Thanksgiving and a Restoration

There are a thousand tutorials on how to restore old cast iron

so I won't bore you with the how-to's of it.

But. . . 

I did want to share.

You might already be aware that 90% of my cooking arsenal

is cast iron or terra cotta.

Love them both!

For the longest time, I had what I called "a stew pot," of cast iron,

but I really wanted a true Dutch oven.

I wasn't really impressed with the poor quality or the high price

 of the new ones available in stores.

My mother-in-law is just awesome.

She likes to go to yard sales etc.

so I let her know a couple years ago that I would like one.

Not long ago, she sent me the following picture

with a message that read "$25 ???"

I said "YES!"

Brought it home, hubby took the wire wheel to it,

then I scrubbed and seasoned it.

And the results~

Oh but there is more :-)

It wasn't evident in it's rusted state,

but after cleaning it up,

we saw that it had one of our family names

 that is not entirely common

engraved on both the lid handle and bottom of the pot.

That makes it even more special.

MIL is going to go back over and ask about where they got it

as she kinda knows who the folks are who had the yard sale.

Until she finds out for certain,

we will be left to wonder.

I've not had a chance to use it yet,

but oh I will.

I am just thrilled to have it at hand.

Also, I wanted to wish each of you a very

happy Thanksgiving.

I hope you find the day enjoyable and are able

to give thanks for the many blessings received.

We are taught that we should be thankful not only for our easy times

but for our trials as well.

I know first hand how difficult that can be.

But, if that Dutch oven could feel & speak,

I have a feeling it would have known even in the rusted state

 what it was made of

regardless of what was present on the outside.

Because life isn't pretty at the moment,

doesn't mean it won't be beautiful 

in what is yet to come.

And yes, I see cast iron as a thing of beauty😊

If life is trying for you right now,

I would like to wish you even a greater blessing

in that there is beauty yet to come.

Happy Thanksgiving dear friends.

Company Coming for Thanksgiving? Inexpensive Memento Idea

These are simple and add a bit of sparkle to the season.

All you need is:

Borax, boiling water, pipe-cleaners, and a jar.

(oh and a pencil and scissors)

If you have company spending the night,

you could have them twist up their snowflake

of pipe-cleaners at night.

There are a ton of possibilities:

a simple asterisk, a star, or something more detailed

like the one above.

Hang the snowflakes in a jar

supported by the pencil across the top.

Boil water.

Add about 3 tablespoons of borax to each cup of boiling water.

I like peanut butter jars, because they have a wide mouth.

I let my borax solution cool for about 10 min.

so it wouldn't melt the jar.

If you are using a glass jar,

you don't have to wait.

Just pour the borax solution over the snowflakes.

Now... go to bed.

When you awake~

A couple of notes:

*You can use colored pipe-cleaners & it will add

a little tint to them.

*You can add a few drops of food coloring to the borax solution.

*Be sure that they are not touching the bottom

of the jar (they'll stick.)

*And lastly, be sure that the jar is filled to the top of

the snowflake.

Or it will turn out like this one - oops

I almost didn't show you,

but sometimes it's as helpful to know

what not to do as it is to know

what TO do.

I like this one, but the top wasn't submerged.

They are fun and sturdy for what they are.

Kids (& adults too) can take them home

with them and hang them on their tree.

Fun for the whole family.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Happy Thanksgiving

As we gather with loved ones and stuff ourselves with delicious food, let us be truly thankful for all of our blessings.

Just to share with you - a poem from my great grandmother's scrapbook.

To you and yours, I wish every warmth, joy, and happiness.

God Bless,

LadyLocust

Please do not copy these images without permission.  This postcard dates prior to 1952 as the postage rate listed is still 1 cent.

Free Thanksgiving Pattern

Giving thanks and giving back.

I have some exciting news.  My friends and family have been telling me I should do this for a long time.  I have made patterns for people in the past, but haven't charged for them.  I am taking a leap and have begun posting my patterns.  If you look in my blog shoppe, they will be added as I have opportunity to do so.  It takes a little time just to get them posted to the shoppe let alone to create them. 

As a little perk to you, I am giving you a sweet Thanksgiving design that could actually be used the entire autumn season.  I put mine on a table runner, but you can make a pillow, tea towel, pot-holder, wall hanging, or a number of other items with this design.  The best news is... it's free! 

I would like to ask a couple things: first, I would ask that you become a follower - it's not a requirement.  You can still get the pattern if you choose not to follow.  I am a believer in the honor system:), and second, would you like more free patterns or designs perhaps each season?  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  That's where being a follower really kicks in.  You would get to see those free patterns, and of course, this is just a fun place to hang out.  (I hope you like the idea as I have a another one in mind and am hoping to get started on it.)

I have a couple other patterns in the works that are more along the quilting line.  It just takes a little longer to get those samples made.

This free pattern is in my blog shoppe as well.  Let me know if for any reason it isn't working.  You should be able to just click and print.
I am still a newby to blogging so I am learning by doing:)

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

PS: Blessings to you folks over on the east coast - be safe.