Crafty Tuesday ~

Having set aside every Tuesday as my "crafting" day has opened the door to a multitude of ideas on how to spend them. I am never without inspiration or a long list of what to, need to, like to projects. I am thinking it would be much help to me if I already had the decision made on what I was going to tackle. Some of my crafting time is eaten away in trying to decide what I am going to do and gathering needed items. So I've started a list of project ideas and a organized schedule of sorts to help me out.

In the Sewing Room~

One thing for sure that I will be working on each Tuesday is the "BOM- Block Of the Month" challenge I started a couple of weeks ago. See my first square here. The squares are promised not to be hard, but for a novice machine quilter they are proving to be a little more of a challenge to me. None the less I was pleased that I only had to remove one line of stitching to finish the 2nd block in this series. It's called a "Wonky Pound Square"

Crafting in My Kitchen ~

Is another area I try to create in each Tuesday too. This week I decide to try something new in my yogurt making adventure. Each batch in the past I have added a pkt. of cultures purchased from where I get my cheese supplies from. They are not overly expensive, but the fact that we are making yogurt on a weekly basis now means we are going through them like a wildfire. In reading from other sources, many use a few tablespoons of plain cultured yogurt from the store. In keeping with eating fresh I didn't want to add something processed to my natural untampered goat's milk. So my maker makes 7 servings at a time. Lon and I eat one apiece, giving us 3 days worth of homemade yogurt. So I decided to use the 7th serving to start my next batch today. Following my usual recipe instead of adding the culture packet. I add a couple of tablespoons of the last batch we made. Setting it on the counter to incubate into some yummy goodness. It will take about 8 hours or so to finalize, so I will have to let you know how my experiment turns out. At face value it would be a frugal way to keep us in yogurt and not have to spend money that could be used in another area. Fingers crossed.

The other kitchen creation today was making some more foaming hand wash. I had found a recipe on line back before Christmas. It is an easy 1-2-3 craft. Using only 3 ingredients, talking about frugal! I scented this batch again with Lemongrass essential oil, adding some Tea Tree E.O. for antibacterial help to the container before blending. It turns out great and cost mere pennies to make. Here's the recipe if you want to make some yourself. If you have an old foaming pump bottle they can be used with this blend.

Foaming Hand Soap

1 part Castille soap ~ I used 2-4 tsp.

3 parts distilled water

25 drops Essential Oil of choice ~ I used less, till scent was right for me

I put soap in first then added enough water to fill a 9oz. recycled foaming pump bottle. Added essential oils and shook gently to blend.

Kitchen Capers on Monday ~

I decided to add a regular baking session to my Monday's Home Blessing time. We are trying to eating all of our breads without the added chemicals and preservatives found in store bought. Choosing instead to use whole grain flours, fresh eggs, our goat's milk and other simple ingredients.

I love baking breads, the feel of warm dough, the heavenly aroma, and the rich taste on the tongue. I am still learning, but my loaves and buns are coming out better with each batch. Having a sourdough starter I have been trying different recipes that can use "the cup of throw away" required each time I feed it. This week I pulled out a new recipe called "Clay's Multi-Grain Sourdough Sandwich Bread." A long name for a wonderful loaf featuring a blend of hearty grains.

It rose beautifully and baked to a lovely brown color. Soft and full of yummy holes makes you think it is store bought except for the mess in my kitchen. Plans are to use it for toast on some of our morning breakfasts and slicing it for eating with meals or even making a sandwich.

Though our favorite way to eat sandwiches in on the easiest recipe for buns I have ever come across. I've made 2 batches so far and Lon has labeled them "The BEST," living up to their name as "Beautiful Burger Buns." They are a breeze to make in the bun pan we bought this Christmas. Though the recipe calls for 8 buns and my pan only holds 6. I had to improvise with 2 English muffin rings to finish out the dough. After baking these yesterday I have to decided to increase the bun count by adding a couple more rings to divide the dough into 9-10 portions. They rise a lot and the buns are soft, buttery and delicious, but a little too large for me. So making more should bring the size down to a better portion just right for hamburgers and lunchtime sandwiches. It was quite a productive day for me that took me right up to dinner time to complete. I was tired, but pleased as punch at the results.

Making my list for next Tuesday,

Deborah

Crafty Tuesday's fun ~

When I set out my ideas for the day, they didn't look too large on paper. Boy was I wrong!I even went so far as to post them on my FB page in hopes of the accountability factor.

Good Morning, today is "Terrific Tuesday" and "Crafty Day "for me. Plans are to make yogurt, some Chevre cheese and finally putting together my first batch of Goat Soap in my kitchen pursuits. In the Craft room I will be starting the "Block of the Month" challenge. Creative Writing on Heartland Farm blog will need to be squeeze in somewhere. Whooo~ wonder if I can get it all done? What do you have on the agenda for Terrific Tuesday?

Either I'm getting slower or I must think that there are more hours to my day than reality says there are. Of course there are the little things that can pop up to take your focus from the task at hand. Thankfully today's didn't derail me too bad. They tried though, tried really, really hard. Probably would have too if I hadn't had my best friend by my side to help me through the hurdle's. Thanks baby! With hubby's help we were able to mark off the dairy projects planned. Thanking the Lord for the rain that kept him inside and the desire to "hang out" in the kitchen with me.

