i'm happy, i'm bummed

Our Detroit Lions won their first game since December 07 (not counting pre season games), I'm happy. Since the seats werent sold out the game wasn't televised and we didn't see it, I'm bummed.

finding balance

I have tried to post pics now several times and it just isn't letting me.

So no pictures to share today.

You all know I do art/craft shows and have a little shop online. You all also know that this economy has been affecting people everywhere. I have been looking for part-time work for quite a few months now. The starving part of starving artist gets old after awhile. So here's the news, I found a job!

Since I kind of keep my personal info out of this blog, i will just say that i am into my second week and it seems to be a great fit. I deal with customers, answer phones and in the future may do a little sewing. The gals i work with couldn't be nicer or funnier. It seems we laugh half the day away.

It is also great that because it's part-time, I can still run my little sewing business, do the shows and still have time for family and farm. I am counting on my kids to help out around here more, but I think that's a good thing for them.

So if you don't see me much around here, its all good. I'm trying my best to figure out this new schedule and fitting everything important in.

I just hit spell check and got a no misspellings found. A first for me!

Celebrity Endorsement

I went to my local quilt shop over the weekend and got some new fabrics to inspire me to sew some new things. Did you know I love fabrics? Well I do.

I finished a new bag this morning and as usual, I hang new things on my entertainment center for my family to notice. Sometimes it can take days for them to notice but in their defence, our living room is very messy.

I noticed Kelly Rippa was wearing a matching dress!

Oh lookie, she noticed too!

I think she likes it!

The Kelly Bag is now in my etsy shop.

Back to school shopping

My son left his paper drivers permit in his pants and I washed it down to a crumpled ball of nothing. Nothing makes me happier than a trip to the DMV. Not that i love the DMV, it's only because it happens to be right next to Value World!

I happened to check out the Value World Website and found a down loadable

30% off coupon! Not only do they have cheap resale prices but 30% off too!

The kids and I spent an hour and a half in that store.

This is our haul.

2 docker type pants for hubbies work

3 strappy tanks for me

1 hoodie

9 t-shirts (one still had new tags on it)

3 sweat pants

5 pairs of shorts (one still had new tags)

1 pair of swim trunks

4 pj pants

and 1 new fancy schmancy jacket from Australia (with tags)

Grand Total: $49.81

If my math is correct, thats only 1.72 per item.

I love bargains.

Isn't she lovely

Todays harvest basket.

Wait, what's that on the left? Something other than green?

One of my Pink Girl tomatoes.

Thank you Tomato Gods.

thrifty finds

I've never counted but i probably have 50 cookbooks, could be closer to 100, I've never checked. It's a lot though. So why do I always head to the cookbook section in our libraries book sale?

Because I find great books like this. It tells how to store foods AND recipes to boot!

And these, who doesn't need to eat more beans and pies anyway. Blue Ribbon Pies!

I have always been tempted to buy a big sack of rice at the store just to get the cool bags.

Looks like I don't need to.

Garage sale score!

I turned one into a more purse like bag.

I used a batik fabric for the handle and lining.

There was already a zipper in place, so I made it into a pocket.

Do you think these would sell?

Hubby bought me a veggie gathering basket in the clearance section at Tractor Supply. I always just used a plastic bowl before. I love this thing.

I got our second zucchini and our first three cucumbers!

Not bad for a Wednesday.

We're Jamming

We are lucky to have a giant wild raspberry patch in the woods behind us.

The scratches, bug bites and purple fingers are a small price to pay.

The kids aren't as dedicated to picking as their mother.

They trudged home while the farm pup and i kept going.

(farm pup picks his own)

We're smashing.

We're Jamming.

We're Canning.

We're rubbing our tummies in anticipation.

Hand picked homemade jam and home made bread.

We hope you like jamming too.