Honeysuckle Nectar

A Day Like Today...

2011-11-08T11:09:00.002-06:00

Muggy, cloudy, dreary, trials, tribulation, and yet---blessings! I can always find something to be thankful for if I look hard enough! And I'm sure you can too!

Thing's I'm thinking about and doing...You'll have to guess which is which!

2011-11-05T11:51:00.005-05:00

Gathering kindling and splitting firewood.
Picking up pecans. Raking leaves.
1920's Boy Cuts.
Edwardian, Victorian, and early 20th century clothing and aprons.
Homemade brooms.
Wood-stove blacking.
Building an outdoor clay oven.
Having this mindset, and wondering how canned tuna fish will fit in...Somehow roasted pheasant seems more fitting.

2011-08-16T07:32:00.003-05:00

The first five tips are what I found in an an old book of mine called "The Art Of Good Living", by Svevo Brooks.
Do something useful with your hands every day:
a. Bake bread
b. Hang out clothes
c. Garden
d. Sew
e. Draw a picture
I could go even farther to say:
f. Wash dishes by hand.
g. Clean and scrub pots and pans.
h. Clean and scrub bathroom and floors.
i. Make beds.
j. Sweep.
k. Vacuum.
l. Mop floors, wring mop with hands.
m. Hand wash delicates.
n. Peel, slice, chop food by hand.
o. Mix bread, cake and cookie batter by hand.
p. Polish furniture with real beeswax wax polish, by hand.
q. Iron clothes.
r. Rub your husband's back.
s. Scrub your husband's back.
t. Grind coffee by hand.
u. Wash your child's hair.
v. Write a letter.
w. Pat someone's shoulder.
x. Bandage a boo-boo on your child's knee.
y. Wipe away your child's tears.
z. Apply vapor rub to the back and chest for someone who is sick and tuck them in bed.
Now there...Just think about all the things we do with an appliance, a machine, an instrument, an electronic device and think how far we have gotten away from using our hands!

Vintage Treasures

2011-05-16T14:53:00.002-05:00

Delightful Home Newsletter ~March 2006

2011-03-13T09:55:00.002-05:00

Delightful Home Newsletter March 2006 - Issue 3

"More Cold Weather Tips"
"Peeking In On Springtime"
"Saint Patrick's Day"
"Odds & Ends"

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day was named after the patron saint of Ireland. He died on March
17, in the year of approximately 461. St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in
America since early colonial days, since the year of 1845. America still celebrates
St. Patrick's Day in homes, schools, churches and places of entertainment.

It is said that St. Patrick used a shamrock to illustrate the idea of the Trinity to the
people of Ireland. He founded over 300 churches, and baptized over 120,000
people in the 29 years that he was in Ireland. The shamrock is the national flower
of Ireland.

We know the shamrock as a small clover plant, it usually has three leaflets,
sometimes four - which is said to bring good luck to the person who finds it.

As Christian women, we have the opportunity to keep this day alive, and share
with our families the reason we celebrate it. As with many Christian holidays such
as Christmas and Easter, we all have seen how distorted they have become, and
should do our part to continue celebrating them in a way that will honor Jesus
Christ, as well as other's who devoted their lives to Him.

I recently heard someone say that hardly anyone still refers to "Saint" Valentines Day,
and before long they will drop the Saint title from St. Patrick's Day. So now is the time
to remind our children why we celebrate this day, and hopefully our attention to this
will help keep it alive for many generations to come.

CORNED BEEF HASH
2 cans corned beef, diced in 1 inch squares
1 medium onion diced 1/4 inch
4 medium red potatoes scrubbed, diced 1/4 inch
1/4-1/2 cup water salt and pepper to taste
cooking spray or vegetable oil
Coat large skillet with oil or spray. In heated skillet, add potatoes and onions, stir-fry
until golden brown. Add corned beef, add a little water if it starts to stick. Cover, stir
occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if desired to make broth for serving
over rice (optional).
NOTE: Baked corned beef brisket can be substituted for canned corned beef (approx 4
lbs.) Shred or dice 1/2 of cooked brisket, and add to potatoes and onions.
PLANNED-OVER: Reheat and slice remaining brisket diagonally and serve on Kaiser
buns, or between slices of Irish Soda Bread with your favorite Bar-b-q-sauce, sliced
onions, or other condiments as desired.

BUBBLES & SQUEAK
Although this is traditionally a British recipe, I thought I would include it here as it is a
good potato and cabbage recipe.

1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 white potatoes, baked until just tender
1 medium head cabbage
Salt and pepper to taste
Cut the cabbage in wedges, steam until barely tender. Dice the potatoes into 1 inch
squares. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet. Add the prebaked, diced potatoes
and the steamed cabbage wedges and sauté over medium-high heat until golden
brown. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
NOTE: Brussel sprouts may be substituted for cabbage.

IRISH SODA BREAD
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 425°. Sift the flour, soda and salt together into a large mixing bowl.
Gradually add 1 cup of buttermilk, mixing with a large spoon until the dough is firm.
Shape into large ball. If the dough crumbles, add a little buttermilk, one tablespoon at a
time.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, and pat and shape it into a flat round loaf
about 8 inches in diameter and 1 1/2 inches thick. Set the loaf on a lightly
greased/floured baking sheet. Cut a 1/2 inch X or cross crease from side to side into
the dough with a knife that has been dipped in water, so dough can be easily divided
into four quarters after baking.
Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven
and wrap in a clean linen or cotton cloth, let cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes.

And don't forget to wear a bit 'o green! Or ye may get a pinch or two!

