Winter Solstice of card making and sewing.

The last day of fall was a warm 60* yesterday.   I brought in wood to stack . It took a bit to convince Dude that I wanted to do it as part of my workout.  He kept insisting he would do it but I was able to bring it in. I like bringing in the wood and it was very low. 

The kindling. 

We found that the cardboard egg cartons are great fire starters. They help feed air to the fire to breathe life to the flames.

It's a start but I got a good stack piled. 

Our granddaughter got one last ride in before we have to take the two hour trip to take her back home. Whoa... it was a long day in the car.  Two hour ride down to her home was 2.5 because we all got to talking and missed the exit.... ugh.  Total of backside numbing  hours in the car? Almost 5 hrs. Let's just say it didn't end as chummy as it began.  We were glad to get home. *smile*

But we did stop at a cowboy stop for lunch. 

Today was the first day of winter and it showed - cold and snowy. 

It was the last day of my vacation and I crafted away. I needed a few more cards so I made them quick and easy. 

Just emboss.

Add some rhinestones.

And a bit of glitter. 

And let them dry. 

Then out to the greenhouse. Surprisingly everything was doing okay.  I picked more spinach to make my lunch and drink for tomorrow.

Then over to the sewing room to sew up this freebie pattern over at Pat Sloan's here .  The house was nice and quiet.

Until the cats wanted to sing show tunes... so.. Callie started with singing songs from Aladdin -  A WHOLE NEW WORLD --- and then 

Gracie wanted to sing songs from My Fair Lady... so we did.  *wink*

Callie cringed. 

Gracie pouted until we sang.  They were all very happy to be in from the cold tucked in tight in the fabric cupboard. They are taking a holiday from mousing. 

Time to get under a big quilt and read.

Happy Winter Solstice! 

peace 

Norman, chickens and cats ...ohmy

I walked around the house most of the day in one slipper. Why just one? Because the puppy is at it again. My other slipper has been stolen.  Why do I need to wear them? Because a cat snuck in the house (I have banned them for a period of time while I sew) and gotten into my sewing room.  They got high on catnip and tore raffia all over the floor.  I need to find my other slipper.  They are, the animals that is, all in cahoots against me. I know they laugh at their hijinks behind my back.

I did sew up the catnip pillows and put away for a craft fair. Tomorrow I will cut and sew a bunch more. 

 Sewing room carpet ... what a mess! 

The chickens have all gone mad since I have been doing chores.  They are not laying, or at least, not laying in the hen house.  I suspect they are laying somewhere out by the wood pile.  It is too cold and I am too lazy to go out an look.

Dude resumed doing chores today. He says he is better and can't stand the thought , "of doing nothing" anymore. I won't fight it.  I can still cook and clean and take care of other things around the homestead. He is stubborn but no lifting, driving, or bending!! (yep, I had to carry in a 50lb bag of dog food.  They are getting lighter the more I lift!)

It's okay.  I gave in to everything today. My old bod just didn't want to go against the grain any more. I took a fat nap and read my book.

My mojo was back in check by the afternoon and I sewed.

After blaming the dog of stealing my slipper all day and walking in one shoe I found my slipper. It wasn't the dog at all but the iRobot. It stole and attempted to eat my slipper.  Norman, pup, please accept my apology for saying you stole my shoe... well, you probably did and left it out for the iRobot to grab it.  All is forgiven.

Tomorrow we will be back to talking homesteading... planting bulbs, gardens, horses.....

peace 

New help with chores , a few creations to ease my sadness and what are those crazy guinea hens up to now.

For those who don't know our beloved dog Maggie died yesterday of bone cancer. The rest of her family died 5 years ago of the same disease.  She was amazing, smart, beautiful and loyal. I will forever miss her. 

When I am sad I like to create but first the chores.  Eggs pick-up first. 

Luna took over Maggie's place right away and helped where she could. 

There was a bristley broody hen. 

Didn't bother Luna and she told her to move over. 

She was very pleased with herself. 

Next up I made cheese olive beer bread. I had to use the machine since we were all out and I needed to go to work later. 

If you have a bread machine here are the ingredients. Simply put them in the pan in the order your machine requires.

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/3 cup water 

1cup beer

1/3 cup cheese (I used Monterrey)

2 heaping Tbsp kalamata olives

1.5 tea of salt

3 Tbsp sugar 

3cups flour

1 package dry yeast

Turned out pretty good. 

(can you imagine a wonderful lunch of garden goodness and goat cheese on this bread?)

Picked a few things for tonight's dinner salad. 

I have a borage plant that I have always used to decorate salad but I wanted to do something different. 

Dude loves white chocolate and keeps eating it before I can do anything with it. 

I quickly melted purple and white. Swirled the purple into the white.

Added the borage flowers and allow it all to harden. Simple yet delightful. 

Next I wanted to work on my challenge of decorating a box that would have been thrown away. My friend brought me a few from her job as an audiologist.  I began with this one. 

Went outside and spray painted it.

Then decorated with different scrap booking stuff I had around. I like the way it turn out. What do you think? 

When I got home there was no dog to greet me but these characters were in the rafters... our guineas! I hope an owl doesn't get to them.  

A dear friend from work gave me comfort food to help ease a bit of sorrow. Mexican chocolate! 

So wonderful! 

Goat milk and chocolate to soothe a soul. 

Thank you Adrianna. 

My friends and family get me through the rough spots in life.  If you think a card, a call, an IM, a gift will help someone through a rough time , do it.  It means a lot to know people care and understand.(if they want to be alone, they will tell you)  I have the best of family and friends and I appreciate every single one. 

peace