Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Aunt Nessee's Attic is OPEN ! Happy Hump Day !

Hope you will check out the hand made crafts for sale on my Facebook page at Aunt Nessee's Attic. More items will be posted very soon and I am hoping to start an Etsy site as well. If you see something you like, but it is not in the color of your choice....please contact me. I will be happy to make custom items to order. We accept Pay Pal.

Slán
  Siobhán (Joan) 
Hey Everyone ....Happy to be back!  Has been awhile since I last posted and not sure why life, took over for a bit. Been sewing a lot lately and trying, like everyone else to stay cool during the summer heat. Has been a scorcher here in East Tennessee, but enjoying the last few days, of cool mornings.

I have been making some changes in my personal goals, now that I have more time to spare, in retirement. Two that mesh together nicely are getting healthier with diet and exercise. Started ditching the processed foods from my kitchen, trying to convert my eating habits to the Mediterranean diet. Also with the help and motivation provided by my son, and  introduction to the fit-bit, I have gone from less than 2000 steps per day, to walking at least 22 miles per week. To keep myself motivated, I have challenged myself to support the Military Veterans Project (on FB), in their challenge to defeat suicides, among military veterans and those serving. If you are interested check them out on Facebook at   https://www.facebook.com/MilitaryVeteranProject/?fref=ts .
So results to date = 17 pounds lost & 497,861 steps and counting. If interested you can follow my FB page 22 miles for 22 weeks at https://www.facebook.com/OverOneMillionSteps/.
So I guess this clarifies what has kept me busy. Working on turning my crafting / sewing passion into a business as well.
 So check out the new listings on FB at https://www.facebook.com/AuntNesseesAttic. There are Etsy plans, in the works as well. Love to hear from you with any advice or comments. 

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Successful Day !


Not any warmer this afternoon © RJA
Update from this mornings post. Had a lovely day crafting & baking.
1. Homemade Butter made
2. Artisan Bread (to rise over night and bake tomorrow in the cast iron dutch oven
3. Loaves of what my husband calls "Toaster Bread"
4. Packaged and labelled items for Farmer's Market in May
5. Worked on cross stitch finger towel

"Whew" now time for a coffee. Lovinggggg retirement, time to do the things I haven't had time to enjoy in the past. Only one downside so far ......not seeing as much of my grown children and their wives, as I would like.They live 5 hours away and are very busy with their lives, careers, college and working hard. Love U All if you see this ! Not used to the empty nest yet.

BUTTER MAKING
So easy, don't know why I have never done this before. Basically whip - whipping cream till buttermilk separates, then wash to get a buttermilk out.....DONE. I found a great video that goes thru the process if you want to make your own. Check it out   www.alittleinsanity.com  then search for butter making or

Erica does a great job with her demonstration. Thanks Erica will never buy butter again. Here are the stills from my kitchen.
Ready to make Butter © RJA





Ready to start       Pint of whipping cream, Kitchen Aid Mixer, Ice cold water to wash butter.

Whipping Cream © RJA






Buttermilk has separated and was pored off © RJA


IT'S BUTTER © RJA


Wrapped butter in plastic wrap to form it for mold © RJA

Butter out of mold © RJA
The butter in the mold seems to still need some kinks worked out, but for a first attempt, I am very happy with the end product. Have had this butter mold for years sitting in my china cabinet. My new collectible passion has been fed. Searching antique malls soon !
Hand Knit cloth's packaged and ready for Market. © RJA

Lilac Cross Stitch finger towel in progress © RJA

Got a little crafting done as well, in between letting bread rise and putting in oven. Check back tomorrow for "Bread Show and tell". Have a great evening.

