tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60502621930180127842024-03-19T02:14:33.168-07:00Estle Schipp Farm Estle Schipp Farm
Celebrates the Hobby Farm LifestyleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-71142015580282677702015-10-29T17:15:00.000-07:002015-10-29T17:15:53.304-07:00Hedge-apples for Spiders: Fact or Fiction <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Not a fan of spiders. </b></span><b style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I saw the movie 'Arachnophobia,' which was single-handedly rated in the top three worst choices of my life. </b></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Fear of spiders is so common that it is estimated that about 50% of the population say they have an aversion to the creatures. While I wouldn't exactly say I am afraid...I certainly do not like suddenly seeing one unexpectedly. They are just so silent in their movement and the way they skitter about can give me the creepy crawlies. Not to mention how unpleasant it is to walk into a web unexpectedly...and I feel bad for all that work was put into spinning and building it being wasted. Spider webs have a true beauty in construction that I find fascinating..but I digress. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Spiders outside I like. I like the work they do and that they have an appetite for insects like flies and mosquitoes. That makes them pretty useful around the farm. However, spiders inside the house (or my car as I was recently surprised by one quite unexpectedly!) I do not like so much.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Since I strive for using as natural products as possible in my home, I'm not a fan of using chemical sprays for insects. I started seeking more natural ways to discourage spiders from residing within my humble abode. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">When we first moved here, I started seeing these green ball-like fruits all over the place. We have an abundance of Osage-orange trees on our property. Most of the time, we are frustrated having them because they have very long, sharp thorns that can puncture a lawn-mower tire...but at this time of year, they bless us with their fruit. This fruit is non-edible (for humans or animals) and after doing some research, I found that they are traditionally used as a insect repellent. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Toxicologists at Iowa State University tested compounds from hedge-apples and found, if concentrated enough, the insect repellent factor was effective. However, in the natural concentration in just the fruit alone, it was not as effective. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">So, I tried them...I didn't have anything to lose. I placed one in nearly every corner of the house and did see a decrease in the spider population. They have a scent reminiscent of citronella so that is probably the reason they are effective. In full disclosure though, there was one corner of the living room where a rather large wolf spider made it's home right next to the hedge-apple. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I can't say it is a foolproof method but I think the hedge-apple treatment helped and had the bonus of being natural and FREE! Do you have hedge-apples where you live? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Peace, </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-43138402956704829152015-10-22T16:37:00.000-07:002015-10-22T16:37:08.884-07:00Join My Team - Helping Hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">One of the reasons I started blogging was to share. Share my experiences, share my quest for knowledge and to help others. One day, I intend to make Estle Schipp Farm my full time work. In my future, is a farm school where I teach others skills I've learned over the years. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">One necessary part of making this dream come to fruition is to create multiple streams of income so that we are not overly dependent on any one source. We also have a couple of boys nearing college age and I intend for them to attend debt free. I accidentally found another stream of income right at my fingertips - literally not figuratively. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">As a birthday gift, I was treated to a Jamberry manicure and realized how much I missed having beautiful nails. Many ladies who do lots of chores know the disappointment of freshly polished nails being ruined much too quickly. I gave up on having pretty nails and just put it behind me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Imagine my surprise when I applied a floral wrap called China Rose. I couldn't stop looking at my nails...and then they lasted. They lasted through work in the chicken coop, house cleaning, heavy gardening, window washing and general housework. I could hardly believe that I got two weeks wear out of that first manicure. The real story is that it gave me a sense of feeling lovely again. That feeling has carried me forward to exercising more, working on my art projects more, spending a little more time on my appearance and generally feeling more confident. It may sound way too simple but it all started with a genuine smile that lifts my spirits every time I look at my hands. All #becauseofjamberry</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Hands are for so much more than sporting pretty nails. Our hands are caring for others...feeding others, loving others, clothing others, calming others, helping others and communicating with others. I decided I wanted to help others find a reason to care for the hands that unfailingly care across the whole of a day and a whole lifetime. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Yes, I became a Jamberry consultant. I became a consultant to share this feeling with others - to make a bright spot in the day for women who need a lift. I'm not selling nail wraps - I'm sharing moments of feeling beautiful. I'm sharing the permission to spend 15 minutes every two weeks on yourself as a touch-point throughout the day to remember that you are important. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">I'm putting together a team to share this opportunity. I hope you will consider joining me. You can share some stylish nails, some moments of real caring for others and receive a discount on your own purchases too. I'm calling the team Helping Hands and would love to share more about it. Please join me!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Email me for more information: star.schipp@gmail.com</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Peace, </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-84299624262231509732015-10-21T18:28:00.002-07:002015-10-21T18:28:39.738-07:00Growing Garlic <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>You can never </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>have enough </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>enough garlic, you can eat the New York times. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>Morley Safer </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>On a recent visit to the local farmers market, I paused in front of the booth with all the beautiful garlic - there were baskets full of more types of garlic than I ever knew existed. In that moment, I decided that garlic needed to find the way to my garden. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>The garlic lady who noticed my interest asked if she could help me. "Yes, I want to grow some garlic"...somewhere in my memory was the file that told me that fall was the time to plant garlic so at least I appeared somewhat knowledgeable. "Great! October is just the right time to plant" she said. I stood a little taller feeling like I had some gardening 'cred'. LOL </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>Her next question, took all the 'cred' out of my stance for sure. "Are you looking for hardneck or softneck?" Her question was meet with a blank stare....I had only ever gotten garlic from the bin at the grocery and had no idea there were different types. Thank goodness she was kind and patient.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>Softneck garlic is the type you usually find in the grocery. It is mild and stores very well. These are the types you might find in a cute little braided wreath which sounds like something I might like to do.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>Hardneck garlic is more like wild garlic and has stronger and more complex flavors. They won't last as long in storage but if cured can last six to ten months which seems plenty long to me. The most wonderful thing about hardneck garlic is that the growing stalks produce the scape which is something I love to have in the summer. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>So, with the help of our local garlic lady, I chose some bulbs of both types - and the cloves are already separated and tucked snuggly into the garden bed. You can easily tell them apart when you pull the cloves from the bulb. The hardneck varieties have a definite hard stem right up through the middle of the bulb. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>To plant, carefully break the cloves from the bulb. Plant them about 2 inches deep with the pointed end upward (root end down) and space about 8 inches apart. Cover with some mulch and water weekly but do not over water which may cause the garlic to rot - garlic does not like overly wet soil. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>When the leaves above ground start to turn yellow or brown, it is time to harvest. This will likely be toward the end of the summer and into autumn. Wash the soil away, let dry in a well-ventilated space and enjoy your harvest! </b></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-5201062972876912552015-06-07T18:18:00.000-07:002015-06-07T18:18:34.837-07:00Time to Crush Some Eggshells <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hUnVaNH2xKUilBfzlXLLagBgGpzuQrwRjVFvtXMOUEZs8XCaS-PfuRqT3UOma3K4of2jMFPY9HSKm-Zfrld0OW2_UP-l_GY1YJZHB9doR8jGAh3LIdYClZ4eGYVKqkRI8rpZnygAM5U/s1600/ESF+Crush+It+06072015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hUnVaNH2xKUilBfzlXLLagBgGpzuQrwRjVFvtXMOUEZs8XCaS-PfuRqT3UOma3K4of2jMFPY9HSKm-Zfrld0OW2_UP-l_GY1YJZHB9doR8jGAh3LIdYClZ4eGYVKqkRI8rpZnygAM5U/s400/ESF+Crush+It+06072015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Oh eggs within thine oval shell, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">What palate tickling joys do dwell.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">As you know, we have chickens at Estle Schipp Farm. I so love having fresh eggs only a little stroll away from my kitchen door. We use a lot of eggs every week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">When you keep chickens, you quickly learn that you need to supplement their nutrition with something to help them lay eggs with strong shells. A strong shell protects the contents of the egg and also acts as a barrier from the introduction of bacteria to the egg inside.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">One way to supplement their feed ration is with commercially available oyster shell that from your local feed store. But, since I want to keep the cost of feed and nutrition at a reasonable level, I wanted a less costly solution and I had to look no further than those eggs I cracked for breakfast this morning! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Chickens do very well with crushed eggshells as a supplement. I keep an open bowl on the kitchen counter with the egg shells I used that week. By sitting in the open air, the shells dry out and are easy to crush. I have a small (about two cup capacity) food processor that pulverizes those dried shells into very small pieces as you can see in the photo in this post. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">So, once a week, I crush those shells and put them near the chicken feed. Each hen has free choice for taking as much or as little as she may need. Since I've used this process, those eggshells are sturdy and healthy. