Wooly Worms - A Sign of Winter!

~ While out walking my country roads latey,

I've seen so many wooly worms on the road. 

I remember these from when I was a kid. 

I hadn't given much thought to the

wooly worms in years until recently. 

wooly worm (Pyrrharctia isabella)



~ I could not remember much about the wooly worm.

So, I did a little research and found out

that using wooly worms (Pyrrharctia isabella)

to predict winter is an old American folklore that

traces its history back to early Americana.

~ Supposedly, Native Americans taught the

pioneers to read wooly worms to predict Winter weather.

Wooly worm is the common name for the larval

stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth.

They are also called wooly bears.

~ You can find wooly worms under rocks,

inside hollow logs or just crawling on the ground. 

I've also seen them on the side of my house

on the window ledge outside and crawling on the overhead garage doors,

they just seem to be EVERYWHERE!

~ When you see a wooly worm, pay attention to its bands of colors.

The wooly worm will curl into a ball when touched or threatened.

When they crawl, they can crawl very quickly!

~ Wooly worm forecasters say that the size of

the brown band of color will tell you

what kind of Winter is coming.

~ Legend says that the thinner the brownish red bands,

the harsher the winter will be.

If the wooly worm is mostly brownish red in the middle, Winter will be mild.

~ The wooly worms I've seen seem to have a rather large brownish red band in the middle so that would indicate a mild Winter (can you say YAY?)

~ Wooly worm enthusiasts claim an 85 percent

success rate over the last few decades.

Scientists tend to disagree and say wooly worm

weather prediction is as unscientific as using

groundhogs to predict Winter weather.

The groundhogs likely side with the wooly worms.

~ Whether or not you believe in the power of wooly worms,

they can be to look at for children and adults.

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~

Fake ... But Adorable Pumpkin

~ Since I live out in the country and we don't get trick-or-treaters,

I don't usually carve a pumpkin.

~ It just seems like a waste, I mean... I always think of the

pumpkin for the trick-or-treaters, don't you?

~ But I've decided, I am going to go buy a pumpkin and carve

it and have it for ME to enjoy. 

~ Until I get my "REAL" pumpkin carved and set out on my porch

for ME to enjoy.... this one will do inside my house to help remind me

that it's Halloween time of year.

Click on picture for closer view 

I bought the stand at the antique store for $8,
I have never seen another one like it.
It is so cute that I could not resist to buy it,
I could tell it was really old. 
However, for me, the older, the better (on some things).

I put the pumpkin head on it and made him a pumpkin man.
I have it on a timer so it comes on and off by itself every evening.



~ While I am out running errands today,
I will purchase a real pumpkin and carve it for fun and for ME to enjoy.

~ I once read a poem about pumpkins and found it on-line, here it is:

A woman was asked by a co-worker,

“What is it like to be a Christian?”

The co-worker replied, “It is like being a pumpkin.

God picks you from the patch, brings you in,

and washes all the dirt off of you.

Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.,

and then He carves you a new smiling face and puts

His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”

~ I was thinking to myself, the seeds are the best part...

hmm... what does that say about me? 

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~

* edited on October 27th, as I was looking at one of
my magazines, look what I found,
now you can have one too Just click here

Decluttering My House

~ Lately, I've been cleaning cabinets, closets and pantries.

~ This week, I am tackling my closet. 
You did notice I said "WEEK" as it will take me a whole week
to decide what to get rid of.

This is NOT my closet but it looks similar,

I have way too many clothes

~ My closest isn't really messy, just crowded
AND...
I have the biggest closet in the house.

~ If I have not worn it in 1 year, out it goes. 

I find myself wearing the same few outfits over and over...

so I know that I can get rid of many things that are hanging in my closet. 

~ I'm excited to get started on my closet as it has

been talking to me every time I visit it. 

It wants to be simplified as much as I WANT it to be.

~ I have found some inspiration HERE.

~ I've cleaned out my kitchen cabinets and gotten rid of lots of things.

And now, it's time for my walk-in closet.

~ My husband and I have separate walk-in closets and his is neat and orderly.
But, he is a neat and orderly guy. 
He is not the throw his clothes on the floor type guy. 
Do you know how much I appreciate him? 
Oh so much. 

~ I have to go now and get started!

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~

Back in the project business.... but s l o w l y

~ I was pretty much banned from doing any more projects until I

completed physical therapy. 

~ I had severe shoulder pain in my right shoulder

and couldn't raise my arm over my head and could barely bend it. 

~ Why you ask? 
Because, when I was laid off from my job in March,
Kevin and I decided that I could/would take the whole
Spring and Summer off and get a lot done around the house that needed done....
like painting rooms.

~ I love painting and home projects, etc., so I was excited to begin.
I've had people ask me why doesn't Kevin do all the painting. 
Oh he does lots of things too, but he isn't really fond of painting (like I am).

