Setting Up Safe Haven and Strawberry Jam

Been busy here ... as you can imagine ...

with homemaking chores, and homesteading routines,

and whatnot.

At this point, the focus is just upon emptying boxes.

I'll figure out where everything will "best go" later.

Here is my safe haven.

And here is my Strawberry Jam-Making Session.

The jam didn't "set" all the way solid ...

the only thing I can figure I did wrong was

I added six cups of sugar, and not seven.

It still tastes delicious ... as you can imagine.

She Said "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino ..."

... to decorate our home.

(Who remembers that song?)

So I've been collecting wine bottles.

I have several in storage.

These, ten, are from, ahem, Thanksgiving ... yes,

my family had a lot to be thankful for.

My initial inspiration was to use the dark green glass

to hold, and preserve, my homemade

colloidal silver someday.

I need to get a colloidal silver generator, first,

and then that'll be another fascinating topic ...

but for now I'm thinking I will use the dark brown glass

of beer bottles for that endeavor instead.

Anyway, I remembered something I saw a couple of years ago.

Drinking glasses, aka tumblers, made out of wine bottles!

I remember trying to research how to cut the glass ...

but I seem to remember it's arduous.

I also remember something about blow-torches

and some kind of special cutter thingy

and files and vices and water

and all sorts of intimidating things.

And it all seemed so very complicated.

But now my interest has been revived, and I think

I will look back into it.

Some fancy-smancy magazine was selling a set of four

for, like, $200 or some crazy price like that.

I'm thinking they'd make great gifts ...

after my shelf is full of various sizes

for my own pleasure and use :)

My little brother is a bartender at Copper Creek

(a fine dining restaurant here in Abilene)

and I can get access to all kinds of bottles

of all different colors ... woo-hoo!

Wall of Books

So this same local B&B

that did the copper penny backsplash

... which, by the way, I found out took 2700 pennies ...

also got creative with old books.

2700 pennies is only $27 ... right?

I am friends with these guys on Facebook,

and follow their recycling/renovation projects.

They have several properties

in Abilene's affluent, historical district.

This project used to be an old dance hall.

The wall is covered was 30 feet long, and 10 feet high.

It took 350 book covers .

Interesting project, but not for me ... I don't think.

Too busy looking ... but maybe it's all the stuff.

I'd stick with soft browns and creams if I were to do it,

and have very minimal decorations and furniture.

I think the busyness takes away from the art of the wall.

But, that's just me.

I am more of a minimalist ... I don't do "clutter" very well,

and don't need a lot of "stuff."

I do LOVE the cubby-hole bookshelf though ...

love, Love, LOVE IT.

I can sooo see my collection of special rocks,

and Nani's retired boots

in there.

You can see the penny backsplash in this photo.

You can click on the photos to get a larger view.

Love y'all.

Copper Penny Backsplash

I so, totally, want to do this someday.

These photos are from a local B&B, off of Sayles Boulevard, here in Abilene.

I think I can imagine how it was done ... just regular adhesive?  Regular grout?

Any ideas or pointers?

Busy Exciting Week!

Monday, August 16, my dad

(The Buffalo Gap Round-Up Newspaper)

co-hosted a well-known conservative radio talk show host,

with a book on the current NY Times best-seller list,

from San Francisco,

right here in good ol' Abilene, Texas.

Sean Hannity of Fox News will be showcasing

Brian Sussman and “Climategate” 

on his evening television show August 27.

Be sure to tune in, and

remember you heard about it FIRST

on my little blog. 

I wished I had taken more pictures,

but I was tooo busy socializing.

Here is Bob Berrie, and Brian Sussman of

KSFO AM-560.

Dee Compere, a local ranch woman, and

My Dad

Might as well throw in a snapshot

of my little brother, Bo, and his friend, Kaysha.

Bob Berrie and My Dad

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Tuesday and Wednesday found me

packing up my oldest miracle's bedroom ...

she is leaving home for college.

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Wednesday and Thursday found me

cleaning and rearranging

everything ...

to keep my heart/mind busy,

and depression at bay.

Lindsey' room BEFORE ...

Lindsey's room AFTER ...

BEFORE

AFTER

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I "moved" Lindsey into my old room ...

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Little Nani lost ANOTHER tooth this week ...

making that FOUR in a very short period of time.

Let me remind you she is only four years old,

and has now lost a total of six teeth ...

beginning at the age of three.

Here is my middle miracle

and youngest miracle

warming my heart.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Love y'all :)

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