Happy Homebody Monday # 7 Mist of Time

                                                         Hello all you Happy Beautiful Homebodies!

A few hot days in the high 80-degree mark, hot for this time of year, I've watered what seed I did plant so far. The water from the rain barrel is good for the plants, and the bird bath, deer like it to. It was a good investment, something I'm glad we took the time to do, harvesting rain from the heavens. 

 

 What the squirrel don't dig up and the deer don't eat, we'll see what is left. 

Scaling back this year. A couple of tomatoe plants (purchased), basil, and some squashes. I've already watered this morning, while it is comfortable, did a wee amount of weeding.

It is Monday, bread should be made today, we'll see. 

Yesterday I went through the yarn I had in my tinker box, bagged it up. What my son doesn't take to the senior home will go to thrift shop. 

This is a very pretty basket; we purchased from an Amish Stand many Years ago. It has held yarn of all this time. It is now 1/3 full with just cotton yarn, I'm not ready to part with yet. It was full to the top with yarn stash, which somebody else with love now, and work with, making beautiful things with.

Pulling from the Myst of Time today, a previous posting, with a relevant topic.

LaTeDa!

. 

Have an amazing Monday!

Be of good cheer!

Happy Homebody Monday #7 I am a Happy Homebody, How do I know?

Happy Homebuddy Monday!

It's been a minute or two since I've posted on a Monday, so I'm happy to post today. It means I'm doing homemaking things and I'm back on track, doing what I love and what I am meant to do.  

I am a Happy Homebody; here is how I know.

* I would rather be home than anywhere else.

* I keep my home respectably presentable.

* I simplify my craft by keeping things organized.

* I don't like time wasted, and appreciate value added ways of completing tasks.

* I take great joy in making fresh bread for my family. 

*  I keep my hands busy creating & crafting, not hoarding & hauling.

* I serve my family, it brings me joy, sustains them and shows love.

* Living with peace, simplicity, and guidance from the Lord who is not the author of confusion.

The list could go on and on. 

What makes you a Happy Homebody?

I rather enjoyed this, and I think we'll do it again. It is good to be reminded why we do things, what brings us joy, and how we serve those we love. 

    A brief takeaway...

If you are old enough remember Donna Reed the tv show? She vacuumed with high heels on and wore pearls. I remember asking my mom why she didn't wear pearls when she vacuumed, she just laughed, I was a wee girl. So, somewhere between Donna Reed, and doing absolutely nothing at all is where we should be landing. The Hustle culture was alive in 50's, promoting false expectations, just as it does today in a Kardashian world, neither of these are centered although I would hazard to say one is more centered than the other, you decide which one. 

Does this mean then? 

I never have dirty dishes...no

the laundry doesn't pile up...no

that it is picture perfect...no

that I don't get tired...no

that I don't want to cook today...no

that I must do all and be all...no

that I prioritize...yes I try

that I plan ...yes, I try

do I see the added value in what I do...yes

is perfect in every way good or even healthy...no

do I keep up with the Jones's, No.

  I am a plan in motion; there is room for improvement, there is peace & freedom to be found in being uniquely me. There is a way out.  

Choose this day whom you shall serve. 

I do hope you enjoyed this Happy Homebody Monday.

I'd love to hear what makes you happy about your homebody days.

be of Good Cheer!

Faith

 

  

   

Happy Homebody Monday #5

 

Happy Homebody Monday!

What have I got in my Apron pocket to talk about today?

Nothing which I have not mentioned many times before, I have an update, something new I tried to learn, and an old favorite I just like to go on about, because they are so lovely.

First on the agenda-Update the sourdough starter! 

If you've been around for the last month or so you know that I started a new one. It failed, I tried a 2nd one, didn't do well. And now I'm on #3.

Here is what I think about that? The first one I used freshly ground wheat berries; I'll say that I don't think they were the problem. I used buttermilk, and I think that was the problem because the 2nd batch I used regular King Arthur Flour/Organic/Unbleached with buttermilk. I don't think it was the flour. The third batch I used flour and distilled water, it reacted the 1st day. I think it was the buttermilk, which by all means should have enhanced the starter action. #3 is still in process. 