~ So, I begun my project (with the agreement with MYSELF) that I would start looking for a job once Fall arrived but I would get lots of projects done until then.

~ So I worked... hard and played hard too! 
Which then, resulted in an injured right shoulder,
so off to the doctor I went to get some miracle
medication to take care of the issue. 

~ But no miracle medications were prescribed,
instead, my doctor prescribed physical therapy after
I told him that I had been sanding and painting everything that
came into my sight.  

Doc said if physical therapy doesn't help, then we would schedule an MRI.

~ Seems I overused the muscles in the right shoulder

(because I am right handed) they were swollen and needed some TLC. 

~ The folks at Advanced Physical Therapy became my BEST friends.

They would massage my shoulder and taught me exercises to do to help get

my arm back to normal.  They were really amazing to work with.

~ I spent about 3 weeks in physical therapy and graduated this past Thursday. 

My arm is 75% back to normal and they told me I could start using it again for small projects but to continue my exercises, take frequent breaks from using it and
BUY A SANDER... (ha ha)
and check back in 2 weeks to see if I am still doing OK,

if I am then I will be "officially" released.

~ Kevin is helping me with the stretching exercises. 

One of them is like the position of being arrested and handcuffed,

he has to stretch my right arm up my back with my arm bent. 

I have to do it to the point of just feeling slight pain and hold it for 10 seconds. 

It helps to stretch the muscles in the shoulder and the tendons,
it hurts but at the same time feels good. 

I think he enjoys helping me with that exercise VERY MUCH.  ☺

~ Enough babbling about my physical therapy. 

Since I graduated and was given the "GO AHEAD

and slowly start using my arm speech",

I had a small project that has been screaming out to me. 

It involves a can of red spray paint. 

I used Krylon "Banner Red" Gloss spray.  

click on any picture for a closer view

I got this salt and pepper shaker from Hobby Lobby

(50% off) a while back with the intentions of spray painting it red.

I like how it looks whimsical and fun.

I have this rooster stand with double plates that I've had for years. 

He sets in the corner on my counter and I place fruit, cookies or cupcakes on him.

~ Both items needed some "spunk" added to them,

here is a picture of my end results of my small project.

Mr. Rooster looks spunky now, he actually stands out more

and so does my salt and pepper shaker. 

I picked up the spoon rest from Kmart. 

They now carry "Country Living" items and it was 50% off. 

There is a rooster at the top of the spoon rest. 

The colors all match perfectly.

~ I'm glad to be able to work on projects again but I still have

to take it slow and be careful about overusing my arm. 

~ I'll probably have to wait until next Spring to paint my bedroom,

I've only been working on it for about 2 years now{long story}.

~ I have the back door to our house primed (it was barn red before) and had to stop when I was in so much pain and start physical therapy. 
I need to finish painting the back door before it cold. 
I plan on doing that today. 
A little bit of painting and I'll be done with the back door. 

~ I still need to get the playhouse painted before Winter.
We replaced some rotted boards on it. 
Then, I will be done with outside painting for this year I think....????

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~

Folding Fitted Sheets? Who Knew....

~ I'm almost embarrassed to admit this but it's true, so I will.

~ Who knew there is a proper way to fold a fitted sheet!

 I didn't....... 

There, I admitted it  

~ All my life, I've always rolled the fitted sheet up, (more like waded it up),

best as I could to store away until ready for the next use. 

~ I usually have 2 sets of sheets and rotate them, except now

I have 3 because I HAD to have some flannel sheets for colder months,

it gets cold out here at the little yellow home in the country {with no wind breakers}.  

~ I'm one of those folks that likes to watch Oprah.

No, I don't sit and watch every show, I DVR the show and then if the topic interests me, I will watch and fast forward through commercials and bits that don't interest me.

~ I'm not a really BIG Martha Stewart fan but she was on Oprah recently

and she demonstrated how to fold a fitted sheet. 

~ Since she did this on national TV, I was thinking to myself, maybe

I am NOT alone and there are many others who don't know

(didn't know) that there is a proper way to fold a fitted sheet. 

~ I just recently changed my sheets and put my new flannel sheets on. 

So, when I washed the set I removed from my bed,

I did exactly as Martha demonstrated and

the results are pictured below. 

~ I loved the way the folded fitted sheet came out flat. 

I will never again wad my fitted sheet and store it way. 

click on picture for closer view

The stack on the left is using MY method,

the stack on the right is using Martha's method. 

~ If you are interested in learning how to fold a fitted sheet,

I found a link on Youtube. 

~ It's not Martha but it's another gal

that demonstrated the same method. 

~ Learn how to fold a fitted sheet here.

~ So tell me, did you know how to fold a fitted sheet? 

