A Different Kind of Shopping

For the record, I don't like shopping.
Searching for ways to give my money to others
is not my idea of a good time.

There are however, a few things I am always shopping for.
I keep a short list of items I need or would like.
This isn't like the milk and eggs list, but it is similar.
There's just no store that carries the items I'd like to purchase.
Before I get to the items on my list, 
I have to take you down a different path for just a moment.
As far as the milk and eggs above, I've sourced them locally
along with most other items one would usually purchase from the grocer.
I'm not saying I never need a grocer, 
but my dependency is lessening all the time.
I still like coffee, olives, Worcestershire sauce and a few other items 
which are not local or if we want a produce item that is not in season.
If something happened to the supply chain,
we would live (okay, maybe not so happily without coffee, but...).

Honestly, of all the things, raw organic/non-gmo milk was one of the most difficult to source simply due to state laws rather than supply.

It's unfortunate that wholesome foods can be so difficult to find.

I know others who think I'm a bit silly for this, but so be it.
We are healthy, and I accredit it in a large part to this effort.

Now on to the fun list.

There are a few things which probably seem odd to some folks,

but one of the things that I've been on the hunt for for at least a few years now

is a cobbler machine (pictured above).

This machine can stitch leather and has a narrow foot base

so it can reach in shoes.

My regular sewing Singers are all "ladies," but this one is a fellow.

I named him Sidney Singer.

My sewing machines have names because I can't just say "the Singer."

I'm pretty specific in my wants, but I have my reasons.

I wanted an old machine and a Singer.

Old machines have all metal parts.

Even in the best newer machines, there are plastic parts.

Sidney was born in 1906.

The other thing particular to Singer is that there are parts schematics available.

They were made to work and be repairable.

The schematics identify each part down to the size of spring.

And, because Singer is still in business, some of the parts are still available.

All of his mechanical parts are in working order though there are a few issues.

As is, he has neither the knob to be hand-crank, a motor to be electric, 

or the original treadle to be foot powered.

There was a single bobbin that came with him.

His bobbin winder is missing.

He was absolutely filthy!

This was in addition to a bucket of soapy water!

The first thing I did was take the soap and water to him on the outside.

I also had a scraper to get some of the crud off.

Then I worked on "his joints."

Someone had gobbed a bunch of 5 in 1 grease in it.

On the positive side, I guess it helped prevent rust,

but there was so much dirt and grit in there, I didn't want to turn the wheel.

I got him all cleaned up.

I ordered a set of bobbins which have already arrived.

I found the proper bobbin winder and am waiting for that.

I have a knob to add to his wheel so he can have hand-crank.

And now that I have him cleaned up,

I will call the local sewing machine repair shop that has taken care

of my other machines and ask about a motor for him.

I don't mind that he doesn't have the treadle at the moment.

He is on a smaller stand that came with him.

It does have the cast iron legs that are part of a regular treadle.

I've been working on a slipper pattern and am excited to work on that.

Once I have him in a solid functional state, I will order leather.

I want to be sure of what leather I am getting

and get the correct weight for what I will be doing.

Leather's not the cheapest of materials so it has to be right.

I am pretty excited (an understatement)

but have been patient in my search 

so need to be patient in readying him for work as well.

As I said above, I looked for a few years before finding him.

There have been other things that have taken a while,

and those things are among my most cherished items.

(That sounds weird.  I don't worship them, but am content with them.)

I think part of it is that if you're willing to wait,

you don't end up settling for something lesser than what you want.

A few examples:

Our travel trailer is a 1968 Aristocrat Land Commander.

My cauldron.

Concrete double sink.

A butter churn.

I know these things aren't exactly on par with diamonds,

but they make me far happier than jewels.

So with this oddball list, what could possibly be left on my list?

Well, a few more oddities of course.

Yet to find:

A cider press (like this one)

An old (not new repro) cast iron single sink with double drain board.

And yep, there's a reason for the old part - the shape of the basin is different.

A stove-top, corning, avocado green, percolator coffee pot.

McCall apron pattern 1105

and a few other smaller things.

We live in an age of instant gratification.

That avocado green coffee pot has been on my list for almost a decade.

You can bet whenever I do find one, I will relish every cup of coffee

I drink from that pot.

It's the same with Sidney.

Hubby has laughed at me (kindly) when my bobbins arrived, and

when I got him cleaned up & tension adjusted, 

then stitched a little scrap of leather.

I'm sure he will get to laugh again when my bobbin winder arrives.

He laughs but is coming up with projects for me to make for him - Ha!

I told him my slippers are first.

I'd be curious if anyone else keeps a list like this.

I guess it's my form of shopping.

I don't mind waiting - none of these items are life threatening.

They are just items that make life either easier or more enjoyable.

As long as I don't find them, I just figure I'm saving money by not buying them.

It's okay if you think I'm a bit silly~ so be it.

 

Our Tree Has No Lights (& a mini tour)

Christmas is at our house this year.

Last year we were the ones to travel

so didn't do any decorating, tree, anything.

Since this year it's here, 

we went and found a nice little tree last weekend.

There were several 'bottoms' along side the road

where people had chopped down a tree then 'topped' it.

We also found several that people just topped.

That kinda gripes me.

We decided to stop and get one of the bottoms along side the road

to use for boughs and such.

One of our little traditions is lighting the candles on the tree 

Christmas eve, but we usually have lights as well.

This tree is so simple,

I decided we would just have the candles and a few select ornaments.

I have several sheep ornaments and since we are the lambs...

We don't leave them unattended.

Usually, we sit a watch them burn for a little bit and chit-chat quietly.