St. Patrick's Day is followed by the first day of Spring on Monday, March 20!!

Happy Springtime!!

Oh how we have waited for a peek of Springtime! And I must say, that we have been
blessed to have had some beautiful weather here in the Deep South for the past few
weeks. The pear trees have bloomed already, and now the Narcissus, Daffodils, Grape
Hyacinth, Periwinkle Japanese Snowball, and Old Fashioned White Iris are in full
bloom!

Make a seasonal table using a green tablecloth, a pot of your favorite flowers, and
small treasures from outdoors scattered about to create a lovely reminder of this
wonderful season!

I have opened windows and doors to air out the house. I will need to clean out the
fireplace soon, to get the sootie smell from creeping into the house. I've washed
blankets and quilts. Already, I have hung clothes on the line to dry, hearing them
"snap" in the breeze! March has certainly been windy as usual, and we will probably
have another cool snap or two. But I have stored away most of our winter clothes,
jackets, sweaters, heavy blanket and quilts, etc.

TIP: Place your favorite herbs such as Rosemary, Lavender, Spearmint, Juniper or
Cedar rolled up in 2 layers of parchment paper and place between winter clothing
and blankets.

I haven't got around to taking down the curtains and drapes yet for spring-cleaning,
but will tend to that within the next week or two. Which brings me to another favorite thing to do come Springtime - switching out the dark colors of winter, for lighter colors! I love to be able to see through the windows while indoors, so I will place sheers and lace panels only, on most of the windows, with the exception of the bedrooms and bath - where I will install mini-blinds soon for privacy along with the sheers and lace panels. I will use a lace or floral valance also to dress them up a bit.

TIP: This week wash 2-3 windows per day, and clean the curtains. Switch up
curtains from one room to another if the sizes are the same. This will give us a
nice change, without spending any money.

Cleaning windows is a big chore, but one I love to do!! There is nothing nicer than
shiny, squeaky clean windowpanes!

WINDOW WASH RECIPE
1/2 cup of ammonia
1 gallon water
Several old newspapers
Mix in a big plastic bowl, swooshing around to make suds. Dip cotton cloth and wring
out thoroughly. Wipe down inside and outside of windows. Rinse well and buff with a
piece of wadded up newspaper.
NOTE: White vinegar may be substituted for the ammonia. But ammonia is very good
for cutting dust, grease and grime. This same recipe can be used for washing light
fixtures, mini-blinds, what-nots, etc. DO NOT used on painted items or surfaces.

Make a list of things to do that won't cost any money, to spruce up your home, and
bring a little bit 'o sunshine as well as Springtime into our homes!

Graphics compliments of: Norbert's Linkables

©Common Law Copyright - Gaylynn Y. Cooper - 2005 - 2012

Lady of Shallot Jigsaw Puzzle

2011-02-27T20:55:00.000-06:00

Classics For Childhood's, Rebecca Ann Bernhard

2011-02-01T23:04:00.002-06:00

Sadly, I am just now finding out that my friend, Rebecca Ann Bernhard of Colorado Springs, CO passed away on December 10th, 2009. She was 49 years old and passed after a yearlong battle with cancer....She was a member of my Feminine Ways Yahoo group until she got sick earlier in 2008. She left the group after finding out she had cancer. And apparently closed her website as well. I have tried to find out about her for a couple of years now, and feared this.

2011-01-01T12:39:00.000-06:00

The Free State of Jones: Mississippi's Longest Civil War

LOTS of things going on...

2010-12-26T22:15:00.004-06:00

So much has happened since my post in August!!!

I've lost two dear uncles, and a cousin.
I'm going to be "Grandma" again...
I've finally got my Feminine Ways domain back!
Remodeling the house "again"...
Many difficulties.........
Many MORE blessings..........
So much I'm sure I've forgotten!
But, 2010 has been a year I will NEVER forget!

What to do???

2010-08-14T09:25:00.006-05:00

We are halfway through August,

and even though it is still really HOT here in South MS,

I'm thinking Autumn, Fall, cool-brisk-weather!!

I've got fishing and camping on my mind!!!

So even though it is still a bit too hot to do this, I'm making PLANS!!

Cleaning up and getting fishing gear ready.

Finding the stainless steel perculator!! ;)

Finding a recipe for herbal bug repellant!

Find crickets, or dig worms ;)

Get a skillet, cornmeal, salt, pepper, (for those BIG bass we'll catch!) potatoes, onion, bowl, spoon, paper towels, paper plates, condiments, forks, etc. in a box.

Make sure my camera is ready and get extra batteries. ;)

Find my binoculars...To spy on the BIG old alligator!!

Get a big knife, and a rope, or a gun??? ;)

Get tent ready, or sleep in the truck if the alligator is too close!! LOL

6 pack

OF Coca cola!!!! Yeah!! Make that a 24 pack!!!!

It's never too cold for a Coca Cola!!!

Rest in Peace Mr. J.C. Breland

2010-08-05T20:16:00.003-05:00

We love you!!

Pretty Little Girls!!

2010-07-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

Small Aprons
Who remembers wearing dresses with pinafores?? I loved them!!!

FarmGirl FUN...

2010-07-03T11:45:00.007-05:00

Recipes, Patterns, Instructions
Simple Solutions
FarmGirls

Busy-busy.....with a little side finds...

