Gift making for Christmas

I am  going to start today's blog with what I am thankful for today and  That being my Oven and Stove top.... because I am planning to use it most of the day preparing for making Christmas gifts .

On  the list: Spicy marinade for Beef Jerky, Maple Pecan Granola Cereal, Fruit  infused Vinegar. I know its a not even Thanksgiving yet but Christmas is not that far  off and I need to perfect  my recipes. I have my husband shelling peanuts for the granola and he will be my official taster for everything.. He really does know what tastes good. He does a lot of cooking himself. He made a delicious Chili Verde a couple days ago and lucky to have a bit put away in the freezer for my busy days when dinner just isn't in the list of things  I need or want to do.  Today I already prepared pasta for the"girls" who are happily scratching up the last of their breakfast.. ( They like a warm meal I am sure on these cold days) then next I am  starting on the granola and making a Beef Stew for dinner so the stove top will get its share of work as well. So off to the kitchen I go.. Hi Ho,Hi Ho~ What are you doing  today?

What are you Thankful for?

I am Thankful for many things and after visiting another Blogger's site, ( Thank you, "http://commonsensehomesteading.blogspot.com I am reminded to think seriously  about those things. 

I am listing somethings I am Thankful for every day. 

 Today is November 7th, 2011  and I am behind in doing that so here I will start catching up. 

Things I am Thankful for:

1. I am Thankful for my husband, He has made my life complete.
2. I am Thankful I can stay at home retired from my previous  job living  life a lot more stress free. ( this goes along with thankful item #1)
3. I am Thankful I am healthy physically. Working on  the mental and spiritual.
4. I am Thankful for my three children and 6 grandchildren they fill me with pride. 
5. I am Thankful for my friends , who support me in what I choose to do or not do.
6. I am thankful for my dog. He makes me laugh and loves me unconditionally.

Today, I am thankful for my home, safe, warm and inviting and room to play.

 I hope you can find time in your day to stop and think about the things  you are Thankful for and share those things with the people you love.

Brunch with the Cowgirls

This time we "rounded up 11 of our 16 Charming Chick Farm Girl members and enjoyed a delicious Farm Brunch at one of our members homes.  We certainly had fun. Mary Gails home is definitely decorated in Cowboy style. April helped with the food and set the stage ( dressed  in cowgirl chaps) Lots of collections she has displayed throughout.  Dishes, tablecloths & cups.. A few pictures of our group laughing , eating and enjoying each others company. We have  get  together often to learn from each other different crafts and skills as well as these  just for fun gatherings. We share interests of sewing, gardening, crafting, raising chickens and goats and llamas and anything country. Some of us live in the country some of wish we did.. we all have that Farm girl spirit and it is a "condition of the heart."

Farm girl gathering

Last night several of the farm girls from the Klamath Falls Charming Chicks got together for an evening of relaxation. We gathered at Gail's house  and we sat  outside under her new gazebo enjoyed a   great pumpkin soup, stuffed pumpkin  and bread with a cheese cake dessert prepared by Gail  and Faith. The fire was so nice to warm our spirits and friendship. Visit my sidebar Mary Janes Farm or the Klamath  Falls Charming Chicks to learn more about us. We do have fun and learn new crafts,and support our community. All in the Spirit of the Mary Janes Farm girls organization. Gail made this hanging light fixture following instructions from the Mary Jane Ideas book called the  Outpost Chandelier. Isn't it pretty?  The soup  and stuffed pumpkin recipes are in her magazines. They were delicious!

Fall Camping

We camped along the McCloud River arm of Shasta Lake this past week. It was so quiet and pretty. This campground named Mcloud Bridge was small only 14 sites. It was an old homestead before the forestry service took it over. We were surrounded by huge old oak trees, apple and pear trees and figs and walnuts too. Many old blackberry bushes . ( there were people catching fish right below our campsite, however we did not fish)
The campsites were beautiful. well maintained and because the lake was so low beach access was great too.  More pictures of our  campsite.

