Preview to Farewell Leaves

I don't know about you, but I am feeling the crisp morning air and anticipating the wonderful Autumn weather. Just around the corner leaves will be changing colors and dropping soon after. I already have some doing this now. It is one of the prettiest times of year here in Colorado. So I decided to look back into my blog and last year when I had barely started my blog.. I had posted some beautiful pictures, that I am going to share again with you now. They were from my Cottonwoods in my yard, and I don't think a single person even looked at the post. So now I will do a little preview of my fall leaves in my yard from last year 11-26-2011.
Enjoy!

FAREWELL LEAVES

With Thanksgiving past, and what a wonderful time it was, I am now switching gears to prepare for Christmas. For me this means saying farewell to the gorgeous Autumn color pallet.

I will first take down all my Autumn leaf garlands and little pumpkins and gourds, etc. Out with the oranges, yellows, reds and browns. What a pretty pallet of colors.

This always makes me a little sad because I don't believe my Harvest theme gets enough time to be on display. Next year I must start right in September!

Just like my pretty trees, the leaves just start to glisten in gold and a cold snap hits and BOOM! They all drop to the ground! Don't blink or you will miss it.
So I decided to share a couple of pictures I took of my large Cottonwood tree that was in full golden beauty just a few week ago. I really believe that trees change to these fire colors in the Fall so we will look at them in awe. Not to mention, make us feel as if we are really the worlds greatest photographers.

It is really God that does all the work, but He gives us these beautiful views to photograph, paint, or just enjoy. We can feel good about it. Thank you Father for the beautiful Autum color pallet! I love it.

Hope you enjoy my trees pretty fall colored leaves!

Blessings,
Little Susie Home Maker

Good Eggs and Good Jam

Today both of my children are in school, hubby has gone to work and here is the beginning of this next little time in my life. The summer has been quick and I am not ready for it to start winding down. I am that mom that is so happy when her kids are on break, not the one that can't wait until they go back. I often wonder why moms feel that way?

The yard is dry and the allergens are kicking in again. Colorado is a beautiful area to live in when Fall comes. Hubby was helping get the Little Red Barn all cleaned out and ready for winter again. We needed to repaint the wooden floors. He will have to work on some new roosts that I want changed for making it easier to get in and out of this winter. Boy he is nice to do this for me! Here is a little of the mess that was inside that needs to find another place. Why did we put that in the coop?

Junk outside my little barn that needs put somewhere else!

I have a little nursery side I love to brood the chicks in. It is just perfect. Chicken wire is attached to the framed wall;  to see through to the other chickens that already are here. I decided to order some more chicks this fall, as soon as we get things ready for them.

 I wintered over the babies last year and I found that I love doing it in the fall instead of the traditional Spring. Mainly because Fall here is like Summer, and Spring is like Winter. It is so much easier to keep them warm those first few weeks of life! By the time Spring comes they are very acclimated to each other and they get along pretty well with out all the barnyard squabbling that can go on.

I let my chickens free-range most of the summer. Yes, that means that a few have mysteriously vanished. But they are so much happier and healthier. 

They also have a nice sized fenced in run that gives them plenty of well protected outdoor time.

The eggs that they produce are so rich and yummy! Nobody can ever get enough of them. I always have people that want these fresh eggs! I can't blame them, nothing like those sold at the grocery store!

My girls under the Choke Cherries. There favorite spot!

We had a bumper crop of Wild Choke Cherries on our property this year.

Choke Cherry fruit on my bushes.

 I went ahead and made two batches of jam, left the rest for the birds. I had enough to make 100 batches! I kinda wished I had made more than two batches , but there is always next year! Now my wild plums are doing great, and just turning ripe this week! I see some more Jam making on the horizon

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My Choke Cherries

Speaking of Jam. Donna at Donna's Lavender Nest and I decided it would be fun to trade a jar of jam. So she sent me this wonderful jar of Peach Jam and I sent her a jar of mine! Oh, gosh it is so good! She is such a sweety, do you know she even slipped in this amazing fabric. It has red on white polka dots and strawberry and cherry bunches printed on it!!!

Man she knows what I like! I still have to figure out the perfect thing to do with this! Thanks so much , Donna!

I tell you, fresh preserves and fresh eggs! Breakfast just couln't get any better!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and good wishes for my healing time. I do still have a ways to go, yet I can manage to get a little time on the computer every now and again. Love to visit you all when I can.  Please leave me comment and say hi!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Please come visit this fun party at
Rednesday
I am!

