Thrift Store Finds

At least once a week, we head to town to the thrift store.  They set out expired baked goods and slightly over ripe produce that we pick up for our chickens.  It really helps on the winter feed budget and they love to have fresh greens and treats in the winter months.  

Of course, we always manage to wander around the store for an hour looking for any new to us treasures.  My favorite area, besides books, is the craft corner.  Most weeks, the yarn bin is full of acrylics and fun furs, but this week... well, I'm pretty sure I gasped out loud since the lady next to me looked at me funny.   Two laundry baskets full of sock yarn, and cakes of mohair, cones of undyed yarn,  Lamb's Pride chunky and sport weight, a partially completed argyle sock kit {which I won't be finishing, but it was so cute}, and a few bits of others that I thought were pretty. All for around fifty cents each. I showed some restraint with the mohair cakes and cones, {aka, I didn't buy the entire basket} because I'm not completely sure they're 100% wool and will take dye.  Experiments to ensue.

How about you?  Any great thrift store finds recently?

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Taproot Inspiration

It's February.  The mornings have been bitter cold.  The afternoons filled with rain and ice.  I dare not admit how long it's been since I've been on a walk, except to the chicken coop to give the girls a few treats.  We're all grumpy, a little rough around the edges {That's a nice way of putting it, my family tells me.} and feeling very uninspired.

But recently I made a discovery that has me so excited.  Our library system subscribes to Taproot Magazine!  I have the first two years in my personal collection, but decided not to renew once we moved to the homestead.  Instead, we've been putting any extra money aside for big purchases like a new vehicle and solar panels.  I know it will be worth it in the end to not have any debt, but I have tremendously missed the seasonal stories, recipes, art, and crafts of so many like minded people.  I ordered all that our system had and have been savoring each issue, one by one.

I'm starting with Issue 16: Shelter.  The Home Sweet Home paper houses were a huge hit with Luke, and had us all make one for his town.  You can download the houses here for free.

I think this will be just the boost we need to get back on the creative track.... and I'm vowing to get outside more this week.  We have another warm up coming and it will be above freezing for a whole week!  I can't wait to see how much the woods have changed since we last visited.

How about you?  Are you in a creative slump right now or have any inspiring ideas to share?

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