I am ...

I am:

• Good at unloading the dishwasher but not so good at actually doing the dishes
• Always several loads behind on laundry
• Often found in my pajamas late into the day
• Someone who will forgo a shower for creative endeavors
• A veterinarian who is allergic to animals
• Someone who is always a few days late for her next allergy shot
• Someone who gives eggs as gifts (but must photograph them first)
• Often exhausted (especially after working)
• A dreamer (and lover and poet and believer)
• A person who prefers comfort over fashion
• Someone who has never dyed her hair and rarely wears makeup (allergies people)
• Someone who is in complete awe of her children and their amazing open book potential
• A lover of all things vintage and worn
• Emotionally rich but financially strapped
• Constantly vacuuming up dog hair
• Shy
• Someone who loves "me" time
• Used to heart palpitations (and finds them oddly comforting)
• Peri-menopausal
• A bagpiper without a set of bagpipes
• A writer, photographer, crafter, seamstress and knitter
• Scatterbrained
• A budding buddhist
• Someone who hates talking on the phone
• Undefined

A Small Announcement ...

Yesterday I found a vintage travel trailer on Craigslist. I really really really wanted to go look at it. And in my heart was set to empty our savings to buy it. I was dreaming of road trips and family vacations, tea parties and sleep overs, new hand sewn cushions and curtains and pillows. It just seemed right. However, after some discussion, we erred on the side of caution and allowed it to pass. My heart broke a little. Okay. My heart broke a lot.

We agreed that, yes, we could get a trailer but first had to save the money for it. So practical. So adult. But dagnamit not so fun. Only maybe it will be fun. To earn a little extra cash I'm reopening my Etsy shop; Peculiar Momma's Handmade Wares and Vintage Treasures.

Thus far I have two items listed; the gorgeous mint green scale seen above and a set of awesome pyrex refrigerator boxes. I'll be listing additional items this week including a great vintage plaid lunch tote with two thermoses and a Jim Beam 1930 fire truck decanter (seal still intact). Additionally I'm hoping to add some appliqued camper t-shirts, as well as, burp clothes and bibs. By the way I'm also happy to take custom orders for anyone who might be interested.

I'd love for you to visit my new shop! Additionally please pass on the link to anyone who might also be interested.

Here's to handmade, vintage and just plain fun!

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Things I'm Loving Today:

• My new shop!
• One more night of work then time off
• Kelly Rae's Flying Lessons E-course
• Optimism

Things I'm Hoping For Today:

• Sleep
• Etsy Success
• An amazing find of a vintage trailer (when the time is right)
• Beautiful blue skies

I hope you, too, are having a fruitful (and relaxing) weekend!

Just A Few Things I've Made ...

1. VW Bus Applique Tee, 2. Picnic Blanket, 3. Homemade Honey Almond Butter, 4. Camper Tee

Here are a few things I made this week. Production has now halted. I'd like to tell you we have a spectacular weekend getaway planned. But, alas, we do not. Tonight marks the start of our (hopefully) busy summer season at work. And, as such, I will be working and sleeping, sleeping and working.

I hope everyone has a lovely extended weekend!

Eat Dessert First (and an Ice Milk Recipe)

Growing up my mother would occasionally throw a curve ball into our standard dinner routine and serve dessert as the main course. I have fond memories of these dinners and am carrying on the tradition. More often than not our dessert was (and is) strawberry shortcake. My mother's version was bisquick scones, strawberries and ice cream. Our version is similar; cream scones, strawberries and ice milk.

Ice milk has a bit of a crunch compared to ice cream. It gives a lovely sensation on the tongue (similar to the crunch you get on ice cream in a float). Growing up ice milk was readily available in the grocery store. Now I'm not so sure -- I haven't seen it in my neck of the woods. Fortunately ice milk is super easy to make.

Ingredients:

4 cups milk (any percent)

1/2 to 1 cup sugar (to taste)

2 teaspoons vanilla

Pinch salt

Put all ingredients in a bowl and stir until sugar dissolves. Place in ice cream maker and mix according to manufacture directions. Place in a container and freeze. For best results freeze overnight (I'm not that patient and have learned to love soft ice milk.)

If you don't have an ice cream maker don't despair -- simply place in a container and freeze (for best results stir every couple of hours until frozen through).

After you master vanilla go wild and experiment. Add strawberries or chocolate or coffee. Tonight's ice milk was made with 2 cups whipped cream (had it and decided to use it), 1 1/2 cups coffee (left over from this morning), 1/2 cup milk, vanilla, sugar and salt. I must warn you the whipped cream fluffs up like crazy and might overflow the bowl so keep an eye on it. The resulting ice milk/cream is very light and fluffy. It is currently hardening in the freezer.

