tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69015061948749386842024-03-05T07:25:19.519-05:00Eco SmartRachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-40450790662616382002011-06-17T14:16:00.000-04:002011-06-17T14:16:13.337-04:00It's been awhile...Hey everyone! I know that it's been awhile but my priorities have changed for the moment. I think I've hit my early twenties crisis. I'm being pulled in all sorts of directions.<br />
Part of me says go back to school and become a domestic historian.<br />
Part of me says travel the world. Germany, England, Italy. Sigh.<br />
Another says stay where you are and don't let anything remove you from this place.<br />
Out of the three, the first two are reasonable. The third requires less work. Yeah, I am a bit lazy<br />
For the past three months or so I've been battling with weight issues. For those of you that found me via Mrs. Q's blog you're probably thinking "What?" Yes, I've been dealing with being overweight for most of my life which only contains 20 years. That has been my focus lately. Not gardening (although it would actually help), not creating a imaginative homestead. But it's about me and knowing that my body is hurting and needs some attention. Seriously. Thankfully, I'm headed in the right direction. In three months I've lost over thirty pounds which has made me VERY active even though I have a lot more to go.<br />
The original goal for this blog was to revert to a more made from scratch life which still stands. That's the ultimate goal. But for now, the main goal is to get back to nature and enjoy the warm summer on buare skin and the smell of sun.<br />
Peace.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-16509359108563200592011-01-12T15:43:00.000-05:002011-01-12T15:43:31.201-05:00Crafts for Under $1I found this really neat craft site called <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/">dollar store crafts</a>. There are a lot of very interesting crafts in here! Take a look yourself!<br />
My favorite section is the <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/category/1-and-free/">$1 and under section</a> that features a lot of recycled crafts.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-54715816464896843292011-01-01T22:06:00.000-05:002011-01-01T22:06:35.623-05:00Blog Award<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey everyone! I'm hoping you're having a happy new year! The other day I received the versitle blog award from <a href="http://penpalling-dad.blogspot.com/">Penpal from Northeastern Colorado</a>!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">But it has strings attached! Here are the strings:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">1. Be sure to thank and link back to the person who gave you the award</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">2. Share seven things about yourself</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">3. Pass the award to other bloggers who you think deserve it</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">4. Be sure to let the bloggers know you chose them to receive the award</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffeedd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMSFACOSyIeg8ky79xAMmBsibRU2mm1lbyoKV5MRjTusgQCy69rTMBtSv860FmZ5k-v4PN9b5TeyKavLjAYoa4-Jzm2ESkcvL0soLm_KN3BZzz1S4CwbuIaWWZVNCfXEzJpVaTy9dgz-R/s1600/versatile-blogger-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMSFACOSyIeg8ky79xAMmBsibRU2mm1lbyoKV5MRjTusgQCy69rTMBtSv860FmZ5k-v4PN9b5TeyKavLjAYoa4-Jzm2ESkcvL0soLm_KN3BZzz1S4CwbuIaWWZVNCfXEzJpVaTy9dgz-R/s1600/versatile-blogger-award.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Here's my 7 things!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">1) I love getting mail and haven recently rented a P.O. Box as my Christmas present to myself.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">2) Homesteading has been an on and off relationship.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">3) I'm excited to start sewing with my new sewing machine.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">4) I want to go to college but I'm afraid that I don't remember anything from high school.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">5) I really think I need to socialize with people some more and not shut them out.