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">You may wonder why I crush the shells and that is a very good question. Never just put down whole pieces of shells for your hens since it will encourage a very bad habit of egg eating. If your flock becomes accustomed to the idea that you want them to eat shells that look pretty much like whole eggs, guess what they will do.....they will start cracking open freshly laid eggs too. Once a hen starts doing that, it is nearly impossible to get her to stop. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">I'm very happy with this method of supplementing the nutrition for my girls with something they need for their health. The fact that I've found another way to use every bit of a product without waste is an added bonus! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">If you don't have chickens (yet) but have a neighbor who does, offer to save your shells to share with him or her. If you don't have a friendly chicken lady (or gentleman) near you, consider other uses for those shells - such as composting, fertilizing the garden, pest control, a natural antacid or even make sidewalk chalk - google "uses for eggshells", you will be surprised at all the results. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">After breakfast tomorrow, save those eggshells - Don't <b>TOSS</b> it, <b>CRUSH</b> it instead! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i></b> </span></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: #b2ccb2; color: #00991d; font-family: Puritan; font-size: 14.8500003814697px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><i><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">his post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-52332189341774688462015-06-04T18:16:00.000-07:002015-06-04T18:16:40.627-07:00Stevia - How Sweet It Is!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcw0-GoqJcEEr8uH5SoMP0crZh4SFAYdzb2RijTmU8wlfkUq8noC9EdE1exvJ1g7IG-Ew8CVLkWP-mxuFN9I2FJ_4tyeB1iRpdrF_LiODOIsWS9j7JXYYJLsx-PYASAFW8mNHtbogs-s/s1600/ESF+Stevia+06042015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcw0-GoqJcEEr8uH5SoMP0crZh4SFAYdzb2RijTmU8wlfkUq8noC9EdE1exvJ1g7IG-Ew8CVLkWP-mxuFN9I2FJ_4tyeB1iRpdrF_LiODOIsWS9j7JXYYJLsx-PYASAFW8mNHtbogs-s/s400/ESF+Stevia+06042015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">When life gives you lemons, add sweet tea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">It has been a wonderful few weeks in the garden at Estle Schipp Farm! Everything is green and growing quickly. We've enjoyed fresh, crisp salads and are eagerly awaiting that first ripe tomato. The herb garden is also bringing great growing joy! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The chives are straight and tall, the basil leaves are fragrant and green and the rosemary has taken root and sprouting new growth. There is a new addition this year from a find at a local farmers market - Stevia! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I was strolling through the tables laden with herb plants of so many varieties, enjoying the beauty, the fragrance and all the possibilities and I happened to see a single pot of Stevia. I picked it up and the lovely lady farmer asked me if I had ever tried it. I had not, of course. "Taste a leaf - go ahead"...so I plucked a small one and placed it on my tongue. Oh my goodness...it is a intense sweetness and so different than the herbaceous flavors of other herbs. I was intrigued, to say the least, to think of how I could use it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The plant is already growing well in the corner of our herb garden. The plant is not cold tolerant so I will need to either dig it up and place in a pot to over-winter indoors or else treat it as an annual. We'll see how the season goes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Using Stevia is pretty easy. The fresh leaves can be crushed and added to your iced tea for sweetness without the calories of sugar. The leaves can also be dried, whirred into a powder in your food processor and used in recipes. The sweetness of Stevia is way more than regular sugar so I'll have to do some experimenting to use it as a sugar replacement. I really like the idea of growing this plant myself and have options over white, granulated sugar from sugar cane - especially since I'm pretty sure that growing sugar cane in Indiana would be an exercise in frustration. ;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">What new herbs are you growing this year? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><i><b>Star Schipp</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">This post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-21604140328141194912015-05-25T17:28:00.002-07:002015-05-25T17:28:42.297-07:00Save the Radish Greens! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>The first gatherings of the garden in May of salads, radishes and herbs made me feel like a mother about her baby ... how could anything so beautiful be mine. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Alice B. Toklas</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The joy of the May garden is in full swing at Estle Schipp Farm. The lettuce called Freckles is growing taller every day, the chives are already showing their lavender blooms that look like a flower that could house the little world of Whoville and the radishes are showing their beautiful red shoulders right above the soil. I even saw the first blossom on the pea shoots today! The May garden is full of greens for salads and greens for sauteing, all of which are so welcomed in my kitchen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I have a confession to make. I had no idea you could eat the green tops of the radish plant. I have always loved the crisp heat that comes from that radish pulled right from the ground and rinsed in the garden hose. Some even make their way to the kitchen to go in the dinner salad. I had always composted those beautiful, green, leafy tops. What was I thinking??! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Radish greens make fresh, peppery additions to your spring salads PLUS they are wonderful cooked like you would kale, spinach, chard, collards or beet greens. Can you tell I'm on a 'greens' kick these days? LOL </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I owe this discovery to </span><a href="http://nourishedkitchen.com/" style="background-color: #ffe599;" target="_blank"><b>Jenny at Nourished Kitchen</b></a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> who shared a soup recipe that called for adding radish GREENS to the pot after turning off the heat and letting them wilt just perfectly. Today, I took the freshly picked bunch of radishes right to the kitchen and made quick work of cooking them right up and I loved them! Here's what I cooked today: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>1 bunch of radishes with tops </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>pepper</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wash radishes and greens well and remove the tip. Quarter the radishes and chop the greens. Heat the olive oil and add the quartered radishes. Saute until golden brown. Add the greens and cook just until wilted. Salt and pepper to taste. Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. </span>(serves 1) </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I still cannot believe all the years I threw away this culinary gem. The greens are full of vitamins and minerals too like folate, riboflavin, potassium, copper, B6, magnesium, manganese and calcium plus fiber. We all love that! The next time you see a radish, I hope you will try the tops...after all, there is more to this underappreciated vegetable than that red thing in the salad that you douse with dressing. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><i><b>Star Schipp </b></i></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-89241224216114296162015-05-06T18:30:00.000-07:002015-05-06T18:30:41.318-07:00Growing Lilacs from Cuttings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAWzhkFWN7WOi86kGO1zUjPoXQCIe39nzD9nZ82O8SRtmSP8xlMIT2BkTi8fVQsOQwNIKrgF7ZPAjHlvyqr156EExPG_QsmRzN4dG-IXHtIn7AXk5SUtN4zMKYPNeEhcBSJqARCZ6mPs/s1600/ESF+Lilacs+05062015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAWzhkFWN7WOi86kGO1zUjPoXQCIe39nzD9nZ82O8SRtmSP8xlMIT2BkTi8fVQsOQwNIKrgF7ZPAjHlvyqr156EExPG_QsmRzN4dG-IXHtIn7AXk5SUtN4zMKYPNeEhcBSJqARCZ6mPs/s1600/ESF+Lilacs+05062015.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Rupert Brooke </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">This quote made me smile as I remember that one of my granddaughters decided that the lilacs my daughter had cut and brought into the house *belonged* in her room. "I need these" she declared. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Few things can bring me as much joy as the lilac in full bloom. The beauty of each perfect flower and the intoxicating scent fills my heart every single time. Though the blossom is short lived, it always means that Spring with all her promise of growth and new life has arrived.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">I think it is time to increase the number of lilac bushes at <b>Estle Schipp Farm</b> and I'm happy to report that it can be done from cuttings from existing plants. Here's how:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b>Growing Lilacs from Cuttings </b></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b>Cut six inch stems from new plant growth. Older, mature growth is less likely to take root. </b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b>Remove all the leaves except for three leaves at the tip. Roots will grow from the area where the leaves were removed. </b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b>Prepare a pot with a light mixture of soil, sand and perlite. If you are open to using it, moisten the stem and dip in rooting hormone.</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b>Make a narrow hole in the potting mixture with a stick and plant the stem. Pat lightly so the stem stands upright.</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b>Keep the plant in a warm place, but not in bright light. Water daily but never let the soil get soggy.</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b>It will take the lilac about two months to take root and start to have new growth but when you start seeing that, you have succeeded! </b></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">I'm excited to increase my collection of lilacs in the garden in this very affordable way. It will be such a sweet success to fill my home with the scent of lilacs in seasons to come. I hope you will add this lovely, old-fashioned floral classic to your gardens too! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><b><i>Star Schipp </i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-81951127169193507682015-05-05T17:01:00.002-07:002015-05-05T17:01:54.301-07:00Spring is Here...Time for Spring Cleaning! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DRSXaAZSyRf06rbpt6o3cvZDuwId4nK6fEHzKmJ2ItWMaNKUWPBfZXMHEnF80ee21j_Kf9tBAG2moaJmJSlvgKVQ6ncAX4C-GHNqZVN-AlZPxZgYlldpqb17ej2OjF7KlQjFp_YXyzY/s1600/ESF+Spring+Cleaning+05052015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DRSXaAZSyRf06rbpt6o3cvZDuwId4nK6fEHzKmJ2ItWMaNKUWPBfZXMHEnF80ee21j_Kf9tBAG2moaJmJSlvgKVQ6ncAX4C-GHNqZVN-AlZPxZgYlldpqb17ej2OjF7KlQjFp_YXyzY/s1600/ESF+Spring+Cleaning+05052015.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>William Morris</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Spring has definitely arrived on Estle Schipp Farm...the spring <b>onions</b> and <b>radishes</b> are growing rapidly in the garden, the <b>lilacs</b> are in bloom, the farm over on Highway 36 has new <b>lambs</b> and Bob has already fired up the <b>mower</b>...so, that can only mean it is time for <b>SPRING CLEANING</b>! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This is the season of the year I both love and hate at the same time. I love opening the windows and having the fresh air but deep cleaning not so much. I am always happy when it is over - the cleaning, I mean. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Over the winter, things pile up around here. Projects get stashed away to make room for holiday gatherings and the natural cocooning I do over the winter does cause some clutter. I also have some rather messy hobbies that add to the creative mileu we call home - painting, sewing, needlework all have quite a bit of equipment to store - not to mention the cheesemaking, food preserving, maple sugaring and all the fun things we do all year. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And then there are the spring projects that are already underway. Our dining room is full of <b>honey supers</b> in various stages of being built. The kitchen counter has become a <b>seed sorting</b> station and very soon, the hobby table will be full of <b>4H projects</b>. So how to begin this project called <b>Spring Cleaning</b>? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I had an epiphany as I was planning my cleaning time. I realized that I need to consolidate our belongings so we know exactly what we have. I think this will have at least two rewards - less time looking for a particular item plus seeing what you have can help you realize that you have a surplus and can donate some things. I realized this when I started really looking with a critical eye. Here are some examples: </span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We have book shelves in the kitchen, bedrooms, living room and office...all with more books that we really need</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I have yarn and fabric in my office closet, hobby room and in a basket by my living room chair....I'm frequently looking for a particular skein or cut of fabric and just can't find it</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9; color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Costumes...as in Halloween and theatre...I found some in a tote in the hall closet, more in the closets of the children and for some reason a Captain Hook hook hanging off the back of a kitchen chair...LOL </span></li>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">As you can see, I have some work to do. I am confident that by consolidating our belongings, our home will be more organized and feel lighter and fresher. The confidence I will have that everything has a place and that when I need it, I can find it will be so welcomed. I have already found some duplication in belongings that were so unnecessary. No one needs four size G crochet hooks - you only use them one at a time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">I hope you will join me in lightening up our homes in this season of Spring Cleaning...remember William Morris' words: everything in your home should be useful or beautiful (or even both!). </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-87477920652126735132015-04-22T17:03:00.000-07:002015-04-22T17:03:27.307-07:00Lessons on Beekeeping: Dealing with Bee Stings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgVGQzpUtJ4WMm0CeL5LcVadtlVIbJD4Kno9qcXKuuL6OUKBOcL4pujPX0zgpPTGRJDW_t5bUB0bOs2AblYAR_UtmJLQ1qCOmQI4zuR9pL8cpJP3KFZoh3n84ksIl5tbaMFrAlluAv2w/s1600/ESF+04222015+bee+stings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgVGQzpUtJ4WMm0CeL5LcVadtlVIbJD4Kno9qcXKuuL6OUKBOcL4pujPX0zgpPTGRJDW_t5bUB0bOs2AblYAR_UtmJLQ1qCOmQI4zuR9pL8cpJP3KFZoh3n84ksIl5tbaMFrAlluAv2w/s1600/ESF+04222015+bee+stings.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><b>All the honey a bee gathers during its lifetime doesn't sweeten its sting. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><b>Italian Proverb </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">About <b>6,000 bees</b> made <b>Estle Schipp Farm</b> their new home yesterday! The two packages we ordered were available for pick up and we got them introduced to their new home but not without incident. Yep, both Bob and I received a few little defensive blows from our new residents. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">We do quite enjoy being beekeepers but we made a couple of mistakes in this our second year. First, we thought we remembered how to move the bees from the box they arrived in to the hives we prepared for them....<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson Number 1: no matter how often you have done something, if it is something you do once a year or less, read the instructions before proceeding... </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Last year, when our bees arrived, our protective clothing had not even arrived yet. Surprisingly, we had no problems with bee stings in the process that time. So, when Bob asked if I was going to suit up, I said "nope" those bees are much more interested in following that queen than they are in us<b>....<span style="font-size: large;">Lesson Number 2:</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>If</b> <b>have protective gear, use it...period...no negotiating...</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">I am amazed with how comfortable I have become with the bees. As a child, I was always quite afraid of them but have grown much more at ease. No longer do I panic when several land on my clothing when tending the hives...except when they get too close to my mouth and nose or get tangled in my hair.....<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lesson Number 3: Never panic near the hives - this means slow movements and no swatting!</span> </b> That swatting and panic spreads like wildfire through the hive and you will have a multitude of buzzing warriors chasing you through the yard. Yes, you would have seen Bob and I racing as fast as possible from that bee yard yesterday...LOL...at least it is LOL today, not so much yesterday. Bees will chase you much farther than you think they will. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">So, we are wearing our </span><b style="background-color: #f1c232;">beekeeper badges of honor</b><span style="background-color: #f1c232;"> in the way of a few bee stings a piece. What are some good ways to tend to the wounds? According to </span><a href="http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/allergy-insect-sting-treatment#0" style="background-color: #ffe599;" target="_blank">WebMD</a><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">, here are the basics.