We will definitely go back again in the spring.

A special birthday gift

It will be my sisters birthday soon and I will be sending her a surprise! Today I designed a label  for our farm fresh eggs. I often give away these to family and friends . I think the label  says it all..( you can click on the picture to make it easier to read) It is fun to make gifts and I know she will appreciate these. She lives in Arizona and another sister is headed that way to visit her so I will tuck this into her basket of fresh veggies from our garden I am also sending. This is a real Farm girl gift!

Rainy fall day...and Earl Grey

Today is the kind of day when you wan to curl up in a cozy chair with a cuppa hot tea and read a good book. A do nothing kind of day...Put a pot of soup on for an early dinner and watch a movie later....

I think our summer is really gone and Autumn has crept in to replace the warm days. I love to wear my pajamas and sit and watch whats going on outside my window.. birds  darting under the eves to keep from getting wet, the leaves on the trees fluttering in the slight wind that is blowing and dripping  with a bit of rain. refill  my cup with Earl Grey.. Its my favorite and come sit with me and chat...or should I go take a nap...

Autumn is approaching..

Okay they thought about it, talked about it, and then
Two brothers worked two days to get 'er done!

Our many thanks to brother Jeff.

 It looked like a simple project.. measured many times, reread the instructions. Another  measurement, trimmed  and leveled ....a couple trips to town for more nails, and such..

 Finally  finished.. and now its done.. the wind can blow  the snow can fall .. (oh Dear  did I say snow?.. not yet.)....my porch  flowers and basil are in full bloom. It sure looks nice don't ya think?

What a Festival!

We were so anxious to get to
 "Rootstalk" that we arrived 3  hours early... in fact first!  There were so  I heard over 1000 people in attendance * that's why we wanted to get there first*

After we set up our tents and campsite we explored the grounds. The forest was beautiful, the weather was perfect.  We  learned so much about plants, organic food and our planet. There were many classes to choose from to attend * no way could we attend them all.. Our days started at 7 am with Yoga  for those wanting to attend and went through out the day and into the forest and classrooms until 7/8 pm.  Music filled the main stage throughout the event and  there were organic vegetarian food  booths and craft vendors as well. ( somehow those pictures didn't turn out). But  bottom line we had a great time meeting  interesting people and sharing  in celebrating our planet, people and plants. I have a renewed appreciation for organics in healthy food and personal herbal body lotions & potions and will start using more of those in my daily life.
It was fun to spend 4 days in the forest with friends.

 We ended Saturday night with a grand finale Masquerade Ball.

In the Wild ..Next Weeks Adventure

Next week for 4 days  I will be attending Rootstalk in Salem Oregon. I have been planning this trip for months.  Four  of  my Klamath Falls Charming Chick friends are also attending.   A few days of Fun and Life Inspiration and Celebration. 

Tent Camping and meeting new people. 

 Browsing the  wares of vendors at the Crafter's Bazaar, Organic food, Botanical Illustration. Many classes and workshops to attend and  Live music in the forest. I am sure It will be an event to remember!  I will be taking lots  of pictures to share when I return, ( maybe I will see some of you there.)

Let the canning season begin

Well here  was my first preserving of Dilly beans. Only 5 pints  ready but I am sure more will be calling to be put up  this week. I planted heirloom tomatoes this year and I have been eating them as they ripen. They are so much better tasting than others I have planted. Basil is ready to be made into pesto too. The hens were out in the yard today feasting on  yard bugs & grubs. They are all laying now and I am getting 3-4 eggs a day. They are such good girls..So I let them out into the yard for an afternoon treat.

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Sunset on Wickiup Reservoir

Back from a wonderful  few days at Wickiup Reservoir again. Spent a few days with friends and family. This was one of the gorgeous sunsets we were able to capture. Pretty huh? The water was so still not a ripple and weather couldn't have been better. I took other pictures but cannot get them from my husbands  folder to mine to post. So enjoy this one and Perhaps later I can figure out a way to post more here.