Thursday, December 31, 2009

One Sweet Week



I know it's not the end of the week yet, I suppose it feels like it, cause it's the end of the year.
I just wanted to share with you today what I've been up to this week.
After being set straight by dear Helen earlier this week, things have really been wonderful.


I've been enjoying watching the girls get used to the snow. They don't like it so much. Me, I'm loving it. It blankets the earth in a stillness.

See that black chicken? Her, yes, her identity has finally been shown.
She layed an egg.
'She' didn't crow.

I've been waiting six months to find out what was going to happen.
I introduce to you -
Aunt Jemima.
Aaron wanted to name her LaQuisha.
Seriously.



The seed catalogs have arrived, and none to soon. Every day I look out the kitchen window and dream of the garden. Heirloom veggies, sunflowers, zinnias, and other delectables. Is there anything sweeter than growing your own food? Please remind me of this in August.

Oh dear. I've neglected my scarecrow.
Next trip to Salvay's (Salvation Army) I'll get her some proper winter clothing.

I've not left the house since Saturday. I'm loving it. I do have to go out today, and I'm actually looking forward to it, instead of dreading it. I'm loving this simple and quiet life.

I've been so busy stitching this week as well. Back in the summer I picked up this plain hat for $2 at the Tractor Supply Company. When I saw it, I just thought 'I can embroider that hat!"

This is what I did.


Does the bee hive look like a wedding cake to you?

Does the chicken look like it's floating?

I've never embroidered with pliers before, but that's what it took to get that hat done!

I managed to clean out my mending basket as well. I mended a bra that was ready for the trash, but now it's as good as new.

I hemmed Glenco's jeans. I hate hemming jeans, but look at this cool trick I learned this week.

You can preserve the hems on jeans, so they don't look so....what would you call it....umm..dorky?




I love notions. Love them. Ache for notions. I love sewing.

What you need to do to hem jeans is to measure what needs to be cut off.
Fold it, and measure again.

Then add about a half inch to that, and cut.



Now, trim your cut off piece to about a half inch as well, and pin it back on the jean bottom, right sides together.

Using your zipper foot attachment, sew as close as you can to the seam edge.

Presto chango! Lookie here. Up really close you can see that you hemmed it, but when you have the jeans on, you'd never guess it. I hope you 'get' this from my instructions. It took me a bit to wrap my head around it at first. Just look at the photos closely.


I've been a knittin' fool. A scarf for Aaron, dishcloths galore, and an iPod cozy.


Last, but not in the least, least...
Did you ever notice how Dr. Oz is always telling you to examine your poop? I took that vein of thought and decided to examine my waste...as in what I'm throwing away.

It's a lot.
Not good.

I decided to put these cans to use instead of in the trash.
It made the cutest little loaves of bread, and the cutest little sandwiches.

I used Chickens in the Road's Grandmother Bread.

I think it's a great recipe for anyone starting out making bread, or for anyone that falls into the category 'I fear yeast'.


Using the 'one loaf' recipe, I separated the dough into three balls after the first rise,
greased the can and plopped them in there.

An hour later, I had this:

After baking and brushing with butter, I had this:


You have to shake the cans a bit to get the bread out.
Just too stinking cute.


I wish you all a wonderful, happy, safe New Year!
I hope you are looking as forward to 2010 as I am.
God Bless.

29 comments:

  1. Lots of good stuff going on out there!
    I am glad that you took Helen's advice and 'just relaxed'. You are doing things that you enjoy. Simple, lovely things.
    Happy New Year!

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  2. What a good week you're having!! Love the hat! When I first saw it I thought, "How the heck did she get the needle through the front??" And you so sweetly answered me! And the cans. Great job Miss Greenplanetgirl. Mom used to make pumpkin bread in cans as gifts. Like small coffee can size. Numm. I can still smell em. Keep making me jealous with all of your stuff you've done list!!!!

