Good for you Brownies?

Thank you all for your kind comments about my hair!

I didn't reply in all of the comments this time - I thought I would just thank you here.

I'm loving the stripe, and I want more - I don't care if I'm considered too old - Aaron told me he would put them in places that were 'age appropriate'.

Speaking of Aaron - he leaves for Las Vegas tomorrow.

I'm in denial.

I refuse to call him and ask him if he's packed enough underwear and the like.

I will not.

Nope.

Aaron told me the cut he gave me is considered the 'Heidi Klum bob' - but I have bangs with it - she does not.

She's such a beauty.

I watched the some of the Golden Globes on our new HD TV - it was our Christmas present to each other this year - we'd been without a TV for a few years - we still don't have cable - in fact, I need to do a TV post soon (and I know I still need to finish the AT post).

What has me shocked is how old everyone looks.  Is it the HD?  I mean - Kevin Costner looked quite old - even though I still consider him quite dapper.

Ways in which I know I'm getting older?

People use the phrase 'age appropriate' and my name in the same sentence.

I hear 'ma'am' much more than I care to.

I've been told I look great 'for my age'.
My vagina has its own drawer in the bathroom.

No matter how long I keep my battery powered exfoliater on my face - the wrinkles won't scrub off.

I say what I think.

I find 60 year old men attractive.

I think getting a good night's sleep is WAY more exciting than ringing in the New Year.

But this post isn't about getting old - it's about brownies.

I'm just now able to start playing around with recipes like this - I still have to be VERY careful not to eat them all - I have to make things like this on days that I know I have a strong resolve.

Last week when I made my uber healthy banana bread - I did not have the resolve - 

and I ate the whole loaf.

Not good.

Trust me on this recipe and just make it - do not turn your nose up - you will be ah-mazed at how good they are - and they are full of good for your brain fats, fiber, and antioxidants.

And get this - you don't bake them.

Mmmm...hmm.

If you don't have any cocoa powder in the house - I do suggest that you buy the raw - if however, you do have cocoa powder, I'd say just go ahead and use it.  That's what I did - and when I run out, I'm going to buy the raw from now on.

Here be the link:

http://www.oprah.com/food/Raw-Brownies-Recipe

Have a spectacular day!

I'm off to my cleaning jobs for the next couple of days - and then the fabulous Janie Fox is visiting for a few days.

Life don't get no better.

(unless you make these brownies)

The Big Brunette Reveal

Well?

Whatcha think?

I Instagramed it to hide my aging face.

I think I love it.

Do you see the magenta stripe on the right side?

I love that too.

I do believe the boy's got some serious skills.  I can only imagine once he gets a few years experience under his tool belt.

My favorite thing?

The magenta stripe that peeks out matches the new workout outfit I received for my birthday!

I seriously feel like a super hero - and in fact - I've been hankering to be a super hero for a while.

Can't talk long today - got a few friends coming by that want to talk to me about losing weight, restoring their health and changing their ways.

I'm making them my famous roasted veggies and chicken.

I have to stop cooking it so much - I may tire of it, and that would be a shame.

Let me know what you think of my hair!

Be nice.

: -)

Sacred Sounds

Good Sunday morning to you!

I'm tiptoeing around the house here as the boys are still sleeping.

I love saying that.

Glenco and Aaron.

The boys.

This photo has nothing to do with the post - it's just fantastic - and that's why it's here.

Aaron is on the couch - because it's a family tradition around here if you are feeling poorly - that's where you are.  The couch.  I guess it started with me as a child and fond memories of my mom doctoring me with 7-up and crackers with my bucket next to the couch.  Got a fever?  Get on the couch.  Feel nauseated? 

 Get up on the couch.

So there he lies.  I'm looking at him right now, all cuddled up.  The BoyChild is flat out exhausted.

 How is it humanly possible to have so much love for someone?  You know that child held my hand all the way home from Chicago yesterday?  

Yep...that's the kind of wonderful he is. 

Another completely unrelated, yet fantastic photo.

You never realize how noisy everything you do is, until you are trying to be quiet.  

The floors squeak.

The tearing open of the tea bag.

Pouring your tea.

Stirring your tea.

 Whilst I was trying to be in stealth mode doing all my morning rituals, I realized how sacred all of the sounds are to me.  The sounds of home.  Think about it - the sound of food sauteing, the sound of doing the dishes, the washer, the sounds of zippers clacking in the dryer.