Something new I am learning

Previous Post The butter churn

We made our own butter today, I enjoyed the process and marveled at how wonderful the beautiful milk cow is and how they provide so much of what we use everyday. If I could have one I would definately have a beautiful dairy cow. Property and city limits are not condusive for this. So here is what we made. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will make more. 

For our Easter Dinner

Previous Post Sourdough/Candle Molds

And an old favorite

Beeswax & taper candles

We picked up 1lb of beeswax in Amish, that is what I am melting today, it smells really nice, almost reminds me of a light baby powder, what flowers smell similar?

 Let me know if you have an idea in the comments please

. Something else I would like to do, have a beehive. I've got Lavender growing and the bees love it. Living next door to Mrs. No Weeds anywhere, who puts chemicals on everything...probably not a good idea near a food source. Again Property & City issues. Something I would like to change. Anyway....

 I melt the wax down into these bite size beautiful rosettes, all uniform and make tapers from these. When I have enough, I make taper candles. Today I'm going to melt down and form these rosettes, and after they have cooled I'll make another batch until all that beautiful wax is in rosettes.

Then I'll make the tapers. I need to replace because I light one in the early morning before the sun rises and it is just a beautiful way to start a day. 

That is my story, I'm stickin to it.

Be of Good Cheer!

  

 

       

Happy Homebody #3 Sauerkraut Reveal

Hello Happy Homebodies!

It's been 2 weeks since I put up the Sauerkraut in the crock.

Let's look in the crock & see what's happened.

I would say this batch turned out! I did have a sample & it was good, & so good for me. The cabbage leaves on the topped, along with the weights, kept the cabbage under the brine just fine.

Now that the Sauerkraut fermentation is completed, I'm going to put up some new Sourdough Starter from the book I posted about.   

Here

Be of good cheer!

Happy Homebody Monday 1st of 2026

Hello Happy Homebodies!

It's Monday, I have not done a Happy Homebody posting in a while. I've been a happy homebody, but nothing to write home about. You understand, don't you?

  Yesterday I put up saurkraut in the crock we got at Ohio Stoneware. I used two cabbages we picked up in Amish. No pictures, I didn't even think about it, but I do have some from the 1st time, I will link to the original posts if you are interested.  

One time I made in a jar, and once in the crock. In 2 weeks we will see what we have. Fingers Crossed. 

I posted about making curtido the other day, it came out very good.

Want to learn more, or just curious...I've posted about these.   

Curtido

Making Sourkraut 

Ohio Stoneware for supplies

Be of Good Cheer!

Happy Homebody Monday #10 Baking a pie & Simple Joy

Happy Homebody Monday!

As I am writing this, it's raining which is fine because my rain barrel is out of water, we've been watering every day as the potted plants dry out so fast, I've planted seeds in there and it is a slow go.

But it feels like fall, which isn't necessarily a bad thing since it is my favorite time time of year.

I made a homemade chocolate meringue pie for my husband, he has been out of town this weekend and it will be a nice surprise. 

I found a recipe where you use a cast iron skillet to make the pudding, you could of course and I have just used a pot, but thought how wonderfully fun it would be to make it my cast iron skillet, it came out fine, and tastes good too. The recipe called to bake the meringue for 8 min at 350, which works out better for me as under the broiler it tends to burn.

Find out more about making this pudding filling in cast iron

Here

I went out to water last night, and met up with

Rosebud as she is affectionately known, they are all Rosebuds. Laying there near the Honeysuckle.

What I didn't know is that she ate all the flower buds off the beautiful scarlet geranium....she got me twice on this. I've moved the plant. But help yourself to some Honeysuckle Rosie there is plenty.

My soul enjoys simple joys

Happy Homebody Monday #9 Crafting

 Howdee Happy Homebody!

I'm not sure if I live north or south of the Equator these days. It is more fall like where I live, but today is June 1st. The rainfall has filled up the rain barrel and will provide many waterings of healthy rainwater to the garden plants when/if it heats up a bit. 

