What I’m Working On -Jo’s Country Junction

Mom used her new GO! cutter to help replicate a cute little trivet she found at an antique shop.  The trivet has been in the house for years- it is made from fabric-covered bottle tops.  Mom was eager to use her 3″ fabric scraps but the original trivet is made from polyester clothing.  Very “green!”  Surely you have scraps to make your own, but if you are at a loss for bottle tops your college-student/server/bartender friend can surely help.

Once a Month Cooking: Vegetarian/Vegan- Ellen’s Kitchen

I was on Facebook this week and discovered that my cousin Jody made 31 meals (!) to put in her freezer.  I have made double batches or lasagna on occasion, but never planned that far ahead!  This link has a meal plan to make enough food to serve 10 vegetarians for a whole month!  While that is far beyond my needs I am interested in trying a few of the recipes.  Because I only cook for myself I think I would fully cook 3 casseroles or batches of soups and then freeze them in individual portions.  That way I can toss them in my lunch box.

Mahvelous Dahling: E Tells Tales

“E” went to a 50’s Housewife-themed bachelorette party. Not. Even. Kidding.  Check out this link for the invites, the decorations, the food and more.

American Food Posters from WWI & II: Smithsonian.com

It is no secret that I love, love, love, WWII homefront propaganda. Kristen from The Frugal Girl linked to this slideshow at the Smithsonian and I love it!  Every Friday Kristen posts a picture of the food that she is throwing away that week as an incentive to reduce food waste.  I think these WWI & II ideas need to come back in vogue.

This week I celebrated my last first day of school!  My last first day with me as the student, anyway.  Hopefully at this time next year I will be celebrating my first- first day of me as the teacher! *crosses fingers* *curses budget cuts*

Gettiing adjusted to yet another new routine calls for some brain-numbing garter stitch.  My latest project:

This log cabin baby afghan is knitted with unravelled sweaters.  The preppy stripes make it a little more “Baby Gap” than “hippie handicraft” which will make it a great gift for one of my many expecting friends.  It was really fun to knit in the beginning when the squares were small, but now I am knitting in solid blocks for a very long time.  Quite boring.  I am excited to try an applied I-cord edge on the blanket which is new to me.

My mind is obviously craving something more exciting.  While knitting this afghan I spaced out to Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo.  I really like this hat and think it could easily be duplicated.

Later in the week I was out for coffee with a friend and was distracted by the tapestry pattern on our booth.  Would this not make an awesome Kona-cotton mod-quilt design?

I better get plugging away on that baby afghan so I can start a new project!  My latest audiobook pick will keep my brain occupied.  I’m listening to A Prayer for Owen Meany which is 25 hours long!

]]> http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?feed=rss2&p=1481 1 http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?p=1475 http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?p=1475#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:50:56 +0000 Kayla K http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?p=1475

Hi all!

I am taking a quick break from all of the sticky slime that is canning peaches to tell you about my great trip that I took with Mom yesterday.  The sticky peaches are relevant…

We headed south to check out the Bent n’ Dent grocery store to find that it was closed!  Thursday is sometimes errand day for the Amish.  Luckily the general store was open so we could stock up on high quality stainless steel kitchen ware.  Mom was also able to purchase diaper pins for layettes at only $.65 per dozen.

Our favorite find was belts for our treadle sewing machines.  When we asked the lady gave us the leather belts that we are familiar with.  Then, she said “Wait… are you actually going to use these?”  Of course we planned on it!  She then gave us long plastic tubing and stuck a tiny metal attachment in one end.  She said the plastic was so much nicer because it could be cut with a scissor.  She said if the belt got a little loose after awhile we could just trim it and stick the metal into the tube again.  We are excited to try her suggestion!  She also said we can use the same needles as for our electric machines and gave us some pointers on tension.

The treadle machine experimenting will have to wait until the peaches are canned!  On our way out of the general store we saw a sign that said a shipment of peaches would be in at someone’s farm.  The general store owner gave us directions and we were able to purchase three large crates of peaches for $16 each which equaled about $.60 per pound.  We signed up for peaches and blueberries and will be expecting a post card at this time next year.

It is fun to have a “last hurrah” before school starts on Monday.  Mom doesn’t believe me, but I truly enjoy canning!

Welcome to my weekly installment of My Messy Desk Monday!  A workspace can say a lot about someone.  Here is what my desk is saying today:

Today marks the beginning of my final week of summer and I am spending some time with Spencer before I start school next Monday.