2010-06-18T12:27:00.000-05:00

Good Housekeeping, May 1925

It's been a long time since I blogged here! Can anyone say "FACEBOOK"?? LOL It is truly addictive. But I have enjoyed finding MANY long-lost friends, classmates, relatives, and new friends! I would love to be friends with everyone who reads and/or follows my blog too. You can find me under: Gaye Young Cooper. I also have a group on there under FeminineWays (no space), a fan page for Feminine Ways, a "Pampering" gift application, and more you can find under my tabs. I'm also planning on creating a page for Honeysuckle Farm there soon, as well as a Farmgirl page for any locals who want to join my MaryJane Farmgirl Chapter.

You'll see what I've been up to there...

Also, please visit my webpage: http://www.feminineways.weebly.com/

Mrs. Gaylynn (Gaye) Young Cooper
aka

Update, checking in

2010-06-10T08:44:00.004-05:00

We've been remodeling once again! I hope we get it right this time! Right, as in finally finished? :)

Biblical Femininity

2010-06-10T00:45:00.000-05:00

Search Vision Forum for feminine items

Working hard...

2010-04-06T08:20:00.003-05:00

Aside from being sick with high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, bronchitis via allergies-and other setbacks, I have been busy-busy when able. I'm always ready and willing but my body doesn't always want to cooperate....LOL

Catching up:

Of course I've been busy at home as well...working in my flower gardens, vegetable gardens, spring cleaning, and my favorite occupation of playing with my sweet little eight month old granddaughter!

Even though I've been working hard at gardening, mother nature is always meticulously working her magic! The yard, roadside and woods are in full array! Glorious spring blooms everywhere!

My hen is setting on 11 eggs, due to hatch on Thursday, April 8! I can't wait to see those little peepers! Another little miracle of mother nature! Isn't it all so fascinating how nature, creation, procreation is full of such mystery and awe! We have an awesome God!

Cooking is always on the agenda! I've been creating some new recipes lately with what I have "on hand"...Eggs being most plentiful, I've been using my creativity to see what new omelets, and such I can come up with. My latest is a seafood omelet with mushrooms. Recipes later over at http://honeysucklefarmhouse.blogspot.com

But right now daylight's a'wastin'....LOL Gotta get dressed and get busy!

Winter's Idyll

2010-01-30T10:34:00.006-06:00

This post should probably be on my food blog,

but what the heck?

Thinking "Warm & Cozy" today!

2009-11-12T11:00:00.000-06:00

Little Girl with a Blue Ribbon in Her Hair Clutching Her Dolls

Is it the problem or the cure?

2009-10-01T09:11:00.004-05:00

When I get all stressed out I start cleaning. When Mr. Honeysuckle gets stressed out he starts pulling weeds. We go at it with a vengeance. We've been thinking all these years"Oh, those dust balls"....or "Oh, those darned coffee weeds"... When it dawned on me the other day, the Good Lord put those things there for our therapy. They aren't the problem, but quite simply, the cure.

And on another note, this goes along with the scripture, 1Th 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

So when we think things are burdens, or problems, start to think differently about them. Hard work can be very theraputic. Maybe they are actually the cure for whatever ails us.

Frugal???

2009-09-21T17:12:00.003-05:00

It hit me the other day that when I donate clothing, linens, dishes, etc. to the local charity organizations or charity box, that sometimes they throw away things when they have too much. Being the sort of person who is pretty particular when it comes to not wasting things, this has me disturbed. I can be fairly compulsive when it comes to not throwing away things when I can find a way to re-use, or recycle. Personally I'm finding it harder and harder to give things to someone when I am unsure the items will be actually used or thrown away. What is the point, if they somehow end up in the landfill anyway, or burned, buried or what have you?

This has made me more mindful of finding ways to use items, and frankly-finding ways NOT to make purchases if not really necessary.

I find I can no longer selfishly "declutter" or "simplify" without being mindful of the consequences if it ends up in the wrong hands.

In my Vintage Sewing & Craft lessons I talked about how even making crafts (frugally of course) can require collecting things (being a packrat....LOL), keeping things we would normally throw away, re-using items, etc., instead of buying a lot of supplies to make them.

Everything comes with a price.

So what do we do?

We either want to be frugal, yes, even compulsive at times to REALLY waste not/want not.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Here's an old article I saved. Hopefully it will be of use to you, if not discard with care....lol

