Keep It Simple Cowgirl

Its been a trip.....

2009-11-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

Since my last post where I raved about Design*Sponge....I was so inspired with what I saw there it kicked off a spurt of creativity. I have since repurposed 4 large pieces of furniture. Repainted the studio, have the supplies to repurpose an old door into a funky studio table. I am hoping when I go back to the 3 floor, 1 city block flea market they still have the retro 50's dining chairs to go with this "new table". Did i mention they are aqua turquoise!!!! One thing is leading to the other.
In the mix of it all.....tile shopping and rounding up supplies for the laundry room. I tell ya what, I am keeping busy....the great news, all that "college furniture" (which was still in good shape) did not go to the thrift store...it went to a family down the street that lost everything in a house fire. Plus an extra queen bed, and 2 nightstands.

I have not forgotten ya'll...just lots going on. Am I keeping it simple?....SURE....work on one project at a time, while that project has down time, go and round up supplies for your next job.

Ciao,
Val

Oh dear...

2009-11-03T16:38:00.000-08:00

Could I possibly find one more thing to SUCK the time right out of my day? Its design*sponge. yes on the web....Enough said!

Have a fAbUlous evening!
Val

Master Bedroom Makeover...

2009-10-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Still in progress.
Is almost complete...I so want to share what I have already done, but I want it to be a big reveal. EEEACK. I repurposed a vintage dresser that is just SO ADORABLE now. I cant wait to show you!!

I am still waiting on fabric from Missouri to make the drapes, 2 matboards from bfe through Hobby Lobby, and a canopy that I keep forgetting to call about because the company is in Australia so I would call them in the middle of the night here....maybe I will remember tonight.

You know it was just time, we still had dressers from the college days!!

The closet...ahem..I am here to report my husband has 118 T-shirts. Is that normal? that does not include button downs, polos... Just T-shirts.
I am happy to tell you all he purged 5 t shirts, 6 pairs of pants, 8 ball caps (he has like 30 he kept) so he is making a bit of progress in the less is more arena. Baby steps.

Ola Amigos

2009-10-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have finally found that fire I was looking for. Staying busy knocking away at that "to do" list. Our family spent the weekend down on the Big Horn. I can now see why this area is touted for excellent fishing and all around beauty. I also learned that moving cows on four wheelers is not all that bad. ahem. Saves your horse when they are out of shape and not rode much (ahem rider included) and man can you cover some country in a hurry. One thing for sure its a task to hold on to your expensive camera and handle a horse moving cattle at the same time. Pics to follow if this computer can handle it.

28 yards of fabric...check
new sewing machine...check (the old one went kaput in the fundraiser project for my nieces high school dance team)
King Coverlet, shams, shower curtain sewn....check
Pics to follow when project complete.....you betcha
paint and supplies...check
framing material...check
tile and grout.....
cement board....
Custom laundry room cabinets....check.....remember way back when I first started this blog (look under laundry room in the list, when I was dreaming about a kick ass laundry room).....well that is about to come a reality. I was so excited to see those delivered I coulda made out with the builder, that would not fly so well with the builders wife nor my husband so I didn't and besides it would have been really weird since he is my ex brother in law. Great builder non the less!!!

What else going on? Well it snowed somewhere around the 10th of this month and reached down to 20 degrees only to be followed by a 73 degree weekend, alot of folks around here lost their pumpkins.....I managed to save mine in the knick of time however there are some very well fed deer running around as they demolished my garden. a bite out of every tomato...Dirty ba$#@!%$!

and the cowgirl camper has a new floor....it looks so nice!! Kids are in the swing of things and all is well on the homefront!! Just gotta batten down the homestead for a long winter I reckon.

Little birdies

2009-09-17T05:15:00.000-07:00

I have been incognito here the past few weeks. It seems this cowgirl is going through a bout of empty nest syndrome. I never realized how much my little ones daily schedules of napping, eating and playtime had affected my own schedule. Now I am not complaining just saying its very weird not to have them under wing during the day. Its hard to explain, I feel a bit discombobulated. I have been keeping a to do list and adding to it when a project would come up, and lo and behold the day came and I found myself absolutely not wanting to do any of it. Sure I have knocked a few things out, however I really thought I would hit it at fever pitch. Transition dear, its all transition......is what my ya ya's are telling me, the ya ya's that have experienced true empty nest, like all of their kids are out of high school!!! So I suppose the lesson here is true self direction. Hang with me folks I will be up and running again very soon with posting and pictures. Please send "light a fire under me ass" vibes!!

XOXO
Val

Food Storing....get it touch with your inner squirrel!!

2009-08-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

I have been following some baby steps in food storage, finding myself a bit frustrated at times....moving stuff from here to there. 1. To make max use of available space and 2. I find myself not using a cabinet or shelf just because its hard for me to get to. I am a shorty, and really the shelves that reach to the ceiling are well a pia. great for storage but not everyday digging.3. My jars of canned goods are increasing....they are heavy and I only want to touch them once when putting them away until I need them. I actually found a site where a guy moves most of his food storage from the basement to the upstairs closet every year for some reason to do with heat exposure on the legumes. huh? maybe its a built in workout program. I dunno bout ya'll, I do not want to do that.

So let me introduce you to this wonderful blog I stumbled upon searching for visuals on food storage.....My Food Storage Deals!! Holy Spinnoli Batman, I gasped, I got a bit veclamped. It is exactly what I needed....an actual hard core visual picture of organized, functional food storage. I am one of those visual spacial types, I must be able to see what 400 pounds of bagged flour looks like. Not buckets stacked high and dry I would soon forget what I had and get sick of moving buckets. Go check her out, it rocks! She is listed in the cool blogs to the right. I think the key essential to get off the right foot is good sturdy shelving, like a foundation to success!! Her process is simple, doable and effecient!!

GO SQUIRRELS, GO SQUIRRELS, GET YOUR GAME ON!!!
SC!

Recycled composter

2009-08-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

There are some really neat composter's available now with the green movement and the increased interest of gardening. Along with these neato inventions comes a price tag. I remember a comment by whom that I do not remember but it was of this nature "going green is the new green"...the second meaning that is where the money to be made is at. Hmph, that coming from a corporate executive in the energy field just rubs me a bit.
So on the market is a very neat and esthetically pleasing Sun Frost Solar Scrap Eater. Google it, they are indeed very nice and would be great for areas of limited space. However I do not have 600 smackers lying around with nothing to do. Besides its for kitchen scraps, my huge ComposTumbler would have been 500 smackers had I bought it brand new and that baby cooks some serious amounts of 'post.

So I made one of my own with stuff around the yard.

Now the plan was to show you step by step....but I am about ready to take this computer and introduce it to Mr. Ax. argh!

whiskey barrel planter
5 gallon bucket drilled holes all over the bottom
olive garden "salad to go" bowl for the bubble
flat rock to keep bowl from blowing away

Voila! scrap eater right outside the back door so as not having to trek to the back forty to toss. Nice and easy and within easy reach. So now I have a look out for an acrylic bowl to fortify to the top via drilled holes and some zip ties or even a heavy ish lid.

Happy Gardens
Val

Chop Chop!!

2009-08-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Some one hand me a tissue please!! My baby baby is officially a kindergartner! Ack! The last five years have zoomed by faster than I ever could have imagined! My nephew is growing facial hair and is now taller than I. My niece and daughter could not wait for school to start. Those heatherites anyways!!

So that leads me to......getting organized, yes we so let it slip in the summer, big deal, its summer. Not only will I be preparing my home manager binder to keep track of all the "stuff" that comes home from school, I will be juggling canning season and harvesting the garden. Today was freakishly quiet, I thought I would really relish this day......so I decided the hum of the new sewing machine would keep me company!

You do not have a home managment binder.....do it, it makes life so easy!

Chop Chop, time to get busy!

SC

Houston we have a problem!

2009-08-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

Cruising along with kids in tow we get about 75 miles into our trip to the "hi-line" and I am pressing on the gas peddle and it feels a bit mushy...glance down at my dashboard and both the speedometer and rpm dials are at ZERO! oh $#!*. pull over, rev the beejeesus out of it and a prompt u turn back to B town. Quick call to my hubby to let him know where we are. Drive back switch vehicles, then back on the road. Thank goodness we made it all the way back home. ack, this car is what 6 years old is all. I still will not trade it in, I am keeping my clunker. Its paid for.

The really nice thing about driving Ebe's big pick up...the kids are far enough apart in the back there are no karate chops across the face when the other is touching the others "space". WEll that and all the neato buttons on the steering wheel. Saweet!!

The Hi Line it is, mosquitos and tomatos, wedding cake bound and the camera is charged up for a nother round.

Guarding the Groceries.....link

2009-08-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

An elderly gentleman that works at the book store was telling me of this today so when I had time I did a little search of my own. Sure enough...I am not surprised, my hubby was in Detroit about a month ago for business, the reported 16% unemployment is not what he heard while there. The locals were reporting it much higher around 30%. So much that freeway traffic has seen a marked decline and driving to work is not much of a hassle.

It reminded me of Zimbabwe in a way.....its not total out and out devastation like Zim but I am also reminded of an online conversation with Mz. Spider back in December ish...."we are not far behind them". Ya know what Lisa, yer right!!!

I did like the included bit about urban homesteading and folks bucking the tide and growing more of their own food....is this what is going to take to get people to take initiative to that...dire circumstances? I guess so, cus the calvery just aint comin!

Back to reading my new garden book....How to Grow More Vegetables. Its a plethora of info on biointensive gardening, really maximizing what you have available, by enriching the soil to the point of saturation of luscious nutrients just waiting to be soaked up by plants bursting forth with edibles. Why did I buy it? the remineralization section....now I replenish my soil with lots of good stuff but this is like a tried and true science of absolute incredible fruiting porportions, Mr. Donohue my Junior high science teacher would be so proud of me.....he was and still is I am sure a total granola, lord board wearing science geek, him and his beutiful bride had kick ass garden way back them, I am sure they still do!!. I routinely challenged him in class and occasionally got kicked out as well. and the section with the varieties of edible landscape trees, bushes etc. so detailed and perfect for what I want to accomplish here at home and in the landscape world I step in and out of in the summer.....thats a hint for you Scotty, its edible landscaping I am betting on it. Manicured grass is soooo last season.

WATCH WAITIN FOR....THE CALVARY? GET THEE TO THE GARDEN AND GET'R DONE!!!

ObamaCare in Montana

2009-08-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well he hit in on the head Americans are being held hostage by their insurance companies, but he missed a few other key points. Single payer coverage is the same thing only worse!! Ask any vetran. Its true those of us that do have coverage are still being rationed what is covered and what is not. Case in point. Our insurance premiums are covered by our employer, they are up to $1,092 per month per family. My son just received immunizations to go to kindergarten. Wanna know what the bill was. Keep in mind this is considered a well child visit, and state law requires that they have the immunizations and the total premiums for one year is over $13,000. What i pay in co payments IS NOT applied to my deductible. Our deductible is $1,000 per member or $2000 per family, then I get to fork over $4,000 after that in 80/20. Now this does not include any services like labwork. So we estimate having at least $8,000 in a medical savings account if and when we need it. well gosh darn Sally I think we are over $21,000 for medical coverage for one year!!!

Total provider charges 247.25
Total allowed amount 223.73
Total Applied to the deductible 0.00
Total Coinsurance/Copayment 89.49
Total Amount Payable by Plan 134.24
My total responsibility to the provider 89.49

ITS EXTORTION! coming up with a new single payer plan is just running neck and neck with the current insurance companies. Insurance companies need to be held accountable for what they are doing to their clients.....its charging for a product and not following through on their commitments. Why do they do it? Because they can! If we do not have coverage we face high medical bills in case of a hospitalization, if we do have coverage we face paying high premiums and still have substantial bills to pay.

Tort reform and frivolous lawsuits MUST BE ADDRESSED!! Its absolutely ridiculous for doctors and surgeons and hospitals to "have to" carry malpractice insurance that is expensive. How about paying back 289,000 in university bills along with 125,000 per year premium on insurance so you can be a surgeon....... That gets passed on to us the consumer. Its not a matter of "if" they get sued, its a matter of "when".

Another thing to consider is if we reduce our doctors to general lay people, we are asking them to not practice their skill. No they are not better than us but they are different from us.....think about what it takes to actually cut another human being open and find the problem and correct it, if they can. Fair income for doctors, you betcha. Transparency in the bills we receive, you betcha. BTW, we were charged twice for nursing services because it was 2 different shots. huh?

knew a doctor once that carried zero insurance.....and it was posted in the waiting room. He put it all out there for the world to see, he even went as far as to say he owned zero assets so suing him would be pointless. His mission statement had the message that he became a doctor for the passion he felt about helping people blah blah blah and essentially the point came across that his vocation was not about getting rich but doing what he loved to do. take it or leave it. How is that for transparency!!

Its time we clean up this mess of health care and its not by offering a "new plan" that essentially rivals the current plan but by weeding out the low life, scum sucking ambulance chasers and the laws that support them and holding insurance companies accountable for fraudulent practice. Doctors need to stop excessive runabout for this and that oh like 5 MRI's for what ever, and hospitals need to stop charging $5 for a damn aspirin! People in general need to be accountable as well for themselves.....lay down the fork, lay off the booze, lay off the McDonalds and fried chicken! Patient accountability, hmmm there's a thought! Don't even get me started on the psychiatric mental health debacle that is essentially putting billions in the pockets of the Pharmaceutical companies......which are traded on the stock market!! gee I wonder what their mission statement is? The ridiculous bullshit practices where Viagra is covered by scrip plans but birth control and hormone replacement therapy is not. WTF? Seriously its all snowballing out of control and sooner or later we are all gonna get rolled on.

