Dreaming Ahead...

A few good books from the library: 

The Homesteading Handbook by Abigail R. Gehring, At Least Someone in the City Would Hear me Sceam. by Wade Rouse (very funny/adult book,) and The City Homesteader by Scott Meyer. 

I love this time of year... time to plan for gardening, camps for Noah and our late summer vacation. 

The vacation plans are still very much up in the air as of now. We just don't know where we'd like to go this year. If Noah had his way we'd be back to Mackinac Island and Lake Huron. We've done that the past two years. This year our plans need to include Ruby Roo. We need to find a pet friendly vacation. We just may break it up into several smaller vacations, instead of one long one.  

As for camp; no more Harry Potter Camps are offered (a sad Noah) but I found a survival camp that looks fun and one of his buddies is joining him. Noah is still deciding on a zoo camp. Next year he'll be old enough for the teen zookeeper program. Autumn did this and really enjoyed it. I can't believe Noah will be thirteen this year...sigh. 

I would like to add some vertical gardening to the yard this spring. I have this wonderful sunny space next to our wood fence that would be perfect.  I'm giving up on squash and pumpkins...sad... but I'm tried of the squash beetles and I just don't have the space for them. I'll just stock up at the farmers market. I do love my summer squash and zucchinis! 

Do you have any summer plans in the works? I'd love to hear about them.

Getting a job?

I've been kicking around the idea of getting back to work and helping with a little income around here. I do get a little pay (very little) from teaching co-op classes. But that's not even why I teach those classes. I do it for the kids.

Thinking about going back to the preschool classroom...ehh... not sounding good. I really don't have the energy for that any longer.

Autumn has been thinking about hiring someone to help her with photo editing and some other things for her studio... she's getting so busy. She's booked solid until the end of June right now and that seems to be the way it's been going for her. She's not booking weddings this summer she's just too busy with her vintage shoots. 

Sooo.... we both agree this sounds perfect for the both of us. I'll earn a little pocket money and be able to set my own hours for the most part... she'll have a very devoted mom/employee who will always have her back. Soon Autumn will be teaching me how to edit photos for her and I'll also be helping out with doing some cleaning for her... hey, I'm not too proud to clean as long as I'm getting paid, heck yeah!  Down the road, I'll be stepping in with scheduling and helping her run a studio. Families sticking together, that's what it's all about.

Great Depression Cooking

The Great Depression is near and dear to my heart. My parents grew up during the depression. I loved to hear their stories of how their families made do and pulled together during the tough times.
Growing up with depression era parents was an experience; they were thrifty to say the least. Never wasted anything, spent their money carefully and was into gardening and putting up food. This knowledge of can-do was very helpful during the recession of the 70's, when my father's factory he worked at closed. We pulled through with lots of depression meals and hardy parents that knew what to do. My mom found part-time work at a thrift store and I remember very well our thrift store Christmas.

 I found these adorable Great Depression Cooking videos with a sweet 95 year old lady named Clara, teaching depression era cooking. I love her!

I can remember swimming at my Aunt Mary's pool in the summer eating lemon Italian ice. The Great Depression: simple, natural, good, down to earth cooking.

Thoughtful Gifts...

from friends and family...

Noah's gifts... Alfred Hitchcock puzzle, which is really hard because we have no clue what the puzzle picture is! But we're working on it.

A pin-hole camera, guess who gave that to him:) and a soda can robug. 

He also got some other great things from his mom and dad... The complete Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson series, Skullcandy headphones, lots of clothes,pj's, gloves, boots and movies. NO video games!  Oh shoot, that's not completely true, I did sign him up for an online membership for one of his gifts.

Now Brushy has a new friend; Bumble Pop

Autumn is so great finding the perfect gifts for me. A lovely antique radio... now I have three.

Over-the-top with cuteness! Two vintage pair of salt & pepper shakers.

The ones I REALLY wanted but thought I'd never find!

The tag on this gift said from: Autumn, Kevin and Alice May... I was in tears before I opened it.

This side of the pendent, a photo of my mom

and on this side a flower made with my mom's hair.

Autumn found an Etsy artist that makes memorial jewelry.

She had trimmed her grandma's hair before she left for hospice.

Thoughtful gifts... much loved.

Playing Dress Up.

Modeling for Autumn...

Hair, make-up, cute vintage clothes and a whole lot of photoshop!

Here's one Autumn shot when I wasn't ready... just laughing at her. She loves this one. 

It was a blast to get all dolled up and feeling like a glamour girl:)  I think we should all do this at least once in our lifetime. Kelly did my hair and make-up... false eyelashes are freaky things... and it's the first time I've have ever had on eyeliner.  Kelly works magic and Autumn is amazing, she makes you feel so comfortable in front of her camera.  Best part was seeing Autumn in action and spending time with her.

There are more photos, she still working on editing them, I may share more another time...

Until then friends, I hope you have a Blessed Christmas with your loved ones!