Saturday, October 17, 2015

Hello From the Hills

... and since we have a frost warning for tonight goodbye to my volunteer impatiens that sprang up from last year's plants.

I'm really going to miss those colorful hydrangea blossoms, too.

Hopefully, there will be more fall color than this bit on our burning bushes soon.

 I've done a bit of jam and jelly making since my last blog post.  This is pepper jelly which I had never made before.  We haven't sampled it yet, but those who have had it before say it's good spread over a block of cream cheese then served on crackers.
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 I've done a bit of estate and yard sale shopping and picked up this skillet for a mere....

$3.  Your eyes are not deceiving you.  I was ticked pink.  o.o

On the crafty front I crocheted a winter scarf and made some polymer clay buttons for it.  Have you noticed how expensive buttons are lately?  There are lots of youtube tutorials to help if you're interested in making your own buttons.  It's a fun li'l project. 


I didn't have a pattern for the scarf, but it turned out okay anyway.  Love those big buttons.

Some chicks have all the fun. ;)  What's happening in your neck o' the woods?

Our Simple Homestead Hop, The Art of Home-Making Mondays
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45 comments:

  1. JaneOctober 17, 2015 at 7:57 PM

    Love the scarf! I just attended an auction last weekend and Griswold frying pans were going for $40. What a bargain you've found. Making your own buttons is a wonderful idea. Pepper jelly is wonderful with cream cheese and crackers. I also melt a little with a splash of cider vinegar for a warm salad dressing. Can't make enough of the stuff!

    Hugs
    Jane

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 17, 2015 at 10:02 PM

      Hi Jane! Thank you for mentioning the pepper jelly salad dressing. I'm going to try that asap. Sounds delicious.

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  2. DeniseinVAOctober 17, 2015 at 8:27 PM

    Lovely way to show what's going on in your part of the country. Great photos and yes I love that scarf too. I could do with it right now. Downright nippy :)

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 17, 2015 at 10:06 PM

      Thank you, Denise. It's downright nippy here, too! We turned our heat on today for the first time. brrr

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  3. MelanieOctober 17, 2015 at 9:38 PM

    Beautiful flower photos! The scarf is beautiful. I love the color. I've been away from blogland for a few months but I've started a new blog http://melaniejocook.blogspot.com
    I'd love for you to come visit. Love your Smoky Mountain photo at the top. My heart is sure in Tennessee but don't know when the rest of me will get there. Have a blessed night.

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 17, 2015 at 10:11 PM

      Thank you Melanie. The photo was taken several years ago from Clingman's Dome in the Smokies. Love those mountains.

      Delete
  4. TexWisGirlOctober 17, 2015 at 11:20 PM

    adorable tree chicken. :) love your buttons! your impatiens reminded me of my mom. happy fall crispiness!

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 18, 2015 at 4:59 PM

      Thank you, Theresa! Always good to hear from you.

      Delete
  5. DebOctober 18, 2015 at 12:17 AM

    Hi Toni, enjoyed your post. Yes, freeze warning here, too. i brought in my houseplants on the back deck and now i see bugs flying around the house...must have buried themselves in the dirt and now are coming out. :( In my neck of woods, lots of wedding planning and go-fer-ing!

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 18, 2015 at 5:01 PM

      Hi Deb! The bug thing happened to us one year, too, so I sprayed my plants with a dishwashing liquid & water solution. It doesn't hurt the plants, but the bugs sure skedaddle. ;)

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  6. DebOctober 18, 2015 at 12:18 AM

    Oh, P.S. Love those big buttons, too.

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  7. eileeninmdOctober 18, 2015 at 8:20 AM

    Hello, wonderful images from your world. Your flowers are lovely! We are expecting a frost tonight too. I love your cute scarf and the chicken. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week ahead!

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 18, 2015 at 5:01 PM

      Hello Eileen! Thank you and I hope your having a wonderful Lord's Day, too.

