Hello Darling Readers!
So, remember a few months ago when Crafty Mountainer went AWOL and nothing was showing up? As it turned out, my gmail account had been hacked, Google got a little pissy with me, and somehow deleted my account! Or, so I thought....
One day, I was trying to access my blog to link it to another website, and I discovered this one was back! Seeing as the majority of my followers were linked to this blog, and I had more posts on here, I decided to keep this blog, copy over my old posts, and delete the other blog. So, that's why there is an explosion of posts from me with some statements that might not make sense for the season.
Thank y'all so much for hanging in there with me and hopefully the Crafty Mountainer will stay online this time!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Charity Feature- The Snuggles Project
Hello darling readers!
I'm so sorry it's been a time since I've written- the holidays made things crazy and then the new semester started, and on and on and on. So, on top of my many New Year's Resolutions, being more prompt with this blog is one of them (let's hope my delay doesn't signal anything...).
I'd like to do one more charity feature, one which is particularly near and dear to my heart: The Snuggles Project
Two of the several Snuggles I have hanging around the house...
I found the Snuggles Project about a year ago when looking for a new charity project. It's purpose is to create blankets, toys, and little pillows for animals in shelters to help calm them down and feel less scared. The idea is that if they are less scared (and thus more friendly), they'll be more appealing for adoption. As a proud Mommy of three shelter animals, and a strong advocate for adopting from shelters, this instantly caught my heart.
My first shelter baby, Mollie- a BIG fan of the snuggles
I know you hear me say this on a lot of my crochet charity features, but this time it is especially true: these items are a great way to use of extra yarn and wonderful for ANY level of crocheter or knitter (even beginners)! There are patterns written (and clearly labeled) on the website for each expertise level, with pictures showing how the stitch should turn out.
There are also patterns written for many different weights/types of yarn, so they really do help you use up those extra bits hanging around. You really don't need to go out an purchase anything more to create these items; plus, each project requires only as much yarn as you want to put into it. I know that it's not always pretty to create something with multiple colors, but guess what- animals don't care! To them, having something soft and smelling like a person to sleep on means the world (just ask Mollie- she tries to lay on everything I make).
The website also has a link for finding shelters in your area to donate to. If you don't find one, you can also google search local shelters- just ask them prior if they accept blankets, because some may not have the washing facilities. And when you go drop off the blankets, please consider donating a bag of food, a thing of litter, some treats, or even some Clorox bleach- shelters are really in need of these items (especially food, litter, and bleach).
For patterns, please go to www.snugglesproject.org
For a list of shelters in your area that are already confirm as accepting snuggles, please go to http://www.h4ha.org/animal-shelters/
The Snuggles Project can also be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/snugglesproject/
I'm so sorry it's been a time since I've written- the holidays made things crazy and then the new semester started, and on and on and on. So, on top of my many New Year's Resolutions, being more prompt with this blog is one of them (let's hope my delay doesn't signal anything...).
I'd like to do one more charity feature, one which is particularly near and dear to my heart: The Snuggles Project
Two of the several Snuggles I have hanging around the house...
I found the Snuggles Project about a year ago when looking for a new charity project. It's purpose is to create blankets, toys, and little pillows for animals in shelters to help calm them down and feel less scared. The idea is that if they are less scared (and thus more friendly), they'll be more appealing for adoption. As a proud Mommy of three shelter animals, and a strong advocate for adopting from shelters, this instantly caught my heart.
My first shelter baby, Mollie- a BIG fan of the snuggles
I know you hear me say this on a lot of my crochet charity features, but this time it is especially true: these items are a great way to use of extra yarn and wonderful for ANY level of crocheter or knitter (even beginners)! There are patterns written (and clearly labeled) on the website for each expertise level, with pictures showing how the stitch should turn out.