Farmer's Market Time



Spring in East TN © RJA



Beautiful and sunny, but cold morning in East Tennessee....still talking frost in the weather forecast, but thoughts are on Spring planting and Farmer's Markets.(Sorry about the selfie.) LOL Life happens.
Have dabbled with a craft business, for a number of years, but have never really got serious about it, so "2016" is the year. Other things that have been on my calendar and taking up a lot of my time have been put to "bed" so to speak so:

"AUNT NESSEE'S ATTIC:
will be
  "OPEN FOR BUSINESS" 
  officially May 19, 2016 at the
    Marble Spring's Farmer Market
3-6 PM

I know you may not all be in East Tennessee, but if you visit the Smoky Mountains this summer take a side trip to Marble Springs State Historic Site, and learn about the first Governor of Tennessee, John Sevier. http://www.marblesprings.net/ If it happens to be a Thursday, come in the afternoon and pick up some fresh produce, handmade crafts or a vintage treasure for a friend. While in Knox County, a short drive will take you to the Ramsey House, where another famous Tennessean and his family lived from 1779-1820, Colonel Francis Ramsey.http://www.ramseyhouse.org/ If you like outdoor activities we have those as well. http://www.outdoorknoxville.com  One of my favorite haunts, to nature watch or find unusual activities, to fill an afternoon is ijams.org  
Lot's of beautiful State Parks to visit or camp as well. Today is bread baking day so I need to get to work. Hope you will let me know if these trip ideas were helpful !

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Junk or Treasure?

As some of you may know I am a Mary Jane FarmGirl.! What does that mean? Well for each of us it is different. It is a state of mind and a belief in things, close to our hearts, that makes me......ME and you....YOU. Does that make sense? Maybe not, but for me it is a group, that shares interests in a vast list of activities. Some of us live in Metropolitan Cities, others live in rural communities, some at the beach and others on working farms. The title FarmGirl is that "State of Mind" I mentioned. We have online groups to exchange, ideas and interests of all kinds. If you want to learn a new skill, craft, or just meet some new friends.....check it out. Here is a link maryjanesfarm.org

So on to the reason for the above post. As a FarmGirl member we have the opportunity to learn new skills, or explore new interests, with suggestions on a way to approach the challenge.  "Merit Badges" ...All those old memories of earning badges as a "Brownie" in Canada. That idea appealed to me.
I have a love of vintage collectibles, live in an old farm house in semi rural TN. I want to learn some new skills, make healthy food for my family, and remove processed foods from my pantry.

When organizing my kitchen on moving to my farmhouse I wanted a storage system that was in keeping with the farmhouse era, and was bug proof. In our old house we did have problems with ants, and other insects. So "Canning Jars" are my solution. Add that to Collecting and there we are, my new passion / hobby.

 "Collecting Ball Mason Jars"
In the past I bought jars at the thrift store for storage, towards this end. Any jar in good shape was fine. Then I got a box, at an auction, of Aqua blue jars with old rubber seals and aluminum screw on lids. Looking at the embossed Logo's on the jars I realized they were not all the same. Off to the Internet I went, and now a new obsession has been born. The more I researched the topic, the more I realized I had to learn. The "Ball Mason Jar Company", has also released in the past year many commemorative canning jar colors, from the past. With the Craft Craze to make all kinds of projects from Mason Jars, I am looking forward to searching garage sales (now Spring is here), Antique malls and Thrift stores for new additions to my collection. I used to see bottles of all kinds for sale at auctions. Coke bottles, milk bottles, medicine bottles etc, and think why would anyone collect old bottles? Now I am hooked and beginning to understand! Don't forget.
One Woman's Junk is Another Woman's Treasure !

Baking area of my Farmhouse Kitchen © RJA

Start of my "Collection"  from 1923-1933 Logo  © RJA

© RJA

1910- 1923 Logo © RJA

Work in progress, but coming together. © RJA   





If you have been bitten by the "Fruit Jar Collecting Bug" or have other comments. 
Please leave a note ...would love to hear from you!



Friday, March 11, 2016

Spring Blessings !

Well here we are with Spring weather (70 degrees), birds twittering, and bulbs blooming ! Glad to say good by to those cold February days. Hope the weather is easing into Spring where you live, but if not here is a taste of what's to come. ENJOY !
A Touch of Spring © RJA

Anyone know what kind of tree this is ?  © RJA
Took a road trip yesterday to Cumberland Gap State Park in Kentucky. Beautiful drive...would be a fantastic drive in the fall. Trees aren't budding out yet, but won't be long. After a very windy drive to the top of Cumberland Mountain, we reached Pinnacle Outlook (about 2400 ft) and views of 3 states....Kentucky, Tennessee & Virginia. Well worth the trip !
Pinnacle Outlook KT © RJA

Looking towards TN © RJA

Looking towards VA © RJA

Fern Lake KT © RJA

Friday, February 19, 2016

Knitting History & Project Update !

