{this moment}



Joining Amanda.

rainbow bracelet

I made this bracelet for the youth auction at church. I think it turned out pretty great. It is called a rainbow salvation bracelet. Each one of the colors represents as aspect of our Christian faith.
(gold~God, black~sin, red~blood, white~forgive, clear~purity, green~growth, and blue~spirit)
There are many wonderful tutorials all over the Internet to make these. Mine is totally free-form, I used what I had on hand. I pray that somebody loves it and takes it home. Better yet, maybe they'll give it to someone they love. Maybe I will make more and give them to those I love. Yes.

Have a blessed day, Tami

the pantry

I did a little pantry spruce up this week. I labeled a lot of my glass jars.
It was gently pointed out to me, that I am the only one in our home, that knows what is in them. LOL.
Labeling might help my hubby and some of the budding cooks in my house.
Just about anything that can be put in a glass jar, I put in a glass jar.
I really, really love the french canning jars. I have been very lucky to find so many at the thrift stores in the past. There are not a lot out there now. I also have big pickle jars, and other jars that I use.

I used a paint pen to write on the jars. I have used Sharpie markers in the past, but that doesn't stay tidy looking for very long. I might also order some craft paper labels for the jars that have rotating ingredients, and for the lids of my bulk tea jars.
I really like shopping in bulk, and this makes it easier to know where everything goes. It also looks quite lovely and organized.
Have a blessed day, Tami

a knitting basket

I take my knitting projects with me everywhere. I really wanted a basket with handles that was sturdy enough to stand up on it's own. I found a lovely basket at a local thrift store. It is exactly what I wanted, but really needed to be lined to keep my knitting projects from snagging. I love the size, it is the perfect for hauling around an in-progress sweater and a skein of yarn.
Now for the liner........

A thrifted 1980's shetland wool sweater. I felted the sweater, stitched in an oval piece where I cut the sweater below the armholes, which created a flat bottom to the liner,  and cut 2 slits near the top so it would slip over the handles. Pretty simple.

I stitched up the cut I made for the handles with gray wool yarn.
I may do a little more finishing work, like a blanket stitch around the bottom edge and maybe some embellishment. Maybe even a few pockets. I love how it turned out, practical and pretty.
Have a blessed day,
Tami

{this moment}

I have never joined in on this before. I think I will give it a go. Joining Amanda.

the rhythm of morning

It is still dark. I hear the furnace click on, it will warm up soon.
I rise before everyone else, even the dogs. I love the quiet, a little time to start my day without
being rushed. A cup of coffee and email.
Kane gets up.
Time to wake up the little kids. Anya is the first dressed for breakfast.
I can hear the little boys playing and giggling upstairs ~ they are supposed to be getting dressed for school, but I love hearing them be happy with one another.
The sun is about to come up and it feels strange sending the oldest to school in the dark.

Making the kids lunches, the bread from yesterday a great success for sandwich making.
Need another cup of coffee.
Breakfast done.
Lunches done.
Always giving reminders to finish getting ready ~ easily distracted.
Teeth, hair, socks, shoes, coats, backpacks. They repeat the mantra.
I can see that there is a little blue sky this morning. The chickens want out.

Only a few minutes and they head out the door, the bus will be coming.
Out the door on time. Hugs and kisses.
I promise to walk them to the bus stop tomorrow. I tell them to be on their best behavior, as they run like wild things with the neighbors to the bus stop. I say be careful. They are yelling too loud to hear me, I hope they heard me say *I love you*.
This is my first 2 hours of the day.

Morning is always a blur.
Now for a little more coffee, and I will get on with my day.
I can't wait until they get home.
Late afternoon is equally busy, we get homework done right away, and look forward to a family dinner and time to relax together.
Evening is, by far, my favorite part of the day.

Have a blessed morning and entire day,
Tami

in the kitchen

I 've got my favorite apron on and I'm baking bread today. I use the basic yeasted bread recipe from the Tassajara Bread Book. We really like using this for our sandwich bread. The sponge method used gives this bread the best texture and it slices really nicely. It does take the better part of a day to get it done though, a wonderful excuse to stay home.

I also need to whip up a batch of granola and some homemade Clif bars for lunches.
It is the perfect day for baking, it's very gray outside and my kitchen is chilly, baking always warms things up. I've got Pandora on, listening to a little indie radio.
We've got lentils with sausage and peppers over brown rice for dinner with a salad. I really want to put some dessert together..........maybe a little cake.

Have a blessed day, Tami