Jennifer's Junky Life ~

Is anyone else still stuffed?

I think I'm still full from yesterday.

And I only ate one meal. One. Nevermind it lasted all day.

I thought I was getting hungry around evening time so I had two Parker House Rolls. And, that was two too many. We had a really nice Thanksgiving. I hope you did too!

 

The kids and I tried to find a 'Charlie Brown' tree last weekend with no luck. We only looked up front. We still have to tackle the back...or 'out yonder' as my kids refer to it. That's on the agenda this afternoon. I'm anxious to get the tree and to start decorating.

 

I have my cards. For the first time in 2-3 years we're doing cards. It feels good. I snagged a picture of the kids this summer that I really liked (and didn't post--but will once I've mailed them out) and got them printed in a postcard style. I need to order more and am kicking myself I didn't when all of those deals were going on recently. I got these ones--100--for $5.00 from Kodak, which was only the price of shipping. Not too bad. I didn't want to order more because I haven't made my list and I have no idea how many to order. I just know with all of our extended family and relations we normally order over a hundred but I couldn't remember how many so I stuck to 100.

 

Now, if only the government did deals like all the picture companies during the holidays and postage could be the same.

I have a yucky chest cold/cough. I felt it coming on a day or so ago and knew it wasn't going to be pretty just by the beginning signs of it. It came with an awful sore throat, the scratchy kind, and I can't wait for it to leave. Thank goodnesss for Traditional Medicinals teas. (Namely, Organic Throat Coat, Gypsy Cold Care, and Organic Lemon Echinacea Throat Coat--you can find them at most grocers.) I've been drinking them like they're going out of style, all with a decent size spoonful of raw honey and they really help to ease the discomfort.

That, and Thieves oil. I just ordered some more Organic Thieves because I ran out a couple of days ago. It's so soothing for a sore throat. You just dilute several drops and rub it on your throat and it takes away the pain. (You generally use a carrier oil but I usually dilute it with some lotion and rub it on my throat before bed.) I put it on the first night and woke up feeling much better and it lasted nearly all day. But then I ran out and couldn't apply it again. I swear by Thieves oil for sore throats.

Our local natural foods store doesn't carry it. I found one that was certified organic and can't wait to try it. I paid around $9-something, including shipping for a tiny bottle. I'm thinking I'd like to mix my own using the appropriate essential oils sometime. There are recipes that can be found on-line.

 

Last week, before we even discussed tree hunting, out of the blue, Aapo (the one wielding the saw, who was insistent that he be the one to cut the tree) told me in all seriousness, "Mom, I want one of those trees with all kinds of needles on it this year. I don't want one with big spaces in it." (Good stuff. He was wondering why I burst out laughing. We all had a good laugh over that one.)

I like 'Charlie Brown' trees but I prefer short needles and we don't have any on our property. Just the White Pine which have the long needles and are quite sparse when they're young. The ones I never appreciated before but have grown quite attached to in the past 2 years. So we make do. We're hoping to plant a bunch of the short needle varieties someday down the road that we can harvest eventually.

I'm planning to celebrate Christmas all month with little gifts for the kids each week leading up to Christmas. I already told them and they're looking forward to it. I only have the gift for the first week, though, so I need to stick on my thinking cap! I plan to have one gift that they all can share each week. (I'm thinking down the lines of games and that sort of thing that they can do together but I don't have any games yet.) So three gifts total for the month. Just something little that's fun and special for them.

Have a great weekend! It was almost liberating not having to worry about buying a paper yesterday for the Black Friday deals, knowing I wasn't getting up anyway. I normally look forward to the after-Thanksgiving sales but with the Thrift Challenge I didn't even think about them. :)

(Typepad is misbehaving. I was able to center the first pictures but then it quit letting me do it and I am very 'html' incompatible.)

I am going to learn how to thread my sewing machine just so I can do this. And everything else.

I have a baking day planned today and I'm sitting on here procrastinating. Funny how it's so easy to do when you have a cold/horrible sore throat. I'm still planning to make a big batch of Parker house rolls, sugar cookies with the kids to begin our Christmas baking, two loaves of bread, a pumpkin pie for tomorrow and a batch of strawberry jam because we haven't had jam in about two months. (An easy feat when you have peanut allergies in your house - pb&j's are non-existent around here so jam takes a backseat to other foods. But it is a nice treat on biscuits or toast!)