There are also patterns written for many different weights/types of yarn, so they really do help you use up those extra bits hanging around. You really don't need to go out an purchase anything more to create these items; plus, each project requires only as much yarn as you want to put into it. I know that it's not always pretty to create something with multiple colors, but guess what- animals don't care! To them, having something soft and smelling like a person to sleep on means the world (just ask Mollie- she tries to lay on everything I make).
The website also has a link for finding shelters in your area to donate to. If you don't find one, you can also google search local shelters- just ask them prior if they accept blankets, because some may not have the washing facilities. And when you go drop off the blankets, please consider donating a bag of food, a thing of litter, some treats, or even some Clorox bleach- shelters are really in need of these items (especially food, litter, and bleach).
For patterns, please go to www.snugglesproject.org
For a list of shelters in your area that are already confirm as accepting snuggles, please go to http://www.h4ha.org/animal-shelters/
The Snuggles Project can also be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/snugglesproject/
Charity Features
Charity Features
Hello darling readers!
Things have been absolutely crazy in the Crafty Mountaineer household. Unfortunately, two family members passed away in the weeks before Thanksgiving, so between our losses and my very crazy school schedule, blogging has fallen by the wayside. However, I promised that I would show you some great ways to give back these holidays and I still intend to do so! Here is a triple-feature for your patience.
1- Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/). I did this lovely, simple, budget-friendly project throughout high school and college. First,go to the above website and choose a child in the given age ranges. Then, go purchase a variety of the requested items, which is the fun part. I tend to go to the Dollar Store with a set budget (I typically do about $10-$15). Just make sure the items aren't dangerous, aren't war-related, and can't melt. Once you get home, wrap the upper and lower parts of the box separately (not like you would a large present- wrap two individual pieces). Then, pack everything neatly into the box- mainly, just make sure the box isn't overflowing. Drop off the box with $7 for shipping at a local collection center, who will then send them down to the main collection site in Boone NC.
2- Being Santa for Nursing Homes- This is a project my husband and I are doing this year- we saw it featured on our school's message board and thought we would give it a try. We simply e-mailed the contact person, were given a resident's wish list, and asked to drop off the requested items by Christmas Eve. If you don't have an easily accessible contact, you can call local nursing homes and ask if they have such a program going on, or if there are any general needs for residents (such as hard candies, shower caps, etc) that you could bring by and donate.
3- Angel Tree- http://angel.jcpenney.com/angeltree/- I started doing this project during college and it has become one of my favorite! It's so much fun to pick out an "angel" and shop for him or her- I always enjoy imagining the joy each one will have when the presents get opened. If you chose an angel through the website, the wishlist includes clothes and toys. However, various organizations have different wishlists for the angels, ranging from toys only, to hats, scarves, and mittens, and to complete outfits, so angels can be as budget friendly as you need them to be. You then wrap the items in gift bags and drop them off at the collection site. If you do pick an angel through JC Penney and order your items online, you do get free shipping to the angel.
Please let me know if you participate in any of these activities and let me know how they go!
Hello darling readers!
Things have been absolutely crazy in the Crafty Mountaineer household. Unfortunately, two family members passed away in the weeks before Thanksgiving, so between our losses and my very crazy school schedule, blogging has fallen by the wayside. However, I promised that I would show you some great ways to give back these holidays and I still intend to do so! Here is a triple-feature for your patience.
1- Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/). I did this lovely, simple, budget-friendly project throughout high school and college. First,go to the above website and choose a child in the given age ranges. Then, go purchase a variety of the requested items, which is the fun part. I tend to go to the Dollar Store with a set budget (I typically do about $10-$15). Just make sure the items aren't dangerous, aren't war-related, and can't melt. Once you get home, wrap the upper and lower parts of the box separately (not like you would a large present- wrap two individual pieces). Then, pack everything neatly into the box- mainly, just make sure the box isn't overflowing. Drop off the box with $7 for shipping at a local collection center, who will then send them down to the main collection site in Boone NC.
