Halloween-Eve

Happy Halloween…Eve!

Oh, man, I remember when the kids were little and every single holiday had an Eve attached somehow. It made sense to them that if Christmas had Christmas Eve then there must be an Eve to every celebration. Alas, the kids are grown and it’s been years now since I’ve heard an excited exclamation of, “Happy Halloween Eve, mom!”

I started this week strong and intended to start this post on Monday, but, as life goes… soon the week got to going and it wasn’t long before this fell onto my “to-do” list and other items took priority.

So, here we are, chatting over coffee next to a blazing woodstove…let’s get caught up!

What’s been happening…

1) The Big-Kid custom quilt reveal….it is SO cute!!! I think the recipient will be very pleased with the results! This particular quilt measures a generously-sized 50×60 and should grow well with this kiddo for the next several years. The back is done in a luxurious grey minky that has added a particularly soft cuddliness.

His name fit rather well on the lower righthand corner, but this was not without it’s struggles. The process of embroidery can be challenging when it comes to coordinating the right color of thread with the correct background fabric. I had originally used the main print fabric in that space, however no matter what thread I used, it just blended in. Finally; on attempt three, I just went ahead and subbed a whole new block.  The result is beautiful and well worth the extra effort!

2)  Updated listings are on their way to our shop…specifically Bowl Covers…Last week I gifted a complete set of these (size small – XL) and a travel mug to a new home owner. They made the perfect gift and she was super excited to receive them before holiday parties!

I’m personally excited to use them here on the farm for our annual Friendsgiving coming up next month. These covers are perfect for protecting those carry-in dishes that can sit out for leftovers throughout the day, but need a little something to keep undesirable things out. They pull back easily for a second….or third helping…no judgment here…and then slip easily back over the bowl.

The thing I really love about this design versus the other options available is the fact that they are completely adjustable. The 1/4″ elastic cord provides a nice, snug fit, however the true star is the sliding silicone cord lock. These cord locks secure the covers against the sides of your container, creating secure seal until loosened.

The original intention for these covers was just to have a simple, frilly touch to my counter on the days I had bread rising or a bowl of something set out. However, I love them so much that I find myself using them often!

In fact,  just a few weeks ago, I grabbed one and tossed it on a bowl of scrambled eggs in an attempt to keep them somewhat warm as the bacon finished frying. I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes simply because eggs cool so incredibly fast. Yet, about 10 minutes later, once the bacon and biscuits were done we uncovered the bowl of eggs and were pleased to see steam wafting up.

3) Winter prep for the chicken coop…and our coop

Sorry, ladies! The days of warm summer breezes coming across the fields are over, which means the coop windows will need some covering. We use the same coop that has been used for generations on this old farm and it’s an absolute fabulous structure…but it’s large and drafty with windows on all sides. So, in an attempt to keep the  girls from sqwauking too loud  I cover the windows with removable insulation and add a light. Most days they won’t need this light for warmth as chickens regulate cold well, but let’s be honest, on the days when they will need it….like -10° days in January….I dont want to be down there messing with it. So, now is the time to conquer this chore.

I kicked around the idea of adding the coop to my chore list for this week, but in all honesty, I’d rather focus on finishing up the house windows first.

The Brick House was built in 1856 and originally had tall single-paned windows. Thankfully, through the mid-1990’s these windows were replaced with double-paned, energy-efficient windows. These windows are much preferable to the original and serve their purpose, but they have lost their caulking over the years and thus are very drafty. So, during these mild autumn days, before it gets too much cooler, I’ve been caulking and sealing each window. The hope is that this winter will not feel quite as drafty, but we shall see. Some would say that drafty rooms and old Indiana farmhouses simply go hand-in-hand, to which I would tell them that they are not wrong…but I can still dream and keep caulking.