So, instead of beginning my baking, I'm on here browsing blogs and I have to bring one to your attention, if you haven't visited it before. I've popped in occasionally because Amy (The Motherload/MomAdvice) has linked to her from time to time. It's the perfect place to visit if you're looking for some pretty handmade Christmas gift ideas. And, how great is her blog title?: My Mama Made It. Alexis also has an Etsy shop. (*Photo credit: My Mama Made It.)

And, I have to tell you how much I love 'Amy's Notebook', a weekly list of recipes, projects and fun ideas for the home and family. So check them out when you have a chance!

Okay! Now, I'm off to get those rolls started.
For real, this time.
I think...
No. I really am.

Have a great Thanksgiving! Safe travels if you're venturing far this holiday!

Foiled again

I am hoping to be finished with my shopping by the end of the month, all of which was done on Ebay, Etsy, and at the local thrift. That doesn't include the handmade items, which I haven't even started on! But I am putting together art kits for the kids and gathering mostly vintage supplies for them.

 

I shooed them outside so I could get some stuff ordered on Etsy. They were gone no longer than two minutes and in the blink of an eye they were back, "It's too cold outside."

This is getting quite tricky playing Santa with them playing right behind me!

At least Carter is still out there, but, gee whiz... He'd be easier to trick than the older two because he'd pay the least attention to what I'm doing.

Where are the elves? Maybe they can pull this off better than I can!

Sweet Dreams and all that good stuff

I've got sugar cookie dough firming up in the fridge, the start of two loaves of bread in my mixer, and rice soaking in water for a revamped Kheer recipe (rice pudding) that I came across a while back. And I would start on some other recipes but I'm all out of vanilla. I ended up having to use almost a teaspoon of almond extract in place of some of the vanilla in the sugar cookies, which I believe will make them extra good anyway but it won't be much use for some of the other cookie recipes I was hoping to start on today.

 
  

I'm ready for Christmas baking. My cousin/friend Mindi (sorry for those who can't link, her blog is private) has been so inspiring to me lately. She just posted that she has completed her Christmas baking and has everything in the freezer already! (And, did I mention she's pregnant?)

I don't have a list but in my head I'm planning to make Tarts, Sugar Cookies, Vanilla/Caramel Fudge, Pumpkin Seed Brittle, Peppermint Bark, Molasses Cookies and whatever other little goodies and cookies I think of/come across in the next few weeks and I'll be posting recipes.

I just took a pause to drain the rice and realized we're out of milk. I had four cups and need four more for the recipe. Such good planning, wouldn't you say! :) Mark just got home and is running to the farm to see if there is milk. Crossing my fingers! Normally, this is the time the milk truck comes and we generally get it later in the evening. {eta: No such luck. We'll have to try again later.}

{Photo: The beginning of a rag garland. I'm calling it the 'Sweet Dreams Garland' because it's made almost entirely of strips of vintage pillow cases. I think it needs more color so I need to dig through my stash to find a little more and then it'll be done. And, I'm still contemplating whether to keep it or list it on Etsy! I'd really like to get some handmade things in the little junk shop.}

Homemade Country Loaf and BAGELS for the peanut allergic family and everyone else

We haven't had bagels in some time and I decided to try making some the other week with a recipe I'd come across some months back that had rave reviews. They were so good and they smelled awesome. I'd put off attempting to make them thinking it would be quite the process. There are a few steps to making them but nothing complicated or anything like that. They're really quite simple to make and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process. I love being in the kitchen, my favorite room in our home. (Good thing, too, because I practically live in it.)

We used to buy most of our bread from our local small-town bakery. But that was before Carter was diagnosed with peanut allergy. I actually continued to buy bread for many months after he was diagnosed, although, we discontinued buying any other treats from the bakery. He had a couple of incidences where he broke out in hives after lunch and that was enough for me. I started making all of our bread from scratch.

{I don't have pictures because my bagel pictures didn't turn out and I haven't taken one of the bread. I'll have to add them someday down the road.}

I recently came across this bread recipe that we all really like. I actually found it in Country Living back in 2005, p. 66 but only just recently tried it. I double the recipe for 2 loaves and make it in my Kitchen-Aid mixer.