Well today I am going to take on the challenge of figuring out how to knit a thumb gusset in my finger-less gloves. Knitting these on double pointed needles in the round is a new challenge to my knitting skills. My Mom was a great knitter and made all my Dad's socks, so that is my next challenge to knit a pair of socks, for myself. Thought I would share this link I found today on Merriam Webster, when I went to check out the word for the day. History of knitting words. I found some interesting facts--Do you know the origin of the word Cardigan? If not check it out.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/10-knitting-words/knit

Time to do the Gusset © RJA

Happy Knitting !

Seonag

Monday, February 15, 2016

New Things !

From the Heart © RJA
Hope you all had a good Valentine's Day ! Sharing time with the ones you love, either close by or far away. Being an "Empty Nester" I sometimes wax poetic, as they say, when I haven't seen the Chickadee's, in awhile. Sorry I know that is corny, but it feels appropriate. Went to the Urban Dictionary for this definition, just for fun.
 To "wax poetic" means to become increasingly verbose and romantic in speech. To become more and more like a poem....
OK that fits my mood today.   I have often in the past when missing things and people, written Haiku Poems for fun. Today I am missing my 2 sons so this is what sprouted ! I love Merriam Webster's Word for the Day, emails. So here is a link for you http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day
 Always good to learn new things.

2/15/2016

Seed germination,
growth then blooms, to pulchritude,
our Saint Michael's rose.

+++++++++

Quiet as the wind,
with the heart of a mountain,
much hidden within.



 One is thousands of miles away, serving our country, one travels to a different parts, of the USA with his job, and the wives keep the home fires burning, one state away. So as you might have guessed, there are always new things happening, everyday in our family.We have a private family FB page that lets us share photos, thoughts and stories, as a way to stay in touch.  Sometimes I want more, but thanks for listening, to a Empty Nesting "Mom". Give those you LOVE a Hug !

Seonag   ((<3))

Friday, February 12, 2016

Snow Day !

Well Winter is back....woke up this morning to snow flurries, so having a "Snow Day". That incorporates getting outside to enjoy the pristine snow, take photos, top up the bird feeders, fed the zoo and then with cold fingers and toes, retire to the warmth and watch the snow fall, Ahhhh hot coffee, to warm the fingers and the spirit. This just might be a bread baking kind of day also. Then some sewing to bring thoughts of spring, with bright colors and flowers.
Blue Jay © RJA

Breakfast Feast © RJA



I see you ! © RJA

Dreaming of Spring.  © RJA

Let it Snow ! © RJA

© RJA

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Rainbow Bridge

Yesterday was a hard day here. The second of our 3 Labradors, made the journey to the "Rainbow Bridge" . Many pet owner know what this means. If not please google it. When you loose an animal, it is a reassuring way to cope with your loss and have hope for the future. Just under a year ago we lost the youngest of the 3 Juneau, the puppy (12 years old). Yesterday's journey was made by her Mom, Shadow. The tough old "boy" (13 year old ), Midas is still with us, and adjusting to the changes. He has health issues as well, but holding his own and back to 95% normal, following his illness before Christmas.

Midas (sweet Mo) © RJA

Aging pets can be a huge strain on a family, in numerous ways. We initiated some changes in Mo's routine today, hoping it would help him, as well as ourselves. Today's cool, but sunny weather was a great chance for a car ride and short walk in a new location. He seemed to enjoy the short walk, (he has weakness in his hind legs and tires easily) and the new smells and people he met at the local park. Then some time lounging in the back of the car, with a nap in the sun while we checked out items for the auction tomorrow night. My husband and I have made a pact to take Midas with us more, on short outings, to give him adventure in his life, now he is solo dog. He's finding it hard to settle still, as he keeps looking for Shadow. Each day hopefully will get easier. Here are some photos of the rest of the family zoo. Enjoy !
"Felix" (my constant helper) © RJA

"Big Al" (shy, timid guy) © RJA

"Grannie" (greeter & boss cat) © RJA
                                                                  Seonag

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Discovering Tasha Tudor !