2- Being Santa for Nursing Homes- This is a project my husband and I are doing this year- we saw it featured on our school's message board and thought we would give it a try. We simply e-mailed the contact person, were given a resident's wish list, and asked to drop off the requested items by Christmas Eve. If you don't have an easily accessible contact, you can call local nursing homes and ask if they have such a program going on, or if there are any general needs for residents (such as hard candies, shower caps, etc) that you could bring by and donate.
3- Angel Tree- http://angel.jcpenney.com/angeltree/- I started doing this project during college and it has become one of my favorite! It's so much fun to pick out an "angel" and shop for him or her- I always enjoy imagining the joy each one will have when the presents get opened. If you chose an angel through the website, the wishlist includes clothes and toys. However, various organizations have different wishlists for the angels, ranging from toys only, to hats, scarves, and mittens, and to complete outfits, so angels can be as budget friendly as you need them to be. You then wrap the items in gift bags and drop them off at the collection site. If you do pick an angel through JC Penney and order your items online, you do get free shipping to the angel.
Please let me know if you participate in any of these activities and let me know how they go!
Charity Feature- Donating Magazines
How many of us have piles of magazines hanging around the house? Or buy all sorts of weekly gossip magazines that we toss in the garbage as soon as we're done reading them?
How much does it suck too sit in a doctor's office or a hospital waiting room and have to read boring, outdated magazines? Or, even worse, sit in those waiting with nothing to read and having to watch really bad tv?
And how many of us want to be green?
A great way to get rid of the magazines (and delay their placement in a landfill) is to donate them to local hospitals. Volunteers at each hospital search through the donated magazines, ensuring that they are within an accepted timeframe (here, it's three months), and then divide up the magazines to bring to various waiting rooms. If the magazines aren't within the acceptable timeframe, then they are typically sent to a backfile of sorts that supplements any waiting rooms that are low on magazines.
To donate, call the main office and ask where you can donate the magazines. Normally, you will be told to bring them to the main desk or to the volunteer's office. Simple as that.
How much does it suck too sit in a doctor's office or a hospital waiting room and have to read boring, outdated magazines? Or, even worse, sit in those waiting with nothing to read and having to watch really bad tv?
And how many of us want to be green?
A great way to get rid of the magazines (and delay their placement in a landfill) is to donate them to local hospitals. Volunteers at each hospital search through the donated magazines, ensuring that they are within an accepted timeframe (here, it's three months), and then divide up the magazines to bring to various waiting rooms. If the magazines aren't within the acceptable timeframe, then they are typically sent to a backfile of sorts that supplements any waiting rooms that are low on magazines.
To donate, call the main office and ask where you can donate the magazines. Normally, you will be told to bring them to the main desk or to the volunteer's office. Simple as that.
PUMPKINS
As anyone who knows me is aware, I love pumpkins. LOVE pumpkins. A ridiculous amount. Like, one of my favorite days of the year is when the pumpkin spice latte comes out at Starbucks- it's pretty much a holiday in my household. I love pumpkins so much, my family nickname is pumpkin. Want me to eat something? Tell me it has pumpkin in it. Want to make my day? Get me a pumpkin. My fall is literally, pumpkin pumpkin pumpkin.
So far this fall, I've had 4 different pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, pumpkin frappicinos, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin cookies. My plan is to make pumpkin monkey bread in the morning and share that joy with you.
I would like to share a rather yummy recipe I found through stumbleupon for pumpkin shortbread cookies. I tried this recipe tonight and it worked out really well, especially for never having made shortbread before. I don't have a shortbread pan, persay, so I used a square brownie pan instead and it worked out great. The cookies are super easy to make- honestly, I found them easier than chocolate chip! They would be great at any time during the holiday season and can be made into very pretty hostess gifts!
Here is the direct link: http://sugarcrafter.net/2011/10/13/pumpkin-shortbread/
So far this fall, I've had 4 different pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, pumpkin frappicinos, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin cookies. My plan is to make pumpkin monkey bread in the morning and share that joy with you.