Recycling socks
Making use of old socks
A wave of nostalgia struck me when shopping for socks the other day; memories from my childhood of my mother darning socks that had holes in them. Aside from that memory, I can't remember the last time I've heard of anyone darning or patching socks. I guess it's because of the price of socks these days - the ones I bought were just over a dollar a pair.
It's great they are so cheap, but the materials socks are made from these days aren't particularly environmentally friendly, usually being a polyester and cotton mix. Polyester is a product made from crude oil and mainstream cotton production requires enormous amounts of water and pesticides. Added to that, because of the polyester content, when you throw a sock away, it takes many years to break down in the environment.
I get through about 7 pairs of socks a year I guess, so over my lifetime, that translates to hundreds of pairs of castoff socks - now multiple that by millions of people doing the same and it amounts to a huge pile.
Given this waste, we need to do more with our old socks rather than trashing them; so here's a few tips:
- I use them as cleaning and polishing rags. They can be particularly handy in hard to clean areas such as blinds and under appliances by slipping your hand into the sock and using it that way.
- Good as whyteboard erasers
- The elasticity makes them great for tying up trees to stakes. After a storm, a couple of small trees in our yard went askew and I used a couple of old long socks to set them straight again. 6 months later and the socks are still holding up to the weight.
- Use them as shoe protectors when storing shoes or traveling
- Outdoor soap on a rope. Probably not the most presentable idea for the home, but great for the shed and garden. Put a bar of soap into a long sock and tie it to an outside tap. After working in the garden, run water over the sock/soap bag, rub it and it will lather up. Great for removing grease from hands!
- Long socks can be cut at the ankle and used as leg or arm warmers
- Have problems with odd socks? It's a well known fact that washing machines and driers steal them. Keep plain colored odd socks in good condition to one side and no doubt over time you'll get some matching pairs.
- Place delicates in them before washing instead of using a delicates bag
- Tie a few together to use as a pull toy for your dog
- When painting, slip an old sock over your shoes to prevent paid from splattering them.
- Socks can be used on some dryers as lint catchers - save money on buying lint bags
- There's all sorts of toys you can make from old socks, including the popular sock puppet enjoyed by generators of young kids. Here's a couple of other toy ideas - sock monkey - sock doll
- Use as insulation for cans and bottles of cold drinks - also helps to soak up condensation on can or bottle
- Handwarmers and fingerless mittens. Cut off the toes and cut a slit for your thumbs.
- If you have babies just learning to crawl, cut the toes off (the sock of course) and slip the sock tube over your baby's knees to help protect them.
- Fill up old long socks with sand or rice, sew the end and use as door snakes to prevent drafts.
- Keep a couple of old socks hand to use as gloves when needing to reach into yucky areas
To get more from a pair of socks, I buy the same style and color. As socks tend to wear unevenly and you'll often end up with a good one and a bad one and by buying the same type, you'll wind up with spares that you can pair.
By the way, who said that wearing matching socks was law? Throw caution to the wind and make a fashion and consumption statement by wearing unmatched socks!
Do you have a handy tips for ways to use old socks? Please add them below!By the way, if you're looking to buy socks that are more environmentally friendly - organic cotton and hemp blends are worth checking into. They are a good deal more expensive, but better wearing from what I've read.
Michael Bloch

Green Living Tips.com

Dog Days of Summer

2009-09-05T10:53:00.002-05:00

Share your own thoughts and folklore on this subject.

Dog Days were popularly believed to be an evil time "when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies"

Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813

Enjoying The Last of Summer

2009-09-05T09:59:00.003-05:00

The sun lay like a friendly arm across her shoulder. ~Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings~ South Moon Under

Favorite Summer Things:
Watermelon
Picking blueberries
Blueberry Pie
Fresh Pears
Watching fireworks in the summer sky
Swimming in the creek
The smell of suntan lotion
Wearing my hair in a ponytail
That rosy glow from getting some sunshine and fresh air
Sandals
Walking in the warm sand on the beach.
Fishing at sundown
Fresh vegetables from the garden
Bar-b-Ques
Watching fireflies
Listening to the Whipporwills
Hearing the crickets chirping on a warm summer evening…

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here
With summer's best of weather
And autumn's best of cheer.
Author Unknown

Rainy Day Ideas

2009-09-05T09:48:00.002-05:00

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. ~Author Unknown

Things to do on a rainy day:
With a cup of tea in hand, sit on the porch and watch the rain.
Curl up with a good book
Clean out your underwear drawer.
Wash your windows, and watch the rain through the clean windowpanes.
De-clutter your magazines, then sit down with and cut out pretty pictures for a collage.
Lie on the bed, and listen to the pitter patter of the raindrops on the roof.
Bake some cookies, brew a pot of coffee, and sit down by the window, watch the rain and enjoy some quiet time.
Grab an umbrella and go walking in the rain.
Buy a pair of pretty rubber boots and go sloshing through the mud puddles.
Walk on the beach after a rain and gather seashells.
My son's favorite activity is to look for arrowheads after a hard rain.
My friend Lety's daughter loves to place tin cans upside down on the stoop and hear the rain drops hitting them.
Catch some rainwater for rinsing your hair.
Set your houseplants on the sidewalk for a nice drink of rainwater.

Go Pamper Yourself!

2009-09-04T10:09:00.002-05:00

http://honeysucklebeauty.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Mending

2009-08-12T15:56:00.000-05:00

Isn't she precious?

2009-08-12T15:52:00.002-05:00

Declaration of Independence

2009-07-05T16:11:00.001-05:00

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html

How to Be A Farmgirl

2009-06-29T14:26:00.001-05:00

How to Be A Farmgirl

Shared via AddThis

Tuesday Ironing...

2009-06-23T18:46:00.002-05:00

If you can take the heat!

Short post....too much to do since it's cooled off a bit!

Have you missed me???

2009-06-22T09:44:00.005-05:00

I have been SO busy, and it has been SO hot, I haven't had time to write....But that doesn't mean my head's been empty! LOL You know you have the BLOGGER bug when "everything" you do, you are constantly composing a post (in your head) about it!
THE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN SO OUT OF SYNC WITH THE HEAT, that I don't even remember most of it. But here are some pictures to remind myself, and give you a little glimpse into what I've been up to!!

The pretty flowers speak for themselves....Detergent bottle: Okay, I HATE wasting that last little bit of liquid detergent, so I fixed the problem....LOL

Views from Mr. Honeysuckle's truck, as we were heading down the road; Cornfields EVERYWHERE. You'd think you were in Iowa! LOL It's like a maze, and very disconcerting if you have claustrophobia, like me and Mr. H.

AND, in an effort to just start over again and try and put some ORDER back into my life, I'm going to post some "Daily Do's"...Bear with me, hopefully it won't be too awfully boring to you! But it is likely...
What have I done this morning?