To me, these are the sounds of comfort and safety.

The sounds of love.

Yesterday, we spent the day with friends at the Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoor Show.

I have to get Glenco out of the house.

He's got the SAD.

Seasonal Affect Disorder.

He gets it every year, and I do declare that this year seems to be the gloomiest December and January I can remember - so he's in rough shape.  Left to his own devices, he'd spend the weekend on the couch with the remote complaining about how he has no motivation or desire to do anything.  Luckily, he's married to a lunatic and I keep him going with malarkey and shenanigans.

Unless you are ready to barf or have a fever - you shan't lollygag on the couch!

The show was interesting, and I witnessed first hand how the other half apparently live.

The prices of the boats were ridickerous.

The RV's were fun - but I'd take my vintage camper, The Squirrel, over them any day.

I have to say, standing in one of the big fancy RV's that had a full sized stainless fridge, fireplace, washer and dryer and a price tag of $205,000 - I did decide right then and there that I could in fact live on the road and be a camp host for the rest of my life.  I'd tour the country from east to west, north and south.

I came down with a fever.  A bad case of the wander lust - right then and there.

I may need the couch.

After the show - we drove over to Aaron's dorm and picked him and his laundry up, headed back to Hoosierland where I promptly began roasting chicken and veggies.  I can't go a day without a roasted sweet potato.  That's just crazy talk.  Aaron declared his dinner 'perfection'. 

We watched Kathryn Heigl in 'One for the Money' and bedded down for the night.

Today, I'll make Aaron's favorite dinner - Barbecued Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with Bacon, and a nice green salad.

Today, he'll make me a brunette.

Other than that - I'm going to enjoy this day of rest - and soak up all the goodness of my life, and give thanks for it.

If that weren't enough for one day - Downton Abbey comes on at 8pm CST.

I'm still on the fence about Bates - 

Enjoy your day, because this day is your life.

Confessions of a Bad Beekeeper

Today up here in NW Indiana we are enjoying a balmy day of over 50 degrees.

I thought this would be a good chance to check on the bees - and see if I saw any signs of

 life about the hives.

So - I went a knockin'.  On the hives that is.  

The last time I did this tom foolery in January, I got stung in the neck.

I only saw three sluggish bees flitting about.  It has me worried.  I think it's just too damp and dreary for them to venture out.  That or their all dead.  I'm going with my first theory.

I've always lived life with a wide-eyed wonder - a devil may care attitude - and the thought that if anything was worth doing, that it was worth doing poorly in the beginning.

Let's talk about beekeeping.

How in the Sam hill I ever got interested in beekeeping - I don't know.  I didn't even like honey that much.  I'd never been exposed to anyone that kept bees - I'd never actually seen a honey bee - but only bumblebees, wasps, and hornets - which everyone calls bees.

Drives.me.nuts.

24 years ago when we moved into this old farmhouse - I visited the library.

I brought home a slew of books - all about living self sufficiently on a few acres.

I was hooked.

I wanted to slaughter hogs and spin wool by kerosene lamp - I wanted to raise chickens and double dig garden beds.

Then I came across a beekeeping book.

I could be a bee wrangler!

The thought of somehow controlling hundreds of thousands of live, stinging insects - well, let's just say - I found it downright intriguing.  Plus, the added benefit it would add to the garden.

Let's be real here.

I'm a poser.  Glenco tells me this all the time.  I'm a poser, and I'm all about the gear.  Beekeeping has gear.  I loved it.  I loved the idea of seeing lovely boxes of bees interspersed around my perennials - I didn't necessarily want to do all the work involved with beekeeping - I just wanted to look like I did it.

How could you not want this?

Well, 22 years later - I finally got around to wrangling those bees.

I ran into a guy at a garden center who said he was on his way to a beekeeper's meeting and he invited me to tag along.  I didn't tag along - but I did take all the information.

Well why not.  Now or never.  Put your money where your mouth is.

And money there is - it's a bit costly to get started.  The hives average $120 each, the bees - a 3lb starter package is $75 (or was when I got them), then you have your bee suit, your smoker and hive tool.

One week later I was working a bee hive in my bare hands and shaking like a...well I don't know what I was shaking like - but use your imagination.

As most things go in life, at least in my life - the reality of it is quite different than the picture I had in my mind.  I am still holding on to this fantasy picture and plan on re-arranging my beehives, and painting them a vivid violet color and painting 'bee happy', 'bee kind', etc. on them - and surrounding them with a bee friendly perennial garden.  Oh. yes. I. am.

