Hello, November!

Look at me! Posting twice in one week. I honestly should be doing anything else right now. But I happened to have my laptop open for another task I had to do and decided, might as well, since I’m here!

November is here! And I am shooketh. I have so much that I * want* to do, so much I *need* to do. There are lists every where. But you wouldn’t know….

This is my ‘office’. This is the only space I have for anything. Except my baking of course. So from about July/August through December, this is what my living room looks like on any given day. My notebooks fill of lists are under there somewhere. One of these days, I’ll be like the cool kids and either have a dedicated room or a she-shed. A she-shed would be preferable. This is real maker life, friends. I’m not an influencer (nor do I ever want to be). I am a real, small town, God-fearing, God-loving girl. Who would much rather be buried under a pile of yarn, or in the kitchen covered in flour, than be anywhere, or do anything, else.

While in the midst of preparing for next week’s craft show, I went and set up shop! I finally got it set up and somewhat loaded. I have a few items listed and will list a few more once the show is over. Go on over and check it out! I’m super excited to have found this great platform that aligns with my beliefs and values. They are super helpful and go out of their way to support their vendors. Plus, I love that my small business is helping their small business. Win/Win! I hope you will check them out, and if you are a maker with the same values, I hope you will give them a try!

It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year and it’s taking all I have to not drop everything and put the tree up. We would typically be decking the halls this week, but I am so far behind on my prep that I really need to focus on that. I may take a day off (or at least a few hours) on Sunday and do some hall decking then. It’s a busy season already. I want to be able to enjoy my decor for a while! Not just two weeks. I mean, obviously, we’re already watching the movies and listening to the music. And yes, I did in fact, buy some eggnog last night. Merry Christmas! And no, we aren’t skipping Thanksgiving. Silly. Truly the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. Literally no one skips Thanksgiving. We just enjoy our Thanksgiving and give thanks under the glow of Christmas lights. It’s really quite lovely. Maybe you should try it sometime.

PSA: While we’re on the subject… LET PEOPLE DECORATE EARLY AND STOP GIVING THEM GRIEF OVER IT. Let them have their joy, people! It doesn’t affect your life in any way. If you don’t want to decorate early, then don’t. What someone does in THEIR home, with THEIR stuff is NONE of your dang business and absolutely does NOT affect what goes on in YOUR home. You really ought to do some soul searching and figure out why it bothers you so much. Bless your heart.

But, I digress.

I’ve had to really discipline myself to not take on any other social commitments until after the craft show is done. It’s been hard. But I’m standing strong! This isn’t to say that I don’t already have a calendar full of commitments, I’m just not taking on any new ones. I even kind of wish I could back out of some the ones I’ve already made, but…integrity, and all. It’s important to me.

Me and all my delusions of grandeur have decided to try to make a display wall to set atop my table for the craft show. I will try to document the process. If it’s any good, I’ll share it. If it sucks, I’ll probably share that, too. Stay tuned for that.

I’ll leave you with that. And this Scripture.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 ESV

New Recipe Alert!

Where are my Ranch dressing loving people at? Have I got a goodie for you!

If you’re like me, you’ve been looking for healthier alternatives for your family. In every way! Well today I am going to share with you a healthier alternative to an American favorite, ranch dressing. You’re most welcome!

Let’s get started!

You could do this a couple ways, but here is what I did. I took my two cup Pyrex measuring glass and added in:

• 4 Tbsp of sour cream (I used Daisy, full fat!)
• 4 Tbsp of mayonnaise (best if you make your own!)
• 6 Tbsp of Buttermilk
• 2 tsp of dried minced onion
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried chives
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• about 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper (to taste)

Mix all of these together with a whisk until well incorporated. Put in a mason jar and place in the fridge for about an hour for all of the flavors to work together and get awesome for you! Enjoy! Keeps about a week in the fridge. That is, if you don’t eat it all before then! It’s so yummy! Now I didn’t have dried chives on hand, but it’s still super yummy without! It would only be yummier with!

This will be on the thicker side, so if you want a thinner dressing, add a bit of milk until you are happy with it. But definitely wait until after it’s had time to chill out to assess.

If you have these herbs fresh, go for it. Chop them up really fine. Fresh garlic will also work, just know that the flavor ramps up the longer it sits in the fridge. Like a lot! Dried is better here. You can certainly sub lower fat things, but it won’t be as creamy and flavorful. We tend to stay away from the ‘free’ (fat-free, sugar-free, etc.) foods and stick with the more natural, full ‘editions’. The original medium is just better for you, nutritionally speaking. But I digress.