G'day ya'll
S.C.

Saurkraut

2009-08-13T07:32:00.001-07:00

This is so darn easy to make!
All you need is cabbage, salt and some tools.

Shred the cabbage, mine was 4 heads out of the garden
Salt
food safe bucket
wooden tamper
plate to fit inside bucket
weight to hold plate
panty hose or cheese cloth

Layer shredded cabbage and salt, I used about a Tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage and let it rest in food safe bucket to sweat, once the sweating is good and going, go out to the garage and find a wooden 2x2 so you can start tamping the cabbage to form a brine. You will want enough liquid to cover the cabbage during the fermentation. Add a bit of salt water (1 tsp to 1 qt of water) if you just cannot create enough brine. Once ya got that done, place a plate over the cabbage in the bucket and weight it down with a clean rock or just a canning jar filled with water(lid on). I used a pair of CLEAN panty hose to cover the top of the bucket to keep flying critters out. Set in cool dark place and let it do its biness. It will stink for a few days kinda like a cabbage fart....just sayin. Its been 5 days and that farty odor is no longer. A few more days and it will be ready to eat.

The BEST Bacon

2009-08-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am not kidding, just look at this bacon!!! Good ole Montana Made Bacon!!

said bacon, chopped up and added to a pile of freshly steamed garden green beans.....lip licken goodness. Gobbled down, no picture just trust me.

Heifer International

2009-08-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Just wondering? If Heifer International is based out of Little Rock, Arkansas then is it safe to say that there would be no food to plate issues in Arkansas? Just a question I was wondering about in lieu of food security issues......does any one know the answer? Anyone? Anyone?

testing 1 2 3

2009-08-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

hmmmm, hmmmmmmmm,hmmmmmmmm how do I get music video posted where you do not have to click a link? This is what I am wondering. How do I get a music playlist on my blog? This is what I am wondering. HMMMMMMMMMMM.
OMG I figured it out!!!! well the first part, now the playlist.

In the garden....I just recieved a call back from a gal that has an organic farm/garden here in our county. I saw a picture in our monthly Food Co-op of her gardens, I called her to see if they do "tours". From what I could see the place is like my shangri-lah. No tours, they are busy busy with all the work they that do to keep it running at close to peak harvesting right now, just the 2 of them. To be quite honest I am seeking support for us garden gnomes, kind of like a 12 step program for gals with dirty fingernails. So we chatted a bit about organic gardening and this slow weather pattern, CSA and the like. It was good.

Back to School

2009-08-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

Before shopping do an inventory of what they already have......and make darn sure they can see the supplies they have, such as pencil boxes and backpacks!!! I know sounds simple but if they don't see it, they will talk you blue in the face trying to convince you they need the newest and coolest pencil case, back pack or whatever.

1. Do not wait til the last minute.
a. and before the county fair, when the entire southeast Montana population has come to town and ravages the aisles.
2. If at all possible, take one kid at a time and squeeze in a special treat time.
3. Scour the thrift store first for needed items. Now is the best time to scoop up clothing that does not get the heavy wear and tear as some other items. Such as vests, hoodies, sweaters, and shirts and snow pants of all things. Understand not all the items are in top notch quality so do check them over well. No holes, no stains, not too faded a bit we can live with that. Jeans will be hard to find for primary boys....if they are anything like my boy....the knees are ripped out. Khaki shorts galore. Ya win some ya lose some. I found half his shirts at goodwill along with some much needed swim trunks. I also stocked up on winter clothing, even though its hovering in the 80's, cold weather is right around the corner.
4. Create a realistic budget.....I admit I was being a bit cheap at first then when I thought about it some more I realized I had not purchased clothing in quite some time, heck the last time I bought shoes for my daughter was last year during school shopping....and I sewed up her skirts this spring and stashed them so they would avoid popsicle stainage. We are lucky because she
has tiny feet that do not grow very fast at all. I did come in under budget as it turned out anyways. I have a separate budget/savings stash for the "supply list issued from the school"
5. Do the best you can with what you have. Quality over quantity and find your middle ground somewhere in between. Seriously do our kids need to have 30 complete outfits for school?
6. Take a clean pair of socks with you for your kids to try on shoes!!

and for some humor......who knew crayons would be so gangsta fab!!!

August Garden

2009-08-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

Our Gardens are looking pretty good considering the whacky weather.

I put up a new trellis after I pulled the spent broccoli, planted with a second round of snow peas, lettuce, spinach.

Said broccoli, actually a few weeks back.

Patty pan squash....this thing is loaded to the nines

Snoozing lil bumble bee.....I had been walking past him all morning. Totally konked out.

Gorgeous Sunflower

liar liar pants on fire!!

2009-08-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

click the title

enough already! I am sick to death of the hogwash back and forth wishy washy crap you proposed during your campaign....bait and switch at its finest!!!
Insert a few choice cuss words here! Who am I kidding, its not a few, its alot!

TODAY I HAVE HAD IT *UP TO HERE* WITH BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL ASS CRAP!!!

SINCERELY,
ONE PISSED OFF COWGIRL

Boot in the Ass, cowgirl style

2009-08-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Trina Thompson,
Wow? REally? what I find most interesting about your lawsuit....and for those of you that do not know what I am talking about....Trina Thompson is suing the bronx college she obtained her degree from, because she has not obtained employment in her field 3 months post graduation.

Puh LEASE!! We are in a recession, thousands are losing their jobs everyday, along with facing some serious financial woes. Did it ever occur to you to look elsewhere in the interim until you find the job you want? In fact we have experienced this very thing some 16 years ago, my husband did not land the "a foot in the door job" for what? almost 3 years!! What he did not do however is lay down and play victim and blame everyone else for the circumstance!

Disgraceful! Nothing unusual in this day and age when everyone wants a bailout for their situation!!

Your life will not change by much if you do not learn to take responsibility for your SELF!!

are you by chance related to Octo Mom?

S.C.

Think about it!

2009-07-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

“You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it." Adrian Rogers, 1931

What is the purpose of this?

2009-07-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Good question.

The purpose of what? My life?, my gardens?, my skills?This blog? What?

Every now and again one comes across some reading or a quote that just hits them like a ton of bricks. Those 6 words hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. I do what I do because and the purpose part came later.

1. I chose to do it
2. (this came later)
3. Financial reasons
4. learning

I have not always been a stay at home mom, I chose to stay at home after the birth of our 3rd child. I reasoned every way possible as to why I "should" stay employed, but when the tic met the toc, truth be told I think my take home pay was somewhere around .75 cents an hour after taxes, gas, clothing and daycare expenses. What is the exact purpose of me working out of the home only to a. expense it all out and b. pay someone else to raise my children.

I do believe from the age of 22 to somewhere in my thirties I was on a gerbil wheel, just doing because it needed to be done. Truth be told here only in the last couple of years I have woke up and lived "mindfully" each and every day. Going from 2 incomes to 1 income has a way of doing that, and few other factors.

Let me take a moment here to say...."I am grateful that I have this opportunity and grateful for my husband and his unwaivering love and support and the job my husband has that provides us with shelter, food and basic needs for daily living and then some."

Note: when I say "support" it does not mean financial, making the choice to stay at home was difficult and a few of my demons where sitting on my shoulder mocking me and the ring leader was that demon/voice inside our heads that measures our self worth. There are still days where I would like to punch that butt head in the face.

Would I be worth anything at all if I choose this path?

I dunno? but there is only way to find out......jump in with both feet and hope like hell you can swim hard enough to make it to shore with your swim suit still on! I knew one thing for sure....at the end of the day my sweat and tears were worth more than 6 bucks!!

S.C.

Continued Education

2009-07-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Every year I like to learn a new skill and this year I would like to learn to make soap! Old fashioned soap from lye, fats and water. I have been cruising soap making sites for about a year now. I am ready to try it.

I would also like to learn to weld. My husband is a mighty fine welder.

Both would be great to learn in the fall when its a bit cooler.

Thats all, back to you folks

S.C.

I could be kind of a dork

2009-07-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

I was cruising through my album and ran across this photo, I have posted it before....I think. Mr. Grobler is the closest thing to a "celebrity meeting" I have ever had. I have seen him in my living room on the Telly, so close enough! I would have to chalk that day up to one of the Top Ten Best Days in my life. The whole day was kick butt.

Desperate Times call for Desperate Measures

2009-07-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

My legs are kinda pale....my arms with a just a hint of sun brown up like southern fried chicken, its the farmer tan gene kicking in. Even my feet tan very well in fact. They could have even time in the sun and my legs....still pale. Soooo I decide to use some essential grapefruit oil as the remedy. Now why grapefruit oil, well because it is an oil that has a precaution on it that says UV sensitive, as in USE CAUTION while in the sun when it perhaps is mixed with some lotion........ perhaps.

Well I already had applied regular lotion earlier in the day to my legs along with 50spf to my face(with hat and glasses always when I am outside), arms and back sooooo I thought what the hell I am gonna do it anyways....throw caution to the wind and use the essential oil how its not intended....and guess what? IT WORKS! In fact it works a little too well....my thighs have a bit of a red rosy glow to them, however they did get the most sun exposure while at the pool. the rest well, they are not pasty anymore thats for sure, a weee bit of color. My feet look great.

I DON'T RECOMEND ANYONE TRYING THIS AT HOME OR AT THE POOL.

Needless to say I researched via the great crystal ball, aka the Internet, for home remedies other than aloe for sunburn and I will be trying the tea and milk bath tonight to relieve some of this redness. I have applied 5 times Jasons tea tree aloe gel and it took the major heat out, but I would like to sleep well tonight, I will let ya'll know how the chai bath works.

Yours Truly,
Crispy Critter

maybe I will get lucky and any sort of cellulite will be gone in the morning.

Attention in the Terminal!

2009-07-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

That phrase was used alot when I worked at the local Airport oh some 7 years ago...incredible its been that long ago. It was seasonal city job taking care of all the flowers and landscaping. The job did not pay much but I tell ya I loved it. I always wanted to grab the mike and roll off with something witty and funny. No one would hand it over and with all the new law after 9/11 I am sure it would have been construed as an act of terrorism if I just grabbed it and rolled with it.

On another note......anyone sending me PM's from Soggy G.....I cannot retrieve them at this time, I have chosen to take a hiatus this summer to focus on my family and the projects that are lined up for Mwah to tackle. I can be reached at unkshei3atyahoodotcom if you need to get ahold of me.

This pretty much sums up the state of the union, think about it, no matter what political affiliation you have I find it fascinating that the new party/president never repeals any of the garbage law or Acts of congress the previous party/president passed while in Congress or on The Hill in the Whitehouse. Especially when the newly elected President may have railed about it as their "platform". For example Nafta, Patriot Act, No Child Left Behind and so on and so forth. The only one I can think of is Prohibition and even with the commerce of whiskey and booze and prostitutes they could not get it right......Maybe instead of washing the sheets they were just buying new ones....who knows.....but this same idology is what is driving this country into the wrecker....spending and spending till the coffers are dry....then what? Do we really want socialized medicine? I for one do not. Do we need change in this healthcare system? Oh you betcha!!! What I would like to see is an overhaul on the insurance companies and the lawyers that pursue frivolous lawsuits. Mr. BAucass does not have our best interests at heart, he sold out and his former staff now work for major pharmecueaticals as lobbyists. While we are on that subject......why do we even allow the Pharm companies to be traded on the stock market? Isn't that a weee bit of a conflict of interest? Do you remember the time when prescription drugs were not advertised on TV? Last I checked the stock market was for making money. Sooooo are they in it for the money?, of course they are, I wonder what thier advertising budget it? These are weird times, my friends, the answers and solutions are not simple ones either.

Ya know what else is funny, way back in the early 90's I used to go to this hairdresser, some of his best clients back in his formative hair skillz years were workin girls at the Mustang Ranch, its where he learned to perfect hair extensions. I asked for a perm, I should have gone with the extensions or some highlights. V-8 moment! I wonder where Dave is now.

GEt your boots on gals its gonna be getting deep I reckon.
S.C.

The Saga of The Thrift Store Dragon Lady

2009-07-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

I am always on the look out for canning jars. I was at a local thrift store here recently and loaded up my cart with 2 boxes of quart jars and the few pint jars that were on the shelves...3 larges for a buck and 5 smalls for a buck.While I meander back to the check out I spied some jars in a different section.....turns out the second batch were considered vintage and or antiques. Okay the blue ones I could believe that but the clear? I never new there was big market for clear vintage canning jars....at $3.50 a piece. So I had a question for the clerk...."I found this jar in the back with this lid (zinc lid) and its only .20 cents and these up here for 3.50....so what gives?

Que Loud Obnoxious Manager to come forth to the cash register. I ask the same question again.

LOM: "What? you found this one in the back, it looks like someone has been mislabeling things again, good thing she is on medical leave, you said you found this in the back?"
Me: "Yes, I did, that is why I am asking"

LOM: "THESE are VINTAGE, AND that is WHY we are asking more for them"
Me: "Sooo the one I found in the back, is that still for sale at .20 cents?" fast foward to whats whirling around in my brain....wha? vintage jars? I have heard of antique jars but not vintage....the blue ones?

