Eggactly what I wanted: How to Make a Beautiful Homemade Tablecloth on a Budget

One of my favorite ways to decorate a home is with fabric. A simple homemade tablecloth can completely transform an ordinary dining table, giving the room warmth and personality for very little money.

The fabric for this tablecloth came from the discount table at Walmart. I immediately fell in love with the soft blue floral print. Originally I planned to turn it into a quilt, but the fabric began to fray more than I expected. Instead of giving up on it, I changed directions, serged the edges, added a delicate lace trim, and created exactly the tablecloth I had been looking for.

Why I Love Homemade Tablecloths

One of the wonderful things about sewing your own tablecloth is that you're not limited to the standard sizes found in stores. Whether you have a small breakfast table, a farmhouse dining table, or even a folding table for holidays, you can make a custom tablecloth that fits perfectly.

Homemade tablecloths are also a wonderful way to give new life to beautiful fabrics. Floral cotton prints, vintage sheets, linen, canvas, upholstery fabric, and decorator fabrics can all become elegant table coverings. Sometimes the most beautiful fabric isn't found in the quilting department at all—it's hiding on a clearance rack waiting for a new purpose.

Decorating on a Budget

A tablecloth can also work wonders for older furniture. Instead of replacing a scratched or worn table, a custom tablecloth instantly creates a fresh new look while protecting the surface underneath. Changing fabrics with the seasons is an inexpensive way to refresh a room without spending a fortune on new furniture.

Over the years I've discovered that simple sewing projects like this often make the biggest difference in a home. A few yards of discounted fabric, a little lace, and an afternoon at the sewing machine turned into a tablecloth I'll enjoy for years to come.

I made a new table cloth this week. 

Originally, I was going to make a quilt, but the fabric started to fray... I serged the edges and lined with lace. It was exactly what I was looking for in a new tablecloth!

Found a brown egg this morning too! Now we have 3 hens laying.

Poor Chelsea: Losing One of Our Backyard Chickens

2 months old

Last night we lost one of our hens. And she was our favorite. Chelsea was the sweetest and tamest bird we've ever owned. Always glad to see us, first to approach us, and very very gentle.

I blame myself for waiting too long to trim their wings. Chelsea kept escaping the coop. Unfortunately, our dog played a bit too rough.

Thus the bittersweet experience of raising farm animals. Now we're down to 4 hens. We still have 2 egg layers, and waiting for the rest, but something's missing without Chelsea. I'm at work, so they're staying in their coop today until I can clip their wings on Monday. Better safe than sorry!

Chelsea wasn't just one of our hens—she had become part of the family. She was always the first to greet us at the coop, eager for attention and never shy about following us around the yard. Every flock seems to have that one special bird with a personality all her own, and for us, that was Chelsea.

Losing her was heartbreaking.

Although we had planned to clip the hens' wings, we simply waited too long. Chelsea had become quite skilled at flying over the fence, and one unfortunate afternoon our dog decided she wanted to play. Sadly, the game ended in tragedy.

Every Chicken Keeper Learns Difficult Lessons

Raising backyard chickens brings tremendous joy, but it also comes with responsibility and occasional heartbreak. Whether it's predators, illness, weather, or accidents, every flock owner eventually faces difficult days. Each loss reminds us how important it is to continually improve the safety of our coop and run.

After losing Chelsea, I kept the remaining hens safely confined until I could clip their wings and make a few changes around the coop. It was a difficult reminder that even friendly family pets can unintentionally injure chickens by following their natural instincts.

What Chelsea Taught Us

Chelsea may have been with us for only a short time, but she taught us some valuable lessons about animal care, responsibility, and never putting off small jobs that could make a big difference.

Although our flock continued to grow and the remaining hens eventually became wonderful egg layers, there was always something special about Chelsea that we'll never forget. Sometimes the smallest animals leave the biggest footprints on our hearts.

A Reason for the Season - Warm Christmas in Texas

We walked around the neighborhood tonight, looking at lights and enjoying the almost 70-degree weather. Sure doesn't feel like Winter is here, nor does it feel like Christmas is 3 days away!

