For that crafty feeling

not in a "wily like a fox" kind of feeling, just the need to create and organize.  For me, these projects fulfill that desire:

• mail sorter
• Sea salt sinus pillow
• Toot toot Tuesday Ballerina doll

Its snowing and the schools are closed... again.  In the last three weeks my kids have been to school 3 days.  Looks like spring break has just evaporated (nothing official yet, mind you).

I paid the electric bill today and found that it costs us $45/month just to use the dryer.  *ouch*  Now the question becomes, is it cheaper to make or purchase an indoors clothes drying rack?  We have two already - not enough for 5 people.  The from the ceiling one looks nice and perhaps easy to make.  Will it provide enough space for drying?  Or do I go to Kmart and buy the metal one for $19.99?
This will not be an issue once the weather improves enough to hang clothes outside (meaning not snowing and is above freezing).

What do you use to dry clothes inside?

huh?

We continue to work through winter, just waiting for seed starting time - for us will start about April.  Our last frost will not be until mid May.  Yes, the almanac has a different date; after living here for 5 years, I've learned to listen to the locals.  Last year we had a killing freeze (yes, under 32) in late May/early June.  Sad that I cannot remember exactly though I know it is written down somewhere.  Sadly not in this blog!  *gasp*

Over the weekend, though, temperatures were in the 40's and the same is forecast for this week.  This means lots of mud.  *bleck*  I love the smell and cannot wait to sink my toes into some warm mud; just too cold to do that right now.

As you know I love to sew/knit/crochet in my 'spare time' (HA!).  My neighbor, Pat Broyles (see her button to the left), asked about selling some of these in her antique shop.  Old Ashwood School Antiques is more than just an antique store; Pat also sells her primitive artwork here was well.  She and I talked about how to set up a 'business' and late Saturday I created some business cards to safety pin to my pieces - yes, pictures will follow.  This afternoon I hope to have for her 4 scarflettes and a pair of pot holders.  My current project is a knit shawl using some red/black eyelash yarn.  Yes, a picture of that will be posted as well.

In the meantime I have totally slacked, missing my posting day at Homemakers Who Work and have slowed in posting here (which is something I miss).  For tomorrow's class I need to be able to list, off the top of my head, 100 muscles.  In the trial run I had 40, which isnt bad.  Learning them in groups, back, legs, arms, etc helps. 

Just prior to posting, I was trying to catch up on my reading (449 posts.  Oy!  How does that happen?) and discovered  FIMBY implementing something we did last night - one bowl/plate/glass/etc. for each person.  As she points out, this allows to hand wash dishes without getting behind.  The extra dish ware goes to the hospitality cupboard.   

Hopefully tonite I can get caught up while studying and maybe even post some pictures!  =)

Where are all the trees?

Classes continue to go well, my regular job is busy so life is good. Tandems of wood are becoming difficult to find - the local Westvaco has forced their loggers to sign an agreement that prohibits them from selling wood to locals.  What the... ?  We may end up cutting all year instead of working up a tandem in the fall and through the winter.

Heard some other disturbing news today and I have not verified anything.  Thought I'd through it out and see what/if you'd heard anything.  As many of you know, the US owes several billion to other countries.  It is these other countries that are wanting to buy our National forests in exchange for settling some of that debt.  This bothers me.  Is it true? 

I'll let you know what I find.

Repurpose crafting

More snow fell last night (just a few inches) and we are under a watch for additional accumulation today.  The girls have been out of school for two weeks and two days.

Watching the snow gives me the time to fiddle with eye candy in the format (note the scrolling buttons) and writing about different crafting what nots I'd like to try (like the homemade polymer clay).  A few others include:

• Fabric flowers, Boutonnieres + More
• Tooth Fairy Matyroshka Doll

Along with all this craftiness, and since we are still buried under snow, I've 'signed' the Wardrobe refashion contract for two months.  Who knows, this may become a much longer stint! The opening phrase really struck a cord with me -

I pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Already attempting that with sweaters that we are no longer wearing, clothes passed down that are the wrong size/shape/style/etc.

