd can be saved and the seeds planted next spring for more gourds.

At the farm store, I have had my eye on this cute little container and bought it the other day. It's not only cute, but could be functional too. It could be taken to the garden and used to tote things or hold harvested items.

Now, we're decorated for fall and it took all of 5 minutes. That's a good thing! This will last til after Thanksgiving and I'll be able to enjoy the mum for many more years each fall in the flower bed!

Tuesday Bouquet

Finally fall is with us and cooler temperatures are here. We're still not getting as much rain as I would like to have, but it is helping our flowers look better. It's time to enjoy this time before we get a frost! The tomoatoes are looking beautiful with lots of green ones hanging on the plants. I'm watching the weather hoping they ripen before a frost too. If not, I'll pick them and bring them in the house to ripen. Here's to you...hope you enjoy!

Waste not Want not

Good Morning all!

While fixing my breadkfast this morning, I thought about sharing my way of using up jam or jelly that has gone beggin'. In other words, a way to use up some of that jam or jelly that is lurking in the back of the refrigerator or cupboard shelf that's just not getting eaten. When you make your hot cereal for the morning, instead of dumping in a bunch of sugar, spoon a dallop of the jelly into it instead. Stir and enjoy knowing you've done a good thing!

Cream Soup Substitute

While perusing the Internet this morning I ran across a healthy substitute for those cream soups that recipes sometimes call for. Sometimes you want a healthier alternative or you might not have one on hand. Either way, over at www.Cheaplikemeblog.com/food/recipe-cream-soup-substitute/ check out the recipe. I'll be filing this one away for future use!

Happy Dance

Yes...I am doing the Happy Dance today. I just found out that the insurance companies have paid for our little mis-hap; rental car vs. Montana deer. It was not a pretty picture. This past summer we flew to Spokane, WA, and picked up a rental car. We spend the next week touring Idaho, Montana and Washington. On the next to the last day of vacation, a deer jumped out of the brushy road right of way and crashed into our car. Me being the frugal one that I am had declined the car rental companies insurance policy. We have our own car insurance and you are covered in a rental car with that same policy. The only down side to that is you still have to pay your deductible, which in our case is $1000. We always carry a high deductible to keep our premiums low. So I was feeling a little low after that vacation. But then in a statement from Avis, it mentioned that if you pay for your car rental with a credit card, sometimes there are provisions for situation like this. I promptly contacted Discover and .......Happy Dance......they covered the deductible! Yeah!!!! So the lesson of the day......Check with your Credit Card company when something like this happens to you!

TMM

TMM is the buzzword now in our block class at school. Teacher Made Materials. We have to make 8 of these and it's a little daunting besides the Lit. Cluster of 40 children's books, twice weekly observations at our assigned pre-schools with the manditory written reflections to be turned in for grades.....eeeekkkkk! Does anybody have any good web sites for TMM's? We're already in week #5....just counting down and trying to keep the old head above water! Housework is on the back burner and the garden gets visited about once weekly. I don't get to go to the farm since the Mr.'s days off are Mon. and Tues. and I'm in class those days. I'd love to go to the farm and help him with the fencing! Or just be able to spend the night and watch the morning begin....we have beautiful sunrises up there. Oh well......life goes on.

Cereal Bag Recycling

Here's another helpful household tip. Had you ever thought about reusing those bags that cereal is in, inside of the box? They are heavy duty and once they are shaken out (outside for the birds, they love the little pieces) are wonderful for freezing meat. Just use a twist tie to seal the bag shut. Now you can feel that you have recycled just one more thing! Does anyone have any other uses for them?

Thrifting

This past weekend was the community wide yard sale. You could shop all day long for 2 days. This was one of my treasures....$7.50. I have been looking for a meat grinder for the venison that the Mr. brings home. Most of it I take to the butcher to be ground, but sometimes I keep out more roast than we need and wanted a grinder to take care of that. I dont' know that I'll use any other part of this as I have a great Kitchenaid mixer, but it's nice to know I've got it if I need it. I tried out the grinder the other day and it does just what I wanted.

I was also able to find the candle holder and candle for $1.00 and the cute little footed bowl for .50! Gotta love yard sales....so much entertainment for so little money! Be sure and go out and do your part for recycling!

Feeding Finches

In the front flowerbed of the house, grow echinacea. After their pretty blooms have faded, I am tempted to cut them down, but I have hesitated because I know the birds will feed on them. Here's the proof.....

Hummingbird food

You know with today's economy, we've got save every penny we can. But it wouldn't matter what shape the economy is in, I don't like spending unnecessary money. I was visiting with a friend outside her house and we were admiring all the hummingbirds at the flowers and feeders and she remarked that the replacement food for her feeders was so expensive. I asked her if she wasn't making her own and she told me that it was a lot of trouble. Now how much trouble can it be to stir sugar into water? She thought that you had to boil it, but I told her no, you might have to warm it a bit to get the sugar to dissolve. I hope y'all out there aren't spending money that you don't have to, simply mix 4 parts water to 1 part white granulated sugar. Or, for each cup of water stir in 1/4 cup sugar. Stir til dissolved and pour in your feeder!
There's your helpful hint for today! Tomorrow I'll tell you about some of the things I found at the community yard sales!

Good Morning,

I just discovered a good deal this morning. Over at One Kings Lane, if you join, you'll get a $15.00 credit......and that's a good thing in these times. Anytime somebody wants to give me money.....I'll take it! They've got home decor and it's worth a look.
Yesterday and today, our community is having their yard sales and you never know what you'll find.....could be trash or could be a treasure!! So, I'm off to see what's out there and I'll let you know if I find a treasure! Remember to recycle, reduce or reuse :)

Household tip

Here's your helpful tip for the day....Did you know that by unwrapping your bars of soap and letting them dry, they won't get as gushy in the shower. It also makes them last longer. Find a pretty bowl or glass container, or whatever goes with your decor, unwrap several and display them in your bathroom. Be sure and leave the lid off for several days to allow for drying. It also makes the room smell good!