Bless My Blog Buddies

Hello! I am so pleased to have so many wonderful friends here that read my blog. You have all been such a huge blessing to me. I just want you all to know I am taking a short break, but not going away. Life has its times that are filled with unexpected turns. I am going through one now. I will need time to rest and heal, but when I am back I will be pleased to share again. Hopefully, it will be sooner than later. Until then, keep having fun between you. Keep smiling every day.

God bless you,

Little Susie Home Maker

Pekingese Surprise & Holt Rooster Cups

Don't you just love getting packages in the mail? A surprise from a friend, or maybe something you ordered. I know many of you love swaps!! I just had that wonderful feeling. The mailman left a package at the door, and I just felt so excited to open it up right away!

My sweet friend Erica from Golden Egg Vintage is a real Vintage Junkie! Can I call you that Erica? She posted how she was wanting to give her readers first chance on some seriously cute Christmas vintage items. Because I am in so much need of more Christmas items, of course I had to get a box!

Erica also has a  really charming Etsy Store. You must visit her shop. I did, and I also ordered some Holt 1961 Rooster mugs from her. They are just the right color and theme for my kitchen taste! I love anything that has to do with Chicken's since I am the local Egg Lady with my own hen's that lay wonderful eggs.

Because Erica is just one of the kindest people you could know, she had something she had picked up for me because it reminded her of me. She just knew I would love it, and gave it to me as a really fun gift!

A Peek-A-Knees Puppy!!!

Great play on words, and this is vintage fun that is just right for me! My little Baby Bear is a Pekingese, you may have seen him featured here in my blog before. He is just the sweetest loving doggy I have ever had. He brings me so much joy! The picture of this (not quite as sexy gal as me) just looks so in adoration of her Peek-A-Knees!

Thanks so much Erica. It is amazing how well you know me! I have been looking for Pekingese things and I tell you all, they are rare!  But Erica found this for me and I thank her so much for her kindness. Not only is it Pekingese like Bear, but it is a Vintage Pin-Up!! How cool is that?

I had so much fun opening my box! It was like a Christmas morning for sure! I hope you enjoyed this Peek and my package, too!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Linking with

Rednesday
Junkin Joe Vintage Thrifty Finds

Charlie Browm & Lucy Bubble Bath Fun

Remember bubble baths as children? I remember having a big tub of bubbles and then a big puff of bath powder that my mom would pat me down with. It always made baths so much fun! I still think an amazing bubble bath and powder are wonderful. But those childhood memories just made them seem like moments of fun and love!

And then there we these two. I found that with Peanut characters, people either love them or think they are little brats.

Today I have a great little pair of Vintage Avon Charlie Brown and Lucy Bubble Bath containers to show you

I found these a few years back from a charming elderly lady at her yard sale. She did not want me to pay much for them. She also wanted me to have a few other neat items, that I will show you at another time. I believe she thought we (my children that were toddlers) would make a good home for her little trinkets. That is what she called them, "Trinkets". She said she had them since they were new, and only wanted 75 cents for them. I remember wanting to give her more and she wouldn't accept it!

The Charlie Brown is missing his cap that hides the lid. It should be a baseball cap.See his catchers mitt in his left hand? His head is cracked, she told me that they were played with and that is why he is not in the best shape. Lucy is in much better shape. She has no cracks and is wearing her cute little cap.

Charlie Brown is marked 1950 on the back, along with the other Avon markings.

 Lucy is also marked on the back, but her year is 1952.

The paint on both of them is in pretty good shape. Just a little bit of wear. Which I think just makes them that much more charming,

I love the look on their sweet little faces. Charlie Brown kinda has that funny grimace on his face,

and Lucy has her smart little smirk!

I assume these would be great for collectors of Avon or Peanuts both! I like them just because!

I also have this other cute little peanuts toy. He came from a toy box of "used this and that". My son pulled him out for a give away when he was a baby.  I have no idea about it. My son is way passed wanting to play with it now, so it goes with the other two characters. do you think it is also Charlie Brown? Just not wearing his traditional outfit? It looks like his hands were holding something, but that was all gone when my son received this little guy.

At any rate, they all just look cute together. I love the vintage look of these and adore the red, black and white colors.

