Gardening Books

I found a whole set of these gardening encyclopedias at the library. They were just sitting there waiting for a new home. So I HAD to bring them home with. I can hardly wait to read up on all the cool things I can grow in my garden this Spring! :)

This is a Christmas tree skirt that I made using a pattern

This is a Christmas tree skirt that I made using a pattern from one of the books my grandmother gave me from ages ago. I can hardly wait to get our Christmas tree so I can see how it will look with the skirt and all done up. I think too, my angel will be glad to have her place high on top of our tree. After all, you can't hear and "Angel on High" if she's sitting on the floor! :)

a little blue

I am feeling sad today. I don't know why, but I don't feel much like blogging today. :( I am sure with some quiet moments tonight, that I will be my usual yakkity self tomorrow..lol
hugs!

Early This Morning

I woke up this morning just in time to see a blue streak fly passed. After finding my glasses and gaining my ground, this is the picture I saw. Whenever the heat turns on, you will here a click and then one or two children will run like crazy for the heater vent. Where they will take up residence until the heater has cycled through. Sometimes, this will be 5 minutes sometimes 10. The longer they sit there, the hotter it gets and eventually, they start doing what is known as the hot bottom dance. In her case, she will draw up here knees and pull her dress over her legs to keep in the warmth. This will then change to leaning against the cupboard with her dress pulled over the vent letting the heat blow up. Finally, the dance ends with wiggling socked toes dangling over the vent. Not matter how hot the seat gets, they will stay for the duration. It reminds me of playing King of the Hill. :)

The second is a picture of Levi's new mitten. Unfortunately, his nap only lasted long enough to crochet one so, he will 1 mitten short until afternap time tomorrow. :O)

Tori's Apron

This is Tori's apron from "Inchy Jo". She wears it all the time. It has a nice big pocket in the front. Great for crayons, toys, books, just anything Tori can get it to hold. (And believe me, she has tried!) Thank you, our "Inchy Jo"!! :)

Checking in on Tuesday

Today is one of those slow sleepy kind of days. The one where you wish it had started a little later and you had gone to bed a little earlier last night. We had such a good day yesterday. The kids were well behaved. Well, better behaved that usual. They aren't being bad today, I am just soooo tired. :)
So, here is to Sleepy Tuesday and hoping for a more wide awake Wednesday! :)

Even More Treasures

These are the goodies I won from Melanie's Anne of Green Gables giveaway. One is a passbook with neat facts and information about LM Montgomery, the authoress of the Anne books. The middle is a postcard of the cast from the musical "Anne". The postcard to the right is a sketch of LM Montgomery. I just love her hat. Too bad we don't wear things like that anymore.

Pillowcases for the MJ Swap

This is the design for the pillowcases I did for a swap over at MaryJanesFarm. :O)

My Surprise!

Aren't these soooo pretty!?!? DH brought them home and suprised me last night. So sweet of him--definitly brownie points for these. HeHe! I had yellow roses in my wedding bouquet and red ones are my favorite! (He always gets me either one or the other when he does.) :O) It made my day!!! <3

A Moment for the Piggies

I finally got someone (my sister) to take a picture of us as a whole family. This only happens at Christmas time about once a year..Hehe! The picture piggies weren't so anxious this time. Apparently, they only like the candid shots that they aren't intentionally in. ;)

Clothespin Apron

This is a pic of my new clothespin apron.(as requested by Linda-Yarnmama...hugs!!) I finished it this evening. I can't wait to be able to use it!! Such wonderful big pockets!! :O)

Some Christmas Pics

Levi and Mommy on Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa to come.

Levi was watching to see what everyone else got from Santa.

Tori just getting up and ready to get started. Her little duck is Ming-Ming and he came in her stocking this year. Wow! I didn't think Santa brought ducks. :O)

Some days are Longer Than Others

Tori is potty training..Can you tell?? This is all prefectly clean, unrolled bathroom tissue. Tori apparently wasbored while in there.
After lunch dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream
The children think it is hilarious to do this to each other. It keeps them quiet. I say nothing. :P

Our Anniversary

These are the pretty flowers that my parents gave CR and I for our anniversary. They are my absolute favorite. Daisy Gerbera...The Gerber Daisy!! There just happened to be 6 of them which is the year we are celebrating! I can hardly believe CR and I have been married for 6 years already. It sure doesn't seem like it. I am so blessed to have such a godly, family-orientated man to call my own. I truly feel I've found my Prince Charming. :) Thanks Dad and Mom for the sweet gifts. They made the day extra special!!<3

Yard Sailing Addictions

CR and I always have so much fun going yard sailing and can hardly wait until the weather gets nice enough to be able to go. Last weekend was our first truly sunny weekend it what seemed like ages. I wasn't able to go, and CR hadn't planned on going. I had him make a post office run for me; while he was out there was a yard sale right there across the street from the Post Office. Along with a huge bag of yarn and fabric, CR brought home this pretty little tea set. It matches my china set. :) 