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  3. You are so AMAZING! I don't think you are truly a WANNABEE...I think you are carving a whole new path for the rest of us to follow. And you are a refreshing blessing to me...hey, that's a tongue twister, so now you havta say it 5 times real fast, lol!

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  4. So happy I found your blog. I have a feeling you are going to put lots of smiles on my face.

    I, also, have chickens, and love them. There are also those chickens of ours that took us a long time to determine what they were; girl or boy. Some surprised us. We just started raising them this past spring and bought fifteen at TSC. We bought straight run and just hoped we would have a good number of hens. We ended up with 10 roosters and 5 hens. Not so good, huh? We have more hens now that we ordered some (crazy isn't it to get chickens through the mail). We are getting about 3 or 4 eggs a day right now and lovin it. Can't wait for more in the spring when this next bunch starts laying.

    Love what your nephew wanted to name the black hen. So funny...

    Sorry this has been so long winded. Can't wait to read more from you.

    God bless...

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  5. Jayme - Thanks for such an informative post today. I'm so glad you posted the bread link. I'm one of those women that fear yeast, so I shall give it a try. Your knitting projects look lovely. I also love the new hemming idea. I'm the same way in that I want the new hem to look just like the old hem. I use a No. 18 needle, the jean-a-ma-jig (great notion), and gold thread to match the original. So far, so good. I hope you have a wonderful New Years Eve and Day. Looking forward to reading more and more of you in 2010.

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  6. Love your projects - what a fun assortment of things you have shared with us! Embroidery with plyers - what a cool craft - made me laugh, as I've never done that either!!! Thanks for sharing your projects and the results today. We all need some uplifting thoughts till the weather turns and spring arrives once again!

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  7. Love the hat, the bread, the jeans idea. I'm saving the hemming jeans instructions - I definitely 'got' it and thank you a bunch! Tired of looking like a dork.. lol.

    My Grandma used to make LOTS of cute li'l loaves of bread in tin cans. She was an adorable lady with lots of good ideas too. My mom reminded me of the cans of bread when I made jars o' bread for Christmas gifts this year. Ah yes, time for reflection and simplification. We so need that in this world today. Happy New Year! -Tammy

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  8. I love to stop by and visit. You always have some great things to share. The bread looks yummy.

    Happy New Year!
    Leann

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  9. You are totally living the life girl. I so want to be you when I grow up.

    I think Aunt Jemima is a great name, but LaQuisha definitely would've rocked the coop. Any clue about the other black chicken?

    No the hive doesn't look like a cake, and the chicken seems grounded to me.

    I hate hemming, so therefor I will ignore your advice on how to do it.

    How 'bout knitting a can to bake bread in. Yeah, guess that wouldn't work. Hmmmm.

    I need a nap.

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  10. woo hoo! fantastic great ideas. Thanks for your ingenious jean hemming and cylinder bread cuties! I love, love your hat! Let us see a photo of you wearing it sometime! It's a winner!!! you done good girl.
    Thanks for your awesome posting. Glad you are relaxing and enjoying life. It is sooo daily, as Mary Englebreit states somewhere....so might as well take it in those servings, one day at a time.
    Love the song Let's Go Down by Allison Krauss. :-) :-)
    Have a good New's Year Day.

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  11. Oh Jayme, where do I start... The bread looks so yummy and I adore the hat. It is gorgeous and I can't believe you did that. Beautiful!!! You did really good on the scarf and the other knitting project, as well as the jeans.
    Here's a tip I learned when hemming jeans. When you get to the side seams and the hem is pretty thick, take a hammer to it. Makes the fabric softer and easier to sew.
    Wishing you a wonderful and happy new year!

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  12. You're a genius! I never would have figured the hemming trick out myself.

