Laundry done and hung to dry,
I'm tired now, I don't know why.
Lunch is through, dinner is coming,
Today has been kind of numbing.
Looking past throughout the year,
See what's ahead it is so near.
Another New Year's Eve is close,
We'll have some cider for a toast.
It's just another day you see,
A farmers life it is for me.
Another year has come and went,
How were your days mostly spent?
Ours was filled with work and fun,
Farming in the golden sun.
Fixing this and fixing that,
Racing time just like a rat.
Next year is now tomorrow,
Let's hope for little sorrow.
Storing Winter Squash
Nothing beats fresh pumpkin pie at dinner in January. How about a fresh baked acorn squash in February?
Storing winter squash is easy. Most store well right into March. However, the process begins in the fall.
In order for winter squash to store well, you must let the vine die with the fruit still on it. You then pick it, and leave it out for a couple of weeks to let the rind harden up. Remember to take them in before a heavy frost.
If you aren't lucky enough to have a root cellar, you can simply use a dark corner of your basement. Be sure to store them up off the ground. Make sure they have plenty of air circulation to prevent early rotting. You can even store them in a cold hallway, or unheated mudroom. Just be sure to keep them out of direct light.
Varieties of winter squash would include pumpkin, acorn squash, buttercup squash, butternut squash, blue hubbard, turban squash, pink banana and others.
Stored well, these squashes should take you through until spring when the first spring greens are coming up.
Storing Carrots for Winter
You too can have fresh carrots all winter if you do a little planning in the fal. If you store them correctly in the ground they should last all winter.
As the first frost is upon you, mulch dirt and leaves up and around the carrots. You should use at least 12 inches. As the tops die off, the carrots will stay fresh under the layers of mulch. When picked, these carrots will be sweet and delicous.
Now, in order to pick them, you have to have a thaw...or a good pick ax. They freeze in there pretty hard. Much to our dismay we found this out the hard way when we went to dig some up in mid-December. We did however have a thaw right before Christmas, so we had fresh carrots on the table that year.
You can if you wish store them in a root cellar. If you are storing them your root cellar be sure to layer them between sand. A bucket works well, and keeps any lurking critters out. Mice and moles love to nibble.
Be sure to check on them periodically for mold or decay.
Stored properly, you should have carrots throughout the winter months.
Laundry Day at the Farm
It is snowing outside again. We have gotten about 8 inches in this storm so far. If I calculate the snowfall correctly, we have gotten over 40 inches. That is half of what we usually get all winter in one month.
Figuring that we will be inside hunkering down today, I think I should do some laundry. I prefer to do it on a sunny day so I can hang them out, but I am not sure we are going to see much sun for the next few days. The last time I waited for a sunny day, the laundry got a bit backed up and we were surrounded by clothes racks.
Laundry here is done a bit differently than most homes. We have a washer, but it is not your typical top loader. Ours is a 1945 Maytag wringer washer. We chose to ditch the Kenmore that came with the house for our Maytag. The Kenmore was only about 10 years old, but it leaked. What good is a washer that leaks? The dryer went to the wayside too. It was across the room and totally inconvenient from where the washer was. A floor plan gone sour. Besides that we hardly ever used the dryer. The sunshine is free and it makes the clothes smell wonderful. There is nothing like the smell of a set of sheets and pillow cases that have been dried out on the line in the fresh sunshine.
If there is not sun, we use the clothes racks. Free drying is good. Why pay to use a dryer and waste time and energy when the air is free.
With the Maytag you have more control over the laundry and how it comes out. Since you have to fill it by hand, you can get exactly the amount of water you need. No wasting water from a preset dial. You can actually see the laundry better inside the tub, because the tub is much larger. If there is a stain you need to attend to, you can stop the agitator, put on some soap and scrub away. You can empty the washer when you think the clothes are done. No preset timer. Of course if you don't pay attention, it will wash forever.
You then drain the water, put the clothes through the wringer and put them aside. The wringer is actually comparable to the spin cycle. After all the clothes have been rung out, you refill the washer for the rinse cycle. When they are all rinsed, the ringer swings into action again and then you are ready to hang.
Now most people think we are crazy to give up our automated washer for a 1940's Maytag, but we like it. How many other people can say that their washer will be around 60 years from now? Not many.
Now it is off to get breakfast and start the laundry.