This recipe makes about 2/3 of a cup, or so. You can easily double this recipe or even triple it. Just know that because it is thicker, a little goes a long way and you can add milk to thin it out for more. Only make as much as you will consume before it goes south!

Enjoy!

Story Time

Let’s do a little story time in pictures, shall we?

Have you ever wanted to try something but didn’t because you thought it would be too hard? Only to later give it a try and find out it wasn’t so bad after all? Just took a little time and work? Yeah…

That’s these churros for me. Ok, if we’re being honest, pretty much most new things for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I thought I had to have all these extra pieces of equipment, this, that, and the other.

As it turns out, I had everything I needed.

And so do you, friend. God has given you everything you need to tackle anything presented to you. And if not, He will equip you.

Make the churros.

Dirt Therapy

Spent about an hour today digging in the dirt and loving on my little plant friends. Harvested some lemon balm and chocolate mint leaves and am having myself a delicious little cuppa. With just a splash of honey.

This would be so good as an iced tea, too! Doesn’t look like much, I know. But the flavor packs just the right wallop!

Home Alone

Home alone today. Brady’s off fishing with friends from church. I don’t even know what to do with myself! I have a list, though. But also, how often do I get a quiet house to myself for a day?

Answer? Not very often at all. Part of me wants to sit around watching MY shows and eat Bon Bons (do they even still make those?). Alas, I am on a weight loss journey so none of that will be happening. And as I said, I have a list. Also, I have a business to run.

It’s going to be like mid-summer this week. We are not amused. If you’re new here, I don’t do hot well. Warm, ok. Hot? Ner.

I have a ton of gardening to do, but I’m on hold until my refund gets here to get all my supplies. I also don’t do patient well. I want it right meow! I feel so far behind, but as I recall, last year we didn’t plant for another week, so I’m doing ok. And most of it I started from seed. I just have to breathe!

Our little berg had a city wide yard sale this past weekend. I scored some goodies. But the one I’m most excited about is my old wheelbarrow. I have been wanting one for a while now to use as a planter. Specifically, at least this year, for a little herb garden. I found it for $5! FIVE. FIVE DOLLHAIRS. Part of me just wants to leave it as is. The other part maybe wants to repaint it a fun red or a brighter yellow. For now, I’m just going to drill some holes in this puppy and throw some dirt in it. My other tough decision is whether to put it in the front yard or the back yard…. Too bad I’m indecisive. But how cool is it?! I’m so excited.

Now to find some more half barrels and such. Without spending an arm and a leg. I’m all about being frugal.

We’re doing a lot out here on our little ‘urban’ homestead. Much of which I’ve forgotten to photograph. I suck at the part. I’ll try to do better. We have one project happening that I will be sure to remember pics for. I’ll save that for another post.

In the coming weeks, we will also be adding a chicken coop! That will be another post in and of itself. Pretty freaking stoked about that! The biggest task on that will be to get the run built. It will need some repairs and some paint. And a few add ons, I’m sure. It was free, so I don’t feel like doing the work would be such a bad deal. Remember, I like frugal. Free is even better.

I think I’ll hang out a little bit longer and enjoy the quiet. Maybe read a bit. Then get to work on the list. I have a lot to read and brush up on for the upcoming elections and such. You know, like the U.S. Constitution and the Missouri Constitution.

Do you know the 28 Principles of Liberty? Look for a post on that coming soon, too!

Today’s verse of the day:

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Happy Little Homemaker

I loved this blog post from over at Heart’s Content Farmhouse. I find myself doing more and more of the things that people are turning away from. I feel fuller. Freer. Do you know that I haven’t had a dishwasher for doing on 5 years now? Honestly, I don’t miss it. I feel like it’s more work having a dishwasher! Dishes piled up way more when I had a dishwasher because we couldn’t be bothered to empty the clean and replace with the dirty. It was a ruthless cycle. Now very seldom do we have a mountain of dishes and the sink is almost always empty.

Making everything I can possibly make from scratch. Finding ways to DIY whatever I can. Reviving vintage recipes and decor. Making everything old new again. I’ve not ever been much of one to keep up with the Jones’, though they are lovely people, I’m sure. At least my favorite Jones family is for sure!

