| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 6:43:47 PM
As we come to an end of 2010 my husband and I will sit and write in our couples journal. We will fill in what we each hope to accomplish this year individually and as a couple. The couple part has become easier as we have now been married for 5 years. We talk about where to Holiday and what projects big and small we will take on for our home and community. For me I find a bit of a struggle in my personal goals- I am winding down in the professional world. Oh, I do need to be more organized, and to loose the extra weight but my goal is to lead a simple life. Get rid of the clutter,that would include stuff, people, noise and just get as lean as I can. I feel like I spent the first part of my life obtaining things and now I need to spend some time getting rid of some stuff. I feel like if I share/speak it-it will happen. Whats your goal for 2011?
Passive people do not lead passionate lives. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 8:39:41 PM
All is good here. House is coming along as projected. (For today) Garden is growing requiring only feeding and mulching till the harvesting starts. We have an old dog too. My sweet Angus is 14 and started having seizures last thanksgiving. He has not been himself since. He has some Cushing's symptoms but negative labs. He was really pitiful, seemed to be withdrawing into himself till we started him on the same drug they give Alzheimer's patients. He is much more himself now. I dread losing him. He is that one special dog you get in a lifetime for me.
We are in that in between place as well. I am retired but my sweetie is still working for what it takes to get us where we want to be to have the farm be our lively hood in full retirement. We are mortgage free but starting at ground zero with income producing ventures. We want the farm to be of service to our community as well. One step at a time!
I hope you find what inspires you. You will know when you find it. : )
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 5:36:51 PM
Good I am not alone...there is sweet comfort in that!!!!! Gosh, things get so darn busy this time of year I kinda hate being away from the computer. I hope all is going well. Working long days and in the garden too. Dogs are holding thier own although my elderly one is fading as I was up all night again with him. Keeping on track with my goals although is seems so slow right now. I met with my fiancial guy and he had really good news but I haven't yet figured out what to do when I retire. Its been so long since Ive been able to have dreams that I am afraid Ive sort of lost my way. I have time but would like to find something that both fulfills and rewards...ok, and pays something. I have been saving all my life and I just don't know about this switch to spending and not working or working just part time. Well, its certainly not happening tomorrow so Ive got time to figure it out. Ive taken on two new clubs this year and one new charity to see what inspires me.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 06 2011 : 9:20:06 PM
Cheryle I have found that to be true on many cooking subjects but may not have thought to apply it to cheese making! We sound a lot alike. My family says I can research something to death. And I do. : )
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Jun 05 2011 : 08:32:54 AM
Connie heres the thing I am learning about cheese. You can read alot of books...and I have. But when you buy your products and I purchase mine from an online vendor who just specializes in this for two reason a)it would cost me a tanks worth of gas to run around and purchase the rennet, correct milk and proper salt and B) freshness of product. It is best to use the recipes where you get your products and once you become comfortable you can then experiment abit. I am wierd in that I hit the library and read whateve I can get my hands on! We did try the cheese yesterday and it was wonderful...just wonderful.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 2:03:43 PM
I thought it might be the fridge. I was glad to see mine go. It had a mind of it's own. I never knew what the temp in there would be. The folks that took it plan to use it in their basement to store drinks in so I suppose they will be OK with it. They were warned. : )
Can you recommend a good cheese making book for beginners? I'd love to make any of the cheeses you mentioned. Enjoy your farmhouse cheddar I'm sure it will be great! You are lucky to have a group of girls to play with!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 10:59:46 AM
the big white ghost is the old fridge. It has always stuck out into the kitchen,run loudly and had an aftermarket icemaker that shoots out ice with black speckles but when you are house poor you deal. The new floor machines are easy to use-now in saying that I could not lift the machine into my truck myself but I can use it easily and did. Cheese-one of the girls in my chapter and I got to make farmhouse cheddar and riccotta right before we took the kitchen down. We made our own presses as they are about 100 bucks and I won't pay that. Chas the hubs and I were letting it cure while the remodel took place and are about to open it up and taste it soon. It has aged for two months which should be good. Next I want to try some Itailian cheeses. I love the gals in my group they are enablers!!!!