Winter today is tempting us, with the belief that Spring is hiding, close by. This morning the sun is shining, with a cloudy, but blue sky. The wind is brisk and temperatures cold. Seed catalog's arrive in the mail, bringing dreams of blooming bulbs and trees in blossom. The mountains are still snow capped, like confectioner's sugar, topped cookies. There is something beautiful about every season....yes, this true, but I'm ready. Come Spring !!!  Clicking thru some of garden photos of last year, to keep my spirits up. Sharing some, here for your enjoyment also. The birds are stocking up for the colddd days ahead.
Spring Blossoms © RJA

Ready for Spring © RJA

Azaleas © RJA

Just spending a "Farm Girl" day here in East Tennessee.  In case some of you don't know about Mary Janes Farmgirls, here is a link so you can check it out.maryjanesfarm.org   The site is a place where women can socialize, share, things they love and get back to some of the things that are important in life. Things that technology, progress and the stresses of the modern world, have taken from us or that we have lost along the way. The main reason for me bringing this up, are Merit Badges, (like you earned in Girl Scouts). If you wished you'd learned to knit.....here is you chance to still do it,with friendly help and support.

I have been a member off and on for a few years, but retired now, I have time to pursue and learn new skills.
"Her Story" Merit Badge encourages exploring the lives of famous women in history and the present day. Which finally brings me to the point of this writing. "Tasha Tudor" is an author and illustrator of children's books. I had the opportunity to discover this interesting lady, in a book I borrowed from the library on heirloom crafts. She was an amazing woman that lived and practiced her love of nature, animals and a simple life style that I want to learn more about. I wanted to guide you to the website about her books and life, that is shared by her family. tashatudorandfamily.com
So I am off to explore, fire up my sewing machine and just have a day for Me. Pouring a hot cup of coffee and saying Bye for now !

Seonag 
  

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Success! Lovely Bread

After doing some reading, on the Chemistry of leavening ingredients in the bread making process, I learnt, a few things. There are chemical leavening agents and yeasts. These both are used in different types of bread making and need to be handled differently. Baking soda, baking powder and cream of tarter are used in quick breads. Once they a in contact with the liquid component of the recipe they start to work immediately and as such need to be baked as soon as they are mixed. No rising time required. Pictured below are Scottish Scones that fall into this category. Yummy warm from the oven, with butter and raspberry jam !
© RJA  Fresh from the Kitchen
 The two loaves in the rear, are my loaves of Buttermilk Honey Bread. They were taste tested by my husband, Remi and declared to be a "keeper recipe". Success at last. Not sure what my next yeast experiment will be, but I see, more bread making in my future.
                                                                 Scottish Scones © RJA

Baking Bricks? No Bread !

This is a busy month in our family....Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries, Valentines Day and Supper Bowl Sunday ! We are not big football fans, other than supporting our local team, the Vol's. Still cold windy days and snow forecasts, but sunny today. A project the we have been working on here, is getting rid of processed food and learning to eat CLEAN. It takes some work when shopping, reading labels etc, but worth it in the end. Time to get back to basic's and eat the nutritious, unaltered food, our grandparents ate. A great, quick read on the subject to help you on your journey is Michael Pollan's book, " Food Rules :An Eater's Manual".

So far we have got rid of the processed packaged food. Went to a local bulk food market and bought things for our "bakery project", this month. Unbleached flour, baking powder without aluminum, (why is aluminum in food/), dark honey, yeast etc. .http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/10/why-you-should-use-aluminum-free/
I have made bread in the past, by hand and with a bread machine, but never had much success. My husband and sons used to tease me, that the loaves would be great in a third world, school building project. So we have been eating store bought bread for some years now. My recipe in hand, fresh ingredients at the ready, we are off on a new experiment.  "Buttermilk Honey Bread" will be our test recipe. I did a bit of reading on Baking Soda and Baking Powder, .....thinking, understanding my ingredients, might help make this project a SUCCESS.....will be back in awhile to show you how it comes out. Stay tuned. LOL. I found the recipe in "Homemade Bread",  one of Hobby Farm's Home, Kitchen Series magazines.hobbyfarmhome.com .

