{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. See Soulemama to play along.
7.30.2010
{this moment} - a hard day's ride home
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. See Soulemama to play along.
7.28.2010
Vintage Homesteading
thoughts on what should replace the hunter green? goldish yellow? off white linen? avocado green (the color of the "appliances")
7 comments:
Labels:
camper,
camping,
recovering cushions,
sewing,
the farm,
the land,
vintage,
vintage find
7.27.2010
The Great Pattern-less Skirt
I've been stockpiling fabric for some time, but specifically intended for skirt making for a couple months. I have a few staple skirts that I wear all the time through the summer--some of them quite simple & so comfortable. When I'm at a store with a discount fabric section I'm more or less obligated to buy 1-2 yards knowing it will at least be enough for children's clothing, or a skirt.
Well. This all brings me to confessing that I also recently made a dress. I was so stoked about it & anxious to finish it in time for a party where I just knew I'd impress everyone with an adorable dress made by my own resourceful hands. And I did finish, but it wasn't quite perfect, an adjustment needed to be made to make things line up right & this totally knocked the wind out of my sails (not to mention the less than over the top excitement I got from those to whom I revealed it privately. There was no harsh critique, or condemning look, just felt a reaction that led me to believe the dress wasn't as great as I'd thought)...so. It sits, awaiting the finishing touch that will make it wearable & good.
This has to do with the skirt because skirts are SO much less in your face. I can wear a skirt & someone may notice, but if I don't want them to I can power it down with a flashier top. A dress--now that's all or none, unless it's cardigan weather and, it's not cardigan weather--not even evening cardigan weather, or wee-small hours of the morning cardigan weather.
This is becoming a wordy post for such a simple pattern. But it's a great opportunity for you, sometimes I think you all miss out, due to my lack of worthwhile conversation pieces, on all my honestly inherited wit and sarcasm. I like to ramble & bramble, just ask anyone. But, in my old age & strengthening wisdom that comes as a result, I recognize how misguidedly I've often spoken and so now try to error on the side of silence, especially in mixed company--i.e. the internet.
Watch out, the flood gates may be opening. That is if you're even (still) here...
So, simple-undaunting-nothing shocking in that-skirt pattern.
Get your adorable (& cheap) fabric. Cotton is great, nothing stretchy. Fold in half, right sides together. Lay (fabric) on floor. Find favorite skirt & situate so that one side is along the folded edge of the fabric. Measure out 3 generous inches from the side that is not along the fold & 1 inch above the waist line (make it a straight waist line if it's not already). You can adjust the hem line by adding length there as well. Cut.
Simple pattern=simple happiness. The best kind really. & this can reasonably be done in 20 minutes if you live a very direct & undistracted life (lucky you), that's why I wash all my fabric when it comes home from the store. You never know how long you'll have to sew something up--washing & drying takes time and that's a step I never skip! ;) (click here for great tips on pre-washing that I just found)
& I must give credit/thanks here b/c her simple pattern reminded me to refer to my favorite skirt & that got the ball rolling--quickly, which is key because when not enthralled there's a danger I'll move on before completion.
Well. This all brings me to confessing that I also recently made a dress. I was so stoked about it & anxious to finish it in time for a party where I just knew I'd impress everyone with an adorable dress made by my own resourceful hands. And I did finish, but it wasn't quite perfect, an adjustment needed to be made to make things line up right & this totally knocked the wind out of my sails (not to mention the less than over the top excitement I got from those to whom I revealed it privately. There was no harsh critique, or condemning look, just felt a reaction that led me to believe the dress wasn't as great as I'd thought)...so. It sits, awaiting the finishing touch that will make it wearable & good.
This has to do with the skirt because skirts are SO much less in your face. I can wear a skirt & someone may notice, but if I don't want them to I can power it down with a flashier top. A dress--now that's all or none, unless it's cardigan weather and, it's not cardigan weather--not even evening cardigan weather, or wee-small hours of the morning cardigan weather.
This is becoming a wordy post for such a simple pattern. But it's a great opportunity for you, sometimes I think you all miss out, due to my lack of worthwhile conversation pieces, on all my honestly inherited wit and sarcasm. I like to ramble & bramble, just ask anyone. But, in my old age & strengthening wisdom that comes as a result, I recognize how misguidedly I've often spoken and so now try to error on the side of silence, especially in mixed company--i.e. the internet.
Watch out, the flood gates may be opening. That is if you're even (still) here...
So, simple-undaunting-nothing shocking in that-skirt pattern.
Once you've cut, open it up & sew up the hemline using the method of your choice. I fold. I rarely iron.
Next? Waistline: fold over 1/4" & iron or sew. Fold down 1" allowing a space for elastic to run & sew.