Our unfinished mantel has lots of boughs and a few simple splashes of red.

Instead of our regular stockings, I just hung a pair of old wool socks

that are in need of some darning.

The nativity scene where the TV used to be.

And a simple candle with pine always seems comforting.

Wishing you all many happy Christmas blessings.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

*~*~*Homemade Toothpaste*~*~*

In an attempt to eventually rid ourselves of toxic chemicals,

reduce dependency on the "grocery store,"

and save money as well,

I have found a recipe for homemade toothpaste

that works wonderfully.

Just so you are aware,

any recipe I share with you here is put to the test

and has to prove itself, or it will not make the cut.
If I shared all the failures, this might turn into a comedy blog.

This recipe takes maybe five minutes to make
and could easily be made by children.
I keep my "house-keeping" type recipes in a hideous little recipe box
that I happen to like.
It's a great size, and I don't misplace it.

I look to the 'T's and pull the recipe.

First in a small deep-sided bowl,
measure 2 Tbl. coconut oil (I don't soften mine)
and 6 tsp. baking soda.

Mix it together like you would grease and flour for pie crust.
It will get crumbly then begin to hold.

At this point, add 1/4 tsp. hydrogen peroxide and several drops of 
an oil of your choice (the edible sort of course.)
Mix those in well and place in an air tight jar.
I was using a 4 oz. canning jar, and that worked well.
I now put it in a pretty little glass container. 
It dries out a little towards the end, but that doesn't bother me.

This last me a couple weeks or so.
To be honest, I haven't really kept track.
The coconut oil is supposed to be good for 'pulling' bacteria.
I don't know how true that is, but it does cover 
the baking soda so it's not like eating plain baking soda.

*This is not an original recipe of mine.  I believe I found it in Hobby Farm Home a year or more ago.  When I went back to verify, the magazine was out of print so if there was a specific creator of the recipe, I'm sorry I am unable to give that person proper credit.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

~A Time To Pause~

Last year by this time, we had been frozen.

Our green tomatoes were scattered on newspaper

to finish ripening and

the fire was lit nightly.

So far this year we've been pretty lucky.

We have lit an evening fire a few nights.

It won't be long.

The weather is turning ~ blessed rain.

I've filled the lamps and we have one by one

closed the windows against the chill of night.

They are now all closed.

The last was the bedroom:

to hear the river, the frogs, and the quail

both nesting and waking in the ivy trees

is something we relish.

(out our bedroom window & back door)

It is now time for a bit of reflection

by the warmth of the fire with a cup of 

something warm to drink.

And so begins the season of inside,

a time to pause

and take notice of the things within.

I've been away for a bit

and I thank you for your patience.

Sometimes there are just those things that need tending to.

There was a nice weekend in Spokane

that I will share with you soon.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

~Tying Up Those Loose Ends.... & Some Super Glue~

I think I am ready for 2013

to be a page in the past.

The day after Christmas,

I was taking a plate from the shop fridge to the compost pile

which should have been done long ago.

Being careful not to get any of that compostable stuff on me,

I slipped on the ice, went splat & broke the plate to boot.

Not long after the slip,

I went to add a log to the fire & burnt a knuckle.

Yesterday, the all-star match between 

my paring knife and me ended with the paring knife

being named champion.

I still have my finger - it stopped at the bone.

Mr. LB grabbed the super glue he prefers
which is the liquid.  I prefer the gel.
By the way, you should keep this in your first aid kit.
It's the same thing as skin adhesive.
The glue ran down my finger and glued my wedding ring
to my finger as well as to my other fingers.
I immediately pulled my fingers apart,
and it took a little bit before I got my ring to spin,
but there will be no removing it to clean it
until my finger heals.

So, onward and upward...

The good news is that Mr. LB & I treated ourselves

to a wonderful day of skiing.

And you will be so proud of me.

I am no longer just a green circle; I am a blue square!

Not a good one, but one nonetheless.

(Mr. LB is a black diamond)

In case you don't ski, those are the levels of difficulty of the slopes.

Mr. LB was born with skis on~ my poor mother-in-law.

The other fun and yes, I do realize that I am the only one 

who would qualify this as fun, is that I have been doing 

more de-cluttering.

We have had or have been a part of 3 yard sales in the past 4-5 years,

and we will be having another this spring.

I cleaned out and am still sorting through a room full

of 'goodies' that have never really had a home.

You know...THAT room.

I also cleaned out (de-cluttered:) the refrigerator.

I know it doesn't sound like fun, but it is so nice when

I open the door, and it sparkles back at me.
Honestly, how many open jars of jelly does one fridge need?

One would think it should look like

"Sanford & Son" around here, but surprisingly,

it is the fact that I take a bag to the bargain counter

nearly every week & have the stack started

in the shop for the yard sale

that keeps it all under control.

If you have not been there yet,

there is an amazing blog in my sidebar

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth.

Jes has a fabulous and seemingly endless

supply of both knowledge and resources on the topic

of home and home organization.

Every home has its own character, and

there are so many ways that folks make it all work.

She has a way of simplifying it and

making it beautiful all at the same time. 

I am hoping to start 2014
on a slightly more organized footing~
in order to keep it simpler and
enjoy the harmony that nature provides,
and we humans mess up.
I don't make new year resolutions,
but I do have ongoing goals.
One of my goals at the moment is
PRIORITIZE.
A few things to prioritize:
stuff vs. space
relationships (enriching vs. draining)
time vs. events/obligations
sanity vs. rushing
health vs. convenience
There are probably more.
Feel free to add your own to the list.

I am looking forward to closing the books on 2013.
So to each of you, I wish a very blessed and prosperous
2014

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches