A Project Begun. About Creativity and A Visit To Ohio .... Life as I Know it

I'm sitting at my desk working on this post 

and Sunny is on my lap.

If you aren't sure who that is, 

you can visit my previous post and see a picture.

He's my sweet, adorable and 

very pokey bearded dragon. 

haha...

AKA Sunny Boy or Dragon Boy.

He's just the sort of pet I wanted.

He's my little friend that will sit near quietly while 

I work on projects or writing;)

I worked outside some this morning, transplanting

and watering. 

I'm almost back to square one where my

  gypsy camp gardens are concerned.

I was pretty discouraged at 

first but it's slowly fading

and excitement is filling my 

heart as my vision grows.

 I read in Mary Reynolds' book,

The Garden Awakening, that

nature is more powerful than nurture.

I experienced that first hand this past year.

I poured my heart, soul (and money)

into gardening this past year only to 

meet with losing many plants. 

There's one thing that grew...

My frustration!

But all is not lost.

 I'm learning to persevere

and to use my creativity and I'm thankful for 

 the abundance of resources that are available.

More about that later.

I'm just getting over a cold, 

so getting a post done will be

perfect while I rest up after 

playing music last evening.

I just wish my house wasn't in

 such need of attention.

But life is so rich and full 

and I am very blessed.

*********

I have some photos to share of a 

project that I started

recently. I am a collector of all sorts of things.

My wheels get turning and 

I can't throw things away

sometimes! This time it's empty boxes.

Match boxes, candy boxes, a Royal Crown box, 

which was a Christmas gift from Jeff.

There's a wooden cigar box 

that someone gave me.

(Even my friends collect cool stuff for me. 

Bless their hearts!)

My table is quite scattered about with bits of 

fun as I think about what I want to use.

If you are the creative type, you know how that

works. But goodness... 

My table doesn't always look like

this. I have to tidy up between times that I sit and work.

I'm almost finished with all 

of them and I'll share soon.

Below is a photo of one that's finished.

It's my least favorite.

I love the paper but was less than 
satisfied with the way the 

leaves looked after I was done.

But creating is like that.

Do you ever feel that way with a

finished project? 

But we keep at it.
 That's the only way.

I read this and I can see how this could work against creativity. 

One of the worst enemies to 
creativity is self doubt.

I have also read that overthinking will squelch your creativity.

It's all a learning process so if you have an idea, just try to go with and not think 
or plan it too much!

And naturally, some projects need planning out. 

That's part of the learning, too.

Isn't it a peaceful place to be when you finally

come to learn that it doesn't have to perfect and there's

SO much room to grow?

**********

In March, it worked out for Jeff and I to visit our

daughter that recently flew from the nest.

Oh how we miss her and we 
had such good times visiting.

We took some lovely walks, 

played music together

and did some shopping. 

Ate out and had some good 

heart to heart talks.

HMMM....

 Let's take a poll!

Which one of us does she favor?

We had a fun time at Country Bits.

It has antiques, cards, handmade 
candies, and other goodies. 
SO much to look at with many different vendors and there are two levels with many 
rooms upstairs and down.

If you're ever in Cambridge, Ohio, 

you won't want to miss this place!

It's one of our favorite places.

It's also one of my favorite places to go junking.

It's quite dangerous! 

My daughter is the Queen of Sarcasm 
and she found these tiles. 
This was one of our favorites ;)

I took a drive one day. 

When I'm home, I can't help 
but to drive around on 

the dirt roads where I grew up. 
Do you ever do that?

It's so peaceful and while I'm driving, 
I think of the people that were in my life then and the experiences that I had. 

Sometimes, it makes me sad but I never

want to forget those special people and times 

that made me who I am today. 

I often long for those days.

Do you like to visit favorite
 places from your childhood?

I learned to drive on our Ford Tractor 

putting up hay.

I was 11 and my dad's first farm hand. 

I loved it.

 Then he bought a tractor with power steering 

and that was so much easier.

Before I got my license, I would 

drive it on this road to my 

friend's house. My parents didn't know...

for awhile that is. But my dad never said anything.

Country living is the best! 

Downtown Cambridge is still thriving and has some of the most beautiful buildings. It has some of the quaintest stores 

and specialty shops. 
This one is near Kennedy's Bakery

 where my daughter now works.