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  8. LitlBitsOctober 18, 2015 at 11:24 AM

    I was so tempted to steal your picture of the chicken - with your line.."some chicks have all the fun."
    Priceless! thanks for the smile!

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  9. MarcieOctober 18, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    This post is so fun all around! I love your hand crafted buttons. I am gearing up to make some fabric hats for little girls and would love to add something custom like a handmade button! So cute. Have had pepper jelly as you describe. Very delicious but haven't made it myself.

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 18, 2015 at 5:04 PM

      Oooh, I can't wait to see your little girl hats. Hope you do try the buttons, they're fun to make. :))

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  10. Bethany CarsonOctober 18, 2015 at 7:12 PM

    Your photo of the chicken put a smile on my face. We have a flock of chickens, but they are molting right now, sooo...we are just getting 1 egg every once in awhile. It's terrible to have to buy eggs! Hopefully they will get back to work soon.

    The hydrangea blossom is gorgeous! I've never grown hydrangeas, but I remember my neighbor in Portland when I was a little girl had a hydrangea plant right on the corner of her property. It was beautiful--but we stuck with azaleas at our house.

    Very nice job on the scarf! It looks very stylish.

    And that pan looks and sounds like a great buy! We use our cast iron pans all the time. They're the best.

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 18, 2015 at 8:20 PM

      Thank you, Bethany, and I hope your chickens will be laying again soon. Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. AlhanaOctober 19, 2015 at 2:02 AM

    There is a time for flowers and (thankfully for me) there is a time for plants to sleep during the winter. ;-) I must admit I love their colours and shapes but sadly can't go anywhere near them. I love looking at your pictures tho!

    I didn't know you can make buttons at home aside from wooden ones. How pretty are those with your foothills trees trademark? Make me want to try too. They are perfect for your crochet scarf. The weather here is getting colder, it won't be long till I grab a shawl to put around my neck to go out in the morning.

    Have a great week!
    Hugs from Spain.

    p.s. the jelly photo isn't displaying for me, could you check the url?

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 19, 2015 at 6:53 AM

      Thank you, Alhana! The tree mark is just a stamp I bought years ago, but I do love those trees. I sent the photo to you in case it isn't working still.

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  12. JESOctober 19, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    I am loving all your projects! And that scarf is just darling! Perhaps you can dry those hydrangeas? I still can't get mine to grow... They are tragically stunted.

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 19, 2015 at 6:55 AM

      JES, thank you for reminding me about drying the flowers. I've been bringing in pots in a frenzy to save the tender ones and forgot all about drying the blooms. I will do that, thanks again.

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  13. AnonymousOctober 19, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    Beautiful scarf! I've been wanting to make one like that for a long time but I'm not a very experienced knitter, nor do I have the time and patience that it requires!

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 19, 2015 at 8:33 AM

      Lydia, the scarf was crocheted holding two strands of worsted together, and it worked up fast. I hope to have a free tutorial as soon as I crochet another to check for mistakes in my work.

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  14. Our photosOctober 19, 2015 at 5:30 PM

    Very nice series !

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  15. AnonymousOctober 19, 2015 at 8:22 PM

    It has been cold lately hasn't it! I hope your flowers survived. Mine are struggling a bit but not quite dead. LOVE your scarf and the big buttons! I've never made buttons before. I will have to look it up on YouTube. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 23, 2015 at 9:15 AM

      Hi Gina! The flowers are still going miraculously, probably sheltered by the house.

      Delete
  16. handmade by amaliaOctober 22, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    You are well ahead of us, Toni. Still quite hot around here. Also love the scarf.
    Amalia
    xo

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  17. living from glory to gloryOctober 23, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    Hello, I wanted to tell you that your scarf it really very classy! I bet it is very warm and you could make a top of them and sell them. With a cold winter coming soon, I bet you get a lot of them made for friends and family. I am not a very good knitter, but I do make Granny squares in the colder weather. I enjoyed my visit here this morning!
    Blessings, Roxy

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    1. magnoliasnteaOctober 23, 2015 at 2:24 PM

      Hi Roxy! Glad you stopped by for a visit. I love the scarf, but I'm too slow at crocheting & knitting to make any money, sadly.

