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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Nifty, Thrifty Finds


I hear there will be frost in the foothills this week... just as our hydrangeas decide to bloom again. They were blue when we got them last year, and one of the three we planted stayed blue until mid-summer, but then they all eventually changed to pink. I really want them to be blue and have been reading how to do that naturally. I read one way is to mulch them with coffee grounds, and another is to give them a tablespoon of vinegar in a gallon of water once a week. I've been doing both. So, now they're lavender. We'll probably have to wait until spring next year to see if they turn completely blue. 

I've been picking sage leaves before the frost arrives.
I use it for cooking, of course, and I sometimes add it to homemade soap for it's astringent properties.

I picked a cabbage, too but not from the garden... I found it at a garage sale.

It's really handy...

 Remember the gold Corning Ware mixing bowls? I've had this bowl on the left for forty years and didn't even know they had sold casserole dishes, too. Youngest found it at a thrift store for me.

 I've taken up a new hobby - learning to play an organ. No, I've never played a musical instrument before, but this organ is really fun. In fact it almost plays itself. I found it on craigslist for a song. O.o My answer to modern radio - thank you, I'll just make my own music.

I better go practice now. O.o
Have a great week and keep warm....brr.
Linking to Natural Living Linkup, HomeAcre Harvest Hop, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

23 comments:

  1. Delightful pictures, Toni. Love your 'cabbage'. We've had two heavy frosts here. Good for you, learning to play the organ! I played piano and dabbled at organ. I love listening to a pipe organ. You'll have to make a demo for us :) Enjoy. Joyce

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  2. 'on craigslist for a song'. ha ha!!!

    LOVE the cabbage head!

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  3. Hi, I came over from Maple Hill. I love the cabbage. Have fun with the new hobby!

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  4. I have an electronic keyboard and several hymnals...for the same reason. I really can't play, but I can pick out melodies, and it's better than "modern day" radio, as you say. Love the cabbage bowl. And I have two of those gold bowls. No casserole dishes like that, though.

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  5. I am bringing inside some potted plants tonight. Seeing pretty flowers
    freeze makes me sad. Good knitting weather !

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  6. Quite the comedienne, I'd say. I totally fell for the cabbage joke.

    I give my hydrangeas coffee grounds. They turn pink.

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  7. What a pretty little bird. They don't make dishes like that anymore. Even the nice ones seem to break or maybe it's me? It seems that Winter is setting in everywhere.

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  8. Oh, Toni, I am so blessed that you found a good organ (for a song!) to learn on and play. What a wonderful thing to have music in our homes. I wonder if there might be a website to teach some of the principles of playing the organ.
    Also, your cabbage is very adorable and useful. So much of the old-fashioned vegetable pottery is quite lovely and natural. Also, I love that your youngest knows you so well to recognize and actually buy what would bless you. you are a blessed mother.
    We have needed to cover the last tomatoes and peppers for the last 3 nights here. It makes for such cozy sleeping and snuggling ;)
    Have a truly blessed week...
    Sending a hug!
    Jacqueline

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  9. that cabbage bowl is fabulous! enjoyed this peek at all your 'finds' - in the garden and everywhere else. It gave me a smile today, thank you!

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  10. We've had one light frost so far her in New England....will be getting in the last of the garden herbs and veggies this weekend!
    Love the pictures especially the cabbage bowl!

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  11. We had a heavy frost last night. I was outside yesterday while it was flurrying gathering the last of the basil and peppers. It was actually so much fun running around in the snow picking things and covering things. Love your "cabbage." Good luck with the new hobby. I too have never attempted music... I will be waiting to see how this goes for you.

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  12. Your cabbage is beautiful! I found a plate at a yard sale that would match perfectly! Have fun learning to play the organ. I used to play piano when I was younger - perhaps I should brush up on it this winter when things calm down. Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog!

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  13. Hello Toni,
    The cabbage is so very unique, love it... Old corning ware seems to have become popular again.. Yours is a great find.. Best wish in learning how to play your organ.. Maybe one day you will do a Utube and play for us.. Hugs Judy

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  14. Fantastic post! I love the corning ware!! I've been really wanting to get some. And I love the cabbage!

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  15. Oh, Thanks for linking up at Wildcrafting Wednesdays!

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  16. Great post! Love the big cabbage bowl. I used to have an organ when I was a kid. I played it until I got a piano. Enjoy!

    Saturday morning was a killer frost here. My Morning Glories and Impatiens are all gone.

    Wishing you a great week!

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  17. Hi Toni ~ i read this post last week but didn't have time to comment. So i saved it to come back to. Love your corning ware!!! Vintage for sure! We've had a recent "killing frost" too, and all my flowers are gone. They lasted a good long time, so I can't complain. Always love coming here and reading your thoughts and seeing your pretty pictures.

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  18. They still look pretty! I remember cornish ware like that! How wonderful to be able to play the organ! Keep practicing!

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  19. Toni-I was in Seattle visiting the kids and the grands for a week. In San Diego we have leaves turn yellow and fall but a blessing I didn't expect was driving in Washington under the vibrant reds, oranges, and golds-it was spectacular. Love your cabbage and enjoy your new hobby.

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  20. Toni-I was in Seattle visiting the kids and the grands for a week. In San Diego we have leaves turn yellow and fall but a blessing I didn't expect was driving in Washington under the vibrant reds, oranges, and golds-it was spectacular. Love your cabbage and enjoy your new hobby.

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  21. My Mama has the exact same corning ware. Thanks for sharing with us at The HomeAcre Harvest Hop!

    Please join us again Thursday for our special harvest themed hop at:
    http://summersacres.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-homeacre-harvest-hop_31.html
    ~Ann

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  22. Wow! It's great you've taken up a new hobby, playing the organ. Best wishes. I know you will enjoy playing the music very much. Good thing you brought in your vegetables before the frost came. Your photos are very good.
    I hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving.

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Thank you for your comments!