We had such a wonderful time. 

It was very hard to leave. I was so thankful for the time with my daughter and family but sometimes seeing them makes me miss 
them more. 

What do you think of  the new font? 
I think it looks pretty
but is it harder to read? 
I always want to keep my blog as reader 
friendly as possible. I used the largest font size so maybe that will help.

Thank you ever so much for coming by 

and following along with

my reminiscing.

Blessings,

Tamara 

XO

Just a Hello From Ohio

Hello...

I hope you are all well.

I am just popping in to say that we made it to Ohio.

It was a good trip.

Fun and fast!

The weather was just perfect.

We had snow in New Mexico and rain and clouds

most of the way! 

A bit chilly but nice travel temperatures

except when pumping gas.

Brrrrr....

I have no internet service at our cabin and am taking a few minutes
to write between catching up with text messages and
checking my laundry in the dryer.

I have several business calls to make to get the work going on the 
cabin so it will be ready for winter so our
girls will stay cozy and the pipes don't freeze.

I hope you're enjoying a beautiful season.
The leaves are changing here
and we are enjoying some lovely walks.

More details later when I have time.

Best wishes to you all and thank you for your visit!
I'll be in touch.

Tamara XO

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

Hello and how are you?

I hope that you had a meaningful

and super-fun holiday with your family

and friends.

It can be a good time to teach our children

and grandchildren

the true meaning of Independence Day.

A much as I enjoy the magic of fireworks,

the community parade and family gatherings

with games and food, I want the history and those that

gave and those that now give so much to be remembered.

If you've never seen the mini series, John Adams,

and you're interested in history, you may want to

watch it.

A while ago, I shared some photos of my homemade bread

with the promise of sharing the recipe...

so here it is.

I use to make bread by hand but as our family grew

to 11 members, I decided to buy a Bosch Universal Machine.

That was more than 20 years ago and I still enjoy making bread

and so I still use it to mix and knead my bread.

A warm slice of homemade bread spread with butter

and dripping with molasses is near the top of 

my favorite things list.

The recipe is as follows and makes 4 loaves.

Add to the machine mixing bowl

or a large stainless bowl.

If you're mixing by hand, you will 

probably want to cut the recipe in half.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 C milk (heated for 1min 45 secs)

2 C hot water (not too!)

2 T yeast

2 T dough enhancer (totally optional)

I never used this back in the day ;)

1 T salt

mix well

Then add:

1/2 C honey/sugar/ or molasses

1/2 C melted butter

2 C unbleached flour

and then slowly begin to add whole wheat flour

until the bowl sides begin to mix clean or until your dough isn't too sticky. You want it just a little sticky or 

it will be too dry!

(I grind my own wheat so whatever brand you like)

After you're done kneading, divide dough and 

shape into loaves and drop into 

generously greased loaf pans..

I let my dough rise until it's close to 
being double is size... or for about 20 minutes, covered 

with a tea towel atop a stove with the oven 

pre-heated. That extra added warmth helps 

it to rise. 

After it's risen to double it's size, place in a 

325-350 degree oven.

My oven is a bit hot so I bake my bread at 325.

You can have some fun with your dough. 

You can twist it or make pull apart bread or make 

tiny loaves for the kids or grandkids! 

The giggles were here the last time I 

baked so they filled some heart pans

 to take home to their mommy.

Now comes the anticipation of smelling 

that deliciousness

as it comes floating out from the

 oven door and into the kitchen!

MMMmm....

Oh, I have happy memories of when my mom used to 

make homemade rolls to go with

the big pot of beans that she made!

I think that was my dad's favorite meal.

He was raised down on the farm in the hollows of 

West Virginia. He was the 6th of seven children

and they ate very simply.

I don't have photos of any sliced..

 Bad blogger! AAgghh!

But the next time I bake bread, 

I will take some and post them.

When the bread comes out, it cools for a few minutes

and then gets brushed with butter!

So delicious.

I hope you get a chance to bake some

happiness and share it with someone.

_____________

There are so many other things happening.

I'll save that for another time.

But I will say that this crazy plant lady

FINALLY finished the last 

(we'll see... are we ever done? I think not! ;)

of her planting this morning!