Coffee

More Coffee

~~~~~~~~

What do I need to do today while Mr. Honeysuckle is AT WORK (Praise Jesus!)!

Strip bed....yes one bed :) Son's' rooms are off limits...Meaning I won't touch them with a 20 foot pole. I have enough trouble keeping up with my own tidying/cleaning and appreciate all the help I can get (Thank you Brandy Marie!)
Wash said bedding
Hang out said bedding
Other laundry
Hang out laundry
Tidy up house: That means go around picking up things and putting them in their proper place for the hundredth time over the past week.
TIDY front porch, sweep sidewalk, and somehow persuade my son to finish cutting the grass in front yard....Company coming sometime this week, so...you know! If that doesn't work, then the horse will have to be tied out there...hmmm
Water plants-a MUST if I want living plants on the front porch!
Saving the very WORST for last----clean the kitchen thoroughly---that is if I can't persuade my sweet niece to come over and help with that daunting task! With peas, corn, and daily cooking it is a mess. It gets that way easier than you'd think...
Then mess it up again with "Supper"... (Will be posting there LATER...I need to get busy now before it gets too HOT again!)

My weekend...

2009-06-17T23:41:00.003-05:00

My son surprising his wife with a new keyboard for her birthday!

She was so tickled! She is pregnant and due July 20!

My aunts and sister on the right (family reunion)

Uncle Cal (who played Nutsy in some of the older Little Rascals show) who has alzheimers, my son and his wife...

Wash Day...

2009-06-15T18:26:00.002-05:00

Monday is normally "wash day" here on Honeysuckle Farm....Loads of sheets, pillowcases, and other laundry to be tended to. I did a little but not the amount I usually do. I think the heat has made me too tired! I hope to get back on schedule and back to my daily plan tomorrow!

Actually laundry is one of my very favorite topics! I can remember my aunt doing her washing, and hanging it on the line...she said that every housewife wanted the "whitest" wash hanging on the line.

WASH DAY RECIPE
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.
Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.
Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles. 1 pile white, 1 pile colored, 1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boilin water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and then boil. Rub colored, don’t boil, just rinse and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broomstick handle, then rinse, and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore rinse water in flower bed.
Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.

And for really whitening my wash I use:

Mrs. Stewart's Bluing

A few days ago I happened to find a picture of my "ideal" washing machine on Lehman's website. Mr. Honeysuckle thinks I'd regret it....LOL But, I would LOVE to have it! The only problem....it is $949.00! Wow! I'm sure it would have costed WAY less than that "back in the day".

Pure Mild Lye Soap

I have the ingredients to make some old fashioned lye soap, and would like to know if any of you have tried it... And I'm wondering if you use it for bathing or just doing laundry?

WASHDAY COBBLER
CLEVER IDEAS FOR WASHDAY

Monday: Wash Day
Tuesday: Ironing Day
Wednesday: Sewing Day
Thursday: Market Day
Friday: Cleaning Day
Saturday: Baking Day
Sunday: Day of Rest

Author of Fascinating Womanhood, Helen B. Andelin dies...

2009-06-10T21:10:00.005-05:00

One of my good friends said this: "Her books went beyond her faith and touched many people from many different faiths and lifestyles." I couldn't have said it better. I read her book about 20 years ago when I desperately needed to hear what she had to say regarding being submissive and subject to our husbands. Then about 6-7 years ago I found the Fascinating Womanhood group on Yahoo. I soon became a moderator on one of the groups, and later I had the honor and pleasure of meeting her, and talking with her. I have to say that she practiced what she preached. And she was a god-fearing woman. She taught what the scriptures commanded, and done so when it was sorely needed to combat the feminist agenda coming out at that time.

Here is an article about her: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12548738?source=most_viewed

And here is her website: http://www.fascinatingwomanhood.net/

First post of the season...

2009-06-10T17:36:00.005-05:00

You'll figure it out soon enough that fishing is a big part of our life...Dear Mr. Honeysuckle went on a fishing trip for four days, and he came home with 5 gallon bags of cleaned fish, a big ice chest full of fish to clean, and a BIG fish story...

He caught an Alligator Gar, and estimated it to weigh about 150 lbs. at about 5 1/2 feet long. He said it would have turned the boat over, and even though he knew that they continued trying to get it in the boat, but the line broke. Mr. Honeysuckle knew what it was and how it is a prehistoric fish, and didn't really want to kill it, and said he was glad the line broke. Me too! Until next time... M

Photo from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/88158121@N00/

Heavenly Flowers...

2009-06-04T22:31:00.006-05:00

Magnolia Grandiflora

Mimosa

Japanese Honeysuckle

Cape Jessamine (Gardenia)

Just a few things in bloom in my yard, and in south MS...
Can you smell the heavenly aroma??

The magnolia looks weird but its the only picture I could find that wasn't copyrighted. All pics from Wikipedia.com.

Has anyone ever heard of a "Cowcumber" tree? We have these here too...Here is a link that describes it, with pictures: http://pennysanford.typepad.com/penny_sanford_porcelains_/2007/05/cowcumber_calcu.html

having some fun...

2009-06-03T21:30:00.005-05:00

Birthday Luau...

2009-06-01T17:15:00.005-05:00

One Lovely Blog Award

2009-05-31T23:18:00.009-05:00

Boo-Bah
http://missmamievioletskitchen.blogspot.com/
http://boo-bahslittlesunshines.blogspot.com/

Boo-Bah has bestowed upon me the One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you so much Boo-Bah!.

Here are the simple rules for this nice award.
