How Many Are There? October 1, 2009

 

  Ok, I said I was going to get a picture to show the sheer numbers of chickens. This is just part of them, these are the ones that I could get to come when I threw food out, there are MANY more. Sorry you see more tail feather than heads, but they were chowing down. Does anyone want to attempt counting the chickens in this picture? I can tell you there are over 50. The other day I sat down on the front portch and counted the “little” group that was in front of me, and there were 26 chickens, it was a very small group of the whole flock. Scary.

  We had a rain system roll in yesterday and today. The chickens have smartly been staying inside the barn most of the day. It’s funny to me they don’t enjoy the rain at all. This picture was taken yesterday when the storm clouds parted for a while, and they were catching up on their outdoor time.

  Now I am off to cuddle up in the living room and work on some shopping bag sewing. Rainy dyas are always good to do crafts!

Creative Energy April 10, 2009

Creative energy has been bubbling to the surface for me the last couple of days. It has felt good. I have been accomplishing many little tasks.

Yesterday I made fresh pasta from scratch. Bernie helped me for about half of the process. This is the pasta maker that he bought me for Christmas, pretty handy little machine (Thanks Honey!).

I have only made pasta from scratch a couple of times, and unfortunatly in the past it has been a process that frustrated me greatly, and made me quite mad actually. Nothing seemed to go right, and it is so much work, it felt like it just wasn’t worth it. This time thankfully things seemed to come together for me. It is still a time consuming process (maybe I am just not doing it right…) but I enjoyed it this time. A step in the right direction for sure.

Now I just need to get a drying rack to hang the noodles on so that they can dry. I started making this a little late in the eveninig, so they did not have a chance to dry as much as they should have I think. In the future I think I need to make the pasta around lunch time or something like that. It sure did taste good though when it was all done!

And then tonight I had a bunch of stawberries that we bought, that needed to be used before going bad. And, our rhubarb is starting to come up. What better combination than strawberries and rhubarb. So I looked up some recipes and decided on Rhubarb Strawberry Bars. As I sit here typing this post I have not yet tasted them, but I do have to say they smell wonderful! They will be a weekend indulgence!

Today I finished another shopping bag. I usually am not drawn to such bright colors, I am much more into earth tones and such. But I just loved these fabrics when I saw them, and decided to make a bag out of them. The stripy liner is a little hard to see in this picture, but the colors are exactly the same, and it makes a wonderful summer shopping bag. I have really been enjoying matching fabrics for the outside and liner of these bags.

We will see if the creative energy carries over into the weekend.

Finding Balance February 28, 2009

The chaotic energy has not left our lives yet….. We ended up returning to Washington state last Tuesday. We have been spending some time trying to figure out the next step. I kind of wimped out on poor Bernie. I just didn’t quite feel up to doing both the Arizona Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail all in one summer. Together it would be a total of 3,400 miles, which I am sure I could do, but for some reason I just don’t feel up to it. Possibly partially because we haven’t done a long distance hike in quite some time. So I am much more excited about doing the Pacific Crest Trail, and it looks like at this point (we keep going back and forth between doing one and doing both) that is the one that we will be doing. I am getting quite excited about it.

The only downside to waiting to do the PCT is the waiting. It is 2 months away, and Bernie especially is very ready to get out into the world and do something new and fresh. So I do have to say I feel a bit guilty at limiting his adventures for this season….. He is being quite understanding with me, but does have moments of frustration at the idea of waiting around for a couple of months.

I do not feel like I am in the shape I would like to be to do a long distance trail. So one of my main goals for this period is to get my body to the place I would like it. I have trouble with one of my shoulders, it often starts to hurt quite a bit when I wear my backpack for extended periods. I need to do some upper body work, so that it is stronger, and will no longer hurt me. I want to really work on the mental aspects of getting ready for hiking also. In the past I easily fallen into focusing on the negative, whether that was pain, or the challenges of terrain. So I am going to turn around my perspective on the whole experience, and enjoy each moment for what it has to offer.

One thing that we might do over the next couple of months is to find some type of spiritual/meditation center to volunteer at. It would be and interesting new experience. We have been looking online this evening for possible places around here, and other interesting places in the western US.

Another chaotic and frustrating thing that happened is that Bernie lost all his photos that he has taken since about Christmas, because his computer crashed, and when he got it working again, it did not save those photos. There is a slight possibility they might have been saveable by a trained computer professional….. which I do kind of wish we had done, because he had some jems. But as Bernie said, in the long run it doesn’t matter, it just is. Its just too bad. But he will get many more beautiful ones, so its not the end of the world.

I do hope that things calm down a little bit, we have had quite a few crazy things going on. Its strange how that kind of energy comes in waves every once in a while.

One thing that I do want to do with my time here is to get some crafting done. I really would like to make some more of those re-usable shopping bags. I also wanted to try making some re-usable produce bags. I saw a plan for them online one time, and have a couple of ideas to play around with.

Well, that’s how everything stands for this moment, but I dare not say that’s how its going to happen, because things keep changing on a weekly or daily basis lately.