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">6) I have several crushes but am not in a relationship and never have been.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">7) I have had the same digital camera since 10th grade, 5 years ago. It still works!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Now it's my turn to send this off. The award goes to <a href="http://themobilehomewoman.com/">The Mobile Homestead Woman</a>! She's so talented she deserves it!</span></span>Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-40050557485669149402010-12-27T10:38:00.000-05:002013-03-05T11:58:43.858-05:00Snow!?I just got in from shoveling snow and cleaning off my car. Man, it's cold out. I had a cup of hot chocolate and sat for a little but I'm still pretty cold. My fingers where half frozen to the snow shovel by the time I was done. On days like this I really want to spend the day baking breads and cookies and the like but unfortunately, I'm due to be at work by noon. I hope all of you that got hit by the snow are warm and safe!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-29952581673561088452010-12-25T22:26:00.000-05:002010-12-25T22:26:14.727-05:00The Best ChristmasI personally felt that this was the best Christmas in years. I got a lot of things that I wanted including my family together for dinner.<br />
Last night I got my biggest and best present, a new Brother sewing machine which I've taken the liberty of naming Martha. I can't wait to get on her and sew some long awaited items, such as my fleece throw and apron. Everything that I got was very useful; a frost cover for my car's windshield, cute notecards, soap, a usable bag, s really nice smelling hand car kit, and some money which I've already invested half in a electric blanket and the other half is to join weight watchers. I truly do appreciate the smaller more thoughtful gifts then money.<br />
So Merry Christmas everyone! Tomorrow I'm thinking about hosting another small giveaway since the other was a dud, but I'll have to see what I can dig out.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-65098569026781561302010-12-19T09:15:00.000-05:002010-12-19T09:15:27.394-05:00Last DayToday is the last day to win a handmade Christmas card. Since no one has entered to try to win it, I'll include a small surprise along with the card. So get your entry in now!<br />
<a href="http://ecosmartteen.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-holiday-christmas-cards.html">To win a handmade Christmas card click here</a>Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-49114560547412354682010-12-19T09:09:00.000-05:002010-12-19T09:09:40.491-05:00Bacon!Ode to the Salty Sweetness<br />
In my house this pork product is outlawed by my mom not because it's unhealthy but because it makes the house smell like bacon and gets grease everywhere, even if one uses the grease screen and cleans up when done. To her it's alright that she cooks scrapple (for those unfamiliar to this breakfast food, this is a Pennsylvania Dutch treat made of cornmeal and pig 'parts') and that I wake up to the smell of that, which I do not like. My dad did the unthinkable, he purchased some. Of course I had to cook it for breakfast which brought cries of disapproval from my mom. It was a completely substandard product anyway. I'll purchase better stuff from the butcher the next time since I only get to eat it every once in a blue moon, it'll be worth it.<br />
Do any of you have a favorite food that you do not like to cook?Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-47629800970728677372010-12-14T10:22:00.000-05:002010-12-14T10:22:39.627-05:00A Handmade Holiday: Christmas CardsI did this last year as well because making cards seems to make that 44 cents to mail it worth every penny. I've also found that many of my friends and family really enjoy getting the handmade ones.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/germangoddess/PC110058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/germangoddess/PC110058.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Making cards is really easy. They don't need to be really fancy or full of store bought embellishments. A nice stamp and some scrapbook paper will make a nice card like I sent all of my friend's last year.<br />
