::Rainy Simple Sunday ::

It rained all day Saturday. 

It's one big soggy mess outside. (Not going to complain though, because we need it) So a soggy mess is welcome, really, in my book. :) 

I got up and and the oldest daughter and her clan came over (from next door) for coffee. After that I cleaned up the bathroom and kitchen ...then the grandsons were here a couple of hours in the afternoon. We played and goofed off inside for a while. 

They're fun to be around...Easton is talking up a storm!!!! (no, I don't mean the rain outside) :) 
But for a 2 year old...he has quite the vocabulary and language skills.  He is growing pretty fast. I can't believe it! 
His big brother is talking more and more (he was a late bloomer)...that's how it is with boys. They either talk and talk...or they don't say much at all. Now they are both talking all the time.  It's like they feed off each other!  

Anyway-- they keep me in stitches when they are here.  
In between times of housework, playing with the grandsons and taking naps... while listening to the rain.... 
I crocheted. 

Doesn't get much simpler than that. 

I'm joining in here...

SSS

Pop on over and see how others are spending their Simple Sundays. Me? I'll probably be doing much of the same...crocheting my little fingers off! 

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all of these bath scrubbies can be found in my shop... 

9th and Denver

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His loving Kindness is everlasting. 

~ Psalm 107:1 

::A Favorite Thing and a Papered Floor Update::

This week I'm combining a PAST PROJECT UPDATE and a Favorite thing post...for Claudia's 'A Favorite Thing' Party 

My Bathroom Floor-- I decoupaged it back in February, it is currently my MOST VIEWED POST and has been Pinned all over Pinterest. 

I'm pretty proud of this project. I think I've got the biggest bang for my buck by covering my Vinyl floor with paper, glue, and polyurethane. You can read about that here--- How To: Faux Wood Floor-Decoupaged Floor
I'll add that since finishing my floor and posting about it... I ran a bead of caulk along the floor where it meets with the tub and trim.  (can be seen in the above photo) 

The only "wear" on this floor is right under the red step chair... that louvered door is the Hot Water closet...the door rubs just a tad across the floor. It has left a 'scratch' there. The scratch is just the upper surface of Poly being rubbed off when we have to open the door.  That is not a problem...we'll probably be putting a couple more coats of poly down before it gets too cool out. Then of course well have to take a little off the bottom of the door, too. 

Most days it looks like this in here. The Littles are here almost everyday. Extra towels, extra (small) potty...etc. 

This floor has held up nicely to dirt, mud, grass, and water! The only bathroom in the house, right off the mud room and the MAIN changing area for  SWIMMERS FRESH OUT OF THE POOL and CHICKENS! 



I usually just sweep, then wipe with a damp cloth using Ms.Meyer's 'Lavender' ALL PURPOSE CLEANER. Easy peasy!  **Affiliate Link ** 

Mrs. Meyer's all Purpose cleaner

 
It only cost about $30 to complete.  It looks like wood. It cleans up pretty easily.  No maintenance! Now you can see why it is a favorite project...Don't forget to head on over to MHC and see what other's are talking about while showing off their favorite things! 


MHC

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His loving kindness is everlasting. 

~Psalm 107:1 

 

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* by clicking on affiliate links (and making a purchase at Amazon) in the post or any other post on this blog you help this blogger earn a little bit of income for her family WITHOUT IT COSTING YOU A PENNY!

::Flipping the Switch and Rebooting::

Sometimes you just have to start over. 

Yesterday I was having such a time with technology... I would imagine it happens to everybody in this day and age...but man is it frustrating. 

First the computer and camera were NOT jiving together -- 

Next my cell phone (we don't have a 'land-line') was goofing off! 

It was pretty much a simple fix. 

Just turn everything off and RE-BOOT! 

Last week Bargain Land was open... I went shopping! 

I found 3 lovely old quilts. 

I don't have any idea of the pattern names for these quilts...but they remind me of pin wheels. 

Of course...they have been used. Some have old spots on them... worn spots from snags that have probably grown in size over the years; to stains from "who knows what?"...tears, maybe, from a heart broken mother.

I can only just imagine.  

Much of the fabric is the same through out the quilts. So they were possibly made by the same person. Or perhaps sisters in the same household; learning to quilt for the very first time. 

I don't know for sure... I just know they were most definitely made in a different time. A time when technology gave you fits of a different sort. Maybe these quilts had to be sewn by very dim lights with a switch that made the loud 'CLICK' when switch off or on... Or maybe a lamp was all they had. Perhaps it was sewn sitting next to a fire; a  fire built to keep the whole house warm. 