Along the using what one has theme, All Natural Mama has a great recipe to help in using up those leftover odds n' ends.  Think I'm gonna make one of these - as soon as we have leftovers!  =)

I do not have class tonite; however, I am headed over to  Warm Spirit Spa for some help with massage techniques.  My class schedule is a little backwards; normally I would have Massage 1 before taking the anatomy class.  The final for the anatomy class is to give a massage to one of the former students.  Ummm.  Help??  Linda and Cindy are gonna help a sista out (thank you ladies!). 

Another satisfying weekend

In preparation for the next storm that is due to start tonite/tomorrow, Ronnie and I have been outside cutting/splitting/stacking wood. We have logs at the house, just had no means of digging them out of the snow to cut - Ronnie's boss lent us his tractor so in addition to moving the shed to the side yard, we have drug logs from off the hill to cut/split/stack.

While all of this is going on, there are black eyed peas on the stove and left over pot roast warming up for lunch - I used part of this recipe from October farm (no pepperocinis) and we did not put it on garlic bread.  We did, though, add potatoes and carrots; it was wonderful!

Two weeks ago the local paper published an opening, in our district, for the local planning/zoning board.  He left a message with that office that he was interested and the week after that office called to confirm his  interest.  We did not hear anything else until Saturday, when our neighbor (you'll see her shop, Pat Broyles, in the left hand column) came over to say that the paper published Ronnie's assignment to the board.  We have not officially heard from the county.  LOL  Let the games begin! 

For the love of beans!

I'd love to eat more beans.  Beans and I, though, do not get along.  Well we get along, but make it difficult for me to be around other people.  Choit's Run's post on the Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op inspired me to try...again.  I soaked these cranberry beans a day and a half (just 'cause it started late last night), emptied the water, rinsed them and then made this.

SERVES 6

If fresh cranberry beans are available, omit overnight soaking.
4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 small yellow onions, peeled and chopped
2 small carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 lbs. plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
2 cups dried cranberry beans, soaked overnight
1 bay leaf
3 fresh sage leaves, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until vegetables are soft, 15 minutes. Add garlic and 1 tbsp. each of parsley and basil; cook for 10 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes, cook 10 minutes more, then add beans, 4 cups water, bay leaf, and sage. Simmer soup over medium heat (adding water if necessary) until beans are very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Add remaining parsley and basil, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #21

So very tastey.  I am just said that the bread was not ready to crunch along.

With all the snow, we have gone through what we were able to cut last weekend and need more.  Thankfully Ronnie's boss allowed him to borrow the tractor, so we were able to clear the drive and push a trail up to the wood.  Now those logs will be dragged down to where we will cut and stack.  This means I am home from work.  Stay warm.  I'll be back!

Hot yummy inside, cold white outside

Nope, not a pastry.  The hot yummy inside were these tastey chicken enchilada as posted by Craft Rookie and OH MY were they good.  The cold white outside was the howling wind and blowing snow outside the windows.   

-6 chicken breasts
-1 Tbsp butter
-1 cup chopped onion
-1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
-8oz. grated cheese (mexican mix or mozzarella or monterey jack...whatever)
-1 4oz can diced green chiles
-1/2 cup salsa
-1 cup green enchilada sauce
-3/4 tsp ground cumin
-3/4 cup whipping cream
-1/2 cup chicken broth
-Salt and Pepper to taste
-12-15 7-inch flour tortillas

1) Place chicken in a pot of boiling water to cover, and simmer 15-20 minutes. (I add in some seasonings in with the chicken to give them added flavor--usually some S&P and maybe some Italian seasoning flakes or some all-purpose spice like that.)

2) Remove chicken from heat, drain, cool, and shred chicken.