LOM: "Where did you find these jars" (pointing to my 2 boxes of quart jars, dodging my question)
Me: "In the back stacked next to the canning jar shelves, I figured I would just grab the boxes of them to make it simpler for me to carry and your store help since they are already boxed"

LOM: "Well those on the top are vintage and WELL *sigh* SINCE you found them there, then you can have them for the regular price."

She proceeds to lecture me on what jars are vintage and why and I began to feel like Woodstock listening to Snoopy....wah, wah, wah, wah, wah.

Audience rolling their eyes....and when I glanced at one lady she states in a not so hushed manner "what an obnoxious lady"......hence the nickname Loud Obnoxious Manager.

Me: "Well then I will take the quart jars and the regular pint jars, cuz there is no way I am paying three dollars and fifty cents for THOSE other pint jars.

The clerk proceeds to ring up my bill

Clerk: How many quart jars?
Me: "Thirty and at 3 for a dollar that is $10 bucks and 5 pints for a dollar"

LOM to Clerk: "YOU are doing it wrong, you must sell them individually, gimme a pen and a piece of paper"

Clerk looks utterly embarresed, the line is growing and now the manager is chastising the clerk for her mistake. Manager annouces she "I need to figure things out".

Audience member: "Good Grief, ten goes into thirty three times do you really need a pen and paper to figure that out"

Me: chuckling and getting a bit rubbed by LOM.

LOM: "Well, I have never learned to can, I have always wanted too, but I have never learned"

Me: Secretly wanting to say...."basic math skills are a must if ya wanna learn to can" waiting to be shot down by the jar dragon, on second thought best to keep my mouth shut and best not to poke at dragons when they suffer from a bizarre psychotic behavior.

LOM to Clerk: "Its 3 at 10 dollars, thats how to ring it up, 3 at 10 dollars"

Me to audience lady next to me: "ya know I passed up an offer from a country gal willing to give me all 500 or so canning jars for free a few years back.... and before I could say anything else LOM butts in to say..... "bet you could just kick yourself for passin that up"

Me: "not really, I didn't have the use for them at the time, so no sense in hoarding stuff just because"...........hoping that last jab would sink into her thick skull.

Clerk: "That will be $13.75" (I did find some metal pie plates as well for camping)

I pay and one of the audience members holds the door for me while I leave with my goods, and she rolls her eyes and says "geez that was interesting". As I was driving away a thought occured to me....as they always do, never to come to you when you are right there dealing with nutso people. I am close to 40 and most folks in my generation do not can their own food.....how many folks of my parents generation did not can thier own food? So really I will bet you $$ on it MOST of the canning jars found from estate sales or gramma's attic are old....vintage is a nice term for "really old and kitschy", it does not mean priceless and hard to find. Get real LOM, I am never shopping in your second hand store again, you forget that all of the stuff in your store was GIVEN to your organization in hopes it would find a home and or be of use to someone else. You did not have to pay for it and probably did not pay for the shipping either. Sure you have some overhead, we all do....however you are a non profit organization and do not pay the same tax schedule as small business owners. Shame on you! The jams that I make and the food I can is worth far more than the jar....not the other way around.

Buh bye

and no I did not get the jar I found in the back for the advertised price of .20 cents.....it occured to me once I got home....I thought about making a fuss and going back there to get it, then I thought, why bother its obvious she needs it more than I do. Then I wondered if I buy them outright at that grocery store, how much is the difference? The new ones come with new lids and rings. yet to find out.

XOXO
Cowgirls Wear Shitkickers!

Long term food storage

2009-07-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

I am curious about these things.
*how much food do you have socked away?
*how it is stored?
*how do you rotate your inventory

I just read on a major website to use up what you have in your pantries when times get tough....that I can agree with, that is what food storage is for.......and in the same article stating from a "business perspective" that keeping an inventory of food is essentially a drain on your cash flow, comparing it to business's that keep inventory. I completely disagree with this line of thought. Could it be that the "business perspective" is a bit biased? When times get tough, I am sure if we had food stores, their business would REALLY feel it, if not go out of business! It is not a drain on your cash flow but an investment to feed your family if something should happen like a job layoff, major emergency or natural disaster. During those rough times our first line of offense is us....you and me, not the grocery store or food bank. If you are of the latter how many others are of that ideology? What will happen if 60 percent or more of your community relies on another source for food and did not prepare properly. I find it fascinating that most of our population could go probably a year without purchasing new clothing or shoes but not 1 month in regards to groceries. Proof: In new or homes built after the 50's the closets got bigger and the pantries got smaller if non existent.

Maybe it can be chalked up to the culture I grew up in. I kid you not the winters I remember....snowed in for weeks. One best have their ducks in a row well ahead of snow fall and be ready for it.

Yours Truly
Mrs. Squirrel

Such a Softie

2009-07-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to share a secret to soft skin....sugar scrub. The kind of sugar scrub you can make at home with 3 ingredients. For a few pennies your skin will be like budda! I just cannot on good conscience pay $15 for a body scrub when I know this stuff work better, cost less and you can actually pronounce the ingredients.

Sugar
Vegetable Glycerin (I found mine at the health food store)
essential oil (optional)

That is it! I just put some sugar in a reused container, then pour in the glycerin, stir and if its too dry add some glycerin until its somewhat slushy but not too slushy.....a few drops of essential oil if you have it and VOILA! There you have it. Smear and rub all over your body whilst in shower then rinse off, lather up, dry off and lotion up. Yoooz Be So MUCH Softer.

I first tried this with olive oil....no glycerin on hand.....not good...it left my bathtub a greasy, greasy mess...glycerin is much better.

Warning: Hubby or boyfriends will not want to take hands off of you. *wink*

XOXO
Val

Haulin Pigs

2009-07-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Its a dirty job but someone has to do it.

Good times with the patient Miss Stella.
Val

Line up!

2009-07-10T05:09:00.000-07:00

A while back I was reading where this lady had told her friend to turn off her "heat dry cycle" on her dishwasher to save on her energy bills. My curiosity was piqued, would that make that much of a difference? I thought. I tried it. $35 it knocked off my bill. Rough estimate of a smidge over a dollar a day. In fact it was close to 25% of my bill. A dollar per day does not sound like much but when I figured it in percentages I thought it was quite a bit. Seriously? that is only one appliance!!! No more heat dry, I can think of better/funner things to spend my money on than drying dishes.

I recently purchased a clothes line and got it erected yesterday. Cement socket and all, by myself. This was after I cut down the dead lilac with a chainsaw......yes a chainsaw, electric so it was not so heavy....I could not handle a big ole gas saw for the life of me. It felt good not to have to rely on a man to do these things. Digging the root ball out is another story, I mean really why hog all the fun, Mr. Ebes is going to be in on that one, as well as I am sure Mr. Bobcat! I am most curious to see what line drying does to my energy bill. No more line drying on the fence.....stuff getting blown off. Today I will create a pin bag from some old jeans. There is nothing like having crisp clean line dried sheets.....they smell terrific.

This year has been an appliance trade out year. The old fridge and freezer in the basement went bye bye,replaced with a new energy star chest freezer, the washer and dryer replaced with energy star front loaders.....cut my bill in half!! Had I replaced them 5 years ago when we added on this house, it would have amounted to $6,000!! I could kick myself for not doing it sooner, but no we just used what we had and they were really not that old. The total cost of the new appliances was $1,365, which we had been saving for and paid cash, plus a door buster sale the day after Thanksgiving. Lesson learned energy efficient appliances really do make a difference!!

Have a great day Ya'll
Val

Garden update

2009-07-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Its growing good considering we have had roller coaster weather. We have been eating chard, lettuce, radishes and broccoli. The broccolirahb bolted and went to seed in what seems like overnight. I will save the seed as it is an heirloom vegetable.

I love these raised beds, LOVE them, it makes it so much simpler and easier. I still have one spot that is done "old way" and I kind of ignore it.....not near as easy to stay on top of the weeds. It will be the last year for that bed as well. It will be a covered patio I am hoping next year. I did not solarize my beds this year due to inclement weather and them going in late. Solarizing kills the weed seeds and then gardening is virtually no work. It will also be a huge benefit to have the greenhouse up and ready this fall to roll on into spring with my own veggie plants. Nice! I tell ya what I have the best hubby in the world. He supports this passion of mine without a single wince., never do I hear him b*tch or complain about building this or that for me in my garden endeavors. He is a rockstar in my world, and most grown men want to be rockstars!!!!

Do a dollop of daisy

2009-07-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

Sing that jingle with me....do a dollop, do do a dollop....
sooc

and in bronze

I like them both for different reasons. Photography can be fun especially when you have a camera that really works for you.

We be JAmmIn

2009-07-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

MMMM strawberries, and today we will be making strawberry jam.

Find willing children to squeeze and mush up fruit after you have hulled

Its really easy. 5 cups strawberries, 1 box pectin mix and stir over medium heat till rapid boil, stir in 8 c. sugar bring to rapid boil, you may add 2 tsp of butter to decrease foaming. Into thee jars.

We ended up with 35 pints and we started with 24 pounds of berries, we ate some, a few didn't make the cut, so that is a rough estimate of what you will end up with.

I could have done the all berry method of cooking them down to concentrate the sugars in the fruit but I chose not to this time around. My husband loves this jam on this bread.

Basic Bread 2 loaves

2 T yeast
1/3 c. honey
2 1/2 c warm water

let sit until its good and bubbly
add 1/2 c. oil
1 tsp salt
6 cups of flour

If I use whole wheat flour I decrease the amount I use. Knead and turn out into an oiled bowl,cover and let rise to double. Punch down, shape, let rise again....325 for 25 minutes and your kids, neighbors, relatives and husband will think you are the queen of the kitchen.

How simple is that!!!!
xoxo
Val

Wide Open Spaces

2009-07-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Its a really big place....2 million acres wide open! That is big like no other. Growing up we worked on 250,000 acres, this even blew my mind. Good horses are an absolute must, so is a motorbike, they were finishing up branding slicks, just a few and it had dragged on for a week or so putting it off as they had been getting rain everyday for quite a while. My oldest nephew is an absolute peach, well they both are in fact.....my nephew told me and I quote "I'm an American Cowboy, always have been and I always will be". I believe him.

No corrals in this area, just move em up into the corner and construct a holding area with movable panels. Boy are my kids in for a surprise. Pip did not handle this well, she watched but a tear rolled down her cheek..."mama, the calves are just bawlin". Me hugging her "true Pip, but that is how it is done". Branding was a bit hard on Pips heart.

"Sticky".....she is a sassy mare, and a good hand and good lookin to boot and she knows it, she is the cover girl for the day.

Get r done.

How its done.

Workin Hands.
I am fascinated by workin hands....ranchers, farmers, mechanics, anyone really, they can tell a story all themselves.

Nepalese sheep herder taking a snooze. Yes ya'll this way of life still exists, in our tech new age its kind of like a time warp I reckon for most. He has the simplest life, no worries but the safety of the sheep, his horse, dogs and himself.....in beautiful wide open spaces.

While we were up there in the hills of Wyoming and right after this photo while I was reviewing it on the screen with my brother, the thought of environmentalist extremists wanting to decrease sheep production due to their methane output popped in my mind. Those extremists don't know squat about what is natural or not natural, I think they best come here to find out. This is ranching country, its dry and it takes alot of acres to raise animals. Nope sorry, soybeans and rice are not going to be growing here. Dang Cute little lamb, and wilder than a March hare.

Ranching life is a bit more simple than in most other places in the world. Its hard work, folks understand there are simply a few things in life you cannot change....best not to waste time and energy on it. Ranchers love what they do, its hard work and its a good life. While growing up in the country I thought it odd folks would take a vacation to ranch, I mean really, Its work!! As a kid I could have thought about a bazillion other things to do, like lying down on a sandy beach with not a care in the world. Now I know why. I have lived in the city for 20 years now, its not about paying to work. Its about going to a place so out of the ordinary of your everyday life to experience a different way of life or a different culture if you will. Life there was slower, it was simpler and it was good.

Its hot in the frying pan!!

2009-06-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

Oooh doggy its been jumpin around here. Since we returned home from Wyoming I have done the following... This is all from the Wednesday to the following Saturday, tonight. I think I kicked butt on getting a few things done around here. So take that 28 day challenge.
priced the rest of my g-sale stuff
sewed 7 more recycled scarfs, 1 baby hat and 1 soaker....cashmere, way soft and perfect for a baby. I love good wool.
garage sale weekend
take leftovers to family services
dinged out the basement, found stuff I missed
moved all Halloween and Christmas totes to upstairs storage
dinged out Big Betty, she is a huge storage buffet in my dining room
Prepared Betty for canning season, she is now home to canning supplies
dinged out the wood shed.....the two seater is in use now. Now any grubby kids and their mom, dirty from working in the yard can use it without tromping dirt in the house.....hey it should save a bit on the water bill.
Sewed and new set of shower curtains/drapes for the downstairs bathroom. I like having the bathroom shower flanked for some reason.
Planted Rhubarb and more basil.
Prepared for yet another follow up garage sale...bored as ever and it was slooow so I painted up those chalk boards, stained the wood on my camper door, painted an end table, shelf and sign during that time.....read up on some Mother Earth News, and Mary Janes Farm.
Went to bed early that Friday night, I was pooped!
Wake up on Saturday thinking I am going to remove the dead lilac to replace with an umbrella clothesline..... since I located an electric chainsaw, nope I found an email update for a sale on Strawberries and the discount grocer.....urch! HELLO!! change of plans......24 pounds of straweberries in tow (good thing Big Betty was ready) , gather supplies for Pippies birthday, 3 garage sales and 1 thrift store later back at the house to finally process 35 pints of jam, 4 pies and kids to bed and the camper ready for a day trip of fishing on Sunday. Pippy asked for Birthday Pie instead of cake.....How darn cute is that? love that kid!!!