A Bit of History Gone
One of our local historic houses went up in flames last night. The barn and the ell are completely gone. We went by today to check it out because we had heard all sorts of rumors of what really happened. The owners are lucky that the rumors weren't all true. We were told last night the house and barn were fully engulfed, so we anticipated the house being gone too. From what we hear the flames were unbelievable.
It seems that the house was spared for the most part. Maybe some smoke or water damage, but it looks like they might be able to still live there.
It is sad event. It is always sad to see a piece of history gone. You could see the old timbers of the barn and ell just burnt to a charcoal state. Old beams that have probably been there over a hundred years gone in just a short time.
The foolish people who were renting the house were having back draft problems with the wood stove. Instead of knowing this was wrong, and calling in the professionals they vented into the barn. Well, the barn is gone now. And so is most of the ell. Stupid people shouldn't have wood stoves.
Our Daily Life
5:30-6 a.m.- Wake up and get the dogs outside.
6-7 a.m. - Get the wood stove going, make the coffee (no Mr. Coffee here). We use an old percolator coffee pot circa 1940's. We then feed the dogs and get them settled. After they have eaten we eat. Oatmeal, eggs and toast, or maybe some pumpkin bread would be on the menu.
7-8 a.m. - We relax. We do watch the new at this time but only for a short time. We can't take it for longer than 1/2 hour or so. Too much input. No one needs that much input. And is the news really news anymore or just a side show for freaks. Who cares if Brittney Spears cut her hair off?
We plan on what we are doing for the day, or we may talk about what project gets done next in the house. That usually takes the longest since we have so many plans to accomplish.
We get the dishes done, the house cleaned up, and then it is off to work.
8 a.m. 12 p.m.- The commute to the office is a killer, especially if the dogs are in the mood to play. It seems as soon as we get up they think it is play time. Our "commute" is about 10 feet from the living room to the office.
During the season, I go out and work the gardens, and then open the shop.
Next it would be to make whatever needs to be baked for the day. Lunch is put on the stove around 9 a.m. to make sure it is done for lunch time.
I can then putter and do what needs to be done. Sewing, cleaning, or working on our website.
12 p.m.- We have lunch around 12 - 1 depending on what is going on at "work".
1 - 5 p.m. - Back to work. There are still bills to be paid. Depending on what we are having for dinner, I might start to cook around 3 or 4.
5 - 6 p.m. - Get the dogs fed. They know what time it is. Then we get dinner. No rushing here. We take our time and enjoy each other's company and the food. We get the dishes and kitchen cleaned up and go relax on the couch.
For the rest of the evening we talk, work on our websites, play with our critter friends or watch a movie. We don't have cable, so we use the VCR.
Bedtime is when we get tired. Usually anywhere from 8 - 10 depending on how much we did during the day.
The dogs go out for their last "business run", and we get the wood stove stocked up to last the night.
Now is it time for bed.
Kodie and Robin go to their room. They seem to like to share a bedroom. Chakra goes off to his room. He likes having his own room with his own big bed.
We then go off to our room for another night of blissful slumber.
Good night John-Boy, Goodnight Maryellen.
6-7 a.m. - Get the wood stove going, make the coffee (no Mr. Coffee here). We use an old percolator coffee pot circa 1940's. We then feed the dogs and get them settled. After they have eaten we eat. Oatmeal, eggs and toast, or maybe some pumpkin bread would be on the menu.
7-8 a.m. - We relax. We do watch the new at this time but only for a short time. We can't take it for longer than 1/2 hour or so. Too much input. No one needs that much input. And is the news really news anymore or just a side show for freaks. Who cares if Brittney Spears cut her hair off?
We plan on what we are doing for the day, or we may talk about what project gets done next in the house. That usually takes the longest since we have so many plans to accomplish.
We get the dishes done, the house cleaned up, and then it is off to work.
8 a.m. 12 p.m.- The commute to the office is a killer, especially if the dogs are in the mood to play. It seems as soon as we get up they think it is play time. Our "commute" is about 10 feet from the living room to the office.
During the season, I go out and work the gardens, and then open the shop.
Next it would be to make whatever needs to be baked for the day. Lunch is put on the stove around 9 a.m. to make sure it is done for lunch time.
I can then putter and do what needs to be done. Sewing, cleaning, or working on our website.
12 p.m.- We have lunch around 12 - 1 depending on what is going on at "work".
1 - 5 p.m. - Back to work. There are still bills to be paid. Depending on what we are having for dinner, I might start to cook around 3 or 4.