I would like to share a rather yummy recipe I found through stumbleupon for pumpkin shortbread cookies. I tried this recipe tonight and it worked out really well, especially for never having made shortbread before. I don't have a shortbread pan, persay, so I used a square brownie pan instead and it worked out great. The cookies are super easy to make- honestly, I found them easier than chocolate chip! They would be great at any time during the holiday season and can be made into very pretty hostess gifts!
Here is the direct link: http://sugarcrafter.net/2011/10/13/pumpkin-shortbread/
The Lazy Girl's Guide to Being Eco-Friendly
Hello darling readers!
The majority of us want to be eco-friendly (although I do have a friend who is openly anti-environment). I like the idea of being eco-friendly, but I really don't like having to put a ton of work into it; also, it can be expensive (the special lightbulbs, the appliances, etc). However, I realized the other day that in our attempts to live in a less-expensive way, my husband and I have some easy eco-friendly techniques. What we do has not changed our lifestyle and the majority is intended to save us money.
1- We keep our thermostat a little cooler in winter (between 65-67 degrees) and a little warmer in summer (about 74 degrees). This makes our heaters and coolers work less to provide warmth and coolness, but we still live comfortably. I'm not going to lie, 65 degrees in the West Virginia winter can suck, but I also really hate high gas bills, so I keep it cooler and make sure blankets are within easy reach.
2- We turn off the lights if we are not in a room and try to only use the lights we actually need. This does save energy, but our motivation is to keep electric bills down.
3- We unplug anything we're not using, or put our bigger items on surge protectors. Leaving your cell phone charger, laptop charger, coffee pot, toaster, etc plugged in still pulls electricity, even if you're not using the item or your item is done charging. This keeps our electric bill down as well as preserves our items' batteries (if you keep the item plugged in too long, it overwhelms the battery and wears it down faster). No kidding, we put this into effect last winter and saw our electric bill go down. It saves energy in the same way that turning off lights does.
4- We use plastic water cups (mine's from Starbucks, husband's is one of those aluminum ones) rather than buy bottles of water. Not only does this save us money at the grocery store, but it also cuts down the garbage bags used to put all the empty bottles in. And less bottles in the garbage bag means less in landfills. My water cup has also served as a conversation piece (Tervis Tumblers are great for that).
5- Husband insisted I talk about our Brita. I'm not sure it really is eco-friendly, except maybe in that we don't let the water run until it's cold enough for drinking. Ask him about that one.
6- We buy Homestead Creamery milk. Not only is it great quality milk, but it comes in really awesome glass bottles that you return for a $2 refund. The company disinfects and reuses the returned bottles. Every week we buy Homestead milk is one less plastic jug that goes in landfills.
7- I buy my cat litter from Petco, who has refillable jugs that you get a discount on when you refill them. As in, I bought my litter for $14- when I go back to refill it, I'll pay $11. So, I'll get cheaper litter and one less plastic container will go in the trash.
While this isn't a comprehensive list of all the easy eco-friendly things to do, it does cover the major things husband and I do to save money and use up fewer resources. I'd love to keep what others do- my budget is always looking for more wiggle room!
The majority of us want to be eco-friendly (although I do have a friend who is openly anti-environment). I like the idea of being eco-friendly, but I really don't like having to put a ton of work into it; also, it can be expensive (the special lightbulbs, the appliances, etc). However, I realized the other day that in our attempts to live in a less-expensive way, my husband and I have some easy eco-friendly techniques. What we do has not changed our lifestyle and the majority is intended to save us money.
1- We keep our thermostat a little cooler in winter (between 65-67 degrees) and a little warmer in summer (about 74 degrees). This makes our heaters and coolers work less to provide warmth and coolness, but we still live comfortably. I'm not going to lie, 65 degrees in the West Virginia winter can suck, but I also really hate high gas bills, so I keep it cooler and make sure blankets are within easy reach.
2- We turn off the lights if we are not in a room and try to only use the lights we actually need. This does save energy, but our motivation is to keep electric bills down.