In fact, after walking our block, we jumped in the car with the windows down, got a Hawaiian shaved ice, and walked again through downtown. It's evenings like this that stick in our memories, those spontaneous moments spent with family...

This year, as I do every year, I reflected over the holidays. As we pulled into our driveway, we were talking about the true meaning of Christmas -- stuff like nobody knows WHAT DAY Jesus was really born, WHY we have decorated Christmas trees, Santa Clause, elves, strange traditions of so many things...


But regardless of all these things, I do see good will happening towards one another. The full pantry at the women's shelter where I work, phone calls from strangers wanting to give, the donated gifts locked away till Christmas morning....

A lady called me last weekend on the hotline. She asked if it were possible her daughter could give a gift to a child in our shelter. She wanted her daughter to give away a toy that she wanted for herself, to experience that selfless moment when she stopped thinking about herself.

Many, many a year I've threatened my kids with promises of soup kitchens on Christmas day. Instead of emptying our bank accounts to buy more STUFF, I wanted us to roll up our sleeves...

I knew exactly why that lady called.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:8-11

Scoot Over, My Turn! Two Hens Finally Laying Eggs

Meet Penelope. Found her in the nest this morning laying an egg. So now we have two hens a layin (say that with the sing-song voice, six geese a layin!) As our other hen Cleopatra layed an egg this morning too! Yesterday we nearly lost her. In fact, I'm still holding my breath. It's a miracle! Seriously. I won't go into details on her injury. It's pretty bad, and I'm afraid to look again at her neck. I know... I'm being a chicken. :(

One of the most exciting milestones for any backyard chicken keeper is finding that first egg—and even more exciting is discovering another hen has decided to join the egg-laying club. That morning I opened the nesting box to find Penelope happily sitting on her freshly laid egg, while Cleopatra had already left us another surprise earlier in the day.

Watching young hens begin laying is incredibly rewarding. After months of caring for them as fluffy little chicks, providing fresh food and water, cleaning the coop, and patiently waiting, those first eggs make all the work worthwhile.

Winter Challenges with Backyard Chickens

Of course, raising chickens isn't always glamorous.

Heavy rain had turned the chicken yard into one giant mud puddle. Trying to collect eggs while wearing flip-flops and a nightgown probably wasn't my brightest idea. One quick step later, I found myself windmilling through the mud trying desperately not to become the morning's entertainment. Somehow I managed to stay upright, although my daughter later wasn't quite as fortunate and ended up changing clothes after taking a tumble herself!

Every Chicken Has Its Own Personality

One of the things that surprised me most about keeping chickens was how different each hen's personality became. Some were bold and curious, while others preferred to keep their distance. Penelope quickly became one of our dependable layers, and every new egg felt like another small reward for all the time we'd invested caring for our flock.

Despite the muddy boots, rainy weather, and occasional surprises, collecting fresh eggs never lost its excitement. Those simple moments are still some of my favorite memories from raising backyard chickens.

Diary Entry:  Now if only we can get the ground to dry outside! It's been raining like crazy. My daughter (who was still in bed) actually heard me scream this morning while I was tending the coop. I nearly did a back flip slipping and sliding in my nightgown, and ridiculous flip flops. Fortunately, I caught myself in mid air, but I pictured myself sprawled in mud and poop, yelling, I've fallen and I can't get up!

Pamela, wasn't so lucky. She later slipped and fell, having to change clothes. Yesterday, she almost did the splits. It's nasty outside. What a crazy week it's been! Now, we're hoping this guy follows through and shows up this Friday. He offered to adopt our rooster, Jesse!! Yay!!

One of the most exciting milestones for any backyard chicken keeper is finding that first egg—and even more exciting is discovering another hen has decided to join the egg-laying club. That morning I opened the nesting box to find Penelope happily sitting on her freshly laid egg, while Cleopatra had already left us another surprise earlier in the day.

Watching young hens begin laying is incredibly rewarding. After months of caring for them as fluffy little chicks, providing fresh food and water, cleaning the coop, and patiently waiting, those first eggs make all the work worthwhile.