5 - 6 p.m. - Get the dogs fed. They know what time it is. Then we get dinner. No rushing here. We take our time and enjoy each other's company and the food. We get the dishes and kitchen cleaned up and go relax on the couch.
For the rest of the evening we talk, work on our websites, play with our critter friends or watch a movie. We don't have cable, so we use the VCR.
Bedtime is when we get tired. Usually anywhere from 8 - 10 depending on how much we did during the day.
The dogs go out for their last "business run", and we get the wood stove stocked up to last the night.
Now is it time for bed.
Kodie and Robin go to their room. They seem to like to share a bedroom. Chakra goes off to his room. He likes having his own room with his own big bed.
We then go off to our room for another night of blissful slumber.
Good night John-Boy, Goodnight Maryellen.
Living Old In A New World
Could you live without your microwave? How about your washer, dryer or dishwasher? Could you live without your hairdryer? Is a t.v. in every room normal for your house? If you had to flick a match to a candle instead of flicking a light switch, do you think you could survive?
In the year that we have lived in our home, we have come to realize that many of the modern day conveniences can most certainly be lived without. It has been our plan to show people that having an iPod stuck in your ear does not make or break your life. You won't find us standing in lines for hours and hours for a Nintendo Wii. All our gifts are handmade especially for the person who we are giving it to. This makes them more special than any game or gift you can buy from any store.
I am sure many people could not live the way we do. We make our own clothes, bake our own bread, and pour our own candles. We don't rely on the outside world and it's "toys"to make us happy.
In season, we grow our own food, and then we can it for winter. We eat seasonally or locally. This means we mostly eat food that is available in our area that season, and what we canned. No fresh tomatoes in the winter for us. They aren't fresh when they are shipped from Mexico, or California. They are sprayed or waxed to preserve shelf life. Yuck! We have canned tomatoes that were canned the day they were picked, and taste delicious. If you think about it, years ago, they would not have had tomatoes in December. Not in this part of the country anyway. They would have salted, pickled and dried their meals for the winter.
If more people did this, it would actually cut down on the "footprint" of everyone. Trucks, planes and whatever is carrying these "fresh" tomatoes from the west coast to the east coast would not be running. Vegetables and fruits coming from half way around the world would be out of the question. It would cut down on fuel consumption and air pollution.
We do have hot running water and electricity, but choose to use other options when we can. In the dark hours of winter we use candles and oil lamps a good part of the time. We keep a pot of water on the wood stove so when we need hot water it is already heated. No need for the furnace to kick on.
Although we do have a phone, I am not sure why. We hardly ever use it.
It is quieter and calmer because we don't have the outside world ringing in at us at every turn. No cell phones ringing, no blackberry to answer. People who say they couldn't live without their blackberries or iPods should possibly seek help for an addiction. They are stressed out because they have chosen that lifestyle.
Our life is simple because we make it that way.
Maybe it is not a life for everyone, but maybe it should be.
In the year that we have lived in our home, we have come to realize that many of the modern day conveniences can most certainly be lived without. It has been our plan to show people that having an iPod stuck in your ear does not make or break your life. You won't find us standing in lines for hours and hours for a Nintendo Wii. All our gifts are handmade especially for the person who we are giving it to. This makes them more special than any game or gift you can buy from any store.
I am sure many people could not live the way we do. We make our own clothes, bake our own bread, and pour our own candles. We don't rely on the outside world and it's "toys"to make us happy.
In season, we grow our own food, and then we can it for winter. We eat seasonally or locally. This means we mostly eat food that is available in our area that season, and what we canned. No fresh tomatoes in the winter for us. They aren't fresh when they are shipped from Mexico, or California. They are sprayed or waxed to preserve shelf life. Yuck! We have canned tomatoes that were canned the day they were picked, and taste delicious. If you think about it, years ago, they would not have had tomatoes in December. Not in this part of the country anyway. They would have salted, pickled and dried their meals for the winter.
If more people did this, it would actually cut down on the "footprint" of everyone. Trucks, planes and whatever is carrying these "fresh" tomatoes from the west coast to the east coast would not be running. Vegetables and fruits coming from half way around the world would be out of the question. It would cut down on fuel consumption and air pollution.
We do have hot running water and electricity, but choose to use other options when we can. In the dark hours of winter we use candles and oil lamps a good part of the time. We keep a pot of water on the wood stove so when we need hot water it is already heated. No need for the furnace to kick on.