It has been such a joy and lots of work too.

Perennials... herbs.. vegetables....annuals, 

Virginia Creeper and a new bush. 

Photos to come! 

The Gypsy Camp is growing and going through

all kinds of changes.

And then off I go tomorrow

 to the city with three of my daughters

to play. We're going to get a tattoo,

 dress up and go out to eat,

swim, shop and who knows what else!

I can hear the laughing now and of 

course we'll have some 

serious heart to heart talks, too.

I wish you a joyous rest of the week.

And thank you ever so much for coming by.

Tamara XO

travel photos

Hello! 

And Happy Memorial Day Weekend

I hope this finds you all doing well.

I am still away from home and am roaming in the gorgeous 

rolling hills of southeastern Ohio.

I'm visiting family and some friends.

And we've been working on the details

of readying our little cottage for winter living

so our youngest daughter and my niece can 

rent it from us.

We were planning to sell which was a very sad thought.

It's a gorgeous spot which affords us much beauty and

 a place to stay when I get a chance to visit family and friends

and journey down the lane of girlhood memories.

I moved away technically but a big piece 

of my heart has remained here for many reasons.

Here are some photos of our trip that began on

May 11th. On the first day, 45 miles out of town, 

we blew a tire. I was driving. 

We were thankful that we were safe.

The steel belts were showing but as 

I stopped, the tire was slowly

deflating as I got out of the van.

It's still a mystery how that happened...

 We see it as God's protection.

What a beautiful view of New Mexico skies!

 Driving through The Narrows of New Mexico.

 This is Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo.

We've driven by for 30 years

and decided it was time to stop!

If you venture by here on eastbound

I-40, bring a can of spray paint and you can 

add your artistic grafitti to the cars.

 Here are Jeff and I with our OK grand babies.

We had a sweet visit and very special to be there on

Mother's Day.

This unique bridge spans the Ohio River 

between Kentucky and Ohio.

 We saw kids in Oklahoma, Mo, Indiana

 and my brother who resides in the 

Ohio Veteran's Home near Cincinnati.  

I was so happy to see him. He used to be 

near our cottage but has now 

re-located to the Veteran's home which is

four hours from here.

 Wild Irises

 Raspberry Vanilla swirl, waffle cone with...

S*p*R*i*N*k*L*e*S*! 

Very tasty :)

 Hearts...

I love to find them everywhere.

 one of my favorite things...

{WILDFLOWERS}

I will be remembering our veterans this 

weekend and those who are

currently serving. 

I wish you the best as you gather with

family and friends this weekend to be together

and to remember those who have died and 

those who live still

to protect our country and

to help others.

Wishing you 

magical, harmonious days

 filled with blessings.

Thank you so much

 for coming by to say hello.

I will be back home on the 3rd of June and

  back in touch~

Tamara 

XO

Our Family "Holiday" Trip Part 1

Hello to you and Happy February!

A lovely month filled with thoughts and little reminders
that say I LOVE YOU and promises of spring. 

I hope this finds you well.

I am doing well. 

I'm very behind in my blogging because of some internet problems and a little discouragement combined. I'm going to work hard
at catching up. And I'm going to be working on the blog a little.

I'd like to change the name. Is that bad?
I want to change it to match my instagram 
account and the name of my business.
In case you don't know what that is, it's 
The Shabby Gypsy.
I would really appreciate your thoughts on that.

I have not had good experiences with posting lately.

I lost my last post that took me three hours to

complete.

But I'll not whine about it ;) I know everyone has

their issues with theses things from

time to time.

So... Here I am being brave..well not too.

It's taken me a week to feel like doing this again!

Haha.

I'm going to share about our Nutcracker trip and then 
there will another post about the For King and Country
Christmas concert that we adults attended.

How fun it was to surprise our grand 

daughters and our youngest daughter!
We made a mini-vacation out of it because Phoenix is 220
miles from our mountain home.

Not a very good picture but who doesn't love a giant peppermint cookie? 

It was delicious! The six of us shared it.... We were saving our 

dessert allowances for later.

Driving into Phoenix many times offers a lovely sunset.

The Saguaro cacti add such beauty to the landscape. 

A timeless desert treasure. They are actually protected by laws.

