New Life for an Old Frame

Back in high school when I was taking photography - and film and photo paper were still the necessary elements for that hobby - my grandfather gave me some of his old developing equipment, including trays, an enlarger, a timer, and a frame used to keep the photo paper square and create a white border around the photo.

Needless to say, digital came in before I had a chance to set up and use any of it, and my photo lab is now on my computer. But I still have most of it, including this frame, which now has a new life as another kind of nearly one-of-a-kind frame.

Tomatoes & Plantlings

I learned a thing or two about starting seeds this year. If you start more seeds than you want plants, you will have LOTS of extra seeds. Sound obvious? Probably should be! Somehow I thought a few of them wouldn't survive.... :) But they did. After giving away about two dozen plants, I still have quite a few left - cherry, yellow and purple heirloom. I inherited three more larger tomato plants, as well as permission from the landlord to plant, so started a small tomato garden. 

I also found a great hanging planter tutorial and decided to give it a try. So far, I have only 2 2L bottles (since we don't really drink soda much!), so will need to find another to get my yellow tomato plant planted, but did the cherry yesterday and the purple today.

The cherry tomato plant is already flipping its little leaves over to get the sun! Currently these guys live under the porch on the north facing side of the house - we'll see if they get enough sun there or if I have to buy a shepherd's hook to put them somewhere better suited to growing :)

Three more of my tomatoes, along with tomatillos and habaneros, have a new home in our plot in the community garden, which is coming along well!

For my Feathered Friends

Since moving to Colorado, I've been enjoying all the "new" birds that show up outside my window. None terribly rare, but there's rather little overlap in the ranges of birds between here and PA! With spring finally here, bird feeders are in order.

This the first of two or three crocheted feeders that are going up outside the window in front of my computer - hopefully to attract many pretty birds!

Making Old Things New

Mira is probably the biggest inspiration for this. I envy her knack for finding the cheapest way to do everything (lessons, please?!). I'm learning, bit by bit. But really, what is more fun than taking something old and at the end of life and giving it a new one? So here are bits of some recent projects of ALL different types.

Recycled Lamb I had an old wool sweater that had finally gotten moth holes in it, and didn't want to give up on it. I found (or rather, was shown) this set of patterns for felted wool animals. Shrink, cut, sew, stuff - cute new toy :)

Buttermilk The stuff is so stinking expensive, yet so darn easy to make - take 1/4 C cultured buttermilk, add regular milk, leave on counter overnight. Done! Use some, refill with milk, repeat. Never-ending supply of cheap buttermilk.

Gleaned Yarn Found a nifty, loosely knit (and basically unworn) scarf at Goodwill for $2. Pulled apart for three balls of yarn! I LOVE the orange (all the colors are a bit darker than the picture shows). Now to decide what to do with them.

This one's definitely Mira's idea - despite the fact I've no baby butts to cover! 

New & Improved Darrell's  My favorite cookie recipe is and has been Darrell's Forget-the-Cookies-Just-Give-Me-That-Batter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from the Klutz Kids' Cookbook. This is my "New & Improved" version:

Mix & melt in pan or microwave:

   2 T butter

   6 T applesauce

Add & stir:

   2/3 C brown sugar

   1/3 C white sugar

When cool, add & stir together:

   1 t vanilla extract

   1 egg OR 1 T ground flax seed plus 3 T water - let sit 3 minutes before mixing in

In a separate bowl, mix together:

   1 1/2 C whole wheat flour

   1/4 t salt

   1/2 t baking soda (or a bit less, if you live way up high like me!)

   1/4 C wheat germ

   2 T flax seed (I just sprinkle some on top)

Add sugar mixture, mix well, then fold in:

   ~1 C (or a handful) Chocolate Chips

   ~1 C (or a handful) Oatmeal

   1/2 C chopped nuts (optional)

Place bowl in refrigerator for about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 F. Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes - don't overbake! Eat & enjoy :)