A Dozen Smiles and a Heavy Heart: Losing a Hen

So far, we've collected our dozen and then some. 14 total.

Fresh and warm.

The fresh yoke is at the top. We scrambled 2 store bought, and 1 fresh egg to do a comparison on yoke color. The darker the yoke, the more nutritious.

Cleopatra is our productive hen. Other than skipping a day or two, she's layed every single day, and two yesterday. We're thinking how is that possible? Maybe we have another hen laying? Every time we sneak outside, it's her that's in the nest. Hmmm...

Either way, we have heavy hearts and I'm thankful I got this picture. It will be a miracle if Cleopatra survives the night. We've been having an unfortunate struggle with our rooster and dog. Both beast and fowl have been fighting, and the taunting from the rooster has caused our dog to go beserk. Somehow or another two of our hens got out of their pen and we found Cleopatra with a bloody neck. Feathers everywhere. I ever so tenderly placed her back into the pen. With an unsure smile we watched as she pecked at some corn, and took a small drink of water.

We've been having an unsuccessful time giving away our rooster, Jesse. Not sure what else to do, other than drag out the stew pot...

We're going to let nature take it's course for Cleopatra. Thus the hard lessons of caring for animals. Their lives are so short, so sweet, and ever so fragile.

Main Street Bethlehem - Burnet, Texas

This past weekend we drove out to Burnet to see the annual celebration of putting the "Christ" back into Christmas. This is a gift from the First Baptist church of Burnet, that's been going on since 1993. Pictured below is how the "living history" city of Bethlehem is layed out. You could tell the church put a lot of time, money, and thought into the architecture.

It was a cold evening, with heavy mist as we headed out. Forecasts for thick fog, kept us moving fast as we drove the 45-something miles to Burnet. With long dark stretches of road, we kept our eyes peeled for deer crossing.

The fires were a welcoming sight as we approached Bethlehem. We stood in the fast growing line outside the city walls as we waited our turn. I took a few photo's, but ended up tucking my camera away. I'm sooo ready to buy a new one. Can't figure out my shutter and night pictures are the worst. Anyway, here's a few.

Click picture and you can see the nativity.




Hmmmm Camels! I'll be seeing plenty of those soon enough!
After exiting Bethlehem, we were greeted with warm smiles, hot cocoa, and lots of cookies! All free from the very generous Baptist church.
While leaving the festivities, we noticed street vendors selling their wares along downtown main street. I was sooo tempted to ask Alan to stop and buy that homemade pecan brittle. They were the size of a frying pan! We headed for the river, and walked along the lights, until the mist fell. Time to head home before the fog sets in!

World War II Cake

Today, we experimented with a cake recipe taken from the back of an American Girl mystery book.

WACKY CAKE

A super-easy World War Two recipe that uses no butter or eggs and very little sugar and chocolate. The "wacky" mixing method helps the eggless cake to rise and turn out light and tender!

You can only imagine how easy it would be to stock up on these ingredients. No refrigeration needed!

RECIPE:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8" square baking pan with cooking spray.

Measure into the pan: 1- 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt. Use whisk to blend dry ingredients together.

Use a spoon to make 1 large crater and 2 small craters in the dry mix. Pour 5 tablespoons vegetable oil into the large crater. Pour 1 tablespoon vinegar into small crater. Pour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the last crater. Pour 1 cup water into the pan.

Using wooden spoon, gently mix everything together until you see only a few streaks of flour in the mixture.

Bake cake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.

Cool the cake completely, and then dust it with powdered sugar. Serve plain or with a spoonful of ice cream or whipped topping.

** Our personal opinion about the cake was positive. I tasted a hint of baking soda, but was impressed with the moistness and richness of the cake - minus the eggs and butter! This cake is a sure winner for staples. Even better, very little ingredients involved, and easy (fun) for children to make. Give it a try. History is fun!