This year I spent a little more money and bought embellishments for the for the front of the card. Some decorative ribbon from the clearance pile and some on sale raised decorations. Both only costing me $2 total.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV1fqhyCg1WDhM1fV9VpNnhdoaUb-BdL97VCiHR0CXoUcm1KnUS55Jvl6ZtU8W9P76ajFEePdVhqtgw9YKMRFTrgut6xB08kldPM2pF13t9-xhCFXjFgAUaIYbMYPdBYhVpR6nLZuckQ/s1600/PB250373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV1fqhyCg1WDhM1fV9VpNnhdoaUb-BdL97VCiHR0CXoUcm1KnUS55Jvl6ZtU8W9P76ajFEePdVhqtgw9YKMRFTrgut6xB08kldPM2pF13t9-xhCFXjFgAUaIYbMYPdBYhVpR6nLZuckQ/s200/PB250373.JPG" width="200" /></a>To make your cards look even more perfessional, make lined envelopes out of wrapping paper. It's easy. Trace the envelope on the wrong side of the wrapping paper. Cut it out. Cut about 3/4" off the bottom. Slide it into the envelope. Glue the top flap to the envelope and ta da! A fancy envelope!<br />
If you're in the mood to recycle; take last year's cards, if you saved them and cut them in half at the fold to make postcards. But make sure that you don't send the same card to the person that sent it last year! This will save you on postage as well. Postcards only cost 28 cents to mail within the US so you'll be saving the environment and saving on some postage!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GIVE AWAY!</span><br />
Please comment below for a chance to win a Christmas card designed and made by me! You can either have me make the card out to you and send it or I can send it blank to you for you to give to someone else. Your choice. The card that will be given away will be a version of the ones pictured on the left. Just comment below and left your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be announced <b>Sunday, December 19</b> so get those comments in!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-54999865683292838612010-12-10T21:40:00.000-05:002010-12-10T21:40:32.963-05:00Finding My HumanityIn this world of fast food, 9-5 jobs, television, and internet, we find ourselves only part human. The other half is controlled by our fascination of things appearing with little or no work required.<br />
After watched a few PBS specials focusing on different time periods, I began to yearn for what they had. Yes, it's hard to let go of the computer for a night and maybe the television for a day. But think about how good you feel afterwards. You feel more apart of the universe then someone trying to control it.<br />
On a personal level, I started what I call "human hour" for myself where I turn my computer and my television off and do something. Read a book, do some crafts, or write a letter. Perhaps if I had a willing participant in my house I would play cards or a board game but unfortunately, my parents revolve around the computer or TV.<br />
When I go to bed at night my brain is tired from all the exercise it did and usually end up falling asleep at 10 pm.<br />
Do you have some sort of 'human hour'?<br />
As for my Christmas gift posts I'll be doing double posts this weekend to make up. I've got some fabulous ideas in mind!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-78473123797599242222010-11-29T22:54:00.000-05:002010-11-29T22:54:55.651-05:00No Sweets WeekI declare next week, Decemeber 5-11 no sweets week. It's going to be hard. It's gonna get messy but no sweets for a week for me! No cake, cookies, candy bars, lollipops, or chocolate bars. I'll, of course, stock up on fruits to keep my sweet tooth happy. But no processed sweets. Zip. Nada. Ziltch. Null.<br />
Who's with me?Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-88830491932727400562010-11-29T10:41:00.000-05:002010-11-29T10:41:52.267-05:00Blog RenovationPlease excuse the appearance of my blog. I'm currently renovating and just lost most of my widgets on the left hand side.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-23027588798593327862010-11-25T09:38:00.002-05:002010-11-25T09:42:07.736-05:00Life is a Piece of PieYesterday was prep for the feast today. The stuffing has been made already before my mom and I even had breakfast. And the pies are made. Pies are one of the things that I like making because they are so simple yet very delicious. Here's my favorite pie crust recipe from Jenna Wogenrich's Made from Scratch.<br />
