this was a very nice memo board before but our son had requested something to put pictures and things that he needed to remember for his room. i tea stained the fabric by making a strong rue of tea and brushing it on. then i just used ribbon scraps that i already had. it was a fun, relatively free ($2 for the board) project. 
before
after
a friend introduced me to this way of preparing bacon, and i don't think that i will ever go back to the frying pan. i throw it in the oven on a cookie sheet and bake it for about 10 minutes at 350. then i turn on the broiler to crisp up the bacon. we like it crispy around here. if you watch it and don't burn it, it is the best bacon you have ever sunk your teeth into. the mess is so confined too. no bacon grease splatters and the cookie sheets just rinse right off. just thought you might want to know. do you have any easy cooking tricks that you use?
brand new table cloth. washed and ready to go. i just love the "springyness" of it. $2
this is the bottom of the towel stand pictured below. yes that says $40.00. i really hope that is not what they originally paid. i paid $2. it will be getting a coat of bronze paint. 
memo board. new. $2 i am changing out the ribbon on it. i will show you when it is done. 
primitive style basket. i just love it. seen these retail for between $18-$22. i paid $3.
i also bought little girl ralph lauren jeans that have tons of life left in them for $1. they look like they would have if i had bought them new and washed them once. unbelievable. i love yard sales more every year! you should try them out if you are not already!
read all about getting all natural, organic, seventh generation products for FREE at Kroger this week right over HERE.
assembly line for the jam
the food processor has revolutionized canning. watch for one at a yard sale or on craig's list. really it is a must. you can also use a blender if you do not "overblend".
those strawberries were just gorgeous! they are on sale for a really good deal in many stores right now. it would be a good time to make enough to last a couple of months. i made about 16 pint size jars with 10 lbs of strawberries. 
i normally do not shop at aldi but my mother in law was there yesterday and she was telling me that they have blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry bushes that are a decent size for $5.99. that is a great deal. i am heading over there this morning to pick some up. i am also back and will be posting much more frequently than i have the past week. later today i will post some pictures of things that have been going on here at the suburban farmhouse. hope all of you have had a lovely week and i look forward to getting back in the regular routine of things. have a lovely, breezy day.