I still have not loaded any new pix, I do promise I have some good ones for ya. How in the heck bloggers keep up with that is something I have not figured out. So even with that said I have Denny Mcloughlins class to attend next week, so I will be a bit MIA. July will be dialed down a bit....but not by much, I have an Art show to prep for, gardening should be in full swing. Its all good!!
Lots of Love to Ya'll!!
Val

ps....we hit 102 this week, so not ready for that. One day its in the 80's then 102, back down to 72. oi that was way hot for us in June!!!

Uh Oh!

2009-06-22T05:33:00.001-07:00

I have found myself coming down with a serious case of wanting to paint. Not the kind of painting on canvas but painting walls. Not good, I have so much other stuff to get done that this would really throw a wrench into me plans.

Where did I pick up this bug? I have not wanted to paint walls in 5 years. I really burned out after we built the house. Ack!! I have the urge to paint the kids's room Taos blue, and the living room butter yellow. Oh crap! Its taking over my every thought.

I think for today I will paint up some chalk board doors just to appease my inner paintbrush....

It can get nuts inside my skull at time! sheesh I tell ya!!!

XOXO
Val

Frugal Cleaning products that get the job done

2009-06-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

Could this post be any more ________. Feel free to insert any descriptive adjective you wish.
If you just dropped in on any grocery store I bet you could easily drop 50 smackers on cleaning products to clean everything from grout to toilets to windows to get you started. No need cowgirls and cowboys. I used to be that gal that had everykind of cleaning product under the sun.

Here is what I have under my sink..
Pine Sol, thanks to blue statue lady. I totally forgot how awesome this stuff is. For 2.59 I can make 20 spray bottles full. Well that equates to less than 20 cents per bottle. Sure beats paying 4 dollars per bottle of fancy spray cleaner, even the stuff from the dollar store equates to being 10 times as spendy.

Baking soda. This is the best gunk lifter. Even baked on nastiness. Just make a paste and smear it on and let it sit. Great pre soak for dingy clothing.

Another tip for you whites, get em in the sun. One would be amazed at how well it works for sun bleaching out stains and dingy grayness, I learned that back in my cloth diaper days, and its easier on your utility bill. I predict a clothes line comeback for this year as we find ways to cut costs in this slumping economy.

Vinegar is the best for cleaning floors and great for windows.

Mr. Clean magic erasers will save your sanity~~

Thats all folks....simplify your cleaning cabinet.
S.C.

Up and Away

2009-06-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Its a cardinal rule around here to keep the walking area clean and picked up, the only exception to this rule is the playroom, however at the end of the day I still need to be able to walk through it. No one likes to stumble over Tonkas, shoes, back packs, duffle bags, or clothes on the floor. Look at your walls do you have room for a peg rack, shelf or cubbie? This rule goes for pictures as well, get em up on the walls and not all over flat surfaces. Much easier to maintain.

If you are storing items in rubbermaid totes, remember to keep the least used stuff in the bottom ones and more frequent used stuff in the middle and upper ones. Seems simple enough but I am amazed at how stuff can get jumbled all together and one finds them selves hunting through each one, and on that note label them too!!

I have been away a bit for a trip to visit my brother and his kids. I did manage to click off over 500 photos, I will be uploading and sharing those soon. From branding, fishing, playing, scenery and would you believe 2 Nepalese sheepherders. How neat is that! Heck I thought the days of sheepwagons and sheepherders were times gone by. Not so! Gosh who knew Wyoming is actually very scenic. I was pleasantly surprised and totally expected an eastern Montana like enviroment. They have gotten double the moisture for the year thus far, so I was reassured that did help make it easy on the eye. The Wind River Pass was so preetty, and you get to drive through a few tunnels..my first time...I really need to leave my home state more, get out of my comfort zone. Montana is a really nice place to live , it's my home and has been my whole life, but it is nice to go explore then comeback.

Our Garage sale is this weekend and I have been on the hunt for wool sweaters like crazy to repurpose, I found some doozies!! Oh and I was gifted a serger so this repurposing sweaters has just gotten a whole lot funner....is that even a word? In my world it is!! I LOVE IT!! I bought my daughter a potholder loom to keep her busy on the trip, when I say its remote where we went, its remote. Not totally at the main ranch house but we were planning on moving his camper up to the area that has no electricity,running water or toilet... aka "cow camp" but we were rained out. It's best kids learn to keep themselves occupied with their hands for something to do. So I was thinking with all the t shirts my hubby goes through that end up holey she could get her dad to build her a larger loom for placemats and then dye them with the procion dye we already have from other projects. I would not mind one for myself in rug size. Imagine that? one more medium!! I may not have the grasp of such recycling as Ms. Ffrench, however I love making new things out of stuff that seems to have no purpose left. Its getting every last drop out of that resource. I will more than likely need a few projects lined up for the winter months as *sniff* my baby, my last child will be entering Kindergarten this fall.

Live with a purpose!
Val

Introducing Mr. Tok Tokkie

2009-06-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Neat bug!

I picked him up off the ground right outside our cottage in the bush while in Kruger. They are called Tok Tokkie beetles and their claim to fame is drumming their abdomen on the ground to find other tok tok's. I did find a few dung beetles and one flew into our rig....equally as cool...lil unksheibahminkmahs....aka "turd roller". Dung beetles are surprisingly fast lil buggers. Mr Ebes says the tok tokkie is more fitting cus I like to talk talkie a-lot!!

Buzzzzzzzzzzzz

2009-06-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

I am the queen bee but this queen bee works too.

Decluttering for yard sale.
new trellis in the garden...one up and 3 more in the wings, it started raining so the welding ceased...Ebes just rocked it finding welding screens at an auction for dirt cheap. 2 for me, 2 for him.
turnip, radishs, pumpkins, and winter squash planted
T ball is still going, 3 more games this season
school is out for summer
guinea pig funeral...I will miss you sweet Lucy!!!
Farm and Ranch supply trips
1 landscape design finished, set and wrapped up, 2 more on the board
4 new shrubs in
a great deal on 3 pallets of flagstone, thanks to my generous pal Scott, whom I do the consults for! *high five* to you Scott, okay maybe I will hug you. Thank YOu!!
Currently browsing 3 new periodicals on urban homesteading...special interest in greenhouse's, backyard chickens and edible landscaping...berries in particular.
Joined the Freedom Gardens Forum.....but I am a bit lost, its like a Facebook format and I dont facebook so its a bit over my head.
So busy is as busy was and ITS ALL GOOD!!

and I gotta bitty secret but mums the word for right now, I am the 1st person she called, and for that I am honored. Needless to say a few things are going to comeback out of that garage sale pile!!

XoXo
Val

Its raining, Its pouring.....

2009-06-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

I should be sorting and tagging!!
We are hosting a multi family garage sale this year.....I have started to go through the house, room by room, ridding it of any unused, outdated, outgrown items. Kids room is done. They have grown like weeds this year!!!
I go through each and every drawer, closet and holdout for stuff and tag as i put them in the boxes, with clothing I do not tag individually, they get blanket prices.....kids items 50cents, coats 2 bucks, Jeans 2 bucks etc. Sierra bags up the little things and sells them that way.
I do not like going to garage sales and searching for prices, it bugs me to no end. So word to the wise have everything clearly marked. I always have a free box for odds and ends as well. I do not advertise in the newspaper anymore, it costs close to $40 for a 2 day add.....we just make sure we have plenty of signage around our neighborhood.

What are your garage sale strategies? any tried and true tips?

Busy as a bee!!

2009-05-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

Its been busy around the urban homestead. We experienced a late cold spring and now today its 88 degrees. I really needed to get this all in 3 weeks ago however our oldest daughter(18) was in the hospital for 2 of those weeks....so this went way back burner. She is healing and this was busted out this week. Mr. Ebes did manage to build us 5 more of those long raised beds on Memorial day and filled as well, me planting right behind him.

My main garden area

and one just off to the side of it.

The first Peony bloom of the year

Between the hospital and the garden we managed to squeeze in the camping trip we had planned way back when we got the camper. Mo thought she would go with us, on second thought lazing around watching movies with her Aunt and cousin sounded better so she declined. I do not hold it against her, she was not up for camping one week after surgery.

A few photos from said trip up in the Beartooths.

Gorgeous lil waterfall while hiking to Sioux Charlie.....and we soon discovered this is a day hike for older kids and adults. We made it almost 3/4 of a mile up until Sierra started losing her footing.

Our lil nature nut youngest daughter out in the lead in true Sierra fashion....soon to be back with me when the climb started to get some grit to it.

a bit of fishing

flowers along the way...not enhanced just straight out of camera, heck most of mine are anyway.....me not so savvy with photo editing much.

Its been a busy 3 weeks to say the least. Summer weather is here and I welcome the sunshine!!
The camper suited us well. It does need some foam pad for our sleeping bunk....that was a bit hard on my hips. The kids bunk was actually very comfy. Wow!! May just passed in a flash.

My mecca

2009-05-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

SMELL IT!

STICK YOUR NOSE IN IT!

ZANY ZINNIAS

GORGEOUS POPPYS

HEAVENLY HYDRANGEA

We came home with none of the above, we picked up our heirloom tomatoes, pepper, cabbage, and broccoli plants, my son grabbed a few packs of petunia and marigold, marigolds are his favorite because they are orange. I also picked up comfrey and if you are not familiar with this plant is also called bone-knit. Great for sprains, tendonitis and skin inflammation. Apply externally.
They are hardening off outside. Our last frost is May 15th, however I have seen snow here 11 out of 12 months of the year.

Universal Love

2009-05-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when I said all kids where ever when ever love to ham it up.

Men love beeya no matter where you are as well.

and this man is no exception.

We learned proper clinking of the beeya bottles as well.....geez they gotta be so formal, even with beeya, I was getting a bit nervous about my not being so formal...clink the tops, clink the bottoms and then clink the tops AGAIN and say "your toast" and it could be as simple as "Thank God for cold beeya on hot day" then swig.

Daily bread...

2009-05-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/

yes, everyday or so I check in.

The Devraes family is inspiration at its finest! Living where water restrictions abound in a semi arid region they manage to feed their family on 1/10th of an acre in American suburbia. Incredible!

Cheerio!

Purple Rain, Purple Rain

2009-05-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

Now I know what that means!!

Have a great day, its sunny and going to be about 65 degrees today, utterly lovely!!
S.C.

Essence

2009-05-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

Of Rhino...

Lets back up a bit,
Mark:"Val, there is a rhino out of the park that so and so and so and so are going to go dart to transport, would you like to go along"

Me: "YEEEESSSSSS, I will be right down"

me, getting to lower hangar, find mark

Mark: "Oh hi val, this is Mr. ututiewhfhd, he will be the veterinarian doing the darting"

Me: "Pleased to meet you, you look very familiar" (shaking his pie plate size hand)

Me: hmmmmm, where on earth have I seen this guy before, at the birthday party?no, that's not it.
THEN I KNEW!!
HE IS THE GUY I HAVE SEEN ON ANIMAL PLANET.....so i essential scream that out like a 12 year old. I had to ask him his name again, Mark talks fast and the accent throws me a little.

so we climb into the Jet Ranger and immediately I start thinking, hmmm what would I really do if we actually went down. Morbid I know, but I grew up in the middle of no where and of course there is always a bit of risk when doing something of this nature. pay attention to the landmarks, roads and rivers. Ack, then my mind just drifted and took it all in.

Oh there he is! Odd because just less than a half mile from him is a dirt road with children walking on it and folks all about.

Running...running...getty whoozy.....soooo sleepy....and down he went.

Look at those feet, they were spongy but leathery with funky toenails, boy that would take alot of nail polish (yes those are the weird thoughts that pop in from time to time)

At this moment Mike is encouraging me to go up and "check it out"...Really? I wont be in the way? I touched him, and was quite curious about those feet. Odd and Cool and the same time.

And my favorite photo of animal planet celebrity man!

Ooofda he is a big bugger

With alot of help from folks that just came from all around they got that big ole hunk of Rhino into the trailer. Meanwhile I am snapping pictures like a mad woman, and all the kids around us were diggin that. The friendly young lady standing next to me most of the time enamoured me with her smile and kindness. One things for sure the native black folk where we were have the most stunning teeth. Coming from me backwoods girl with crooked teeth, you can see how this is a big deal for me. See....look at that smile!

I thought about this young gal on the fly back to the hangar and wondered what her life was like, and the experiences she has had.

Once we were back on the ground and a few more pictures with Mr. Grobler, I ran up to my hubby and said "Honey I brought back something for you"...."really"......I hold up my hand in his face while saying "yes I did, essence of rhino ass, here take a big whiff".

I think it took me a few hours to come down from that high!!! It was special indeed, and permanently etched in my memory bank.

So full of it

2009-05-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Compost that is....

this is my small composter. It holds 180 gallons or so of debris. it is what a I use for day to day composting year round. I mix it 3-4 parts carbon (dry leaves, dry grass, sawdust shavings,shredded paper) to 1-2 parts nitrogen depending on the "heat" content (green residue, fresh cow manure, kitchen scraps) It heats up quickly, I just turn it everyday and in two weeks its good to go on the garden. Through the winter I just keep filling it and filling then this spring I dumped in loads of wood shavings to balance the mix. Its cooking up as we speak, in 6 days I can use it.

