starts and finishes

This week I have been ... working in the studio. Going threw totes and drawers and shelves of fabric trying to use some of it to complete a couple of projects around the house. I found this old hamper at a local thrift store and decided to make a liner for it!  vintage barkcloth and vintage hand crochet lace two of my favorite things!

 My yarn and needles arrived on Monday so I got a good start on this  little number I'm so excited about this one. Im thinking about making a couple of modifications to the pattorn.

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 I've also been taking some time to just sit and enjoy the quiet of winter.  This is a hard one for me,  I mean no TV no movies nothing and no one there to entertain me.  I have gotten so used to making someone/thing else responsible for my entertainment with no participation  from me. So this week for a couple of nights its  just me and  a knitting project  or a book. It feels good to unplug for a while.

 another studio fabric use up.  This I made for my daughter, a dust cover for her very nicest dress and a pouch for her dress shoes.

 also been trying to focus on eating as much whole foods as I can.  Lots and lots of veg. and I'm even working on my bread making skills using this book  every loaf gets a little bit better.

enjoying the late afternoon sun as it slips away for another long evening.

and I finished up with my desert vest.

I like to be able to look back at a week and see that things have been accomplished. I like this space to remind myself that I did get things done and that I am making my home/life for me and those that I love.
This is what is important to me and it's a good feeling to be able to see and say that yes I am living my dream.
 I feel like to richest person in the world and so totally blessed to be able to do this.
How about you are you living your dream in some way? I hope so

Making

Making these things in the kitchen right now!  winter in Minnesota means cold and dry.  This homemade lip balm is the perfect cure.  I found the tutorial and recipe here you'll need to scroll to the bottom of her post if you want to give it a try.  I found the containers at JoAnn fabrics in the beading section                                                 

 I've been having fun in the kitchen with this culinary adventure, It thrills me every time I make it and it turns out... Homemade yogurt! I love the taste of this stuff! only wish I were making it with raw milk. I found the recipe here

 and finally this stuff that my family and their friends can't seem to get enough of,  Granola.  I'm still tweaking the recipe and trying to make it a bit healthier  but as of now here is the recipe

Granola
6 cups rolled oats ( not the instant )
4 cups nuts~ what ever kind you like or have on hand I use almonds pecans walnut most often
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut~ I use the unsweetened kind that you can find in the health food section.
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 Tbls Ground flax seeds ~ note, you must grind your flax seeds to make them nutritionally beneficial to you other wise they just slip threw your system unused.
MIX THESE INGREDIENTS IN A LARGE BOWL
In a small sauce pan gently heat 
1/2 cup + 2 Tbls of honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 Tsp sea salt
when heated and oil is melted then pour over oat mixture and mix
dump out onto two large cookie sheets
and bake at 250* for about one and a half hours  mixing often
when mixture is finished baking mix in 2 cups dried fruit  ( what ever you like )
Store in an air tight container  and enjoy!!