Maybe they're not that old at all... perhaps they are only as old as I am... and were pieced together listening to 'oldies' on the radio...that at the time were 'the top ten greatest hits'. 

Maybe they aren't old after all... maybe they're just middle aged. :) 

I think no matter the 'age' we live in...technology has always been something to be reckoned with.  Sometimes I find the best way to deal with it is to just flip the switch and reboot! 

Linking here: 

FFF blog hop #76 

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting.

~Psalm 107:1

::In case You're wondering ...::

Well, In case you're wondering where I am or what I've been up to lately--- 

Earlier in the week I took a few days to recoup from all that Chicken plucking. 
In all my research I've read that is NOT something you want to do often (killing chickens) or you'll likely become numb to it and no longer appreciate the life giving factor of raising chickens. Well, I can see how that would be. I think it sort of drained me both physically, (due to the arthritis I have) and mentally...due to the nature of the job. Just saying...glad that's over. 

Secondly... while I've been recuperating I've been crocheting and photographing some items for the shop. Today...being Thursday- I wanted to get my photos onto the computer and tweak them a little bit and show you a few things I've been working on here. 

But... somethings's not working right on my SD drive or it could be my SD card is corrupted and about to go KA-POOT! not sure which. Either way...I can't get my pictures to load!!! Very frustrated. 
That will slow production down for the shop.  I'm not able to stock the new merchandise. 
Not good!

I have some things on the computer that haven't been stocked yet, some vintage items and I may be able to tweak those photos a bit and get those items stocked. We'll see. 

Not meaning to sound glum and sour about these events...Nope! I take a look at times like these as Opportunity.  I think there must be a reason for things to be happening like this all at once-- It's a teachable moment. I wonder what it is the LORD wants me to know or learn from it all.  It's all in His timing and according to His will anyway.  
What will I do with it?  Is He requiring something from me?  Please understand-- I don't think it is anything to do with a 'saving' work... no, He requires nothing there.  But more to do with 'growing' me.  An improvement. :) 


In any case-- just know that I'm still here! plugging away at it... 

**** Don't forget I recently added an Email feature on the side bar and many of you have already signed up to get Corn in your mail box...thank you!  If you haven't done so...go ahead! Sign up and get it right to your box. But don't forget-- all those blogs you read THRIVE on you not just getting that email in your box...BUT BY CLICKING ON OVER TO SEE THEM PERSONALLY!  The email is just a reminder to do it.  Thank you so much for reading! 

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His loving kindness is everlasting.

 ~Psalm 107:1

 

:: Book Give Away ::

If you are raising boys (to become young men of valor) with good moral Christian values and you want to promote good literature and reading habits in them as well; then you might be interested in a new series of books sold through Vision Forum Publishers. My friend DL at FRUGAL HACKERS is having a give away of 

Men of Grit Christian Fiction Series (2 Books)

The Boy Colonel: A Soldier without a Name 

and 

Brothers at Arms

Hop on over to participate in the give away-- 

***Or...You may also purchase the books here at Vision Forum 

Sale ends Saturday, September 29, 2012 

Oh give thanks to LORD for He is good and His Loving-kindness is everlasting.

~Psalm 107:1 

 

:: Experience Under the Belt- Processing Chickens::

Saturday:  Our first time to pluck a chicken Or The Whiz Banger First Attempt

Sunday: Experience Under the Belt   Or  The Deed is Done

Ok...it's done. We got up and got our tables set up, got the water ready...Lots of rinsing. Rinse the bird after you kill it. 
Skin it. 
Clean it. 
Rinse it. 
Put it in the Apple Cider Vinegar and Water Ice bath
Rinse it. 
Wrap it. 

NINE TIMES!!! 

My daughter came over and took these pictures.   Not sure what happened to my previous photo...  


Not a GLAMOUR SHOT! 


Notice at NO. Time. did I say: " PLUCK IT" in my list above. 

Here is what happened... Our Whiz Bang chicken plucker... or shall I say our version of it WORKED. But not like what we expected. We need to make some modifications and adjustments.  
This weekend being our target date...to 'gitter done'-- I was not going to be deterred. 

So after Saturday's experience; I decided I better get a plan 'B' in place.(back to the internet) We got up and The Honey dinked around with the machine. It didn't happen for us.  So glad I had a plan "B" in place. 