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~

Rose of Sharon

 ~ I'm SO excited.... and over what you ask? 

FREE STARTS of perennials... but not just any perennial. 

~ It's "ROSE OF SHARON". 

click on any picture for closure view

I borrowed this picture because this is how I

will trim my "Rose of Sharon" bush once they start growing. 

~ In May, Kevin and I eloped to Gatlinburg, TN.

It was a great honeymoon, we were both a bit nervous at

times but we DID IT and we did it here!

We said our vows in the beautiful gardens,

it was Spring and the garden was in full bloom.

~ While we were in Tennessee, we both fell in love with the "Rose of Sharon" bushes blooming everywhere.  But it wasn't until we visited The Biltmore in Ashville, NC., that I knew I would eventually have some "Rose of Sharon" at

my little yellow home in the country.

~ As soon as we were back home after our honeymoon,

I had an appointment to get my hair cut. 

I was telling my wonderful friend and

beautician/hair dresser, Christa,

about my love for the "Rose of Sharon" bushes.

~ Christa then told me that in the Fall, she would give

me starts off of her "Rose of Sharon" bushes. 

I was so excited.  I was going to buy some bushes but if I could just wait,

I could be blessed and get some for free.

♥ Meet Christa ♥

Christa 

Christa is also an Avon Representative in Greenwood, IN

if you are interested in purchasing Avon,

please click on her name and it will take you directly to her link.

~ Christa is from Germany and like a dear friend to me....

she said once Fall came, she would give me some starts....and well,

we all know how much I love a bargain.  I'm Ms Thrifty

(just in case you can't tell from reading my blog posts) 

~ So...yesterday, I had an appointment with Christa and truthfully,

I had forgotten it was Fall and time for transplants....

but when I walked in, she had

sitting and waiting for me.... 5 starts for bushes. 

~ After my appointment was done,

Christa took me out to see her yard.   

I absolutely fell in love with her back yard.

She has so many "Rose of Sharon" bushes in her yard.

She is going to give me some more but for now,

with the ground so dry, it's pretty hard to dig and

get any starts so I am VERY happy with my first 5

starts that she so very generously, gave to me. 

~ Here is a picture of my little starts. 

All I need to do now is plant them, water and care for them

and have patience because they will one day grow into

beautiful bushes and then I too, can pay it forward and pass along starts.

 I was blessed and given 5 starts,

but look at them and how far we

have to go before they will be beautiful bushes. 

I love that I will get to care for these as babies and watch them grow up.

The following is a little information on "Rose of Sharon"

The Rose of Sharon is a shrub that is hardy in harsh conditions.

This perennial can withstand dry areas in your yard,

next to the driveway and is a

great row plant between neighbors.

You can plant in a slight shady area,

they don't flower as well as they should

and could if they were exposed to more sunlight.

Though it works well without much watering and attention,

during dry spells you should give it a thorough watering,

especially the first year they are planted.

It is recommended to trim them back in early spring

to keep them from becoming stemmy.

This will produce a bigger flower in the fall.

The Rose of Sharon blooms from July through

September and comes in a variety of colors

such as white, purple, pink and red.

This plant will add color to your garden

during those late summer dry months.

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~

* I had to edit this post and make a correction because as I went out to plant these,
I discovered I had 5 starts and I thought I only had 3... woo hoo.

An Adorable Hat

~ I have a new interest.  I want to learn to crochet knit. 

I especially want to learn so I can make this cute, adorable hat for my granddaughters. 

~ Isn't it just adorable? 

click on picture for closer viewing

~ I have to give credit to this picture from a new blog that I found that I love, love, love called Dear Lilly



~ Her mother has amazing style and I love looking at the pictures 

and how she dresses Lilly.

~ So, I am ready to learn how to crochet knit. 

My Stepmother used to crochet (see knitted also) and she
made lots of wonderful things. 

I think she enjoyed it very much and it must of been relaxing. 

She made lots of afghans {so very warm}.

~ It's something to do while I sit and watch listen to sports

on Sundays {all day} and Monday's {at night}

and many other times because we have the wonderful DVR.

* This hat is actually knitted and not crocheted,

I had to edit this post to make a correction.

•_•

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~

Easy Cake-Mix Cookies

~ Who loves cookies?  Everyone does, even the cookie monster, right? 

~ I have found a new recipe that I absolutely LOVE,

I found it on the Internet and gave it a try.

~ It's a cookie recipe and instead of flour and sugar,

these cookies are made with a cake mix.

~ They are so EASY and delicious!

click on picture for closer view

I used devils food cake-mix and chocolate chips.

 ~ I have provided the recipe below or you can go here.

