Crafts: #Crochet #Afghan

I've undertaken creating an afghan (in addition to the millions of other things I need to do). It's going to be a Christmas gift. It's a decent size (350 chains across)---it needed to fit their bed.

I managed 3 rows yesterday and am thinking I shouldn't have any trouble finishing on time if I stick to 2 to 3 rows each day (3 rows took me 2 hours).

There are 237 days until Christmas....but I"m really not sure how many rows I'll need to finish the blanket. I guess I'll need to measure the stitches (I'm thinking they're 1/2 in to an inch)....and figure from there where it needs to be. Probably at least 6 feet long. I really dislike small blankets.'

6 feet is 72 inches....

if my rows are 1/2 an inch high -- 144 rows to meet the size -- at 2 rows a day -- 72 days, at 3 rows a day 48 days
if my rows are 1 inch high  -- 72 inches needed to meet the size -- at 2 rows a day -- 36 days, at 3 rows a day 24 days

So, this has made me feel a lot better....I can even work in a few more projects and have this done well in advance of when it's needed.

The biggest issue is me sticking to my 2 to 3 row a day rule.



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I Am Looking For Reference Books -- ( #research #reference #history #books )

 I am searching for reference/fact based books on:

1200s American History
1300s American History
1400s American History
1500s American History
1600s American History
1700s American History
1800s American History
1300s Scotland History
1400s Scotland History
1500s Scotland History
1600s Scotland History
1700s Scotland History
1800s Scotland History

Anything that covers early Native American Histiry
Anything that covers early Pioneer History

If anyone has suggestions, please let me know. I do prefer print over ebook for reference material.




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Homeschool: Book It Program ( #homeschool #BookIt #@PizzaHut #reading )

 Pizza Hut has opened their Book It program for this year.

Please note this is only open for K-6 (as of Sept 1, 2013 -- so the upcoming school year)

You can sign up HERE


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Homeschool Curriculum ( #homeschool #curriculum )

 I've been working for a few years on developing my own home school curriculum. You know? The one where what you piece from here and there and the concepts you wish something would include are all rolled into one book/lapbook/study guide/etc that you create. :D

So, right now, I am asking if there's anything anyone is truly searching for. If so, and it's in my "knowledge reach," I'm happy to make sure it's included where it fits in.

Curriculums being worked on are grades K-10.

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Homesteading: Fencing, Animals & More ( #homesteading #livestock #Gardening )

 It's (once again) been a rough week. I keep t3elling myself "I will get used to all this." But, a month or so in and I'm really beginning to wonder how people do it. However, I have this problem. You see? I do not like to admit defeat. So, trudge on I will. (Add to that: I don't ever want my kids to think that giving up is OK.)

So, where do I start?

Goats:
We tried the milk stand -- no luck. The mama of our first set of goats has decided she no longer wants to be a mom and  has now broken fences, jumped fences and so on in order to be away from her babies. She did great for the initial two weeks of their lives. However, since she won't let me milk her and quits on being mom before it's time...I see no reason to keep her. So, she's stock we'll be getting rid of. As much as I love animals...in this :homesteading" concept, I can't keep too many non-functioning animals. So, either we sell her (at a loss since we've spent more on buying her and feeding her than we would be able to sell her for...she really is an obstinate goat)....or we put her in the freezer. :|

The babies are still doing well...even without mama...and the new buck baby I purchased is absolutely wonderful. No idea yet on if any of my other 3 females are pregnant yet...so I'm just watching.

Turkey:
I finally purchased a few turkeys (four, to be exact). They're a little violent. (No, really...they peck at one another.) However, I was told that these only artificially inseminate for reproduction. So, I'm waiting a few more weeks to purchase some Heritage Turkeys...these are supposedly ideal for breeding. I need to keep my own stock...rather than buying them and buying them.

Chickens:
So far the 12 chickens I moved to their house outside are doing well. I did purchase 13 more that are currently under heat lamps. In a few weeks, I'll go in and make my purchase for the "meat" chickens. I have to purchase a minimum of 25 for the to order, so I want to be sure I've got everyone else away from heat lamps.

Fencing:
Is still a nightmare. The wind has been terrible and every time I think I have an idea of a great way to build them, something crashes my idea. So, hopefully better luck with this over the coming weeks.

Gardening:
I have picked up some seeds and a few plants. This past weekend, I planted an apple tree, 2 green bell pepper plants, 2 red bell pepper plants, two jalapeno plants, two cherry tomato plants and one pink and one red rose bush. (I was told that everything grows better with flowers planted nearby.)

A few of the seed sitting on my desk:
garlic chives
cream of saskatuan watermelon
chartreuse melon
native indian corn
honey dew melon



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