This is what I refer to as the "bobcat method". In the fall we gather all of our leaves and run them through a chopper, any leftover grass clippings, branches, even paper and garden residue etc and mix it with a bobcat load or two of fresh cow manure.Mix with the bobcat scoop and push into a big pile and let it cook all winter. I will use this up this spring in all of the garden and flower beds. I will hold back just a bit for starter in the rolling composter.

Another reason to get chickens, chicken poop is the hottest and there for takes less to get the job done AND I will not need to beg my neighbor for poop. Besides those chickens will come in handy for egg production and keeping those destructive grasshoppers at bay. Triple threat chickens, yup I need some of those.

So Annie thats my magic composting formula. There are alot of composters on the market, and alot of folks that have written books about it as well. This is what works for us. So one minute we will be overun with compost and the next its all gone.

Note to the hired man: New grass clippings and diggings must go in a new pile. I wonder if he will quit his job when I tell him? Hopefully not, he still has to sleep next to me. *wink*

serious thoughts a brewing.

2009-05-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would warn you.

Last fall Ebes and I went to South Africa. Ha, his boss thought I would not go. Silly man, he doesn't know me to well. Trip of a lifetime, for many reasons.
I have not shared much "out in public" so I thought I would just go for it. There was SO much to take it, from the climate, people, food, agriculture, atmosphere, politics, etc. Simply Amazing and Mind blowing at the same time. I encourage anyone to go at least once in their lifetime.

NO matter where you are in the world, kids love to ham it up for the camera.

I think hunger and food issues are at the forefront of Africa the continent, we can all agree on that. Where we were a bird can poop out a seed and it will grow. Its that fertile! Oh and I did do some landscaping while I was there and wouldn't you know it the nursery we went to was "The Montana Garden Pavillion".....haha slap my knee, Scott and Jerry are just not gonna believe me!!

So the food issues, well I came away with a better understanding when I visited with Florence a bit. She lives in Hazeyview and travels to Nelspruit via bus for work. She does not have a garden or chickens and when I asked her why she stated "they will be stolen from me while I am away for work, no point in it."....me left mouth agape. I really had to mull that over, I came to the conclusion there must be a real lack of boundaries in her community, either out of ignorance or the mindset that whats mine is mine and whats yours is mine, I see a fruit I am hungry I am going to get the fruit. Mr. Stephen clued me in a bit about the turmoil in Zimbabwe. Seriously I really do not care of any political agenda of what is pc here. Bottom line.....Mugabe essentially sentenced, oh lets say millions to famine by ridding the country of Boers that know how to farm the land once creating the breadbasket of that entire continent!! (that is not a typo, thee entire continent). Shame really! Stephens cousins, who were quite young at the time along with his aunt and uncle fled their farm under attack, meanwhile watching thier animals being slaughtered in front of them!!(I had goosebumbs on goosebumps). So tell me how is it that land reform (redistribution of wealth) supported their country and its people?

I am convinced that Boers or Dutchman no matter where they live in the world are the best farmers, its in their blood, its their gift to the world. They have the inate ability to grow food. I have seen it. Its true.
Reminds me when we were having a meal with Mr. Robbie.(Mr. Robbie is a doctor and has a smallholding farm that has been in his family since Blood River Battle times) I saw a butternut on his counter, I said "I grow these back home, they are so good"....Robbie says "I am planting two acres of these"........hold a sec, let me wrap my around that visual. I say to him "are you nuts? you know you are going to have like thousands of these to eat" Robbie says "yes that is what I am going for"....then I chuckled...I think he was thinking..."this American is a bit slow". What Robbie does not realize is I have never seen a garden farm in my life. He also grew bananas on his farm. Neato!
When we arrived he had a branch of ylang ylang in his hand....to smell that was a glimpse of heaven for me. I have only smelled the essential oil before that. Mr. Mark had a 9mm strapped to him as well, he warned me before hand...."dont be afraid Val, but Mr. Robbie has been captured 3 times and tortured, so we are in a bit of danger just going to visit him, but I assure you it will be all worth it"
He was correct, I could visit with Mr. Robbie for hours he is fascinating to say the least. The plants around the patio veranda were incredible, the scent of jasmine lingered in the cool air. He finally fenced everything, not because of intruders, because of a hippo showing up in the back yard one morning.

We ate basic good healthy food the entire time we were there. vegetables, meat, fruit and sweet potatos. I was so worried that there would not be meat so I stuffed my suitcase with 10 big bags of jerky, you know, just in case. RyHahn enjoyed that jerky immensely, "its different from our biltong, but I really like it".

So from my personal experience in what I saw....their is no good reason for the hunger that continent faces.NOT ONE! Sure, there are many excuses, those excuses are rooted in the throws of politics and personal agendas of those in power. A paradigm shift in thinking is what is needed from the top to the bottom to rise above it. In time, sooner than later is what I pray for.

xoxo
sc

2009-05-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

Confession Stand

2009-05-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

That is what my daughter calls the concession stand at the ball field. I thought I was gonna pee my pants when she blurted out to everyone in a 20 foot radius ........"MOM may I go the the confession stand to get some candy?"

No really I confess, I am totally addicted to this years Britain's Got Talent. First it was Susan Boyle, which my viewing number of times on you tube is probably over 50 by now. Incredible and still leaves me a bit misty. Could be my front runner that Susan. So plucky and funny too. Then there is Holly Steele, holy crap such a little person with a HUGE voice and now there is Jamie Pugh. He is a total underdog and suffers from stage fright and just knocked the socks off the audience first time ever on stage!!! Amazing these 3 have never been scooped up. Oh and Elliot of the Good Evans, he should audition alone.

Ear Candy!

Thats all back to your regular scheduled reading.
val

Just keep sewing, just keep sewing.

2009-05-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

I have recently fulfilled my dream of being a jockey. Albeit I have been riding that sewing machine like a jockey and loving every minute of it. That's how I roll. I go on spurts whatever the creative project is I go full tilt until I am absolutely exhausted of that particular medium. Its a strange phenom with me. It could be painting, sewing, gourds, beading or what have you. In the past I was really into making jewelry, I did that for 3 years....totally obsessed. Then one day I just put it all away and have not touched it for another good 3 years. They do not take up much space so I do keep them for when I pick it up again, my daughter and niece go up and dig around in them and make something on a whim. Its good to feed your artistic creative self, however I do limit myself on just how many mediums I work in. Why? because if I didn't set some guidelines I could fill this whole house with "rooms" with stuff. Could you imagine a sewing room, art room, framing room, scrapbook room, gourd room and so forth. It would be a bit overwhelming for my hubby. I would absolutely be in hog heaven.
*Disclaimer: I am not a scrapbooker (my daughter wishes I were) and heavens to Betsy if I were I could see myself going a bit crazy....have you seen all the latest and greatest papers, embellishments and frippery? It truly is a new sort of art form. I recently visited a scrapbook store and left knowing full well I best not delve into that medium, it could cost me my retirement. Now those papers, I was imagining all the pretty papers magically turning into fabric.

I knocked out a few more cotton skirts, a fabric cup cake, 15 or so felt barettes,crayon rolls, wool posie pins, 3 more recycled wool skirts and now perfecting the "perfect" reversible headband. Currently shopping around for a serger, so if you have any recomendations let me know.

Cheery-O
Val

Denny is coming....WhooHoot!! (click for further info)

2009-04-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

Public Service Announcement
Okay all you Southwestern and Northeastern Montanans, its time to get to class. Denny will be here June 29,30 July 1,2 for his High Trust Psychology classes Billings West High. I have only been jawing about it for a year now. More info is on his site for times and address.
If you are human this class is worth ever cent. He teaches us skills to navigate this sometimes nutty world, increase the joy with those that we love, our spouses and children. Inspire not only ourselves to get the most out of life while inspiring others to reach and achieve their goals!! Especially our children.

GET'r done, click the title header....and for readers not in Montana he does travel around as well, he just maybe in your area, check it out!!

Have a wonderful day,
S.C.

fruits of my labor

2009-04-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

Vintage inspired posie pins

Felt hair clips, first try at this.....and if you find someone selling these for $8, pay it, they are alot of teeeeeedious work. seriously. Good project to fiddle with at the baseball fields in hopes of keeping me from devouring a bag a spitz!!

2 items from days gone by. Felted wool slippers and a fleece cape (my first applique evah). Both items still in use today.

It was a great weekend as a new pair of "good scissors" sure makes sewing and cutting a cinch!

Have a great day ya'll
Val

Lookin Good

2009-04-27T10:04:00.000-07:00

Still puttering away on the camper.

scrappy pillow with what looks like tooled leather faux fabric on the back.

Same faux tooled leather made into a valance for the camper over the mini blinds.

A bit dark of photo, I just wanted to show you the improvements. It really is coming along nicely.

Recycled wool skirt and shrug

2009-04-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

I love wool, it is such an underestimated fibre, especially merino wool. I found some sweaters at the thrift store for a few bucks each. Not my size but I did have a great plan for them.

TaDa

and a close up of that rosette that is hiding a tiny hole

The shrug top

Simplicity #4252

Good quality childrens wool is hard to find and when you do its quite spendy, I think these set me back $6 for the used sweaters.....and both merino wool. Merino is soft and light weight and great for layering. This set will look great with some argyl tights and which ever undershirt she chooses. I still have quite a bit in scrap leftover, maybe a skinny scarf perhaps?!

Now that top was a bit of a bugger, the weave was not as tight as the weave in the skirt, so it liked to slip a bit while sewing. I got it all finished and went to hem the sleeve....wasn't gonna happen. I remembered to change my stitch to a zig zag and messed with the lenght a bit and ended up with a nice lettuce edge.

Happy sewing!!
S.C.

The Three Stooges

2009-04-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Just a tad bit on the naive side, life is all about treats.

My Mad Skillz

2009-04-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

More sewing, the girly twirly skirt.
.

and this close up.

the bohemian funky skirty

Country girl

DiscoButterfly....heavy on the um shine

High Five

2009-04-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

Why is it that little boys wind up to give a high five? It kinda hurts.

Big day a brewing, I am taking the lil pardners outside for yard clean up, amazing how much trash I do not see until I am hiding easter eggs. I would so be in prison if we lived in Singapore, really I have more garbage laying around on my 1 acre than they do in the entire city. Caning fer sure.

Grass seed is on the list for the back half and some weed n feed. I know not so "green". Forgive me, I vascilate back and forth from the green movement to I just want it to look nice....K? We are bracing our selves for a storm. It was reported 1-3 inches of water accumulation in the nest 3 days. First time I heard that, since the ground is warm now the snow will just melt so they will not predict it as 2-3 feet of snow. Its mid April for the love of Pete this is getting a bit old!!! So I best make the best of it.

Time to get crackin!
Val

Street Cred!!!

2009-04-12T18:30:00.001-07:00

Word on the streets these hens is lookin for the Eastah Bunny, they have a bone to pick, something about getting all the glory for eggs all over the place......watch yer back Eastah Bunny. just sayin.

these bioshes are looking to kick yer....

HEY! i AM JUST THE MESSENGER!!!

In other news...... I am lookin to have me some of these hens. I love em. Barred Rock a.k.a. Zebra Chickens. I want a whole flock, er.. uhm.. I mean herd!! Throw in a few amazing layers like the Australorps and few of those black fluff ball chickens, and some red ones and I will be set. Sorry Lois, but I am considering livestock. I will totally share my eggs with you.

For now I will settle for my chicken print pillow, I gots to build me a hen house....correction...Ebes has gots to build Us a hen house. He is so good that way.

XoXo
Boss Lady

Be the light.

2009-04-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter Ladies. This holiday used to be so conflicted for me personally. I never quite understood how a bunny that hid eggs was tied to Jesus dying on the cross and ultimately resurrected, or folks deserting one place for another. I just could not wrap my head around all of it. I finally "got it". What a relief. I celebrate several aspects of this Holiday. Death, Birth and Rebirth. We are constantly growing in our spiritual lives as well as our personal and professional lives, they are not separate, they are intertwined. Old ways or "those that do not grow corn" must die, and it can be painful at times however it leaves us the opportunity to sow new seeds to grow those that will. Its all Gooood. Feed the flame that burns deep within your soul.

in⋅spired

[in-spahy^uhrd]

–adjective

1.	aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to do something, by or as if by supernatural or divine influence: an inspired poet.

2.	resulting from such inspiration: an inspired poem; an inspired plan.

inhaled: inspired

Essential Oil Room Spray

2009-04-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

I have shared this recipe mucho macho onlino with a few ladios. I keep getting emails requesting the secret ingredients. Oh yer just gonna die when you realize how darn easy and simple it is.

1 part H2O
1 part vodka or rubbing alcohol
essential oil of liking or fragrance oil of liking. I make mine strong, its a personal choice.
pump spray bottle

I personally use rubbing alcohol for the recipe and save the vodka for internal use. Its not a vice versa kinda thing. The difference between Essential oils and Fragrance oils....EO's are natural and come directly from plant material. FO's are synthetic.

My favorite blend is.........drum roll please
Patchouli & Gardenia

a few others are
Lavender & Vanilla
Orange, Clove and Green Tea
Ylang Ylang & Black Pepper

and of course Lilac.

Go ahead, Take a big whiff.
aaaaaaaaaah, those smell so good.

Ta Da part Duece

2009-04-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

looking good, good lookin.
Making progress. Still workin it.

Ta Da

2009-04-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

Raised beds compliments of Mr. Ebes.

to go here...5 new ones in fact.