They always remind me of that sweet little Grandma, and make me smile. It is nice to know that they were loved. I adore them. I am glad the woman found us to give Charlie Brown and Lucy a new home!

Blessings to all my dear friends,

 Little Susie Home Maker

I am linking with some really fun parties

Rednesday

You're Gonna Love It
All Star Block Party 

Quinch Your Citrus Thirst, LemonLimeAde

Hello Dear friends. Today I want to share a recipe for LemonLimeAde, it can be made with sugar or sugarfree, or Lemonade or Limeade. However you mix it up, It will be simple and great tasting!
 I will also talk about re-hydration a little.
With summer time in full swing, and temperatures hotter than ever, it is so refreshing to have an ice cold glass of something Citrus!

Lemons and limes are so plentiful and they are perfect sliced and added to ice water, or iced tea.
 But beside being delicious for a thirst quenching taste. They are also so good for you.

  

If you are like me, then you may be spending quite a bit of time outdoors in your yard and garden. Don't forget a quick pick me up of a hydrating drink, it is such a replenishing need for you. 

 So have some citrus fruits, lemons, limes, and orange slices on hand to add to your favorite drink, or even just add it to your water.

Not only will you be hydrating yourself, 

but cleansing out toxins and adding some all important Vitamin C to your day.

And don't forget the kiddos.
They play hard and forget to drink!

Yes, lemonades and limeades are good, but forget the sugar, and go for a little Stevia if you want to subtract a few calories.

 I am including my recipe for Lemonlimeade.

Lemon-Limeade Sugar Free

• 1 Quart Water
• 1 Cup Granulated Stevia or monkfruit (or sugar) *
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice 

Start by heating 1 cup of the water in a saucepan. Add the stevia/monkfruit when the water is warm. Stir the liquid until stevia/monkfruit is dissolved and remove from heat.

Place the remaining 3 cups of cool water into a large pitcher and add the lemon and the lime juice. ( Of course you can use only 1 cup of either type of juice if preferred). Then slowly add the stevia/monkfruit water mixture into the picture as well. Stir and chill. 

Serve with sliced lemon or lime twist over ice.

*For Stevia Conversion:

Sugar amount	Equivalent Stevia powdered extract	Equivalent Stevia liquid concentrate
1 cup	1 teaspoon	1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon	1/4 teaspoon	6 to 9 drops
1 teaspoon	A pinch to 1/16 teaspoon	2 to 4 drops

From The Stevia Cookbook, copyright 1999 Ray Sahelian and Donna Gates

Please enjoy staying refreshed this summer.
And don't forget to drink!

I know you have something to say,
so go ahead and leave a comment, please!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Linking to

All Star Block Party 
Thursday Favorite Things 

Homemade Hummingbird Feeder & Recipe

The other day, I was looking out the window at one of our new tube bird feeders. I didn't think about it's bright red color when I bought it. Just thought it was pretty. Well we had been really having some of the most terribly windy days recently. My old feeders were blowing in the wind, and came crashing down. Needless to say, a few new feeders were in order.

source

Unfortunately, I hadn't replaced the hummingbird feeder. I noticed a humming bird fly about the red tube feeder! The tiny feathered beauty seemed disappointed to find only seed offered.

source

Well, I knew I needed to do something. So, I looked around and found this little old salt shaker. It is one of those tiny mason jar types with the handle. I figured I would try to make one out of it. Now, how would I do it? I decided to scrape out the holes with the small point of a steak knife and make the holes a more accommodating size. Then looked around and found a piece of red button hole elastic that was cut from a pair of child jeans. I looped it through the handle. I found some red pipe cleaners with my Christmas craft supplies, and twisted three of them together and formed a few petals. Then twisted them around the neck of the jar. 

Cool! Now I need to hang it some how. I just found a wire hanger and bent it so the hook hung down to pick up the loop in the elastic... Voila! A hummingbird feeder!

So I filled it with 
Home Made Hummingbird Food:

1 part granulated sugar
4 parts boiling water, cooled.

I was happy to hang it outside and offer some food for the liking of my hummingbird visitor!
I was pleased that I found everything already on hand. I managed to get it all together rather quickly.
 The hummingbirds have been attracted to this little feeder, and it's cute as well! 

Hope you enjoyed my little story about my feeder!

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker

Be sure to check out the First ever

Junkin Joe's Linky Party at the Cottage Market

I am honored to be a part of this first party~