Homemade Country Loaf - 1 loaf

2 1/4  tsp. active dry yeast
2 T granulated sugar (organic cane sugar)
3 c. unbleached bread flour (organic all-purpose)
2/3 c. warm milk (100°F) (raw organic milk directly from the farm)
Olive oil or butter, for greasing bowl
1 whole egg, plus 1 yolk
1/4 c. oat bran, plus 1 tsp.
1 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt (I didn't have fine--only regular)

Stir the yeast, sugar, 1 c. flour, and the milk together in a mixing bowl. Cover with a clean, dampened towel and let stand for 45 minutes. Coat a large bowl with olive oil (or butter) and set aside. Stir the egg, yolk, 1/3 c. water (100°F), remaining flour, 1/4 c. oat bran, and salt into yeast mixture until a shaggy dough forms. (I use the flat paddle attachment on my mixer for that part.) Place the dough on a floured surface and knead until supple--about 10 minutes. (I keep it in the mixer and mix with the dough hook attachment for about 10 minutes, adding flour as needed to form a supple dough.) Shape into a ball and place in greased bowl--turn to coat. Cover the bowl with the towel and let dough rise until doubled--about 1 hour.

Lightly grease a bread pan with olive oil. Punch down the dough, transfer to a floured surface, and knead for 2 minutes. Form dough into a log, place in the bread pan, cover with the towel, and let rise until doubled--about 20 minutes. Brush the top with a little milk and sprinkle with the remaining oat bran. Bake at 425°F on the lower shelf until bread is browned and sounds hollow when tapped--20-25 minutes*. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

(*I accidentally baked my first batch at 350°F for 35 minutes as I do all of my bread and it turned out just right. When I did the 425° for 25 minutes, it was still slightly doughy inside even though it was well-browned on the outside.)

Jo Goldenberg's Parisian Bagels - makes 10 large bagels

3 1/2 c. (approximately) bread flour, or all-purpose (I used organic all-purpose)
4 1/2 tsp. (2 pkg.) active dry yeast
3 T sugar
1 T salt (sea salt)
1 1/2 c. hot water (120-130°F)
3 quarts water
1 1/2 T barley malt syrup or substitute sugar in the same amount (I used organic cane sugar)
1 egg white, beaten with 1 tsp. water
Topping(s) of choice, if any (see variations, below)
Cornmeal for sprinkling on baking sheets

In a mixing bowl (or the bowl of an electric mixer) measure 3 cups of the flour and stir in yeast, 3 T sugar, and salt. Pour in the hot water and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon (or the flat paddle attachment of the electric mixer on low speed) and beat for about 2 minutes.

Add remaining half-cup of flour, stirring by hand (or on low in an electric mixer). When the batter becomes thick and heavy, attach the mixer's dough hook or lift the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface to knead by hand.

Knead the dough at medium low speed on the mixer (2, on the Kitchen-Aid)--or by hand for about 10 minutes--until the dough is supple. Add flour as needed if the dough is sticky.

When the dough is supple, place it in a greased mixing bowl (I used olive oil), cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature until it has doubled in volume--about 1 hour.

Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot near the end of the rising time. Add the malt syrup or sugar; then, reduce heat and leave the water at a slow simmer.

When the dough has doubled, turn it out on a lightly floured surface and punch down.

Divide the dough into 10 pieces (about 3-4 ounces each), or smaller sizes, if desired. Shape each piece into a ball. Allow the balls to rest for a few minutes--then flatten each one with the palm of your hand.

With your thumb, press deep into the center of the bagel and tear the depression open with your fingers. Pull the hole open and smooth the rough edges to look like a bagel. Form all of the bagels and place them on your work surface.

Cover the shaped bagels with wax paper or parchment paper. Leave them at room temperature until the dough has risen slightly--about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F.  Grease a baking sheet with butter or oil or line with parchment or a Silpat mat and sprinkle with cornmeal.

Slip one bagel at a time into the gently simmering water. Simmer only 2 or 3 bagels at a time, using care not to crowd the pot. Simmer gently for one minute, turning each bagel over once during that time. Lift each bagel out of the pot, drain briefly on a towel, then place each bagel on the prepared baking sheet(s). (The bagels will be shiny when they come out of the water due to the sugar.) (The recipe suggests using a large skimmer for this but I didn't have one and used a large spatula instead.)

Brush each bagel lightly with the egg white/water mixture and sprinkle with toppings, if using.

