Favorite Photo Moments 2015

Here are a few of my favorite photo moments from 2015!

Crystal Jewelry

As usual, I'm starting the year off with a blog. Historically speaking though, this may taper off around March. But maybe this year I'll get lucky and have the fortitude to keep it going. The funny thing is, I'm glad I've picked it back up every so often because it's been fun to read. I've really enjoyed going back and looking through my old posts from years back. Also, it really surprises me how creative I was only two or three years ago...and how not creative I am at the moment.

So, I guess the only resolution I'm going to make this year is to find that creative side again. Today I worked on crystal jewelry from crystals I dug myself at the crystal mines in Mt. Ida and Jessiville.

Two years ago my family and I discovered how much fun crystal mining is in Arkansas. Until that time, I had only been once on a seventh grade science field trip many years ago. So on a whim, my family and I loaded up and left one Saturday morning to check them out. That became the first of many trips last year to two different mines, one in Jessiville, and one in Mt. Ida.  I am always happy to put my hands in the dirt, and enjoy selling and giving away the crystals that I find. 

Recycling Old Books

I have spent the last couple of weeks thinking about new craft ideas, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money. So I looked no further than my bookshelf, where I had amassed a large collection of antique volumes that have never been read. I found a few that were not in very good shape, or had been colored on the inside by one of my sons (I have an awesome copy of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar that is now streaked with green crayon).

Using twine from the dollar store and some Native American style ribbon from the craft store, I made a cute little trinket for book lovers. I even glued a few ornaments on the front and spine. I absolutely love the end result.

Crock Pot Cash Saver: Sausage and Potato Soup

I've been budgeting a lot lately, and at the same time, trying to reprogram myself to eat at home. So I've been getting a little experimental lately, mostly to the chagrin of my husband and sons. But tonight's dinner was a pretty big hit.

I've always been a fan of the potato and sausage soups at the Italian restaurants, so I made my own, quick version, out of things I already had in the cabinet.

1 pound of breakfast sausage
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 can of cream of celery soup
2 cans of diced or sliced potatoes
1 can of veggie mix (carrot, peas, celery, potatoes)
1 purple onion
teaspoon of real minced garlic
1 chicken broth cube
2 tablespoons of butter
1 cup of milk
4 cups of water

First I sauteed the sausage and purple onion together. While it was cooking, I added the rest of the ingredients into the Crockpot. Then I added the sausage. Finally I turned the soup on high for two hours.

Digging Through my Photo Trunk

For fifteen years, I've collected turn-of-the-century photos. I'm not sure why - maybe because it's sometimes a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of people a hundred years ago or more. Maybe its because it pains me to think no family members cared to keep the photos (however it is also highly probable a lot of these photos were just lost through the years and maybe a family would love to have them back). Finally I use these photos as a source of inspiration for my fiction writing. I try to imagine who they were and weave a fictional tale of their former lives.

Whatever the reason for my longtime hobby, I absolutely treasure each photograph. Here are just a few examples:

I found this photo of Himalayan monks buried under a stack of photos at an old antique store.

This photograph reminds me of The Great Gatsby. Maybe Gatsby and Daisy in their younger days.

When I look at this one, the story ideas just swirl in my head.

I like to imagine this being taken just before or during the start of the Dust Bowl.I love the expressions on their faces.

I would love to find out where in the United States this was taken.

New year, new me...

My only new year's resolution this year is simple...literally, simple. I want to simplify my life in ways I never have. It's been a struggle these last two years trying to finish my master's degree; raise two boys with a husband who was away a lot; and to teach classes each day that I felt were meaningful and worthwhile.

But the scope of 2015 looks a lot different. My diploma came in the mail last week, and although money is tight, my husband is now home all the time, as he goes back to school to get his teaching license. By no means does this mean my life will suddenly become calm, but I no longer care to stir the pot of my own stress level.

For part of my Christmas present, my husband pulled all the carpet off of the floors in our house. The old hardwood looks absolutely beautiful, and changed the look of each room completely. Our house is very small, but with the different floors, it gives it the more rustic, less modern look I want. I sold my old couches and were given a nice set of neutral furniture from my aunt.

