A Peek at My Winter Goodies, 1st Snow, Thrifting, Hubby's New Blog, Crafts, Anya

1st Snow-
We had our first little bit of the white stuff this weekend, right after Dave out up the Christmas lights! Every year, it seems to work out that way :)  Just a little. The hens went out and the 2 new girls were like "what the heck is this new stuff on the ground???" Funny...

Thrifting-
I found a like-new red polar fleece big shirt, nice and toasty for work. We also found a nice, big storage bag for our fake tree. With allergies we find it works much better for our breathing. While I LOVE fresh trees, I'm wheezing by day 3 :(   I also found a few holidays goodies things, cute and cheap! Man the stores are really stocked this year with fun holiday stuff, may of it brand new-

                                                             
                                  A little country elf, I just had to!$4.00, still had the original price tag on!

I love the little gingerbread girl

I got the new Santa on the bottom

I like the little tree and snowman together, even better for $2.00! I took lace off the tree base, I like the wood better. 

Cute little snowman for a buck, he makes me smile sitting on my kitchen window, I LOVE snow, bring it on!

A Peek at My Winter Goodies-
We'll be putting up our tree this weekend. I never like to get too saturated with Christmas stuff too early, it's just too commercialized. But I do start putting up winter things in early December. I go for a more natural look. I leave these "generic" things up until the end of January. Christmas stuff comes down on New Year's Day or so. It more restful on the eyes that way, IMO. Here's a little tour of some of my winter holiday goodies scattered thru the house-

Our front entry way

               A little wreath I like to hang above our bed                   

On our bedroom dresser for a little winter color

Top of our high boy. The antlers with fur remind me of reindeer. I got it out thrifting a few years back

I found the wood star thrifting and added the berries

  

A little quilt I love!

Crafts-

A saw a cute wreath at Target the other day- just covered with yarn! I should have taken a photo. I can do THAT!!! I did take some pics of these-

   A cute idea to make, at Hobby Lobby. You'd just need enough plates

I want this lamp at Hobby Lobby! Maybe next time I get their 40% off coupon :)

Hubby's New Photography Blog-

My husband Dave has been really growing his photography skills the last few years. He's selling prints and calendars to friends and co-workers. He recently decided to take the plunge with blogging! I helped him get a basic set up. Drop by and checkout his stuff! Everyday Art in Boise

                               Anya during a cold winter afternoon cuddling under the comforter

Anya playing in my new chicken wire basket (birthday gift from kids) trying to grab the candle

Anya did actually get the candle, jumped down, but I retrieved...

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Dark Days Challenge Starting! RAIN!!!

     Do you like the background with the snow falling?

Dark Days Challenge Starting!-
Well, I meant well! Between a knee problem, my birthday and the various sundries in life, I didn't get started on time. BUT- that's how life works! Please let me know how YOU do, and/or if you want to join the list?

Here's a quick review of what the Dark Days Challenge is-

Dates:The challenge runs from December 1st, 2012 – April 15, 2013

What’s the Challenge?
Try to cook four meals each month (1 per week) focused on sustainable, organic, and local ingredients (SOL). Whatever you can find is fine! Write about it on your blog, or here in the comments section. Feel free to link back to me on your blog if you have one!

What does local mean?
Traditionally local food challenges call for a 100 mile radius, but winter is more difficult in many climates. If you’re new to eating locally try 150 miles. Typical exceptions are oils, coffee, chocolate and spices. If you’re making fewer, or more exceptions, please note that on your first post or comment.

What if I can’t find every ingredient locally?
If you can’t find every ingredient, or even most ingredients, please still write about your attempts. This is just as much about what we learn, the obstacles we find and the decisions we make as it is about cooking with SOL ingredients. Do what you can, where you can.

What if I don’t have a good photos?
Take photos of what you’ve got, just do your best. No worries, keep it simple, or just tell the story and we’ll use our imaginations.

What if I don’t have a blog?
You are still welcome to participate! Just you come by each week and add your meal/experiences as a comment.

Dark Days Challenge Folks:

Candy from Lazy J Bar C- S.E. Arizona

Kathleen from Rose Prairie Quilts- Oklahoma

Susan of e-i-e-i-omg- upstate New York

Kristina of Pioneer Woman at Heart- Oklahoma?