With his extra set of hands we were able to get the Yogurt made, have Keifer brewing on the counter, made a batch of Chevre mother culture also perking on top of the fridge and a pot Chevre incubating on the back of the stove. Even though I did get to start my soap :-( the kitchen was just too busy for something that takes undivided attention. Especially since I've never made a batch before. Thinking it might need a day all to itself, considering the learning curve on my part. Good news is I did get my quilt square made for the BOM challenge. Yea!

This is my very first machine stitched block. In years past I've only pieced together a few small pieces by hand. I was amazed how fast it went together. Angles not quite perfect, but I'm pleased with this first attempt. Next one for the month will probably be more forgiving as the sashes are set on odd angles. Definitely will work to my favor . It's not too late to join in on the fun, cause it is just starting. Just click on the button link to the right to get all the details.

Joy Dare ~ 10th of January (counting 1,000 Gifts in 2012)

#109/34~ a gift that's sour -discussion about God's word with one who doesn't see it the same.*

#110/35~ a gift that's sweet - my deceased Mother-n-laws pickle recipe I made this summer @ dinner tonight*

#111/36~ a gift that's just right - having Lon home 24/7*

#112/37 ~ working side by side with him

#113/38 ~ hearing him singing favorite songs of praise.

#114/39 ~ first machine stitched quilt square

It's been a Terrrific day,

Deborah

New year ~ new activities

I got most of what I wanted to get accomplished done yesterday, but not for the week as a whole. Even so I feel good about the progress of my new daily/ weekly schedule. Like all new habits, getting comfortable in them takes time and practice. Note to self - remember I said time and practice. It is so easy to get discouraged when plans don't go as we planned. Many who make resolutions, goals or plans will give up at the first sign of resistance. A sure sign of defeat. Each morning breaks new with the opportunity to live the day out with fresh resolve and understanding, that an ultimate plan is in place that can trump our plans. In doing so we can better understand what is often perceived in our eyes as set backs. As instead heavenly detours back towards what our focus needs to be. Or a turn off the self chosen path onto a journey waiting to be experienced that we hadn't even considered. Both of which lead to living the intended purpose for the day, living an abundant life.

Besides making lists and setting up a schedule of sorts for basic home care, pursuit of personal interest and all the areas I would like to organize. I am trying to stay extremely flexible and more laid back in my approach to it all. Which gives me a daily challenge of not pushing ahead ~ full steam. Something I've been known to do from time to time. Though my family would probably say it's an "all the time" activity. Right now I am working towards trying to take care of myself while taking care of the necessary, not all that "appears" urgent. The enemy of my life would have me to think ALL is urgent and out of my control. The urgent is a lie, the out of my control the truth. Ultimately all is out of my control and sits squarely in the hands of the one who controls everything - The LORD. Only with HIS help can I even begin to "manage" what lies before me.

Managing my time to fulfill HIS purpose, answering the call on my life as HIS child, accomplishing what I should in the care of my family, exercising my gifts and talents to bless others and bring HIM glory in the process. When my days are viewed through HIS eyes, my "to-do" list becomes a "TA-DA" victory. And when I consider the hours given to live my life and weed out the wasteful. Now that is a successful day!

"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us." Psalm 90:17

I picked out some fabric yesterday needed to begin an online quilting class that will run monthly for the year. WOW that is a commitment I've never done before, class that is. Quilting has always been an interest of mine. I've made a few items by hand, even sewing a few "cheat-um" quilts as I call them. Those are the ones that are already a printed not pieced panel sown together. But this class will be about cutting & piecing 20 different blocks with machine stitching. A new arena for me to be sure. I will try (try) to keep my progress blogged about for a couple of reasons. One being it will help me stay accountable to keep up with the classes and secondly it might just inspire you to join in on the challenge. If you would like to check out this FREE video class just click on this link Craftsy Block of the Month or the button on the side bar. Regardless of the outcome of my squares I am hoping to learn some techniques that have been a mystery to me. Never the less I am sure the degree of warmth the quilt will offer won't be affected by my stitching capabilities.

This must be the year of CHALLENGES for me. As I have taken on another one, The Joy Dare as a year long commitment. Actually I started the practice of counting gifts back in the Summer of last year. But have now joined in with others by making a pledge to be public about it. You can join in at A Holy Experience or click on the link button on my side bar to.

I've written about it recently at Recognizing my 1,000 Gifts. Having found the challenge just today I am trying to get caught up with posting this new JOY DARE counting. I will continue to add them to my Gratitude journal by listing both counts together. Each month I will bring new focus quests to look for besides the individual blessings that will come.

January's Counting of Gifts ~ (see calender for explanations *)

76/1 ~my curly hair- couldn't always say that*

77/2 ~ creative talent*

78/3 ~ ability to find pleasure in simple things*

79/4 ~ our farm*

80/5 ~ double kitchen windows to look out of*

81/6 ~ my husband's cooking*

82/7 ~ "Thank You Jesus" by a loved one*

83/8~ "Father we ask for your direction in our lives"*

84/9~ photo of my only granddaughter*

85/10~ Christmas portrait of our kids*

86/11~ husband's eyes*

87/12~ reading the herbal kitchen*

88/13~ knitting a scarf*

89/14~ seeing Daisy & Silas comfortable with each other's presence*

90/15~ Leah's photo by my chair - all smiles*

91/16~ fresh goat's milk in the fridge*

92/17~ Jesus*

Stepping forward into the new year with JOY,

Deborah