When he built them it was as you can see drying out, the next day we had snow and more snow the following week. We are nigh upon Easter and that means potato and pea planting time this weekend. Sweet its perfect timing now that its not so wet.YEEHAW!!

Auction Barns

2009-04-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

Here in the last 6 months 2 auction barns have popped up on my radar. I'm thinking, hey..... this maybe an easier way for me to get rid of some stuff. Think about it, no pricing, no setting up, waiting all day for garage sale folks to show up.dickering over a $1 item, putting up and taking down signs. I am gonna poke around and see what their commision is. It just may be worth it to send it all to the auction barn. The key for me is to walk away and not attend. I have a weakness for auction barns, you never know what treasure you'll find.

Like a banana box of salt and pepper shakers. Think about the gifting potential that holds. Nah, not really. I remember my dad bringing home that box of salt and pepper shakers and how fun it was to dig through them. Good chance he still has them. I still have a teddy bear from an auction when I was 7 years old. Auction barns bring back good memories for me as a kid, probably not so much for others. The last time I remember them being so popular was in the 70's and 80's when farms up north were going under due to the terrible financial times. With the recession at hand, look for auction barns to be active again.

Auctioneers are a unique folk, how do they talk so darn fast anyhow?

Have a great day gals, I am so thankful the sun is shining!!!!
Val

Cuz thats how I roll

2009-04-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

Kinda homely and its asthetic appeal is growing on me.

Rethinking the American Dream.....click me

2009-04-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

Do take a moment to take a peek, I thought it was well written.
I like simplicity, I have simplified a few aspects of my life and lemme tell ya, waaaaaaaay less stress, and that includes the company I keep. I like stuff with history, like my camper for example. Its OLD, but its well made, it serves our purpose well. I can make it my "own". Its not Humongous. I have been in new campers and fifth wheels, I do not like them. For starters most of them have carpet and not near as much storage as older models, oh and a big pricetag's to match their monstrous size. No thanks. My hubby is eyeballing them, I say good luck with that, have fun vaccuming that in the desert or at the lake, I am going fishin.
I like to grow my own food, beat to my own my drum.
I purchase with a purpose, I don't care what other people think. I try to look and dress decent, but I do not know what the latest and greatest labels are. I do not want my house to look like everyone else's house on the block, Mine is unique and no matter where I live it will always be different. I am anti cookie cutter all the way. I will never spend $300 on a purse, or $2K on a set of wheels.....just the wheels, not the whole car. I like a simpler way of life. My vacation destination is not Disney World, its a National Park. I will never understand paying 2 benjamins for a bottle of wine. Not gonna happen. I do however understand the value of a good work ethic and know when to stop to enjoy those that are important to us.
I love the company of great friends, family, shared with fabulous food....maybe that is what the Amercian Dream is all about....share each others company and eat each others food and say it was good.
Sounds pretty simple to me,
Val

Creature of Habit

2009-03-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am having a strange aha moment. I have discovered I am a creature of habit. I am an open book. It all came about while examining these discounted swatches I picked up to make pillows for the camper.

Tired of hearing about the camper yet? Tough, I am a creature of habit, I never stop until I am finished (how is that for redundant). I want to include ya'll in the journey. There is some ju-ju going here, or my own internal compass guiding to me what is my zone. In reality all I am doing is creating a home away from home. I love being home that much. I am a homebody. What? I thought I was part gypsy? Maybe I am a gypsy that loves to come home. I have only really traveled a small bit....Glacier Park, Yellowstone Park, the Southwest, Africa. Each and everyone of my "colors" is richley illustrated in those destinations. From the crystalline aquas and turquoises, the many shades of green from lizard to leaf, the reds and oranges of the red rocks to the the african plains, the greens and orangey reds of my canned good for crying out loud!! From placemats, to furniture, to artwork and my clothing, paint of the walls.

These colors also remind me of those close to my heart......my daughters rich brown eyes, and beautiful auburn brown hair. Pippy's red hair and green eyes, my sons eyes remind of the sky and trees....little orbs that look like our Earth from outerspace. His yellow blond scrub of hair. My hubbies mousey hair, orangey mustache and hazel green eyes, My deep blue eyes, the blond streaks in my hair.(cleverly disguising my silver). Not that there is anything wrong with silver, it goes great with turquoise and jade! Its amazing WE all coordinate with the decor of my house. How did that happen!? Heck even my kitchen walls turned out to be the same shade as my babies chubby cheeks at that time. I noticed that after she dumped over a can of paint on to herself!

Hold me, I am getting all veclamped here!!

Wow! I guess I know what I really really like eh? I think I might need a drink, its after 12 noon.....go open Big Bertha and WHAT the H E double toothpick do I find? The rich rusty Captain Morgan is sitting there all smart on non other than a turquoise tray! I swear the booze and melamine are MOCKING ME! Immediately close booze cabinet. I mean really what would the neighbors say, its only 12:09 in the afternoon!

ITS BEEN A WEIRD DAY!! I NEED SOME ADVIL!....on second thought.....great, just great, what color is advil? and what color is the label?
I'm done, stick a fork in me! this could go on all day.

She is Home

2009-03-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

The Camper is home. I dove right in cleaning it out. Once I got all the old bedding and what not out of there, the 50 gallon bag of paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic cutlery, 2 banana boxes of cookware and other miscellaneous camp gear,and a load of towels My girlfriend Tammy found a full box of Star Wars Dixie cups from 1982. Our space geek friend Gary will be stoked!! I was ready to bring in the bucket of pine Sol.
(view from the entry)

(view from the far end)

To my surprise once I did a vaccuuming and a scrubbin and set back the futon type seating/bed pads....It was more than awesome! It is in better shape than my original expectations. The coverings look brand new, I know they are not the originals, maybe circa 80's hurculon but nontheless not one tear or snag! For a camper that is 49 years old its downright amazing. I hope I look that good in 10 years. I am blessed.

(kitschy kitchen)

I thought I would just replace the flooring and counter top right away...don't need to, I would like to eventually but it really does not need it immediatly. It does however need curtains, the faded mint green ones are shot. A little paint where they started painting the inside, but I am not painting the entire entierior. The furnace grate needs some touch up and my husband will tinker with the stove and fridge when the rain subsides. Yes, now we have rain, and by end of day it will be snow. Some new tires, make sure the appliances work, weather stripping around the front door a few homey touches and we are good to go.
(storage)

One thing I did discover is that all this new ghetto fabulous hip hop gear that sports crowns and bling aint nothin new......

Just a refake of the original!

Hubs is formulating the design for the exterior when we are ready to paint....he wants to make it look like a 57 Chevy in white, turquoise and silver. What a cool guy, I told him he could do whatever he likes on the outside, and I can do whatever I wanted on the interior.

Lets go campin Ya'll!

Vhat da hek is brong with my wog.

2009-03-27T09:26:00.001-07:00

Its really really irritating me that my background is not showing up!!
humph!

Cowgirl Camper

2009-03-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here she is girls, in the rough.

and here are her delicate insides

I think Mrs. Puff was on to something when she suggested I blog about this. I have been scouring the internet for some renovations cowgirl camper style. Nada! They must be a private group of ladies, I know they are out there, fly fishing somewhere in this glorious landscape out here we call the Wild West.

So hang tight with me gals as I take this "rode hard and put away wet camper" to a fabulous vintage cowgirl bunkhouse on wheels. Its still "down in the weeds" and I mean that literally. It snowed last night so therefore its very muddy in its current locale. Mud Hog ruts are not something I want to leave behind for the landowners, in due time she will be home in my drive way.

I have big dreams for her and I am thinking this a mini camper must be to me what a boat is to a man. We call them "she" and we always want to name them.

What to name her? oh the possiblities....HootenAnny?...maybe. Kinda like pickin out names for your children....yes! Its that important.

Over and Out
Val

Kiss Me Anyways......

2009-03-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

Irish or not everyone likes kisses.

Wake Up Folks....click me!

2009-03-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

This will be my first political post. I have been discussing this issue with a few folks around here after the big CPSIA debacle and few letters to my congressmen. What is next?

If you guessed the local farmers market, roadside vegetable stands, family farms then you win the prize of knowing what's going on. Congratulations for not wearing blinders.

I guess the campaign banners waving "Its time for change" were correct two fold.
The change that I am seeing via Legislation is more control, more laws, more regulations, and more spending.
The change I want to see is for the great people of this country to become more involved, paying attention to what our congressmen and women are doing while they are in session. The government is not them, the government is US. For the people, by the people. Never did it say For big business, by big business......whom in my humble opinion is behind the CPSIA and the now the formulating Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. If the notion that "organic farming" is criminal then I wonder how it is the newly elected Prez's children are going to be offered organic choices at their private school cafeteria......hmmm, fascinating eh?

I will update on occasion however it would warm my heart if ya'll did some research on the subject yourselves. This legislation affects us all on such a basic level. Why? cus we all need to eat, it's that simple.

Over and Out
Val

Urban Homesteading...

2009-03-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

While down at my mom and pop grocer picking up some ginger ale for my gingerly ailing husband whom is home sick with the flu today, I pick up a magazine of interest. The one and only Mother Earth News February March edition. It is one magazine that is worth 10 times the paper its printed on. Inside there is an inspiring article about Jules Dervaes and his "one trowel revolution". Who is Jules you ask? That pioneer over in Pasadena that gardens his 1/10th of an acre to an astounding harvest that sustains his family. He does have the advantage of year round climate that is condusive to such harvest, I have the advantage that I live on 1 acre with a well.

Stay tuned, in my hubbies semi lucid state I am going to approach him in turning the entire side yard into a garden paradise. This could go a couple of ways....scrunched up brow, bantering about not having any lawn to do.......what?mow? I have reduced our mowing by quite a bit since we have lived here. Maybe a few "are you crazy questions", or he will just nod off to sleep, and Lord help me out here pretty please, he will start dreaming of my vision.
I wonder if Jules would autograph my trowel? I would love to see his operation hands on, I am just that kind of person. A modern day, living in town, Urban Homesteader!

Go to www.pathtofreedom.com and get your Victory Garden on! I did slip them onto my blog roll for my everyday convenience.

Back to regularly scheduled daydreaming.
Val

Soup Kitchen

2009-03-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of more snow and zero degree temperatures I have decided this week is going to be designated as Soup Kitchen week. Homemade soups and homemade rolls. I don't even care to serve a green salad. Salad is cold and I am getting fed up *to here* with the cold.

Potato
Ham and Bean
Beef Barley
Chicken noodle
Garden Soup
Butternut Squash

Come and Get it!!
Val

Just Because

2009-03-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love!`Mother Theresa

Tricky tricky

2009-03-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a great idear. Its really so darn simple I think I can get it out in just one more sentence. Crush up egg shells and sprinkle in the holes you plant your tomatoes. Why? So you can have eggy tasting 'maters. NO! The calcium in the shells helps to prevent blossom end rot. I had a dicker of a time with that last year so I am trying it this year.

One more trick....when you plant tomatoes, plant them deeply. I leave about 4 inches of the plant on top. All those itty bitty hairs on the stem of the plant will, get this, form into roots. Nice strong, nutrient and water absorbing root systems. Be patient, the first month they will be so busy growing roots you will not see much top growth, but they will catch up in mach speed.

Are you a Gardening Newbie?

2009-03-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

Never fear, you can still have garden success.

Plant choices for the first timer:

Squash
Green Beans
Cukes

All very easy, all very tasty. The squash family is huge and can be a bit confusing for the first time gardener. There are summer squash and winter squash. My picks for summer squash are scallop, crookneck and zucchini of course. 1 of each is sufficient. Unless you want to load your harvest up in a baby stroller and deliver them to every neighbor on your block. Winter Squash is the variety that is grown to store throughout the winter months. My picks for the winter squash is butternut, acorn and sphaghetti. I still have 20 butternuts in my basement. Pumpkins are winter squash as well. Very easy and you will need some space to let them spread out.

Green Beans: There are bush and pole. So if you have limited space, poles are wonderful but you have to be diligent in picking them and you will have a nice harvest of them. I have used 1 and 1/2 inch tree limbs as my poles salvaged from a pile during community park clean up. Easy peasy. Bush beans are just as easy and I found if I sit on a childs hopper ball it makes picking easier, I get my little ones to help me with this and they are good about assisting. I usually plant 2 wide rows of Blue lake beans about 12 feet long. I have plenty for fresh eating and for freezing. So this year I am going to do one row of bush, and one of poles.

Cucumbers: Slicers for table eating and Pickling for what else but pickles. So do pay attention to the label. I am not to particular about these varieties. I have had great success with everyone I have tried. Picklers can be used in table eating but can lend to the bitter at times.
You can trellis cukes with a tomatoe cage for simplicity and space saving as well.

Gardening is not hard, the key is not to make it difficult. You need dirt, water, a bit of compost, seeds and some mulch. You can successfully garden in flower beds, whiskey barrels and right in the ground or in raised beds. You will have to water your garden on a regular basis. Duh! I am flabbergasted by some that do not comprehend that bit of information that plants need water. Be for warned.....I say this with much apprehension.....it has come to my attention the gardening is becoming "trendy" these days. Huh? Trendy?OMG I am trendy?! Surely you jest. If you are a person the falls into "trends" and are doing things because "that's what everyone else is doing" you will be sorely disappointed. Define why you want to give this a try...is it because you love the taste of fresh cukes, are not willing to pay $6 for one butternut at the grocer. Geez who knew I had a tiny goldmine last fall growing right in my back yard. If you are doing this with false expectations that it will wipe out your grocery bill. Think again. It will help your grocery bill but it will not just miraculously wipe it out. Somewhere on the internet in the form of a book there is the story of the $64 tomato. To start gardening there is an investment in your supplies and those will be paid back over time, easily the first year. So please know there is an initial investment, it is no different than any other hobby or project you start. Be creative in your round up of supplies, check craigslist, freecycle for things you may need, then proceed at the thrift and retail stores, with some caution. Its really easy to go hog wild when one is in a greenhouse, okay maybe that is just me, the other end of the spectrum is just being flat out overwhelmed. Be patient as well, you instant gratification types just might fizzle out the first 2 weeks.