Get elastic & wrap it around your waist. (tip: hold it together & trying pulling it down over your rump to see if there's going to be enough give. You can also easily modify the skirt by adding a zipper to the seam). Using the safety pin threading method, pull your elastic through your waist seam & sew down on either end.
Lastly, with right sides together stitch 1/4 inch seam (or 1/2 if you'd like) up the side of your skirt.
Simple pattern=simple happiness. The best kind really. & this can reasonably be done in 20 minutes if you live a very direct & undistracted life (lucky you), that's why I wash all my fabric when it comes home from the store. You never know how long you'll have to sew something up--washing & drying takes time and that's a step I never skip! ;) (click here for great tips on pre-washing that I just found)
& I must give credit/thanks here b/c her simple pattern reminded me to refer to my favorite skirt & that got the ball rolling--quickly, which is key because when not enthralled there's a danger I'll move on before completion.
7.26.2010
Included: I'll take coffee and cake for $200.00, Alex
such a sweet collection! inspires me to get into the kitchen...
- $135.00 USD
- $6.00 USD
- $9.95 USD
- $20.00 USD
- $37.00 USD
- $22.00 USD
- $18.00 USD
- $18.95 USD
- $30.00 USD
- $15.00 USD
- $20.00 USD
- $16.00 USD
- Sold
- Sold
- $12.95 USD
- $5.00 USD
7.25.2010
7.20.2010
Hands on Color Wheel and Stuffed Zucchini
Inspired by this post to retry making playdough (we've done it before but with less than perfect consistency), I had a revelation. When it came time to mix colors I thought it'd be a good opportunity to present Naomi with the Color Wheel.
So, I divided the dough into 6 pieces & made little divets in each. Using blue in 3, yellow in 3 and red in 3 overlapping between the colors (so, red & blue in one, yellow & blue in one & red & yellow in one). Then we kneaded them together. I asked Naomi ahead of time what she thought would happen, then as she mixed she realized what colors were being made--she loved it! Hands on learning...
Last night for dinner I made the Turkish Style Stuffed Zucchini for my Moosewood Challenge.
It was actually quite good. I substituted parmesean for the swiss it called for, but other than that--great. Paired with fresh tomato salad it was a great summer dinner. Naomi said she could eat it every day of the week & Leviah did this:
4 comments:
Labels:
activity,
art,
crafts,
homeschool,
moosewood cookbook challenge,
play dough,
recipes
7.14.2010
So. Busy.
Oh me, oh my.
We've been keeping busy, but it seems I have nothing to report! For the blog sake, I always feel like there needs to be SOME progress with little exultation to simply surviving another day--sense of humor intact. That's what we're doing. So, I'll just share a few pictures.
Note: Naomi's in art camp with a local couple who is doing a tremendous job. I'll share pictures of all her creations (so as not to forget). I'm really excited about HER excitement. She is re-pumped about art & creating. If you're in the area & looking for an art camp next summer--don't miss this one. Can't say enough good...
We've been keeping busy, but it seems I have nothing to report! For the blog sake, I always feel like there needs to be SOME progress with little exultation to simply surviving another day--sense of humor intact. That's what we're doing. So, I'll just share a few pictures.
can't seem to wash this heat away...even at the spray ground
what Naomi's blog would look like.
though not the greatest garden year, there are still tomatoes to be harvested.
'farm' play.
storm watching.
That about brings you up to date.Note: Naomi's in art camp with a local couple who is doing a tremendous job. I'll share pictures of all her creations (so as not to forget). I'm really excited about HER excitement. She is re-pumped about art & creating. If you're in the area & looking for an art camp next summer--don't miss this one. Can't say enough good...
7.09.2010
Another Way to Make Venison Taste Good (sorry Moosewood).
Last night we had a delicious Moosewood recipe, Cauliflower Cheese Pie**. This recipe appealed to me for its' inclusion of cheese & cauliflower--the latter of which I don't use enough in my cooking. Well, even if we hadn't thrown in a pound of ground venison, this dish would have been terrific. (I say 'we', but Drew was assigned the recipe & he did a fine job). So, why add the meat? well, it was tasty, but with company over it didn't stand alone as the main course & having no other ideas as to what to pair it with, we just mixed.
Anyway, it was local, grass fed & free-range meat, so--of the highest quality! &, this is a definite will-do again, which is great because deer meat can be tricky to cook with.
Also, the brownies I made the other day are still lingering, but they are SO good. sososososo. They got better & fudgier with time.
**if they're already available online... ;)
Also, the brownies I made the other day are still lingering, but they are SO good. sososososo. They got better & fudgier with time.