If you want to understand how your ingredients effect your baking here is a science lesson for today.
http://phys.org/news/2014-05-difference-soda-powder.html

Wish me luck

Seonag

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Ahhh....What a Frustrating Day !

I am a novice when it comes to computer, know how. I messed up working on the blog today. Typed the URL wrong, when doing some set up and ended up with two versions of the blog and the wrong URL attached. I THINK and HOPE it is fixed now. Where are you BOYSSSS? My sons were always my go to for help, but now they are, out of the nest and not here to rescue me. My DH is worse than me on the web etc. He is good at fixing viruses etc. but try to post something or work the printer, I am then the go to "Girl". LOL save me from technology . Don't get me wrong I like it when it works ! Anyway for reference the correct access is.

www.muddybootsandlace.blogspot.com 

Time to introduce you to my blogging buddy Felix ! If I am online he is there to "assist", usually laying on my arm so my finger go numb. Here he is being good for once.
Felix my beautiful boy ! © RJA
 

Rainy Day !

 Just wanted to invite you in for cozy chat, by the fire, as it is wet and rainy here. Putting on some of my favorite Celtic music and getting set to start my next knitting project.
  thistleradio.com.
 My Mom taught me to knit, when I was about 10 years old, but I never advanced to her level. She was an amazing knitter. Putting a book, she was currently reading on my music stand, she could knit & read, for hours quite happily. Mom was the source of many of my passions / interests to this day. If she were still alive she would be 101 years old this July ! I can see the wheels of your minds turning ???? How old is Seonag really ! Tip for you, she had me later in life . I am still under 62 years, but young at heart as they say and have nowhere near finished compiling my "Bucket List". Any way ....back to the knitting. I am ready to navigate a more advanced knitting project. "Fingerless Gloves". I have the pattern, the wool and the needles. Wish me luck on this Circular knitting adventure ! Ahhh the beautiful yarn. Will let you know how things progress KPKPKP.

          Seonag
Love these colors !  © RJA photo
Noro Silk Garden, Aran Weight Yarn. If looking for a local supplier in East TN check out theyarnhaven.com






Photography

Another of my interests, that invades all aspects of my life is photography. I have... up till the start of the New Year, been a point and shoot (on Auto, I will admit) kind of photographer. I took a night school class to learn more about my camera and try to develop my skills. To keep challenging myself to learn more, I have entered the "Capture your 365 Challenge". Check out the site.....some great tips and classes. Also they list a daily challenge to keep you working and learning how to capture that "Amazing Photo".   I will be sharing some photos here, so please let me know what you think of them. Just as an FYI unless noted all photos used on this blog are my own and as such are copyrighted. © RJA.

       Seonag

http://captureyour365.com/category/blog/

Time for a cup of tea ! See you soon.
© RJA



Snow on the Hills

Enjoying the winter weather here in the valley. Loved waking up to a winter wonderland, these last few mornings. Today sunny skies and the melt has started. Just in case you couldn't tell, I LOVE.....life in the country. We have a small, mini farm of almost 2 acres. I know you may say ....that's not a "real farm", but to us, it is the way of life not the acreage. We do not use pesticides, grow some of our own food, keep some areas of our land, wild for the preservation of wild birds and animals. We have been in our 1899 farm house for a year now and love our change of pace life. No more 9-5 work week = retirement. Empty nest = finding new interests. Miss having our boys around, as they pursue their own life adventures with their wives. We are a close family and thank heavens for texts and FB family groups, where we can share photos, news and keep in touch. I hope that you will come back often and enjoy the posts, of things I am up to and leave comments and thoughts of your own.

   The girl in the muddy boots !

      Seonag  (my Celtic name)