Where have you been all my life?

My new favorite thing in the whole wide world,

SPACE BAGS!!!!!




I love them!

I have this issue with mouse-lings at the lake the last few years, yes I had them this Spring......yet again, I just didn't feel much like complaining about them...yet again, so I didn't.

Last Autumn  the Cattleman and the boys took a trip to the lake, just to make sure everything was fine and they came home with everything they could grab because they found mice living in the linens. This was not good as they also brought home some of the nasty little critters in those linens . As a result I had this  huge pile and I mean HUGE pile of linens that needed to be washed and then I had to find room for it all in my already overstuffed house.

I was determined that this would NOT happen to me this year or any other year from here on in.  MY solution?


SPACE BAGS!



I could put each child's comforter, set of sheets, pillow, pillow cases, their own towel and, I repeat, and  a sleeping blanket in each large SPACE BAG. (and a bounce sheet) They are waiting for each child on their bed....Fan frickin fantastically amazing stuff.

In two bags I was able to do our queen sized Comforter, sheets,  memory foam mattress, five pillows, and padded and feather mattress/ protector..Fan frickin fantastically amazing stuff.

Pop in another one twenty large bath/beach towels! Pas de sweat for my Space bag. .Fan frickin fantastically amazing stuff.

Compact, SAFE, mouse free linens....I am a deliriously happy Mamma!

End of season

Starting packing up the summer place and I have to tell you it is a job I dread for several very good reasons.

One I hate to see summer disappear, I despise the cold. I know! You would think I would be used it living in Canerder and all.  Mind you I would still come in the Autumn and earlier in the Spring if the place was within reasonable distance of the homestead.

It's beautiful here. There are always places for sale along the river through the hills, we always dream and look at the prices and think "well maybe some day"..................but I know the reason the same gorgeous places go up for sale every few years or so. It's because folks don't take into account the complete and utter isolation in the winter months. The charming winding, twisty turny (yes I know I just made up that word, wanna make something of it?), up and down  roads in Spring and Summer turn into nasty MF'ers at minus 20 and white outs due to northern blowing winds. You would have to be able to fend for yourself,  alllll by your self,  with no outside contact for loooooooong periods of time, or have nerves of steel when driving. I don't think most folks account for the reality of living in the middle of nowhere, they think the view will feed their soul, the charming breezes off the water are so refreshing don't cha know. But the ice , the neck deep snow, the constant howling of the winds off the water. While that has it's own savage barren  beauty?  It can drive you batty if your not used to it.

Sigh...I know deep down I will never "live" full time here. Reality is highly over rated...

A wee update

I just back yesterday from another week of camping with the children.

For some odd reason I can not seem to keep an Internet connection there. It keeps dropping out, which is ODD because I had NO issues last year at all. However this year everytime I go to post or something a cloud (I guess) bops by and bingo bango bongo I lose my connection.. yet again....changes a fun, creative ( might be a stretch) activity into a @#$% rigamarole. :O)


Not that the beach has made me lazy about anything that isn't essential to life and breath...nope it is a failure to communicate with mobile Internet stick.

Guess who came for dinner?

A nice quiet Sunday afternoon and voila some of our family made a trip up.

My #2 son and a friend came up for an afternoon drive, walk, swim and dinner.

Senor Super Sperm ( I guess I am going to have to find a new name for him that is a tad more polite) brought my daughter and their daughter for the day, some how through the day Miss Kitty decided,  rationalized,  worried that I just might get tooooooo lonesome up here with out the Cattleman and just small children for company..Senor Super Sperm is going to be working OT all week so she was perfectly free to join me...

Lonesome? I think Miss Kitty  just got nostalgic for the good old days when she spent her summers camping with us. Ummmmm that would have been as long ago as just last year. Well who could resist this wee face?



Certainly not moi..so they are staying for the week.

At the Lake

I have spent the last week or so making lists and then more lists to make sure my initial two week trip to the lake was going to run as smooth as silk. I am usually an pretty organized gal, you kinda have to be when you have as many kids as we have or you'll go nutz tout de suite.

I must confess that I did my usual good job on the food, ingredients, meds, clothing for the critters, animal paraphernalia, right movies, toys, activities for the rest of the family..not too shabby really. Well to be honest, we only got here to our trailer (which we fondly refer to as  "our very own easy bake oven",)  yesterday, we shall see if theory of bringing the right stuff still  holds true in a few days.

One of the things I like best about our camping experience is the nights, the nights where I can do things that I love to do while the critters are all asleep after a busy day at the beach or hiking, the combination of nature, water and sun is a perfect for inducing sleep. All of my children have learned to fall asleep listening to the motor and steady thump thump thump of a sewing machine. I make at least one quilt a summer. I spend the winter planning it (or them) but I spend summer nights, hand  washing, pressing (ironing, an activity I reserve only for weddings and funerals and of course to sew quality quilts or garments one must press, press, press and then press some more) cutting out my pieces and then the most satisfying part: the construction of the top.

This summer I am working on two, possibly three, (no ambition there). One is a very simple straight forward block that should whip up in a jiffy, the fabrics will provide the real visual interest and will not require swearing,  tearing out of hair, super advanced skills. The other one is going to also be rather simple (summer) quilt for our room, but I have decided to hand  applique huge flowers and then outline them with a delicate blanket stitch with silk embroidery threads on every block. This will give me something creative to do with my hands while watching the critters at the beach. If the sun ever shows up here again...My last quilt I am thinking of making is  for a friend for a house warming gift. I went through my stash and I think I have enough left over flannels, plaids, jean type material that just might look nice in the rustic surroundings they live in. This one has not finalized in my brain but it keeps dancing around, calling for attention and nagging at me, so I will have to get more focused and make a final decision on the design.

I forgot my machine..it is currently sitting in my hallway at home all sad and forlorn that it was left behind.

WHAT???????????

Come on that was a lot to pack and it is reasonable that something would be forgotten or left behind. That's O.K. the Cattleman is going home and will be back next Friday after work he can bring it. I'll work on another one while I wait. Right???

Right?????

Wrong................................................................

I forgot the iron.....WHAT????????????

Yup.

Well at least my machine won't be lonely at home waiting, it has the Iron to keep it company.....I hope it isn't steamed at me.