Quote of the Week

Quote of the Week

 

There is a fine line between perseverance and madness. – Lynda Obst

 

Quote of the Week Pin

What’s Happening Part 3

So, we are finally closing tomorrow on one property and hopefully closing next week on the other property. I have to say the closer it gets, the more excited I am getting. It’s going to be a new chapter in life and for our little farm. We are going to continue working with our breeding program with the goats so there will be more kid updates later. We are wanting to get pigs again and hopefully work on a breeding program with them as well, but we shall see how that goes later on.

The clean up is going well. We have  two weeks to get everything finished up and it’s looking more and more like it will happen. The back is mostly done other than the goats. They are still in the smaller pens right now which I don’t like, but we have to do what we have to do at this point in time.

Back yard

 

All the fences are down and the materials are moved to the front so they can be separated and shipped out to where ever they are going (trash, scrap, new home). Aarron’s Dad has been here helping with this because I don’t know a thing about scrap so it’s mostly his job to get this all done. I have been helping a little where I can but it’s not been much outside. My job has mostly been in the house getting everything packed and ready to go when we get the new place.

Side yard

 

There is still quite a bit to do (which is partly why this post is late). But it seems to be coming together now and getting down to mostly what is going to the new house. Once we close on the new property, if it’s the one we are looking at right now, we will have more acreage which will be nice. Where we are now is 1 acre and if the sale of the property goes through we will be on 10 acres. I am so looking forward to this. And it looks like there is only one other house in the near vicinity. So we won’t have nosy neighbors so close to us this time.

Front yard

 

I honestly can’t believe it’s taken this long, but there have also been many challenges that my husband has faced through moving all of this. Many tires have blown before during and after drives to town to take scrap. I don’t know how many tires my husband has done by hand to make sure the trips go well. He has been amazing through all  of this. We have been so stressed out and yet he doesn’t take it out on me when he gets mad at something or someone. I wish I could say the same for myself, but we are working through every thing and we will get to the new property as one. I am exited about our next journey.

Have a great day!

Renee

Atamin Ava Bedside Table


How to style your nightstand like a pro
A nightstand is more than just a place to rest your alarm clock and stash your books. It’s an essential part of any bedroom and can make or break the whole look. Never fear if you’re unsure how to style a nightstand like a pro! We’ve got some great tips to help you get started.

Choose the design of the nightstand.
When it comes to nightstands, design can be an important factor in both style and practicality. Depending on the bedroom’s decor, many different designs could work well – from a sleek modern look to more ornate designs with detailed carvings and even multiple drawers to increase storage space. Whatever design you choose, ensure it is safe and of good construction. Think about things like how easy it will open and close, as well as whether you need extras like shelves or lighting – these all affect the overall feel of your bedroom when making this important decision.

Choose a theme or style for your nightstand – this could be anything from minimalist to glam.
When it comes to decorating, often the little details make the biggest difference. Setting an intentional style or theme for your nightstand can be a great way to finish off the overall aesthetic of your bedroom. Whether you’re going for a minimalist look, with just one statement lamp and a book or two, or you want something more glam, with trinkets, candles, and greenery – there are no wrong choices here! Finding what makes you feel at home is key when deciding on the perfect nightstand style, whatever it may be.

Pick out a few key pieces that fit your chosen theme, including a lamp, alarm clock, and framed photo.
Whether one is looking to spruce up a bedroom, add some bright accents to a living space, or make a cozy reading corner, ATAMIN’s Ava Bedside Table with Lamp and USB-C Charging Station is the perfect addition. Not only does this item come with its own integrated lamp and built-in USB ports for easy device charging, but it also features a signature minimalist design making it an unobtrusive yet statement piece. The sleek lines and natural oak shade of ATAMIN’s bedside table is sure to be the stylish touch that ties any room together. Paired with your chosen alarm clock and framed photo, ATAMIN’s Ava Bedside Table will provide light, function and style as the key pieces for completing any theme.