A Handmade Giveaway January 26, 2009

This Giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Here it is! This is my handmade giveaway. I love to share with the world in many different ways. And I thought it would be a lot of fun to participate in this giveaway with a few things that I have made.

 

 

 First is this Shopping Bag. I loved this fabric from the moment I saw it. I have been wanting to make re-usable shopping bags for a while now, so I finally broke down and bought a pattern and some fabric and went for it. I have been very pleased with the results. I have only made a few so far, but plan on making many more in the future. This bag comes with its own little pouch to store it in when not in use. When you are using the bag, the pouch clips onto the side of the bag so you don’t loose it!

 

 

 Second is the little Bluebird of Love. This cute little guy is one of the many needle felted creatures I have created. He is only a couple inches long, so he makes a great little pocket pet, or would be a great company sitting in a special spot.

 

 

 Third is a hat that I recently made. I love the color of this yarn, the gentle shading effect. This one should be hand washed and laid flat to dry. I hope it can bring warmth to you or someone you love. There is nothing better than a handmade hat on a chilly winter day! Well maybe accompanied by a cup of warm coco.

 

 

 And last but not least is a set of five cards. Each card has a different image of a bird in flight. These beautiful photographs were taken by my significant other, Bernie. The humming bird you see in this photo is one of the cards, but I will leave the identity of the other four a surprise for who ever wins this package! They are all stunning, and capture the personality of the bird. These are blank greeting cards, so that you can fill them with your loving thoughts and best wishes to family and friends.

I hope who ever wins this little package is filled with as much joy receiving it as I will have by giving it! To enter please leave a comment on this post telling me something that you love to do. Please enter only once, so that everyone has an equal chance. The deadline for entering this giveaway will be at 12:00am PST Saturday January 31st. I will pick the winner at random and contact them that weekend. This giveaway is open to everyone. Please be sure to include your e-mail in your entry so that I am able to reach you if you are the winner. If I can not get a hold of the winner by February 7th, I have the right to randomly pick another winner.

To see MANY other wonderful giveaways visit:

Felting Photo Shoot January 13, 2009

Here are my latest needle felting projects. I am really enjoying making little creatures out of felt, and I hope to get more creative as time goes by. Don’t they make fine models? They enjoyed their outing to a park in Lynden to get photographed. They were hamming it up in front of the camera, quite the characters.

I did this Bluebird of Love first. I saw other people online that were doing different birds and such, so that sparked the idea for me. I thought about some of my favorite birds, and I just love the colors of the blue birds. It’s probably my favorite out of these three, I think its too cute.

Then I went to a local class and did the penguin. I didn’t want to do the traditional black and white, so I got a little creative with my colors. I think she is quite cute in purple and blue.

The last one is my rooster I finished the other evening. He was an original idea, which I am quite proud of, because there are many times that I feel like I am not being creative, and just copying other peoples ideas. The more I can come up with my own designs the more unique and cute they will be I think.

I am signed up for another class in a couple of weeks, at which we will be making sheep. That should be a lot of fun, because I have a big soft spot for sheep. These little guys are a great project to do in the evening while sitting in front of the tv, or just relaxing listening to some good music.

A New Craft January 4, 2009

I have to confess, I am a Martha Stewart groupie. I watch most of her shows, and while I zone out once in a while at what she is saying, I learn new stuff pretty often. I record her shows on my DVR, and currently I am a little behind, still on the pre Christmas shows. So this project I just accomplished was one of her ‘make it yourself gifts’. She did a cloth pin cushion on top, but since I have been playing around with needle felting I thought I would play around with some ideas. So this is a little sewing kit made out of a canning jar. It’s a wonderful idea because all your little sewing supplies are in one spot. You wouldn’t believe how often I end up searching all over the house for each little piece. I made this one for my mom, because her items are never in one place. I plan on adding to the sewing kit. What I have in it so far is some thread, a measuring tape, and one of my felted acorns to hold the sewing needle. I am pretty pleased with this one as a first time try, but I think I could make the felted part a little more refined.

Reflecting On The Holiday Market December 29, 2008

 

 

 

Well, its only been one week since the end of the craft show, but in certain ways it seems like a month. I never did share my total experience over the four weekends at the show, so I thought I would post a few pictures that Bernie took on the last day.

I love this craft show, because we are set up for a month, we become a little community. Everyone bonds with different people, forging new friendships. Some of the people you will never see again, or at least not until next year at the same show, and others you will become close friends with. Last year I was lucky enough to meet Christie, and I did get to know her a little bit through a couple of shows last year, but we didn’t have the chance to be super close. I had the insight to keep in touch with her over the summer, sending her updates of our adventure in the Aleutian islands. This fall and winter I have become close with her and her daughter Jessica. They are a very sweet family, and I am happy I got the chance to meet them through these shows.

This year I was across the isle from Christie, so I got to visit with them the whole time. And then I got to know the lady across another isle from me, Connie. Her husband and her make wooden puzzle books. She was another very enjoyable person to get to talk with. We had some nice in depth spiritual conversations about health. She was diagnosed with MS 20 years ago, and has made some key changes in her life. She is doing well, and she is looking for other ways to improve her point of view in life. So I suggested a couple of books that have helped for me.

