Baskets are a Farmgirl's Best Friend

Through the years I have used baskets in our home for all kinds of things. They are one of the most useful items a farmgirl could use in their home. Not only are baskets pretty, they come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes as well as different materials. They can be used everywhere and everyday in your daily routines and life. Perfect for organizing things, gift giving, collecting, hanging, foraging, flowers, picking fruit or veggies from your garden and feeding animals.

 They can hold quilts, fabrics, art supplies, food, eggs, plants and books.

You can use them for picnics, laundry, supplies or paper goods.

(My girl circa 2010)

(my girl circa 2010)

It's a good idea to keep some on hand. 

You can find some great baskets in thrift shops, antique stores, 

garage sales and craft stores. They will make all your jobs a bit easier...

Chicken Scratch

The weather is warming up in our parts. Great time to get outdoors, play with some animals, pull weeds and make stuff. That is just what we have been up to this last week. Pulling weeds/gardening is so therapeutic. It's also nice to forage your own backyard for plants that may be useful in making things with. Like the dandelions. When most people think they are just a nuisance of a weed. There are others such as myself who see the great medicinal benefits the dandelion has. I cut a bunch of it and dried it out for a couple days, then pulled all the petal tops off, placed them into a jar and filled it with olive oil. This will infuse the dandelion, which later will be

 strained and used in soap, lip balm & body butter for our home.

Another project I am working on is making liquid Pure-Castile soap. Which costs less rather than buying it in liquid form. Instead of paying over $10 bucks for a bottle, you can buy a bar for $4 bucks. Just add grated Castile soap to 4 cups of boiling water, stir until dissolved then pour in jars for later use. You can use Castile soap in your laundry, cleaning the home as well as for beauty, such as making homemade facial washes...Plus you can use it in making homemade dog shampoo.

 Which I will be making for our pup. I also put together a lovely, calming foot soak for the hardworking, gardening farmgirl. Will share the recipe later this week. I will also be making cold process soaps in the next week or so....I received all the equipment for soap making for my birthday and can't wait to use it....I am so excited to learn a new skill for our homestead.

Come on back and visit! Have a great week y'all!!!

Thoughts On Forty~Four

It's hard for me to fathom that I am just about middle aged. Where did the years go? Life for me has been quite the roller coaster ride..Some moments were thrilling, some seasons were hard, many days seemed mundane. I have had good times, bad times, happy and sad times just like everyone does. I spent many years with illness that no one could pinpoint and missed a lot of my children's days because I couldn't function 100%. After years of tests and confusion I finally got better after going to a naturalistic doctor. I have been blessed beyond imagination to be home with my children, homeschooling them and nurturing them with our support, attention and love. Our life has been built on faith in God as we have been given so much grace. As the years have gone on I have had some other strange health issues and anxiety...But in the recent months 

I am happy to say this is the best I have felt in years!!!

Yes, with age my eyes are failing, my body physically hurts, aches with a bit of arthritis in my toes and my hair is getting some grays... But I don't feel older. Mentally I feel like I'm in my twenties. With life experience I feel I have gained quite a bit of wisdom from trials and crossroads, even from good times. I have experienced more than most people in my little life, and has only made me a stronger person spiritually and has made me the person I am today. 

These things I consider gifts from my God. Gifts I am grateful to have.

My forties have been a great adventure so far... I am content knowing I am getting older. I pray I will grow old gracefully. Being more mindful of my health, and well being...Taking care and being a good steward of my life. I look forward to growing old alongside my dear husband and watch my children grow into delightful adults as they will someday have their own families. I am looking forward to the new season ahead and soaking it all in. Life is beautiful even though I am beautifully broken...I trust God as He continues molding and shaping me into the wife, mother and child of God He meant me to be. And may I glorify Him with how I live this gift.

Today I turned 44...I feel blessed that God has allowed me to live this long. Prayerfully it is His will to give me many more years here with my family, I praise Him for giving me this beautiful life.

(P.S. The frock is my newest sewing project...

made from an old vintage quilt top and old sugar sack used as one of the pockets)

 I love it...

More frocks to come soon!

Maw's Homestead Coffee & Cacao Brown Sugar Face Scrub

Coffee is a staple on a farmgirl's homestead! Have you ever thought to use it on your face though? It's true...You can and it has some nice benefits too! The caffeine in coffee improves circulation in the skin, it stimulates and exfoliates as well as tighten the skin. 

And who doesn't love the smell of coffee grounds? 

This is a pretty simple recipe you can throw together and give to your Maw this Mother's Day. All you need is ground coffee, brown sugar, ground cacao, jojoba oil,

 Peppermint Essential Oil.

Put 1/2 cup brown sugar in a small bowl then slowly add 1/2 cup Jojoba oil. Measure out and stir in 1/4 cup coffee grounds and 2 Tablespoons ground cacao. Lastly add 10 drops peppermint essential oil, mix well. Store in air tight glass containers. Give as gifts! This will be perfect to use on your face in the morning to stimulate your skin and maybe even wake you up!

Linking to Farmgirl Unleashed Friday Blog Hop.

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