Ardmore Oklahoma

Several years ago in Mary Engelbriet's Home Companion I read about the store Cloverleaf in Ardmore, Oklahoma. It looked ecletic and glittery and cowboyish. Little did I know that soon enough we would be living in Northern Texas and there would be no excuses for a mini road trip.

Hadley and I went Thelma and Louise style...we drove fast and blasted the music. Wait no, that's not all true. It's true Hadley and I went, the other stuff is false. Mostly because we brought him:

Yes, he likes cowboy stuff. No, he doesn't like pink glittery cowboy stuff. Or antique stores (that have vintage tricycles with signs that say NO TOUCHING). Or riding in the car. Or used book stores that smell like old ladies perfume.

While we were looking for Cloverleaf (we drove by it twice, duh) we were sidetracked by an antiques store. If you live in an isolated community and go to the same antique/thrift store every month and nothing changes--not even the clerks same plaid shirt-- you will know how exciting it is to look at some new junk.

It's really exciting.

Anyhow we followed the pink bicycle path to Cloverleaf. We weren't disappointed, it was really neat. Lots of out of the ordinary stuff.

And pretty jewels and dresses.

It was a nice day, even nicer because Hadley was with me!

Are you asking me what we bought?

1. A Texas drinking glass for the boss

2. vintagey looking posters for Margaret Rose Pickleberry

3. aqua beaded bracelets for the wee girl

4. four packs of 1990 baseballs cards for 12 yr old McStinky

5. books, duh.

Then we drove home eating Braum's burgers and talked about college and boys and what kind of business we would like to own.

While we were driving the principal called and said McStinky didn't go to his basketball game because he wasn't feeling well and could I come get him? But um... I know his uniform has been sitting in the dryer all weekend as I asked him to fold his own clothes on Saturday (insert applause here). So if I could guess why someone doesn't feel well it would be because someone is afraid their coach will be upset at someone's forgetfulness.

Then we really did rush back like Thelma and Louise. Mom is a little upset with McStinky.

Flour Sack Project

Every year I try and convince myself not to make resolutions. I tell myself to be better about stuff all year and not walk into January with my head held high as I trot on the elliptical and pass up a decadent, fluffy, frosted cupcake (oh the insanity). Seeing as I like lists and am gifted at disappointing myself....I make resolutions. Lots of them.

One I made this year is to use less sandwich bags. I try not to rely on them but it seems I often end up with them in my cart. I have voiced this to my family many times over. We have tried reusable containers, but they are plastic, too. Recently I was inspired by an entrepreneur featured in Victoria magazine who started her company because she didn't like the waste of sandwich bags and the like. She made reusable bags out of vintage linens. Little bags for sandwiches and cookies, they were very sweet. I couldn't find the article on the website and I have already passed my issue along. I think it was in the Jan issue.

I made these kitchen counter cloths for when I need to make sandwiches or toast. I cringe when I think of how many paper towels I have used in my lifetime.

I bought an over sized flour sack towel at our farm and feed store--or you can buy a pack at a hobby store (or here)--and cut it into smaller portions. I sat and stitched them all day yesterday and now my neck is hurting really bad. The price to pay for sitting still on a cold day!

I hope you are having a great weekend....see you Monday.

The Golden Corner

I spent a few minutes today admiring the Flickr Group: Corners of my Home. This was a recommendation from SouleMama, and indeed it was a good one. It is bitter cold here and after I scrolled through many photos, I was warm. In my heart. Not my hands, they are still cold.

It is too cold to do laundry but not too cold to sit on the computer. Especially if you are a certain person from LMLD and have new groovy gloves.

This is the corner near the computer where the Golden books are. What started as a thrifty way to collect books during my young mothering days turned magically into a collection. When it's naptime the wee boy usually picks from this shelf. Today was "Hiram's Red Shirt".

My favorite Golden Book would have to be among the very first few I bought. It's called "Baby Dear". Have you heard of it?

These are Golden Guides, I like them as they are small and colorful. I like to pick a couple for road trips as we are trivia junkies and will take turns asking questions. I received one as gift when I was seven from my aunt and uncle. They are nice aren't they? I'm talking about my aunt and uncle--not the Golden Guides, though they are nice, too. UJ do you remember it? It was this one:

I hope when I was seven I said thank you, as you can see I think it has been a terrific gift. Maybe every thirty years there should be a thank you renewal?

Thank You AJ and UJ. I love you!

With love from,

your favorite niece

Sharing corners is fun...you should try it. If you do let me know so I can visit!

she's a good listener

My husband bought me a mannequin for Christmas. Should I be jealous? She is really perfect with no belly bulge at all. Recently I made an outfit right after watching an episode of The Waltons, which by the way I don't recommend as you can see by the picture I was channeling Mrs Walton pretty good. I'm not sure if I will ever wear it out of the house but maybe in the kitchen while making pies and churning butter.

Tootles!

Pattern : Simplicity 2758 & Simplicity 3568

how to know if there is a 12 year old boy living in your house

This is my son "then". He was fat and smiley and had a red face and twinkly blue eyes. I really love him. I thought I would mention that before I make fun of him.

Our house is full of geodes. By geodes I mean rocks. Around age nine rocks turned into more scientific names. But truthfully they are still rocks. I call them geodes to be nice.

There will be rocks on his nightstand. Along with this book. I'm not sure if I am more surprised at the title or that there was a tooth on it.

His bookcase will have books like "Weird and Strange Facts" which he will be able to remember every last detail of but will not be able to remember to turn his clothes right side out in the hamper.

There will always be a pile of rocks on the patio table. Waiting to be cracked open.

If there is a 12 year old boy living in your house there will always be rocks in the laundry.

There will be airplanes both on the floor and the ceiling....

There will be cowboy stuff on his desk with more rocks and piles of baseball cards.

And what about the Legos? I haven't even touched on the Legos? I suppose I won't mention how many times I have stepped on Legos while tucking him in a dark room. And again he will be able to remember what tiny piece goes with which set but will not be able to remember to bring wood for the stove up from the barn.

This is my son "now" (#34). He isn't fat anymore, he also won't swim naked and I can't carry him around on my hip. But he is still a boy after my heart. I even like that he likes rocks.

melting crayons

Melting crayons into new shapes is a fun, inexpensive way to get crafty with your kids...no matter their ages.

We keep our junk crayons in a large five gallon jar. We started this several years ago and I'm amazed at how quickly they add up. Also it's handy to buy old baking tins at yard sales, etc. You can also use a muffin pan. While the wax does come off with some elbow grease it's nice to know you won't ruin anything. I haven't used silicone molds (that can go in the oven) but have read they work well.

Fill the tins half full of peeled and broken crayons. Place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 5-6 minutes. Be careful when removing from the oven, the wax is liquidy and very hot. Cool for several minutes then place the tins in the freezer for 10 minutes. The crayons will be easy to pop out.

Hopefully between now and Valentine's Day we will make enough to give out instead of candy. Wrapped in cellophane with a red bow they look pretty.

To remove the wax residue from the tins I put them back on the cookie sheet and place in the warm oven long enough to soften the remaining wax. Removing them one at a time from the oven carefully wipe the wax out with an old rag or paper towel. Then wash in hot soapy water.

Other helpful hints....

*Crayons don't melt well in the microwave.

*We have melted crayons in ramekins and tried filling lollipop molds (the plastic kind you buy in the cake decorating aisle) but it was very messy. It worked but not as well as the tins.

* The Crayola Crayon Maker is a $30 piece of junk...this is my (humble) opinion! It takes too long and takes the creative process out of making new crayons.