3) In skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onions and bell peppers until just soft (5-8 minutes). I usually work on this while the chicken is cooling down so I can shred it.

4) Transfer to large bowl--add chicken, half the bag of cheese, green chiles, salsa, and cumin. Season with S&P to taste and mix well.

5) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12x15x2 inch baking pan. Place tortilla on flat surface and place about 1/4 c chicken mixture along edge. Roll up from filling side and place seam-side down in prepared baking dish.

6) Add green enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle cheese over the top. Combine cream and chicken broth and pour over enchiladas.

7) Cover pan with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking 10 more minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Our little local, mom n pop grocery did not have green enchilada sauce so I used regular red.  Also, add the cooked green peppers and onions when you combine the chicken and such and step 4.  This definately made it into the cooking binder.  I believe we had 1.5 left and  that'll disappear at lunch time.

It is hard to imagine seeds, soil, and gardening when the icicle outside is almost two stories tall - It started in 2nd floor gutter and is almost touching the ground.  Other than knowing what we want to plant and about where, I have done nothing else garden related - the snow seems to have paralyzed more than just the traffic!  This phase will soon pass so I am not going to worry and just wait it out.  Perhaps this is a late 'hibernation' for me.  *shrugs*  Growing some greens inside, though, would be nice and the trick will be what to grown them in that is not plastic <- am I making too much of that?  My worms live in plastic.  how safe is that?  Will their poo contain chemicals of which I need to be wary?


Crochet crafting continues, with the completion of another scarflett.  Yes, I'll take and post some pictures.

Homemade Polymer Clay

This picture, from Curbly, inspired me to look up homemade polymer clay recipes. There is debate on which is 'better' and from what I gather that depends on what you are trying to make.  This appeals to my crafty, must-create-something tendencies.

Recipes found include:

Cold Porcelain Clay:

• 1. Combine in a Teflon-coated pot:
1 cup polyvinyl acetate glue such as Elmer's Glue All 1 cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons Vaseline oil (not jelly) - if unavailable where you live, substitute baby oil or pharmaceutical grade mineral oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• 2. Cook on low heat stirring constantly for 10 minutes or until dough forms and begins to come away from the sides. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.
• 3. Remove from heat and allow to cool until you can handle it.
• 4. Knead into a smooth clay consistency.
• 5. Store in a cool, dark place at noted in tips above.
• 6. Tempura powder or acrylic paints may be used for coloring the dough.

Hmm. I do not have vaseline oil - where do you find that?  Ok, on to Victorian Salt clay; now these ingredients I do have:

Cornstarch modeling clays containing salt are the most porous, so are only suitable for craft projects that have a rough or rustic finish.

• 1. Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan.
• 2. Mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup ice water in a bowl.
• 3. Stirring constantly, heat salt combination over a low flame for about 4 minutes. Do not boil. If you have a gas stove, you may need to use a heat diffuser under the pot to avoid burning the dough.
• 4. Remove from heat. Quickly stir in the cornstarch and water. If mixture is too thin, return to low heat and stir constantly until of clay consistency.
• 5. Store in a cool, dark place at noted in tips above.
• 6. Tempura powder or acrylic paints may be used for coloring the dough.

There is also a recipe for Pasta Francesa, which is very popular in Latin American countries - it includes formaldehyde as an optional ingredient. This link will take you to all three recipes.

Marie, of Art from my Heart, creates with ploymer clay - can you shed some light on this?

In other news, we are in blizzard conditions at the moment.  Word has it that in the next county up, if you are on the road in anything other than a 4WD, you will be ticketed.

Stay warm!

a crochet valentines heart

Over the weekend, between bouts of shoveling, I was able to catch up on some reading.  That lead to this little discovery: crochet heart tutorial.  I had to make 8 of them.  Now I need to figure out how to get a safety pin onto the back (hot glue?) to use for Friday.  =)  That about sums up our weekend: shoveling, cut wood, shovel, shovel, shovel.  *whew*  Suprisingly, no overly sore muscles waited for me this morning.  Ronnie had the foresight to get us a couple of the bend handle shovels (ergonomic) and that was a life saver!  So worth the extra $$.