Place the baking sheet on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes, until lightly browned. (The original recipe calls for turning the bagels when they just begin to brown in order to retain their rounded shape but I didn't find any difference with mine. They still got flattened on one side so I don't bother to flip them anymore.)

Topping variations:

Savory -

Coarse salt
Shredded onion
Sesame seeds
Poppy seeds
Caraway seeds
Garlic salt
Dried herbs

Sweet -

Cinnamon/sugar
Turbinado sugar

I found the bagels through an article somewhere on-line (can't remember where) when they were writing about making certain foods at home that you typically purchase pre-made such as crackers, bagels, etc... Here is the original bagel recipe.

These bagels are so good and I highly recommend them!

It's getting darker by the minute

I told him his eyes looked nice with his new (thrifted) work shirt.

"What color are they?," he replied in a questioning way.

"Hazel. I don't have to look at them to know."

On a whim, I covered my eyes, "What color are mine?"

"Brown.," he confidently and erroneously responded.

I looked at him, through a crack in my fingers.

He paused, "Green!

No...hazel.

Yeah, they're hazel."

I looked at him again, a little more incredulously, only he couldn't see for my hands over my face.

So, he dug himself deeper in the hole, "Brown...?

Green...?

I know, they're hazel!," grinning away the whole time.

I didn't respond. He was digging that hole really deep.

"I know. They're green."

I didn't respond and he doubted himself. Again. "They're brown. Yeah, they're brown."

I put sunglasses on and I plan to wear them all night.

{For the record, they're a grey-blue. And, I told him, "what if something happened to me and you had to identify me, you wouldn't even know my eye color!" (I think about these things, you know.) Gotta love him.}

A Short Essay About Contentment

It's fall, and as evening descends, much earlier than a month ago, there is a quiet in the air. A peacefulness and a hush that fills the home. It's cozy and warm. The fire is blazing in the wood stove and its heat permeates the room as I contemplate the coming season. Trying to drum up some decorating ideas, when I should be starting the potatoes and beef tenderloin for supper. (As I type that, I know all too well that it will probably be Pannukakku and Beef Tenderloin as it's getting late for potatoes--but never mind that. It ruins the mood. And, yes, that's a bizarre combination, but the kids really want Pannukakku. And, really, let's be honest, I just might pinch the Beef Tenderloin tonight, too.) The smiling gap-toothed metal pumpkins seem to mock me as they sit upon the cupboard, knowing full-well they've been left out past their prime. I'm anxious to take out the Christmas boxes. The very ones I brought up to the loft closet only last week. The ones that sat in a corner of the sitting room for the past year, amidst the other boxes that cluttered various corners of the main floor.

The darkness descends in a grey sky over a wooded land that glows in pale shades of blue. There is magic in the air and as I stare at the lichen covered trees, I think there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

And, then the silence is shattered by three small children. Bangs, bumps and the stomping of feet. And, still, I think, there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

Rippin' Strips

I started on a project. I'm ripping apart some pretty vintage pillow cases and linens and bits of lace to make a ragamuffin garland. Or a wreath. Or a garland. Or a...

Still making up my mind.

I have a couple of ideas of my own take on the garland. I haven't decided which I'll try out first.

I have all these garlands I want to make, including a paper garland made with punched out circles. I forgot to add that one to my list the other day. (or in my case, cut circles using a circle cutter--someday I'll get a punch!) I've been wanting to make one ever since I first saw, and bought, the Martha Stewart Circle garland at Kmart a few years back. We'll see what I actually get done but I have so many ideas for the circles after scouting the internet. (Old Christmas cards, sheet music, pretty paper, paper doilies, Ledger paper, vintage wallpaper...the list goes on and on.) Maybe I'll mix it up a little...we'll see when I actually sit down to make one.

I keep thinking I'd like to make a few things to put on Etsy. I haven't listed anything handmade yet and I was bound and determined to get a few of those ideas crafted up before Christmas! But life happens and time goes by and they never seem to get done. I'm not going to promise anything though... I'm pretty focused on our own handmade/thrifted Christmas this year, so if not, then that will be my goal for the new year. (And, there is a peak at the Martha Stewart garland, the second picture in that link.)