Yesterday we wanted to work in the yard, it was only in the 40's and windy, but dry. We opted for a ride to Amish country. With the weather and it being Saturday we figured there may be less crowds & traffic. It wasn't to bad at all. We didn't do our usual routine of getting bulk goods and the antique store, but rather went a little shop which carries fabric, felt and stitching kits. We went to lunch and enjoyed watching all the farm critters along the way. 

I've mentioned a few times here that I'm enamored with the penny rugs, and it might be something I would like to do more of, so I picked up a small kit to work on. I'm in between projects at the moment, as I did finish the filet crochet wall hanging. I've got some yarn ordered for a project which is going to challenge me a bit.

Here is the kit I purchased

I also brought this home with me. I do love me some Crinoline Ladies. 

                             Sheep Company - Fabrics, Wools, Homespun, Patterns, and Supplies

I'm not sure how this will be displayed, I'm considering a hoop. She is a lovely crinoline lady appliqued on to fabric, and hand stitched. 

Sun is out today so far, less windy and will be about 65 degrees, so the project in the yard will get done. It won't take long. I've pulled out my long ago made "flower bed"

 I made this many years ago out of a small pallet, somebody was tossing it out, I was taking my son to school (elementary), he is now 29 so we've had this little bed for a while. 

We added the fence post at the ends & sides. 

The project for today outside in the sunshine 

Because the flower bed is on the grass and I'm keeping potted plants (flowers) in there, ( well they will be flowers if the seeds germinate, have sunshine and warmth), my husband is going to put a ground cover and some rocks to keep the grass from growing in so we don't have to move it mow the grass. 

Thank you for stopping in!

The Bread tray finale

Hello Happy Homebuddies!

A brief posting about the Filet Crochet Bread Project.

I'm calling if finished from beginning to end! Very happy with the results, but what I wanted to show is how I decided to display it. 

This is the tray which I ordered from Ebay, I took a picture of it, but it kept coming out blurry?

It is made of wood and rattan. A very nice vintage piece.

Filet Crochet Bread Tray Post

I did re do the scallop edge to make it less ruffly an bulky. It is a little less so, it needs a pressing not to stretch the fabric, but to tamp it down some.

This will be for display and not functional. 

~ The joy is in the making~ 

 

Happy Homebody Monday #8 Save your Scraps

Happy Homebody Monday!

Darling little sheep in the pasture/Amish 
Look at that sky, fresh air and wide open space.

Our weather feels more like fall then spring, some serious rain and cloud cover for several days. I've got a nice full rain barrel for those days when no rain is in sight. 

On Saturday we had a short excursion out of the cement city, and out to where my soul is the happiest the country.  Our destination was to visit a nursery. This one in particular is 100 years old, there are only plants and greenhouses, no gift shop. Just greenhouses 10 of them to meander through. 

Since it was raining all day, I put up some bean soup. I soaked some beans, and used the ham broth I made from the Easter ham, took some scrap vegatables out of the freezer to add flavor and nutrition to the broth. 

Do you keep your vegatable scraps/ends to make broth?  

When I cut fresh vegatables, I keep the ends and scraps pop them in a freezer bag. This makes a fine vegatable broth filled with nutrition, takes very little time and worth it every time.

I decided to make overnight sourdough bread. 

I have 2 receipes, one works every time and has no sourdough in it to begin with. The other is more labor intensive and doesn't always come out well. I opted for the one which works every time, with a moderation, instead of using yeast, I used sourdough starter. 

It's been in a cold oven with the light on for about 12 hours, it has risen but as the nature of the sourdough not alot. 

I'll be baking it up a little later, closer to suppertime. A nice pot of bean and ham soup with some "hopefully" crusty bread.  

~ The joy is in the making ~ 

Happy Homebody Monday #6 Fermentation

Howdee!

I've got something new on the go in the fermentation journey. My intention was to make sauerkraut, which I already did in the crock. But in my perusing around I found a recipe for a different type of sauerkraut which comes in a variety of names.