Anyone familiar with the housing projects in Chicago - called Cabrini Green?

It's been torn down - here is a photo when it was still around.

Well...I'd like to introduce to you what I call 'Cabeeni Green'.

These are my ghetto hives.

Mismatched, duct taped, ill fitting lids, one's even sitting on a flipping lawn chair!

I'm embarrassed to be posting this up on the Interweb.

I am the clutziest beekeeper in the history of beekeeping. 

It's hot, heavy work y'all.

Sweat is stinging your eyes, and you can't wipe it cause you have a huge veil on your head.

Imagine carrying an oozing 60lb box of bees and honey, blinded from stinging sweat in your eyes, using only your fingertips.

I've stumbled and fallen with boxes of bee frames, still with bees in them.

I've been stung.

Please don't complain about the price of raw, local honey ever again.

Thank you.

You then get to bring that hot mess up into your kitchen and start to extract it and bottle it up.

By the time you are done - the cat is covered in it - it's under your stove, on the light fixtures and on every single surface in your kitchen.

And there's always a rogue bee in the house - always.

But you know what?

It's all worth it when you taste that incredible nectar!  Especially when it's still warm from the sun.

I had never tasted real honey before - it's intoxicating!

There's something about beekeeping - you don't keep them - they keep you.

I find myself completely relaxed and in such a happy state of mind when I'm out in the hives.

When you first pop the lid off - and hear the happy hum of the bees - you smell the beeswax and honey - it's hypnotizing.  They are truly amazing, fascinating little creatures.

And then they get mad and sting you.

The end.

:-)

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Hey - I have answered questions and comments on my last post - let's see how this goes.  I know you actually have to come back to read them - bummer, huh?

Oh - and you all should have gotten your Caper Bags (Wendi P - I haven't got your email address!  I still have your bag sitting here - Hedy - I haven't gotten your check yet)

Aaron leaves a week from today to Vegas.

Gracious.

I'm a Lunatic

It's the only explanation.

Who else answers the door in her bra?

Let me explain.

Remember the food I was giving away on Craig's List?

The pile grew.

Tuesday AM the gal was supposed to come by and pick up the food bags I had for her.  I was up doing house chores, and blow drying my hair to the best of my abilities.

I'm woefully inept at fixing my hair.

I wouldn't have even bothered fixing my hair - but an old friend that I've known since grammar school and haven't seen in a coon's age was coming by and we were to thrift the day away.

I had piles.

Piles of food for the Craig's List gal - a pile of stuff to take to donate to the thrift store - or more accurately to exchange at the thrift store.

The spoils of my thrifting - in my defense - most of this will be resold on eBay.  The baskets I use to make gift baskets for friends - I mean - I paid like .50 for handmade baskets!!

Whilst I was brushing my teeth, I turned the tube over and looked at the ingredients.

I quickly spit it all out and then in a moment of what we can only call sheer inspiration, I decided to purge the house of all chemical laden products.  I scoured the cupboards and had bags of hand soap, shower gel, toothpaste, deodorant, cleaning supplies, etc.

Problem was - I was in my bra, with wet hair, and my friend was due in 10 minutes.

Did I care what we'd do without any of these necessary toiletries in the house?  Did I care that Glenco would be looking for his tooth washing paste that very evening?

Nope.

Off it went to the unsuspecting Craig's List lady!

When I got home from my thrifting excursion, and what an excursion it was - I looked up some natural tooth washing powder recipes.  Suffice it to say - they are different.  I'll be a sharin' them.

I haven't been able to sleep very well the last few nights - I'm just too danged excited.

Life is just too much fun - and full of so much possibility.

I'm over the moon with the thoughts of the garden this year - as I am every January when the ground is frozen solid, and there is no blazing sun on my back, or squash beetles destroying my zucchini, or heavy clay soil that needs amending.  It's so easy to be excited in January.  Let's touch base on this subject in July again, shall we?

There shall be nearly 100 chickens up in this yard this year if there is one.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

I can smell the bees - I can just smell them and hear them!

I do hope they are all still alive.  I never did finish all 842,294 sweaters that were needed to keep them warm this year.

Take all the above excitement and couple it with fabric and sewing notions - new recipes and Aaron coming home this weekend - it's a wonder I'm getting any sleep at all!

This doesn't help one single bit!!!


Must.Learn.To.Needlefelt.

