IDEALS

I love pretty things. And pretty magazines. I used to order from Reiman Publications, but now that they have started putting ads in their magazines, they are history here. They used to be ad-free, but not anymore. No one seems to get away from that evil thing called money.

Anyway, I was at the library the other day and saw that they had Ideals magazines for sale for 10 cents. I figured I'd take a few.

I liked them so much I told hubby if he went by the library to pick me up the rest they had. So he brought me a stack!


They have recipes.
They have beautiful photos, poems, and articles,

and paintings of by-gone days.


There are no ads.

There lots of great articles to read, and pictures to enjoy looking at or to use for cards or crafts. If there comes a time when I need something to do this winter, I know where to look! Not that I expct a time like that for a long time, but maybe I will need a change from this busy life now and then, and then I'll do it for fun.

I figured these magazines sure are worth 10 cents to me! If you like them, check with your library, they just might have some for you!

Basket

One very blizzardy day recently when we were all snug at home with nowhere to go, I took some time to put this basket together. I am an avid recycler, and throwing even a milk carton out can bother me, so I try to come up with ideas how to use them. I had the basket idea from before, and I had some burlap lying around that needed to be put to a good use.

Sometimes when I want to use an item for craft that I have at hand, I just need to stare at it a good while and then I might get ideas for how to use it. That's what happened in this case. Once I figured that I could make that little basket and cover it with burlap, I didn't waste any time and got at it. It does not take very long to assemble. All you need is a scissors, stapler and a glue gun, the carton and the burlap. I doubled the burlap so it would not be see-through. I used two pieces, one for the handle and one for the basket.

I am sure one could come up with many different ways of decorating and painting these neat little baskets, and I am always open to your ideas. Don't hesitate to tell me if you have a good one!

A Great Day

Doesn't this just remind you of spring? This is what I picked from my garden one week ago. These green onions grew from my discarded onions and the lettuce grew by itself from seed shed by the first lettuce I had planted. I brag to people that here in Iowa, the garden will plant itself!

Today it's a blizzard out there. We have had the nicest November ever, but by almost mid December I am ready for winter. So, let it snow! We are all nice and snug inside our home, enjoying the woodstove fire and the fact that we are safe and sound and warm. Hubby did not go to work today; work was cancelled. I got all my dishes washed and the floors swept, with some help. I even had time for a little craft, which will be up soon! And I got three windows wind-proofed. And when little Tim slept, we all enjoyed a good game of Settlers. Of course I won:) Yes, it was a gorgeous day. Now its time to relax and enjoy the evening with a good book.

My Grandmother's Apron

I have so many wonderful memories of my dear old Grandmother. I am happy to say that she is still alive, and I enjoy sending her a letter now and then. I have worked alongside my Grandmother for many hours back before I got married and when we were neighbors. I have learned many an important thing about housekeeping and cooking from her. There is so much I could say about her, but I will leave that for another time. O, I feel priveledged to have such a wonderful Grandmother. The one thing that will come to mind when I think of her, is her aprons. In fact, if you have ever wondered where the idea of the black checkered apron comes from that I am wearing in the blog title photo, well, it comes from her. She had a few of those that were worn and stained. When I saw the exact same kind of fabric at Walmart, I just had to buy it and make myself an apron. I don my apron with pride when I work in my own kitchen now, especially when I make her chicken noodle soup. Maybe I can make our home feel just a little like Grandma's if I wear an apron like she does. We are now thousands of miles apart, but when I wear my apron, I feel just a little closer to her, because chances are, she is wearing hers too...

I found this poem about Grandmother's apron, and it explains her so very well. Instead of carrying apples, she would carry mangoes or oranges.

GRANDMOTHER'S APRON

Author: UNKNOWN

THE PRINCIPAL USE OF GRANDMA'S APRON WAS TO PROTECT THE DRESS
UNDERNEATH, BUT ALONG WITH THAT, IT SERVED AS A POTHOLDER FOR
REMOVING HOT PANS FROM THE OVEN.

IT WAS WONDERFUL FOR DRYING CHILDREN'S TEARS, AND ON OCCASION
WAS EVEN USED FOR CLEANING OUT DIRTY EARS.

FROM THE CHICKEN COOP, THE APRON WAS USED FOR CARRYING EGGS,
FUSSY CHICKS, AND SOMETIMES HALF-HATCHED EGGS TO BE FINISHED
IN THE WARMING OVEN.

WHEN COMPANY CAME, THOSE APRONS WERE IDEAL HIDING PLACES FOR
SHY KIDS.

AND WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD, GRANDMA WRAPPED IT AROUND HER
ARMS.

THOSE BIG OLD APRONS WIPED MANY A PERSPIRING BROW, BENT OVER
THE HOT WOOD-STOVE.

CHIPS AND KINDLING WOOD WERE BROUGHT INTO THE KITCHEN IN THAT
APRON.

FROM THE GARDEN, IT CARRIED ALL SORTS OF VEGETABLES. AFTER THE
PEAS HAD BEEN SHELLED, IT CARRIED OUT THE HULLS.

IN THE FALL, THE APRON WAS USED TO BRING IN APPLES THAT HAD
FALLEN FROM THE TREES.

WHEN UNEXPECTED COMPANY DROVE UP THE ROAD, IT WAS SURPRISING
HOW MUCH FURNITURE THAT OLD APRON COULD DUST IN A MATTER OF
SECONDS.

WHEN DINNER WAS READY, GRANDMA WALKED OUT ONTO THE PORCH,
WAVED HER APRON, AND THE MEN KNEW IT WAS TIE TO COME IN FROM
THE FIELDS TO DINNER.

IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE SOMEONE INVENTS SOMETHING THAT
WILL REPLACE THAT 'OLD-TIME APRON' THAT SERVED SO MANY WORTH-
WHILE PURPOSES.

Sunday Project

On Sundays I like to spend special time with Jessica, doing a craft, having tea or doing something else interesting. During the week those things just don't happen, so I've made up my mind that on Sundays I will always try to make that time for her. This is what we did today.

It was a nut box that came from Walmart. We pasted black paper all around, then glued a wide ribbon around the center. Put some glue on the edges of the ribbon for glitter, and tied a ribbon and bow around the big ribbon. Made a small bow for the top lid, and pasted a button in the middle of it. (I was inspired for this and some other ideas by this lady's blog. )

What do you think?

The other day I was at a thrift store, and saw this most beautiful ornament in the antique section. A lovely wash basin with matching pitcher, with forget-me-not flowers on it. I had always wanted one, but never come across a good one that I could afford. This one was priced for $38.00. Whew! A lot of money, and I wasn't going to pay that much! But, they had this sale several days later, and I made it happen that I went into the city for some business that day, so I dropped by the store and went right for it; sure enough, there it was. I didn't hesitate. I picked it up and carefully carried it like a real treasure.

So, what do you think? Would you pay $19 for something like this, or would only I do such a thing?

Piano Girl

Here is my little girl, after three piano classes. (Actually that was 4; what was I thinking...)I think she is doing awesome!

I love the way Joseph is listening in. Timothy, no, he's not happy, but that is because of teething; -again.

Yep, that explains all three children's characters very well...