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 08:29:45 AM
Big white ghost? Please explain! We donated old appliances to flood victims May 2010. We are using the old kitchen cabinets in the basement. I thought about doing the floors ourselves. Sweetie says no. He did the floors in this house (1870's Victorian) and said it would take us longer than waiting for the floor guy. He works 60 hours a week which would not leave time to do it and everything else we have to do when he is off. We are so ready to get in even the cost savings is not enough to make us put off the move another month. My decorating budget will be $0 but I see that as a blessing. I'll think long and hard on any decisions to purchase anything and won't end up with mistakes!
I so laughed about the hotdogs. If we weren't so far out in the country I'd order in a pizza! Boil water? I don't think so.
Tell me about the cheese please. I want to do that. My dream is to have goats. I plan to find a goat owner to work with to see if I really want to do this. If I'm still in love with the idea after that I want to work with a cheese maker and/or take some classes. I've made soft cheese but that is all. We love it but I want to learn more.
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Jun 01 2011 : 05:20:41 AM
Connie I think it is wonderful. We did pay as we went too! That is why the big white ghost is still in the kitchen. I want something that will last that we can work on and not something that is wasteful and cheap. We paid as we went and found folks to take away the old stuff and use it plus the old cabinets we are reusing. We had a couple of hiccups along the way but worked them out. I applaud your long term commitment and we did our own floors the new equipment isn t hard to use give it a whirl. Post pictures and keep entouch and let us know how things progress. So did you laugh at hogdogs...the girls at work did! Hey, its been a busy month and I am worn out. Cheese is next I want to get back to making cheese again with the girls. wow got to run late for work.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| CMac |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 6:45:00 PM
Love your range by the way! I am certain our first meal will be PB and J or cold cereal. We will be moving in after all. I think my sweetie has grander visions. I guess I will surprise him with a bottle of wine to go with that PB and J!
We are turning a less than a thousand square foot get away cabin into our dream house. We have been off the property for 18 mos while we pay as we build. I built the original cabin so been there done that. (With my own two hands and a builder friend and some subs) We are letting the contractor do this one. : )
One of the biggest problems was the vent for our 48 inch range. My cabinet maker and contractor were both flabbergasted that the range required such a big powerful exhaust. No one planned for the size or the double vent. ( Despite the fact I printed all the product info for the stove and vent and gave it to them.) The custom vent cover had to be rebuilt. Then I noticed that the drop downs on the ends of the vent cover seemed closer than what I had read in the specs for the stove. ( Which I had printed and given to the contractor and the cabinet maker.) They were and had to be rebuilt. I'm sure our codes person would never know it was wrong and it probably would have been alright but come on guys I gave you the specs!
The other big problem has been taking so long to get it done. But we were determined not to have a mortgage on the property. We were supposed to be moved in mid June but the floor finisher is taking a vacation so it looks like the first part of July. I'm so anxious to get in I won't believe it till I sleep there the first night.
So it looks like we will be moving in just as the green beans get ready to harvest. Our first meal may be green beans! I need to find the box I put my pressure canner in so I can pull it out first thing and can as I unpack!
It really has been pretty trouble free and our contractor has saved our bacon on so many things. He is a great guy and will be our friend when the house is long finished. He is at heart a wood worker and made all my trim, the shelf unit in my pantry, the fire place mantel and a built in bed in an alcove off the loft. He was so much fun to work with. He told me to stop looking at magazines or the house would never be finished. : )
Thanks for letting me talk about the house. I am sooo ready to get in.
