It's been busy around the Farmette ...................................

over the last week. I've been cleaning and getting the garlic ready to store. I've also been deciding which heads I'll keep for seed to plant next month.

Hubby and I spent all day last Thursday getting a separate pen set up for the little buck , we thought the small dog lot would hold him until we got ready to introduce him to Jazz and Jo. But he almost beat us to the house that night (LOL). So we had to put him in the lot with the girls , hoping they don't make babies to soon.


We had several small boards leftover from the shelving we built the goat shed from , but they had lots of nails in them. So I spent several mornings pulling nails out of those boards. I'm planning to cut them in half and re purpose them for tomato stakes next year. Some are starting to rot , we'll burn those this winter , they'll be great to use as kindling.



The broody guinea is still on her nest in the coop , but the date for the eggs hatching was the 3rd ................................................

all the guineas gathered in the coop on that date , but they didn't hatch.

I'm giving her an extra week on the eggs , but I don't think they're going to hatch. So if they haven't hatched by Thursday , I'll toss the eggs out and block her out of the nest. The other guinea is still sitting on her nest , but I'm not sure on her date for the hatching of her eggs. It should be this week or next , we're hoping they'll hatch and we can get to the keets before a predator does.

The garden has almost dried up , it's been so hot and we haven't had rain in about a month. We're still getting a few small tomatoes and peppers.

I let Ms. Crew retire for a few days , but I decided she might make a good decoy around the chicken coop. So now , she's keeping a watch over the chickens , goats and the other broody guinea.

That's what I've been up to over the last week.

What have you been up to ?

~ Many Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

~ Pillowcases ~

I was visiting Lizzy Lane Farm blog and found a wonderful new use for those extra pillowcases you may have hanging around. I have several I've kept , the sheets always wear out before those pillowcases do. She was making jelly and was using an old pillowcase as a jelly bag to strain the juice. I don't have a jelly bag either and have always used cheesecloth , but I'm not a big fan of cheesecloth , it's hard to work with , folding it , trying to hold the corners and a pain to try to wash and reuse. I'm excited about using a pillowcase the next time I make jelly , I can't believe I never thought of this , such a simple concept. That's the great thing about blogging , there's always something to learn , someone sharing a tip or creative idea. You can blop over to http://lizzylanefarm.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/jam-and-jelly/ , to checkout her pillowcase jelly bag. After reading her post I was wondering what other people use their old pillowcases for , so I googled to find out.
I do use old pillowcases for other things , such as laundry bags. I've been washing the Grands stuffed toys in pillowcases , they work great for that. I also use a pillowcase (t-shirt style , pictured above) to dry my greens , just wash your lettuce , spinach or other greens and toss them in the pillowcase and shake , set aside and the pillowcase will absorb the water.

Here are some great ways to reuse pillowcases ............

~ Store your winter sweaters in a pillowcase or cut a hole in the top and slip over clothes to use as a garment bag . You can cover leather goods , such as purses , shoes or jackets to keep the dust off .

~ Fold your sheet sets and store inside one of the pillowcases.

~ Use a pillowcase to cover your sewing machine or other small appliances.

~ Use as cushion covers , I've used them to cover cushions for my rocking chairs on the front porch.

~ Use white pillowcases to cover baby's changing table , very frugal idea.

~ Cover small plants or herbs on those early/late season frosty nights. Another garden tip I love , use them to haul your harvest. I'll be using one come garden season , they'll work great for corn.

~ Use a pillowcase for dusting and cleaning ceiling fan blades. Just slip over blade and gather to pull dust into bag , then you can put the pillowcase over your broom and clean the cobwebs , protects your paint.

While you're cleaning , shine that silverware with a clean 100% cotton pillowcase.

~Pack a pillowcase like a hobo bag for your child's overnight sleepover.

~ Use a pillowcase for your dirty laundry when you're traveling.

~ Use pillowcases to wash delicates and stuffed animals. Use as a dryer bag for those stuffed animals too.

~ Use as wrapping paper for those odd shaped gifts , just put gift inside and tie with beautiful ribbon.

There are some wonderful ways to re purpose pillowcases too ....... Check-out the Farm Chicks blog to see her reusable bag made from a vintage sheet.
http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/2009/01/vintage-pillowcase-bag.html

More ways to re purpose pillowcases ................

~ Make an Apron

~ Make cafe curtains

~ Make a child's dress

~ Make a child's art smock , just cut a hole for the head and arms , so

simple

~ Make napkins

~ Make reusable bags

What do you use your old pillowcases for , are there any ideas you would like to share ?

~ Greenest Blessings ~

JoyceAnn