1 1/2 sticks butter, chilled<br />
2 tbs vegetable shortening<br />
1 tbs sugar<br />
2 cups flour<br />
3 tbs ice water<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyXIZfhiiblPBjDZ8VcZC9808zqLM95jHz5q4MrKwl29EFARMmuNORqGQYB4dNgbFO0pMNV8nFG-As29TXHOQMYzWYyh32duue6PDdf6u7sxvkb8IkZ_mXBYouvez1lIZHsjUqb9C7A4/s1600/PB060349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyXIZfhiiblPBjDZ8VcZC9808zqLM95jHz5q4MrKwl29EFARMmuNORqGQYB4dNgbFO0pMNV8nFG-As29TXHOQMYzWYyh32duue6PDdf6u7sxvkb8IkZ_mXBYouvez1lIZHsjUqb9C7A4/s320/PB060349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cut butter into cubes and place into bowl. Add shortening and sugar.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CoBzJU7M6WdTUg2b_6TTf04jk7wRUCZVP5Kq0hEv-wDPWQkwStRfnlNuCDVe8-KGHTcinHeBW2jBEJOAMkuHr1tDvKDDhZCjiZth4W16wissaYlpRJ_Jh3bIIzEqpQoQdI_dPLdeGZQ/s1600/PB060351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CoBzJU7M6WdTUg2b_6TTf04jk7wRUCZVP5Kq0hEv-wDPWQkwStRfnlNuCDVe8-KGHTcinHeBW2jBEJOAMkuHr1tDvKDDhZCjiZth4W16wissaYlpRJ_Jh3bIIzEqpQoQdI_dPLdeGZQ/s320/PB060351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Add flour and cut into butter mixture with a pastry blender or food processor until it looks like coarse cornmeal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtvXxcLgFxZQGam8Mm6Dkosm5iZkEjfHZtqyPfypYPKkgnO2AqtTTnKNejojrVZrHltjorunpuFCRkBgN0dkdMsLqjC_80CEu6cws-tdfy43hwvCQcqg6_QDm_rqyCSaaJR_x7Jrl9mQ/s1600/PB060353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtvXxcLgFxZQGam8Mm6Dkosm5iZkEjfHZtqyPfypYPKkgnO2AqtTTnKNejojrVZrHltjorunpuFCRkBgN0dkdMsLqjC_80CEu6cws-tdfy43hwvCQcqg6_QDm_rqyCSaaJR_x7Jrl9mQ/s320/PB060353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Add ice water until it looks like this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiaGXFN60kIuUaQTGWqa5iVnnB6FBmSPEfrdzGMVYPk9AIvUroQeMv-hYW5qRFxuFbw_7PsDh_oJzapCK8A7XZXUcnRsMZ_Ekijf7gHyIqZ5qxUBbLMKirRGZddToJHH-WHM6X6jfnKw/s1600/PB060354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiaGXFN60kIuUaQTGWqa5iVnnB6FBmSPEfrdzGMVYPk9AIvUroQeMv-hYW5qRFxuFbw_7PsDh_oJzapCK8A7XZXUcnRsMZ_Ekijf7gHyIqZ5qxUBbLMKirRGZddToJHH-WHM6X6jfnKw/s320/PB060354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Place half of the dough onto plastic wrap. Take two edges and press then to the center and repeat until you form disks like.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSflfai7M74w9hYShOcRGpCEKKjBvj9V28Hh9maD88xapmyp4yGKWlTHb05YU8qCtA5LFY4UTUScNey9CeipbK-wngjIva2XWLmXNL_AkLzIkoxRwevDXU7TFPtuNIMSw-h9tct9XM9U/s1600/PB060355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSflfai7M74w9hYShOcRGpCEKKjBvj9V28Hh9maD88xapmyp4yGKWlTHb05YU8qCtA5LFY4UTUScNey9CeipbK-wngjIva2XWLmXNL_AkLzIkoxRwevDXU7TFPtuNIMSw-h9tct9XM9U/s320/PB060355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> ...This. Chill for at least one hour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfs9w8VSIkymjzRnvrU_9OYg6dZbZR0jBXBQRCIWGauHN71L-Pys516qLr6K2NT-S_AHVS6wiSHg6fHo9gYgcwKstLYTq5c-43rQzqgXbBy3eYKSBU0tO98GLwVz4sNd3I3VJhcht8sI/s1600/PB060357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfs9w8VSIkymjzRnvrU_9OYg6dZbZR0jBXBQRCIWGauHN71L-Pys516qLr6K2NT-S_AHVS6wiSHg6fHo9gYgcwKstLYTq5c-43rQzqgXbBy3eYKSBU0tO98GLwVz4sNd3I3VJhcht8sI/s320/PB060357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Roll out and place into pie plate. The easiest way to do this is to place the pie plate upside down onto the pie crust. Grip two edges of the pie crust and hold the pie plate and flip it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe8q2nhyphenhyphenZzxi3fhMzEG6M20aMmSWqLzfzGY7p26lgI5gMNN2ip7t5gUPmdV1CAAp_4_ZyB_WJt6zzuZojYNHbgOJOZ5o_HSW-QKupp6iPJMs-C86eaNsrjicY-90KEPosCMFcC-SPM1o/s1600/PB060359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEe8q2nhyphenhyphenZzxi3fhMzEG6M20aMmSWqLzfzGY7p26lgI5gMNN2ip7t5gUPmdV1CAAp_4_ZyB_WJt6zzuZojYNHbgOJOZ5o_HSW-QKupp6iPJMs-C86eaNsrjicY-90KEPosCMFcC-SPM1o/s320/PB060359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now I made pumpkin but do whatever filling you want.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdheUynD9fY08CyC0rsyzy2FoQ3FqgOf-1xuVkSsh3pmnxMGHCgfS2Go4zz6o4JSSjDXJOExGL8HwkEHXeCSsp4lazfI9RMHE5hagV0C4EqUGXy3EPZbsNDjlXlm7r_FeQCWXPKkc2Rk/s1600/PB060362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdheUynD9fY08CyC0rsyzy2FoQ3FqgOf-1xuVkSsh3pmnxMGHCgfS2Go4zz6o4JSSjDXJOExGL8HwkEHXeCSsp4lazfI9RMHE5hagV0C4EqUGXy3EPZbsNDjlXlm7r_FeQCWXPKkc2Rk/s320/PB060362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The finished product. Yum!