**if they're already available online... ;)
7.07.2010
How to Make a Daily Rhythm Chart
Today's the first day with our new chart. I'm excited about it & so is Naomi. She has really been responsive to knowing what is coming next--no more excuses as to what's expected of her. These are the key elements to our regular days, a few off the list are not pictured & some days, like Friday through Sunday, will be different, if I rearrange the tabs of felt in the evening after bed, in the morning we can review & be ready for what's to come. In addition I will add specialty tasks, like baking for specific days.
So. Breaking it down.
Materials needed:
2-3 8.5x11 sheets of felt (Yellow)
3-4 sheets of printable iron on transfer paper
1 larger sheet in a different color of felt (approx 11x13) (I used blue)
1 Frame
Cardboard to fit inside frame.
Sharpies or fabric markers
Scissors
While you don't have to print & iron on the borders, I found using the iron on sheets with the felt really made writing on it easier. You could also just type & print the tasks/elements of your day on the transfer paper & iron it on (as I did with the days of the week) instead of writing on the felt.
You can use this sheet for your tasks & you may want to print 2, depending on how diverse your routine can be. You can print this sheet for your days of the week. Iron following the iron on directions provided with your sheets.
After ironing them onto the felt, fill in your specific tasks. Cut them with sharp scissors & do the same with the days of the week.
Wrap the contrasting felt around the cardboard and fit it into your frame (without glass). Hammer some small nails in to keep the cardboard & felt in place if the frame doesn't come with the pins already. Glue down excess felt to the back of the cardboard with elmer's or tacky glue & allow to dry.
Now plan your schedule and hang in an accessible spot! Much more attractive than the store-bought kiddie charts. Simple & friendly...
Materials needed:
2-3 8.5x11 sheets of felt (Yellow)
3-4 sheets of printable iron on transfer paper
1 larger sheet in a different color of felt (approx 11x13) (I used blue)
1 Frame
Cardboard to fit inside frame.
Sharpies or fabric markers
Scissors
While you don't have to print & iron on the borders, I found using the iron on sheets with the felt really made writing on it easier. You could also just type & print the tasks/elements of your day on the transfer paper & iron it on (as I did with the days of the week) instead of writing on the felt.
You can use this sheet for your tasks & you may want to print 2, depending on how diverse your routine can be. You can print this sheet for your days of the week. Iron following the iron on directions provided with your sheets.
After ironing them onto the felt, fill in your specific tasks. Cut them with sharp scissors & do the same with the days of the week.
Wrap the contrasting felt around the cardboard and fit it into your frame (without glass). Hammer some small nails in to keep the cardboard & felt in place if the frame doesn't come with the pins already. Glue down excess felt to the back of the cardboard with elmer's or tacky glue & allow to dry.
Now plan your schedule and hang in an accessible spot! Much more attractive than the store-bought kiddie charts. Simple & friendly...
When we live in a different place, & our home is not on the market I intend to get several frames so that we can easily reference our plans for tomorrow as well.
If you make your own, please share pictures!
7.04.2010
Fourth of July Fatigue
First: Happy Fourth! Hope you're all having fun watching parades (no matter how stingy on candy throwing they might be) & fireworks (even if you're struggling to figure out which night the show is like we are).
The following pictures have everything to do with the 4th and little to do with what's being written...
Whew. There has been little relaxation around here. The girls are all twisted around and what an important thing regularity is for a 1.5 year old. Poor Leviah is like a crazy person--I'm sure she feels uprooted and unsure. We've been running around for almost 2 weeks and while we've accomplished a TON, as a mother I'm feeling really irresponsible. Naomi is actually thriving on the activity in many ways, but in others I think we're all feeling emotionally drained & discombobbled.
What have we been up to? well, there will be more on that here shortly. This week especially the line between farm & home has been criss-crossed--someday, when the distance is smaller and babies can nap through many of the daily chores this criss cross will be our dream come true. For right now, we are in a transitional place that is far from comfortable. Several projects this week will be dedicated solely to establishing a rhythm for our family that helps us keep up beat. ;)
There's some relief in knowing that that day will come & in seeing what progress has actually been made. That strip of land is taking a very loose shape. Some outline of our 'vision' is already visible & it is encouraging. Alas, MUCH is to be done, but there are so many ideas we can't WAIT to share with everyone.
Right now we're considering our orchard. We want: Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Figs, Pecans, Pears, Apples, Pomegranates, Persimmons and more as we come to it. Any varieties you've all had experience with? We want to get fairly local & completely GMO free plants. Suggestions welcome!
My Moosewood challenge is going a little slower, due to all this running around, but I did whip up the Fudge Brownies (I added the optional instant coffee) the other night & no more boxes for me. These are SO good. I love boxed brownie mixes--a downfall of mine, but with this recipe I don't need them! I just need a good stock pile of unsweetened chocolate squares on hand for whenever the chocolate craving sets in...
The following pictures have everything to do with the 4th and little to do with what's being written...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)