Speaking of Etsy... I'll do another announcement when they have it fully loaded but my mom and four of my sisters (Sara, Emily, Amanda, and Heidi) started an Etsy shop! Circle Boutique. (As in 'family circle'.) My mom's doing mittens made from felted vintage sweaters, Sara's doing baby items such as bibs, burp rags and diaper/wipes cases, Emily's doing scrapbooks, Amanda's doing the pretty flower headbands for babies, and Heidi's doing ornaments. But not exclusively, as they will be doing other items as they come up with them. So keep your eye out for more good things to come!

Pumpkin Milk Chocolate Chip Muffins or you can just call them moist and delicious

I found this recipe from a fellow blogger, Crystal of MoneySavingMom. My sister mentioned that she had made them and they were a hit in their house. I tried them and I've made them twice already in the past week. They freeze really well and they're so moist and delicious. Everyone in our house loved them, even the 'picky' eater or two that we have. Of course, I did use candy bars in ours. But it was Halloween after all!

 

I use mostly all organic ingredients right down to the pumpkins that I pureed using these instructions. I don't own a food processor but after a little on-line research, I discovered that using a hand mixer works, too. The puree turned out great! And, it also freezes really well. I froze mine in 1- and 2-cup portions in glass jars. (There is no need to drain the puree. I feel this worthy of mentioning as I did see that suggestion a time or two in my research. Might as well preserve all of that flavor and those nutrients rather than strain them out!) I like to break my muffins in half and eat the bottom first, saving the top for last. So good!

 

Pumpkin Milk Chocolate Chip Muffins

4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin (or 2 c. homemade puree)
1 1/2 c. oil (I use Safflower)
3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. (11.5 oz) chocolate chips (or the equivalent of milk chocolate Hershey bars, chopped)

In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. (A wooden spoon works fine here.) Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the wet ingredients. Stir until just incorporated but still a bit lumpy, careful not to over-mix. Fold in the chocolate chips/bars. Fill baking cups (or greased muffin pan cups) 3/4 full. Bake 16-20 minutes at 400°. (I drop the temp by 25° (down to 375°) because I have the dark muffin pans. And bake mine for 20 minutes.)

Makes 24-30 muffins. Enjoy! These are over the top when served warm.

She wasn't taking any chances...

The tooth fairy 'may' or 'may not' have forgotten about her tooth a time or two before.

And, she 'may' or 'may not' have taken two or three days to remember to stop by the last time this happened.

Maybe.

{All this, in spite of the fact that I have her put it on a napkin on the counter so the tooth fairy doesn't forget!} Oh the sweetness of childhood, these little notes... They're one of the best things about being a parent.

Random is as random does

We finally had Carter's birthday. Over a month late. And, I realized this is becoming a bit of a tradition around here. Poor kid. What's he doing to think when he gets older and sees all these late birthdays?! He wanted Sara's kids over so, technically, it's this late because he insisted on waiting for them. (They had viruses running through their house for weeks.)

Mark and I tried to get a picture together yesterday afternoon. We have no pictures of just the two of us. What a joke, though. We had a four- and five-year old taking them at first. Good times! Heads cut off, blurry photos, fingers in the way. You get the picture. We were laughing so hard. And then we just tried taking some of ourselves and those turned out a little better. We were freezing though, it was pretty cold out not to be wearing jackets!

I've got a couple of recipes to post this week. Bagels and some fabulous Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. I made bagels for the first time ever and they were so good! Yay, finally, fresh organic bagels for the peanut allergic family!

We had a crew over Saturday night for coffee and sauna. My uncle Chuck (Jean), cousin Jim (Katie), Brad K. (Steph), Brad and Josh K. and Loren, Andrea and Rodney. The guys were up here hunting. It was so nice to see some 'familiar' faces from 'way back'. Earlier this week, we had other hunter company too,  for dinner and sauna*--some more of Mark's buds from childhood, Dave S., Teddy A., and Neal P. (Betsey-sp?). I couldn't help but think how there is just something about seeing familiar faces from the younger days, those you've known your entire life, or just about. Those are some of the best connections.

*Someone asked recently...we have an outdoor wood-burning sauna. Mark is a huge sauna fanatic, a true blooded Finn. Me, not so much. I enjoy a sauna occasionally but I've never used ours. It doesn't have running water yet, and I'm still a bit of a city-slicker even if I'm transplanted to the country! He always said he'd build a sauna before a house. And he did. It was roughed in and ready to go before he framed the house, a couple of years ago. It's nothing fancy, it still needs a lot of work, just like the house, but it's functional.

This, that, and a little bit of something else. But, really, this is a short post.