There have been lots of good videos done already on YOUTUBE ...so I'm sparing myself the effort of up loading any of ours. 
This one below is a pretty good video. There is some wind; so the sound quality isn't that great. But I found it very helpful in the gutting process. 

If you're interested in watching it.... here it is. Thanks to the Custer Family Farm for this great video. 


And here is my first batch of NUGGETS! 



Now... I must say ... Just because our Chicken Plucker  didn't work how we expected it to. I am NOT going to label this event a total FAIL. NO.  

This is what I decided today as I skinned each of these chickens and cleaned them. If we are to be living a sustainable life style; then it was definitely good for us to clean these chickens WITHOUT the chicken plucker. Without an electrical machine. We did it the old fashioned way. It wasn't pretty. It never was meant to be. We did this together The Honey and I.  I caught them and strung them up. He cut their necks and removed the feet and heads. 
I did the skinning and gutting and rinsing; while he prepped for the next bird. 
It took us 7 hours to do 9 birds...that was with a 1 hour break and we each took a respective sit-down while the other did their job.I don't think it could have gone much quicker really with just the two of us.   
I actually cleaned one bird in 16 minutes total!!!  

Eventually, my daughter showed up and she took some photos and video...but she is a little on the squeamish side; and still very proud of her Momma and Daddy.  

I'll review some of the details later of the costs of raising meat chickens and talk about some of the benefits and some of the aggravations later on...right now, I'm SUPER TIRED. I'm off to bed! 

I'm linking this to the Homestead Barn Hop

::Respect the Chicken ::

***WARNING*** Due to the nature of this post;  I'm posting my photos in BLACK AND WHITE. I don't want to spoil your chicken dinner. If you are squeamish-- even SELECTIVELY. Thanks for stopping by...you may click away. 

Alright here it is LATE Saturday night. 

I'm just popping in to tell you a brief summary of my 'CHICKEN PLUCKIN' EXPERIENCE'  
Well... it's not all it's cracked up to be. I learned ...
You must Respect the chicken.

Seriously, I have watched the videos. I have read and re-read the manuals. I bought the magazines. I read the books... I. GOOGLED. AND GOOGLED  'How to Slaughter a Chicken'.  

I've come to the conclusion that the people posting videos of their chicken plucker have done a 'dry run' on their machine. They've tested it first before showing their superbly de-nuded chickens. The videos and events leading up to those videos...are heavily edited. They MUST be--  Because our experience was
... just short of FAIL.  

No. NOT A FAIL. 

We have one processed chicken. One!  Respect the chicken.  So that in and of itself is a success. We've had to do some tweaking on the machine.  It only partially de-nuded (plucked) our chicken. We ended up with a SEMI-BALD chicken. 

I had to pluck it the rest of the way.  Not for the selectively squeamish. Not for the squeamish. Period. 
I will tell you that it has been years since I've bought a whole chicken at the grocery store; so I haven't cut up a chicken for frying in years.  I probably should have done this to practice before having to 'gut and clean' one from feathers to fryer.  Yes. That was an all together different experience.  One I shall never forget. 

Respect the chicken. 

We aren't finished. Tomorrow morning we're getting up and hopefully finish up the job. We had to stop due to some problems with our machine. The drive belt was first too loose. So it was slipping and not turning. Then we tightened it and it was so tight... and spinning with such presser on the belt, the breaker kept tripping.  I think we have it all worked out now.  

Our first time to do this??  Total Experience. That's what we've gained so far. 
That...
 and respect for the chicken. 

Until next time. 

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His loving-kindness is everlasting. 

~Psalm 107: 1

:: A Corner of My Kitchen::

A  Favorite Thing 

Our kitchen is a constant work in progress. For most of the time we've lived here---We hadn't done much to it. Only added in some furniture (there is a hutch to the right of the stove, The Honey built with the boys when they were younger) I've loved how useful it is. We've  I've also painted in the kitchen. The thing is... I'm the one that does most of the work in this room... and finding storage solutions and work areas has been pretty much up to me.

When we bought the house the kitchen had; One long line of upper and lower cabinets , with a sink right in the middle and that was it.  NO stove, NO refrigerator...not even ceiling fans. There were two lone lights... I won't even call them fixtures

 

(source) 

Very utilitarian... So gradually we've been working on it. More so in recent years than before. It's starting to come together  and  take shape. I'm really starting to like my kitchen more and more with each little project. We work on it when we can-- making changes here and there. On a very strict budget. 