This weekend afforded another opportunity to go yardsailing, this time fully planned. I saw this adorable case. (I have a weakness for retro colors, so the pink, lime green, and orange were calling my name. When I took a peek inside, I laughed. How perfect!In it were about 20 sewing patterns. Dated 50s,60s, and 70s. Too cool! Then as I wandered through the tables a little longer I came across a shopping bag smack full of goodies.
Yep! More wonderful sewing patterns. More from 50s,60s, and 70s, this time including childrens patterns and a few of my favorites: aprons, and jammies!
We rode down forever and a day following signs for a yard sale that truly was out in the boonies. I should have known when the signs all said barn sale. :) This is one of my treasures. 1981 :D
Then, along about 3:30 we had to go to an actual store to get baby diapers. Wouldn't you know, that on down the rode was yet another yard sale. You know I couldn't resist, so we stopped in. For a whopping $2 was a whole box yielding more wonderfuls! These patterns are more modern, with tons of home decorating, costumes, and childrens clothes. 
I'd say todays yard sailing adventures were worth the efforts and drive, wouldn't you say so? ;D

Trash to Treasure Mirror

I love the detail on this mirror! Of course, most things that I want to take a picture of, I have to hold the chilren back; looks like one of them missed the memo. :O)

I found this mirror sitting alongside the road waiting to be taken to the trash. I thought it was jsut too pretty not to rescue! Mom said it looks very 70's. I thought it was pretty though,:O) and now it has a new home...mine! Yay!! :O) One woman's trash is another woman's treasure!! The funny thing about this was I was on jobsite with CR and took along my MaryJanes' outpost book. I had just got reading the Creative Junking section. How funny that I had opportunity to put what I just read into action right on the ride home. :) (There's another one of those picture piggy kids...lol)

The Tea Stained Dolly

Well, Here is the dolly that I tea stained. I love how her color came out. All nice and even and creamy looking. :) Thanks to all the girls over at the farm, especially Linda. They helped walk me through the process. I did manage to embroider a face on her. The eyes are a little crooked and one is bigger than the other, but I think she turned out cute anyways. :) Now onto making her dress. That is going to take me a bit, but I will post more when it is all done too!

The Evidence

Yep! Here it is!! I've got evidence...my Hubby is indeed learning to crochet! lol. I love it, he sits with me while I am crocheting my latest project and works on his first and chats with me the whole time.(What women doesn't want a hubby who sits and talks and listens for a good hour. ;) ) He is doing VERY well for just starting. I didn't think he'd keep interested in it for long as he is a "up & doing" type person. I'm really proud of him. I can't wait to see what lovely things he will be making next! :)

What won't they try to kill us with next?!?!

