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Sunday, August 28, 2016

THIS WEEK'S THRIFTY THINGS

Hello dear friends!   Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful day.  It is one of those perfect days today, the sort that you wish would last forever.  The kind that makes you feel good just to be alive.  What a blessing after so many days this summer that I wished away.  Nothing much is happening here, but we sure are busy!
As you can see the hydrangeas are in full bloom at the moment.  I need to get out the ladder and hitch some of my roses to the trellis.  Windows need  washing, too.  Well, there's always next week!

It seems that one thing leads to another, we never have time to be bored.  This week there was a sale on beef roast for less than $3 a pound so be bought ten or so pounds and I canned it up.  The trimmings of the fat and gristle were put into a big pot and boiled, cooled, defatted and made into a broth that was also canned.  The fat was rendered and saved for soap making and all the gristle was fed to the strays.  One of the jars didn't seal so I made a potpie with the meat. While I was making up piecrust for the pie, I went ahead and made a large batch of  dough (enough for five pies) and froze it for future pie baking sessions.
That little pie bird is very special to me.  When my son, Scott was just a little guy, I gave him some money for the school fair.  Money was tight then and it was a rare day when he had any money of his own to spend on whatever he wanted. Well!  He proudly presented me with this pie bird that he had spent all his money upon.  I tell you, there has never existed a more beloved pie bird on Earth.  This is the truest meaning of things done with great love and little money.  I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China!

We also foraged for crabapples.  Boy!  Did the smell heavenly whilst they were  awaiting to be made into jelly.  Half a bushel rendered enough juice to make two batches of jelly.
Isn't it a pretty red color?  Should make a wonderful addition to our Christmas hampers this year.

We also picked and gave away pounds and pounds of blackberries.  Sure has been a good year for them.  But after canning one batch, we have enough.  Blackberries are not my most favorite fruit.  Well, at least the birds can enjoy them!

It was also a good year for peppers and in addition to drying a bushel of them, I made two batches of pepper jelly.  We love it as a spread in lieu of butter or mayo on sandwiches and it's a nice snack spread on crackers with cream cheese.  One of our favorite ways to dress a salad is to melt a tablespoon or so of jelly with a splash of cider vinegar and toss into a plain salad with either feta or blue cheese.

In between canning sessions I worked on and finished this Outlander shawl using tweeds from my yarn stash.

Even with many starts and spurts, it was a quick knit, taking only a few days from start to finish. The pattern can be found here for free on Ravelry. The two stripes were just scrap yarn but the main part of the body was knitted in Lion Brand's Heartland in  the Smoky Mountains colourway. This is an easy pattern, even for beginners.  Perfect for mindless knitting.

Another creative endeavor, although small, was to change the flowers in the basket on the front door.  I was bored with the summery geraniums but even I think it's a tad too early for the russets and golds of Autumn.  Fortunately I found these crimson floral picks at the dollar store.  For a few dollars I created a pretty early Fall look, that I think looks a far cry prettier than the rather garish Autumn wreaths I saw in the stores.

So there you have it, another week here at Sweet Briar Cottage.  Not the most fascinating week on record, but that is what August is like.  Next week should be a lot more exciting around here.  Ran is building a new kitchen countertop and will be installing it.  Of course that will lead to more work as the old backsplash will have to go, which means so will the wallpaper.  As I said, one thing leads to another! Well, I hope that you will have a nice restful week, at least!

Hugs
Jane

28 comments:

  1. Your house looks so pretty! Wow Jane, you do so much in a week. I need you to "rub off" on me. I am beginning to realize how lazy I am. Beautiful shawl. Ha...blackberries are my favorite. Such a dear pie bird and story! And I do love pepper jelly with crackers and cream cheese! Hugs, Andrea

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    1. I wish you lived nearby Andrea, you wouldn't ever have to buy blackberries. I think I get a lot more done when the weather cools down, I'm a regular slug when it's hot! Ha! I guess it's a good thing I don't live in the tropics!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  2. Wow, I'm loving the photo of your gorgeous dollhouse. It's really beautiful and looks so crispy fresh. I've never had a red door, but I've been pondering that for a year or so now and may take the plunge in the fall.