I love this recipe because it easy, inexpensive and contains simple wholesome ingredients.

And now off to make some scones ...

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Things I'm loving today:

• New appliqued tee shirts
• A husband who is enthused and designing new appliques (seriously)
• Crazy weather (sun, rain, hail, thunder, sun, rain)
• Snuggle kitties

Things I'm hoping for today:

• A good holiday weekend at work
• To find a new captivating book
• Children who appreciate one another
• A solution to the crisis in the gulf

Wash Wednesday

A gentle breeze rustles through the pines. In the distance a crow caws and a train bellows. A pair of Canadian geese fly overhead honking their greetings. The chickens cackle and chatter begging to be set free on my compost pile. One cat sits and watches me while another climbs the juniper tree dividing my yard from the neighbors. Our resident scrub jays are not pleased with this development and begin to screech and dive bomb the cat. Mickey is unperturbed. Me? I'm on the back patio hanging laundry.

I do not have a proper clothesline. Rather all we own is a metal rack from Target. I have plans, dreams, and am working on the husband to implement them. He tells me I am a hippy. He might be right. In the meantime I've decided enough is enough. I will hang my laundry, line or not.

Today, like yesterday, there is a chance of rain. Yesterday my clothes were rained on. I brought them inside and this morning they were dry. Today I'm watching the clouds ready to rescue the laundry at a moment's notice.

While hanging the clothes I feel somehow more connected. Connected to the world, nature and generations of women. I feel environmental, frugal and rebellious. You see I live in a town where laundry is controversial. In fact my neighborhood is adjacent to the neighborhood in question. There are only two families who can see my laundry. I don't think they'll complain.

I'm struggling to see laundry as an eyesore. I find it strangely beautiful. Happily today I discovered Garden Mama and her Wash Wednesday. Check out her stream for more gorgeous laundry line photographs.

Tell me. Do you hang your clothes out to dry?

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Things I'm Loving Today:

• Breathing like a normal human being (breathing is not over-rated)
• Vintage trailers (oh be still my heart)
• This post (and yes I do think I'll make it myself)
• A lovely quiet morning to drink coffee, hang laundry and browse blogs

Things I'm Hoping for Today:

• A good run (i.e. energy and minimal rain)
• Inexpensive t-shirts for the above project
• Continued inspiration for all things creative and frugal

Make It Monday: Picnic Blanket

Last Friday I was dreaming of a handmade picnic blanket. Today my dreams came true. Presenting the Beach Blanket To Go ala Soule Mama. The top is comprised of vintage sheets; including fabric from this project and this project. The bottom is a terrycloth shower curtain. The blanket has already been on an inaugural voyage to the Boy's lacrosse game. The weather has been quite chilly so our new-to-us coffee pump also went along for the ride. And, of course, smack in the middle of the blanket is my knitting. I can't think of a better way to spend a May evening.

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Things I'm loving today:

• Bursts of sun during the lacrosse game
• Dinner out with my parents
• Vintage picnic items (baskets, pumps, blankets, etc)
• Chickens that are decidedly still alive after an early morning visit from a raccoon

Things I'm hoping for today:

• That last night's visitor will not return (he had to deal with sprinklers, dogs and dive bombing scrub jays)
• A good nights sleep with pleasant dreams (as opposed to dreams of being sued and forgetting to show up in court)
• To remember to refill my inhaler prescription
• The energy to exercise tomorrow

Happy Monday All!

A Handmade Toy for a Toddler Boy

A little something I was working on this week -- a stuffed rocket ship with matching tote bag. Rocket Man was destined for a little guy who just turned two. This is not a new project. I made similar rockets for my nephews this past Christmas. I like the face painting better here as I'm rather smitten with the soul patch. That's one hip astronaut!

If you want to make a Rocket Man of your own check out this tutorial over at The Long Thread.

I've got about a hundred billion (give or take) projects up my sleeve. Lately I've been a bit ADHD with my crafting/sewing/knitting. Hopefully I can settle down, clear my brain and focus.

And now I must go -- I've got movies to return before 9:00 pm.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

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Things I'm loving today:

• Remembering to return our movies
• A kitchen remarkably absent of dirty dishes
• A use for my "new" garage sale fabric
• Sleep

Things I'm hoping for today:

• Contentment
• Freedom from financial worry
• Warm weather (c'mon already!)
• Guilt-free time to work on my projects
• A cheerful husband