Back in the Saddle.....At least I'll try!

So here we are at the end of February 2012.  Hmmmmm....  I know, I know, I haven't posted since September of 2011.  I will attempt to be more diligent regarding posting.  We've been home from helping out with our grand daughter's care since early December.  (My blogging stopped when we went to the DC area to help take care of her in September.)  It was a great time.  She is such the "little treasure"!

Since we have been home we've been working our back yard, getting the garden ready, putting in storage shelves to house our canning endeavors for the past few months.  Canned beef and beef stock for soups, turkey broth and "greens" broth; also apple butter and hot dog chili.  Should have made more of the latter, but we will remedy that this year!

Waggleswood is beckoning and if the weather would just cooperate we will be heading that way to install a deck cover over our deck, put insulation and paneling in the sleeping shed, and lay the foundation for our sleeping cabin.  Our goal is to spend Christmas there this year.  OH...and we will more than likely be getting electricity up there this year.  We will see. 

We need to get up there to clear out around the spring and possibly get the pond liners in to collect water for watering.  We still carry in our drinking and cooking water.  Once the cover is up we will install the gutters and set the cistern where it will reside henceforth to start a rain water collection system. 

I've been looking for an "old fashioned, roller type" washing machine.  Manual....non-electric for up there.  Anyone have any ideas where to find one.  We had one when I was growing up.  My grandmother used one.  We'd take turns cranking it to wring out the clothing on wash day, until my grandfather bought her the motor for the wringer, and then a few years later a "real" washing machine.

We used rain barrels to collect the rain and we'd  use that to wash our clothes in that "washing machine".  Boy, between that and hanging your things outside to dry, they sure smelled wonderful!  One of those things we miss out on in today's world.  Heck, where I live I'm not even allowed to have a wash line per the Homeowner's Association.  Don't worry...you know me...traditionally twisted....I bought one of the umbrella kind that I can take down when not in use.  My deck railings work well for bedspreads too! 

I know...I'm, as you would say, Traditionally Twisted....but I love it!!!

Talk to you all later!