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-73827335375097532302010-11-22T22:42:00.000-05:002010-11-22T22:42:46.229-05:00A Handmade Holiday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.swap-bot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wintercards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://blog.swap-bot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wintercards.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Last year I ran a short little group of posts about how to make your holiday gifts handmade with a personal touch. After some thought of the topic I've decided to run it again. Expect a few reruns but also a few new things including a really cool way to make greeting cards. Hopefully you'll be inspired! If you have any ideas yourself feel free to e-mail me at elfscuz@/yahoo.com. If you'd like I'll also feature you as a guest blogger.<br />
I'll try to run it every Sunday until Christmas. I hope you enjoy!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-75671623902956647292010-11-22T07:50:00.000-05:002010-11-22T07:50:46.214-05:00Country Girl In the Big AppleIt's been a few days since I went to New York and have delayed writing about it because I was busy.<br />
Early on Wednesday morning we departed the bus station groggy and tired. I did make a coffee run before we left but it hadn't kicked in yet. As we approached the city I perked up excited to actually be around a lot of people.I wouldn't give up living the the country to live in the city but it's refreshing to go once in a while. When we got off the bus we headed to out lunch destination, Carnegie Deli. The portions are huge and the prices expensive but for some reason my grandparents had it in their head that everyone would be going there for lunch even though we past a few nicer, cheaper restaurants on our way. My sandwich alone cost almost $25. We didn't do anything after that because they thought they were going to be late for the show that started in 3 hours. We did visit St. Patrick's Cathedral which is a must see. Unfortunately, since I was rushed around I didn't have time to take any pictures.<br />
The show was great but probably would not see it again anytime soon.<br />
Next time I go to NYC it'll just be too walk around and shop. But hey, I got the New Yorker walk down.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-7783448217295478902010-11-17T16:53:00.001-05:002010-11-17T16:53:35.524-05:00Good bye new york i'll miss youRachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-57659871001939519542010-11-17T09:07:00.001-05:002010-11-17T09:07:18.993-05:00It's about nine in the morning now and have been on the bus for a hour. At the moment we are in clinton new jerseyRachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-72158328412286360432010-11-16T22:20:00.000-05:002010-11-16T22:20:18.379-05:00Country Girl In the Big Apple: AnticipatingI got very little notice about my bus trip to New York City tomorrow. I can't believe it myself. I'll be going to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. For those who think it's a little too early to even think about Christmas, tickets only cost $69. After Thanksgiving they go up to $100. I've only been to New York a handful of times. I can count the number of times on one hand and it's an unimpressive three.<div>Based on that number, you can tell I'm not really use to big cities. They scare me. All the cars. All the people...</div><div>I leave my house at 6:30 tomorrow morning to go to the bus station. I'm so excited! I'm also hoping to take plenty of pictures and I've even set up my phone so I can text updates to the blog. I'm such the tourist!</div>Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-87454754475181894952010-11-05T08:26:00.001-04:002010-11-05T08:26:47.661-04:00Daylight Savings Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/clock.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/clock.gif" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I can't wait! It's almost like Christmas to me but with out the presents and all of the commotion of all of the major holidays. Daylight savings time has many meanings to other people. An extra day to sleep, an extra day to write for the Nanoers, or maybe and extra hour with that significant other. Okay, I do like the extra hour of sleep but what I really love is reclaiming my sleep pattern.<br />
