Hiya. Still with me? I keep saying I'm coming back to blogging, and especially to reading and commenting on the delicious posts from my fellow bloggers... and then I disappear again. Oy! (an expression I learned from the kiwi grandbaby). But I think I'm back. I think I'm back. You know, like the Little Train that Could. Anyways, for the past six weeks, our house had been full of guests, and the vacuum cleaner had been stuffed with Cheerios that fell from the chubby fists of Miss fat and sassy. Chasing a crumb cruncher around the house sure can make you feel young again--until the end of the day, that is, when you collapse into a middle-aged puddle of exhaustion. Waaahh! I really AM a granny.
Even sadder, all our dear visitors have flown back to their own nests and our dulce domum is very quiet. I miss everyone, especially the baby. Waaahh! But, as my mother used to love to say, SPS (self-pity stinks). Oy!
So, here are a couple of makey-makies I've been working on to help me snap out of it:
Homemade vanilla extract - how-to is
here. I have it on good authority that once you make this, you'll never go back to the store-bought kind. My daughter-in-law makes her own. I trust her taste and judgment.
Homemade 18th century style leaven - a very cool how-to is
here
Homemade red wine vinegar - a great way to re-purpose leftover red wine. How-to is
here. Supposedly it's so good that there's no comparison with store-bought. We'll see. In case you're wondering what that strange thing is sticking out of the wine bottle, it's a stopper made out of deer antler. Eeep! I love it.
Bye for now. I hope to be back later this week with another post. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
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28 comments:
I think I'm back too;) Well, I'm glad you had fun with your family and Miss fat and sassy?? That is adorable! She's adorable:)
I love making things and I hope that I get around to trying that home made vanilla extract!
I know what you mean about having the little ones come...I was with mine four days this week and I loved every minute but certainly feeling my age at this moment....
I love all the "homemade" ideas you gave us in this post....but it looks like it's back to knitting for me....
HUZZAH !
Oooh! Love all your projects -- especially the red wine vinegar! I'm going to try that one for sure!
That wine cork is fabulously redneck!
You'll tempt us to get you this wine bottle holder: http://www.walmart.com/ip/22017971?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem
Niamh, it's been one of my personal goals to do things in a fabulously rednecked manner! Next project: moonshine (joke, that's a joke..)
Kim, gahh, I meant to thank you personally for the 18th century leaven idea. You need to start your blog so I can link to you :)
Julie, the recipe you requested is coming soon, I promise. xx
YAY! I am so happy!
Yay, you're back! Yes, you can! Isn't it so much fun being a "granny"? I had Ava overnight and I'm dragging today. I wouldn't trade those sweet cheeks and giggles for any amount of sleep. I'm off to watch the leaven video and see how to make my own vanilla. Thanks!
Lovely to see you back, Jodi. The days just disappear along with the good intentions, don't they? But who wants to sit at the keyboard when there are lovely grandchildren to chase after?
Maureen x
Wonderful to see you in my Reader. Your grandbaby is a cutie pie!
Question: what is this "leftover" red wine you speak of? ;-)
I think you can too!!! I kept meaning to come comment again on an old post just to say I miss you! Glad you embraced family cheerios and joy time fully. I have a friend who makes her own vanilla, and between the two of you I might just have to give it a try. Love vanilla! Oh no, what if I do like the homemade even better?! You might catch me in the pantry too often:) Welcome back, Jodi!
Good luck with your makes! I make my own vanilla sugar, which is the easiest thing under the sun, and yes, I'm not going back to storebought, vanilin-flavoured ever again!
I have two more vanilla beans in store, maybe I should try my hand at the extract...?
Love the way you wade back in with down-to-earth goodness. Now I want to make vinegar and vanilla extract.
My brother always says that when we visit his vacuum hose rattles afterwards. Funny because I always wonder if my vacuum is working if it doesn't rattle.
Susan, we will sometimes have red wine with dinner, but then wind up not finishing the whole bottle. So I usually dump it out. Wasteful! This is a much better idea, and I like red wine vinegar very much.
Amy, vanilla extract in tea..hmmmm ;)
Can't wait til I'm chasing a crumb cruncher around and feeling that same lovely granny exhaustion. And, yes, I have declared myself to be Granny.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words over at my place. I'm feeling the hole in your heart after having your house full with dear ones. Such comfort in knowing you've got a beautiful community of Kiwis to chase after Princess Tilly and sweep up her Cheerios.
Oh, and I have a reindeer antler bottle opener which is pretty happening too.
So glad you're back. Missed you excrutiatingly.
It looks like you have had a wonderfully full past several weeks! So very glad you are back to blogging though (Yay!). :)
Woo hoo You're Back...How nice is that!
Sounds like you've been having a Great (if rather exhausting) time!
Off to check out the recipes :0)
Welcome back Jodi. That deer antler bottle stopper is quite a conversation piece!
Welcome back, Jodi. I enjoyed hearing about your time with your grandbaby and I'm on my way not to check out the vanilla and wine vinegar links...
Thanks!
I must try the vanilla extract!!
Oh my dear friend Jodi...you know, I know how you feel about blog, no blog, blog, no blog! I am in the same boat, hehehe. I think too that I'm here to stay for awhile now! I'm glad you came by my new little place.I have missed you!!
Much love,
Rayanne
I've missed you so much....I keep thinking I've already said this, but can't find my comment so perhaps I didn't? But I am so happy you've returned and also for all the family you had visiting.
I hope so! Always so many inspiring ideas here, Jodi. The quiet does take some adjusting after all the bustle of the family, doesn't it? Maybe it makes us appreciate both more.
Hi Jodi, thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog today, from Random Distractions link. I tried to reply to you through my email but for some reason yours and 3 others today weren't sent to my email. I am so glad that I found you here at Curious Acorn. The only problem is that I've been sidetracked looking at post after post of yours, fascinated by it all! The tour of your home--I'm in love with it! I want to come back and take that tour again looking at all the unique things in your house. I am going to let my daughter-in-law know about yours too as she will feel like she's met another creative quirky artist! One who also loves the Lord.
Dewena
have loved meeting you a little here...I'll be back. thanks for your visit....Lucy.
I've been a random blogger myself, lately. And I love that Miss Tilly says, "Oy!" (Love the antler wine stopper, too :)
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