Kitchen Rug...

I have been gone from my blog for a very long time. Life has been busy from mid July until now. I haven't stopped crafting, but I have been a lot busier with other things. I have missed my blog and I'm very glad to be back.

One of the things I did while I was away was create a kitchen rug.

I was in need of a new kitchen rug and couldn't find anything in stores that I loved. For a long time I did without one and just threw a towel on the floor when necessary. I stumbled across a picture on Pinterest that showed a rug made from homemade t-shirt yarn and cotton yarn and really liked it. I purchased cotton t-shirts from my local thrift store and followed a tutorial I found online for cutting them into yarn. Then, I went for it! With no instructions, and a lot of trial and error, I crocheted cotton yarn, in single crochet, around the t-shirt yarn in a large oval. To finish it off, I crocheted two rows with just the cotton yarn (no t-shirt yarn). I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I do wish I could have gotten it to lay a little flatter.

{hugs}
Laura

Birds...

I have a new bird feeder in my backyard.

I am so happy about it too. In the past we have had bird feeders but the seed that falls always sprouts and it's so hard to get rid of what grows. We recently found a little store not far from our home that sells "clean seed" that doesn't do that. I bought a finch feeder and within 30 minutes of putting it up, we had our first visitor.

One week later, there are a lot of little goldfinches hanging around. We also got a few samples of a different type of clean bird feed for the sparrows and doves to eat. Now, all the little birds drink and bath in our pond's waterfall and eat their fill at the feeders.

I love birds and I'm so happy to see them in the backyard.

{hugs}
Laura

Still Here...

New flowers...

New growth...

New embroidery project...

{hugs}

Laura

Orange Enzyme, Part 2...

On March 4th, I started an orange enzyme cleaner. It needed to sit until June 4th, three whole months.

I thought, "There's no way I'm gonna be able to wait three months for this to be done. That's way too long..."

Well, June 4th came and went and I am just now getting around to doing something with it.

Oh well. The waiting isn't hard when you are kept busy.

Here's what it looked like when I started...

And here's what it looks like now, just over three months later...

Time to get a bottle and see how it works. I'll let you know...

{hugs}

Laura

Little Things...

Lemon, rosemary and vanilla simmering on the stovetop... 

Pansy's are blooming beautifully...

Hydrangea's are starting to bloom as well...

Mother's Day gift from my son's girlfriend...

Isn't he cute? Please meet Forrest. He loves to eat...

Baby birds nesting in the tree in our front yard. I think there are three of them and they love to "talk". It's wonderful to listen too...

I hope you enjoyed your weekend...
{hugs}
Laura

Orange Enzyme...

I'm trying something new. I saw this post from homemade mamas many months ago and thought it would be great to make a all purpose cleaner but, I didn't want to wait three months for it do be done. Well, I came across it again the other day while looking for a window cleaner and decided to give it a try. We have been eating oranges and cuties like crazy lately and it only took a couple of days to get enough peels to start.

Here is my bottle...

Results in three months. 

{hugs}

Laura

Birds...

I love birds. These little guys have been hanging around my computer desk for a while now. Both of them came from very special people.

Is there really only 3 more days until Christmas?

{hugs}
Laura

Saturday Baking...

I know, it's Wednesday. But Saturday I baked up some very delicious cookies and wanted to share them with you. Chocolate chocolate chip from the easiest recipe and oatmeal cookies from a cookbook that I have had for 15 years. The house smelled so good that day. And, the cookies have been thoroughly enjoyed.

{hugs}
Laura

Starting off with a cup of vanilla coffee...

The wonderful book I am currently reading...

Chocolate chocolate chip cookies - 1 box cake mix, 1/2 cup oil, 2 eggs, 1 cup (or more) of chocolate chips. Mix, form balls and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes...

My oatmeal cookies...

My favorites...

My Pumpkins and A Special Treat...

I can't tell you how happy I am that's it's November.

Sharing with you my pumpkins...

My special treat from yesterday...

Yum-yum...

{hugs}

Laura

Kitchen Sink Faucet...

I saw this post about cleaning hard water build up today on The Thrifty Home blog. Our kitchen faucet has always had this problem and no matter how hard you scrub, it doesn't come off. So I tore a few paper towels off the role, soaked them in vinegar and placed them on the areas needed. 30 minutes later the hard water scum came off really easy. I also put vinegar in the tray under the water dispenser in the fridge door and it's nice and clean too. I am very happy to have found this blog post.

{hugs}
Laura

Before...

After... 

Before...

After...

I was shocked to see how built up the hard water scum was on the faucet/sprayer...

And happy to see it gone. After soaking it in a cup of vinegar, I used an old tooth brush to clean it off.

 

My Backyard Garden...

Well, it was a wonderful sunday, and first day of July, for me. I hope it was for you as well. I am happy to say that my zucchini plant has been doing much better with a little fertilizer/food, more sun in the afternoon and better watering on my part. (Funny, the things that make you happy, huh?) It's leaves are growing big and are getting much darker green. And, I have two little zucchini's growing. Yeah!

We also got a little birdbath and two hummingbird feeders this past week.

Tomorrow, I go back to work and I know it's going to be hard to wake up early. It's been so wonderful to sleep in this past week. But, I miss my friends, so with a lot of coffee I'm sure I'll be okay. Wish me luck (lol).

{hugs}
Laura  

 Zucchini. I cut off most of the older yellowing leaves...

Anaheim chili's...

Coffee...

I drink coffee (really, I should say "candy coffee") every morning and I love french vanilla creamer. My husband does most of the grocery shopping and he found this for me.

It should last me a while... maybe.

{hugs}
Laura