 

Wacky Cake

Ingredients

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup water
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
2. Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt directly into the pan and whisk together.
3. Make one large well and two small wells in the dry ingredients.
4. Pour the vegetable oil into the large well, the vinegar into one small well, and the vanilla into the other.
5. Pour the water over everything and gently stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
6. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar, or serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A Slice of Texas

One of the things I enjoy most about old recipes is discovering how resourceful previous generations had to be. During difficult times, families learned to make the most of simple ingredients they already had in the pantry. Recipes like Wacky Cake remind us that good food doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. It's a delicious little piece of history—and one that's still just as enjoyable around today's kitchen table.

Good Morning to You too: When Our Hen Turned Out to Be a Rooster

Meet Jessie. We raised her (him) from a 1 day old chick. We had many hopes and dreams that someday Jessie would provide us with fresh eggs for breakfast. Now we cringe each morning at (ahem!) 5:30 A.M. sharp with a crisp and clear, COCKA-DOOODLE!!!! But no DOOOOS.... Not sure if Jessie will ever do the cocka-doodle-dooo, but whatever he dooo's, I hope my neighbor's don't want to dooo me in.

Looking again at my city ordinance rules, we can have up to 10 chickens in town. No specifications on roosters. I'm assuming (ahem) that we CAN have a rooster...

Anyway, my girls (and 1 guy) are growing fast! I built them a nice large pen last week and they seem pretty happy!

Like many first-time chicken owners, we were convinced Jessie would someday reward us with fresh eggs. We raised "her" from a tiny one-day-old chick, watched her grow, and patiently waited for that first egg.

Instead...

One morning, at exactly 5:30 a.m., we received a very enthusiastic wake-up call.

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!

It didn't take long to realize Jessie wasn't going to be laying eggs after all!

When Your "Hen" Turns Out to Be a Rooster

This is actually a common surprise for backyard chicken keepers. Even chicks sold as pullets (young hens) occasionally turn out to be roosters, and chicks sold as "straight run" have roughly a 50/50 chance of being either male or female. Many people don't realize what they have until the bird begins crowing or develops the larger comb, wattles, and colorful tail feathers typical of a rooster.

Why Roosters Aren't Allowed in Many Cities

Although backyard hens have become increasingly popular, many cities prohibit roosters because of noise rather than concerns about the birds themselves. A rooster's crow can easily be heard hundreds of feet away and often begins well before sunrise, making it difficult for nearby neighbors. Some cities allow hens but specifically ban roosters, while others limit the total number of poultry that can be kept. Before bringing home chicks, it's always a good idea to check your local ordinances.

What We Decided to Do

As much as we enjoyed raising Jessie, we also wanted to be respectful of our neighbors. After discussing our options, we eventually found him a wonderful new home where he could crow to his heart's content on a farm with plenty of room to roam.

Looking back, Jessie gave us more than a few laughs and taught us one of the first lessons of backyard chicken keeping—you don't always get exactly what you expect, but sometimes those surprises become the stories you remember most.

Low Carb Pizza! Easy Low-Carb Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

Here's an amazing LOW CARB - breadless pizza!

Pizza Crust

• 2 cups Mazarella Cheese
• 2 cups riced Cauliflour
• 2 Eggs

The cauliflower is "riced" by using a food processor, or grater. It needs to resemble rice. Place in microwave and cook for 5 min.

I make my own pizza sauce. Just a small can of tomato paste, add water to make consistency you prefer, then a pinch of garlic salt, and your favorite Italian spices. Mix, heat, and set aside.

Mix in bowl, both cups of cauliflower, 2 cups Mazzarella cheese, and 2 eggs. Pour over a greased cookie sheet/pizza pan and spread.

Cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 min till crust is browned.

Spread sauce, and sprinkle Parmesan cheese...

Pile on your favorite toppings! Set oven to broil and cook only long enough for toppings/cheese to melt.

~

*This is the second time I've made this and I had forgotten to precook my riced cauliflower. It still turned out!

Easy Low-Carb Cauliflower Pizza Crust

If you're looking for a satisfying pizza without the traditional bread crust, this cauliflower pizza is one of our family favorites. It's surprisingly easy to make, holds together well, and can be topped with just about anything you enjoy on a regular pizza.

