New Years Eve
Thursday, December 29, 2016
The good thing...the three other hives are doing great and I think that they will survive the winter. Today, the bees were outside the hive flying around, and the hive's interior was full of very active bees. I am pleased to see those hives doing well. There are plenty of bees to keep the hives warm, and they have plenty of food for the winter.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Life throws things at you. Unexpected, surprises, changes, and I find myself reflecting on the life lessons...of the past year. It might be hard...
Let it go.
Let it fall.
Let it be.
I am thinking about new adventures, fun things to do. I am more isolated than necessary, it is time to contact old friends and renew those ties. I need supportive people around me. I need friends to go on adventures with...even if it is just junking...or a movie. This is a fact.
I am blessed, and I am thankful for all those blessings.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
To all my friends, and family....I wish for you is to have a blessed day and peaceful, loving thoughts for all you love.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light,...
Thru the years we all will be together
if the fates allow...
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough,
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
This is my main holiday display on the coffee table. The sculpture, Woman with Fawn, is so lovely. It is about 14" tall by 26" long, these were created in 1981, by an Austin Texas man, Mark la Pointe. This one is in perfect condition, the auction value is much higher than my Goodwill price. I absolutely love it.
I put it on a vintage silver tray, highlighted by the 4" silver crackle balls, greens, and pearl strands. A truly lovely, peaceful and beautiful display. Enjoy...
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
I made a bread like this one today. It is a simple and easy to make bread. I used my new enameled small dutch oven, it is about 2 1/2 quart. I will be making it again...I like it with soup and stew. I found this recipe online.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Absolutely! Hubby and his friend went duck hunting. I planned a home alone party for one. I will only answer the phone for my family. Lock the doors, and act like no one is home. And...btw...it is going to be a very cold 8 degrees F tonight. The place is ready for it, all the animals are safe and sound. Burr....
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
The History Channel has the show The Vikings on it. This year's season is currently being shown. I love the show! This photo is from last week's show. There will be a big showdown between these 2 women in the next show. It has been a long time coming...and now it is time. I can't wait to see it!
Monday, December 12, 2016
I sometimes check out online auctions. Goodwill.com is a favorite that I look at frequently, and occasionally bid. The problem with them is that they tack on many extra dollars for shipping and handling fees. It can make a good bid, go to a high bid. So...if you go there, watch those things. Look up similar items on eBay and other sellers for an idea of a price.
I am trending SW vintage jewelry for a several years now, It is very pretty and looks great with casual clothing. I have purchased many sterling silver SW bangle bracelets for $1-2. Jeans, boots, and sweaters are a favorite of mine, and add something like this heart....and some bangles...truly eye catching. I get many compliments on my Turquoise jewelry items.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Hubby and I drove out to Sweet Cheeks Winery today. It is very close to Eugene, OR. I wanted to taste some of the newly bottled wine, and decide what I liked the best. These are some photos from their website. It was raining very hard, and not good for taking photos.
The wine was excellent! Now, I want to give you top secret insider information.
The price is pretty high at the tasting room at the vineyard. The best place to get this excellent wine is Bi-Mart. That's right Bi-Mart, for all of you that live in the Pacific NW. The price is several dollars lower...look for the pretty label with the Blackbird. This is a great gift for the wine lovers in your life. Really!!
Saturday, December 10, 2016
I have been using these vintage ice skates beside the front door for about 20 years. These skates were very old when I got them, found at a Salvation Army store. There have been many kinds of displays made with them. This year is a simple, elegant style. Pretty greenery, and a lovely old scarf for the bow.
Friday, December 9, 2016
I like to make soap the old fashioned way. The chemistry involved requires precise weighing of the components, precise temperatures, and following the directions exactly. I must be completely able to focus on the process, and be committed to stay on track. The reward is a lovely soap, that is wonderful to use. The soap does last a long time, it has a good scent, and it doesn't have all the chemicals found in store soap.
I made this soap about November 1, and it had to cure until now. Yesterday, I wrapped up stacks of 3 soaps with this pretty dark turquoise ribbon. Each bar is about 2 1/2" by 4", nice big bars. I will be giving these to friends and neighbor's who stop by the farm.
I used to make soaps for selling, but that has ended. Now, I make about 2 batches each year.
Monday, December 5, 2016
It has been a long extremely rainy fall. There has not been a killing frost, my garden is still green. That is about to change, and I will see dead foliage. I took this photo out my front door, looking across the pasture/hay field toward the north. Tonight will bring maybe 8 to 10" of fresh snow. The forecast is to drop cold tomorrow night...12 degrees F. I hope that there is enough snow to insulate the plants and waterlines. I have the swimming pool pump circulating the water, so that there will not be freezing in the pipes. There will be winterizing needed to keep the farm warm, and I hope we don't have an electrical outage! I will be wearing those warm winter boots!! Soon!!
Sunday, December 4, 2016
I want to personally thank Ree Drummond for her Beef Stew recipe. thepioneerwoman.com/beef-stew-with-beer-and-paprika/ Check this link for the exact recipe and her instructions. I have all her cookbooks...and I love her recipes and the directions with photos in her books.
Today, Sunday, I made Elk Stew with Beer and Paprika.
I changed this recipe a bit by using some tough old elk steak, and my home grown carrots and potatoes. This elk meat is very tough....and I thought that I might get it tender using Ree's method. I used the all day, slow and low method. It worked, and I was rewarded with a wonderful pot of stew.
I even used my new Cuisinart small dutch oven! Perfect for cooking for 2! We have many regular cast iron items around, but this one is my first enameled one. I will be using it frequently...
And after all this, and a great meal...hubby did not thank me, or compliment me. Bummer............but I think that he must have liked it...he ate 2 bowls.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
I want to introduce my child, Nicole. I am very proud that she is a bright and unique person. I am happy to say that she is a strong supporter of my life, as I am with her. We don't always share a point of view...but we understand that our differences are the things that make us...us. I love her! It would break my heart if we had a problem in our relationship.
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