Lady Michael, a Southern Grandmother: 2013

Sunday, April 7, 2013

My Repurposed Life™: How to make a gazing ball out of a bowling ball

gazing ball bowling ball

My Repurposed Life™: How to make a gazing ball out of a bowling ball

I have a bowling ball gazing ball that my Little Man and I made covered in pennies and left to tarnish, it gives a depth not achieved if covered with the poly. I have a couple more old bowling balls that I’ve been saving to do something with, think I just found it. Thank you Homestead Survival for sharing this link. Thank you My Repurposed Life for posting!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Two Ingredient Beer Bread

The best and easiest loaf of bread I ever made, and yes, only 2 ingredients.

2 and 2/3 cups of self rising flour

12 oz beer

Mix (will more resemble a thick cake batter than bread dough) and put in oven at 350 degrees and bake for 40 minutes.

That's it, so easy and oh so wonderful.

Any beer can be used, hot or cold, so long as you use 12 oz.

Experiment with add ins,,,, I have used pepper jack cheese, olives, asiago cheese, rosemary, garlic, tomatoes and basil. Try singularly or in combinations, create your own,

Happy baking !

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

'Monsanto Protection Act' slips silently through US Congress — RT USA

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Making waterproof patio furniture cushions

Ever wonder how to get fabric that you like for patio furniture at reasonable prices??? Try thriftshop shower curtains!

Beach Umbrella Black/Pink Shower Curtain ... Shift+R improves the quality of this image. CTRL+F5 reloads the whole page.

And go from this (above) to this (below) for pennies on the dollar.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Yours Truly: At-Home Gel Manicure

Chocolate Covered Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe | Good Life Eats

Louise's Country Closet: Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Cubes

As a rinse aid, use a small glass or cup, right side up with 1-3 tbsp of vinegar. Works better than Jet Dry!

Louise's Country Closet: Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Cubes

Ana White | Free and Easy DIY Furniture Plans to Save You Money

This lady has literally hundreds of free plans on her site, follow the link below.

Ana White | Free and Easy DIY Furniture Plans to Save You Money

Thursday, March 21, 2013

12 Awesome Upcycled Pallet DIY Projects - Blissfully Domestic

These are just some of the projects I saw that got me hooked, and I mean as in addicted, on pallets.

12 Awesome Upcycled Pallet DIY Projects - Blissfully Domestic

What do you mean my rice isn’t rice? Spring Mountain Living: The Wild Truth About Wild Rice & Cooking Directions

wild rice facts and cooking

Spring Mountain Living: The Wild Truth About Wild Rice & Cooking Directions

Outdoor Solar Lights Inside Our House

Thank you The Homestead Survival for sharing the link to this site with us. I have been using our solar lights indoors in groups in flower pots placed strategically in the house for light at night, carrying them in and out, this is better. I will be putting the panels on the roof though, we get more than enough sun to complete a charge. And I’m thinking of maybe installing several sets eliminating the need for anything other than a few lamps to read, or sew with.

Outdoor Solar Lights Inside Our House

Monday, March 18, 2013

I think I've become something of a homesteader,,,

Update on the move and the interesting life due to it,,, lol
Well it's been an interesting week and weekend in the new place. We are still camping out as we are still jumping through the very tedious and extremely expensive hoops that Calcasieu Parish has set up for us. We have enough "borrowed" electricity to be able to use a few lamps, a mini fridge, and a space heater for cold nights. We are toting water, not from a well, but from the neighbors who have all proven to be blessings (well all but one set, but that's a different story, lol). We are cooking and heating enough water to clean us and dishes, and other necessary items, and make sure we have enough to flush with so as to be at the very least sanitary. I can honestly say that while I am thankful for all that I have, I have developed a new appreciation of minor luxuries,,, like running water and electricity. I don't know if when this is all done, if I will ever have the desire to go camping again, or well, at least not for a long time. All in all, for the most part, other than a few inconvienences, we are doing well, the boy, the dogs, the chickens, and one very tired, very sore old lady. Hope everyone else is doing well, I've missed you guys. Love and kisses, hugs and prayers,,,t-Mike,,, mmmuuuaaahhh!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Herbal Alternatives to Antiobiotics - Heal - Herb Companion

The information contained on the Mother Earth News page connected to the link above is invaluable. It was shared through another website, The Homestead Survival at http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/ , it is worth passing on.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Benefits of Herbal Catnip Tea | Herbal Treatment Remedies

Catnip Tea From the Manufacturer's Label: Caffeine FreeCatnip is often enjoyed as a tea for its soothing, relaxing benefits.** Natural herb teas that are good for you and the environment. 30 Tea Bags $4.99

Yes, catnip,,, like you give your cat or that comes in cat toys. I have personally used this and find it to be one of the most wonderful pain relief products available. It has so many health benefits besides the pain reliving qualities. It can be given to most anyone of any age, and has been used to treat colic in infants, MS and cancer patients, elderly affected with crippling arthritis, fibromyalgia, and pretty much any other acute or chronic condition that involves bouts of debilitating pain. I researched this several years ago and found it can be smoked (like marijuana), ingested in a capsule,,, or in a tea. Personally I have found the tea to be the most beneficial. It has the pain relieving qualities of a loratab, or darvocet, with none of the harmful side effects. And yes, like your cat, it can make you a little “happy”, and it can effect your driving, use with caution. The link below can give you a little more information. Meanwhile, I have pulled something in my back and shoulder with all of this moving, I’m going to fix me a glass of iced tea (catnip of course).