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who gave you the award, along with his or her blog link.
2.Pass the award on to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered.

Remember to contact the 15 bloggers so that they will know they have been chosen for this award. Please visit the listed bloggers to see how really lovely and inspiring their blogs are.
http://mawdot.blogspot.com/
http://homegrownhousewife.blogspot.com/
http://homesweetenedwithheaven.blogspot.com/
http://sharingheartswithanoldersister.blogspot.com/
http://mypicketfencecottage.blogspot.com/
http://seasideenchantment.blogspot.com/
http://ktebid.blogspot.com/
More to come...

2009-05-30T10:26:00.004-05:00

Go take a look at the giveaway at Tomato Soup Cake! She is giving away a nice collection of vintage sewing supplies which includes this wonderful 1940's apron pattern! This is her FIRST giveaway, so go check it out and make it a good one! Ends June 3rd...

Ginger Tea

2009-05-25T18:39:00.002-05:00

Ginger Tea with Teacups and Teapot

Ginger root is a natural antihistamine, among other things! My mother broke out in hives, and a cup of tea made with ground ginger helped her stop itching. Thankful for natural remedies!

Ironing Day...

2009-05-25T18:01:00.004-05:00

The Housewife, Housewives Portraits Magazine, UK, 1914

2009-05-25T10:42:00.005-05:00

Memorial Day

I have an interesting story about two men who were in the service together. One, who enlisted, and one, who was drafted. This was back in about 1951-52. My father is the one who was drafted. He could tell us the years, months, weeks, days and even to the hour of how long he was in the army. He got on a plane and flew to Indiana for training with another man who was from a small town near where he lived. He had gone to school with him, and knew him. Although I'm not sure they were really friends at the time, they did become close and years later they got together and told tales of their days together in the army. My father's stay was shortened because he got burned really bad and was given an honorable discharge. But if the officers had known the details of how he was burned he probably wouldn't have gotten an "honorable" discharge, as he set a can of gasoline on fire to keep warm while they were in the snowy mountains of Colorado, it slipped from his hands and set him on fire....The other guy is quick to say he covered for him, and kept him from getting into trouble about the incident. This is the guy who enlisted, and loved it, undoubtedly....LOL stayed in and eventually retired after about 25 years. Don't get me wrong, my father was as patriotic as they come....He just had a bad taste from some of the things that happened, and I'm sure he missed his family, as well, so he was happy to get to go home. After my father died in 1990, my mother went to work at a little store that had a cafe in it, in the town the other guy was from. He would come in to get a cup of coffee and a sandwich, and got to know my mother. Well, by now you might have guessed it....The other guy is my step-father now! He lovingly tells us stories about my father, and isn't at all jealous as some men might be. He even goes with my mother to put flags and flowers on my fathers grave. How nice is that??

So there's my little story! Happy Memorial Day to any and all who had loved ones, now gone, who served our country.

Me and my Dad

Pretty & Romantic Things

2009-05-24T17:34:00.002-05:00

Sherry's Rose Cottage

1. Vintage Valentine Candy Box , 2. Sweet Pink Purse!, 3. Wire Corset , 4. Raven as a flower!, 5. Baby Granddaughter said........, 6. Vintage Corset , 7. Vintage Corset , 8. Vintage Doll Collection , 9. Vintage Doll Babies , 10. Close-up of Vintage Pictures , 11. Close-Up of Victorian Boots , 12. Vintage Pincushion Doll , 13. Vintage Pincushion Dolls , 14. Pink and Green!!!, 15. Vintage Display Cabinet , 16. Vintage Pincushion Doll

Oh my goodness...

2009-05-22T15:23:00.005-05:00

It's already FRIDAY?? Time does get away when you're having fun, doesn't it?? You can check out my food blog HERE to see what I've been up to in the FOOD department, which covers most areas of my life....Food-Cooking...gotta love it!

My flowers are looking plum gorgeous, thanks to my sweet son who fertilized them for me a few weeks ago. Now it is paying off with big, beautiful blue, and lavender blooms!

I took this pic in the rain, and it's a little off-center, but I had to tip-toe to reach it and was holding the camera way out almost over my head...They're big! Okay, I'm short, so maybe they're not "that" tall....LOL Whatever!
Anyway....They're prettier than they have been in years!

So many things going on here on Honeysuckle Farm! Most of it deals with food, gardening, putting up, etc. Some like picking blackberries, and weeding the garden and flowers is fun too! I picked the last of the dewberries yesterday....I hated to see them gone!

And the chickens are such a delight! We still have 11 biddies! The old red fox hasn't been back....Keeping my fingers crossed it stays away!

Did I mention we also have 9 puppies? They are getting so CUTE!! They're about 6 weeks old...The mama is a Collie and the daddy is a Blue Heeler (sp?) They're spotted and have the cutest little pointed ears. We'll be getting shots and everything soon and want to find homes for all of them but three, that are already spoken for.

We've been having rain for a few days now, so I haven't been able to hang out any clohes...And it's starting to pour down again now...Great for the garden and flowers, not so good for my temperament though...hmmm

Well, my coffee/computer break is about up, so I need to get back to work with supper, pickles, zucchini, yellow squash (more than I can handle almost!) etc. in the kitchen! Wheeww! I think all of this hard work has made me lose about 4-5 pounds...Busy-busy!

since wednesday....

2009-05-17T18:51:00.005-05:00

I managed to put up (freeze) 6 quarts of yellow squash, and bagged and froze some bulk beans, corn, FISH my husband and son caught, and other stuff. I buy bread from the outlet store when I can, and other times my mother gives me some and I freeze it. It really saves money buying it this way! I've really cleaned house this week---I had to to be organized with all of the cooking, freezing, etc....I also rearranged some furniture and stuff.

