The Button Box

Do you have a button box?

When my Grandmother passed away years ago, my mom asked me if there was something specific I would like.  Yes, I would like Grandmom's button box.  Why on earth would you want the button box?...

Because when I was young Gram would let me play.  What a treasure box it was.  There were diamond studded buttons, huge coat buttons, small practical-everyday buttons.  They were all different colors, red-and yellow-black and white, they are precious in his sight... (or in this case my sight)

As I looked through those buttons they were memories.  I remember that dress; pink silk covered buttons  - Gram used to wear that dress to church.  Oh look, those were the buttons from that coat that was so pretty...

Clothes were worn until the only life left in them was the rag bag and the button box.  How times have changed.  We now have so many clothes in the closet that we stand and stare and wonder what in the world will I wear today?

Today I'm adding to the button box.  I am re-purposing a white blouse that the dryer 'ate'.  It was one of my favorites but unfortunately burned a bit here and there from its fiasco in the dryer.

Today it is becoming two blouses for Christmas dolls. 

What better use of a favored blouse that has no more life in it but buttons and portions of unscorched areas.

I think Gram would be pleased.

Hand Made Cards

Do you like to make your own cards??  I do, but some are so busy and detailed that they are intimidating!  Here are a few that are really cute as well as easy to do.  The best kind!  Merry card making.
Robin from the Roost






I like this without the wreath too.




More card ideas

Putting the Bees to Bed for Winter

We did this on the 12th I'm just finally getting around to doing a post on it...

We had a cold front coming through on the 13th that predicted 50 mile an hour gusts (and the predictions were true).  So it was time to get the bees all tucked in for the winter.  Last year we sent hives to sunny CA but this year we decided to winter them at home.

DH and #1 son got together.  They first went to #1 sons home and tucked his hives in (I didn't go so didn't get pictures of that) then back to our house to tuck in our bees.

Checking to make sure they have enough honey to get through the winter.  I'm not the bee person but I believe it was 8 full trays. 

We were able to 'rob' some from the super. 

vent holes

Too much moisture in the hive will wipe it out.

ventilation

All wrapped up like a present in tar paper. :-)

snug as a bug in a rug

We still have to get the restrictors on at the front.  Mice can get in and destroy a hive.  So that is still on the 'to do' list.  DH has been very busy and hasn't a chance yet but will.

Games - Good Old Fashion Fun

The holidays are coming and that means school breaks, what a great time to teach some games. Maybe your kids know these already but maybe, just maybe, these are new to them. Either way they are fun.












Please Note:
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - These games contain small pieces.
Not for children under 3 yrs.

Dry Cold Air

Cold temperatures have arrived and that means dry air.  Of course we have a kettle on the wood stove to put moisture in the air but it still seems dry.  This is one of the best remedies I know.

Mix 1 cup (8oz) of warm water with 1/4 tsp of non-iodized salt (such as pickling or canning salt) and 1/4 tsp of baking soda. Stir until dissolved.

A simple yet effective technique is to pour salt water solution into one nostril and let it run out through the other while the mouth is kept open to breathe, using gravity as an aid.  The flow of salt water through the nasal passage flushes the dirt, airborne allergens (dust and pollen), pollutants and bacteria-filled mucus.

There are many different neti pots available for this purpose.  You can also use a bulb syringe.  Remember to wash your hands and all pots or syringes.  Then air dry them. 
It's important to keep it all clean you don't want to introduce germs but wash them out while you are rehydrating your nasal passages.

And now I hear whimpering...

It was all fixed - the word shower was mentioned.  Wrenches were being put away and one last check made before returning the extra parts to the store and... and then I heard whimpering.... 

I think a cake is in order.  Mr. C. loves a bundt cake and I think he needs that with a piping hot cup of Yorkshire Gold tea.

Maybe by the time the cake is baked the water will be fixed.

Water Leak

Last night while making dinner...

What is that sound in the pantry??? 

  Oh no I hope I don't have a mouse.