Arrange your items on the nightstand in a way that is pleasing to the eye
Nightstands often can become a hodgepodge of items that do not necessarily convey harmony and balance. Finding a way to arrange your nightstand items to blend aesthetically together is one small way you can inject beauty and serenity into your space. The arrangement of items on your nightstand should be aesthetically pleasing, from height variations to colors and shapes. If nothing else, remember this one thing when arranging your nightstand: less is more. Keep it simple and mindful with only a few pieces that collectively convey understated elegance.

Add some finishing touches, such as a plant or scented candle.
Making a home feel complete can often be tricky, as it is such a personal thing tailored to our individual tastes. That being said, there are certain details that everyone appreciates, bringing a space warmth. Such touches could include adding a fresh-cut or silk flower or even placing a pot of lavender on your windowsill to fill your home with its calming aroma. Further, lightening a scented candle can bring inviting colors whilst instilling an atmosphere of comfort and peace. Even the simplest touches, like bringing in a flower arraignment for those special occasions, have been proven to lift the spirits and bring joy; all these small finishing touches make for an exciting journey towards creating your own unique space.

After considering the design, theme or style, pieces, and arrangement of your nightstand, you can now finish off your nightstand by adding some special touches that fit with the overall theme. This could be a plant to live up the air quality in your bedroom or maybe even a scented candle to create ambiance in a room. Whatever you choose, make sure it adds something to the overall feel of the space. Now is the time to step back and admire your work – you have thoughtfully planned and brought together a nightstand of your dreams. So don’t wait any longer and start styling your nightstand! With these ideas, you are sure to end up with a room accessory that both looks beautiful and reflects who you are as an individual.

What’s Happening Part 2

Ok. So we are getting closer to our closing date and things are getting rough. We will get through it, but I’m stressing pretty hard at this point. We were supposed to close tomorrow on this property and the 10th on our new property. However, now they are postponing this property until the 9th. I’m not sure that I will have the money on the 10th now. Grr. This is so frustrating. Plus, we are supposed to be done here on the 10th as well, but if we aren’t closing until the 9th, I’m not sure that will happen.

Anyway, Aarron is doing his best to get all the scrap out of the yard, but it’s a long arduous process. You will be able to see from the pictures that as of yet, it doesn’t look like there is much of a dent in progress. It’s been just him for the most part, but last week the church did come out to help and now his Dad is here to help him as well so hopefully things will really start moving now but we have to wait and see I guess.

Yard, before

 

Yard Before

 

 

The pictures above are before we really started anything so there is A LOT here. And we have to get all of it out. This is the hard part. However, Aarron and his Dad are starting to take loads to the scrap yard today so it should start clearing out pretty quickly now I hope.

Yar After

 

Yard after

 

 

So you can see from these that the back yard is making pretty good progress while the front not so much yet. I am praying every day that we can accomplish this monumentous task but my husband has pulled off miracles before and God willing he will do so again.

I have the house almost packed so I’m not worried to much about that. I know I will have it all packed and ready to go as soon as Aarron is ready to start moving it. I should have taken before and after pictures there too, but I didn’t think about it. It’s just so very strange to see the house so empty. I haven’t seen it like that since my Dad moved into it back in 1998.

Well, that what’s going on here right now. Is there anything really big or stressful that you are working on right now? I love to hear it! Leave a comment below.

Have a great day!

Renee

 

Onion Powder

There is no reason you should be using the onion powder from the store. It is too easy to make at home to use something that has so many ingredients and chemicals in it when you can make onion powder easily from the comfort of your home. I will show you how. All you need is an onion and a dehydrator or you oven.

onion slices

Cut 1 onion into thin slices. You want to try to get them as even as possible so they will dry about the same time.

Onion on dehydrator tray

 

Place the onion slices on your dehydrator trays or on a cookie sheet if you’re using your oven. Make sure there is a little space between each one.

Dehydrator

Place the onion in your dehydrator or in your oven if you’re doing it that way. Set the temp in the oven at 200F. For the dehydrator I set the temp around 145-155 and set the time for 12 hours.

