Tuesday Tunes, Favorite Music

There is one fun party at Holli's Hoots and Hollers !! Choose a song and link up! 

I don't tend to purchase many movie soundtracks, but I do have this one and love it! 

Thank you, Holli and Lauren !

;-)  -Marci

Ozark Folk Center State Park

Mountain View, Arkansas holds a jewel that gives me one more reason to love my Ozark Mountains.   Ozark Folk Center State Park  is a wonderful way to enjoy yesterday.  The goal is to preserve and teach the craftsmanship of these Ozark Mountains in an entertaining way.  Everyones here knows that company is coming and sure do make you feel welcome! 

Apprenticeships are available during certain times of the year.  Folk School is held in March each Spring.  Classes are limited to small groups so they fill quickly.  Click HERE for the 2013 Class Schedule.

There are several shops throughout the grounds.  You might remember my post about Aunt Linda's Soapmaking Class that was held in the Apothecary.  What a wonderful hands on learning experience!

Each building is home to skilled craftsmen.  The Candlemaker was mesmerizing!  In the few minutes we were there, we learned so much about the history of candle making materials. 

The Spinning and Weaving Shed held another surprise.  They were spinning dog hair!  Apparently a hot trend in spinning right now is the use of pet fibers.  This particular skein was made using fur from a husky breed of dog.  What a beautiful color profile, ranging from taupe to cream!  It's very soft.

Baskets of raw material were visible!  It was fascinating to consider all the options available for spinning and weaving fabric.

 

 The Old Time Print Shop is home to several antique print presses.  During our visit, an apprentice was working in the Print Shop.

 

His enthusiasm was contagious.

 

Watching the Copper Smith was as interesting

 

 

as visiting with the Broom Makers, the Basket Weaver, Bead Makers, and the Potter.

 

Being a gardener, though, my favorite spot was the Herbary.

 

 

You can bet I made additions to my herb collection and to my library! 

 

If you are looking for a skilled craftsman or a sweet vacation destination, consider visiting a jewel snuggled in an Ozark Valley.    Ozark Folk Center State Park  is an extraordinary place to enjoy yesterday! 

 

;-)  -Marci

 

   

Dog Biscuits with Oats

With this post, I am sending a special wink to my sweet friend, Chili Dog with Cheese on Top! ;-) *wink*

Do you ever begin a recipe then realize an ingredient is missing?  Me, too!  I'm not one of those girls that stops everything, gets dressed and goes to the grocery store for one item.  If something is missing, it's time to improvise!  That happened recently with dog biscuits !    You know how my furry babies will pout if they don't get their cookies !

Dog Biscuits with Oats

1 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 Cup Old Fashioned Oats, dry
1 Cup Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Powdered Milk
1/2 Cup Broth, Chicken or Beef
4 Eggs

Mix all ingredients well. The dough will be similar to play dough or sugar cookie dough. It can be shaped and molded any number of ways.

A quick approach is to roll dough into a log, then slice at half inch intervals. The kids get all kinds of creative. Sometimes, they just act like it is play dough and make crazy creatures. They also like to use cookie cutters or roll it into balls and smoosh them flat. Just make sure the biscuits are all about a half inch thick so they will cook evenly. Bake them on a lightly greased cookie sheet in a pre heated 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Ovens vary. The biscuits are done when they are browned and crispy.  Let the Dog Biscuits cool before sharing with Fluffy, Fifi or Fido. We don't want to burn anyone.

Ivan got a cookie, so we are friends again!  Sweet Ivan! He is such a snuggle bug.

 

There you have it.   Kids love making 'em.   Dogs love eating 'em. 

;-)  -Marci

Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop #40

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 40.  This week my co-hostesses will be Marci from Stone Cottage Adventures and  Kathy from Life on Lakeshore Drive and I know you are going to love both of their blogs.  

Adorned From Above - Hostess
Stone Cottage Adventures - Co-Hostess

Life on Lakeshore Drive - Co-Hostess

This is a blog hop, so when you share your posts on Adorned From Above, they will also be seen on Life on Lakeshore Drive and Stone Cottage Adventures and vice versa.

So on to this weeks party.  The rules are easy.

1.  Follow all hosts in some way (GFC, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, or Linky Followers )

2.  Anything goes with posts. ( recipes, parties, etsy shops, crafts, inspirational writing, absolutely anything.  Just make it family friendly )

3.  Comment on other posts.  It is a party.  Get to know your fellow bloggers.  I have met some of the nicest people at the parties, including my co-hosts.

4.  All featured posts will be pinned on Pinterest, so by linking with this party you are giving me permission to pin your projects.

5.  Also the party now runs from 9:00PM on Tuesdays through 11:59PM on Sundays.

Since I will be traveling and not have a lot of internet access We will show all of the featured bloggers from the next  4 parties on February 27th.  Also, since I will be on vacation, I will not be able to reply to comments, but know that I am reading them, and Charly will be looking at all of your posts.  We love your comments and links.

We hope you have fun at this week's party.  We all love hearing from you, so we love your comments.

Now let's party

Have a great week.