I have a wonderful time being around like minded people. And its great to see how all these people are expressing their souls through their creativity.

A Snow Angel December 21, 2008

 

A couple of evenings ago Bernie and I went out for another snowy frolic in the back field. We tackled a different hill this time, and took turns being pulled down the hill (it wasn’t quite as speedy as we thought it would be on its own, so we implemented the pulling system). Angel joined us on the journey, and enjoyed chasing us down the hill.

After a bit mom wandered out to the field and she tried out the sledding thing. She quite liked it, and did it a few times. And then eventually dad even showed up, he just couldn’t resist. He was sliding down the hill head first. We all had an enjoyable time out in the snow, experiencing the joys of sledding again after many years.

So this is my version of a snow Angel. Much easier than getting snow down the collar of your coat! hehe. As I write this the snow is coming down amazingly thick, and the wind is howling. I just got a weather update from dad who has been watching the news, and I guess they are saying we are getting hurricane force winds here, oh fun. I best finish this up before the power goes out……

Tomorrow is the last day of the craft show, and I was hoping this winter storm would hold off until Monday or Tuesday, but here we are, and it is what it is. Hope I can make it in tomorrow! I hope everyone is warm and cozy where ever they might be tonight!

For more fun critter photo’s visit:

Fluffy White Snow December 17, 2008

 

This morning we awoke to snow falling. It made a good effort to come down all day long, and finally slowed down this afternoon just as the high winds started up once again. Today’s snow is much more beautiful than the other day, but now I wonder if it will all be blown off. We ended up getting around 4 inches of snow, maybe a bit more. Unfortunatly I didn’t get any good pictures of our place today, they just all look dark and dismal. But I did get this one of the birds trying to get some food in their little tummies. I feel bad for them out there having to make their living in this weather. We have a small pond in the yard, I tried to get a picture, but you really cant tell that there is supposed to be a pond under all that snow. We keep a stock tank heater in one end, that keeps a hole open for the fish that live in there, and the birds have access to water. So it works out really well, its nice to see them be able to get a drink in between snacks.

I went out to let the chickens out late this morning, and usually when I open the door they all rush out no matter what the weather is, but today they took one look at that snow and gave me a look of ‘do we look crazy?’. So the chickens spent the day inside.

Just before dark Bernie came out and played in the snow with me! We went sledding down one of the hills in our back pasture. I haven’t gone sledding in such a long time, and I thought it sounded fun. Unfortunately its rather dry snow (strange for here!) and we weren’t sliding all that well, but we still had fun! We don’t get tons of snow here usually, so I figured I better go play in it while I have the chance.

I really thought I was going to get all kinds of crafts done today, but it just didn’t happen. I am having a bit of a relaps into my cold, so I just felt like sitting on the couch and complaining (until I went out and frolicked in the snow). Maybe I will get something accomplished this evening while we watch TV. I am really wondering if I am going to be able to make it into the craft show on Friday to sell the crafts…. we have a long driveway, and the drifts make it hard to get out sometimes. So we will see what the rest of the week brings! I did get some of our gifts shipped off, so that is a good feeling.

If nothing else, this kind of weather is really good for spending time just relaxing and reflecting. Maybe I will do a little more of that this evening, reflecting on what I would like to accomplish this week, month, next year, in this life, so on and so forth.

I am off to eat some dinner and warm up in front of the woodstove!

The Art of Package Wrapping December 14, 2008

 

Tonights project was wrapping presents. Moms friend Stephanie came over with her gifts for family members, and we wrapped them. Mom and I love wrapping, and she has taught me how to be extremely artistic with the process. She does a BEAUTIFUL job, and I am slowly learning. Its so much fun to make the outside of the package as much of a present as what is hidden within.

This weekend kept me busy with the craft show. Last night it decided to snow here. I really do enjoy snow when it is fluffy, no wind, and you don’t have anywhere to go. But last night we had high winds, so the snow didn’t really stay in one place too well, and then I had to drive into the show this morning. It really was not a pretty snowy day. It also really cut down on the traffic at the show, which makes it a little frustrating, its not really worth the vendors time to be there if no one is shopping. But I have started doing some trading with the other vendors for some of my presents, I hope to do some more next weekend, because I still have a decent amount of things I want to get.

I have also been playing around with my needle felting. I created this cute little guy the other day, and I really like how he turned out (its hard to see in this picture, but he has a dark green top hat). I am sending him off as a present, and hope to make another one or two to send to other people. I really cant believe how fast Christmas is coming this year, it seems like it should still be October or something…… But I do have to say that I am starting to really get into the Christmas spirit, even if I do feel behind on gift shopping. I am proud to say I am buying a lot of local gifts this year. I still will be visiting some of those dreaded mega stores and the mall for a couple of gifts that local people just aren’t making yet, but a good portion of the gifts I have gotten so far are from other local artisans.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far. The whole process should be one of joy, and never dread. If you are anxious about any part of the holidays you aren’t doing it right. Slow down, relax, spend some time loving yourself and your family, and make it all one joyous process!