Although we do have a phone, I am not sure why. We hardly ever use it.
It is quieter and calmer because we don't have the outside world ringing in at us at every turn. No cell phones ringing, no blackberry to answer. People who say they couldn't live without their blackberries or iPods should possibly seek help for an addiction. They are stressed out because they have chosen that lifestyle.
Our life is simple because we make it that way.
Maybe it is not a life for everyone, but maybe it should be.
A Garden in Waiting
Under all that snow out there lay a garden in waiting. As I look out at Harvey the old scarecrow, I wonder what magic is taking place out there deep in the earth. As the earth sleeps for winter, the soil is preparing itself for another year of planting. The soil replenishes itself with the help from the composting we do all summer and then add to the garden in the fall. Even throughout the winter, we add compost on top of the snow. As it melts in the spring, it will be turned back into the soil for nutrients.
It looks so cold and desolate out there now, except for Harvey. He holds down the fort, and keeps watch over our carrots. The next thaw we have, we will again have fresh carrots. The ones we dug up for Christmas were the best carrots I have ever tasted. They were sweet, tender and juicy. We picked enough for a couple weeks, and should store well in the root cellar. I will make soup, juice, and of course serve at meals.
We are working on a couple websites that should be up and running soon. One of them will actually capture us "going back in time" with the backdating of our house.
Looking Towards A New Year
It snowed again last night. I am glad we didn't get too much, as we have another storm on the way tomorrow.
I have been taking some time off to just putter around, and it feels good. The in-laws have been visiting, so it has been nice not to be too busy. It makes for a much more relaxed visit. Yesterday we went to Strawbery Banke, and we had a great time. The liked it so much, they became members. Now, when we go again in the spring, they will be free too. It is so nice there in the spring, summer and autumn seasons. We had never been during the Christmas season, and it was beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Just a few more days until the new year, which always gets me thinking of goals I want to achieve. I have a few "resolutions", but I always like the term "changes" better. We eat well now, but I think we can eat better. This will in result in losing weight, which is of course the main goal.
I will walk more which will be good for my back, and also help with the weight. So that will accomplish two goals.
We will work on expanding the farm and it's operations by at least 50%.
We will continue to work on backdating the house.
I will work on finishing up all the reupholstering projects that are lurking around the house. This will help with the backdating of the house.
I will finish the wallpaper jobs.
We will redo at least one floor in the house...maybe two.
We will continue to redo the kitchen. By the time we are done, you will think it is the 1940's.
For now, I think that is it. That many "changes" should take all year and then some.
Bread is rising, and needs to go in the oven soon. I have to check the wood stove, and start thinking about what is for lunch.
I have been taking some time off to just putter around, and it feels good. The in-laws have been visiting, so it has been nice not to be too busy. It makes for a much more relaxed visit. Yesterday we went to Strawbery Banke, and we had a great time. The liked it so much, they became members. Now, when we go again in the spring, they will be free too. It is so nice there in the spring, summer and autumn seasons. We had never been during the Christmas season, and it was beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Just a few more days until the new year, which always gets me thinking of goals I want to achieve. I have a few "resolutions", but I always like the term "changes" better. We eat well now, but I think we can eat better. This will in result in losing weight, which is of course the main goal.
I will walk more which will be good for my back, and also help with the weight. So that will accomplish two goals.
We will work on expanding the farm and it's operations by at least 50%.
We will continue to work on backdating the house.
I will work on finishing up all the reupholstering projects that are lurking around the house. This will help with the backdating of the house.
I will finish the wallpaper jobs.
We will redo at least one floor in the house...maybe two.
We will continue to redo the kitchen. By the time we are done, you will think it is the 1940's.
For now, I think that is it. That many "changes" should take all year and then some.
Bread is rising, and needs to go in the oven soon. I have to check the wood stove, and start thinking about what is for lunch.
It's A Wonderful Life
While Jimmy Stewart is on t.v. having a wonderful life, we are sitting here on a quiet Christmas Eve watching Cary Grant in The Bishop's Wife. It is a wonderful, but much less known Christmas time movie. We have already done the ritual of It's A Wonderful Life, and all the Rank and Bass Christmas specials from long, long ago. We will start tomorrow with the tradition of Ralphie and The Christmas Story.
It is quite funny, that I saw The Christmas Story in the theaters when it first came out back in the 1980's. I don't remember liking it as I like it today. Even though it takes place in the 1940's , it reminds me of my childhood. So much of what happens in the movie, also took place at my home when I was a child.