    Oh Jane, I loved, loved the pie bird story. What a treasure! Mine are from a thrift store shelf, a very dull story, but I do love them. ;)

    Your shawl is adorable. Love the stripes. I hope to finish my shawl this week, yay.

    Hope you have a wonderful week!
    Toni

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    1. Morning Toni! Thank you for the lovely words. As you can see I really do live in a very small house it is only that wide by that long. That door has been painted every color under the sun, but the red has stuck. Funny, as red would never be counted as one of my favorite colors.

      Here's hoping that you finish your shawl. Finishing two projects this month has made me understand what people see in knitting. Ha!

      See you in September!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  3. Your cottage is so sweet and northerly looking. I love it!

    Love the shawl and your jelly looks pretty and delicious!

    What a loving story about your pie bird.

    Have a great week ~ Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hello Rainey! It's quite muted compared to Plum Cottage isn't it? Ha! Hope you get the news you want about the job!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  4. Jane; Knitting isn't one of my accomplishments--you make it look simple! I love your shawl--just the thing to wear on a chilly evening while sitting in the rocking chair with a book--or even on an early autumn stroll to enjoy the cooler weather. I can visualize a tweedy skirt, tall boots, turtleneck and the shawl--classic!

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    1. Well, if I could quilt like you do, Sharon, I wouldn't spend my time knitting! I'm enjoying all the Outlander inspired knitting patterns. The show is to risque' for my taste but I do love looking at the fashions on Pinterest. I see lots of tweed in my future! Hope you are finding some time from canning tomatoes to do something fun!

      Hugs
      Jane

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    2. I was introduced to the 'Outlander' series just before the 4th book was published. I have Scottish ancestry and a long-standing interest in the Rising of 1745. The earlier books had intimate scenes, but they fit with the story and development of the characters--a rather apt view of the way a marriage relationship ebbs and flows.
      The books have become decidedly 'randier' with each addition to the series. A friend loaned me the DVD's of the Starz adaption and I wasn't taken with it--as you say, 'risque' for no good reason other than to capitalize on the sex scenes.
      A pity, as the historical details are good.

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    3. After watching a few episodes, I told my husband that perhaps they ran out of script after 45 minutes and had to fill the time with "lovemaking". I think so many good shows are ruined by those scenes. I thought they ruined Cold Mountain with it. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I don't see the value in things being so graphic. What ever happen to scenes of trains going through tunnels or fireworks going off? Ha! But I do love the fashions on the show. Thank goodness for Pinterest! For some reason, I'm obsessed with tweed this year.

      That's very interesting about your ancestry. One thing the series did do is pique my interest in the Jacobites. History is so fascinating. Don't understand why people find it boring.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  5. The shawl came out lovely! You're inspiring me to try it. Have a nice week!
    Sincerely,
    Dana

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    1. Well Dana, this is an easy project for a beginner. Just garter stitch. And you start with the widest part first whilst you are all enthused about the project and as your interest wanes, so does the shawl. I call that a pretty perfect pattern! Hope you have a lovely week!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  6. dear jane,
    your house looks wonderful. i love hydrangeas...
    i picked a few blackberries but the rest is for the birds.
    your outlander shawl is a dream, love the wool
    ....really the pattern is very easy.what is that under the shawl?
    wish you a wonderful week,
    hugs regina

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    1. Thanks Regina! If only you and I could figure out something to do with our overabundance of currants and blackberries. Like you, I hate to waste them.

      The shawl is easy; just garter stitch, ssk (slip two stitches as if to knit, place back on left handed needle and knit together) and knit two together. It's a great way to use up all those balls of tweedy yarn you might have.