Just a couple of cool ideas from the blogosphere...

• I want one of these. Bad. (A banging wall as seen on SouleMama. Amanda always has the best ideas for kids!) The perfect solution to the drum dreams, I think. (Aapo's been wanting a set for about two years now.) And, since the snow will be here soon, maybe next summer. I'm not really digging the idea of having one in the basement, for some reason.

 

• My friend, Beth, emailed this next one to me. There are so many great ideas in Edie's (Life in Grace) '12 Days of Handmade Christmas Tutorial'! And, I'd seen this ragamuffin garland (from Nesting Place) before but had forgotten about it. I just showed it to Nikayda and she's really excited to make one for her room! I love that it's an easy enough project that she can do herself and it's a nice way to start using all that lace and ribbon I've been hoarding.
• Speaking of...I'm teaching her how to embroider in the afternoons after homeschool. She loves it. I used a tattered vintage pillowcase in the softest shade of pink. She wanted to do her name and I've been wanting something for the embroidery hoops hanging on the wall in my living room, so it's a start!

 

• And, going back to garlands, I love garlands. Love them. But I don't have any. Not counting Christmas ones. I keep seeing so many great ideas for garlands out there. I just need to get busy making one! At the top of my list is Tif's (Dottie Angel) 'Vintage Recycled 'Whatnot' Holiday Garland'. I can't wait to make one. That is, when I (re)learn how to thread my sewing machine.

Homophones like tire and tire

One of my brothers said that I'll be learning right alone with the kids, when I mentioned I was going to home school. And, he was right.

I've forgotten so much since I graduated (ages ago, so many ages ago) and it's funny just how much of it has been forgotten, even little things. I did well enough in school but I don't remember things like 'homophones'. I have no recollection of the word, only the meaning. And, it makes me wonder how much I've truly retained that I'd once learned. How much do any of us retain?

I always loved English/Language in school but Grammar has always been a little tricky (as you might have noticed if you yourself are any good at it! because I never know where to put punctuation and that sort of thing). I just run with it. At least, no one is grading me. But now that I have to teach the kids, I'm hoping I'll (re)learn a thing or two along the way, as well.

Homeschooling is an entire learning process in and of itself. Learning to work with each child's personality. Learning to work with or without a (true) schedule. Learning to find patience. Learning to understand one another. Learning what works and what doesn't. Learning about communication. Learning each child's 'learning style'. Learning, learning, learning... It's a work in progress. Every single day.

Homeschooling may not be for everyone but I really enjoy it and am so happy with this decision in spite of how incredibly challenging it can be at times. I can't even explain how 'natural' it all feels. I love that. It just feels 'right'. It's been a lot of work but not more than I'd thought it would be. I think I got a fairly decent handle on that thanks to the various homeschooling moms I was able to converse with prior to starting this year! And, just like anyone anywhere, there are 'good' days and 'bad' days. But more good than 'bad'.

We're having Carter's birthday tonight. (Never mind that his birthday was in September... What's time anyway?!) We didn't end up doing a Halloween party with my sister, Sara's, kids because they were sick but they're coming over tonight and Carter wanted to wait for them to have his birthday. (I asked him nearly every day for over a month and he was insistent.)

My boys are fighting over a Sesame Street CD that we got on loan from the library right now. One adjusts the volume, the other changes the song, and so forth and so on. Oy. We got up at 8 today, awakened by a phone call of 'help' or more precisely-- 'Can you come and get me? My truck broke down and I'm halfway between {our town} and {the one north} of us.'

8:00 a.m. is early for all of us and the kids are a little off their game today. I sense a bit of fighting in the very near future! (Thank goodness it was only a transmission line that had come loose. A little trany fluid and he was good to go. Knock on wood!)

Happy Friday! I'm off to toss a bunch of extra clutter up into the loft to move it out of the kitchen and living room. We're getting company on Sunday. And, there is nothing like company to motivate you! Have a great weekend!