I've been watching a ton of television shows (and one documentary) on tiny house living; and although our house is not that small, I think some of their advice could work for us. I've noticed that the less clutter I have, the more peaceful I become. I think that I have fallen into the "clutter trap." My home, classroom, mind, etc...it's all full of clutter. I want to get back to what matters to me this year.

Now that I have said that, I can admit that it is way easier said, than done, When I cleaned my writing desk, I tried to leave out only the things that inspired or meant something to me. That included my great-grandmother's buttons, my vintage photo (turned upside down) of people at the Little Red River; my portrait of a family in the 1920's American West; another loved vintage photo of a lady; my crystals; the complete set of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series; my favorite vase and pencil jar; and my favorite book on Native American culture.

So maybe simple should start somewhere else this year. Maybe I will have better luck cleaning out my closet.

Indigo Cottage Repurposed Jewelry

Baby It's Cold Outside

I started getting frustrated with my latest projects, and just things in general...so my son and I took off to my grandpa's farm. It was cold, but I did take a few cute photos:

Boho Nightstand

My newest obsession is with decoupage. I absolutely love the look and, although time consuming, the projects I've finished so far have turned out pretty well. I found an old table that I wanted to make into a Boho chic nightstand - a few pieces of scrapbook paper and some sealer later...and here it is!

Live Simply

As I was saying...

The hilarious thing about blogs is that you can leave one for a while, and then come back to it as if no time has passed. I started this blog a long time ago, but as my teaching career shifted into high gear, and I began a graduate program, my posts became fewer and far between. I even put my first book on hold after months of research and writing.

Well, thankfully, I am now a graduate. That means that finally, I get to do the things I want to do with my spare time. Since the beginning of Christmas break, I have gone into "Pinterest Overdrive." Maybe its because for four semesters (counting summer) I have been unable to do anything but look at a pin wistfully and wish I had time to try it.

So here are a couple of projects I started today:

I kept seeing "Gypsy Jars" on Pinterest. So here's my version:

What You'll Need:

Mason Jars

Acrylic Paint and Brushes

Metallic Puff Paint or Glitter Glue

Various Ornaments (These came from Dollar General)

Sealer (Such as Modge Podge)

First paint the inside of the mason jar (only one coat is needed). While that is drying, take your glitter glue and add it to the rim of the jar. Next take ornaments, such as sticky rhinestones, and put them on the outside. Finally, you may want to give the inside of the jar a coat of sealer (such as Modge Podge).

Grandpa's Garden

Today I took the boys to my grandparents' farm. While I was there I took a few pictures of my grandfather's garden. Looks like there will be a ton of okra in a few days. 

Handmade Coasters

I thought today I would share a simple DIY project someone showed me - custom-made coasters. You can get as elaborate as you want with these. Here are the instructions:

1. Go to a supply store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. In the floor tiling section there are boxes of plain white tiles, (they also make black sometimes too). These are the perfect size for coasters, as well as other crafty projects like mosaics. They usually run anywhere from 15-50 cents a piece. I would by 4-6 for each coaster set.

2. Next decide on a design for the coasters. The easiest way is to choose the large pieces of scrapbook paper you can buy in packs or separately at scrapbook supply stores. I would buy at least two to three sheets of the same color. You can get up to four coaster patterns on one sheet, but I would have extra in case of mess-ups.

3. Everyone seems to do their decoupage mixture differently. I have used the already mixed, name-brand, but have found that just a cheap mixture of equal parts glue and water works just as well. I don't even buy the name brand glue. So usually this part of the process only runs about fifty cents.

4. Using the coasters as guides, draw out four shapes onto the back of your scrapbook paper.

5. Carefully cut out the squares and lay aside.

6. Using a strong paintbrush (I
 have one I strictly use for decoupage), paint the white tile. Next, lay the scrapbook paper on top of the tile. Then paint another coat of the glue mixture on top of the scrapbook paper. Allow to dry an hour. Repeat the process.

Note: You will have to smooth down the edges of the paper around the sides of the coaster.

7. The finished product should look somewhat like the example below. The coasters can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like them to be. However, when you finish your design, it is important to take them outside and spray them with a clear craft sealant (can be found in the craft section of Wal-Mart or Michael's).