OH, I got a NEW clothesline!! Yippee!! My niece and I put it up....The first washing I hung on it, BROKE it! Shoot!! But dear Mr. Honeysuckle came to the rescue! Thank goodness he was there and seen the whole event....I was so mad! I stomped my foot and had a hissy fit, almost. He kindly re-hung it and doubled it just in case...Now that it is done right, I have about double the space I use to have, and can get more washing done, faster, without having to wait so long for it to dry. It really slowed down my washing, and I didn't like that a bit! For about two months I've hung out clothes (and waited very impatiently on it to dry so I could hang out more) instead of using the dryer, to save on the electric bill. It really helped this past month, as it went down about $50.00 more dollars! It would have been so much easier, faster, and gratifying to have thrown it in the dryer and gone on about my business...Is this a lesson in patience?? Probably. But all in all, I DO love hanging out the wash and LOVE the nice fresh smell and the crispness of the sheets and clothes...So, ahem, I won't complain any more....Now that I have more space. LOL

SUNDAY MORNING: This morning, we attended a neighboring church...Lots of old friends, and of course good preaching and singing! My husband and I were asked to sing three songs. We sang Man In the Middle, Pile of Crowns, and It Is Well With My Soul. WE were truly blessed by the good fellowship and just plain ol' nice people!

So...What are my plans for next week?? Gotta have a PLAN, don't we??

We still have plenty of dewberries and blackberries to pick and freeze and/or make jelly and a PIE..Gotta make a pie soon! I've made a cobbler, and fruti drinks, but, Mr. Honeysuckle has been waiting patiently on a PIE! So, I'll do that soon! We have yellow squash to pick, cook and/or put up; zucchini---I think I'll make some zucchini bread and freeze it; tomatoes and green onions are almost ready; grass to mow. Okay, the horses are doing a fantastic job mowing it...LOL hmmmm NOT my idea. But it saves $$$ on gas! So I guess I can tolerate it. Oh, Lord help me. I have flowers to plant; and more vegetable plants and seeds to get in the ground. I have a few things to sew, mend, and so on....Hopefully I'll get around to it this week!

I'm tired already, just thinking about it all! But it sure feels good to get things accomplished!

a long day...

2009-05-13T23:27:00.000-05:00

No pics yet, but dear Mr. Honeysuckle took me to the stockyard and bought me nine biddies today! We actually went after a milk goat, but there weren't any good ones, and we took a liking to the aracauna biddies that an older couple had for sale on the lot...We're envisioning blue eggs in a few months!
We almost bought 37 biddies from another man! We came within a hair of it! I just LOVE those cute little things...and it was a very good price, but we hesitated because they were just hatched last night, and we knew we'd have our hands full with all the other animals and garden to look after...Maybe later! Keeping my fingers crossed!
The yellow squash are coming in by the tub-fulls, so we'll be having lots of smothered squash, casseroles, and have enough to freeze.
It's time to hit the sack. It's been a BUSY week, and I'm so sore and tired!
Recapping the week so far:
Monday we picked beans, and I stayed up until 2:00am snapping, blanching, and bagging them up.
Tuesday I cleaned house, rearranged some furniture, and more I can't even remember.
Today we went to the stockyard, went to my MIL's and had some fresh, warm banana pudding and coffee. Came home, got the biddies settled, cooked supper, and done some laundry afterward.
Mr. Honeysuckle wants to know what I'm going to dream up tomorrow!!
Before I open my eyes in the morning, I will know!
I'll let him know after he's had his coffee!! Ahem!

Spring activities...

2009-05-11T16:59:00.001-05:00

Clifton B. & Sadie Rainey Young

My grandparents...She is the one pictured in the header. He is pictured below on the far right, in the picture of the baptism in the creek. He was a preacher, song writer, music school teacher (the old timey kind they had at churches), and also a Justice of the Peace.
We went to visit the cemetery Saturday.

Purple green beans (not sure of type), garlic bloom, basil in bloom, little bartlett pear, yellow straight neck squash, and the biddies. After I took the picture yesterday, last night a fox got three of them. Monday did NOT get off to a very good start, but it did improve, thank the Lord.

We picked about a bushel of the purple green beans at my mothers and step fathers (the green beans are waiting patiently on me to finish them...LOL ). I have already done about half of them, and had to rest a bit. They are blanching...

Anyway, I helped my mother cook dinner (lunch to us Southern folks), and we ate there.

MENU:

venison sausage
oven fried mixed potatoes (recipe following)
cornbread
steamed cauliflour
english peas and potatoes with white sauce
sweet iced tea

She sent us home with a flounder, fresh collards, frozen corn on the cob, new potatoes, a mess of fresh bream my step-father caught this morning (my husband cleaned them for him, and he gave them to us---he doesn't eat fish but he LOVES fishing....LOL)

Anyway, the potatoes were delicious:

Cut up 2 sweet potatoes, 4 red and/or russet potatoes, and 2 onions, all diced large. Spray cookie sheet with olive oil, place everything on the pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle (or spray) olive oil over all. Bake @ 350 degrees until tender, uncovered and golden brown., approximately an hour.

My sister also brought me a half dozen big turnip roots, and 2 grocery bags full of yellow squash and zucchini. I have my work cut out for me....I'll be up late for sure!

Gotta run and check on my beans...Okay, I'm back!

Here are the beans blanching (5 min.):
I'll cool them off in ice water, then bag them up and put them in the freezer.

I hear the timer....Later!