      That's water spraying not a mouse.  (in truth at this point I was relieved)

I called Mr. C. who was over an hour away.  "Houston, we have a problem."  He walked me through turning off the water in the house behind the water heater. I came out dripping but successful.  His statement of "if that doesn't work you'll have to...",  had me quaking...  Thankfully I didn't have to go under the house or go out back and shut off the main.  It worked in the house.  Then the mop up and the drying of all my cookbooks.  I have water in five gallon containers with spickets in storage.  I pulled one out so I had water for washing supper dishes etc.  We do have water outside in the hose, blessings, so we can fill buckets for the lav. 

Mr. C. giggled this morning as I heated water on the stove so I could wash up and shampoo my hair.  He said, 'I'll have the water running shortly after nine when the hardware store opens up.' 'Cool I thought this would be an all day event.' 

He is now in the pantry - he has replaced the part that leaked.  I hear words like, I hate old plumbing. fix one and another breaks, dad-gummit, this may be an all day event... Latest was "I'll be back".  He's headed back to the hardware store. 

So that's whats up at the Roost.  We are fixing water pipes.  And thankful for water in the hose and storage and most of all that I was here to hear the leak..

Pumpkin Curry Soup

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup diced celery
1 tsp curry powder
1/8 tsp ground coriander
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
3 cups water
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 32 oz can pumpkin puree
1 cup fat free half-and-half

Directions:

Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic; cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in curry powder, coriander and crushed red pepper; cook for 1 minute. Add water and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes to develop flavors. Stir in pumpkin and half-and-half; cook for 5 minutes or until heated through. Transfer mixture to food processor or blender (in batches, if necessary); cover. Blend until creamy. Serve warm or reheat to desired temperature. Garnish with dollop of sour cream and chives. Preparation Tip: Soup may be prepared the day ahead. Cool to room temperature after adding pumpkin and half-and-half. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, blend then reheat to serving temperature, but do not boil.

Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Number of Servings: 4

Doesn't this look yummy and healthy.
recipe credit http://www.healthmatters.idaho.gov/Featured_Recipe.html

Shortbread... Short Lived

I made shortbread last night for a treat. It was short lived. Craig really enjoyed it and finished the last of it after lunch.


1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cup)
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350; cream butter, sugars and salt; stir in flour to make stiff dough. Press dough into a 9" round pan. Score into 16 triangles. Pierce dough with fork; bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Land of the Silver Birch

Our granddaughter sang this to us last night.  It's a great teachable song, thought you might like it too.  The youtube is the tune.

This is a Canadian song - but being raised in Michigan it sounds like home to me.  Mr. C and I love to dip the paddles in and canoe the lakes and streams.   a little bird

Land of the silver birch
Home of the beaver
Where still the mighty moose
Wanders at will
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

High on a rocky ledge
I¹ll build my wigwam
Close to the water¹s edge
Silent and still
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

My heart grows sick for thee
Here in the lowlands
I will return to thee hills of the north
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom

Land of the silver birch
Home of the beaver
Where still the mighty moose
Wanders at will
Blue lake and rocky shore
I will return once more
Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, Boom-diddy-ah-da, bo-oo-oom



It may also be mixed together with another short song that is used to keep time while paddling a canoe:


My paddle's keen and bright
Flashing with silver
Follow the wild goose flight
Dip, dip and swing
Dip, dip and swing her back
Flashing with silver
Swift as the wild goose flies
Dip, dip and swing

Dresses for Little Girls

Pattern and Instructions

These are very easy little dresses and so cute and comfy.  RR

Make it Yourself

 Homemade skills are good to have.  Mending, cooking, growing, baking...  all good talents to foster and fun to do as well.  

When Mother Lets Us Sew

Click the link to read the book online

When Mother Lets Us Cook

Click on the link to read the book online

Just one more...

When Mother Lets Us Garden

These three books are from the early 1900's; they really are treasures.  They are available for download in a PDF format as well.  Hope you enjoy them and learn a skill to share with your children or grand children.