Most of the time, I start getting lazy and tired when the sun starts to set and my body pretty much goes into slug mode. Normally I go to bed around 11 and wake up around 7 or when the sun comes out. Waking up is really hard without the sun.<br />
Yesterday, I needed to be in at work by 8:30. When I woke up and looked outside it was rainy and dark. 'It's not time yet', my body said, so I rolled over and snoozed for a bit more. Finally, I thought it was a bit strange and looked at my alarm clock. 7:30 it read. Jumping out of bed, I hurried to ready myself for work.<br />
So you see I can't wait for Daylight Savings. I swear it should be celebrated with more enthusiastic like other holidays. Heck, here in America we have sales on Columbus day.<br />
And who ever thought about making Daylight Savings a week later? I mean come on! It was dark at 8 when I left home and dark when I came home! Even my dogs wouldn't get up.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-32529647358883142202010-10-31T19:29:00.000-04:002010-10-31T19:29:41.682-04:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJM8iZ5wSL6lf9EYRefYlwDsZm0EskH3WvUN1OZ7iNihJu0mcV-vDavTBTNTyL-d57zaf3Cq8cavHZnRZFE5S1DVxXzu0Rx09Q-TApXCJtZDZtuJaw44gDFsnlRX8SSJyJ6Te61lLXzs/s1600/DSC00556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJM8iZ5wSL6lf9EYRefYlwDsZm0EskH3WvUN1OZ7iNihJu0mcV-vDavTBTNTyL-d57zaf3Cq8cavHZnRZFE5S1DVxXzu0Rx09Q-TApXCJtZDZtuJaw44gDFsnlRX8SSJyJ6Te61lLXzs/s320/DSC00556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-77912945035713520502010-10-22T14:27:00.001-04:002010-10-22T14:30:54.590-04:00Making PostcardsOne of the swaps that I had signed up for on swap-bot is a homemade Halloween postcard exchange. Thinking was a neat idea, I joined. Before this I never knew what joy paper-crafting was. After looking around for awhile I found a lot of options that I could use to make my postcards.<br />
When making postcards you need to make them sturdy but I didn't have cardstock around the house and wasn't sure that it was really worth buying a pack. The last pack that we bought lasted years and the special postcard paper was expensive. I settled for 4x6 index cards. I made a trip to Joanne's to get scrapbooking paper and stickers. My total cost for this project was $2.19 and it will make a little more than the three I've already made. And they're pretty nice looking too.<br />
I made a few templates out of index cards to make my life easier. Pretty neat, right?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidmIysn4AyruM_u1_qIQOZ7i1BTE0IBRccFfx7Qlg2CXPYWD-lGgx07WZctTtf1TNzBa3nYB6IOPepBrN07J-e1abqU5XbnpqdxJPClu3VgiC_Dq2ATSwMH6d6dNYimCkM35HkZhWhiw/s1600/PA010330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidmIysn4AyruM_u1_qIQOZ7i1BTE0IBRccFfx7Qlg2CXPYWD-lGgx07WZctTtf1TNzBa3nYB6IOPepBrN07J-e1abqU5XbnpqdxJPClu3VgiC_Dq2ATSwMH6d6dNYimCkM35HkZhWhiw/s320/PA010330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
What You'll Need:<br />
Pencil<br />
Pen<br />
Scarpbooking paper<br />
Stickers<br />
Glue stick extra strength<br />
Index cards (4x6)<br />
<br />
Trace the index card on the back of the scrapbooking paper you've chosen. Carefully cut it out as straight as you can. Glue paper onto lined side of index card. Decide how much of your backing paper you want to show and cut out and index card template. Trace and cut out then glue centered on top of other scrapbooking paper. Decorate attractively with stickers. Divide back into thirds and draw a black line on the far right third. Write your address here. Scribe message on other side. A fix with 28 cent postage and send.<br />