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| shabbyms |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 6:06:16 PM
Well, its kind of funny because the weather has been so bad here and it was the Holiday weekend we were having the final push to get everything back in the cabinets and it was raining badly outside-so we had hotdogs-now in all fairness there is a infared grill in the middle of the stove(its covered)but not very swanky for a first meal! I did complete some baking in the new oven which is convection or normal and huge. I feel really good but very proud of my husband he did the work and I kept us in budget-we do make a good team. Thank you for the completment. What are you building and when do you plan to be done? What difficulties have you come up against and how have you resolved them? Share please.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| CMac |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 5:23:48 PM
How lovely Cheryle! All the more so because you did it with your own two hands. What satisfaction you must feel. We are building right now and have a running joke about what the first meal from our new kitchen will be. So... What was yours?
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| shabbyms |
Posted - May 31 2011 : 5:16:42 PM
.JPG) old kitchen
.JPG) new kitchen
.JPG) It took us two month of working our fulltime jobs and comming home to work in the evening and on the weekends but look how lovely. We recycled, repurposed whatever we could nothing went to waste. We shopped a a demolition store for many items and I got to know the owners son well. We still have to save about half for the fridge but it is a built in and a large expense and we wanted to enjoy the summer and not use credit so we still have the white ghost but look how lovely and boy did we save money! Do not be afraid to take on projects just ask alot of questions and take the workshops they offer if you are unclear. We still managed to save along the way and not hit our stash. I still can't believe that we actually came in well under budget (even if we went out tomorrow and purchased the less expensive fridge)we would be well under budget...but I kept careful track of all receipts and tickle me happy we did it! Please share how you are doing on your goals. I actually reached another small one...I was blessed to get to meet MaryJane and Meg who visited here last week. Please drop me a line and let me know how you are. Blessings.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| shabbyms |
Posted - May 03 2011 : 6:54:11 PM
.JPG)
Ok, I am ready to get my life before the remodel back now! I am sorry I haven't posted for a while but we have been really busy. It may not seem like we have gotten alot completed as the only thing in our kitchen currently is my shiney new oven. But actually we have done alot and kept on and slightly below budget so far! My home was built in the 50's so it was old style, we are keeping the same foot print but took out the sofits and completed some rewiring, plumbing and major drywalling all while working our full time jobs. Both sets of cabinets are due for delivery on the 17th and they will come to measure for the counters on the 19th -to date we have managed to pay for everything except the fridge. I found a salvage shop not far from where I work and an now on a first name basis with the owners son Jon. What a blessing this place has been for us for both big and small. If you are on a budget please don't be afraid of hard work and testing your skills and seeking alternatives.Folks will help you and bless you along the way if you tell them what you are trying to do. I am still saving for the fridge but I am on track and the deal was if I come in on budget I get the bathroom done next...now you know I am going to make it don't you! I still save for my 401K and pack my lunch and drive the 20 year old car but look at my new oven.Life is good.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| CMac |
Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 10:06:56 PM
I admire your commitment and your beautiful floor! Keep posting pics as you go please! I love a good kitchen remodel.
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 9:42:54 PM
Cheryl, that is a lot of work! It looks so beautiful though! I have not bought any books, and I continue to write. I also have a new savings goal to split my money between as well: next spring break I will be going to London with my school's drama club. So most of my money will be going towards that, but I will still be putting some money into a savings account.
God's and Farmgirl's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal.
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Apr 13 2011 : 4:57:38 PM
Well ladies I hope everyone is doing well. Spring is in the air and I know I certainly feel a sense of renewal or reawakening. I hope everyone is sticking to thier goals. My groom and I are currently completing a kitchen remodel. In order to save money we are completing this project ourselves. So after working 8 hours at the tractor factory (John Deere/West Side)I come home and work my second job...the remodel. Now you would think this would be difficult but actually it has gone quite well. The hubs and I as it turns out are a well oiled machine, we have had little waste and kept to our budget so far. It has been a month of only two hot plates and a microwave but I needed to loose some weight and its helped with the budget. When we took out the cabinets it forced me to clean them out, sort thru and give, gift and recycle. I was amazed at what I had collected in the dark corners of those cabinets. Currently the only item in the kitchen is the sink which by Friday will be gone too. Its funny the items you collect with time, the items you think you need to have, have to have, are surprised you still have. Spring cleaning took on a whole new meaning this year and one I won't forget very soon. How about you? How are you comming along with your goals? Please drop me a line and let me know.