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now. I've been working on a project for school for the last 6 hours and I'm finally done. I've looked over a powepoint for a test tomorrow and thinking about tomorrow's class and what more can be assigned! We're in our 4th week and I just hope I can stay on top of all this work.... It's 10:15 and I'm tired and going to bed.....Good night all!

Good Morning all!

What have you got planned for the day? Just for fun, see what you can do to make someone else's day a better day. I always pray that I may be a blessing to someone today. No matter what bad things are happening to you, if you can do something good for someone else, you will feel incredibly better. It may only be a smile and a kind word to someone, but that maybe the only positive contact that person or child has all day. You don't know what someone else is going through. So go out there and make the world a better place!

Good Morning..What a beautiful day it is! We woke this morning to a cool 50 degrees and it felt wonderful. Make sure to spend some time outside to day and observe the changes of the season. I've noticed some of our trees are beginning to get some color to them, probably because of the stress they endured the last couple of months during our drought conditions....hot and dry! And the butterflies are being seen more often since it rained. The hummingbirds are still here and haven't begun their migration to the south. Enjoy the day and all of God's creations!

5K

Good Morning World!

We woke again this morning to thunder and rain....it really is a wonderful sound. This morning our local FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) are sponsoring a 5K run/walk. I'll be doing the walk, thank you very much. I never have understood running....I like to take my time and enjoy the scenery! They planned it for today in conjunction with a chili cookoff that's happening in the State Park. Ought to be a delicious day! Sprinkle in a few homework projects and I'll be busy again from sunup to sundown. In between I've got to spend time with the new puppy. It's Petie and she's about 12 weeks old. She's a mix of mini daushound and ?. This is the first small dog we've had in many years and we're still trying to get used to having a small one around the house again. We had to buy a small collar and a small crate and small food, but she is such a joy! She's a bouncer and comes bounding towards you at the sound of your voice! Even better she's a snuggler....she loves to snuggle! You can't have anything but a great day with this happy little girl around! If you want to be happy...adopt a puppy! They will love you unconditionally and there are so many of them in the shelters around the country...give one a good home!

Bar-B-Que Sauce

Whenever I can, I like to make my own condiments and Bar-B-Que sauce is one that I have found to be very quick. With just two of us in the house, a whole bottle of the stuff just goes beggin. This way, I can control the quantity and it's just pretty darned tasty too! Hope you like it!

Bar-B-Que Sauce

Ingredients

1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 dash hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon liquid smoke, optional

In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, hot pepper sauce, garlic powder, mustard powder, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before brushing on your favorite meat.

Light Cracked Whole-Wheat Bread Recipe with Garlic and Rosemary

This last weekend, while the kids were visiting and my Mom and Dad, I made spaghetti. Well...you know if you have great spaghettti...you have to have great bread and it's always better if you make it from scratch. So I dug around in my many recipes and I was searching in some that I haven't tried before and ran across this one which sounded interesting. I always love using fresh Rosemary in my bread so I chose this one. It was great and a couple of days later we warmed the leftovers to have with spaghetti leftovers and it was still good!

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 tbsp. sugar or honey
1 cup plus 2 tbsp warm water
2 cups bread flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil

Stir yeast and sugar into the water and set aside until the yeast is foamy, about 5 min. Begin mixing your dough with your dough hook of your mixer or by hand, adding in the remaining bread ingredients. Turn on and mix til dough pulls clean from the sides of the bowl. If it is too wet, add more flour by tablespoons til it is of the right consistency. Of if dry and crumbly, add more water by tablespoons. Mix til well kneaded and uniformly supple and elastic. Now, cover and let rise in warm place til doubled, about 1 hour. Prepare your baking stone, and place dough on it. Press out til about 1/2" thick. Make divets in dough with your fingers so this next mixture will settle in the pools.
Mix together to top dough:
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced or 1 tbsp.
1 tbsp chopped fresh Rosemary

Spoon this mixture over the top of the dough, spreading it out. Sprinkle with coarse Kosher salt. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven til browned! Enjoy!

9/11

I'm watching the History Channel and they are showing clips from 9/ll and the Trade Center. I makes me remember the numbing grief I felt as I watched it happen the first time and then over and over again as the television replayed the events. I can still remember exactly where I was at the time. I was taking classes at the Community College and had just arrived at the school to find everyone huddled around the various televisions in the buildings. Classes were canceled, so I made my way back to work which was a print and copy shop that we owned in downtown. We immediatly went to work to show our patriotism and made a banner to hang across our awning. I hope all that saw it appreciated it as much as we did after making it. It was red, white and blue and said "God Bless America". Please take time now to remember those that lost their life on that tragic day.

Blessed Rain!

What a wonderful way to wake up hearing the blessed rain. After an extremely long, hot and dry summer the rain is very much welcome. Perhaps some remnants of the garden can be salvaged. The tomatoes have a chance to give us more of their fruit and the okra too before the first frost. Here we plan on anywhere from mid September to late October for our first frost. I might even replant the green beans as I didn't get to pick any this year. The first crop failed even though I watered. They were a pitiful sight! Now....homework then off to school for a couple of classes and then to the health department to have my final TB test read. It was mandatory as I will be observing and working with pre-school children this semester. Y'all have a great day!