We will attend the midnight service at the church, in full Victorian garb. I in my bonnet, and husband in his top hat, will stroll over to the church as if it were 1870. I must take some pictures. I am sure someone would be willing to take a picture of us.
After the service we will come home and jump into bed and wait for Santa to pay us a visit. The critters are looking forward to him arriving as well. They are sure he will bring them biscuits, as he does every year. Anticipation is at a fever pitch.
The best part of living on a farm....fresh carrots out of the garden for Christmas. Being one of Rudolph's favorites, we had to keep some in the ground to pick for today. Not bad considering we have had two feet of snow. Luckily, for Rudolph, there was a bit of a thaw today, and we were able to dig up a few dozen. Some for him, and the rest for us for dinner tomorrow.
The children will come tomorrow morning, and it will be Christmas as usual. Turkey goes into the oven in the early morning, so our presents will be opened to the aroma of turkey and stuffing. Lucky for us, the Bumpeses hounds do not live next door to us. Our turkey will be safe from the ravages of four legged beasts.
We will end the holiday by watching the Grinch. The cartoon of course. There is no other. Some classics should not be remade into a live action movie. The Grinch was one of them.
It is quite funny, that I saw The Christmas Story in the theaters when it first came out back in the 1980's. I don't remember liking it as I like it today. Even though it takes place in the 1940's , it reminds me of my childhood. So much of what happens in the movie, also took place at my home when I was a child.
We will attend the midnight service at the church, in full Victorian garb. I in my bonnet, and husband in his top hat, will stroll over to the church as if it were 1870. I must take some pictures. I am sure someone would be willing to take a picture of us.
After the service we will come home and jump into bed and wait for Santa to pay us a visit. The critters are looking forward to him arriving as well. They are sure he will bring them biscuits, as he does every year. Anticipation is at a fever pitch.
The best part of living on a farm....fresh carrots out of the garden for Christmas. Being one of Rudolph's favorites, we had to keep some in the ground to pick for today. Not bad considering we have had two feet of snow. Luckily, for Rudolph, there was a bit of a thaw today, and we were able to dig up a few dozen. Some for him, and the rest for us for dinner tomorrow.
The children will come tomorrow morning, and it will be Christmas as usual. Turkey goes into the oven in the early morning, so our presents will be opened to the aroma of turkey and stuffing. Lucky for us, the Bumpeses hounds do not live next door to us. Our turkey will be safe from the ravages of four legged beasts.
We will end the holiday by watching the Grinch. The cartoon of course. There is no other. Some classics should not be remade into a live action movie. The Grinch was one of them.
And it Ain't Even Winter Yet
More snow today. They say anywhere from 8-12 inches depending on where you are. Seems like we are always on the cusp of all storms so we never really know until it is over. All this and winter doesn't even start until Saturday morning at 1:08 a.m. The snow is beautiful, but shoveling is not.
I have just about finished all my sewing for Christmas. Just have to put the buttons on the husband's shirt and that will be all done. The only other thing that I wanted to make was a bonnet for churches Christmas eve service. I need buckram to finish it, and unfortunealty the local Wal-Mart does not carry buckram. This means I would have to go to JoAnns, and that is in the opposite directions by close to an hour. We are not headed that way until after Christmas. I may just use interfacing instead, even though it would not have the stiffness it should. Or, I could make another style bonnet. I can always wear the hat I already have.
Yesterday, I made some wheat bars. This was a special treat since I have not had them since 1981 when I left high school. I happended onto our high school website and found the recipe, and just had to make them. They were so delicious. It brought back many memories of the good old days back in high school. I still have to make the peanut butter bars, but since those don't need to be baked, I always make those last. They are always a treat, because I only make them at Christmas.
I have just about finished all my sewing for Christmas. Just have to put the buttons on the husband's shirt and that will be all done. The only other thing that I wanted to make was a bonnet for churches Christmas eve service. I need buckram to finish it, and unfortunealty the local Wal-Mart does not carry buckram. This means I would have to go to JoAnns, and that is in the opposite directions by close to an hour. We are not headed that way until after Christmas. I may just use interfacing instead, even though it would not have the stiffness it should. Or, I could make another style bonnet. I can always wear the hat I already have.