The "official" name is called  Curtido

The word curtido is short for the Spanish word “encurtido” which means pickled, and that is exactly how it is prepared. It is a typical Salvadoran slaw made from cabbage and other vegetables that are pickled in fruity vinegar.

I found this intriguing and have a batch going now on the countertop

Cabbage,Carrots,Onions,Jalepeno

The one recipe I found had something called Mexican Oregano. I have never heard of it.  I was able to purchase a plant that I found online from a nursery. I figure I could at least harvest from the plant and dehydrate the leaves for the spice cupboard.

 Mexican oregano has a recognizable citrus profile with hints of licorice, while regular oregano is an herb associated with Italian and Mediterranean ( Internet Source)

Is this a new herb to you? 

Day 1 of the ferment

A side note...the Lamb cake was actually very good in spite of the way it appeared. Next time I make it, there will be frosting. The glaze thing did not work, I must have done something wrong. Live & Learn.

 ~ The joy is in the making~

Happy Homebody Monday #6

I'm up at 5:00 am, emptied the dishwasher, and am watching the eastern sky for sunrise, having a cuppa.

Lavender, Lilac color today so far, changing. 

Nothing is happening of any interest I'm afraid, winter is on the way out at least for this week, and we'll be topping out at a balmy 40 & maybe 50...goodbye snow.

I'm going to make stuff cabbage for supper we haven't had that for a while, and then there will be leftovers for another time, which is very frugal on the grocery bill as well as meal preparation. 

I may use the sauerkraut which I made to finish it off, I seem to be the only one eating it. 

No projects in the works, I used up a skein (ball) of cotton thread making Christmas tree ornaments. 

I had a wild idea that I would stock up some inventory and get a booth in Amish at the consignment store. Not so much.  I got 17 trees out of the skein, I'll donate them come the holidays to the retirement home my son works at, they could always use fun little things to pass out at bingo. 

I like to crochet, making money pumping out product not so much. I crochet anyway, and so donating seems to be a better mode for me. 

I've put out the St. Patricks' Day decorations, for a wee bit of cheer & green the colorscape here has been brown, gray & white, so a little color is in order.

A posting from the time machine

Concord Grape Pie

I hope you are all well, what are you up to?

The skyline ever changing, is  pale pink, deep peach & lavender, it is now 7:00 am.

GOD's Crayola box has beautiful colors...

~The joy is in the making~

Happy Homebody Monday #4 Bread Sponge Research

Hello Happy Homemaker Buddies!

 

Welcome!

A little follow up on a previous posting where I mentioned bread sponge, asked if any of you have used this method, or have even heard of it. I had not. So I did a little research, I'm sure there will be more as I look into this because it peaks my interest.

It is not sourdough....

what I've read so far is that this is called a Preferment. Some of the key elements are mixed up together and allowed to get active & bubbly before the remaining amount of flour & salt are added. 

It is supposed to improve the flavors so they are more complex

and produces a lighter flufflier loaf. hmmm?

I do not know, or at least I suspect that this version of the sponge is different than the one in which  you prepare and use from when you want to make bread, it is kept in the fridge, not sourdough. The sponge is used to begin the ferment before you add the rest. 

 Although it intrigues me because they used this recipe in the 1940's and I love vintage recipes. Those are the one most traditional, which I prefer.   

I have seen some improvement in the last 2 loaves I did make. Freshly milled flour is slightly different than APF. Whole wheat tends to be more dense, and the rise not as high compared to white bread made with APF. I believe the mixing and kneading requirements are different also, because the bread being made is more dense because freshly milled wheat berries contain both the wheat & germ intact, while with APF it is removed during processing.

I combine most of the ingredients, not all of the flour, no salt on the preferment. It is mixed gently, and I let it sit about 1/2 hour until bubbly, then the remainder of the flour & salt are added, and I knead for 10 min or so.   

If you are interested in trying this method, the links below may be helpful. They very slightly one from the other, while the first one is more of a vintage style.

Chocoloate Box Cottage

Grits and Grains 

~ The joy is in the making~

 

You can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man! Happy Homebody Monday #13

Howdy Happy Homebodies!

