Thank you to all who participate and support Make it From Scratch. This week is our sixty-third edition, and we are still going strong! Find this week's installment at It's all for the best! Enjoy the carnival!
A busy weekend, a touch of the flu and a rainy day has left me a bit unfocused today, but here are a few things going on.
It has been rainy for the better part of the last four days here. Normally that might be a cause of complaint, but I just can't argue with how green it has made everything. The trees are now fully open. I know it doesn't show up well in the photo, but my little bean seedlings that were barely popping through before the rains are now several inches tall. Though I might prefer sunny days, we sure do need a few rainy ones.
Today we are making a few things to take to a picnic tomorrow. I made guacamole with some avocados I got for $0.10 each last week! The were very green, but a week in a paper bag and they were ready to use. We are also making chocolate chip cookies. You just can't go wrong with chocolate chip cookies can you?
Crystal has a freebie list over at her site today that is of particular interest to those who homeschool.
I have a lot to do this week to get ready for some out of town guests who are coming on Monday. So I'm trying to focus today, and not doing a great job of it. I did manage to plan a few meals and make a grocery list, but that was about it. Really I don't need drug rehab. I normally am a very focused, efficient person. What I need is to not be sick. It always hits at the worst times doesn't it?
Happy Mother's Day to you.
Hoping you have a day filled with extra kisses and hugs, and feel extra appreciated and loved.
We don't normally do gifts for holidays outside of Christmas, but I suppose you could call my night away my Mother's Day gift. It was a good one! Just what I wanted and needed. If you get gifts I hope you get something that make you feel appreciated. I hope you don't get something like a new iron that implies that you need to do some work, or like a mini trampoline, which may mean someone thinks you need exercise. Well unless of course you want an item like that.
Today we actually are celebrating Nolan's fourth birthday, which is tomorrow. We will just be having family over for dinner and cake. It will be an enjoyable day.
What does your family do for Mother's Day?
Photo credit: missnoma
The vegetable gardens are full, and now my mind is turning to flowers. I don't plant a lot of flowers, but I do like to have a few planters around. I do have a few store bought containers to plant in, but my favorite planters are ones made from repurposed items. Those of you who've been around awhile may remember the planters I made last year from rotten logs. My mom uses an old fashioned cream separator for a planter. This year I planted herbs in an old wash basin.
You can make planters out of about any item that will hold the dirt. Here are a few tips for making a planter out of repurposed items.
1. Choose a container.
You'll want one proportionate to the plants you want to use. Just be sure to pick something that doesn't have any chemical residues that might kill the plants.
2. Do you need fill?
If the container is large you do not have to fill it all with dirt. Put plastic bottles in the bottom. I used shopping bags in the log planter. It takes up space and creates drainage, not to mention keeps your planter lighter.
3. You do need drainage.
Extra water can't be allowed to puddle in the container. You need a hole or two in the bottom. Put drier lint over the holes to allow water to flow out while keeping the dirt in. A layer of gravel in the bottom of the planter can help with drainage also.
4. Fill with dirt.
Use potting soil or your compost.
5. Put in the flowers.
Be sure to choose plants that will grow well in similar conditions and in the location you intend for the planter.
6. Enjoy.
Don't forget to water.
Planters can be made out of so many things. What catches your eye? Planters out of old wagons, bathtubs, or chipped pottery pieces are interesting. Maybe you could create a theme out of a hobby like using a golf bag or other golf equipment if you are an avid golfer. Just remember there can be a fine line between creative and just junky. Never could figure out why people planted in old toilets! What are some different items you've seen used for a planter?
After two days of rain I finally see the sun in the sky this morning. I'm not complaining about the rain though, we needed it. The rain has made the garden and the tree pop! Everything is green! I love it! Here are some links for your Saturday morning reading:
Carnival of Recipes - Spring Fling
Homesteading Carnival
Last week's Festival of Frugality and this week's edition.
Make it From Scratch
Don't forget about the Carnival of Modern Homedweling coming next week.
Looking for Chevy grills?
Have a great day!
You truly can buy and sell just about anything on eBay. I've seen some weird things, corn flakes in the shapes of states, baby clothing for adults, empty Olive Garden bags, and this tic tac mint pack which sold for $760! You've got to be kidding me!
Of course you can also buy and sell things that people will actually use. Selling on eBay is a great way to earn a little cash from the items in your home you are no longer using. You can list the items yourself, but sometimes you just don't want to take the time involved in the transaction.
That is where companies like iSold It have stepped into fill the gap. iSold It has stores across the nation You take your item to the store, and they do all the work for a commission of the sale. The take the pictures, write the listing, and handle any communications. When the item sells they collect the payment, and ship to the buyer. Then they write a check and send it to you.
There certainly are some weird things that sell on eBay, but there are a lot normal items too. You can earn a little extra cash by selling the things that are just collecting dust in your home. If you don't want to take the time to sell them yourself let iSold It do the work for you.
Summer is not even here yet, but the carry in picnic season is in full swing. I love this time of hanging out with friends and family, and enjoying the goodies that everyone has brought. Here are some of my favorites to bring the summer carry ins.
1. Pasta Salad
It is colorful, inexpensive, and delicious. It also holds up to the summer heat better than other favorites like potato salad.
2. Black Bean Salsa
This is a delicious combination of flavors. I usually tone it down a bit for carry ins by using one can tomatoes with chilies and one of just diced tomatoes. I made it like this for a function on Monday and someone (you know who you are) still said it was too hot. Geesh, just goes to show you can't please everyone!
3. Deviled Eggs
Give them a little zip by adding horseradish. Yes, they don't do well in the summer heat, but they never last long enough for that to really be a problem.
4. Baked Beans
Make them from scratch with a couple kinds of beans. I really should post my recipe.
5. Zucchini Strudel
A great way to use up all that zucchini, especially the ones you let get too big. No one will know it is zucchini, unless you tell them that is.
6. Veggie Tray
Keep the dip cold by putting it in a small bowl. Then fill a larger bowl with ice, and set the smaller bowl in the ice.
7. Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Especially good this time of year.
8. Garden Green Beans
Never better!
9. Sliced Garden Tomatoes
Those who don't grow tomatoes will thank you!
10. Fruit in a Watermelon Bowl
Use what is in season. It looks pretty and is refreshing.
11. Freezer Cucumbers
Cool as a cucumber can be.
12. Sugar Cookies
Can you believe I've listed eleven things with nothing sweet?!
13. Bread and Jam
Blackberry jam on homemade bread is always a hit!
Summer is almost here, so put away the down comforters, break out the picnic baskets, and enjoy! What are your favorite summer carry in dishes?
Thursday Thirteen
Apologies for the lateness of this post. We lost power this morning. It has been that kind of week.
For Crystal!
This is when Poke is safe to eat. Wash and par boil and drain the water. We use Poke until the berries start to come. Older leaves may need two changes of water to get the bitterness out.
You'll find poke just about anywhere the soil has been disturbed. It grows along our road and places where we've cleared and graded the land. It grows in vacant lots, and the other day I saw it beside the fiberglass columns at a local store.
Wordless Wednesday
The Make It From Scratch blog carnival can be found this week at Creatively Me! There are a wide variety of posts this week. I can't wait to check out
Quick Purple Kohlrabi Pickles
Zen and the Art of Mowing the Lawn
Recognizing rural America: soybeans
Finding Treasures in Books
What are your favorites this week?
I don't think you'll find any posts about beer pong tables.
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