Making Butter

 

Chad made pumpkin pancakes with a carmel sauce for dinner which used some whipping cream, but about half of the bottle was left over with no plans for it. I decided it was the perfect excuse to make butter. 

I cleaned out a jar and washed a lid. Then, I poured the cream in in the jar and shook it until it became a solid. Now, I have butter and saved money by not throwing out the unused cream. 

Northern Lights

 

Last night, I was able to see the Northern Lights from my house! It was really cool! 

With the naked eye, I was only able to see some pink streaks in the sky. With my camera I was able to get a clearer view. I took one picture from my front porch (neighbor's house included) and one from the back porch (fence and street lights included). 

I love that I live somewhere that I can experience such amazing things!

Canning Applesauce

I have vague memories of my mom canning jelly, applesauce, and apple pie filling. The main memory is the smell that filled the house. I have craved that smell for many years not knowing exactly where to find it. Earlier this week, I remembered and made a plan to make and can applesauce this weekend. Today, the plan was executed with Chad as my helper. 

We started with pealing, quartering, and coring nine pounds of apples. Then, we cooked them in a large pot until they were soft. 

Next, Chad puréed them in the food processor and heated the purée to boiling while I washed some of jars. Then, we filled the jars to 1/2 inch below the top of the jars, smoothed out the air bubbles, wiped the tops, and put lids on the jars to prepare them for the water bath. 

At this point, we filled the pot higher than the tops of the jars and boiled them for 20 minutes. The jars are now on a towel on the counter cooling. 

I am so excited to have made this. I am getting back to my plan from earlier this year, and it fills me with joy!

Harry Potter Sweater Progress

 

My Harry Potter Time-Turner sweater is coming a long a bit slower than I had hoped. I can't just sit and mindlessly knit this sweater, so I have to work on it when doing something that doesn't require much brain power like watching certain shows. Also, this sweater is kit with fingering weight yarn. (I'm not sure why I didn't think it would take a while to knit a sweater out of such light weight yarn.) Even though it is taking longer than I had expected, I am loving the process! I have already learned from this pattern, and know I will learn more as I go. 

Finished Curtain

 

My finished curtain was finally hung! It needs to be ironed, but other than that, it is exactly what I imagined. 

I have been needing a covering for this window for many years. When I first moved in, there were only blinds that were partially broken. Those were thrown away a long time ago because Chad and I were worried about the kids' safety. I knew a lot of heat came through this big window in the summer and cold in the winter. I also hated that anyone could look right into my dining room. 

I got more serious about trying to find a solution for this large window earlier this year and decided I wanted to make something. After learning that linens were the number one thing thrown away at thrift stores, I decided I wanted to make something using thrift store items. I took Noel with me to help with my vision. We found two curtains that could be shortened and sewn together and a tablecloth that I loved as an overlay. The result is something that I love. I can't wait to make creations like this for more rooms!

Vitamin Regimen

When reading The End of Mental Illness, I decided I needed to start a regular vitamin regimen. Each time I read about a symptom that seemed like something I could be dealing with, I added another supplement. I am now taking a multivitamin, magnesium, ginkgo biloba, fish oil, and iron. For the most part, I have taken these supplements for four or five months.

I don't know if it is making a difference because this book was the start of my self-help journey. The thing is that I don't really care if it is the changes I'm making with each book, the supplements, my greater concentration on spiritual matters, or everything combined. I have been feeling better, and I can't afford to send myself and my child to therapy. I am going to keep doing what I've been doing as long as I continue healing and progressing mentally and spiritually. 

Homecoming 2024

Noel's boyfriend is still in high school which means she gets to do some high school things she missed out on the year she was home schooled. This week, she joined him for several homecoming activities such as the peach fuzz game, bonfire, and the dance. 

She has been wanting to have someone really back her to homecoming instead of just the assumption she would go for a long time. She told her boyfriend this, and he delivered! 

She once again made her dress. This time, she got a bit of extra material to make him a matching tie, too. She did such a great job! I am in awe at her talent!