Debi, Charly, Marci, and Kathy

Tuesday Tunes with Lauren and Holli

There is one fun party at Holli's Hoots and Hollers !!  Choose a song and link up! 

Ginny Owens is such a great artist.  I have actually WORN OUT one of her CDs.  Yep!  'Gotta get another one!  I hope you enjoy Ginny Owens' "Free".

Thank you, Holli and Lauren !

;-)  -Marci

Announcing Winners!

The winners of two bars of my handmade soap are: 

 

 

 

From the comments at Stone Cottage Adventures: 

 

Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

 

From the comments at Adorned From Above: 

 

Wanda Ann Olson @ Memories by the Mile

 

From the comments at Mandatory Mooch: 

 

Myrna and Joye @ The Busy B Hive

 

Congratulations! 

 

;-)  -Marci

February Blog Angels

Yup...  I am one of  Rosie's Blog Angels.  This is my third time.  It is such a wonderful blessing to be an Angel. 

The idea which I love is to help another blog, expecting nothing in return.  Our world needs more of that, don't you think? Being kind and generous just for the sake of grace and mercy.  Here's what really happens though.  Being an angel becomes more about friendship than blogging.  I choose a blog to help and start reading posts in hopes of getting to know this person.  I try what they are trying, leave encouraging comments, hop over to blogs they recommend... 

It only take a little while for a new friendship to begin.  First I was an angel to my Friend,  Holli ,



then to my Friend,  Noel ,



and now.... 

Oh, wait!  I can't tell you yet!!  My new friend?  Yup, she is amazing, too!   You're going to love her blog!

I am one of Rosie's Blog Angels to be continued... 

;-)  -Marci

Waste Not

You've seen my handmade cards here and there , but I struggle with
 

Envelopes

 

PJ has the coolest project EVER for Envelopes at Planned in Pencil !  It's one of those "I should have thought of that" ideas!  The Envelope project is part of a series titled Waste Note Want Not Wednesdays !  A very clever girl, that PJ! 

Following her advice, I gathered some leftovers and whipped up a lil Thank You card. 

OK!

Get ready for the cool part!  I've never made a nice envelope before! 

 

Ta Da!!   PJ's plan worked perfectly!  Even for me!  So, yeah, I did it again! 

 

Card...

Envelope!! 

Squeal!  Laughter!  Hugs for PJ!
 

'Wanna make the coolest Envelopes EVER?  Hop over to Planned in Pencil !

(She's having a giveaway right now!)

;-)  -Marci

1 Year 20 Wishes February Update

Thank you, Kassi and Kayli at Truly Lovely , for hosting a wonderful link party all about one year of fulfilling twenty wishes. The idea is to make a list of what I WANT to do, not have to do, or need to do, but what I WANT to do next year!

So, what would I like to accomplish in 2013?  Here's the whole, entire list. Updates are in bold... 

1. Celebrate 27 years of marriage! I know, right?  

2. Vacation in Colorado.
 

3. Attend concerts.

4. Increase my herb collection.  A few have been added...

5. Create a new presentation on herbs for when I am asked to speak.   Done!  I was invited to speak in January and again in April!  

6. Complete 5 hypertufa projects.

7. Learn soap making.  Done!  Have you seen this post telling all about it?

8. Create my own herbal bath salts.  Done!  Read this post !

9. Create my very own herbal lip balm.

10. Learn to quilt.

11. Sew one quilt for each of my children.

12. Take a photography class.

13. Learn Photo Shop... OK, so I bought the program last year and still have not opened it. EESH!  OK, so I still haven't opened that box, but I am rockin' photobucket!  

14. Organize leadership at Herb Society of NWA.  Done!

15. Run a 5k. This is an interesting one. In 2002, I ran a half marathon. Just a few months later I was diagnosed with an early stage of cancer. Returning to distance running is therapeutic on so many levels.

16. Successfully complete a Warrior Dash with a respectable time. I have already registered! Isn't that exciting!!

17. Create my own herbal salad dressings.

 

18. Get really good at making artisan cheese. I'm just beginning to learn right now. If you have any recipes or can recommend any sites, that would be awesome!

19. Learn bloggy, techy things. OK. I don't really know what those things are, but I would like to! Can anyone help? 

**Thanks to Danni of Silo Hill Farm , I've learned how to make a button for my blog AND how to place buttons onto my blog! I'm also using HTML without crying or freaking out! 'Definitely an improvement!   
**Thanks to Kassi at Truly Lovely , I tried Photobucket and am lovin' it!
**Thanks to Holli of Holli's Hoots and Hollers, there is now music on my blog! 
**Debi at Adorned From Above gave me a lesson on making a list of blogs for our Winter Walk .  Thank you, Debi! 
**Helen at Blue Eyed Beauty and Angie with God's Growing Garden taught me about hosting a blog hop.  <Please join us the first Wednesday of each month for The Great Blog Train!>  It is so much fun meeting all the box cars!  Thanks, Helen!  Thanks, Angie! 

Gee!  I hope I haven't left out any lovely teachers!  Bloggers are amazing! 

20. Monetize my blog somehow. 'Dunno about that either. Any advice? Anyone?

What do you WANT to accomplish next year? Please join the fun at Truly Lovely !