Pizza Crust Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups riced cauliflower
• 2 large eggs

Simple Homemade Pizza Sauce

• 1 small can tomato paste
• Water (to reach your preferred consistency)
• Pinch of garlic salt
• Italian seasoning to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Rice the cauliflower using a food processor or box grater until it resembles grains of rice.
3. Microwave the riced cauliflower for about 5 minutes, then allow it to cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked cauliflower, mozzarella cheese, and eggs. Mix until well blended.
5. Spread the mixture evenly onto a lightly greased pizza pan or baking sheet, shaping it into a pizza crust.
6. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and beginning to crisp around the edges.
7. While the crust is baking, prepare the pizza sauce by mixing the tomato paste with enough water to reach your desired consistency. Stir in the garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
8. Remove the baked crust from the oven and spread with pizza sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and add your favorite toppings.
9. Turn the oven to broil and cook just long enough for the cheese to melt and the toppings to heat through.

A Slice of Texas

One of the things I like most about this recipe is how versatile it is. We often change the toppings depending on what we have in the refrigerator—pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, or fresh tomatoes all work beautifully. It's a great way to enjoy pizza while keeping the meal lower in carbohydrates.

Kitchen Tip: The second time I made this recipe, I completely forgot to microwave the cauliflower before mixing the ingredients together—and it still turned out surprisingly well! Sometimes recipes are more forgiving than we think.

You're Human: A Living History Conversation I'll Never Forget

We had several hundred students tour the farm yesterday. While answering their questions, one boy said, "How did those pioneers do their dishes?"

I pointed out, "Those pioneers were our ancestors. We ALL had ancestors that lived without electricity and running water."

The boy shook his head and said, "not me. MY ancestors were animals."

I thought he was joking. He repeated himself, "my ancestors weren't people, they were animals."

Another boy piped up, "They evolved!"...

A look must have crossed over my face, as the teacher wrapped her arms around him protectively and explained to the boy, "not everyone shares the same beliefs..."

I looked into the boy's eyes, wondering what I saw... Sadness? Emptiness? I couldn't figure it out.

Restoring the boy's dignity, I replied, "your ancestors were HUMAN."

Ignoring the look of the teacher, I said more firmly to the boy, "Your ancestors were human!"

One of the things I enjoyed most about volunteering at Pioneer Farms was answering children's questions. Every school tour was different, and you never knew what a student might ask next.

On this particular day, one young boy wanted to know how pioneer families washed their dishes before electricity and running water. It opened the door to a wonderful discussion about everyday life on the Texas frontier and just how much hard work our ancestors invested in the simplest household chores.

As the conversation continued, the discussion unexpectedly shifted toward where people came from and the beliefs different families hold. It reminded me that museums and living history sites often bring together visitors from many different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

For me, the most important lesson that day wasn't about winning an argument. It was realizing how important it is for young people to understand that history is personal. Every one of us has parents, grandparents, and generations of ancestors whose lives helped shape the families we belong to today. Learning about their daily lives—how they cooked, farmed, worked, and cared for one another—helps us better appreciate the comforts we often take for granted. 

This is also one of the reasons why I think travel is so important - to study other cultures and to appreciate other people's world views, whether we agree or not. 

Volunteering at Pioneer Farms gave me countless opportunities to encourage curiosity about history. If one child left with a greater appreciation for the resourcefulness and determination of those who came before us, then it was a day well spent.

Wild Watermelon Growing Along the Creek in Texas

While doing our morning walks, we've noticed this little watermelon patch growing wild along the creek nearby.

Every time we pass it, I'm tempted to dig one up and bring it home to replant. The last time the City came through to mow the area, I honestly held my breath, expecting the vines to be gone. Surprisingly, this is what survived.

I would have tried transplanting one sooner, but I wasn’t sure whether a watermelon vine already producing fruit could survive being moved.

Discovering the Story Behind the Wild Watermelon

Since first noticing this patch growing along the creek, I’ve done some digging and learned that what we likely stumbled across is what many people call a feral or volunteer watermelon.

