Gearing up for the holidays

From now until Thanksgiving our lives will move in fast forward. After the turkeys eaten and we are all sitting around like a stuffed bird ourselves we start to freak out at how busy life gets and the million things to be done for Christmas. That use to be me. We dont get all crazy and bent our of shape anymore. Christmas is the season to think about why you celebrate the season to begin with and to be with those you love and help those  you can. Basically its suppose to be Christmas all year long but I wont lecture you on that.

One of the things I started doing a few years back is doubling all my dinner recipes from around Halloween until Thanksgiving. I just figured it out and starting today that would give me 24 meals. Thanksgiving will be 4 days of how to get creative and use up all those leftovers. So from November 25th-December 23 that will give me 27 days all of which would be covered with a meal except for 3 which I am sure will have some sort of celebrations and not dining at home going on.

I will try to post what I am making every day. Tonight I will be making and freezing spaghetti sauce. We arent even going to be eating spaghetti tonight We are all out of the house this evening scattered in different directions but I didnt want to day to be wasted while home plus I am making a few dinners for a friend. I will just take a few 32 oz cans of crushed tomatoes, add a little salt, sugar, pepper, italian seasoning and simmer. I will add cooked ground been and put all in  a ziplock. On the evening we will be eating it while I am heating up the sauce I will boil the water and cooke the pasta. Easy peasy

Remember like the picture at the top of this post, this is what works best for you. Dont worry if my ideas seem crazy. This is what works best for my family. If you dont do it just like me it doesnt mean you are doing it wrong.

I will also be working on homemade gift ideas people can make or buy from me. Which brings me to something else I need to do. I need to set up a little work space that is just my own. Kind of like an office. Unfortunately I have no extra rooms. I need to do some rearranging. This is my setup when I need to blog. A tv table with my tea and breakfast in my bedroom. My kids also think I need to get something better than my Kindle and a wireless keyboard. It works for me though.

I also plan on trying out a new deodorant recipe and will let you know if it works or if people avoid me.

Have a great Monday


Lots of Love,

Mrs Ladybug

Dream Your Big

As the garden is winding down and the last of the harvest is in I started feeling a little disappointed. I had wanted to do more. We grew 30 pounds of potatoes, more tomatoes than last year, onions like crazy, tripple the garlic yet that wasn't enough. Why?

I think it's because when I think of what it means to be an urban farmer it means being more self sustained. Even though we expand every year. I look on the internet at all these other people nailing it and feel inferior. That's actually insanity.

Isn't this what we do in lots of other things? We want to workout but our friends are posting pics of themselves at the gym every day. We only made it once around the neighborhood. We want a tidier home but ours looks nothing like the unlived in magazine covers?  Date nights, game nights, family time, vacations.....everyone else's always looks better.

STOP LOOKING AT EVERYONE  ELSES LIFE AND NOT LIVING AND LOVING YOURS!


The first egg, green bean and tomato I got from my garden made me an urban farmer. The rest is icing on the cake. Today I am going to work on my next dream. If I don't out it out there tomorrow someone remind me of my words today.

Lots of Love

Mrs Ladybug

Weeds Feeds the Bees

Everyone say it with me "weeds feeds the bees". The weed in the above photo is called Aster. There are very many kinds but this one grows in my yard. Its one of the last blooming weeds in my area and its always covered with pollinators. Bees of all shapes and sizes. If you love fruits and veggies and you love the bees don't just leave this plant be, leave it for the bees. I spotted some purple aster near a camping ground near by. You can bet I am googling how to seed that one in my yard.

I love how this one posed perfectly while I snapped this with my phone.

Lots of Love

Mrs Ladybug and the bees

Why I Stopped Going to Church

A little over a year ago my husband and I made the decision to leave the church we were attending to find another one. It was a hard decision especially since we really didnt know why we were leaving. We didnt have an issue with music, the preaching or no problems with other members. We were just not feeling it. We dreaded going. We didnt want to sleep in. We actually still get up at 6am on the weekend like we do through the week,  We even tried to find another church and didnt hate any of the many that we visited. So whats wrong with us?