Our motel room was lovely. My husband always does a great job of choosing our accommodations. Thank you, Honey!  

I brought a long all kinds of food, Christmas books to read, cozy throws and decorations to celebrate the holiday experience. 

It made it much more like home.

I wanted to have a little something for the girls

and were the giggles excited to see gifts under the tree! 

This sweet threesome came from the holiday craft show that I went to.

They are on my list of favorite things.

Hungry munchkins enjoying a snack. Jeff had picked this little party

tray up and it was perfect!

This little peanut LOVES her hot cocoa! It's not just the lovely flavor but 

I'm sure, in her little heart, that she associates it with celebrating cozy, family times.

Don't most of us? I do for sure. She was so happy that we brought some along. 

Can you tell? It just makes me smile!

Jammied, snuggle bugs with their new stuffed friends. 

 Getting ready for the Nutcracker Ballet. Even that part was so special. Isn't there just a magical excitement in the air while getting all dressed up to attend a special event?

The little princesses. The tiaras were a bit of a challenge to

 keep on their heads but it was so worth it! Every little girl deserves to feel 

like a princess many times over.

The tree in the motel lobby. I always enjoy traveling during the holidays. The festive feeling seems to envelope everyone and transport us into a happy bubble of time. The lights..decorations and the anticipation of holiday gatherings, celebrations, special events,  food and the giving of gifts. I love it all!

I apologize for the quality of some of my photos. Sometimes you're 

feeling thankful and doing good just to capture the moment!

The excitement is building as we leave in the motel shuttle. Jeff was particularly thankful for this because our 15 passenger van does not fit in the parking garages! Also, finding a good spot in the downtown area during a big event,

 can be a real challenge.  

Those are some happy faces!

My daughter liked the bathroom mirrors. 

Oh.. what a gorgeous smile she has and those eyes just light up!

(hmm.. does she look a little mischievous?)

 Sorry... A proud, mama moment.

Here we are about to enter into another world. As the orchestra music begins

 and fills the room,  you hold your breath and wait for the magic to unfold. 

The following photos are property of the Ballet Arizona website gallery.
As I'm sure you know that cameras are not permitted during the performances.

Words cannot express the feelings I had while watching as these dancers took on their roles so perfectly and led us through this outstanding and most beautiful production.

The lighting, costumes and stage sets were so magnificently created and we were drawn into the drama, suspense and gloriousness of each scene!

The grace, poise and energy of every dancers flowed to every 

corner of that hall and left us in awe. 

The curtain call. 

What a triumphant accomplishment and unforgettable experience

 to be part of something so utterly perfect and divine.

What a wonderful time we had. 

It was a delight and such a privilege to be able to attend.

 I would love to see it again and again!

*************

Here are a few facts about the Nutcracker.

Ivan Vsevolozhsky and Marius Petipa adapted Hoffmann's story for the ballet. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the music. Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov designed the dances. The Nutcracker was first performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on 18 December 1892.

(from simple Wikipedia)

While reading through the program, we learned that

 a pair of pointe shoes costs

about 75 dollars and they only last for one performance. The AZ Ballet budget for these special shoes, alone, is 200,000 a year!  

Our tickets were quite pricey and we learned that the cost 

of our tickets covers only a portion of the cost of the production.

The company is sustained mostly by donations.

This photo speaks for itself!

So sweet!

Thank you for being so patient. It was not my intention

 to be posting about Christmas on the first day of February!

But I hope you enjoyed it.

_____

Now to share just a tad about what's happening currently.

I've been deep cleaning and de-cluttering and doing some decorating. When I 

declutter my house, it also de-clutters my head. 

(Did you know that clutter has been named as one of the #1 stressors for women?)

It's been much needed and I'm enjoying the moving around 

of some of my vintage

suitcases and books. 

I'm putting the finishing touches on my winter canvas and enjoying the elk

in our fields. The heavy snow has driven them down to the lower country

to feed. They are so beautiful!

I'm also working hard at focusing on my work and making better use of my time

Puttering is such a robber.

What have you been doing?

 I hope you're staying warm and enjoying 

this last little bit of winter.

Thank you so much for coming by.

Peaceful wishes for your week.

Tamara XO