Rendering Lard

This is super easy. 1. Get out a crockpot/slow cooker. Don't use something to cut this on that will be hard to get the grease off of. 2. Put 3-6 lbs of pork fat, cut into 1 inch cubes, into the cooker. Look for organic grass fed pork. Otherwise, this will be more similar to … Continue reading Rendering Lard

Happy Halloween 2025!

This is my finished spiderweb themed display this year: I thought I'd also share one of our other finished Halloween displays. This is from 2023. It's a large display and the tutorials are on this blog site. If you see something homemade, and don't know how I made it, it will be in the $4, … Continue reading Happy Halloween 2025!

Walk=The Same. Things I Notice? Always=Different!

"Oh, that lady's hips!" "What beautiful hips she has." "Those hips are delightful!" No, not a personal description. These are rose hips. 😜 We're playing the "what is that squash?" game in the compost pile. Tomatoes from the food bank. Bright orange zinnia. Beautiful cactus fruit!, What in the heck is this? It looks like … Continue reading Walk=The Same. Things I Notice? Always=Different!

Haunted Heads

I had two main projects I wanted to accomplish this Halloween. One project was my Silver Faceless Aliens and the second was some posts with masks, or: Haunted Heads! I decided to do these after I saw a pin. But unfortunately, no matter which pin I opened I couldn't find the instructions to make these. … Continue reading Haunted Heads

Another Walk

This time in the sun, at double the pace. There's a bunch of really negative stuff in my life right now, (at a distance) so I enjoyed a walk! It was a pretty, but a little bit blinding, walk! Itty bitty start of something seriously pokey! It's just sticks and leaves. I definitely looked closely … Continue reading Another Walk

Flowers in the Desert

Riddle me this, Batman: how does a leaf, follow a stream, a couple of hours after a storm with a clear drop (or three) of rain? It floated through rocks and on muddy water, but the raindrop it carries is still pure. Pretty, even if I can't explain it! I'm in Arizona right now helping … Continue reading Flowers in the Desert

Trash Bag Witch Circle/Ghost ring 

I love making Halloween decorations, but I think they should be nearly free. Most of the things in our yard are homemade (with the exception of a couple of blow up displays and some skeletons.) I need my display to make a big impact (because we are trying to get people to walk down a … Continue reading Trash Bag Witch Circle/Ghost ring 

Easy Packing Tape Ghost

This is a great project! I've been able to reuse the original for nine years because I bought a dress form and a Styrofoam head that I restretch the ghost over every year. I really recommend getting a form for this project. Find out how to make her below! Halloween 2023 Oh, I had fun … Continue reading Easy Packing Tape Ghost

How To Make A Bagged Body For Halloween

I made my original body bag about 4 or 5 years ago and I've learned some things about how to make these after having to repair it a few times. Get my new e-book on Amazon! It’s free with Kindle Unlimited or $3.99 to purchase. There are projects in this e-book that you won’t find … Continue reading How To Make A Bagged Body For Halloween

Silver Faceless Aliens

Happy Halloween! This year: Silver Faceless Aliens! They are human height and shape and creep everyone out! I instantly had the idea after looking at this mask. So much fun! Like all of my projects: it's super cheap and has a big impact. I'm making four. Here are the supplies you'll need: 59 inch silver … Continue reading Silver Faceless Aliens

Glowing Jellyfish: Outdoor Halloween

I'm always working on our Halloween display. This year I decided I needed jellyfish! I love spooky stuff but the creepy, gory, sicko type stuff just doesn't light my fire. However, glowing awesome jellyfish sounded way too cool to pass up! I got this idea several months ago and ordered what I needed in September. … Continue reading Glowing Jellyfish: Outdoor Halloween

Fall Garden Happenings

Feel like today is 101°F. I'm currently hiding out in the air conditioning. However, I was out there about an hour ago moving stuff so the mowing crew can weedeat the gravel area. Right now it looks like the Serengeti. Grass as tall as my torso. The grass got out from under me this year. … Continue reading Fall Garden Happenings

Dorm Room Privacy

I looked around online for ways to give my son some privacy in his new dorm room. We signed up for a two person room and started with a three person assignment. My son met a kid on our tour and they both wanted two person so now they're going to be roommates. They still … Continue reading Dorm Room Privacy

Trouble In (Summer) Paradise

You may or may not remember when I warned about suckers coming off below the graft area on fruit trees. But: I said to watch for them and don't let them get out of hand... These are peach suckers, from the graft zone and they are clearly out of hand! I cut them as close … Continue reading Trouble In (Summer) Paradise

Buttered Dutch Babies

Ever heard of a Dutch Baby? Well, my goodness, I hope you have! These are sort of pancakes, but much poofier and you make them in the oven. I used to eat them every Sunday after church. I went with my parents when we all lived in Colorado. We used to get them at the … Continue reading Buttered Dutch Babies