These are watermelon plants that begin growing naturally from discarded seeds, flooding along waterways, wildlife activity, or even forgotten gardens from years past. In Texas and throughout parts of the South, it’s not unusual for old garden plants to occasionally reappear in unexpected places.

Some older generations referred to certain wild melons as citron melons or stock melons. These thick-rinded melons were sometimes grown for livestock feed because they handled heat well and stored longer than softer table melons. Farmers often fed them to pigs, chickens, and other animals during the hottest parts of summer when fresh moisture was important.

While some volunteer melons may come from edible garden varieties, others can have very firm or bitter flesh. That’s one reason many old homesteads used them more for preserves, animal feed, or simply allowed them to grow naturally along fence rows and creek banks.

A Reminder of How Resilient Nature Can Be

What fascinated me most wasn’t necessarily whether the fruit would taste good. It was the fact that these vines managed to survive on their own, growing wild beside a quiet creek with no one tending them.

Nature has a way of continuing on long after people move away, gardens disappear, or old homesteads fade into memory.

Historically, melons and squash have been grown in North America for centuries. Native American tribes throughout the South and Southwest cultivated varieties suited to harsh heat and dry conditions, often saving seeds from the strongest plants year after year. Over time, seeds naturally spread beyond cultivated gardens and continued growing wild near waterways and open land.

Whether these vines came from wildlife, an old garden, floodwaters, or simply a discarded watermelon seed, it’s still amazing to see something so familiar thriving completely on its own.

Wild Edibles 

Can You Eat Wild Watermelons?

That was naturally my next question.

Some volunteer or wild-growing melons are perfectly edible, especially if they originally came from common garden varieties. Others, however, may be bland, extremely firm, or bitter tasting. Bitter flavor is usually a good sign not to eat them.

Because wild melons can cross-pollinate with ornamental gourds or other melon varieties, it’s always best to use caution before eating unfamiliar fruit growing in the wild.

Even if this particular patch turns out not to produce sweet melons, it’s still been fascinating to watch nature quietly reclaim a small stretch of creekside ground.

Honestly, it makes me pay closer attention during our walks now. You never know what old seeds, forgotten plants, or hidden pieces of rural history might still be growing out there.

Wild Edibles & Natural Remedies 

Dreams DO Come True: How I Planned My First Budget Trip to Egypt and Israel

It was an odd dream. I was sleeping at a strange hotel in a foreign country. Rows of bunks lined the wall.

I woke up and mentioned the dream to Alan. He said hotels existed like that. They were called HOSTELS. How strange. The first time I ever heard of one was in my dream.

As I research the itinerary on my upcoming trip -- the more I learn about hostels, the better I like the idea. A hostel can run between $6 to $20 a night.

I was very amazed at how many hostels are located throughout the Middle East. Checking locally, there's even a nice hostel in Austin. I learn something every day.

To keep up with my travel plans, I've started a new section on my blog called, TRAVEL DIARY.

This is where I'll keep updates.

Right now, I'm currently trying to decide whether I want to fly open-jaw or round trip.

An open-jaw ticket is where you fly into one city and leave by another. My family had done this once when we had flown to Los Angeles and returned home from Las Vegas. Renting a car, we drove from California to Nevada.

My plans are to fly into Cairo, and leave by Tel Aviv. This way we won't waste any time backtracking. But the catch is price. We're talking about $300-$400 difference in airline tickets. Doing the math, I'm trying to determine if I break even on that return bus ride, and possible overnight.

My other concern is returning back to Egypt. From what I've learned, flying into Cairo I can acquire our visa's from the airport. Trying to get an Egyptian visa from the Israeli border is another matter. So many details I need to look into.

Half the fun is planning though!

Planning an international trip can be almost as exciting as taking the trip itself. Looking back, I smile at how much there was to learn before we ever boarded the airplane.

One of my biggest surprises was discovering hostels. Until then, I had always assumed hotels were the only affordable option for travelers. When Alan explained what a hostel was, I couldn't believe how inexpensive they could be. The more I researched them, the more I realized that budget travel opened the door to destinations I had only dreamed about visiting.

What Is an Open-Jaw Flight?