TGIF sistahs and brothas of the dirt!
Val

Oh Happy Day!!

2009-03-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

I am still working on my 28 Day Challenge. The last week of February I did not work on any of it, due to 2 chiropractic visits and a very sore sore neck. I snuggled with a heating pad for 4 days. So I am going to plan on getting paint buckets out and hit it. I did learn something through the process, do not over schedule yourself. I did a bit, but once I got going I dropped some projects and then added others that needed to be done. So really I did get quite a bit finished.

The best thing about March.....shamrocks. I love the simplicity of them and heck even the name just rolls off the tongue nicely. Say it....Shamrock, I love the way it sounds. Now say it until the word has no meaning, that usually took about 50 times for us as kids. Look at them, all colors of greens and with the water droplets. I swear I can smell the freshness of Spring. Life will be popping up all over the place with baby calves, lambs, piglets, tulips, crocus and the like.

Hey did you thee that?

What is there not to like about spring, well except for mud.

Beans, Beans the miracle fruit.....

2009-02-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

No really I am an adult, honest. There are just some things that stay with us from childhood.

Today I want you to consider this little trick in your upcoming garden.
Beans, just a plain old sack of red beans from the grocery store, about a buck.

I planted some winter squash one year and then after they were up about a 6 inches I worked in a sack of beans into the soil. I did not intend to eat them, I just wanted them to cover ground to keep weeds out and improve the soil. It works and if you want to eat them, great, they are not as tasty as a blue lake bean but you can eat them.
When my kids want to plant something during the year, and my son does this alot. He plants apple seeds, peach pits, avocado seeds you name it. He even gets into my "real seeds" and that can get expensive, so I give him a handful of red beans or pinto beans and off he goes to plant them. It keeps him busy and out of my good garden seeds.

Have a great day
Val

Menu Plan Monday Feb 23

2009-02-23T06:58:00.000-08:00

Open fridge, quick glance, whatcha got in here? Make menu. I am a quick glance chef eh?
The fridge is full of leftovers, hubby out of town, so I will freeze what I can and make use of the rest. All dinners served with side vegetable and salad.

Monday: Chicken, bacon and cheese casserole
Tuesday: Taco's
Wednesday: Homemade Chicken Soup
Thursday: Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup
Friday: Asian Beef with noodles
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Pizza at Evans request as it is his Birthday!!!

Bento's: Dig and wing it!! Can you tell I am a bit impatient this morning, neck is out off to the chiropractor this am.

I have been bitten!

2009-02-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

Garden Fever is here. Yesterday we had our first falling of wet spring snow...perfect for me to go stomp out lines where I want the additional raised beds, plus the conversion of the last traditional style garden space into raised beds.
I have been perusing seed catalogs and making my lists, mapping out the garden and such. This is the time for doing that ladies and gentleman, for zone 4. I am not a seeder. I rarely start my own seeds, I have poor lighting and quite frankly the cats are a nuisance with playing in them, walking on them and sleeping on them!! My 6 year old does have some chia growing that they leave alone. Way back when I worked for a greenhouse here in town, a few customers would pre order what they needed for spring in the way of planting.
I have 2 compost areas.
#1. A mix of straw, leaves, some chopped garden residue and fairly fresh manure we piled up last fall and let sit through the winter. This will go into my existing beds and new beds.
#2. A tumbler filling up with vegetable waste etc from the kitchen over the winter. Its not cooked down as we freeze hard here, well below -20. It is just a place to put the scraps for now.

I garden in this way and have been for 8 years....and its how Edward C Smith proposes you do it. Mr. Smith has just put it into book form. The Vegetable Bible. Dick Raymond is another garden guru that I thoroughly enjoy as well.
Wide rows, my minimum row width is 3 feet.
Organic, as much as possible. I have never had an infestation of any sort in my garden. I also take advantage of "companion planting" to let nature do it for me. I have had infestations of aphids in my Snowball Lilac...I just watch it, for them spreading...aphids bring lady bugs and last year we had lots of ladybugs. The snowball lilac is sacrificial and I would rather they go there than in my garden. I do wish a toad would come take up residence. We had one years ago and it scared the beejeezus out of me when he scurried through the lettuce so darn fast I thought it was a snake and I started hacking like crazy with the hoe......it escaped, left me clutching my heart when he hopped out. I think he said "see ya later you crazy old bat, I will go where my services are needed" or the cats got him. I shall prescribe to "build it and they will come"...a toad house that is!
Raised beds....this is hands down one of the reasons I garden as much as I do. Its easier, you are not wasting time watering, weeding, rototilling the paths in between. My paths happen to be gravel. I like it neat and clean. The gravel also absorbs heat. In fact 90% of my garden is raised beds with gravel all around.
Deep soil, a good mix of topsoil, compost and sand.
and
Mulch....mulch like a banshee come just before the hottest part of the summer...all my beds get mulched with leaves, straw, hay or dried grass clippings. Conserves water and keeps those roots cool.
Water: I have always hand watered my garden, its time consuming so this year I want soaker hoses or design a system that allows for watering at the flick of a switch. I will free up my time for maintaining my garden and enjoying it. So if you have a few raised beds, hand watering is fine. I am more than doubling the garden so its time for a system.

Wrap up any projects left, you too gals, get your houses in order so we can go outside and play in the dirt!!!
Val

Interview Time.

2009-02-19T05:57:00.000-08:00

By the fabulous and talented Kit Heathcock of Food and Family. Kit lives in South Africa, I stumbled upon her blog researching recipes for rusks of all things. I love her recipes and tales of cooking, baking and family, her photography of flowers is astounding and the Chakra florals...totally classy.
So on to the interview.

1. De-cluttering seems to be your major mission at the moment. What got you inspired to start and how long has it taken you so far?

It started about 2 years ago when I took on extra children in my home, with three of my own and a very busy mother and wife, I was overwhelmed with "stuff" and trying to find what I needed when I needed it. I come from a long line of "pack-rats", so I say its genetic, really its learned behavior.It felt like the upkeep of my home was taking over my life. One day after an epiphany with Karen Kingston's tutelage of not wanting to live that way anymore, I just started boxing up stuff I did not use, need or love. If I can inspire others to live well with less stuff then that is all the better.

2. You said you are a self-taught painter … how did you get going and where does your inspiration come from? Any tips for an aspiring painter?

I did take high school art classes, my mentor was my junior year Art teacher. My dad is a sculptor. Most of my inspiration comes from nature itself. Our world is full of color, think of a sunset. Vibrant, rich and passionate.I grew up on a ranch and horses are my main subject. I am branching out a bit.

Advice for Aspiring painters? Never give up, keep painting and paint from your heart, allow yourself to break the rules, let it flow from within, ignore those that say "it should be this way or that way"....do it your way. I feel everyone posses a unique artistic quality . We were born without the ability to read or write, yet we can do those, why not painting? Somewhere along the road we or others either convinced ourselves we could not do it,or were not good enough at it. Believe in your self, and to heck with what others think it should be or look like. it helps to turn down the volume of our own self critic as well.

3. What brought you to South Africa? What are your best memories of your visit?

My husbands job (helicoptor engineer as you call them) brought us to S.A. I had the opportunity to go with Dr. Grobler on a rhino rescue mission outside of Sabie Sands G.R.....actually touching the rhino seemed a surreal experience. So many great memories and an amazing visit. Our hosts were most gracious. When I arrived home and when asked about the trip, it took me awhile to formulate an answer for them, and ended up talking non stop. It is definately a place one must visit to "get it". There is so much to experience!!

4. What’s your idea of the perfect Saturday night in? Friends and family over for grilling or as you call brai. Visiting, laughing, enjoying each others company and eating good food.

5. If money was no object where in the world would you love to travel to and why?

Africa was number one so I will move down the list. Ireland. I would not only want to just travel there but experience living there for at least a year with my family. I am not sure if it comes from the notion of the romanticised version of Ireland or the fact my husband is part Irish. I just feel an inner draw or connection, yet it is unexplainable, completely ironic as I am zero parts Irish, 2 parts Norwegian. Castles and the history, the landscape is fascinating.

So now I would like to extend the invitation to interview my readers here at Keep It Simple Cowgirl, send me an email at unkshei3@yahoo.com. I will post the interview here, you post the interview on your blog, extend the invitation to interview your readers and do the same thing.

Oh Happy Day, Oh Happy Da aa ay!!

Lots of Love

Simple Cowgirl

It's an Ichiban Kan Christmas

2009-02-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

YEAH! Looky at what I got in the mail today!!! I have been anticipating this package. I already have eggs in the moulds, soy sauce piggies are good to go, the rest organized and put away!! I am making Almond Chicken tonight so it is divine timing. I will try out the rice moulds after this evenings meal. My "adopted" mom is here as well covering open positions at her work, and phoned earlier to rave about her bento. "Its just so cute"...Cute might be a bit overboard, however she did express mucho appreciation. I think she is just basking in the moment that someone else made her lunch.
I received my Laptop Lunch boxes yesterday as well, so those are taking trial runs via daughter and my mom. Reviews on them at a later time.

Ciao!!

How big is your But?......(click me)

2009-02-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

There, I said it!
Anyone that knows me, knows I get right to the point, no sense in beating around the bush. So how big is your but? No, not that butt, your "but" that is used in everyday life other than keeping your frame erect. The "but" that is used over and over again is a quasi-pseudo attempt to make an excuse for not doing what it is that you could be doing.
Click on the header and go visit with The Millionaire Mommy Next Door and she will enlighten you with her point of view regarding your "but". Once you get through it, its my hope that you will become aware of inserting the "but" word into your daily speech pattern, which in turn shows up in your daily life as a huge ole stinkin obstacle that we place right in front of the progress we wish to achieve.

Okay why is it I cannot get the italics off? No worries, I gotta keep typing so as not to lose my train of thought.

Other words to ponder when used in everyday language and the correct replacement word(s).

Should-guilt based, replace with could
Have to-guilt based, replace with "I am, I will, I chose" etc. For example "I have to go to so and so's for dinner"..."I am going to so and so's for dinner".
Right-Correct
Wrong-Incorrect
Right and wrong indicate a moral judgement, it's no wonder when someone tells us "you are wrong, you did that wrong, she is right, you are wrong" it feels like a personal attack.

Play with the words a bit, come up with your own examples, and take notice of the tone of them and the response of your inner self when you are speaking them. Fascinating yes?

It is that simple!!
Cheerio
Val

A different point of view...

2009-02-17T09:16:00.001-08:00

Chameleon we found at the Skukuza rest camp~Kruger Park

Can be the best thing when you get stuck. I recently enjoyed a great conversation with my brother. When he gets into declutter mode he uses this formula Need It, Nice to Have It, Dont Need It. I guess the coin of phrase can be 2 Needs and a Nice.

For example we need soap, but do we really need 5 different kinds of body wash in the shower at the same time? We need towels, but do we need 42 of them cluttering up the linen closet. That formula can be applied to EVERYTHING in our lives. This is especially helpful for those digging out their living spaces consumed with stuff and for those shooting for the debt free way of living.

Almost 2 years ago I was invited to an astrology reading for the year. This lady is one of those that does birth charts, and can tell you everything about planets and constellations, alignment, retrograde and so forth. The information that stuck with me was coming that fall Virgo was doing the "hokey pokey" with whatever, but the underlying message was "Downsizing". We would be seeing more folks selling their big houses for smaller ones, getting rid of "stuff" they didn't need. We would see Corporations and business doing the same thing. Simplifying. I see a new career popping up all over the place...professional organizer. There is a drive to get it together, and do it effeciently. Why? In our current economy it only makes sense. Do we work to live or live to work?

While I was in S. Africa a lady asked me this question "Why is it that Americans do not travel just to travel, I see they travel for work, weddings,reunions, funerals, graduations and stuff like that (this would be us) but why not just go for the sake of experiencing a new place?" This was starting to sound like back in the day but do you remember "The Family Vacation". I had to think about that for a bit, okay it forced me to think about it alot. It must become a priority, it must become something we diligantly save and plan for not one of those line items that gets shoved to the bottom of the list when there "might" be money left over. Think of the vacations one could have when they are not paying off credit cards! I know alot of Americans are in a pinch right now and vacations are not top priority, survival is. Some are facing layoffs, foreclosure, repo's and the list goes on. Why and how did we, meaning Amerca in general, get ourselves into this mess? It makes perfect sense to downsize, live well below your means, pay off debt, free ourselves completely from debt, take stock of your true needs, live a good simple life, save money for where it really counts, take your kids to at least 3 National Parks before they leave the nest, relish in faith, family and friends. Is it really that simple, or did someone switch my regular prescription lenses for rose colored ones?

Keep It Simple
Val

Menu Plan Monday February 16th

2009-02-15T20:29:00.000-08:00

All dinners are served with a vegetable side and salad.