On my his desk today:

• Bills paid online: I love online bill pay!  At the end of this year I planned to take a picture of the big stack of return envelopes I save by paying online but I finally got sick of all of the clutter and recycled them.  Many companies offer incentives for accepting online statements so I take advantage of this.
• Computer, Printer, etc
• Remotes for the DVR so I can get caught up on “Beekman Boys.”  I am pretty bummed that the season is over already because Spencer will be disconnecting the satellite dish after this winter.
• Leftovers for breakfast

Okay so my desk isn’t that messy this Monday which has more to do with Spencer than with me.

This “computer desk” came in handy yesterday!  Spencer and I have met each other’s parents many times over in the four years we have been dating, but yesterday parents met parents. The desk was repurposed as a baquet table to seat both of our families.

I was only a little nervous!  I kept myself mostly sane by choosing food that could be prepared the night before and finished the next day.  Mom brought desserts that were delicious, of course.

But the important part is that our families got along very well and we all had a great time.  And, because we spent Saturday cleaning for company we can relax today!

What is your desk saying about you?

Yesterday my mom and I worked to cater the county volunteer fire fighting meeting and also canned 33 quarts of salsa!  Our t-shirt aprons were no match for all of the mess, but I cringe to think of what I would look like without one.

After a late night finishing the salsa and cleaning up after the big dinner we woke up early to take my little sister to the Iowa State Fair so she could perform in the Bill Riley Talent Search.  She did a great job singing her original song.  Mom and I enjoyed all of the fabric and textiles projects on display.  It has been a fun but busy day so I will wait for tomorrow to share pictures of my favorite projects.

What is your favorite part of the State Fair?

It is Salsa and Fireman Food day at the Kramer house!  Mom is busy catering the county fire meeting and my siblings brought home 5 crates of tomatoes from their visit to my aunt and uncle’s house.  Makes for a very messy kitchen and busy day!

When you know you will be getting very messy (like we do when we make salsa) and you have a very long to-do-list (like today) a Two-Minute T-Shirt apron is just what you need.  Here’s a quick tutorial:

Lay a t-shirt flat on a cutting surface.  A size or two too big is best.

Cut through both thicknesses from armpit to edge of collar, creating a halter-top shape.

Turn the shirt over.

Cutting through the back of the shirt only cut from armpit to armpit.

Trim around the collar of the t-shirt.

Leave a 3″ strip under the arms.  I have this marked with pins.  Starting at the lower corner, cut up to the 3″ strip, across the t-shirt, and down to the other lower corner. You have cut a big rectangle from the bottom of the shirt.

Cut to halfway through the 3″ strip, across the middle of the strip, and up the top of the strip so that two separate straps strings have been made.

Pull the strings tight to make long ties.

Here is my mom…

…all ready for salsa!

If you are working through canning season, Jo’s Country Junction is a great source for recipes.

Sometimes it can be hard to put words to the pictures in tutorials, so if you need clarification please ask them in the comment section below.  I love to hear from you!

]]> http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?feed=rss2&p=1433 5 http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?p=1424 http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?p=1424#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:58:20 +0000 Kayla K http://www.kaylaksthriftyways.com/?p=1424

In yesterday’s post I mentioned my excitement over my new south-facing window.  The view out is not great (a parking lot and the next apartment complex) but the light in is excellent!  South facing windows are the best for growing houseplants, including my new little succulent collection.

I enjoy floral arrangements that involve more texture than color and am so impressed by succulent bouquets.  I don’t remember where I first saw a succulent bouquet but they are now my favorite thing to Google.

On a recent trip to Lowe’s I discovered some especially hopeless looking little plants.  I asked for a discount and received 50% off.  While transplanting the plants to a new container I lost a lot of leaves.  Luckily, succulents are very easy to propagate.  I sprinkled some gravel in the bottom of a repurposed yogurt container, added some cactus potting mix, and stuck in the leaves.  Two weeks later the leaves have tiny little roots!

The succulent arrangement that I made did not fair too well.  It was left outside and got too much water!  I practically ignored the yogurt cups in my window and they are thriving.  It is a good thing succulents are such a thrifty little plant.

I am looking forward to trying some succulent arrangements, including a succulent ball.  I am on the lookout for some clearance hanging baskets.