;-) -Marci

I love Tuesday Tunes Blog Hop

'Posting favorite songs with Holli today at Holli's Hoots and Hollers ! It is such fun!  Also, on Sunday, you can post songs with Cass Can Sew ! 

So this week holds Valentine's Day.  It will be the 27th time Handsome Husband has been my valentine.  This song is "Our Song", played at our wedding and many times since.  A Long and Lasting Love by Crystal Gale

Hop over and link your favorite song with Holli  and  Cassandra ! 

Happy Valentine's Day!
;-)  -Marci

If you have....

I love this sentiment, but would have to add my wack-a-doodle-doo family to the list!  ;-)  What is on your "everything I need" list? 

;-)  -Marci

Bacon Ranch Stuffed Eggs

I had you at "bacon", didn't I?  ;-)  Ever since trying Tasha Tudor's recipe for Stuffed Eggs , I keep getting new ideas for ways to make them! 

Here's a quick recipe that your family will love! 

6 Hard Boiled Eggs
1/2 cup Chopped Bacon, plus a little more to sprinkle on top
1/2 cup Ranch Salad Dressing

Slice eggs in half.  Pop out the yolks.  Mash them with the Ranch Dressing and bacon bits.  Scoop the yolk mixture back into the egg whites. 

Enjoy! 

Few people believe that our hens are loose in the back yard with the dogs.

Well, believe it!  You can see Jac does not mind hanging out with Sunshine and Rachel.  Aren't they funny!

;-)  -Marci

The Great Blog Train #2

All Aboard!!!

The Great Blog Train

A monthly blog hop departing from your online train station on the first Wednesday of every month!

The railway and trains helped build North America and brought people together. We want this blog hop to bring people together – we designed it so that nobody will be left out. Don’t worry if you are late boarding this train. Even the caboose will be chugging down the tracks to new relationships because the very last entry will receive a feature next month! Along with the caboose, I'll be choosing a blog to feature, too!

Chugga chugga! Chugga chugga! Toot! Toot!

 

What a wonderful first month! Thank you to everyone who hopped on board!

Remember to join the fun even if you are running a little late. The last entry will receive the Caboose Feature! January's caboose and featured blog happens to be

2 just B you

 

Congratulations, Kim! She is one of the hostesses for Meet & Greet Blog Hop each weekend. Kim is active with her creative family! They work together and create handmade gifts, and homemade delicious sweets! Kim shares fun, crafty ideas and recipes in her blog, shares about her Mommy adventures, and has great giveaways!

 

My Featured blog for January is Rebecca at

Heron's Crafts

 

She loves to cook, sew, and knit and when not stuck in the library under a mountain of reading, can be found doing all three! Rebecca enjoys trying out new recipes and is a volunteer with a Rainbow unit (like Brownies or Guides but for younger girls).  Check out her blog!  You're going to love it!

RULES

1. In order to link up to the “The Great Blog Train” you must first connect to the Locomotive. Please follow all 3 of the hosts by at least one of the following options: GFC, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Linky, Networked Blogs or Facebook. Then leave us a comment telling us how you followed so that we can come back & visit you! The 3 hostesses are:

Angie

 

ME! Marci 

  

Helen

2. Now link up your family friendly blog to the train (please only use your homepage – not a specific post)  Warning:  Any box car linking to a specific post will be derailed and removed from the hop!

3. And last but not least connect to the boxcar in front of you (the person who entered before you). Stop by that person’s blog, have a look around and leave a comment letting them know that you stopped in!

Now you have your ticket and are ready to board the rest of the train! – If you want to visit other boxcars you may do so now!

Enjoy your travels!

OPTIONAL: You may grab our “Great Blog Train” button and post it on your sidebar or link page. Also, feel free to spread the word – the more the merrier!

It's Time for Tuesday Tunes Blog Hop #2

'Hangin' with Holli today at Holli's Hoots and Hollers ! It is such a fun blog hop she is hosting! You get to link your favorite songs! How cool is that?!  I love this party!

Also, on Sunday, you can post songs with Cass Can Sew ! 

Here's another one of my favorite songs.  It's by Jack Johnson.

Do you love it?  Grab your favorite song and hop over to  Holli's Hoots and Hollers  on Tuesday and with Cass Can Sew on Sunday!

;-)  -Marci

Dill, Lots of Dill

Las year, there was one small dill seed that blew from the garden into the greenhouse.  One small seed grew into one small plant.  The lovely dill was used until it bloomed.  The blooms are so pretty, I left it alone and it went to seed.  Guess what happened.  Lots of seeds...

Lots of dill...

What to do?  Well, you know how I love to stamp brown paper bags.

 

Then dill was snipped and snuggled inside.  All the ladybugs, blue birds and bumblebees hopped into a red wire basket.

 

The little bags of fresh herbs made lovely gifts at a garden club meeting!  I have become a Dill Philanthropist.  ;-)

How would you use LOTS of dill?  Please help!   

;-)  -Marci

Zippered Pouches

My addiction to sewing Zippered Pouches continues.  Here are the latest creations! 

Thank you, Noodlehead, for a wonderful tutorial !  ;-)  -Marci