Yesterday, I made some wheat bars. This was a special treat since I have not had them since 1981 when I left high school. I happended onto our high school website and found the recipe, and just had to make them. They were so delicious. It brought back many memories of the good old days back in high school. I still have to make the peanut butter bars, but since those don't need to be baked, I always make those last. They are always a treat, because I only make them at Christmas.
Let It Snow
It is snowing like crazy outside. The wind is whipping around. Although it is cold, and blizzard like, it is very beautiful. The back yard is blanketed in virgin snow. It is wonderful. By tomorrow some creature will have left their foot prints, and we will have fun examining the paw prints to see which animal it could be. Could they be after the carrots still left in the garden? Good eating for some hungry critter, if they can dig them up.
I suspect we might be without power by tonight, but that doesn't bother me much. Candles are always at the ready in this house, since we use them as light much of the time anyway. If by chance the lights do go out, I guess we will all be sleeping by the wood stove in the kitchen.
There are times when I wish we didn't need electricity. It would be like living back in 1822 when the house was just built. Technically, I think we could get along without electricity, especially in the winter. One wouldn't need a fridge when it is frigid outside. Other than the computer, we really don't use that much electricity. We use candles and oil lamps for light, and the wood stove supplies most of the downstairs heat. I don't think we need to heat upstairs, since after getting into bed it is warm anyway. Seems like a waste to me to heat the air for you when get out of bed 8 hours later. Why not just turn it up as soon as you get up?
I am sure the owners in 1822 would think we have it pretty good since they had no electricity and would have had just a wood stove in what is now our living room. They would have kept warm from the fire, and from cooking breads, and meals. Being that this was a farm even 175 years ago, I am sure they would have had cows or other barnyard animals to take care of.
We don't have that task as of yet, but come spring, we will have chickens.
I wonder what they would be doing on a snowy Sunday afternoon in our home 175 years ago.
I suspect we might be without power by tonight, but that doesn't bother me much. Candles are always at the ready in this house, since we use them as light much of the time anyway. If by chance the lights do go out, I guess we will all be sleeping by the wood stove in the kitchen.
There are times when I wish we didn't need electricity. It would be like living back in 1822 when the house was just built. Technically, I think we could get along without electricity, especially in the winter. One wouldn't need a fridge when it is frigid outside. Other than the computer, we really don't use that much electricity. We use candles and oil lamps for light, and the wood stove supplies most of the downstairs heat. I don't think we need to heat upstairs, since after getting into bed it is warm anyway. Seems like a waste to me to heat the air for you when get out of bed 8 hours later. Why not just turn it up as soon as you get up?
I am sure the owners in 1822 would think we have it pretty good since they had no electricity and would have had just a wood stove in what is now our living room. They would have kept warm from the fire, and from cooking breads, and meals. Being that this was a farm even 175 years ago, I am sure they would have had cows or other barnyard animals to take care of.
We don't have that task as of yet, but come spring, we will have chickens.
I wonder what they would be doing on a snowy Sunday afternoon in our home 175 years ago.
Christmas Is In The Air...And Covering My Kitchen Table
It will be Christmas soon. If you walked into my kitchen you would think you walked into a tailor shop with all the fabric, and sewing paraphernalia all over my kitchen table. Cloth in pile, patterns in another, and the last pile is half done projects. I really have to get the rest of my gifts made.
I am still at a loss as to what to make for the boys. I don't have enough time to make what I wanted to make for both of them, so I have to come up with another plan. They are so hard to come up with a gift for. Even if I was to buy something, I don't have a clue. I even had a hard time coming up with something for their girlfriends.
The husband knows what I am making him, because he had to approve the pattern, and pick out the fabric. I am making him an 1800's shirt from a Simplicity pattern that will go great with the pants I will be making him next.
We still have to decorate the house this weekend too.
With all I have to do, I should get to it.
I am still at a loss as to what to make for the boys. I don't have enough time to make what I wanted to make for both of them, so I have to come up with another plan. They are so hard to come up with a gift for. Even if I was to buy something, I don't have a clue. I even had a hard time coming up with something for their girlfriends.
The husband knows what I am making him, because he had to approve the pattern, and pick out the fabric. I am making him an 1800's shirt from a Simplicity pattern that will go great with the pants I will be making him next.
We still have to decorate the house this weekend too.
With all I have to do, I should get to it.
