Runamuck Ranch

Art in Daily Life

"The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life, and in elevating them to art."

~William Morris

Seed Order

I just placed my order for my summer garden with Baker Creek Heirloom Seed company.   I am going to completely heirloom seeds in my garden this year.  They had the most amazing variety of seeds.  Some I ordered were tomatoes from Iraq which should do well in Arizona.  I also ordered luffas which should be a lot of fun.

I am determined to lick this PVNS that is attacking my body and I know that a garden full of vegetables is worth more than a medicine chest full of pills. 

It will soon be time to start my seeds in the studio.  I think I will be adding some fluorescent lighting to give them a boost this year.

Merry Christmas

  "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you.  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12. 

Felt for Christmas

While recovering I have finished a felted bag from Felted Knits.  This is a great pattern book because it has cute and simple projects and they all use size 13 needles and two strands of worsted yarn so they are super quick.  The pincushion is from wool felt which is suppose to keep needles and pins in tip top shape.  I loosely copied a design from Pretty Little Pincushions (Pretty Little Series) which I checked out from the library.  Both of these projects will be given to people I love tonight along with some homemade lotion that is the best stuff on the planet for dry desert skin.

1.8 in a Million

I am 1.8 in a million.  The doctor diagnosed Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) taking over my right knee and did surgery on Friday to remove the lining in my knee before it spread further.  I am finally feeling a little less loopy just in time for Christmas.  On the bright side I have finished one knitted and felted bag, a stocking for Caboodle and 3/4 of ski hat for TT.  Guilt free knitting while icing my knee and watching endless Christmas movies.  I start physical therapy tomorrow.

I am also excused from opening and closing the gate every time we leave the farm.  I plan to milk that for all it is worth.

SAVE HANDMADE

I cannot imagine a world with only mass produced (mostly Chinese) toys and goods for my children.  No more hand crocheted angel blankets, wool baby booties, wooden trucks and trains - just cheap mass produced junk.  Well apparently our US Congress thinks this will keep our children safe.  Ridiculous!!  Please check out Cool Mom Picks for the exact ramifications of this new law as well as how to contact your congressman.  Geez, Congress, in this bad economy lets just put a few more honest hardworking folks out of business so we can prop up big business at the expense of American children.

Cool Mom Picks wrote:

We're all for strengthening the safety standards of mass-produced toys, clothes, and accessories made in China, and banning toxins like phthalates and lead. But this year, congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who have already earned the public trust. The very same ones that we often feature here and in our yearly special edition gift guides.

With this act going into effect February 10 2009 so many people we love will be affected: Moms who sew beautiful handmade waldorf dolls out of home, artists who have spent decades hand-carving trucks and cars out of natural woods, that guy at the craft show who sold you the cute handmade puzzle--even larger US companies who employ local workers and have not once had any sort of safety issue will no longer be able to sell their goods. Not without investing tens of thousands of dollars into third-party testing and labeling, just to prove that toys that never had a single toxic chemical in them still don't have a single toxic chemical in them.

Archery Practice

Archery practice in my yard.

"My Dad is an optometrist and my coach makes me wear blue tape over my eye."

These are some really dumb cats.  Multiple cease fires were called in order to shoo cats.

My Favorite Carpet Powder

My very favorite carpet powder is baking soda with a few drops of essential oil mixed in an old extra large Lawry's seasoned salt bottle from Costco.  It deodorizes, has no harmful chemicals, and does not set off my asthma.  

I usually fill the jar a 1/3 with baking soda and add a few drops of oil, repeating the layers until full and then give it a good shake to mix.  My favorite mixture of oils is rosemary and lavender.  Sometimes with a bit of pine oil as well. 

I sprinkle it on the carpets about 15 minutes before vacuuming.  This mixture can also be used as a scouring powder.  Especially fun and foamy when rinsed with vinegar and water.

Minister of Simplicity

Rhonda at Down to Earth has written a very thought provoking post on the economy.  After reading her post I think I will accept my new position as Minister of Simplicity of Runamuck Ranch.

An Old Advent Idea