If you love unusual jewlery and perhaps saving a life (for very little cost) please look at this web site (www.beadforlife.org).
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I've recently discovered 'freecycle' and can't wait to share with all of you! This is a site that will link you (any where in the world!) to your neighborhood group so that you can trade and share (free of course). Furniture, clothes, odds and ends. "One mans trash is another mans treasure" is truly their mantra. I've found wood pallets , canning jars, clothes for my great grandson, and some bits and pieces and odds and ends (I will try to post finish projects, and I do have a link for making a shed and fence from free wood pallets). If you're like me and would rather exhaust all other outlets before I have to buy something, give this a try. http://www.freecycle.org/
And this is the wood pallet shed (and fence) that I love!! http://summerville-novascotia.com/PalletShed/
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Here is a wonderful project and idea site for those who recycle.....
and those of us who also enjoy the look and the creativity! http://www.robomargo.com/trash.html . I found so many wonderful and inventive ideas - Brilliant!!!
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I dedicate this to all of you who know the true meaning of a women's work never being done!! (And to LaVonne, who is knee deep in lambs,kids and family!) This was passed to me and I'm passing it on.
Once there was an old man who lived in the woods,
As you may plainly see.
He said he could do more work in one day
Than his wife could do in three.The old lady said with all her heart,
"If you will me allow,
You may do the work today,
While I go follow the plow."The old lady took her staff in her hand,
And off to follow the plow.
The old man took his pail on his head,
And off to milk the cow.Old Tiny, she flinched; Old Tiny, she kicked;
Old Tiny, she turned up her nose.
Old Tiny, she kicked him on the chin,
And made the blood run to his toes.Saw, Tiny, saw,
My pretty little cow, stand still,
And if I ever milk you again,
It'll be against my will.He went to feed the three little pigs,
There within the sty,
And bumped his nose against the barn,
And made the blood to fly.He went to feed the old speckled hen,
For fear she'd go astray,
And quite forgot the spool of yarn
His wife spun every day.And when the old lady came home that night,
He said he could plainly see
That she could do more work in one day
Than he could do in three.And when he saw how well she'd plowed,
Her rows so even and straight,
He said she could do more work in one day
Than he could do in eight.
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The Beauty Of The World We Live In:
The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it,
but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.
Always put yourself in others shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way!
Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying!
Author Unknown!
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This is a proto-type of a kit that I'm trying to put together for our Tasha Tudor Take Peace group's "Kindred Spirits Gathering" class. We are all looking forward with great anticipation to meeting some of our members and sharing our passions. (Not to mention our Tasha tour and tea!!!!!) The bonnet in this picture is the creation of our talented and creative doll maker Kristin at Sweet Pea House. She will be teaching a class in bonnet making.(http://sweetpeahouse.blogspot.com/). LaVonne will be teaching a felted wool corgi class (for those of you, and there can't be many, who don't know LaVonne of Serenity Sheep Farm, check out her web site http://montanacountrypickins.com/index.html). Suzanne (The Fruit of Her Hands) is also teaching a wool animal class. (See Suzanne's shop at http://blueberrycottagenaturals.com/) There are so many others who will be sharing ideas and just plain talk. I'm giddy with excitement to spend a few days with these 18 or so kindred spirits!!! Take Peace Sharon
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This is a stacked set of vinegar grain boxes I've made using different graining techniques but the same paint mixes. I love this traditional method of faux painting using a mixture of malt vinegar (or flat ale), sugar and pure color. (I also add a bit of liquid dish soap. I find it delays the breakdown of my unused paint). The tools to creat the look can be as simple as your fingers, a lump of clay, feathers, combs and my favorite, bubble wrap (not traditional but gives a wonderful depth!) or special tools designed to imitate various woods. (Oops! I forgot to mention that this photo was taken at my grand-daughter's house. I had given her the boxes as a present.)
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http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/ideas/projects/objectsgarmentsother/index.html
How cute are these? There is plenty to see (and make) at this site. I see several Christmas presents!!!! (After all, it's never to early to start!) Enjoy
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Some of you may have noticed that I have been in absent from my blog. I just want you to know that I'm still here and plodding along. My middle brother, who has lived with my mother and thus my family for most of his life, has passed on. This is a sad time for those who remember a kind and gentle soul and he will be missed. My youngest brother, who was stationed in Afghanastan, tried to mount the red tape to get home and on his way back we found out that my oldest brother (although still younger than myself), who runs 6 miles every morning and on weekends 10 and has always (due to the diligence of his loving wife) eaten very healthy, needed to have a triple bypass immediately. My Mother, bless her, has been very strong through out this ordeal and has probably handled it better than her children! I am now the official daycare giver for my great-grand child and am working (not really, it's a joy!!!) 12 hours a day away from home. Life sure takes unexpected dips and turns that try the hearts of the strongest of men. I debated heavily as to whether or not to post this on my blog, but I know that some of you have worried and I want you to know that I am just trying to catch my breath.