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  13. I left you an award . . . http://sherific.blogspot.com/2009/12/award.html . . . if'n you care! :)

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  14. Aha..that hemming trick is pure genius! Not that I ever hem jeans but if I ever desire to I will keep it in mind.
    Great seeing you at the library today. Have not delved into my books yet but I will tonight. A great way to bring in the New Year..eh?
    Happy New Year
    (~~)
    Julie

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  15. Jayme, what can't you do girl? Amazing. And what is amazing is that after I read your posts I don't feel like "I should do this or do it like Jayme does." I just get to enjoy you doing it. Does that make sense? You seem like the kind of gal that would just invite any of us in and have a cup of coffee with us. I LOVE that about you. You are living life and enjoying it and it is encouraging all of us to live OUR life and enjoy it! Thank you Jayme.

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  16. You never seem to amaze me with you very interesting blog. you have a great mind. You always have so much "Great Stuff" to offer and tell us. I usually go get a cup of tea or fresh orange juice becuase I know it will be a long and fun post to read. And, usually I read it two times!

    Love the bread cooked in the can. Great way to shorten jeans! Oh, why didn't I think of that. Oh, boy no more broken needles! The great decorated hat. Great chicken photos. And, yes...you
    Ms. Scarcrow is looking a little cold in her summer dress and hat.

    Have, have and a great 2010 to you!

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  17. Oh my funny friend, you sure have been getting a lot done! And please, tell Aaron no whatever- that-name-was for a chicken. That poor thing would get pecked to death with a name like that. Happy New Year to ya!
    Brenda

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  18. Happy New Year Jayme! Your post was as always, wonderful. I LOVE the hat!
    Tell Aaron nice try on the chicken name and I guess Ra was wrong. She just knew it was a rooster. Gorgeous chicken regardless of the sex and she rewarded you with an egg.
    Loved the bread and great idea on the jeans. You truly are a treasure!

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  19. I LOVE the hat! We will all need a reminder in August that gardening is still our friend, but right now, the catalogs sure help us dream, don't they. Happy New Year!

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  20. Thanks Jayme, What a great idea for the jeans. I really don't like taking up jeans. and I'm going to check out the bread recipe as well.
    Have a wonderful New Year.
    Blessings Gail

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  21. Love your embroidery. I love making something uniquely mine. It sounds like you are enjoying living the good life. I hope to be more still myself in the coming year.

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  22. Hey girl! I used to make pumpkin breads in those types of cans. The yeast breads never seem to turn out for me. I am so glad that you are making such good progress with your weght loss. I have no doubt you will reach your goal. I love the start of a new year because it's full of possibilities and we can start fresh and anew. Take care.

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  23. Oops, sorry for the incorrect spelling.

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  24. I love the hat!! Too cute!

    I really do need to conquer my fear of the sewing machine, it took me a minute but I figured out what you did with the jeans...too clever girl!

    Happy New Year..yep, I am really looking forward to 2010 too!

    Bee well! : )

    ~Andrea~

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  25. Jayme,

    How did I miss this post on New Years Eve? I probably popped in and saw the photograph of the chickens and thought it was your chicken chat post. I love the embroidery you did on the cap and the method used for hemming jeans. Thanks for sharing.
    I am so glad I got to 'meet' you via our blogs in 2009 and wish you a happy, healthy, prosperous new year.

    Deborah

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  26. Who is silly enough to fear little ol' yeast???!

    I'm off to round up some cans...

    And you're on my sidebar now (why the heck did that take me so long?!) so I won't miss a word, from now on.

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  27. This is my first visit to your blog; Brenda at Cozy Little House sent me your way! I've been bouncing around reading your posts for over an hour, you made me laugh, made me cry, and made me nod my head in agreement! I loved the post about your Mom on her birthday and the one about Christmas memories!

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  28. I just know we would be best friends if we didn't live a state apart. I will try the bread today and think of you and "The Girls" while I savor it!! I am so thankful for Shannan sharing you with me.

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  29. I am tickled to death, I tried your idea of baking bread in a can. TOO cute!!! I LOVE it and they came out perfect accept I put too much dough in each can. Looks like I baked mushrooms.

    I gave you a shout-out and you can see the pics.

    You pie crust recipe is next!

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