I’m always on the hunt for what I can learn to do old school next. I find much joy in learning new skills and new ways of doing things. I am definitely going to make one lucky man a darn good housewife, if I do say so myself. You lucky so and so! 😉

How YOU doin’?

How can you find more joy in the homemaking?

Spring Has Officially Sprung!

Happy first day of Spring! Spring has officially sprung here at the cozy cottage. The bedding has been switched from red and white to aquas, pinks, and blues. The bunnies have hopped out of hiding, and the flowers are beginning to bloom. The chalkboard even got a fresh spring makeover (it needs a true makeover in the sense that I have been meaning to paint it for ages now).

The first day of spring couldn’t be more beautiful if we planned it. High of 72° and sunny is the expected forecast today. Perfect day to go to an open house for a 1903 farmhouse nearby! Also perfect for finally getting our garden turned over!

Here are a few glimpses of our cozy cottage in spring…

I love changing up the chalkboard for all the things!

Penny overseeing the makeover.

This hutch so beautifully displays my grandmother’s strawberry Corelle dishes & my darling vintage Pyrex! Oh, and a cute crocheted chocolate bunny.

Crocheted throw pillows can brighten or soften any space. Crochet = cozy

I do hope you enjoyed this little peek into our humble and cozy little cottage! Do you switch things up for spring?

Perpetual Christmas

I popped onto Pinterest to look for a recipe I was planning to make this week for Christmas. Does anyone ‘just pop onto Pinterest’? Asking for a friend.

But I digress…

When scrolling through my Merry & Bright board, I saw all the things I still want to do/make/create/experience. So I made a decision. I’m going to keep doing/making/creating/experiencing ALL THE THINGS until I get it the way I want it. This may take some time. I figure it will be done by the time Christmas rolls around again in 2021.

On that same thread, we went Christmas lights looking last night and came across the most festive subdivision I’ve ever seen. Talk about Merry & Bright! All the feels were had. I wish we could have Christmas lights all year long. So much joy and merriment in those lights. They just make my heart happy.

I think I just need to build a Christmas town. Whomever wishes to live there may do so. There is but one rule. You must love Christmas as much as we do and ache at the thought of taking all of the decorations and lights down enough that you want them up all year long.

By March I’ll probably be sick of it and pack it away. But I’m thinking I will definitely work on the doing/making/creating year long so that I will be ready for Christmas 2021 on November 1.

I just love ALL THE CHRISTMAS THINGS and feel shafted this year. We’re trying our best with what we have and the current circumstances. But it’s hard! This year has been hard. The true Spirit of Christmas lies in our hearts, yes. But part of the joy for me is shopping for that perfect gift, wrapping it thoughtfully and watching the recipient open it and love it. This year, it was all we could do to stay afloat and keep the lights on.

I’m making my son a stocking and I have one gift. I’m baking everyone else’s gifts. I wanted to make things for the whole family, but I had to fill that time with making things for other people to gift so that we could keep a roof over our heads. It’s what you do when you had to make the choice to save your mental health. Retail is not for the faint of heart, especially at Christmas time. Retail is definitely not for everyone. HA! Bless those that love it!

Making that choice left me no other option than to put everything into my makeup business. Crochet helps fill in the gaps. Despite the current and temporary struggles, I’m much happier and more at peace. And I think it shows.

So who’s down for Christmas Town?

Our Cozy Christmas Cottage 🎄

And now we are here…

As I was looking for some specific yarn for a project in my stash, I came across something I wanted to share with you.

I wanted to share what happens when you don’t give up. The first pic is my first stab at crochet. Obviously the turquoise is my practice piece. 😬 Got a little better with the yellow swatch! Still not awesome!

Fast forward about 5-6 years and now I’m making things I never dreamed I could! I STILL finish a make, especially a wearable, and think, “WOW! I MADE DIS!” 🙀

It’s amazing the gifts God blesses us with. I never dreamed in a million years that MY true artistic talents lie in crochet. Do I still have less than stellar stuff? HECK YES. But I won’t give up until I master it.

My hope is that you don’t give up until you master it. Whatever IT is for you. Just keep at it!

Where it all started.

Where we are now.

I made dis!

My Wednesday Night

Seeing as it’s only Wednesday 😳, I needed a cozy night of crocheting by the lights of the Christmas tree. 🎄

I’ve been wanting a different tree skirt but could never find exactly what I wanted. So I decided to make one. Stay tuned!