At this point, you will want to watch them and check on them occasionally to see if they are dry. I usually start this around the 6 hour mark. Once they are completely dry ( the will snap when they are dry enough.) remove them from the dehydrator or oven and let them cool for a few minutes.

dried onion slices

Then you will want to place in your container that you will use to powder the slices. I use a ninja blender for this part but but a blender, food processor, or mortar and pestle will work for this.

Blending onion slices

I use a pulse motion to grind the slices into powder. It doesn’t take very long, a few minutes at most. I generally stop to check it often. Once you don’t see any large pieces, it’s done.

Powdered onion slices

The blender makes quick work of this so it should only take a couple of minutes.

Powdered onion slices

Once you have it in powder form, you just need to put into whatever container you are going to use. I have an old jar that I did buy a while back that is already labeled so I just use that.

onion powder

It is so simple guys! Anyone can do this. I mean anyone. Using the oven takes just about as long as a dehydrator, unfortunately some ovens don’t go down to 200F so you have to get a dehydrator. But if your oven does go down that far, it will work just as well.

Have a great day!

Renee

What’s Happening

So we are moving. That is what we have decided. This town has gotten pretty toxic over the last few years. It has been decided that we are going to leave this small town and try to find another somewhere else that isn’t quite as bad. Cause honestly I think it’s getting pretty bad every where. So here’s to hoping we can find what we are looking for.

This will be bitter sweet for me because this was my father’s land. It’s hard to leave that and I know there will be many tears involved over the coming weeks because of that. However, that said, I believe this is what is best for my family right now.

I have a friend that is going to keep the goats until we can get settled and make a space for them. We have sold the chickens and hope to get more once we are settled. We sold the cows last month and we haven’t been able to find pigs in a while so there are none of them right now either.

I was completely against moving at first, but the  more I think about it, I am a little excited to see what this next chapter is going to hold for us. This neighborhood has become so bad in the last couple years. I’m glad my Dad didn’t see that. The neighbors make hard for me to want to stay. They fight all the time and it’s loud enough that it sounds as though they are in my living room. So the more I think about this, the more I am certain this will be a good thing for us.

We are hoping to get more land this time. We are on one acre right now so I would like 10 or more but would be happy with 5. We are looking in areas that are cooler than where we are in Southern Arizona, but we don’t want to go so far that it snows every winter so we are thinking Wilcox or maybe down in Douglas where Aarron’s family is.

I will continue to work on my blog and post every week while we are in transition. I am hoping that my excitement will continue to grow as we get closer to the move. I know this is what is best for us and that is what I am holding on to right now.

Have a great day!

Renee

Dimmable Floor Lamp

Dimmable Floor Lamp

 

Five reasons a floor lamp is essential for every new homeowner

As a new homeowner, you may wonder what kind of lamp best suits your needs. While many different types and styles of lamps are available, floor lamps are essential for any home. Here are five reasons why:

1. Floor lamps provide the ambient lighting that can be used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in any room.
2. They can also be used to provide task lighting for reading, writing, or other activities.
3. Floor lamps come in various styles and designs, so you can find one that perfectly fits your personal aesthetic.
4. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to find at most major retailers.
5. Most importantly, floor lamps add a touch of sophistication and style to any space – no matter what your décor looks like!

A floor lamp can provide extra light in a dark room without taking up much space.
Floor lamps are the perfect solution to a dark room. Not only can they provide extra light, but they can also do so without taking up too much space. Plus, their flexibility allows them to be placed in areas where overhead lighting just isn’t feasible. This makes them an ideal choice for areas with high ceilings or sloped walls and furniture pieces that may otherwise obstruct illumination from an overhead fixture. With the right lamp, you can easily add a layer of warm, inviting ambiance to any room and never worry about compromising on style or function.

Floor lamps are relatively inexpensive so they won’t break the bank.

Floor lamps are an incredibly affordable way to upgrade the lighting in your home. Even on a tight budget, you can purchase a beautiful piece that won’t break the bank while also providing a sophisticated look. Beyond aesthetics, floor lamps add versatility to any room; they can be used to shape the atmosphere or cast light into dark corners. Whether looking for specific tasks or just something warm and inviting to set the mood, floor lamps offer undeniable practicality mixed with style, making them one of the best options for brightening your home.