Here are some links of interest if you are ready to try your own succulent arrangment:

• Elizabeth Anne Designs is where I got the first image of the succulent bouquet.  She put together a beautiful inspiration board that includes succulents as wedding favors, boutonnieres, and center pieces.  They are part of a beautiful color pallette-check it out!
• Flower Duet has a video tutorial for how to make floral stems from succulents.
• Martha Stewart has a tutorial for succulent wedding favors.
• Succulents Galore has a beautiful selection of succulents available by mail.  Who know you could ship succulents?  I have not ordered from this source, but they have excellent reviews stating that the plants arrived safely, and that the seller included extra plants.  I may order their assortment package of 12 different succulents.  There is a great variety!

I had the Today show on this morning and stopped to watch a segment about five foods you must eat and their health benefits.  You can watch the clip online here, or you can browse my list with recipes!

1. Cold Water Fish: The show suggested salmon but mackerel is also a fatty cold water fish, and less expensive.  I posted a recipe for Cajun Mackerel burgers for the Non-Consumer Advocate’s June Food Stamp Challenge.
2. Beans: Preparing dried beans is easy, or you can get canned beans from a dented cans store. (Although I caution buying the dented cans… that is just the store name.) My favorite way to eat beans is with my slow-cooker split pea soup.  I have also made delicious black bean brownies.  Joy Bauer made bean brownies on the show but she used a cake mix and water.  Mine are flour-free and use pureed bananas.
3. Oats: I eat oatmeal a lot! My favorite treat is overnight oats when I can get a great deal on yogurt.
4. Eggs: Eggs are a cheap source of protein, especially if you can buy them with knitted dishclothes or garden work.  My favorite way to sneak vegetables to Spencer is with a quick and easy fritatta.
5. Spinach: I cook with spinach a lot but have never posted a recipe!  Sometimes I put spinach in with a fritatta, but the best treat is a green monster smoothie.  You can find the recipe at Iowa Girl Eats.  This is a great way to use overripe bananas- keep them in the freezer to blend into your morning smoothie.

What are your favorite ways to prepare these power foods?

Welcome to my first weekly installment of My Messy Desk Monday!  A workspace can say a lot about someone.  Here is what my desk is saying today:

My desk has a new setting this week because I moved recently.  My new bedroom has a nice little nook for the desk and I can look out a south-facing window directly to my left.  It makes for a bright, cheery workspace.

On my desk today:

• My Laptop so I can work on my blog today
• Coffee tumbler- You may remember a previous post where I told you I was no longer buying coffee to drink at home.  However, in a more recent post, I shared my joy of shopping at a dented-can store.  One of my purchases included a bag of Starbucks coffee for only $2.50 so I am back to coffee at home.
• An empty bowl that used to have hummus and veggies in it, but I ate it for a midnight snack.  The hummus I brought to yesterday’s family picnic turned out to be not very popular which means I have a lot of it to eat this week. Yum!
• A soup bowl of oatmeal- I bought some instant packets, which I have not done in a while, and found them to be just as sickeningly sweet as before.  I did my best to bland-it-up with some raisins and walnuts with no luck.  Serves me right for straying from my bulk-canister!
• My “book” that I carry with me to hold my cash at work.
• My Ipod that ran along with me for 20 minutes!!! this morning.  This is my longest run yet and is a huge accomplishment for me.  I have mentioned this in my Thrifty Fitness post.
• My planner where I scheduled my first 5-K for October 10.  I had plans to do one on Labor Day but it was for the local running club.  I think for my first race I want more of a fun-run environment so I chose a charity run that one of the sororities puts on.
• Coasters, vase with change, pens, pencils, a notebook, a magazine, etc

Not technically on my desk, but draped across my chair is a new knitting project.  I am using unravelled sweaters to knit a log-cabin style baby blanket.  My hope is more mod-Baby Gap and less hippie handicraft and I am pleased with it so far.  It got good reviews at the picnic yesterday which makes me feel better. You are getting the raggedy ends view today.  I will show a better view when I am further along.

What is your desk saying about you?

I am sometimes hesitant to do posts such as this because it toes the fine line between frugality and stinginess.

However, I am quite proud of my new little invention and because I have my own bathroom in my new apartment no one will ever see it. So:

Here it is!

The home I grew up in has one bathroom for seven people.  Not even the cleanest clean freak could keep up with that.  I now have an aversion to bathroom trash cans because they can get gross and grimy underneath, because your brothers may not put a new liner in and you have to pull sticky stuff out of the bottom when you empty it, and because pets can get pretty excited for girly-bathroom-trash-goodies.

I simply looped a handle of a grocery sack over each end of the toilet paper holder and snapped the toilet paper in place.  Now I never have to clean a trash can again!

AND… most importantly, I don’t have to buy one!