One of the favorite things in my kitchen is the stove. I've written a post about 1956 Chambers Range here

This is what my kitchen looked like before  2010.  So glad, I finally found some more of the yellow and red fabric and made another curtain to match the hutch and the one over the window. :) 

You can read about that transformation here, here and how we built the mantle for $26 here 

Here it is today. The mantle was based on a copy of a kitchen on a magazine cover. 

It makes such a statement over the stove now. A focal point for the stove and all. When we built it; I had found a gallon of black Valspar paint on the Ooops! shelf at Lowe's. That was the deciding factor for me, when it came to painting the lower cabinets. I decided it would help everything tie in together. I still need to paint the uppers a fresh coat of white.  I like the look of it together. I'm very happy with it. 

I'll tell you a little secret. The table to the left of the stove...is stainless steel. The Honey was in the sheet metal trade all his life until he retired. It was left over from his days in the industry. If a piece had a "ding" or "dent" ...it was no good. You couldn't send it to the customer like that.   

So I had this little table. One day I decided to use it. 

The cabinet on the end was just used for storage... and I needed a work surface near the stove. I took the door off the cabinetry and covered the cabinet where the drawer and door had been with a bead-board paneling scrap. I put it (table) in here after  building a small box or platform for it to be level with the counter and the stove. Then I shoved and pulled and pushed that heavy stove over toward the table a whole 8 inches.  Yes folks... 8 inches is all it took to make a difference in the foot path of my kitchen.  My work triangle is complete and works so smoothly now! 

I also have this little vintage set of aluminum canisters. They are pretty old and have an art deco vibe to them. I used to keep junk in them; never coffee, tea or flour. Until I started re-arranging the stove and hutch ...and one day I just decided, 'Hey, I think I'm going to use these for their intended purpose."  Otherwise...they were just clutter.  I put them in this wine crate, my mom picked up years ago off the curbside. 

Perfect! 

I guess you can say this little corner of my kitchen is my favorite thing; so that's why I'm sharing it this week. It really is... I have such memories with my $100 stove and my 'Mantel Project' one of our first projects after The Honey retired, and my canisters and crate... All together,  it makes me smile! 

Don't forget to hop on over to Claudia's Favorite Thing party

Thanks for stopping by here! 

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting. ~Psalm 107: 1

::Getting the Chickens Ready for Winter ::

The final days of Summer are officially winding down.  I can't believe the summer is over. The days have been cooler than normal for a Texas summer...the nights are already brisk the last couple of mornings. 

It's been nice.   I like going out to the coop to let the chickens out and gathering eggs. 

The nuggets aren't staying in the coop. I'll be so glad when the 'deed' is done with this flock. Less mess to clean up and not and EGG HUNT everyday. They lay in certain areas...as they are not welcome by the Older Chickens into the coop. We're putting the final touches on the plucker this week. I hope to have chicken in my freezer by Saturday evening. 
Back when we were scrounging around the barn and shed looking for parts for the Whiz-bang Chicken plucker... I came across some louvered vents.  I was so excited!  

Last year with the chickens ...we used the deep litter method during the winter months for our chickens.  I helps to keep them warm. They droppings fall below where they roost and you cover it up with more straw, shavings, etc.  It is a compost method that benefits the chickens during the winter months...heating up and keeping them warm. Once cleaned out... you have a wonder additive to put in the garden beds! I still need to find a piece of scrap linoleum for the coop...and we'll be ready for this winter. 

Au Natur`ale ~ 

Anyway, The vents will help with fresh air.  As you can imagine a build up of ammonia can gather inside the hen house and make the chickens sick.  I know how that sounds... you'd think the DEEP LITTER method would be what makes them sick... but no. They just need fresh air. The vents have helped to make it more comfortable on the inside of the hen house during the warm weather months too.

That's just one of the things  we've done to prepare for the winter months ...when we had our new roof put on back in June...(that seems so long ago) we kept the fiberglass from off the top of the porch addition (they replaced it with tin);  we put it over a portion of the Coop to help keep the rain off the chickens while their in the coop and along the North side  for protection from the cold winter wind. 

So...while it's been hot, rainy, humid, and now brisk... we've been busy making preparations for all types of weather...  in the coop! 

Now if we can just get ready for cooler temps inside OUR House. 

What things are some ways your getting ready for cooler temps? 

deborah jeans dandelionhouse

Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting.  ~Psalm 107: 1