Absolutely nothing! I feel we have decided that since our issue was never really with our church it must be with the church as a whole, like whole wide world sort of thing. Do I still read my bible? Do I still pray? Do I feel that my leaving the church has made me any less closer to God. Yes, yes and no. When we finally decided that we were going to just stop looking for a church it took a huge burden off. Just writing this is taken even more of one off. I feel like I am not longer keeping a dirty little secret.

In the most simplest way possible to describe what a christian is I would say its believing Jesus and who the Bible says he is. Its trying to live my life like him and hoping others see His light in me. Its loving everybody and not just those most like me or in agreement with me. Thats what I am not seeing in other christians these days. Everyone has their opinions and arent afraid to just throw them out there without any regard as to who they hurt. You can disagree with me on this I just wont argue back.

I recently was at a public picnic. We were sitting at a line of picnic tables. Across from us was an older couple who did not speak english. Their daughter and grandchild did. There was a single mom and her son. There was a single dad and his daughter. There was a young couple with two children, there were homeless people and someone who came as we were about to leave who really stuck with me. They approached very slowly and unsure, they were wearing a dress which was a little odd for this outing. They were carrying a purse which seemed strange in a park and they had facial stubble like my hubby gets at the end of the day. They asked me if the table was taken and I said no and motioned for them to sit down. I smiled big and really wanted to talk to them. They never looked up from their plate. A few days later I was thinking about this situation again and it made me cry. I cried that I could feel how worried that person was to be accepted at the table. What if I had said no you cant sit here, I honestly think they would have walked away. Thats when it hit me. Thats what I am missing. I want to sit in a church with someone who can be wearing a dress even if they were obviously male and they not be turned away. Oh you can say "I would never turn someone away'. You probably never would actually say anything mean to them but our eyes and our actions speak volumes. Since the picnic was in my neighborhood I have been praying very hard to run into that person again. I have been praying for opportunities to chat it up with those who dont fit molds we like for them to. They dont have to worry about me inviting them to church because I dont have one.

I do not intend to never belong to a church again. I miss lots of things about church. I also know I can have fellowship without a church. For this time in my life right now this is right.

Lots of Love

Mrs Ladybug

Learning something new

My husband was recently watching a lecture by Neil deGrasse Tyson and we was talking about all the teachers that one has from the start of school to the finish and how that only 1-2 really influence you and lots of times their influence shapes you into what you do when you grow up. My 25 year old daughter has a degree in English. At an early age she loved to write stories and was fortunate enough to have a few teachers who really encouraged her. My 20 year old is a chemistry major and minoring in French. Once again there were a few teachers in her life that encouraged and helped that grow. My 18 year old son loves History and computers and his major will definitely have something to do with those areas. i would think that their father and I had something t do with their smart little brains and I think we did a good job and encouraging them to do what ever challenges them and brings them joy.

When I think back on all the teachers I had I do feel as if I had some really nice teachers but honestly I am dont think any of them made me passionate about any real subjects. I am not blaming them either. My husband and  I got married really early, he was sent off to the Gulf War shortly after, he came back, got out of the army, we had a child and he went to a trade school. That was sort of the end of our education process and thats how lots of people are and there is nothing wrong with that. But we wanted our children to feel that the world was their oyster. Thats really a strange saying since oysters are actually gross but you get my point. But i guess the meaning of the saying is that you have to crack open the icky oyster to find your pearl? I have no idea.

So in the process of encouraging our children and basically growing up with them I think we found our passions as well and so everything works out. My hubby can build just about anything and he did take woodworking in high school so maybe he did have a teacher. I am always showing him things on Pinterest or texting him something and saying "make this happen".

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house of readers. My mom, dad, and granny were always reading. I remember walking to our downtown library with my mom and granny to get new books each week. I loved how the stairs squeaked as you walked up them to the childrens section. I can still smell that library. They have since closed that one down and built a few more libraries but my middle daughter tutors once a week there now.

