Friday Funny

Farmgirl Blog-A-Thon: Domestic Bliss/In The Kitchen

I'm participating in the Farmgirl Blog-A-Thon that Tina from Garden Goose is hosting. It's running for six weeks and this is week number three. Stop over at Tina's blog and find out all the details. I got behind and didn't get a post done for week two so I'm playing catch up!

I have to be honest and say that it seems like the only time I'm in the kitchen anymore is whip up a batch of soap! Since I only cook for Steph and I now I don't make such large meals. Usually it's some pasta and a salad -- something nutritious but quick. On the weekends I love to cook because I have more time.

Even though I'm a single gal now I still love my home very much and am very domestic. In fact, when Saturday and Sunday roll around I don't leave much. I just like to stay home, putter, and enjoy my surroundings.

I did try making refried beans and homemade tortilla chips yesterday. Justin (my grandson who loves to cook) jumped in and helped. Because of him, I'm learning to use more seasoning in what I make. The beans were "ok" but a little dry. The chips were great! Justin deep fried them then we sprinkled them with a little lime juice and sea salt. That was lunch for both of us.

I'll be canning this year for sure. I don't have space for a garden but will be getting local produce at the Farmer's Market. With grocery prices getting so high I'll be canning in preparation for next winter. And I want to support my local farms - that's the Farmgirl way!

To share with other farm girls and to learn about the Farm Girl way of life visit: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/

New Place For My Newsletter

About a month ago I signed up with a newsletter site that would allow me to send a monthly update to all my customers. The cost was reasonable - about $5 a month. The site promised an easy to use template for making beautiful newsletters, easy to use list management, etc. I have been fighting getting my newsletter template set up for a month!! I'm fairly computer literate and this thing just drove me nuts.

To that end, I've decided to start a Google Group for The Rustic Cottage Newsletter. It's easy to use and best of all it's free! The newsletter won't be very fancy looking but at least I'll be able to get it out in a timely manner. This will be an announcement only group - meaning that I will be the only one that will be able to send email. That way you won't have to worry about being bombarded with a bunch of emails every day. I promise I will only send you a newsletter once a month - no unsolicited spam from this gal.

For those of you who have signed up for my newsletter, I will be sending you an invite to the Google group. If you haven't signed up yet but would like to, please use the box below. You'll be the first to learn of new products and you'll get "newsletter only" specials every month!!




Subscribe to The Rustic Cottage Newsletter

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Visit this group

OLA Rummage Sale!!

I joined OnlineAuction.com about 2 weeks ago. The site has been around for about 3 years but is just starting to come into it's own since all the changes on the "other" auction site. Many sellers are leaving the "other" place and going to OLA. You can sign up as a buyer for free and if you want to sell it costs $8 a month no matter how many auctions you list or sell. That's a bargain!

There's going to be a huge OLA Rummage Sale from May 1st through May 7th. Every auction starts at 99 cents with no reserve. Lots and lots of bargains to bid on. I'll have my soap and other things in the sale so hope you'll come on over to visit. You can find my current auctions here.

Simple Woman's Pampering Gift Away

I love visiting The Simple Woman blog. Peggy is such a sweet lady and is such an inspiration to me. Her birthday is April 18th and she's gifting away a beautiful pampering set. Hop on over to The Simple Woman to read all abut it!

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/2008/04/simple-womans-pampering-gift-away.html

I'm Back!

I have been MIA on my blog for some time and I've missed posting. It just seems like there aren't enough hours in my day to do everything online that I need to. That, and I have to share my computer with my my 14 year old daughter. Sometimes it's 10 before I can get on there and then I'm just too tired to do what needs to be done.

It's been a busy past couple of weeks!! I did a soap sale for the Farmgirls on MaryJanes Farm Forum. Sold lots of soap and actually had to make a couple of batches to finish filling orders. I have all the shipping to do this weekend and then the soap will be on it's way to it's new owners.

A week ago my 20 year old grandson moved in with me. He has been renting a room from a friend who is married and that has not been working out for quite some time. Justin wants to save to get his own apartment and was struggling (like we all are) to get money put away. I prayed about Justin's situation and felt like the Lord was leading me to offer to let him stay with me for 90 days. Did I also mention that he has this cute little 5 month old boxer mix puppy named Echo?

So not only do we have 3 people crowded in a 2 bedroom apartment but we have a puppy too. She is so adorable! But I have to be honest and tell you that she wears me out!! It's like taking care of a toddler! But I'm getting more crazy about her every day. She's just so smart.

I have also been feeling so overwhelmed lately. I overcommitted myself to many online things and projects. I also think that I'm having some delayed emotional feelings about my marriage ending, unresolved anger towards my husband, etc. I've decided I need to narrow down my involvement in things. I had signed up to do the Farmer's Market but realize that I don't have the energy to make a weekly committment to that plus keep up with the soapmaking that would be involved. So I pulled out of that. I also made an appointment to get some counseling.

I have so many feelings of anger and frustration towards my husband for things that he did during our marriage. I need to let go of that. God can, and does, work miracles. I have been praying for His help with my feelings. I feel He is leading me to get an objective party to help me with all of this.

But God is good and Life is good! It's a glorious sunny day here in SW WA! Supposed to be 75 degrees tomorrow and I can't wait. I am going to clean off my porch tomorrow and maybe plant some flowers.

I have to get more soap made. I got some wonderful new scents for Spring that I'm dying to try. Ever heard of Linden? It is wonderful! When Missy had her store we used to sell a brand of soap that had linden in it's line. It was my favorite soap. We have little leaf lindens in the US but the scented linden is a native of France. In the Spring it blossoms and the scent is supposed to be fabulous - never having been to France I'm only going by what I read. It is a common practice for French women to hang their laundry near the tree or lay it on the ground under the tree to pick up the scent of the blossoms. So I'll be soaping that one plus making a linen spray.

I'm off to enjoy the sunshine!

Simple Pleasures

Waking up to a cold but sunny morning.

Knowing that this was my last day of work this week.

Beautiful sunshine and 62 degrees!

Getting off work at 3 and starting my vacation early - looking forward to an evening on my own.

Looking at the snow covered mountains on my drive home. Being thankful to live in such a beautiful part of the country.

Stopping at a cute little primitive shop, visiting with the owner, and getting decorating ideas.

Visiting the library to pick up a much wanted book I've been waiting for.

Going to the grocery to pick out something for a special meal - marinated flank steak, salad, warm French bread, and chocolate for dessert.

Spending the evening reading my new book and enjoying the solitude.