3- We unplug anything we're not using, or put our bigger items on surge protectors. Leaving your cell phone charger, laptop charger, coffee pot, toaster, etc plugged in still pulls electricity, even if you're not using the item or your item is done charging. This keeps our electric bill down as well as preserves our items' batteries (if you keep the item plugged in too long, it overwhelms the battery and wears it down faster). No kidding, we put this into effect last winter and saw our electric bill go down. It saves energy in the same way that turning off lights does.
4- We use plastic water cups (mine's from Starbucks, husband's is one of those aluminum ones) rather than buy bottles of water. Not only does this save us money at the grocery store, but it also cuts down the garbage bags used to put all the empty bottles in. And less bottles in the garbage bag means less in landfills. My water cup has also served as a conversation piece (Tervis Tumblers are great for that).
5- Husband insisted I talk about our Brita. I'm not sure it really is eco-friendly, except maybe in that we don't let the water run until it's cold enough for drinking. Ask him about that one.
6- We buy Homestead Creamery milk. Not only is it great quality milk, but it comes in really awesome glass bottles that you return for a $2 refund. The company disinfects and reuses the returned bottles. Every week we buy Homestead milk is one less plastic jug that goes in landfills.
7- I buy my cat litter from Petco, who has refillable jugs that you get a discount on when you refill them. As in, I bought my litter for $14- when I go back to refill it, I'll pay $11. So, I'll get cheaper litter and one less plastic container will go in the trash.
While this isn't a comprehensive list of all the easy eco-friendly things to do, it does cover the major things husband and I do to save money and use up fewer resources. I'd love to keep what others do- my budget is always looking for more wiggle room!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Book Review- Alice I Have Been
My two cats, Mollie and Dinah. Dinah is the fat one on the left; Mollie is on the right.
I have a thing with Alice in Wonderland. I didn't watch it much as a child, but as soon as it was re-released, I claimed my DVD copy and wouldn't let go. I had a beautiful blue and white sundress that I called my Alice dress and I wore it to the premier of the most recent (and horrible) rendition of the story. I've read both books (the first was my favorite) and can quote the movie with ease. I even named one of my cats after Alice's cat; only a few people have recognized the reference, which is a little disappointing, I won't lie.
So, when I saw a work of fiction about the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll's beloved story, I was intrigued. I always figured that the inspiration was an unknown, common child- one of the many children Lewis Carroll came into contact with. And I was wrong. WAY wrong. I always knew Alice in Wonderland was written by a math professor, but I had no clue how many of the characters were based on real people (and not political satire, as so many people like to say). I also had no idea about the serious controversy between Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell Hargreaves, his inspiration.
While I certainly agree that Melanie Benjamin picked an interesting topic to write a work of fiction on, I don't agree with how she presented it. No one wants to think a beloved children's author could have been too close to his child-muse, however, the information Benjamin presents both in her novel and its afterward, as well as research I did on my own, suggests that it could entirely be possible. However, Benjamin turned several other aspects of Alice's life into similar situations. I really liked how Benjamin presented Alice during her "muse years"- she really did seem like the Alice we all know and love. However, I felt like the change between young Alice and "mature" Alice was too drastic, and disappointing- I really wanted to see her maintain her spunk and curiosity about life throughout her life, rather than turn into a whiny and bitter woman.
I felt like it was a personal interest in the story of Alice Liddell Hargreaves rather than the writing style of Melanie Benjamin that kept me interested in the story. To be honest, I skipped several pages (about 30 or so) and felt like I did not miss much of the story when I did. I doubt I will recommend this book to anyone, but if you are looking for a quick read with an interesting factual basis, this book might just be for you.
If you are interested in the book, here is a link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385344147/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0385344139&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Q15FCJCPBZ59DYSK2HJ
I also encourage you to check out Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell Hargreaves on Wikipedia- especially take a look at Alice, as her personal life is very interesting and it is interesting to be able to see what the muse actually looked like.
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