Monday: Baked Chicken
Tuesday: Crock Pot Roast
Wednesday: Almond Chicken
Thursday: Lasagna
Friday: Beef Stew
Saturday: My birthday surprise from Mom
Sunday: Leftovers

Bento Brainstorm: Meatballs, fruit salad, yogurt,barbeque wings, pretzels and cheese, chicken roll ups, sticky rice stars, leftover lasagna and beef stew.

Yay! Its Presidents day, and you know who is on the Penny dontcha....good ole Abe Lincoln. I think he could possible be one of the most famous and well like Presidents of all time. Not only did he work for abolishing slavery, lil bits and pieces of his legacy still weave through our daily lives. For example " A penny saved is a penny earned", "Honest Abe" and ironic how when I see a Lincoln Continental (my hubby had a 70' something baby blue one as a fixer upper back in the day, boy did he love that ole boat) I think of Abe then I think of the penny!

Have a Fabulous Week, I hope you had a wonderful Valentines Weekend.
Ciao.
S.C.

28 day challenge..mid month

2009-02-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

Carpets shampooed-check
furniture (sofa,chair,loveseat) shampooed-check
extra floor rugs shampooed-check
Pink Shabby chalkboard for Ava-check
Entryway decluttered and scrubbed top to bottom-check
toys decluttered-check (my kids are getting good at this)
old recliner freecycled!!

I detoured from my list, see how easy that is for me to do!! The shampooing extended to all of the living room, it really needed it! I have no regrets though, I feel I am getting alot accomplished. This week is the 2 big rehab painting projects...a hope chest and a dresser and sewing slip covers for the island chairs. I also have company coming for 4 days this week so I will limit it to 3 tackles. We will celebrate my birthday on Saturday and I changed my mind from a brass singing bowl to a boot scraper/brush! The mud this Spring is insane!!

More Handmade Valentines

2009-02-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

Perfect!!

I hope ya'll have a great weekend, filled with love!!
Val

Salma Hayek breastfeeding in Africa (click here)...now that's a laptop lunch!!

2009-02-12T19:36:00.000-08:00

It just adds up.

Milk filled breasts + Starving Child = Positive Outcome

Its pretty damn easy to figure this one out.

Keeping it Simple
Val

Rolled Sugar Cookies

2009-02-12T06:14:00.000-08:00

It has been a 12 year quest to find the "perfect rolled sugar cookie" recipe. I finally found it and I want to share it with ya'll. It has replaced my sour cream sugar cookie recipe, simply because there is no shortening in it!! It was eh okay and they didnt come to life until you frosted them. However THESE melt in your mouth with out frosting. yummy.

1 1/2 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
2 tsp baking powder
5 c. flour
1 tsp salt

Beat the sugar and butter till creamy, add 1 egg at a time while that is mixing then the flavorings and your dry ingredients. Scoop up all the dough and wrap in Saran wrap, chill for one hour or overnight. Roll out between a 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick ness, bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Cool on pan a bit, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely, I let mine stay out on the racks a few hours to get the bottoms dry, as these are moist.

I am a sucker for a handmade valentine!!

Peace Out
Girl Scout
Val

A few knock outs...

2009-02-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

2I did say I would post some pix (aka proof) that I have been keeping the commitment.

I have 4 of these chalkboards to do, I cut some doors down I salvaged years ago....1 down , 1 in progress. I still need to attach a "cup" style drawer pull, upside down to hold the chalk.

Used for bento bags, and gifts as well, and you can really reuse them over and over and over.

Bohemian Wool shoulder bag.

I just wung it, ya know. It has a personality of its own indeed.

The main floor bathroom....this used to have airplane border and it was time for a fresh up. I found this one at Lowes for 50 cents.

That is about it for pix, just one of those days where PB and I were not jiving. I did get the curtains done in the kids's room, the basement had new carpet rolled out and boy what a difference. My back felt that last night. I listed 10 items on craigslist. Sold the upright freezer, sent the harvest gold fridge to the salvage. Car is all nice and clean, my plants are thriving in their new digs. I still have not figured out where to hang all my extra art work that I dug out of the studio closet. That was easier than I thought....it was mostly stuff I just hid in there for the time being (naughty naughty), and all I had to do was go put it away.

I did get some fabric today...um 13 yds of it to dress up some shelving units downstairs, looking at the stuff on the shelves is just not restful to the eyes. We fashioned some "make shift" walls with the shelving units to create an extra sleeping space for guests with the extra queen bed after we replaced it with the King. I never set out to be a seamstress in life, but it is a handy skill to have that sewing.

Have a great Week ladies, sorry no menu posted, well its meat and what else. I am fully stocked and prepped in the kitchen so coming up with something should not be hard at all.

Ciao,
Val

Its Thursday already???

2009-02-05T07:56:00.001-08:00

I went and crossed off a few things on my Challenge list. I will be totally honest here. I might have bit off more than I can chew. I will be washing the car and detailing the inside for one of my challenges. This time of year it gets really bad. Hauling hay in a minivan is just crazy! What the hell was I thinking......oh I will get that vaccumed pronto...um 2 months later..*blush* I need a few supplies as well that I did not find over the weekend. All is well and it does feel good to get a few things done that I have been putting off. The bed, oh my word!! The bed is wonderful. We were going to wait until our tax return was here, we had the cash and our backs were killing us. It was time. A decent comfortable bed is an investment. We spend almost a third of our lives there, so make it count.
I hope your challenges/tackles are coming along well. So it off to goodwill to donate and source, grocery store and the car wash

Have a wonderful day.
Val

Ps....Daylight savings time is coming very soon....March 8th....I dont think I remember it being that soon in the year...just an odd tidbit I would throw out there.

28 Day Challenge

2009-02-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

I have my list of challenges ready for this month. I will post pictures end of week. I have been brainstorming larger projects with smaller projects so if I am falling behind with other areas of management I can quickly catch up, by choosing something that may take an hour instead of 4.

What is on your list of challenges? This is mine, I knocked a few of these things out over the weekend, pictures end of week.

SEWING
bento bags and gift bags-done
curtains for kids room-done and guest room
elastic in daughters jammies-done
slip covers for island chairs

PAINTING
large shabby chalkboard-done
small shabby chalkboard-done
shabby dresser
Hope chest rehab
Poppy inspired painting
Walls going to basement
Stain wood stairs to basement

ORGANIZING
basement-1/2 done
master closet-my side done
garage sale side of garage-done
move carpet to basement-done
organize studio closet-done
Move beds for new beds-done

MISC.
hang guest room blinds
source bathroom mirror-done
source King bed-done
closet door replacement
household notebook
hang art work-still stumped
repot houseplants-done
shampoo carpets-done
Tax prep
Valentines Treats for school-done
supplies for 3 birthdays end of month

Time to get crackin!!!

Menu plan Monday February 2

2009-02-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

All dinners served with a side veggie and salad. We have a bit of leftover tidbits after the super bowl party. This will be an easy week.

Pot Roast and potatoes
Baked Chicken
Leftovers
Spaghetti
Tacos
Chili
Leftovers

Bento Brainstorm:
potstickers, fruit salads, ham sandwich,
hummus and pitas, veggie sticks, sunflower seeds
cheese and crackers, teddy grahams, spaghetti in
thermos, rice and krab stars. she has milk at school.

Zoom!

2009-01-30T09:38:00.000-08:00

What a great month! It has been a pleasure to share a bit of myself with the world. The discovery of Tackle it Tuesday via a fabulous mom I have met online, has lead me to greater challenges. I have decided to dedicate the entire month of February to tackle something each and every day! Not only will it be 28 tackles, I have decided to add on 28 minutes of work out time to the schedule, keeping with the resolutions I made at the first of the year. I am not sure if I am nuts, enjoy a challenge or suffering from cabin fever. It could very well be a combination of all three, January is a time for reflection of the past year, and now its time to focus and get busy creating in the new year. Have a great weekend everyone, enjoy the football game, enjoy your families and enjoy your life. Really grab it and get the most out of it. The zest, the joy, the love......because the best things in life are not things!!

Val

Words of Wisdom

2009-01-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

I find some great wisdom from some great folks. This is what a stumbled upon in my forever search for tips, tricks and design. Think about this, and let it absorb through your skull and skin.

"So, what is household management? It is the act of focusing not just on the mechanics of home organization and cleaning, but taking a bigger picture view of how these actions effect and influence all aspects of your family life." ~Taylor, Household Management 101

Really does it not get any simpler than that? I think it just may become one of those quotes that I print out or paint onto a board and hang it up somewhere. Its that good!!! It could just be my new mission statement describing what it is that I think is important as a Family Manager. I like effeciency, simplicity, beauty, comfort meanwhile being mindful of waste, repurposing and teaching life long habits.

How does it affect those in your household when its piled, crammed, cluttery etc? I know first hand what happened with my 18 month old daughter on a visit to a home that was packed to the gills, We were invited to play cards and no sooner than I sit down she became engulfed in "stuff" and started turning in circles and began to cry because she saw no obvious way out of this mess.....it did not help that 2 huge friendly dogs came to investigate what was the matter. All out wailing!! (The other larger kids, would hop or stretch to step over stuff) I scooped her up, consoled her, set her back down. She would have none of that. I politely told my host I would be leaving and thanked them for the invite and I have never been back to that house since. Not because I dont like them, ITS JUST TOO MUCH! ITS OVERWHELMING!! I still see them and do like these folks they are really neat people, I just don't think they realize the impact their clutter has on them in a larger scope sense. It was then and there I realized why my OCD friend(who is so clean you could lick her toilet and it would be minty fresh) can not, will not step foot in that lady's house. I am not even close the neat nick she is and I was uncomfortable, not that I need anyone to pamper me, but dang where do I sit when all the chairs and sofa and dining table chairs have crap piled on the them....and they knew they would have a housefull! They that live there are just used to it, thats all. Its an everyday act to just move something over to sit down. Do you swing the other way....so overly obsessed with cleaning and neatness that your guests are afraid to even come in, in fear of messing something up? I have actually experienced slipping off my shoes and before my toe was out of the second loafer, the host grabbed them and set them next to the wall lined up with the other guests shoes. The two examples happened in the same weekend. Guess what? I have not been back to that house either. I was wiggin.....the whole time I thought Holy Crap, nothing not a speck of anything was out of place. It was absolute perfection.....Or was it? I would be afraid to bring my kids to that house, heck lets be honest, I was afraid to be in that house!!! It felt so cold and clinical even though she had plush fluffy beautiful furnishings, all brand spanking new with out a scratch on anything! (psssst, she has kids too) What an experience for me, a lesson in balance. Balance is Key!!

We really do make an impact on our households daily lives. I strive to teach my kids balance with responsibility, accountability, cleanliness, orderliness, and general flow of life inside these walls and outside of them as well. For example: Brush your teeth and put the toothbrush away and just try not squirt or spit toothpaste on the mirror, aim for the sink! Even if they do, its not a freak out until there is blood involved. I am still learning each and every day! Balance Balance Balance!!!

stick that in your hat! (meant in the most loving humored way, really really)
Val

Jewelry solutions

2009-01-28T08:03:00.000-08:00

This is what I came up with to hang my necklaces and beaded slinky bracelets...picture frame with some foam board and a velvet scrap....I stuck some pins in it as "pegs".

This is what I found out and about the web....If I ever find a rusty old rake that needs a home, its coming home with me!! clever yes?

The Studio Clean Up

2009-01-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

Whoooooa Doggy! This space really got out of control. It really wasn't that I didn't have time to clean it and keep it that way, I just chose not to. I had it!, walking past this every morning and then again on my way to bed, knowing what was lurking behind those doors. A disaster...and the rest of the space was cluttery. I cheated a bit and did this on Monday because I have an appointment on Tuesday. BEFORE PICTURES

Children's table

A view of the space in General, my table completely covered!

AFTER PHOTOS...........oooooooooooooh,aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Much better!

I hung up the finished Elk painting, moved the orange desk over to the niche next to the armoire, hung up my Daughters artwork over there as well, It really opened the entry into the studio coming up from the stairs. The large wicker hamper holds unfinished gourds.

My table, it is a juxtaposition of 1/2 of an old door, vanity cabinet and my funky mosaic door that used to be my front door to the house...now keeps me company. It serves as a visual divider and I still love it. A true expression of my self.

I have always loved niches, a space dedicated to a purpose. My daughter is artsy as well, this is her table and she spends a fair amount of time up here. Her supplies are in the purple dresser.

After the clean up and re arranging of items i did a brief space clearing ceremony via Karen Kingston, blessing the space. Lovely! I do believe a brass singing bowl would indeed finish the area, my birthday is coming up and that is what I will gift/bless myself with. Perfect!

This is my favorite space in the house, it really reflects who I am. I love to read, paint, listen to music and I love that my kids come and hang out with me.

What is your favorite place in your house?
Val

Menu January 26

2009-01-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

All dinners are served with a side vegetable and salad.

Sunday: T-bones, spuds
Monday:Beef Broccoli, rice
Tuesday: Tuna casserole
Wednesday: Tacos, spanish rice
Thursday: Potato and Sausage soup
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Chicken Curry

bento brainstorm....her milk she gets at school
pepperoni pitas, kiwi, graham cracker
shrimp, veggies, pretzels and cheese
cream cheese and ham sandwich, apples, blackberries
tuna salad, grapes, cheese cubes, munchies
cocktail wieners, yogurt, blueberries, sesame sticks

It is getting tricky with the fruit availability here in Montana, slim pickens!!

Ciao
val