      Delete
  18. kathyinozarksOctober 25, 2015 at 8:50 AM

    Good morning, I love your handmade buttons and WOW a Griswold for $3.00-amazing fiind-isn't that so awesome when that happens?
    still no frost here-which is very unusual indeed

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  19. LesleyAnnOctober 27, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    WOW! WOW! WOW! What a find on the skillet and LOVE the buttons! As usual, you have inspired me to try a new craft. I've searched the net over for buttons that I love and am willing to pay the price to no avail. I've added a stop to A. C. Moore for tomorrow's outing!

    Hot pepper jelly is wonderful with bagels and cream cheese and hot cup of black coffee. :-) Gets your blood flowing on these cool mornings.

    I hope you're enjoying your Autumn! I am getting my dog out as much as possible to see the lovely colors. I'm looking at the leaves of the trees while he's sniffing the trees. haha

    Blessings ...

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  20. ~Lavender Dreamer~October 28, 2015 at 8:03 PM

    Hydrangeas are my favorite flower. I wonder if they would grow here in Florida. Happy Fall!

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  21. Cheesemakin' MammaOctober 28, 2015 at 11:28 PM

    Such a cute scarf. I love big buttons, too! The weather really turned colder this week in Oregon. It is nice to get some rain after such a dry summer. Have a fantastic fall!

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  22. UnknownOctober 29, 2015 at 2:35 PM

    Oh my I just love that scarf! I am going to make a few for Christmas presents.
    Thanks for sharing at this week's Blog Hop!
    http://oursimplelife-sc.com/our-simple-homestead-blog-hop-23/

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  23. SandraOctober 29, 2015 at 8:39 PM

    I love the buttons!!! (And the scarf) :)

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  24. Lilac Cottage HomesteadOctober 29, 2015 at 11:21 PM

    OH OH LOVE the cast iron skillet!! That is a very very good maker!! It makes it worth a lot more than just some old skillet! What size is it? Oh and I love the scarf you made!! Thanks for sharing your finds with us!! God bless

    Kelly

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  25. magnoliasnteaOctober 30, 2015 at 10:14 AM

    Hi Kelly, the skillet is 9 in. and a great size for fried chicken. ;)

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  26. Magia da InêsNovember 1, 2015 at 5:51 AM

    シ
    Suas fotos são incríveis, gostei mais da última.
    Gosto de geleia de pimenta, também é um ótimo tempero para vários pratos.
    Gosto das suas flores, principalmente a primeira que é simples mais enfeita muito.

    Bom domingo! Ótima semana!
    Beijinhos.
    ❀ه° ·.

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  27. Brenda Kay LedfordNovember 2, 2015 at 1:07 PM

    I love your scarf and buttons. The photo of the chicken is cute. Your flower pictures are pretty. I hope the frost did not get them. I also like your skillet.

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  28. AnonymousNovember 6, 2015 at 9:17 AM

    I'm so glad you stopped by my blog, because now I've found you! I'm a G.R.I.T.S to ~ Southern to the bone. ☺ A Griswold for $3.00!! That's a real find! I love the buttons you made, and they look just perfect on the scarf. I never thought about even trying to make my own buttons and will check out Youtube. I think the weather is finally turning 'fallish' here. So nice to meet you. ♥

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  29. Danette BartelmayNovember 7, 2015 at 7:10 PM

    It's so good to see what you are up to again!
    I love your crocheted scarf and those buttons you made all by your little ole' self!!!
    I have to give that a try because, YES I HAVE noticed the price of buttons...
    Danette

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Thank you for your comments!