They come in a variety of styles to match any home décor
ATAMIN Alvin Dimmable Floor Lamp With Shelves & Integrated LED Lighting is a perfect piece of décor to suit any home – after all, they come in various color. Whether you’re looking for a modern minimalistic look or rustic charm, ATAMIN has an exquisite selection. They’ve crafted contemporary and classic designs that have been carefully thought out to the last detail. A great advantage of ATAMIN lamps is the integrated LED lighting system, providing full brightness without the need to replace bulbs. ATAMIN lamps are the epitome of great design combined with functionality while offering a beautiful ambiance and illuminating your space.

Floor lamps can be used to create a cozy reading nook or relaxing corner in any room
Floor lamps provide an easy and affordable way to transform any room’s vibes instantly. Placing one in a reading nook or quiet corner can create a peaceful atmosphere that helps you relax. This is why people often use floor lamps to decorate their bedrooms or living rooms – they help to add warmth and comfort. Because there are innumerable designs, types, and sizes of floor lamps on the market today, you may find the perfect lamp that seamlessly matches your unique home décor style. Whether creating an inviting den for friends or seeking a cozy space for your relaxation, a well-placed floor lamp can be just what you need.

They’re easy to move around, so you can change the look of your room anytime you want
For those of us who are constantly changing our minds on how we want our rooms to look, furniture that is easy to move around is a dream come true. We no longer have to pick one style and stick with it; now, whenever the fancy strikes us, we can switch up the look of our room in a matter of moments. It’s like getting a brand new home without any extra effort or expense that usually comes with it. With just a few pieces that are movable and easy to work with, you can change your room’s looks as much as you like!

Floor lamps are truly a necessity for any home. They bring an extra degree of light and style and provide a cozy and inviting place to curl up with a book or just relax. With such an abundance of styles and designs, you can ensure that the perfect floor lamp will fit perfectly in your space. Best of all, due to their modest price tag, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank when shopping for lighting solutions. Adding a floor lamp to any room is sure to make it more inviting and enjoyable while adding another layer of functionality to your home.

New Year New Goals

I am really struggling right now. Usually I have put together my goals for the next year, but this year everything is up in the air. Either we are going to sell the property or we are going to stay if we can save it. We are trying so hard to save it, but it’s not looking good at this point in time. We have a barn up for sale that would give us the amount needed to keep it but if it doesn’t sell soon, I will have to sell the property.

Barn

I’m extremely attached to the property as it was my Dad’s but I really would like to go somewhere that people aren’t so close. We are on an acre but they are long rather than square so the neighbors are like right outside my doors it seems. If they fight, we know it close. So I’m kind of torn on what to do at this point.

Barn 2

I keep thinking that somewhere new would be a nice change, but it’s my Dad’s property. He left it to me when he passed in 2020. I just feel like we are stuck right now though and I don’t like that at all. However, with everything being up in the air, I can’t work on goals for the new year yet either. So this means that everything will be so far behind by the time we get everything figured out.

 

Yard

What would you do in this situation? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Have a great day!

Renee

Battlefield Earth


I received this book for free or at a discount for my honest review. If you would like to see my full disclosure click here.

Battlefield Earth

I never used to really like Sci-fi books, but lately several of them have sounded really interesting to me so I have started reading some of them lately. This one so far has not been disappointing. I have a hard time putting it down at night. It takes place in the year 3000. There are aliens that are mining the earth thinking that all humans are extinct, which happens to not be true.

Battlefield Earth

I’m only about half way through, but so far I am really loving this book. I look forward to reading at night before bed and will continue to finish the book soon. Have you read this book yet? Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think about this one. I would love to know.

Battlefield Earth

You can get a copy of this book here: https://www.amazon.com/Battlefield-Earth-Arrival-Invasion-Post-Apocalyptic/dp/1592129579

Let me know if you get the book. You won’t be disappointed at all. I know that I haven’t been. I can’t wait to finish this one because it grabs you pretty quick. It was a little slow to start but hooks you a couple chapters in. I hope you’ll take a look at this one and buy it.

Have a great day!

Renee