Benefits of Herbal Catnip Tea | Herbal Treatment Remedies

Good Morning,,, update on the move

Good morning peeps,,, well it's done, as of 5:08 a.m. this morning, we are moved, only have to go back to get boat trailer and Israel's basketball goal (and start unpacking, I have no idea where anything is). We have moved into a house (trailer) that is bought and paid for, so the next time we move, we will only have to have house moved, not all the packing and unpacking and thousand and one trips. Hopefully we will only move one last time, maybe next year sometime onto our own piece of land. In the meantime am very thankful to coworker (and good friend) and his family for allowing us to live on a piece of their property. Am super thankful for my boss, who is also a dear friend, for helping to move the appliances and giving me the day off, pocketbook didn't need it, but body did. And not sure how much good I would have been today anyway, truthfully. Now just to finish fight with the parish to get the septic finished so they will issue permit for electricity. Until then,,, it's a camping trip, lol. We'll just pretend we're post hurricane for a bit (only in cooler weather, which is a blessing), lol.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Tips for a Tidy Workshop - Article | The Family Handyman

These tips can be used for so many different types of handicraft work spaces. I’ll definitely will be implementing some of them myself soon.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

How to Remove Scratches from Leather | Budget Savvy Diva

Monday, March 4, 2013

Driveway idea

I know this is a garden path, but had thought to do something similiar in my driveway with the boards that can't be reused from the pallets and my various other projects. The ground here (South Louisiana) is soft and usually pretty wet and easy to tear up especially during the rainy season (11 months out of the year). Concrete and asphalt hold so much heat and look so sterile, this appeals to me so much more.

Salad in a jar, mmm LUNCH!

The only recipe you need is to put the salad dressing on the bottom,,, the goodies in the middle and the greens on the top (a must), refridgerate and when ready to eat, just shake and pour out onto a plate or enjoy straight from the jar. The combinations are limited only to your imagination and person preference.

The boss already pokes fun at me and my veggies,,,, says I must be half rabbit,,, can't wait to hear what he says when I start doing this.
Seriously though, this will save so much waste and I am excited about eating my own salad rather than one from a fast food chain.

Bon appettite!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Pallet Arbor

Saw this and thought of the kiwi arbor I want to put in the fence line instead of a gate between neighbor and I.

Dig Deeper Newsletter, August 2011 — Timber Press Talks

Definitely on my to do list for this summer. Easy directions and helpful pictures.

16 Foods That’ll Re-Grow from Kitchen Scraps | Wake Up World

Building a Gypsy Wagon

The link will direct to the FREE plans and instructions. I can so do this! So gonna do this!

Campfire ream cheese stuffed sticky buns,,,, mmmm

Breakfast this morning,,, homeade cinnamon rolls stuffed with cream cheese, in the dutch oven, baked over campfire. And they were absolutely wonderful with fresh coffe in my french press.

Make A Year’s Worth of Laundry Soap for $30.00!One Good Thing by Jillee | One Good Thing by Jillee

years supply of laundry detergent

Make A Year’s Worth of Laundry Soap for $30.00!One Good Thing by Jillee | One Good Thing by Jillee

I add a drop or two of essential oil (depending on what I feel like at the time,,, jasmine, lavender and lemon grass are my fav’s) to each load for scent,,, love this recipe.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

NOOK for PC - Barnes & Noble

Free app! Download and read nook books on your pc or laptop

NOOK for PC - Barnes & Noble

Hopefully not many more days of having to cook our meals this way,,, want cook on a campfire when I choose to, not because I have to. :)

Meatloaf in a crock in the bbq,,, turnip greens, scalloped potatoes and onions,,, kettle for water for hot drinks (it's freezing out here) and a canner full of water to clean up with after. Fire to warm my buns. Izzy's off gathering more pine knots for later.

Got pink eye? Here's some natural relief

Turmeric and Honey

Use 3 Tbsp of honey in 2 cups of boiling water, stir to dissolve, cool and use as an eyewash. Also use 2tsp of turmeric stirred into 1 cup boiling water and used as a warm compress. You'll be better in no time.

Build Yourself a Privacy Planter, 2 different styles. – Free Plans » The Homestead Survival

My Helper in this adventure,,,Izzy P, taking down shelving

Friday, March 1, 2013

Bigú Handmade: Puntilla Gallinita...(Little Hen Lace)...

Thursday, February 28, 2013

How to Reuse Dryer Lint: 7 steps - wikiHow

Happiness is,,,,,

Well I guess it has begun in earnest now. With just the boy and I on our own and a nearly empty cookie jar,,, we are putting to test all of the skills I have ascertained through the years. We have purchased a used 40+ yr old 2 brd, 1 bath mobile home and are working diligently (well, one of us is fairly diligent anyway) to renovate it. It has been moved to it's new location and is set up, leveled, blocked, and tied down, a piece of a front porch in place.

Growing up the daughter of a general contractor, I (thakfully) have more than adequate skills, and have recently come across an unending supply of pallets at no cost (other than loading them by hand and hauling and then unloading, I am thankful). The wood will be stripped to use as hardwood floors and cabinets inside the home and for full length porches for the front and back of the trailer. Other uses include our fence,,, part of which I have already put up with temporary stakes,dog houses and of course a chicken coop.

. I plan to make to sell, adirondak chairs and patio furniture, tables, benches, and wine racks to supplement purchases of deck screws, tposts for fencing, chicken wire and other hardware necessities. Will be posting more updates and pics with progress as we go. Wish us luck,,, think we're gonna need it.