I just recently realized that I love history. We are always watching documentaries and I am always reading books about how to do things like they use to before we had walmart. My husband and I are always looking for something new to try and so we are always learning new things. I have recently gotten into herbal home remedies but I also wanted to learn more about plants and their names. So I have gotten into flower pressing as well and of course my husband made me a flower press. Here are a few of our adventures this past Sunday and what we have learned.

Starting with the top left pic that is as most of you already know Showy Goldenrod. Its our state flower hear in Kentucky and you can use its flowers to make a tincture thats suppose to help with seasonal allergies. Since I had a gallon ziplock bag of it in the kitchen and my allergy prone son got pretty stuffed up I think I will ask his doctor before I try it out on him. I learned that my son like one of my friends is allergice to Goldenrod.

The top right is Giant Ironweed. I love the purple flowers. I have yet to find out a lot about this flower except the bees love it and well I love the bees.

Bottom left is Orange Jewelweed. This one is very interesting. You usually find it growing near poison ivy and it helps with relieving itching from poison ivy. I plan on heading to my secret location of this plant to forage more and make anti itch salve.

The last picture is of Jerusalem Artichoke. Which really isnt an artichoke at all but is edible. I did read that you shouldnt eat too much at at time and you should boil it like crazy. I did not realize you could eat the roots so I just clipped a few of the flowers to press.

If you do not have flower press you can use a big book. I used unbleached coffee filters to  lay my flowers on. This is much cheaper and easier than the special paper they sell online for flower pressing.

Something else I learned this weekend was how to do the pearl stitch when using a loom. I found a great youtube video and I will soon be cranking out knitted mittens on my loom like a boss.

Have a great day and learn something new. You knew know when it will come in handy. Did you notice my pun there from the mittens. I crack me up!


Lots of Love

Mrs Ladybug

Clutter

The past week my mind has been all over the place. I feel like I am being pulled in a million directions. This morning I was sipping my tea and sun was shining through the back door and the birds were chirping I knew I had to go outside. Some people call it grounding, some praying and some meditation. I consider it sort of all three,  I find the perfect spot with the sun shining down on my face and I stand there. The dew is still on the ground and my feet are cool and wet. I put my arms out to the side and just soak it all in. I slowly breath in and out just listening to nature around me and the sound of my own breathing. I replay my week and think about the week ahead. I realize I am repeating something in my head. " Declutter your mind, declutter your body and declutter your home". All three of these things need to be done to live a simpler life. Notice I didnt say easier.

Lots of research has been done on what clutter in your home does to your life. It holds you hostage. You dont want to have anyone over. You can find things. You could trip and fall. You can actually trip and fall if you have pets too. I can not tell you how to declutter your home. I have no idea what your home looks like. I can tell you to walk around look at areas that you try to avoid and start there. I like to cook and I cook a lot. I have a very tiny kitchen. I get things out and do not put them back up, then my kitchen is cluttered and I have no room to work in there. I also like glass jars and I either need to use them or toss them.

I had a great week actually. I had a few interesting conversations with strangers. I snagged some great deals and I had some great adventures with my hubby. When decluttering my mind I need to learn when to stop over thinking. I need to be more mindful of where my thoughts are going, like when I start worrying about things and put a stop to it immediately. I need to take more time in the mornings to do what I did today, pray and meditate.

Decluttering your body for me means being more mindful of what I put in it and to move more. This does not have to be over complicated either. I can get my exercise from haniging laundry, weeding the garden, planting the winter garden, taking the dogs for walks and even walking in my nature with my hubby while foraging. I have a goldenrod tincture I will tell you about later. Simple meals with few ingredents is they way to go with eating. This morning we had chopped up strawberries with yogurt, granola and honey. It was easy and tasty. Everyone is having some sort of leftover for lunch today and dinner will be stir fry.

The best decluttering you can do is think about your time. I love blogging, I love reading others blogs, I love my Facebook and Instgram, messaging my friends but these things can take up time that keeps me from doing other things I need to do. Make time to step away from screens. Learn something new, read something different that you usually do. talk to your neighbors. When I finished with my meditating this morning I looked up and seen my neighbors had someone in their driveway who was looking at me and probably wondered what I was doing. I smiled and waved and said good morning. I am definitely sure I am the weird lady on the street. I am okay with that too.