As I planned our itinerary, I also learned about something called an open-jaw ticket. Instead of flying into and out of the same city, an open-jaw itinerary allows you to arrive in one destination and depart from another.

For our trip, I considered flying into Cairo and returning home from Tel Aviv. That would allow us to keep moving forward instead of retracing our steps. Although the ticket cost more, I had to weigh that against the time, transportation costs, and extra hotel nights that returning to Cairo might require.

One thing I've learned over the years is that the cheapest airline ticket isn't always the least expensive trip.

Travel Planning Is Part of the Adventure

Researching visas, border crossings, transportation, hostels, and airline routes taught me that every successful journey begins long before you pack your suitcase. Each evening I found myself reading travel guides, comparing maps, and imagining what it would be like to finally stand beside the pyramids or walk the ancient streets of Jerusalem.

Looking back today, I realize those evenings spent planning became part of the adventure itself. Half the excitement wasn't simply reaching the destination—it was watching a lifelong dream slowly come together one decision at a time.

Boots and Backpacks

My daughter and I have been reading the book, Material World, for her geography lessons. Each chapter focuses on several countries representing each continent. We've learned how much the family earns a year, where they live, and what they consider important.

It was very eye-opening to see how many families got by on very little, yet they were very happy.

It was in the midst of our geography lessons that the thought crossed my mind for the first time -- Why don't Pamela and I travel overseas to see for ourselves?

Although we had discussed travel overseas many times, we were always daunted at the high costs of packaged tours. The possibilities seemed promising to do our own research, study up on geography, languages, and history. My husband, who does a lot of travel for his job, gave his blessings, and A few weeks later, our passports arrived!

Our backpacks are purchased, but not packed yet, as we're leaving March. I've been researching for hours our itinerary. We'll be flying into Cairo, and staying a few days before catching either a bus to Eilat Israel, or finding a ride into Jordan to see the lost city of Petra. After we cross the Allenby Bridge into Israel we'll be headed for Jerusalem.

So many things to research and learn before we go, making this the ultimate lesson in geography, math, history, social studies, and languages. We need to brush up on our Hebrew, learn Arabic, locate our embassies, make copies of our passports, extra visa photo's, learn our currencies and exchange... As anxious as I am to go now, I see the wisdom in waiting a few more months. We have so much to do.

So many decisions... Should I bring my laptop? Will everything get through airport security? After all, we're boarding the plane with just our boots and backpacks.

I've had many people express an interest in going with us! We plan to stay in hostels, eat street food, and ride the bus. It's not a vacation, but a trip. I haven't made up my mind how long we'll be gone. Two weeks, three, a month? Tickets won't be purchased till after Christmas, giving me time to plan our route. If I can find cheaper fare, I'd like to fly into Cairo and leave by Tel Aviv...

More later...

Hello Dolly: Miniature Stuffed Doll Necklaces from Fabric Scraps

Here's my newest creation - Miniature stuffed doll necklaces. Upon a search on the web, I do believe I'm the only one doing this. These are 100% hand sewn, and only 6" long.

My daughter and I are both sewing these for the Pioneer General Store at the living history museum where we volunteer.

We're having a lot of fun designing these!

One of my favorite parts of sewing has always been finding creative ways to use even the smallest scraps of fabric. Instead of throwing away leftover pieces after a project, I keep a basket filled with tiny bits of cotton, lace, ribbon, yarn, and trim. It's amazing what those little odds and ends can become.

These miniature stuffed doll necklaces are one of my favorite scrap-busting projects. Each doll is completely hand sewn, measures only about six inches long, and has its own personality. No two ever turn out exactly alike, which is part of the fun.

Sewing with Fabric Scraps

One thing I've learned over the years is that almost nothing needs to go to waste. Small pieces of cotton become tiny dresses, leftover lace makes perfect aprons or bonnets, short lengths of yarn become hair, and narrow ribbons turn into tiny bows.

Even worn-out cotton fabric can have one last purpose. Instead of buying fiberfill for very small projects, old clean fabric can be cut into tiny pieces and used as stuffing. It's a wonderful way to recycle materials that might otherwise end up in the trash.