What is doin in your neck of the woods?

I'm hoping & anticipating receiving the mini cookie cutters I ordered, today. 

We'll see...post office willing.

Here comes the mailman.....we'll see. 

No delivery...maybe tomorrow.
 

I have a gingersnap cookie I make for eating, my youngest son really likes these,  but I wanted one for  just rolling & cutting.

I am not a fan of cutting out cookies with cookie cutters, find it rather tedious, but I want to make some ornaments, one and done kind of thing. I hope to be dipping them in some gulf fax to preserve them so they don't break. 

I found a recipe....

Colonial Gingerbread Cookies

so I decided to try this for those types of cookies. 

 

 

They taste good, and have held up to a large gingerbread lady cookie cutter I have.

Show & tell when I get the cookie cutters...

I fashioned up this pattern a few years ago, it makes a cute ornament for the tree.

~The joy is in the making~

Faith

 

Granny Marigold 

Pioneer Woman at Heart

In the land of the Living Skies 

SlammintheScreenDoor

 

The link for cheesecake 1940 recipe doesn't work, here is a new link, I cannot test this until the posting posts, so I'm hoping it shows the previous post. If not let me know.

1940 Cheesecake Freezecake 

I got the cookies cutters on Saturday, so I'll be showing those soon.

 

Happy Homebody Monday #12 Beeswax Candles

Happy Homebody Monday beautiful Homebodies!

A very Farmhouse Worthy topic today~ Candles~

in particular Beeswax Candles.

I was able to set aside some time this weekend, as I always do when my DH goes camping with the Scouts. It has become a tradition of sorts that I will make candles as my schedule is more open as I am not preparing meals and have to work around that, clean up etc. I can take my time. 

We still have candles left from the last time, I've stocked up some wax, and don't want to waste it. It is not doing me any good in its present form. It is okay if we have a few extra candles, the holidays are coming.

I will first melt the block of beeswax down into these lovely rosettes, don't they look lovely in this vintage cut glass pitcher? I make the candles from these as I have written down how many make what type of candles. ( somewhere, I need to find that notebook)

 

Beeswax, perfect from nature right out of the hive. No toxins, it burns clean, & purifies the air.

In contrast

Parafin candles come from the bottom of the vat of petroleum. Is not pure, has toxins and doesn't burn clean, it is not of nature but a derivative or by product of making something else.   

 

 

  I like to tie up the candles in bunches of 6 with Jute. I have a pretty vintage basket which I keep them in.

 I just made 6 taper candles, as they take time to cool.  I have a few rosettes left, and an entire pound of beeswax in block form, so there will be many more candles.  

I have 1 bag of soy wax left which I will use up. I like to make holiday scented candles. I don't like to add scents to the beeswax, they are pure & natural. So I add some scents to the soy wax.

I got interested in 4 Thieves, and was happy to find an essential oil which had all the necessary components, I may add this to the soy candles. Not necessarily for the holidays, but the time prior and after when colds & flu find their way into our home. 

Bulk Apothecary

a brief description from the Bulk Apothecary store of this product. I am not an affiliate or compensated for this, I buy from here because they are local to me, and when I can I support small business local to my area.

Our four thieves oil comparison is by far our top selling essential oil blend.  We are one of the nation's largest suppliers of essentials oils and that includes our popular "compare to version" of thieves oil.  The story of how this blend was created comes from the legend of four thieves which was cited in a number of aromatherapy books.  The basic premise of the story is that for centuries, the bubonic plague outbreaks decimated Asian and European cultures. From this period came popular legends of thieves who were captured and charged with stealing from the dead. When the thieves were finally tried, they were offered leniency if they would reveal how they avoided contracting the infection as they performed these horrible acts. They revealed a concoction of herbs and vinegar known as thieves oil that they rubbed on themselves before committing their crimes. As time went on, researchers have taken the essential oils from some of these herbs sited in the legend and applied them to popular essential oil blends.  It is important to note this is a legend and should not be used to support theories that thieves oil can prevent the bubonic plague or any other disease or infection.  