Fabby of Fabbysliving- Ecuador

If you post here that you're participating I'll add you to the list on the sidebar! This is not a competition, just a way to support each other and share ideas.

   I got a photo!

RAIN!!!-
We finally got hit with the BIG pacific storm and had a heavy downpour this last weekend. What a relief! The chickens are thrilled with lots of worms coming up :)  Yummy.

Thrifting, Independence Days, Happy Birthday to Me!

Anya Stole My Warm Chair

 

Thrifting-
I don't have as much time for this as usual, work's busy. We got a great deal today-2 boxes with 2 pond kits, with a floating water Lily with a water spray that shoots up. $12.00 at the Habitat store. It will look cute in our pond! Found some more jeans and cute greenery for the kitchen at the dollar store. Got a great deal on some work clogs at Clogoutlet. about 1/2 price. If you work on your feet all day like I do, your aging feet appreciate good shoes. My last pair (3 years or so ago) are still going, but getting low on tread. I found a nice black suede pair of Sanitas. Happy feet!

Girls Enjoying A Nice Break Between The Rain Storms

Independence Days-
1. Plant Something-
Nothing til spring. 

2. Harvest Something-
Orange rinds, dried them for baking coming up.  

3. Preserve/Store Something- 
Froze some turkey stock for soup later. Made some more refrigerator pickles. 

4. Manage Reserves- Get A Good Deal/Barter/Stock Up/Prep- 
Got a free turkey from Dave's boss, using pantry a LOT! This part really does work! Bought extra veggies on sale, like celery before turkey day. 

5. Eat the Food- Try New Foods/Recipes- 
I can say I've really saved a LOT of money this Thanksgiving with having a well-stocked working pantry. I bought things early for the snack spread I do, since we actually have a Thanksgiving "dinner". I had bought things like crackers, sausages, drinks, olives, etc. over the summer. I paid off having those more gourmet-type foods on hand bought on sale! I love it! Still finishing off the collard greens, turkey and working on the freezer foods. Just made a "Lowlands Boil" (spicy southern seafood stew) with my frozen seafood mix and fresh veggies. Chickens really loved the roasted , free pumpkins we got.

6. Build Community Food Systems- 
Still selling eggs. Thinking about bartering off my IPod 8g, but not sure if I want to get rid of it. Got free pumpkins at a local market on turkey day.

7. Recycle/Re-Use- 
Compost, lots of leaves! Lots of kitchen veggies going to the hens. 

8. Skill Up-
With a sick hen on my hands I learned how to do a simple antibiotic water mix pretty easily. I feel much more prepared now on how to handle these kinds of things quickly. No eggs for a while though. Learning the in and out of Win7 with the new computer. Outlook has more bells and whistles as well.

9. Regenerate What is Lost/Salvage Something-
Me- Got a MRI for a sore, puffy knee. Some arthritis, nothing torn. Will work with exercising and more weight loss. I found some homeopathic stuff too for arthritis and the swelling, cheap! Just waiting for the MRI bill, and thankful I have good insurance!

A simple cookie tin and tree branch, I want one!

Winterizing The Home Decor-

I always wait at least a week or so after turkey day to put away the fall stuff around the house. I then put up what I call my "generic winter" stuff. I don't like to jump from Thanksgiving to Christmas in one full swoop, I like to relax after a bit. I think I've gotten burned out too, with all the American commercialism around Christmas. I like some of the European traditions better, keeping it much more low-key and natural. I want to go to Scandinavia some day and see their version of Jul (Yule), it looks pretty awesome! I love the natural colors and materials-

What a great entry or hallway

How simple and elegant

Not "trolls" but Tomten!

This weekend I'm put away the Fall and bringing out the winter stuff. Ironically it was 55 yesterday, not exactly winter weather! We are finally getting some much-needed rain, with hope for snow in the mountains. The ski areas really suffer with these later winter starts. I'll put some pics of of my own winter goodies next time.


                                                         

 Happy Birthday to Me!
Going out tonight for an early birthday celebration, the actual day is Monday. Monday's are from hell at my job, too much on my schedule :(  Going to my favorite sushi place with the kids and Dave, then out for Cheesecake! My new computer, vacuum, etc. are all I need. Pretty easy to buy for eh?