.JPG)
We put in our own new wood floors...little did we know that under the tile there were two (2) other floorings! Yes, there were 3 floors we had to take up before we could put this one down.
 I just going to call this photo lovely sweet sweat equity
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Mar 07 2011 : 4:03:17 PM
I like to choose names that I like, and sometimes I think of famous people. It all depends on the type of person!
God's and Farmgirl's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal.
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Mar 06 2011 : 7:01:10 PM
Sounds like a great story! I think this is a storyline that many could relate too. Good job. I am so glad to hear that you are writing again. What is your main charaters name and how do you go about choosing the names?
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Mar 06 2011 : 2:36:27 PM
Cheryle, everything you're doing sounds great! Being green is a great goal!
I'm writing a story about a girl who feels out of place at a school she starts at, and then eventually falls into a niche. Kind of based off of my experience at my school, only a little overexaggerated.
God's and Farmgirl's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal.
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Mar 06 2011 : 09:37:08 AM
My groom and I have been working on our kitchen remodel plans for a while now. There have been many twists and turns to this remodel already. Just as we were about to begin we got some life changing news...it was the type of news that makes you rethink a project like this one and that was at Chrismas/New Years. We have been saving for this project for 5 years. We NEED to remodel this kitchen and the bathrooms. When we purchased our home 10 years ago it was the worst house is a good neighborhood. The kitchen/dinette had 7 different wallpapers over painted peach paneling...oh, it was bad. My groom is a scenic designer and works for a company who also builds custom homes I know I am in good design hands. When the time has come to spend the money I think we are both inclined to go a bit more green...keeping the same footprint and reuse what we can. We are looking for recycled wood floors for the kitchen and instead of all the bells and whistles I think we are into saving the money...fact is with what we are saving in the kitchen I hope I am able to update the two baths to more efficant toilets. I also plan on recycling a dresser as a vanity...I am just hoping the contractor whom are used to working on high end custom homes can work with a small town suburban farmgirl who uses ruse, recycle & repurpose as her motto this year. Wish me luck if I play this all right and I saved and recycled well I get the two bathrooms done within this budget(even if I complete the tiling myself)...after all I am due to retire one of these years and I don't want to do so in debit. I want to invest in Mother earth and Cheryle's bank account and that is a completely different way to go into this remodel than where we began even just a few years ago.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Mar 06 2011 : 08:59:26 AM
Megan that is fantastic! What a great idea. I do not have children and had never heard of this account...so I googled. Wow, what a great tool to save for school. Also I am so glad you are writing again. What is your story about? Keep us updated when you feel you have the time. Congrats!
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 8:26:22 PM
I'm excited because now I have rekindled my writing! I'm writing when I can and I'm working on a story! Yay yay yay! And my college savings just keep on growing! My Mom started a uPromise account for me a long time ago. It was really slow going for a while, but lately we've registered all our credit cards and even my uncle and grandma registered their's! Every time they shop at a certain store, a certain percent of their purchase goes into my account. Then, my Mom bought a laptop, and we got $40! I have almost $250 in that account, and then in the bank I'll have $240. But I definitely have to keep saving!
God's and Farmgirl's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal.
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. |
| shabbyms |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 07:16:17 AM
Annie that is just great! Was it hard to give up Soda? I am down to just one cup of coffee myself. I just can't seem to give it up. Hang in there and great job personally I think you tackled the hardest one first!
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
| njaw09 |
Posted - Mar 02 2011 : 12:34:25 PM
So far I didn't drink any soda for awhile. Even though I still drink coffee.
The house is coming along but have a long way to go. |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Feb 28 2011 : 7:26:14 PM
Amy Grace, I'm only a freshmen in high school, but I want to even just a little bit of money saved up so it's not all bundled into a nice big student loan!
God's and Farmgirl's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal.
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. |