Contains:

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Oil
Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Leaf Oil
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
Eucalyptus Radiata Leaf Oil

So now you know about Thieves oil. I have never made any Thieves oil, and at this time don't intend to. I ordered a small bottle, and from the list of herbs this contain, must smell very nice and may have some properties which will help ease cold symptoms. We'll see.

 

Kindred Souls who follow along & leave comments. Be sure please to visit with these folks at their blogs, follow along, and leave nice comments.    

Slamminthescreendoor

Granny Marigold 

In the Land of the Living Skies 

 ~ The joy is in the making~

Faith

 

 

Happy Homebody Monday #10 Busy Hands, Calm Spirit

 

Embrace your inner Homebody, it's cozy & it's home that is where your heart is.

Hello you Happy Homebody!

Welcome in!

 Starting a new week, and rounding the corner into Thanksgiving preparations. I have what I need, so I can sit & relax a bit, and move hooks. This time of year has me thinking about seasonal makes, for the holidays, and upcoming holidays which I can make a few lovelies. Sometimes they get started, other times they may even get done. It is all good for in the doing it brings me joy.

rapping up summer gardens and preparing for the winter months, this time always goes by so quickly. We've got some fall color left, mother natures vaccum was in full swing last week for 2 days, the leaves were swirling about making it all without a doubt look like fall.

I've not yet made those candles, it will be coming up this month. I don't usually "flavor" the beeswax candles for their scent is lovely all on it's own. I think I have some soy wax which I can use the bayberry for the holiday.

I've got a few projects on the hook, keeping my hands busy, and my mind more focused on something which I can control & at the same time be productive.

On the hook:

Granny Square Crochet Christmas Tree.  am using the RubyRed colorway. I ma

Internet Photo

 

 

 

I am using the colorway Ruby Red. I make one square a night, & the skein makes 14 squares. These will be donated to a retirement home where my son works. 

I am trying the Red Heart all in one granny square yarn. The yarn is colored so that there is enough to do each round of the square, it is finicky as gauge, hook size & tension will alter the outcome of the yarn, so I make only 1 per day. I have 3 completed.

Has anyone else used this particular yarn?

What is on the other hook?

 

BellaCrochet 

I've got this beauty started. I finished the bottom wall & the roof. If you crochet with thread, you need to visit this website, Ann makes beautiful thread crochet patterns, and has some very nice ones for free. I have made several of her designs over the years, including the header here currently for the fall season, the Thanksgiving Angel. 

And....one more on the small hook...A crinoline lady. I've made several of these before. I have ordered a couple of grapevine wreaths from "A" because I could not find any at local craft stores.  

Here again is another designer who makes along the same line of beauties with thread.

Cylinda Mathews Ravelry   

 

 Well, that is it for today. If I finish any of these I'll share. The purpose of the crochet is to slow my roll and  make something lovely, which will charm my life and beautify my home. 

Have a beautiful week!

~Faith~

Happy Homebody Monday #9 Sharing Fall Crochet

    Hello Happy Homebody!

It's Monday, are you ready for  your week?

 A new week, a new start!

It is all about fall where I live, it is raining, chilling a crisp to the air. Love it!

I'm moving about smartly, with just a few things on the old to do list, we'll see what I get into. The important thing is that I did get somethings done. All about moderation, in all things.

I finished up a petal doily, it's done and it is ok, I would have liked it to be slightly larger.

I've always used Hobby Lobby I love this  yarn, as I did for these two 

 I've made one in Spruce Green, and a shimmery sparkly cranberry red for Christmas.

this is the one I just finished

It came out pretty nice, although it could have been a wee bit larger, I was playing yarn chicken, and still had 3 or 4 rows left, not enough yarn.

Which is strange, because I always use Hobby Lobby Yarn, the others I have made all made nice large doilies, and I did not run low on the yarn. Maybe because this was varigated yarn, it seems a little on the thick side of 4 weight, and it seemed a bit stiff. 

 

 This colorway is Autumn Stripe I Love this yarn/Hobby Lobby.

Have a wonderful, productive Happy Homebody Week!

Faith :)