And now for a giveaway. You can receive one of these postcards yourself! Just leave a comment below by Wednesday, October 27 and I'll randomly choose and mail it in time for Halloween!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-8671616413925297722010-10-22T14:16:00.000-04:002010-10-22T14:16:00.792-04:00Letters Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwQhUGhf0iU8sZwHKxqIJHEKelaS5s5p_uGCZakduoqeLBN-rWKv9poYa3SdTuXyGDreJnxmqHLqo_MygmHEjS91axYxCd3ymYVgKcH-N5pePJYlCm7NvOnwKwRwyNS5JA437HmLHoLE/s1600/P9270325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwQhUGhf0iU8sZwHKxqIJHEKelaS5s5p_uGCZakduoqeLBN-rWKv9poYa3SdTuXyGDreJnxmqHLqo_MygmHEjS91axYxCd3ymYVgKcH-N5pePJYlCm7NvOnwKwRwyNS5JA437HmLHoLE/s320/P9270325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This has been a really good mail week. I've received mail everyday so far. A postcard from Taiwan and a post card from Holland came. Postcards for various swap-bot swaps. I'm starting to loose count of the things that I've sent.<br />
Letters: 17<br />
Postcards: 15<br />
I've received:<br />
Letters: 6<br />
Postcards: 9<br />
It seems like everyday I have mail to send. It's fun. And I'm getting to know my locate postal clerks as well.<br />
I'm going to hold a letter writing challenge next month. I'll post details later.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-32940026005677850772010-10-16T23:31:00.003-04:002010-10-16T23:38:12.240-04:00Frugal StrugglesAs I washed the windows at work today and chatted with the mother chaperoning her little club scout selling popcorn I wandered "when does frugal become too frugal?" "How do I decide if something's worth it?"<br />
I've been to the deep end of the frugal bin to the point where I was sewing my jeans just to keep them together because they 'fit right'. Because finding a pair of jeans for a big gal like me in a pain in the neck. I mean my thighs aren't <i>that</i> big. So I kept sewing and patching until I had one good pair of jeans. No one can live with one pair of jeans. Therefore, I shrugged of the 'perfect fit' and got something that fit but wasn't <i>the</i> fit.<br />
Sometimes you think you don't need something that you really do, such as my jeans, and think up stupid excuses on why you shouldn't buy them. Well, sometimes you need to take that plunge and just get it.<br />
For months now I've been toying around with buying a laptop. I needed a new computer since my old one was <i>really</i> slow and would sometimes take up to an hour to boot up. I was frustrated and annoyed. Last week I saw an add in the Sunday paper for a HP laptop. I went and got it. I thought up of every reason why not to get it but I thought of an excellent reason why I should. I need for college. Education comes first.<br />
So,<i> </i>how do you decide when something's worth it? We've all seen it. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts alike sell things to you for a reason, to be able to afford things like camping, or maybe going on a day trip. Either way they are benefiting from it. "Well, $3.50 (the price for a box of Girl Scout cookies) is outrageous!" First of all the troop themselves do not get the whole $3.50. The money gets broken down between manufacturing, the council so they can keep the camps up and running, among other things. The troop only gets a very tiny sliver of the pie that equal only a few cents. Here's the break down:<br />
<h2 align="left" class="style6" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 25px;"><img class="imgleft" height="146" src="http://www.kyanags.org/img/samoa-bite.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="209" /><br />
<blockquote>How the Cookie Crumbles at Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana</blockquote></h2><blockquote>Below is a breakdown of the proceeds from each $3.50 package of cookies:</blockquote><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helevtica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"></div><blockquote><br />
</blockquote><blockquote><br />
</blockquote><br />
<ul style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helevtica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><li><blockquote>$1.55 goes to council-subsidized programs (girl and adult recruitment, adult education, programs, camp and camping activities, and program-related staff salaries and expenses)</blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote>$0.90 goes to troop support (troop profits, girl incentives and Cookie Dough)</blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote>$0.90 goes to sale-related expenses (cost of cookies, promotional materials, training cookie volunteers, etc.)</blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote>$0.15 goes to administrative support (office services/supplies, accounting, fund development, administrative salaries, etc.) (Source: <a href="http://www.kyanags.org/">http://www.kyanags.org</a>)</blockquote></li>