Leave Me In Stiches
Sewing has become a major part of my life. I realized a few years back that I could make most everything I needed. I know I could go to Wal-Mart and buy a blouse for $10 on sale, but there is nothing more pleasurable than making a blouse with your on two hands. I spent $8 on material, and I already had the buttons from another worn out blouse. So if you figure in the material, thread and time, I am sure the blouse cost me over a $10 sale blouse. But how do you measure internal satisfaction. It means so much more than buying something off the wrack. You start off with just a piece of fabric, and then in few hours it is a beautiful blouse.
Along with this desire to sew came a desire to make womens 1800's fashions. I have always been drawn to the Victorian era clothing. Now, living in our 1800's farmhouse, my "dress" fits in much more than it ever did before. Around town, I am known for my long skirts and my Victorian blouses. In fact, one day I wore pants, and someone said "Oh my goodness, you have legs," to which I replied, "yes, that is how I walk". I guess I have an image to maintain. An image I didn't know I had until that day.
Over the weekend I finished two blouses that match a skirt I just made. One, was the blouse to the 1860's day dress I had been working on. I didn't want a dress so I took the pattern and made a skirt and blouse instead. The sleeves on that one was tough. Lots of poof. Lots of gathering, and lots of frustration of taking it apart 3 times. But, it is now done, and beautiful, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
The other blouse, a bit more "modern", is actually a style that fits into an 1800's clothes closet. I purposely picked this pattern for that reason.
So, I now have the pantelets, the chemise, the petticoat, the skirt, the over skirt and blouse to wear for our Victorian Christmas. The only thing I don't have made yet is the corset. I don't think anyone will be peeking anyway.
These add to my already growing collection of Victorian skirts, petticoats (antiques and homemade), chemises, and other Victorian clothing. If someone were to look into my closet they would be hard pressed knowing if it is 2007 or 1867.
Along with this desire to sew came a desire to make womens 1800's fashions. I have always been drawn to the Victorian era clothing. Now, living in our 1800's farmhouse, my "dress" fits in much more than it ever did before. Around town, I am known for my long skirts and my Victorian blouses. In fact, one day I wore pants, and someone said "Oh my goodness, you have legs," to which I replied, "yes, that is how I walk". I guess I have an image to maintain. An image I didn't know I had until that day.
Over the weekend I finished two blouses that match a skirt I just made. One, was the blouse to the 1860's day dress I had been working on. I didn't want a dress so I took the pattern and made a skirt and blouse instead. The sleeves on that one was tough. Lots of poof. Lots of gathering, and lots of frustration of taking it apart 3 times. But, it is now done, and beautiful, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
The other blouse, a bit more "modern", is actually a style that fits into an 1800's clothes closet. I purposely picked this pattern for that reason.
So, I now have the pantelets, the chemise, the petticoat, the skirt, the over skirt and blouse to wear for our Victorian Christmas. The only thing I don't have made yet is the corset. I don't think anyone will be peeking anyway.
These add to my already growing collection of Victorian skirts, petticoats (antiques and homemade), chemises, and other Victorian clothing. If someone were to look into my closet they would be hard pressed knowing if it is 2007 or 1867.
New Lease on Grandma's Antiques
I decided last night to start the job of upholstering Grandma's furniture that my cousin Deb handed down to me a few weeks ago. She had inherited it from my aunt when she died, and she wanted to pass them to someone in the family who would take care of them. They were passed down to my Grandmother when Aunt Lucy died years ago. I remember as a child, sitting on them in the parlor as Grandma would play the piano. They were crushed red velvet, and a tad worn, but we were still taught respect for the old pieces. The springs were falling through the bottom, and the velvet was torn in spots, but to me they were beautiful. And now they grace my formal parlor. I finished redoing the chair last night, and hope to start on the couch and settee today. They will once again be beautiful. They won't be red, and there is no piano in the room, but they still echo wonderful childhood memories for me.
Snow It Is
Being it our first snow storm of the season, we sure did get more than I would have like. It would seem from shoveling that we got about 10 inches or so. It does make the trees beautiful. It is the clean up that is such a mess.
The dogs weren't to thrilled about it. Except Kodie. He doesn't seem to be phased by too much. He reminds of when I had Kishka and he would just go out and play then lie down in the snow. It was much different with Kishka, since Kishka was a wolf cross, but it does remind me of him. Kodie, being a Cocker Spaniel, doesn't even think he looks like a wolf. But he sure does act like one some days.
Today we resume the clean up of the snow. I feel bad that my back is bugging me, and I am not able to do what I want to do.