      What's under the shawl? Do you mean my dress form Madame the Bust? Or the clothing? The clothing is a black peplum blazer that I can't wait to wear this fall (bought at a thrift store for 1/2 off -$1.75) and a black lace blouse of mine. The skirt is a beautiful navy velvet skirt that I bought, again, at the local thrift store for $2, with the intention of using it for the fabric, but I can't bring myself to cut it. So I'll just have to be more dressed up than everyone else and wear it! Ha! I usually am. People are always asking me where I'm going.

      Are you having summer yet?

      Hugs
      Jane

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  7. Those Hostas! So beautiful. I am sucker for Hostas. We had a wonderful leisurely Saturday this past weekend. I hope next is the same. quick question if you don't mind. Do you freeze you fat until you are ready to make soap? Have a wonderful week! Jenifer

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    1. Hi Jen! On the north side of our house it is so narrow that we don't like mowing the grass there. We planted hostas there and now they've filled in that entire area. It's so peaceful. A quiet sort of beauty as opposed to the knock-out some flower gardens are.

      We just store the rendered fat in canning jars in a dark cool place. Put the lid on when the oil is hot and it will seal. If you get all the water out when rendering it, it won't turn rancid. Some people like to use the fat for cooking and it does add flavor, but here, we're trying to cut out the cholesterol. The joys of getting to be an oldster!

      Glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself! Life is meant to be enjoyed! Hope you get your leisurely Saturday and maybe Sunday too!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  8. I love your flowers on your front door Jane! What nice work you did on your shawl -not sure how you found the time though! Blackberries are so good but when I get so scratched up when I go foraging for them. I always forget my long sleeve shirt. You will love them this winter. Have a great day!

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    1. Well any time you're in my neck of the woods feel free to stop by and pick some of ours, Vickie! They're thornless so no scratches. I knit while monitoring the canner, which is quite a few hours in a week lately! You have a wonderful day too!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  9. To have your blackberries... sigh... ours were small and not at all plentiful! We have canned more tomatoes (will they every end?), potatoes, and grape juice... more pesto... and apples next... I love your shawl! So pretty on you! I bet you will use it this winter as the Almanac forecasts lots of cold... Hard to even think of, isn't it??

    We need to talk soon!

    As ever... m

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    1. It is hard to imagine a cold winter, Matty. But according to the woolly worm's stripes it foretell of a cold one for these parts. We pulled up most of our tomatoes except for a few to use for eating fresh. Still need to dig one more plot of potatoes and of course there's the grapes for jelly and juice. All in all, things are winding down here. Can't wait to move on to Fall! Give me a call when you can.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  10. Your home is simply lovely! What a sweet memory and sentiment attached to the pie bird...I would treasure it too. Your jellies sound really good. The pepper jelly is one of my favorites. :) The shawl is so pretty and I'm sure will keep you nice and warm.

    Be blessed my friend!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! Yes, the pie bird is one of my most treasured possessions. I think I might need to make up another batch of pepper jelly, it sure makes a dandy snack. Thanks for the blessings, and may they be returned upon you!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  11. hi ya there Jane! so glad you stopped by and yep...sure loving the new disco ball! Mr. Front Porch hung it up for me in the living room! it sparkles alot! I am in a hurry but will be back later today to read your latest post and catch up with ya!

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    1. Ha! I read that as you hung the disco ball on the porch. Might not be a bad idea after all. Hoe you are getting in lots of photo opportunities. Love looking at them!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  12. I love those pie bird thingies but love the story behind yours even more!---makes it so special!

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  13. Dear Jane,

    You HAVE been busy! It's hard for me to get a move on in summer's heat, too, but we've had a wonderful break from it this past week. I can actually move! :) I love the shawl, the flowers, the jelly, and everything.

    Love,

    Marqueta

    p.s. I saw Michigan-grown carrots at Costco and thought of you. :)

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    1. Well, it's nice to be thought of, Marqueta! I had no idea that thse carrots traveled so far. Cooler temps here too. Even had to wear a sweater in the morning a few times. Let's hope we've seen the end of the really hot weather!

      HUgs
      Jane

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