A Thrift 'Challenge of the Utmost Kind' Update

eta: Thinking of thrifting got me thinking of other things in these photos. My red shoes were found (brand new) at a garage sale - $2.00. Nikayda's pretty yellow sweatshirt (I love it) was a hand-me-down from my youngest sister, Jeanie. Her jeans were thrifted. And, Carter's brown shoes (third photo) were thrifted, as well - $0.50. (Not new, I do buy second-hand kid's shoes when they're in nice condition.) And, if I were to get real technical, even the costumes my kids wore for Halloween are all from either the thrift or garage sales ($2.00 each for the frog and the chicken and $0.50 for the vintage dress). All items are from before this Thrift Challenge. (If you can tell, I'm just a little bit into thrifting.) ;)

• Thrifty/handmade Christmas preparations are well underway. I don't have too much left to do for the kids. I've even been finding fun little stocking stuffers at the thrift, as well. I have a couple of things I plan to make for them. I found a child's sewing machine that I need to inspect to see if it works, for Nikdayda. I really wanted one for her this year! (If you're on Facebook, some of this might be 'old-hat'.) :) I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever. Truly. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years.

• I scored three pair of winter boots for the kids, Target brand with tags on, from the Goodwill in Duluth, MN. Plus, a bonus super-cute dressy pair with pom-poms and faux fur trim for Nikayda, also new, for church. All for the cost of one pair at Target right now. (Still thrilled about this one.)

 

• Speaking of Duluth--I won a free overnight stay at the Duluth Sheraton--about three hours from us. (They did a four day drawing on their website at the beginning of October. I entered every day and won on the last day--at 2 a.m.!) We went for one night as a family, a fun little getaway that only cost the price of gas and one large pizza that we ate on the way home. I made and packed all of our food in a cooler. (Homemade croissants and chicken salad for lunch.) It was such a treat because we haven't gotten away since last Christmas (when we went to Michigan to stay with my family). Now, I know vacations aren't excluded in this Thrifty Challenge but this was such a treat for us and it's right down the 'thrifty lines'.

 

• I've been trying to hit up the thrift every week when we run errands. I manage to find an article of clothing or two or sometimes four or more for my kids every time. (Like the above brown sweatshirt - $1.00. I'm not big on names, words, or pictures on clothes but I *love* brown.) I've started looking for bigger sizes now, too. And I snagged a really cute pair of jeans for Nikayda in the next size up the last two times we went. They go through sizes so fast!
• I've made it a goal to bring a box (or more) to the thrift every time I go. That was last week. I'm on my second box right now and it's filling up fast. (Last week, I had a large bag and a couple of boxes.) I'm bound and determined to declutter this house over the course of the next year (and if you've seen my house, you may be like me and think it could take two or three ;) but I'm shooting for a year)! I'm on a mission to simplify our entire life--a work in progress.
• There was something else I wanted to mention but my mind is drawing a blank. Whatever it was, was the reason I started this post in the first place but as soon as I started typing about Christmas, I completely forgot what it was.

• Since we're talking about Christmas again, might as well mention I found two boxes of vintage glass balls at the thrift. I still can't believe each box was only $0.50. They're never that low when I see them there--and there are a bunch of Shiny Brite ornaments too!

• And, on the same note, I need to grab the next sunny day and start photographing Christmas items for the shop. It's long overdue for an update! I also just found the sweetest vintage baby mobile that I need to list (above). Going on a guess, I'd say it's from the 60's. The little animals are so whimsical.

A frog, A princess, A chicken...

...and a turquoise monster.

Happy Halloween!

Have a good one! Stop by for treats, if you're in the area!

(We now have a basement door!) :)

Have a great day!

Daylight Savings Time Reminder (where applicable)

I'd completely forgotten it was that time of year again! Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour this weekend (2 a.m. Sunday).

Halloween is in a couple of days

And I'm wondering where fall went? It skipped right by us this year.

The kids are so excited. It's so fun listening to them do the countdown to Halloween. We don't even go Trick-or-Treating and they still get so excited for the holiday. (Even though we don't go out, they still dress up and get way too much candy.)

Last year was the first year we didn't go. With peanut allergy, even cross contamination (from candy wrappers) can be a scary business. I always leave it open though--that maybe once they're bigger, they can go and Carter will just have to trade in his bag for 'safe' treats when he gets home. But, for now, we're taking it one year at a time.

This year, we decided to have a little Halloween party with my sister Sara's kids. Nothing special, just a little get together with their cousins to make it a little more fun for them.

Any locals are welcome to stop out on Halloween! We'll be here again this year passing out treats. I'm planning on putting together little treat bags for the kids. I did that last year and it was fun. (In our area, many people don't go Trick-or-Treating but rather they head to a big 'party' at the school where there are games and treats for all the kids.)