Sharon
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How can you resist these adorable bags!!!!! I saw these and couldn't decide which one I would like to make first!! She even offers a free pattern but I know I will have to give in and buy at least two others (including this one! ) She does have finished bags to purchase, but I wouldn't want to have just one, and her styling is timeless (and sooooo practical).
http://mamaspocketbook.com/index.html
These are for infants, toddlers, teens and us more mature (at least age-wise) types.
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Here is another great tutorial. http://letsknit2gether.com/ . This gal is very clear and basic and I love her spinning tutorials.
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This is one of the most ingenious ways to decorate Easter eggs that I have ever seen!!!!!!!!
Happy Easter!!!!!
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If you crochet, are just learning or want to learn, this site might be right for you. If you look on the top bar you will see a link to a series of tutorials that are very well done and a good way to learn basic or unusual stitches. http://www.nexstitch.com/ . I've been crocheting forever and found some new stitches for me!!
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HAPPY HOMEMAKERS! (See their favorite sweet and sour recipe below)
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My Mother, Catherine Butler (Kate), is 84 this year and this is one of her favorite recipes. She and my Aunt Louise always made this on our monthly get-togethers merging two large families. My Aunt always made the meatballs and my Mother would make the sauce and would work together to present it to a large,hungry, diverse group. This was loved by one and all probably as much for the comraderie as for the meal itself. A favorite family story revolves around the time my Aunt, at the request of her ignorant husband, set out to make the meal for just their 5. What a surprise when they sat down to a meal of meatballs and nothing else!
SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS
1 LB Hamburger 1 Can Chunk Pineapple (w/juice or syrup)
1 tsp Salt 1/4 Cup Bown Sugar
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger 2 Tblsp Cornstarch
1 Egg 1/4 Cup Vinegar
1 tsp Water 1 Tblsp Soy sauce
1/2 Cup Flour 2 Peppers (cut into chunks)
3 Tblsp Cooking oil Optional cut up tomato
Mix hamburg, salt and ginger well with hands and shape into balls slightly larger than a walnut.
Beat together egg and water, dip meatballs in egg mixture and roll in flour. Heat oil in an iron fry pan and brown meat. Remove from pan. Drain syrup from pineapple and add enough water to syrup to make 1 Cup (saving pineapple for later). Stir juice and water into pan of drippings, add brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and soy sauce. Cook 3 minutes, then add meat balls (and tomato chunks if desired). Stir well and simmer 15 minutes. Serve with cooked rice.
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For those of you who have budding knights I am posting directions for this fun costume (and castle). If you look in My Photos under Knights you will find the directions I downloaded from a wonderful book that was printed in 1979 called " The Kids' and Grown-Ups' Toy-Making Book" by J.Alan Williams. This is a real treasure for any boy who enjoys cars/planes/pirates/knights and loves to use their imagination. It can still be found as used copy (I checked) for about $6.00 incl. shipping, and it is money well spent! One word of caution. If you decide to try this costume please be aware that you do need to cut this exactly as written. For those of you who sew you might understand this better but the "seam" down the front, although you will doubt it completely (my grandson and I went round and round until I finally had to pull the "trust in the force Luke" card!), needs to curve like that so it shapes the chest and will curve more easily as you add the "rivets". I hope you enjoy!
Sharon
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I'm looking forward to spring and my chance to get back to digging in the dirt, but in the mean time I can at least enjoy a taste of spring! This recipe comes from the book "Homemade".
BOOSTER FOR EARLY SPRING FLOWERS
Get a jump on spring by forcing branches of flowering shrubs and trees to bloom early indoors. In late winter watch for flower buds on forsythia, quince, ornamental cherry and dogwood trees. Prune enough branches to fill a tall vase.
- Cut stems and crush the cut ends with a hammer and place in a bucket of warm water.
- Saturate a cotton ball in sudsy ammonia and drop it into the bucket.
- Set the bucket of stems in a clean garbage bag, tie it closed, and set it in a warm place indoors until the buds begin to open. Arrange the stems in a vase of clear water.
Enjoy!
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Susan Lyons-Tovar in my Home and Hearth group posted this site and I thought you might enjoy it as well. Enjoy
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/parenting/homemadeartsupplies.htm
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I am pleased to announce the coming into this world of Elijah Beaumont Wolf. Arriving at 6:10 this morning kicking and screaming and with a full head of hair (and sideburns!). Baby, Mom and Dad are all doing well and are pleased as punch. Pictures will definetly follow.
Take Joy,
Great Grandma (AKA Nana) Sharon
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