bsteph2001

I think I was born into the wrong era. I am one who enjoys all the qualities of the bygone era, were families had to provide for themselves! I am into preservation methods of canning, dehydrating, and fermentation. I am a seamstress who has a hard time passing up an estate sale for vintage fabrics, doilies, embroidery, tablecloths, and bedding. Don't get me into a fabric store, as I will not come out for hours. I enjoy the process of baking, as my mother taught me her craft at a very young age (she was a professional baker and cake decorator). I enjoy being in the kitchen and preparing food for my family to enjoy and experimenting with new flavor combinations.

I am someone who enjoys reading for fun, especially while lounging on my hammock!. I will read just about anything, as this opens my mind to new and wonderful things. I will reread a book, especially if I really enjoyed the characters or the theme. My favorite books to read--cookbooks! Yes, cookbooks, especially any vintage one. I like to try and rework a recipe for today's healthy living, although, this does not always work. I enjoy reading a book via hard copy, the old fashion way, not by today's methods of Kindles and the like.

I enjoy just about all forms of music, except rap and hard rock. My listening preference is soft jazz and NPR. I do not have a favorite musician or group. I like to listen to Christmas music from Thanksgiving on through all of December, then I am over it all.

I like to see the humor in things, go with the flow, and be a good steward for our planet. I have my own garden, which gives me many pleasures of seeing and experiencing, from seedling to mature plant, the unique and pleasurable experience of ripe vegetables and fruits. I am a lover of animals, especially chickens! I spent many of my youthful summers at my aunt and uncle's farm. We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 birds, 4 children, and 13 grand children. I am a lover of nature and all things having to do with a peaceful world. I live for the outdoors and love to camp! I am a Sagittarius, born December 13.

I have a really bad sweet tooth, except for chocolate. This is not to say I would not eat chocolate, it just does not agree with me that well. I enjoy all candy, chocolate in the form of candy bars (Milky Way, Almond Joy, or Grand bars).,saltier (Payday), anything caramel, lemon, or pumpkin, Licorice, all types, is a good choice. No fake cherry flavored anything, yuck. I am a lover of food, especially foods which are full of robust flavors. I enjoy a really good glass of wine (no other forms of ATOH) and a hot, steaming cup of java. I revel in a good tea, fresh out of the tea strainer. My absolute favorite food: seafood! Least favorite: pasta ( I know, crazy right?) I will eat anything pumpkin or lemon! My Pinterest page is full of recipes for these two things! I am a foodie, love food, yet I do not like certain foods: liver, pate, veal, any food item that is considered a body part that filters something out of it. I am not allergic to any foods.

I am a retired hospice social worker, having worked 10 years in this field. I have also spent 15 years working with families (caregivers and their loved ones) in the areas of traumatic brain injury (TBI), aging, and dementia. Prior to that, I was in the mental health field and working with the homeless population in my area. I have always been a person who stands up for those who can't do so on their own.

I collect dust! I have no time or willingness to dust. I hate it. That being said, I do collect things for the dust to settle on: bird figurines, bird pictures (especially red cardinals), aprons, cookbooks, vintage bake-ware and bowls, chickens, chickens, chickens galore, butterfly anything, Christmas ornaments (especially vintage or toy related), anything that can go in my hobby room (sewing, fabric, scrapbook, art, needle work) and anything to do with canning and preserving food stuffs. I like all forms of POSTCARDS, if you send it, I will like it.I have too much stuff with the off chance of being called a hoarder. LOL

DISLIKES: There are certain things I do not care for, yet many I do! That being said, I am not into items that are the latest craze, especially dealing with cartoons-- No KAWAII! Don't get me wrong, I like to read cartoons and have a good laugh, but I don't want to have this kind of stuff lying around my home. I do not do the slam books, journals, or anything of this nature, please do not send. I am a lover of people and will not tolerate insensitive jokes or mean spirited put downs of others. I do appreciate humor and do like a clean joke and to laugh. I am not interested in receiving anything having to do with religious items. I am very spiritual, yet find it not necessary to bring what I believe to someone else's home. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not send perfume or cigarette smoke filled items; I am allergic to most perfumes and cigarette smoke. If I do receive an item like this, you will be marked down on the rating scale. I have severe asthma and do not want to risk an attack by opening a letter with said tainted contents.

Regarding swapping: I try to send my swaps out the day I receive the name of my partner(s), or if it is a Sunday when names are assigned, the next day. I always, always send my swaps out. If you do not receive your swap from me, PLEASE let me know, as I will resend. I do keep very accurate records of what I send and when I send it out. I know the mail is fallible and things can get lost. I live two blocks from my local post office and mail everything from inside the post office. I have them weigh all envelopes and packages to make sure there is enough postage and the item being mailed will make it to its destination. I will also ANGEL any item for which I am currently in a swap. I sign up for swaps according to my interests, time, and craft knowledge (as I am not a lover of all crafts or products). I also will post ratings immediately, once the item I have received from my swap partner(s) is in my hands. FLAKERS are my least favorite people. If for some reason, you can not get your swap off to me in a timely manner or are having a problem, please IM me and let me know, for I will rate you accordingly otherwise.

When/If the swap is completed, I will remove the flaker's ID.

I Heart Halloween Socks, Sept. 30, 2013, Farmgal

Photos- A Scavenger Hunt, Sept. 30, 2013, FaeSidhe

Tea and Dessert recipe swap April 1, 2014 workinmomma2014