I must take my leave of you now - it's off to work for me - did you guys know that I clean houses two days a week?  I didn't know if you knew.....

OH!  I'm going to try a new thing - answering your comments and questions in the comment section - so many of you ask questions, and leave awesome comments, but there is no email address associated with you - so I am unable to respond.

Have a spectacular day!
Plan a garden!
Read a book!
Exercise!

A Calm Life

I do declare that it has taken me this long to recover from the holidays - and they weren't even that busy.

The Grinch came and stole up Christmas on Dec. 29th.

I had it all neatly stowed in the attic on that day.

I'm all about New Year's Day.

It's one of my favorite holidays - if you can call it a holiday - it's a fresh start - it's a new beginning - a year with no mistakes in it -

yet.

I love January.

The holidays are over - it's a month to pause - yet to renew commitments - it's a month to ponder - yet get busy.  It's a month to take a good long hard look at your life and change what needs to be changed.

It's also my birthday month - but that's neither here nor there.

: -)

I'm also finally going through real and true empty nest syndrome now.

When Aaron originally left - I had the holidays to occupy me - now?

Hmm.

He's doing terrific and texts me everyday photos like this:

Are these not the cutest kids ever?

I'm sure that is milk they are drinking.

I'm just sure of it.

I'm on a big time sewing kick - as in Icantgetenoughnotions.

I swoon over new pins, and bobbins.

I bristle with excitement with my JoAnn fabric coupons and more ideas than I know what to do with.

I just flew through another rag quilt.  I wish that I would have backed this one with the brown, and then the fringe would have popped more...live and learn...live and learn.

I'm planning on having a Spring Open house here in March - selling some of my glitter sculptures and whatever else comes off my table.

(I know what you are saying - 'she's taking pictures with her phone again, isn't she?'  Why - yes, yes, I am - but at least I've enhanced them a little for your viewing pleasure!)

I finally hitched the buggy up and went to town to the new fangled 'libary'.  Oh it's a beauty - three floors - an Internet cafe and piles and piles of books.

I got a couple of audio books so that I can listen while I sew.

I've been a thrifting fool - and these dishes have me up in here so happy I can't bear it.

I'm all about the saucer now - in fact - I hereby declare it uncouth to drink a hot beverage in a cup without one.

My house absolutely cannot contain one more dish.

How perfect is this tea set for my vintage camper 'The Squirrel'?

It's not out of focus - it's just so dreamy that you can't get an in focus photo of it.

True story.

I've been enjoying my luxurious Ugg slippers that were gifted to me by a dear friend.  I feel rich and famous padding around the old farmhouse in them.  I have to be careful not to wear them out feeding the chickens.

Evenings find me and Glenco bundled on the couch watching Netflix of previous seasons of shows like 'Deadwood', 'Dexter' and 'Spartacus'.

Blood, guts, murder and a lot of swearing.

Gracious.

We temper all of that with our beloved Downton Abbey.

Is Bates really innocent?

I'll say no more.

I've continued my big Declutter 2013 project and have a large box sitting by the back door as I type this - going out tomorrow.

I'm resurrecting the Pink Chicken - remember her?

I even decluttered the pantry today and gave this food away on Craig's List.

Is that gross?

This was all leftover holiday food that I don't want in the house.  I just couldn't bear throwing it away.

The can of biscuits burst in the bag before it was picked up.  Scared the daylights out of me.

So that's what I've been up to - 

got all of my seeds ordered for the garden this year - cleaning the oven as I type this - it feels really good to be getting on top of things around here.

I'm enjoying this new life - even though my heart still aches for the BoyChild daily.  It's odd to have an uninterrupted thought - or a day to myself.

Life is lovely right now - and that's OK.

I say 'poopoo' to busyness and running all over tarnation.

I love home.

What about you?  What do you like or dislike about January?

What shows are you watching?

Fabulous

 

 

 

Hey Guys!

I've been trying to get a blog post going - but something is up right now with Blogger and uploading photos....

 

I'm bristling with excitement up in here!

Stay tuned...

 

In the meantime, I just wanted to remind you how fabulous you all are!

 

 

 

 

Sharing the Love

 

I couldn't let another day go by without checking in with you all.

I've gotten so many sweet emails, real - up in the mail paper Christmas cards and even a gift (thank you June!)

I'm astounded by the love, community and friendship that you all offer.

From the bottom of my heart - I thank you all - so very, very much.