I suppose we should make a path to the carrots too. Being that the root cellar has very steep stairs, I decided that the earth would act as my root cellar and left the carrots in the garden. I packed the dirt up around them for insulation, and now that they have almost a foot of snow on them they have even more insulation. The pumpkins and squashes were put down in the cellar for winter storage. They have there comfy home until we decide to eat them. Growing your own food has to be the greatest feeling. You plant the seed, watch it grow, and pick the fruit of your summer labors. Fresh, right from the garden is the best way to eat veggies.
The dogs weren't to thrilled about it. Except Kodie. He doesn't seem to be phased by too much. He reminds of when I had Kishka and he would just go out and play then lie down in the snow. It was much different with Kishka, since Kishka was a wolf cross, but it does remind me of him. Kodie, being a Cocker Spaniel, doesn't even think he looks like a wolf. But he sure does act like one some days.
Today we resume the clean up of the snow. I feel bad that my back is bugging me, and I am not able to do what I want to do.
I suppose we should make a path to the carrots too. Being that the root cellar has very steep stairs, I decided that the earth would act as my root cellar and left the carrots in the garden. I packed the dirt up around them for insulation, and now that they have almost a foot of snow on them they have even more insulation. The pumpkins and squashes were put down in the cellar for winter storage. They have there comfy home until we decide to eat them. Growing your own food has to be the greatest feeling. You plant the seed, watch it grow, and pick the fruit of your summer labors. Fresh, right from the garden is the best way to eat veggies.
Snow In The Air
We are suppose to get snow tonight. First real snow of the season. The last snow was piddly and didn't last. The first snow is always so pretty. It covers all the dead leaves and such on the ground, and makes the trees sparkle like Christmas. It is a photographers dream. Unfortunately, this photographer happens to be out of film at the moment. I could use my digital, but I still don't like how it works. I , personally, find looking through that view finder a real cool experience.
We have been working hard on getting our new website up. I have been editing text and descriptions all day. It was a good day for it. It is cold outside, and there is nothing like sitting by the fire on a cold day. The dogs snuggled up beside me curled into a little ball, it was the perfect setting for a Norman Rockwell
I was suppose to go for acupuncture in the morning, and I am hoping the snow doesn't stop my visit. My back and neck have been bothering me terrible, and I know a few sticks from Kenji would help a great deal.
It is almost time to close the shop for the day and this computer. Sunday is usually our no-electric day, but today we cheated by using the computer. It is nice to have a day when there is no t.v., computer or other gadget running in the background. It makes for a quiet, peaceful day.
We have been working hard on getting our new website up. I have been editing text and descriptions all day. It was a good day for it. It is cold outside, and there is nothing like sitting by the fire on a cold day. The dogs snuggled up beside me curled into a little ball, it was the perfect setting for a Norman Rockwell
I was suppose to go for acupuncture in the morning, and I am hoping the snow doesn't stop my visit. My back and neck have been bothering me terrible, and I know a few sticks from Kenji would help a great deal.
It is almost time to close the shop for the day and this computer. Sunday is usually our no-electric day, but today we cheated by using the computer. It is nice to have a day when there is no t.v., computer or other gadget running in the background. It makes for a quiet, peaceful day.
A Year In The Life
I can't believe it has already been a year since we bought our farm. We accomplished a great deal in one year. We got our gardens going, opened our shop and farm stand and we even took time to beautify the yard. We also added to our family by adopting 2 more cocker spaniels.
We are a small farm at just over 2 acres, but we have many plans to make this a working farm again. Our house has a rich history in farming, and we hope to recreate a good part of that. For a bit of the history visit www.cloverleaffarmstand.com.
People flocked to our farm stand for our organic produce. Next year we plan on expanding the garden to 4 x the size it was today. It was a wonderful first season.
Our herb and gift shop is one of a kind in the region, so people come from all over. We have been selling on line for years, but this year we changed our name to fit our farm name. You can check out herbal products at www.cloverleafherbfarm.com. The name actually comes from the shape of our property. The land we own is actually in a clover leaf shape, so we chose the name Cloverleaf Farm. Originally, years ago the farm was close to 100 acres, but has been whittled down over time. I can say I am rather glad. I can't see us farming 100 acres.
Farming is a hard life, but so rewarding. I can't imagine doing anything else. We live off the earth and give back to the earth. We feel we now complete the circle in more ways than we have every before.
We have always noticed the seasons change before, but this year we lived by them.
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