I was over at Mary Janes and read this post by Alee. Can you imagine?!?! This harmful garbage in BABY PRODUCTS!!!! Can you say population control?!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 8, 2007Contacts: Kevin Donegan or Marisa Walker, Breast Cancer Fund, (415) 346-8223; Stacy Malkan, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, (202) 321-6963; David Steinman, author, “Safe Trip to Eden,” (310) 403-6995; Sheila Huettl, Freedom Press, (800) 959-9797.Cancer-causing Chemical Found in Children's Bath ProductsWomen’s Shampoos and Body Wash also ContaminatedWASHINGTON — A hidden cancer-causing petrochemical has been found in dozens of children’s bath products and adults’ personal care products, in some cases at levels that are more than twice the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s lenient recommended maximum.Laboratory tests released today revealed the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in products such as Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Huggies Baby Wash, Johnson’s Baby Wash, Scooby-Doo Bubble Bath and Sesame Street Bubble Bath. The tests also found the carcinogen in Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo, Olay Complete Body Wash and many other personal care products.1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived contaminant considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a clear-cut animal carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. It is also on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects. Because it is a contaminant produced during manufacturing, the FDA does not require it to be listed as an ingredient on product labels.The problem of 1,4-Dioxane contamination in personal care products is highlighted in a new book, “Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save the Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown,” by David Steinman. The laboratory results were released jointly today at the National Press Club by Steinman and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of U.S.-based health and environmental groups working to protect cosmetics consumers from toxic chemicals and hold companies accountable for the safety of their products.“Regrettably, 1,4-Dioxane contamination is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Jeanne Rizzo, R.N., executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund, a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. “Because the FDA does not require cosmetics products to be approved as safe before they are sold, companies can put unlimited amounts of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.”Steinman said parents should be outraged that companies are willing to spend a significant amount of money on entertainment licensing agreements that entice children but won’t spend pennies to remove contaminants such as 1,4-Dioxane.“Consumers who have young children, as I do, have the right to expect the highest purity in children’s products,” Steinman said. “I call on American consumers to say no to dangerous petrochemicals in their children’s cosmetic and personal care products.”Contrary to what many consumers may believe, the FDA does not review or regulate cosmetics products or ingredients for safety before they are sold to the public and has no legal authority to require safety assessments of cosmetics.Devra Lee Davis, professor of epidemiology and director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, said that the usual regulatory approach of assessing risk one chemical at a time does not account for the combined effects of very low levels of hidden contaminants in personal care products and from other sources. “We must lower exposures to controllable agents that we know or suspect cause cancer,” she said.The FDA has been measuring 1,4-Dioxane levels since 1979, but because the agency has little authority or enforcement capacity over the cosmetics industry, it has worked with manufacturers to reduce levels on a voluntary basis only. In 2000, the FDA recommended that cosmetic products should not contain 1,4-Dioxane at concentrations greater than 10 ppm (parts per million); yet some 15 percent of products tested exceeded even these lenient guidelines. This limit, however, also does not take into account that babies exposed to 1,4-Dioxane from baby shampoo may be exposed at the same time to 1,4-Dioxane from bubble bath, body wash and many other products.More than two dozen products were tested at Steinman’s request by West Coast Analytical Service, an independent testing laboratory specializing in trace chemical analysis. Among the products tested:ProductBaby & Children’s Consumer Products 1,4-DioxaneconcentrationDisney Clean as Can Bee Hair & Body Wash (Water Jel Technologies) 8.8 ppmDisney Pixar Cars Piston Cup Bubble Bath (MZB Personal Care) 2.2 ppmGerber Grins & Giggles Gentle & Mild Aloe Vera Baby Shampoo 8.4 ppmHello Kitty Bubble Bath (Kid Care) 12 ppm*Huggies Baby Wash Shea Butter 4.0 ppmHuggies Natural Care Baby Wash Extra Gentle and Tear Free 4.2 ppmJohnson’s Head-to-Toe Baby Wash (Johnson & Johnson) 5.3 ppm to 6.1 ppmJohnson’s Kids Tigger Bath Bubbles (Johnson & Johnson) 5.6 ppm to 7.9 ppmJohnson’s Kids Shampoo Watermelon Explosion (Johnson & Johnson) 10 ppm*Lil’ Bratz Mild Bubble Bath (Kid Care) 3.7 ppmL’Oreal Kids Orange Mango Smoothie Shampoo 2.0 ppmMr. Bubble Bubble Bath Gentle Formula with Aloe 1.5 ppmRite-Aid Tearless Baby Shampoo 4.3 ppmScooby-Doo Mild Bubble Bath (Kid Care) 3.0 ppmSesame Street Wet Wild Watermelon Bubble Bath (The Village Company) 7.4 ppmAdult Consumer Products Clairol Herbal Essences Rainforest Flowers Shampoo 23 ppm*Olay Complete Body Wash with Vitamins (normal skin) 23 ppm*Suave Naturals Passion Flower 2.0 ppm*Product was at or above FDA maximum Steinman’s book explains what Americans can do today to be “green patriots” and curb the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. The new laboratory results reveal the health risks posed by the same petrochemicals that are part of what he calls the nation’s growing oil addiction.Women and girls use an average of 12 personal care products daily, according to a 2004 survey conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The Environmental Working Group's interactive product safety guide, Skin Deep, allows consumers to find products free of common carcinogenic impurities like 1,4-Dioxane.# # #Founding members of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics include Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Breast Cancer Fund, Commonweal, Friends of the Earth, Women's Voices for the Earth, Environmental Working Group, National Black Environmental Justice Network and the National Environmental Trust. For more information and background on the campaign, and a link to the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” database of cosmetics product safety, visit www.safecosmetics.org. To learn more about “Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save the Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown” by David Steinman, call Sheila Huettl at (323) 208-2629.

Dolly 4 Sale

ADOPTED

as of 03/01/09

This is the newest of my dolls. Her face is hand embroidered. She wouldn't be a true farmgirl is she didn't wear her apron! Her clothes and body are cotton and her hair is acrylic yarn.:)

She is all ready to celebrate Spring with her pincushion gardening basket and bright blue overalls.

She is $20.00 ** including her ride with the mail carrier to her new home. She's always wanted to ride in a mail truck!! Won't you make her wish come true?

(This includes delivery confirmation. Additional insurance extra)

Cleaning Up on Memorial Day

This is a cabinet I painted with topiaries to go in the childrens' room. Once I got it in there room, I didn't care for it there and moved it out into the kitchen.
I started painting their room. It isn't quite finished as you can tell by the floating flowers and bench. I need to add more details. :D It will be a work in progress for a long time.

This tree is still waiting for a beehive hanging from it and two bears one standing on the others shoulders. The bears are going to be trying to get to the hive. :) Lots of yummy honey for their tummies! We couldn't forget the bees that still need painted too!


My miniature fire and ice roses. The children kept smelling them all day. It was hard to take a pic of it without the camera piggies! :@)

The fenced in area is my side yard. There is a azalea smack in the middle surrounded by coleus and daffodils. The daffodils have long since bloomed and are gone but the azalea still blooms and the coleus is finally nice and full.


It was getting time to go over and do a little more work at the new house. Since CR had a long weekend because of the holiday, we thought it'd be the perfect weekend to go. CR mowed down the crazy jungle otherwise known as our front lawn. We weeded the flower beds and  next weekend plan on going over and mulching it all. I hope that the red cedar mulch isn't too expensive. I love the way it looks. :) Pulls everything together and makes it nice and clean :D