Happy Mother's Day...

2009-05-10T18:33:00.000-05:00

Well....It seems my daughter does listen! And I thought she pretty much ignored what I said most of the time...LOL She got me the book I've been talking about---Get Out of That Pit, by Beth Moore, and the cutest little book called Mother's Gifts To Me, by Dianna Booher where she filled in the blanks and underlined text that she wanted me to see...It is very special!!

and my sweet granddaughter gave me a handmade card that said. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, my grandmother is the best there are"... LOL I hope everyone has had as nice a Mother's Day as me!

Planting things...

2009-05-07T18:59:00.000-05:00

I LOVE http://www.motherearthnews.com/

Top 10 Crops: Gulf Coast
1. Sweet pepper X

2. Cherry tomato

3. Bulb onion X

4. Slicing tomato X

5. Garlic X

6. Lettuce X

7. Spinach

8. Potato

9. Cucumber

10. Summer squash X

Other Highly Recommended Crops:
Cabbage family: Broccoli, collards X
Cucumber family: Cucumber, pumpkin, watermelon, winter squash
Leafy greens: Arugula, chard, mustard X (all types)
Legumes: Lima bean, snap beans (all types), Southern peas X
Root crops: Beet, garlic, onions, sweet potato, turnip X
Tomato family: Eggplant, peppers (all types), tomato X (all types)
Miscellaneous: Okra X

X marks the spot for things I've planted!

So....Have you planted a garden? What did you plant? What type of garden: rows, container, square foot?

Oh, I like: http://www.hgtv.com/gardening-by-the-yard/show/index.html ;) He's just too funny!

Okay, it's a little cooler outside, so I'm going to walk around the yard and garden, and check on things!! Later I'll sit on the porch with hubby and watch the fireflies! Isn't life good??

Where I'm From

2009-05-07T17:03:00.000-05:00

WHERE I’M FROM
I am from the Deep South…the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, old downtown Mobile square and grandma and grandpa’s homey little house. From Sunbeam bread and Little Debbie Cakes, cold Coca Cola, fig preserves, shelling peas and fresh cow’s milk. I’m from black ridey horsies and Sunday drives. I’m from old pickup trucks and ladies who didn’t know how to drive.
I am from the upstairs house with a bird’s eye view, and another with a ghostly tale that’s been told more than a time or two…A cottage row in Cottage Hill…From tossing to and fro at the water’s edge, to a little country store, doodle bugs, wild roses, blackberry vines and bird’s eggs in nests’…
I am from the Spanish moss, the azaleas, the sandy beaches, the honeysuckle vine, the camellia and the stretching corn fields. I’m from old smoke houses with dirt floors, made out of logs. I’m from a time and place that will never be the same.
I am from big family reunions, Aunt Pearl, Aunt Hallie, Rainey, Parker and Young. I’m from the city, the countryside, farms and little shanties. From sweet aunties to kissing cousins, and laughing til I cried. From little tea parties and Christmas with family and think about it all now and then.
I am from self-learners and persistence, working hard and making do and people who trust in the good Lord. From the Wampus Cat, The Sandman, and buried gold. From quilting, sewing and keeping house. From Sunday dinners and taking naps. I’m from the old school, I know what it’s all about.
I am from old time preachin’ and gospel singin’. Where people knew how to sing, to say Amen, to shake hands and rattle the windows with hell, fire and brimstone. I’m from Amazing Grace and Rock of Ages and Neath the Old Olive Trees.
I’m from the Stars Falling, the heart of Dixie, the Mississippi mud, fried catfish and hushpuppies I’m from raking leaves to run through and roasting hotdogs and watching with amazement the woods and trees full of fireflies.
From the mystery and suspense of family secrets…I’m from singin', playin' the piano, writing songs and teaching. I’m from a storyteller, lullabies from my grandpa and signs of the moon from my grandmother. I’m from southern gospel tradition, the old white wooden church-house that has been torn down. I’m from the cinder block house where we had VBS, cookies, koolaid, wedding cake, baby showers and temporary church. I’m from a time when men were men and women were women and children played outside til dusk.
I am from grassy hillsides, pecan groves, gurgling creeks and bare dirt yards. From a swinging gate with a weight tied on, wash tubs to bathe in, cold springs to chill milk jugs and rubbing boards to scrub work clothes. I’m from sprinkling bottles, rolling up clothes to chill and iron. From long skirts, brogan boots and black felt Stetson hats. I’m from doll clothes made on an old treadle machine. I’m from an old trunk full of faint memories from my mother’s childhood and fragrant lavender wisterias shaped with grandpa’s loving hands. I’m from magnolias, moonlight and twinkling ripples on a sunlit pond. And I’m from good times and hard times and love all around.
Copyright – 2008 – All Rights Reserved

Inspired by, George Ella Lyon. Write Your Own "Where I'm From" by following his suggestions: http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

Grits and Glamour: New Event!!!

2009-05-06T23:32:00.000-05:00

Go visit here for a contest!

Grits and Glamour: New Event!!!

Here is a photo of my Porch Re-newal last year!

Everything is swept, cleaned, windows sparkling, and new furniture...Although the rockers were too good to be true. They started cracking and broke everytime we sat in them, so we took them back. Hopefully we can find some that are made better this summer.

I CAN'T WAIT TO DO THE PORCH & PATIO PARTY!

It's about time, isn't it??

2009-05-03T15:52:00.000-05:00

I've decided to use this blog for my gardening journal! Somehow I've always felt pretty ignorant about using Blogger...I know HTML, but have little patience. I am giving myself a challenge here to just do it! SO many of my friends use Blogger, so it's about time I started using it too!

You'll find pics and posts about honeysuckle, roses, dewberries, blackberries, and much much more!~
Toodle Do...

new blog

2009-03-06T15:02:00.000-06:00

Visit me at : http://feminineways.wordpress.com