  

Easy Cake-Mix Cookies.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

•1 - 18.25 ounce box cake mix
•1/2 cup vegetable oil
•2 eggs
•2 cups of * (see below)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheet(s). Mix together cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Stir in *.  Make little balls with the dough and put on cookie sheets,  use the bottom of a glass or jar and flatten just a bit. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, cool on pan for 2 minutes then cool on wire cooling racks.  I store my cookies in a tightly sealed bowl with a slice of bread.  The bread helps the cookies to remain soft.  It will be come stale later on, you can throw it out and feed the birds.

* This can be 2 cups of the following or a combination of a cup of each addition: chocolate chips, coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, raisins, coconut, toasted-coarsely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts), brickle chips, and so on.

 --> I actually have a cookie dough scoop that I used and it made the perfect size cookie.  You have to flatten the dough just a bit, I used the bottom of a glass. 

☺ Enjoy  ☺

*_*

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~



My new bowl... or is it a cup?

~ I was out shopping recently and found something I thought would really be handy.

~ I thought "what a nice soup bowl" or what a nice "coffee cup".

~ It was on sale, PLUS... I had a 30% off coupon so they were almost FREE.  

click on picture for closer view

This morning I used my new bowl/cup and
made homemade old fashioned oatmeal.
Oh so delicious.

I only bought 2 of these bowls and wished now that I had gotten more. 
They will be great for our Fall/Winter soups and stews.


~ Thanks for stopping by ~
♥
~ Lisa ~

Braden's First Time Hunting

~ Braden has had his first hunting experience at 8 years and 363 days old.  

HIS 9th BIRTHDAY IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 4th.

~ I picked Braden up from his parents around 11am Saturday morning to have an overnighter with his Grandparents and to {possibly} have his first hunting experience.

~ On the way home, I had to answer what seemed like over 100 questions about hunting.  However, I had pass the buck (ha ha) and say,

"wait until we get home and ask the REAL hunter". 

Click on any picture for a closer view

Braden is ready to go, just a few things left to do and they can be on their way.



Filling up the spray bottle with Scent Killer. 

Braden thinks the spray smells like dirt, he is correct.

Braden is attaching Kevin's foam seat.

Kevin is wearing his safety straps for the tree stand,

Braden has his stool strapped around his arm,

 he will be sitting at the base of the tree,

he is still to young to be in the tree. 

He assured us he could climb a tree but

Kevin is teaching him safety
(most important part of hunting)

so he has to start out SLOW.

He agreed.

Checking to make sure everything is connected correctly.



Looks like they are both all set to go.

Braden has binoculars in his pouch so

he can check things out from the ground.

Before I took Braden to my house, we stopped at the Mall
and I purchased him some clothing for his birthday. 
We saw a pair of camouflaged pants hanging on
the wall as soon as we got off the escalator at
JC Penney, it was like they were calling his name. 

Well, guess who HAD to have them. 
We were there to buy JEANS NOT Camo pants. 
I wonder if he will sleep in them tonight? 

 ☺   ☺   ☺


~ Fast forward 4 hours later

~ Kevin said when they got to the hunting spot,
he positioned Braden at the base of the tree,
got him all set up and then Kevin climbed up.

~ Eventually, Kevin had to come down and
sit with Braden because Braden
kept looking up and yelling,
"my neck hurts from looking up at you".

~ They did see 2 doe and 1 buck,
the bucks antlers were only as long as the
fingers on your hand so Kevin
couldn't shoot him.

~ In our county, you can only have
one buck a season and Kevin didn't want to waste it on
such a small animal that still needed
time to grow and mature.

~ I'm actually glad they didn't get any
deer on Braden's first trip,
I'm not sure how Braden will react to
seeing a deer processed for food. 

~ It is something I think he needs
to be taught slowly and not
just thrown into on his first hunting outing....
but that is a Mimi's thought process
and I'm only a hunter of bargains....
not animals.

~ Thanks for stopping by ~
♥
~ Lisa ~



A Hunting "HE" will go.....

~ Hunting season is here!

It started October 1st.

~ The talk among the men (and some women) is nothing but "deer" talk.

Yes... I knew he was somewhat of a "Daniel Boone" type guy when

we married so I cannot complain about his hunting at all....and I never do.

~ He enjoys it so much. 

Kevin says he loves hanging out

in a tree stand on a nice, crisp morning.

~ Tree stands are nothing like Lazy-boys...and no remotes...
and it can get really cold out there. 

~ I don't understand the fun in it but then God didn't
create women to be hunters.

~ I hope Kevin does well this year,

a happy hunter makes for a nice evening at home.

This photo is from last year....
I snapped it with my cellphone while
we were having a bon-fire out in our back yard.

~ Check out this photo, it was taken

the day after hunting season was over last year!

I think this deer is saying

"nan nuh nan nuh poo poo you

didn't catch me".

~ Thanks for stopping by ~

♥

~ Lisa ~