A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the sun is not quite up yet but I can see the daylight breaking

I am thinking...that having a home that is organized and runs without constant chaos makes everyone feel better

I am thankful...that my children are healthy

From the learning rooms...a pumpkin unit study

In the kitchen...pumpkin pancakes and link sausage

I am wearing...my newer denim tiered skirt and a green peasant top, barefoot

I am creating...Layton's quilt. I just finished Timber's on Monday

I am going...on a hike this morning with my kids to enjoy the crisp, fall sunshine

I am wondering... about all the fun things I'll get to bake/make for Christmas this year!

I am reading...Having a Mary Spirit and The Charlotte Mason Companion

I am hoping...that our smoked meat will be back from the butcher shop soon. We are really missing bacon!!

I am looking forward to...spending the day in the forest with my children

I am hearing...the sausage sizzling, Wyatt coming in from doing outside chores, Mason playing with toys

Around the house...dusting and vacuuming are in order!

I am pondering...how I can become better at being a help meet

One of my favorite things... the fact that Mason is almost 2 and still has that "baby" look, complete with chubbiness and all!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Swimming lessons, apple drying and canning, and enjoying, what probably will be, the last of the fall weather....before it starts raining.

A picture thought.....

Poppy and Pearl Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to all who entered the Poppy and Pearl Co. give away! Here's what random.org said this afternoon:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

34
Timestamp: 2011-10-21

That means that Kimberly is our winner! Congratulations!

Recaping the 2011 Garden- A Green Bean Comparison

This year I planted 4 different types of green beans and anxiously awaited them coming on! I was trying to figure out which ones I liked best.

Have you ever looked at a seed catalog section of grean beans? Talk about intimidating. Which ones will do better in my zone? Which ones do I like the taste of? What are their growing habbits? So many questions, too few answers. I decided to do my own little trial.

(Photo order: Blue Lake Pole, Royal Burgndy, Venture, Black Valentine)

(Unfortunately I took this picture at the very end of the season so I didn't have a mature Black Valentine bean to photograph. They are really much larger.)

I planted Black Valentine Bush Beans, Venture Bush Beans, Royal Burgundy Bush Beans and Blue Lake Pole Beans.
The Black Valentines came from Azure
The Venture and Blue Lakes came from Territorial
The Royal Burgundy came from Olds

Here's how they panned out...

At first I was not impressed with the Black Valentines. They are an heirloom bush bean and the flavor in my opinion was just so-so. Once I started to really compare their size to the other beans though I was pretty impressed with how large and yet tender they could be. They bush out nicely and put on beans at a steady pace. They were even still flowering when I ripped the plants out.

The Venture Bush Beans put on great tasting, very straight beans. And they put them mostly out at one time. Which isn't so bad if you have a short growing season and just want them to come on and then be done.

My Blue Lake Pole Beans.....what can I say? They were again not impressive this year. It's not the bean itself though, as I have planted this type of pole bean for 5 years in a row. Pole beans require better weather conditions than bush beans around these parts and my Blue Lake Poles just aren't getting the early start they need. The beans were very "beany". The bean shape is prominent in the pod.

And finally, Royal Burgundy. These are just a fun bean to grow because they are purple! My kids are always in awe that we have purple green beans. These were probably my least favortie bean flavor wise but they, like the Black Valentine, keep putting out the blooms and produce bean after bean. If you don't harvest them when they are of a small to medium size though they can get stringy.

How did the beans in your garden do this year? Do you have a favorite type of bean to grow?

Poppy and Pearl Co. - A Giveaway *CLOSED*

As promised, a giveaway that has something to do with Mason jars! What woman doesn't just love Mason jars? Especially the unique ones. Just thinking about them gets me all excited. Of course, you may be a totally normal person who doesn't get giddy over them and I may just be a weirdo.
Whether you're a Mason jar junkie like me or not, you'll still love what I've got to share.

Poppy and Pearl Co. has graciously offered to give away one of their Mason Jar Tumblers to one lucky winner!
These are perfect for our family since we steer clear of putting anything into plastic!

Bobbi Bankston is the shop owner and creator of everything you'll find at Poppy and Pearl Co. on Etsy. She is a momma of three sweet little boys and a wife to one husband. She and her family live in the happiest place on earth........no, it's not Disneyland.........it's the California Mother Lode! Let me take a moment to allow Bobbi to share a little;

Tell us a little bit about yourself....
Hi, my name is Bobbi. I LOVE living in the beautiful town of Sonora, the place I was born and raised. I married a really cool guy 14 years ago and we now have three amazing, rowdy boys who are 8, 5, and 2. I love gardening, baking, fishing, hydrangeas, snowboarding, dates with the hubby and coffee. Coffee should have been first on the list... I think it's my #1 priority in life ; )

What gave you the desire to open Poppy and Pearl Co.?
I've always adored Etsy... it truly is genius! After working (outside the home) last year, I realized that I needed something that was "my own". I desired a career that would make me smile and allow me to work from home. I LOVE girly things and in a house full of boys I was happy at the thought of doing something that expressed "me" and also gave me a creative outlet. Several close friends of mine who are also Etsy shop owners, inspired and encouraged me to take the leap of faith, make the career change and give it a go. And so, Poppy and Pearl Co. was born on August 2nd.

Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes mostly from the vintage fabric, doilies and lace that I have collected. I've been lucky to find (and been given) so many wonderful materials. I adore vintage lace and doilies- such lovely treasures!
My new Mason Jar Tumblers featured for the giveaway are kind of like my pride and joy right now. The Mason Jar is extremely popular and so many people have created wonderful uses for them. Using them as beverage tumblers are eco-friendly and they look pretty in your hand which makes them very Poppy and Pearl. Getting the word out is a very exciting process for me!


What new items do you see Poppy and Pearl Co. creating in the future?
I would LOVE to expand my Mason Jar lids, starting with "fermenting lids" for the gallon size jars. I have been working on lace earrings and necklaces and also collecting vintage bags to add to the shop in the next few months.


Bobbi was even kind enough to send me a sample of her tumbler toppers so that I could try them out for myself.

They are absolutely wonderful!

To enter the giveaway here's what you need to do:
1. Check out the Poppy and Pearl Co. shop on Etsy and let me know, via a comment, which of Bobbi's items really catches your eye.
2. (Optional 2nd entry) Blog about this giveaway and leave a SEPARATE comment telling me you did.
3. (Optional 3rd entry) FB or Tweet this giveaway and leave a SEPARATE comment telling me that you did.

This giveaway will be open until October 20th.

Root Cellaring Give Away Winner

O.k., it's Friday night and I'm pooped. The bed is calling my name and I can't wait until tomorrow. Why? Because tomorrow I have nothing to do but sew!

Well, and take care of the kids, and prepare meals, and get puppy food, and laundry, and organize my stash of fabrics....which by the way I'm thinking of getting rid of. Not all of it of course, I may have gone purge happy , but not that purge happy. Is there anything that you are looking for? I have an abundance of Moda....especially pre-cuts. Let me know if there is. Maybe I can send something your way.
I'm rambling now. See, that's what happens when I blog at night. By the way, it's only 7:59pm right now. Can you tell I'm one of those early to bed, early to rise gals?

Anywho, on with the give away......

Random. org (a give away blogger's best friend) said this tonight......

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

19

Which means that Amanda from Homegrown and Beeyoutiful is the winner!

YAY!! I love giving things away- to anyone really, but it's even a little bit sweeter when Random.org chooses one of your blogging friends!

Thank you so very much to everyone who entered the give away.

Next week I have a really fun give away to share that I know you'll love. I'll give you a hint- it includes Mason Jars! See ya then!