If you will excuse me I have some counters to clean off and some clutter that needs to be out of this house.


Lots of Love

Mrs Ladybug

Weekend Adventures

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. I found mine to be quite enjoyable and will be looking forward to doing it again in 5 days. I am amazed at how many times I hear people say they would like to do something fun but they dont have any money. There are so many things that you can do that dont cost much if anything at all if you just look. Here are a few of our weekend adventures that were free or just about.

STARGAZING . Okay this is sort of expensive if you dont have a telescope. I learned where are few stars were in the sky a few months ago and I have become very interested in constellations. We went to a free sky gazing monthly meeting in our area and there were 5 people there with pretty nice telescopes who would let you look through them and point out things in the sky for you. My husband had to have a telescope. We researched and watched a million youtube videos and went with one that was around $180. But if you think of it as how much does it cost each evening we go out and look at the stars instead of heading to a coffee house it doesnt take long to  see that you could save up for a telescope if thats what you wanted to do. I have found out that with astigmatism which has something to do with how my eyes see light especially at night looking at a telescope at a bright object isnt really all the clear to me. We did get to see Saturn Friday evening and you could see a ring around it. It was very cool even if it looked like a bunch of beams shooting out of it thanks to  my eyes. If you are interested in constellations like I am you dont need a telepscope. Just need a great place to see the stars. Learn where a few of them are and you can go from there locating the constellations and its free!

READING OR LISTENING TO BOOKS There are websites that will tell you what books they are making into movies. I found one that tells you about movies coming out in 2018. I thought this was the perfect time to start reading ones that I would want to see. I am working on reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I fell in love with this book instantly.  Its written as letters back and forth from a young woman to a group of locals on Guernsey Island who survived Nazi occupation. I am a little over half way through and I really dont want to finish because I am going to miss the characters so much. Its historical fiction and I have stopped reading so many times to google something to see if it really happened. I am learning lots of things reading this lovely book. They had it my library so its a free read. I am also listening to Murder on the Orient Express which will also be a movie next year.

Game night. Saturday evening we all met at my daughter and son in laws and played Mario Uno. It was lots of fun. I think I see a Game of Thrones Clue game being bought in our future.

I found this dvd at the library. Its called Victorian Slum House. A group of people move into a Slum House set in the 1860's and they have to live like the people did them. Its very interesting and eye opening and each episode explains a different decade and you learn a lot of things. It was free at the  library as well.

A few weeks ago I encouraged you to talk to strangers. I was recently at a local coffee shop and saw a flyer hanging on the wall for a tea club. You follow them on instagram and they tell you where to meet. I looked them up and this Sunday was the first time I was available to attend. I was actually nervous about going not because I was afraid of people but more of what they would think of me. In the few pictures shared on their page I was old enough to be their mothers. They  may not want an old lady there or what on earth would we have to talk about.I even messaged them and said if you have an age range in mind and I am way over the limit I will not be offended in the least bit. I decided to not think so much and just go and I am glad I did. There were 4 of us total and it was just nice to sit outside and sip green teas and talk tea with them. It goes to show you that if you try you can find something you have in common with anyone. One was a high school senior, one was a college freshman and one was a single mom of a 10 month old. We are all at different stages but all enjoyed talking about our favorite teas and tea shops. I also brought some honey from my bees and made homemade shortbread cookies just to help me be able to stay. Who can say no to homemade cookies?

Easy Shortbread Cookie Recipe

1 cup of softened butter at room temp
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla

Mix ingredients together, use teaspoon to measure and roll into into balls, smash balls with bottom of a glass and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Maybe I will get brave enough to attend a Stitch and Bitch group, thats seriosuly what they are called, they meet and crochet or knit. My stitching is not very good I am very basic but I am sure I can do the other part just fine.

Have a great week, go on adventures and talk to strangers.