This afternoon happenings...

From changing table to Potting table...

Repurposed the old changing table my father built and all 5 minions used.
Now it's a potting table and will also hold firewood for our Chimenia.

working on commissioned work...

Canned 8 pints of Honey Applesauce today too!

.

Love this idea....

from: DIY Show Off

I think I must try this, eh?

8/30/14...

Planted Sweet Basil in the 3 green pots, watered my container garden and the dog area (planted grass seed). Can't wait to paint the coop and finish the chicken run tomorrow!!!!

Going to plant these!

Taking a break...watching Yard Crashers!
Pork Chops w/ a Peach Butter in crockpot, almost done. Sweet Potatoes in oven.

and....

One Day!!!!!

Stevia Extract...

How to Make Homemade Stevia Extract
By Jill Winger (photo too)

You will need:-Fresh stevia leaves (Dry leaves can work too–see the note below)-Vodka*-Clean glass jar with lid

*The amount of ingredients you need will depend on how much stevia extract you want to make. I made a fairly small batch this time around, so I only ended up using about 1 cup of vodka, and a handful of chopped leaves. Depending on how many stevia plants you have, you can make a big batch, or just a small one.Wash the leaves and remove them from the stem. Discard any wilted or brown leaves, and coarsely chop the rest. Place the leaves into a clean, glass jar. I filled my jar to the top, but I didn't pack the leaves down. Fill the jar with vodka, making sure the leaves are completely covered. Place the lid on securely, and give it a good shake and set it aside. Let the leaves steep in the vodka for around 48 hours. This is a much shorter time frame than many other extracts, but if you let it sit more than a day or two, the resulting stevia extract is pretty darn bitter. After 48 hours, strain the leaves from the vodka (I also gave my leaves a good squeeze to smoosh out every last bit of extract). Pour the extract into small saucepan and heat it gently for 20 minutes. Do not let it boil, just warm it up to remove the alcohol and improve the sweetness. It will also thicken up a bit and reduce in volume. Pour your finished extract into a small bottle (I like one with a dropper–it makes it easier to use) and store it in the fridge. It should last several months.

in the Garden...

updating from July 23-28...

Meet the 'girls': Clairee, Truvy, Ouizer....

My Smart Grand Baby, Mila Rose...
reading in her play tent!

Crafting...

Knitting...

Tomatoes...

Using Alcohol Inks...

Porter talks to Daddy 

by pulling him in close...

~Throw Back Thursday Post~
Family Photo Christmas 2006....
notice Carson (age 5) and me (age 5)?

Repurposing...

Fresh Cherries...and Starbucks

New Chicken Coop-to-be...

Thrift Store $40

Flowers from Megan and Romelda

for my Birthday...

Pug Love...

My Sunday...

TODAY I...

-Blanched tomatoes from my garden.

-Made pasta sauce in crock pot. Added Shrimp & Cottage Cheese.

-Tiny potatoes are boiled and cooled, cut in half and bagged into freezer to use for breakfast dishes.

Scenes around my house....

Garden Update...
-Tons of Stevia

(going to make liquid Stevia).

-Tons of Romas....sauce!

-Cukes are finally looking normal again!

Enjoyed an hour visit at my folks' house.
Got to give Daniel a jar of my homemade Bread & Butter Pickles and he was delighted. Played with his 9 Olde English Sheepdog puppies...he is selling them in 3 weeks.

Today I had my Coffee Protein Shake for breakfast, half a string cheese stick, 1 thinly sliced and small piece of deli ham for lunch, 2 small bites of my Think Thin Protein bar, coffee, lots of water. 

 Looking for wildflowers to fill these up!!!!

blueberries...