Handmade Gifts with Character

Because each doll is sewn by hand, every one develops its own unique look. Changing the fabric, hair, or dress colors creates an entirely different personality. My daughter and I had so much fun designing these for the Pioneer General Store at the living history museum where we volunteered. They were small enough to tuck into a pocket, wear as a necklace, or simply display as a charming little keepsake.

One of these days I plan to create a step-by-step tutorial so others can make their own miniature stuffed dolls. Until then, I hope these little creations inspire you to look at your scrap basket a little differently. Sometimes the tiniest pieces of fabric become the most memorable projects. After all, sewing isn't just about making something beautiful—it's about using a little imagination to give every scrap a second life.

Artisan Bread II: Love this Homemade Bread

Click picture to enlarge for close-up of bread.

Just wanted to share some more about the Artisan Bread. Good to my word, I've been baking homemade bread EVERY SINGLE DAY! Not because I'm Supermom, or Suzie Homemaker, or Mrs. Cleaver... I'm far from that.

I'm able to make this bread because IT IS SO EASY!

This afternoon, I pulled apart just enough batter to bake a small loaf for my daughter and myself. Less than 5 min prep time, pop in oven, fresh bread for lunch!

After cooled, slice in half...

Create your favorite sandwich and share ---- This sandwich consisted of tuna, chopped onions, tomatoes, grated cheese, sea salt, pepper, and Mayo. Pictured above: cheddar jalapeno potato chips.

I want to stop here and say nothing compares to a FRESH gourmet sandwich!

For dinner, I tried an experiment that my mother had suggested --- rolling batter into small bread sticks. I sprinkled with minced garlic, grated cheese, and popped into the toaster oven. PRESTO, and PERFECT!

All I can say is WOW.

Due to a lot of interest/questions about this recipe, I'm going to share a few tidbits my mother and I discovered along the way.

Easy 5-Minute Artisan Bread

This is one of my favorite bread recipes because it requires no kneading and can stay in the refrigerator for up to 14 days, allowing you to bake fresh bread whenever you need it. The longer the dough ferments, the better the flavor becomes.

Helpful Tips

• No baking stone is required. I bake mine on a regular cookie sheet with excellent results.
• You can use either bleached or unbleached all-purpose flour.
• Regular table salt may be substituted for kosher or sea salt. (I usually use sea salt because that's what I keep in my kitchen.)
• Feel free to experiment by replacing up to ½ cup of the white flour with whole wheat flour.
• Once you start making this bread, don't be surprised if you always have a bowl of dough fermenting in your refrigerator. Fresh homemade bread becomes wonderfully convenient!

Ingredients

• 6½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups lukewarm tap water
• 1½ tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1½ tablespoons kosher or sea salt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the water, yeast, and salt.
2. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until all of the flour is incorporated. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Do not knead.
3. Cover the bowl loosely with a lid or plate. Do not use an airtight lid.
4. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
5. Transfer the covered bowl to the refrigerator. The dough may be used immediately after chilling but develops even better flavor after a day or two. It will keep for up to 14 days.

One batch makes approximately four loaves.

Baking the Bread

1. Remove the amount of dough needed for one loaf.
2. Dust lightly with flour if necessary and gently shape into a round or oval loaf. Avoid kneading or overworking the dough, as you want to preserve the air bubbles that create the artisan texture.
3. Sprinkle a cookie sheet with a little cornmeal and place the loaf on top.
4. Let the loaf rest for about 40 minutes while the oven preheats to 450°F.
5. Using a sharp knife, make one or two shallow slashes across the top of the loaf.
6. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the crust is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
7. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

A Slice of Texas

One of the things I enjoy most about this dough is its versatility. Besides baking beautiful artisan loaves, I've also used it to make homemade hamburger buns, dinner rolls, pizza crust, breadsticks, and more. Keeping a bowl of dough in the refrigerator makes it easy to enjoy fresh bread with very little effort.

Heavenly burger: The Best Homemade Hamburger Buns from Artisan Bread Dough