Oh, and you'll notice a new share button located at the bottom of my entries.  If you are curious on how to add one of these, check out the site.  If you need help, just let me know.  =)  There will be more to come, promise.  Class tonite, a reorg on my schedule and then, hopefully, back full speed. 

Stay warm.  Another storm hits tomorrow morning.  I think I am all fun'd out.

White flakes

Falling from the sky, while hypnotic to watch, does nothing to help with day-to-day activities - except that I'd rather have excessive moisture now than have the garden drown this spring.

I did go into work this morning (Ronnie dropped me off) and was there for about 4 hours.  My boss arrived, did some work, said you are going home, and dropped me off.  =)  Nothing like taking the afternoon off with permission.  Muhaha.

Now I am left with entertaining myself.  Gee, what a chore (LOL).  Already made:

• dough rising from Artisian Bread in 5 Minutes a Day
• english muffin dough rising from Esmaa's recipe. (one does not need a form to make english muffins unless you want them in a perfect circle)

It is Esmaa's recipe that introduced me to the idea of sourdough starter.  Like some of you, I've been given the friendship bread recipe, which reads similar to sourdough bread starter (feed, shake, sit).  Well, close in a not really kind of way.  I just thought of friendship bread when I read the starter recipe.

Cookstove is ready.  Time to finish baking and start the roast chicken.  =) 

Writing

Jen's post over at Woolgatherings really struck a note and I just had to share.  She starts off with (the whole post is a must read)...

We write to be heard. To express our ideas, our dreams. To touch lives that we may never meet tangibly but through words we are pilgrims along the same path.

The Ward House started out as a way to chronicle our family's journey into becoming more sustainable. Our small step to make a different through not only our lives but those of our children; teaching them the skills that they will need in the future.  It was also an easy way to keep my family, who live in different parts of the state and the world, up to date on our goings-on.  An unforeseen outcome was finding old and making new friends via not only posting/commenting but also on cross publishing to my FB account.

In addition to friends, I have been exposed to alternate viewpoints, learned a gazillion new skills, and increased my vocabulary (notice the gazillion word?).  It has also opened the way to a few writing opportunities.  For me, writing and drawing have always been a treat - creativity that is released when another project/problem/chore is not clamoring for my attention.  These creative times, until recently (like in the last year or two) were few and far between; creativity is a muscle that atrophies without use.  *sighs*  I am going to preach to the choir (and myself)- always make time to be creative.  That muscle is exercised more often now, often here, writing for other blogs/sites, and via photography (though not enough pictures seem to make it here).  

All that brings me here: a writing opportunity has presented from dig the dirt.  Disclaimer alert:  this is not a review nor am I being reimbursed for the mentioning (sad that this must be included).  Since you are so in-the-loop, I'll let you know when that article posts. I am psyched!

Ciao!

An adrenaline rush!

Not a near death or vehicle crash experience, though that would get adrenaline flowing, but this rush was brought on by watching some Threadbanger goodness and realizing that I could actually convert some of the many clothes I cannot wear into items that will fit!

While on the Threadbanger site, I discovered Generation T and watched how to make a swicked scarf from a t-shirt.

And, while I am on a Threadbanger repurposing kick, let's look at turning some of these old jeans into a nice jean skirt - something I do not own atm (a jean skirt that is); wore out the last one.  A great tutorial can be found here. I used this one and had no problems.  The pair of jeans used, those, were tight fitting so the creation is a pencil skirt.  I will get a picture to post.

And, for those web toy peeps, this is an easy site that helps you to create desktop wallpaper like this one (yes, I made this); How About Orange introduced me.  =)