 

 

I'm still not done talking about the trail - but I just thought I'd give you a photo journal of what I've been up to since I last wrote...

 

I apologize in advance for the photos.  I've gotten into a terrible habit of taking pictures with my phone exclusively.  They look great on the phone - on here - not so much.

Perhaps it would help if I actually stood still during the snapping of said photos, or pointed the camera at the subject.

 

It's been a homemade Christmas - the best kind.

 

I made a quilt out of all of the old Life is Good shirts and pajama pants I had that are now too big.

I gave it to the person that gave me all of the Life is Good shirts in the first place.

 

 

I love this blanket so much it makes my stomach hurt.  These rag quilts are fun to make.  I see many more in my future.

 

I've also been making these sculpted figures.  I made this one for a dear, dear friend that became a first time grandma.  She loves reading to her grandson.

 

 

I squealed when I finished it.  I just love it.

 

 

I think I'm addicted to glitter now.  I couldn't stop m'self.  I made this for my sister and her newish husband.

 

 

Of course, I had to represent the chickens -

this one is for the fabulous Janie Fox -

 

 

These pictures do not really do them justice - they are so cute - I may start making them and selling them.

 

Story of my life.

 

 

I've been busy in the kitchen as well.  I'm not sure it's a good thing - it brought back so many memories and emotions.  I still struggle with food addiction and well - I had to sample everything I made - a few times - and the evening ended with me worshipping at the porcelain throne.  My body is not used to those type of foods anymore at all. 

 

Maybe it was all the glitter that I swallowed - Glenco was always teasing me wondering how I got so much glitter around my mouth when I was working on the snowmen.

 

I still adore baking - I so enjoy the windows getting fogged, the sound of the stand mixer whirring, O Holy Night playing in the background - and just that feeling you get inside that all is calm, all is bright.

 

 

I really hope y'all aren't up in the kitchen trying to do your Christmas baking and cooking when you are all tied up in a knot of stress.  Wait until you are calm and happy - trust me - it's better that way.

 

 

It's been a long time since I've had this much butter up in the house.

 

 

Help me Jesus.

 

 

 

 

I added cinnamon to my caramel recipe this year - genius - it really made them uber delicious.

 

 

I remain the best fudge maker in the land.

Selah.

 

 

 Glenco is of a Swedish descent - and early in December - we hosted a Swedish Christmas party here with his side of the family.  A pox upon me for only getting this photo.  A Swedish Almond Cake and a Swedish Chocolate Bundt cake.

 

I realize I don't talk about Glenco that much here on this ole blog - but rest assured he's here.  If he weren't - nor would I be - I'd be out among the English asking you if you wanted fries with that.

 

I laughed the other day thinking about how I speak of him so infrequently here you might think that our relationship is like that of Dolly Parton and her husband.  Oh, you didn't know Dolly was married?

 

Exactly.

 

 

There he is!  Jax is checking out what he's eating for supper.

Hard to believe in 8 short months Jax has gone from a fluff ball to the huge cat you see here before you.

 

 

The other day I had to stop myself from going to the shelter and adopting all the cats - bringing them home and making catnip mice for them and feeding them turkey dinners.

I'm aching for furry companions.

 

 

It's a good thing my mom isn't alive to see this photo.  Law!  Cats up on the table.  She'd be bleaching things so fast it would make your head spin.  I've taught my cat some terrible manners - and I don't care.  I'm a childless, perimenopausal woman and I can do whatever I want.  I promise not to feed you off of dishes the cat has licked.

 

 

As I type this - all of my gift baskets have been delivered - all of the gifts I made are done.  All Christmas dinner groceries are nestled in the fridge and I'm DONE.  That alone is a Christmas miracle!

 

 

Aaron arrived last night and is up putting a roller set in a dummy head.  The kid won't quit.  Added to the glitter, sugar and cat hair slurry on my kitchen island - I now have bleaching powder, hair clips and foils.

 

I've never been happier.

 

 

About ten days ago - I had to go to the school so that Aaron could use me for his Practical Test.

He passed with flying colors.

 

Four days ago he turned the ripe old age of 17.

Glenco and I drove down and had a quick lunch with him -

 

 

I brought four dozen cupcakes to his class.

 

 

We've been busy around here - and that's a true story.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing holiday now with family and friends.

 

I'm wishing you the same - a holiday filled with love, hope, peace and the assurance that the coming year will be filled with all the goodness life has to offer.