</ul>The price of a box is worth it. Besides, if you can afford a cup of coffee everyday you can buy a box. Better yet just donate a dollar or two and walk away knowing that you're helping a kid achieve his or her dream. So when it comes to charitable cases just as this, my wallet is always opened.<br />
Especially when the local church makes candy!<br />
P.S. I count Girl Scout and Boy Scout fundraisers as a local good. 100% of the proceeds stay within the community. Can someone say guilt free?Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-82265632222265050902010-10-12T22:29:00.000-04:002010-10-12T22:29:54.203-04:00The Simple Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9oDw6nEOWIyaFRY9TNClBWYZr4rGeysuUOsjBFHcSokW49rINUsqjIoOJQRiGQF_ndqK8mHJwzj40SBBbEdAR_gdzTaPZFMFZJbfkzO2fhKK8wqf6ttSEdtDdJE0adGzrVlyIFntm_8/s1600/P9240324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9oDw6nEOWIyaFRY9TNClBWYZr4rGeysuUOsjBFHcSokW49rINUsqjIoOJQRiGQF_ndqK8mHJwzj40SBBbEdAR_gdzTaPZFMFZJbfkzO2fhKK8wqf6ttSEdtDdJE0adGzrVlyIFntm_8/s320/P9240324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Life's been pretty good lately. Mostly been working, writing letters, and postcards. My day was brightened by a random postcard sent from someone one <a href="http://sendsomething.net/">Sendsomething.net</a>. It was nice to get something unexpected!<br />
I also received a letter from my friend living in South Carolina.<br />
My stats so far:<br />
Letters Sent: 9<br />
Postcards Sent: 4<br />
Letters Recieved: 2<br />
Postcards Recieved: 1<br />
I feel a challenge coming on next month! A letter/postcard writing challenge. Who's with me on this one! We'll go back in time to when long distance calls where expensive, computers hadn't even been invented yet, and cell phones where never heard of. No special equipment required.Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-4464817986989783492010-10-05T11:26:00.001-04:002010-10-05T11:26:51.353-04:00Send a smile.....It only costs 44 cents.<br />
I've been on a letter writing rampage lately. As I've said before, I've gotten a few penpals, wrote to three old friends, and joined a <a href="http://swap-bot.com/">swap site</a>.<br />
In the past two week I've sent three letters over seas to Latvia, Sri Lanka, and Australia, and three letters within the United States. Currently, I have three letters needing to be written and sent within the US.<br />
Now here's the fun part.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ32e9bOdABzbhtgpZrkTdx8WH9C3WzROMDjsHXhFau3mgtbVSlBezGOKSuybheEfAbBzVUqq8LwMm-Ue6YQs6sJy-h5IhjD2MeoPE3_Ildcu_XqKfSbVXXxN3ASPNIftvx2SXNx_l8c/s1600/P9170303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ32e9bOdABzbhtgpZrkTdx8WH9C3WzROMDjsHXhFau3mgtbVSlBezGOKSuybheEfAbBzVUqq8LwMm-Ue6YQs6sJy-h5IhjD2MeoPE3_Ildcu_XqKfSbVXXxN3ASPNIftvx2SXNx_l8c/s200/P9170303.JPG" width="200" /></a>My Latvian penpal replied! I did a little dance and opened the envelope. It took about a week to get here.<br />
My Sri Lankan penpal e-mailed me saying that she couldn't make out my address, so that letter was received safely.<br />
And I made my three friends smile.<br />
No word from Australia yet.<br />
From the <a href="http://swap-bot.com/">swap site</a>, I'm currently in five swaps. An Christmas card, Halloween postcard, penpal letter, e-mail message, and a journal entry.<br />
This is going to be fun!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6901506194874938684.post-14892773905307525422010-10-03T22:59:00.000-04:002010-10-03T22:59:27.489-04:00Another Copper UpdateHe's in the clear! I'm so relieved that he's healing well and back to normal. His staples got removed on Friday. Copper's appetite is returning although I'm sneaking his medicine in soft dog treats, which is an inexpensive alternative to pill pockets.<br />
My mom had her hip replaced last Tuesday. She's home now and I'm taking care of her and the dog. Guess who gets to change the gauze then the visiting nurse isn't here? But it's okay.<br />
I'm hoping that in the next few days that I'll get to posting some recipes. Yum!Rachel B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10814720192184338564noreply@blogger.com0