</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">If the person who received the bee sting has trouble breathing, feels faint or dizzy, has hives or a swollen tongue, has nausea or a rapid heartrate: CALL 911 - this is a true emergency!</span></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">If there is not a history of allergy to stings, first remove the stinger by scraping it out of the skin. Do not squeeze since that can put more venom in the wound. </span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Treat swelling with ice and elevation. If the sting is on your hand, be sure to take off your rings before swelling begins. </span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">For pain, use an appropriate over the counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you can take them. </span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">For itching, an antihistamine can help. A paste of baking soda and water to the sting can help too. </span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffd966; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Keep the area clean call your physician if you see any signs of infection. </span></b></span></li>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">That old Italian proverb might say that the sweetness of the honey doesn't make up for the sting, but with proper care and attention, the sting can be avoided and the honey a wonderful gift from these hard-working, beautiful creatures. I hope beekeeping finds its way to your hobby farm sometime soon! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f1c232;"><b><i>Star Schipp </i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-24119263780063485582015-04-18T11:11:00.000-07:002015-04-18T11:11:37.013-07:00Saturday Skill: Planning the Garden: Size Matters! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozut-I2iYOVGjg2gyGsbCbuCjglSu2RPTV-rEZWgu_qsGVyEJ2MkjBiYB3ropXX7WwDAJ7VOEzzZFYL5iqyLls82s1CiYyLYfiRCsLABi0oDsT6Gusdd-99z71YTxTfdvLcNxRX_7W2k/s1600/ESF+04182015+GARDENING+SIZE+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozut-I2iYOVGjg2gyGsbCbuCjglSu2RPTV-rEZWgu_qsGVyEJ2MkjBiYB3ropXX7WwDAJ7VOEzzZFYL5iqyLls82s1CiYyLYfiRCsLABi0oDsT6Gusdd-99z71YTxTfdvLcNxRX_7W2k/s1600/ESF+04182015+GARDENING+SIZE+.jpg" height="400" width="332" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Real gardeners know their gardens change size in the course of a year. When they order seeds and plants in the winter, their gardens are the size of a football field. At planting time in the spring, their gardens are the size of a postage stamp. When it's 100 degrees outside in August, their gardens are the size of three football fields. And in the fall, when it's time to clean up, their gardens don't exist at all! </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b> </span><b>Art Wolk</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Happy Spring! Gardening has started in earnest at Estle Schipp Farm. Rhubarb is sprouting and asparagus too. The strawberry leaves are greening up and some garden beds have been planted with onions, potatoes, radishes, peas, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, swiss chard, spinach, kale and carrots. I look out at the raised beds that Bob created for me last season and see a wonderful garden bounty in our future! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I'm pouring over the Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook and plan this year's garden as I do every year. I am so very guilty of planning a garden than is larger than I can reasonably care for in the limited time I have for it. This year, I promised myself to use restraint.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">That restraint can be hard to come by! One of the worst mistakes I have made in gardening is making it so big that I cannot stay on top of weeding and being frustrated with the garden yield because of it. One year, I tearfully told Bob to just mow it down because the weeds overwhelmed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Now is the time to right size the garden for the amount of time you can spend per week to plant, water, weed, harvest and process the gifts your garden will produce. Anna Hess, author of The Weekend Homesteader, suggests that a garden of 144 square feet will require a couple of hours of work per week. That would be a prepared soil bed of 3 feet by 48 feet and would be a great start for the beginning gardener provided the correct plants are chosen. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I bet we could all find a couple of hours a week to put toward growing fresh and nutritious food for our families! Perhaps a little less time on the computer and a little more time in the fresh air and sunshine is in order. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">So if you are gardening on a small scale this year, what are some plants you might choose? Here are some of my favorites: </span></span><br />
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<li><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Swiss Chard: A nutritious, delicious green that is also easy to grow</span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Summer Squash: Yes, even zucchini! These plants are easy to grow and produce prolifically so you get a lot of growing satisfaction with little work</span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Green Beans: I love being able to pick these fresh and have on the dinner table in hardly any time at all. Quite easy to grow too! </span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Tomatoes: There is nothing like a homegrown tomato...not one other thing on earth - please grow at least one plant :) </span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Mint: After some time in the sun weeding the garden, pluck some fresh mint to add to your ice water and you will feel cool and refreshed right away. </span></span></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Basil: Homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil are a wonderfully fresh salad to add to your summer table with hardly any effort at all</span></span></b></li>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Gardening is a year round event. Planning in the Winter, planting in the Spring, tending in the Summer and harvesting/clean up in the Fall. It is so easy to overcommit and not see the project through. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>This year, let's downsize that garden and take pride and joy in work well done. Happy growing! </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><i>Peace be with you,</i><b> </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i> </b></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-26537041504451872012015-03-31T16:14:00.000-07:002015-03-31T16:14:12.674-07:00A time to mourn...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQVJRV3LihBqOe7EZBHSlTtkWSuIhMg8TGySCdYR9kVFT1HWc53E8ID1D6DI497_pS59g-JZCyFph6KN3rq0mZu25ImdNYhBZrXQ8WsAypibFXM_KtCD-Kqh3suHxisMPw6SSrOaHDOQ/s1600/ESF+03312015+a+time+to+mourn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQVJRV3LihBqOe7EZBHSlTtkWSuIhMg8TGySCdYR9kVFT1HWc53E8ID1D6DI497_pS59g-JZCyFph6KN3rq0mZu25ImdNYhBZrXQ8WsAypibFXM_KtCD-Kqh3suHxisMPw6SSrOaHDOQ/s1600/ESF+03312015+a+time+to+mourn.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b>While we are<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet (her) behind the veil. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b>John Taylor </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Sometimes in a family, a season of mourning comes upon us. It can come expectedly or unexpectedly but it always feels as if the world has temporarily stopped turning. We are in that season now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">The grief comes in starts and stops and we sometimes panic that we can't remember the sound of the voice of our loved one or think we see them across the aisle in a public place. Sometimes, we dream of them and for a few sweet moments when we awake, we forget what has happened. Or we pick up the phone to call...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">And then there are all the people...and the cards and flowers and food...all needing attention. The scramble for clothing appropriate for the funeral service comes right when we least feel like it...do the childrens' dress shoes even still fit them? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">The tears come profusely and unexpectedly or feel like they will never stop. The intensity of emotion overwhelms. Sleep won't come...how can everyone else be going about the normal tasks of the day when the world has turned upside down? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Everything is disorienting...and it is a time when caring for yourself and those you love become of the utmost importance. Some ways to gently care for yourself can be: </span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Get outside in the fresh air and sunshine and just be. Sit quietly and breathe, let tears come, feel the sunshine upon your face</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Wrap yourself in the warmth of a soft blanket - really wrap up and hug yourself</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Listen to music that matches your mood and let the memories bubble up </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Take a quiet walk in a natural setting - surround yourself with nature - a place with trees and the natural sounds that come from birds and water and wind</span></span></li>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #444444;">The coming days will have low points and even high points too when you share a memory of your loved one with someone else. Be patient. The coming year will bring special days and holidays that will be different than in the past. Make new memories with those around you and honor the past traditions of your family too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #444444;">There is an old Irish saying: Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #444444;">We know that though we miss the one who has died, there are others in Heaven rejoicing that she is there. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #444444;">Peace be with you, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">Star Schipp</span></i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-19276771287811513632015-03-30T17:19:00.002-07:002015-03-30T17:19:37.167-07:00Every Monday Matters: Week 15 - Rideshare <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgX66pcdSmDHG5wfk6Z6kUTxRstoTOSZwDqJhXTpZS51uQw4HNfZHSbJ4NlzBUN6tCJ-vpTKL-WkvKAwUjcjuZ95h3E09fssLHWS5zehia5K_0Ga1dG971kh4UuW8jDMjypLUm7n6XG0/s1600/ESF+03302015+EMM+Rideshare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgX66pcdSmDHG5wfk6Z6kUTxRstoTOSZwDqJhXTpZS51uQw4HNfZHSbJ4NlzBUN6tCJ-vpTKL-WkvKAwUjcjuZ95h3E09fssLHWS5zehia5K_0Ga1dG971kh4UuW8jDMjypLUm7n6XG0/s1600/ESF+03302015+EMM+Rideshare.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>They say the universe is expanding. That should help with traffic. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Steven Wright </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Welcome to week 15 of Every Monday Matters by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza. I'm glad you are here! The topic today is on Ridesharing and in a round-about way what you can do to ease the chaos of the traffic jam. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Steven Wright is counting on the expanding universe to ease traffic congestion but we need a much more earthly solution, don't you think? :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">According to Every Monday Matters, only 10.2% of workers rideshare to work. That is a very low number, most certainly, but are Americans really interested in carpooling? It seems not so much. The statistics are all available...money saved on car maintenance, gallons of gasoline saved, decrease in amount of pollution produced, a decrease in the wear and tear on the roads and your car, all very good reasons to consider. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">But we love the convenience of it...getting to work when we want and leaving when we want too...plus the convenience of the after-work errand...all these are reasons that I never chose to rideshare. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Fortunately, I don't fight traffic twice a day anymore because I found work where I telecommute so I am doing my part. If you would like to consider joining a rideshare, how do you start? Many folks post on craigslist when looking to carpool or check the bulletin board at work. Be cautious and use a trial period before committing long term. It might be a great way to make a new friend...spending around two hours a day in conversation can be quality friend time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">There are some websites too that match up workers wanting to carpool (or students even). Sites like </span><a href="http://www.vride.com/carpool" style="background-color: #b6d7a8;" target="_blank">http://www.vride.com/carpool</a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> or </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.sharetheride.com/public/Home.aspx" style="background-color: #b6d7a8;" target="_blank">https://www.sharetheride.com/public/Home.aspx</a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> may be good places to start. Public transportation is another good way to get to work without contributing to the traffic congestion issue if it is available in your area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">So this week, Make Monday Matter by observing your driving habits and see if you can improve them...maybe by sharing a ride or planning and combining trips. Couldn't we all enjoy a little smooth traveling at the beginning and end of our work day? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i> </b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-91156758812887650572015-03-29T13:21:00.000-07:002015-03-29T13:21:32.841-07:00Making Maple Syrup <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iqMWxnmnAkvvDFrjk9nVLS7GJhp4mkKYnqoAb7tfK36Nf1o0pCSlzGFDWjZ5fW-R93LF470XSLIQZsKzkMjdPEhESc19HuyUT0MSCoClx-oi12p-kJ7g41g7MG8UG2XvOUHJMLfeoRk/s1600/ESF+03272015+maple+syrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iqMWxnmnAkvvDFrjk9nVLS7GJhp4mkKYnqoAb7tfK36Nf1o0pCSlzGFDWjZ5fW-R93LF470XSLIQZsKzkMjdPEhESc19HuyUT0MSCoClx-oi12p-kJ7g41g7MG8UG2XvOUHJMLfeoRk/s1600/ESF+03272015+maple+syrup.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>In contemplating the present opening prospects in human affairs, I am led to expect that a material part of the general happiness which Heaven seems to have prepared for mankind, will be derived from the manufacture and general use of Maple Sugar. </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Letter to Thomas Jefferson by Benjamin Rush, August 19, 1791</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Looks like times haven't changed all that much when it comes to the gift of turning maple sap into maple syrup and maple sugar. It does seem like a sweet gift from Heaven. Sugaring was one of the goal projects at the hobby farm this year and I am happy to call it a great success! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I'm sending a huge thank you to our daughters for the Christmas gift of the tools to tap the trees. I'm looking forward to making pancakes and waffles for you throughout the year with delicious, pure maple syrup right from our own trees. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sap collection was very easy. We checked the jugs a couple of times a day...sometimes they were half full and other days completely overflowing. It was interesting to watch how the fluctuating temperatures and varied amount of sunshine affected the sap flow. It was even more interesting to see that one day this tree produced more and then on another day, a different tree produced better. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We boiled the sap down inside the house on the stove. I know that is not recommended because of the amount of moisture it puts in the air inside the house. We really did not encounter any problems with the relatively small amount of sap we collected. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I say small but, in reality, we collected sixty gallons of sap in two weeks time. I stopped collecting when I started to see tiny buds on the trees and when the sap flow started to slow down. That sixty gallons of sap became one gallon of pure, amber colored, delicious, thick maple syrup. That is about the amount of syrup we use in one year's time. I am thrilled with the result. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There was only one boil-over mishap and yes, that was quite a sticky mess but caused me to seek out some education. Boil-over will occur very quickly when the syrup is getting close to the right consistency. It can be calmed quite easily just by touching the surface of the liquid with a little pat of butter. It was amazing to watch the bubbles that were climbing up the side of the deep pot retreat rapidly in the presence of that little bit of fat. The beautiful syrup was placed in sterilized canning jars while it was hot and is now being stored in the freezer to keep it perfect all year long.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Next year, Bob has promised me a sugar shack to do the evaporating in a more traditional way. I think the addition of wood smoke will make the syrup taste even better! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In true hobby farm fashion, I'm proud that I have produced all the maple syrup we will use this year right on our land. The project was easy enough that we all agree to do it again next year....and maybe instead of tapping four trees, we will tap eight....I'll let you know :) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Peace be with you, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><i>Star Schipp </i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-81076048901955923952015-03-15T13:34:00.000-07:002015-03-15T13:34:37.106-07:00Saturday Skill: Learn to Crochet <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiECSPfcCaXtgpawjqgNUZmupPLqESTlSiNuCtptKQLMUZWyVHn50aEm6WOrM49yBv4ORgK4U3BI0m7FNfg7LekT7aW2N5AxQM2Xidwfdg_GFwEMglOPVHn99CFtaFtf5DN9pGGXEEZo/s1600/ESF+03082015+quick+baby+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiECSPfcCaXtgpawjqgNUZmupPLqESTlSiNuCtptKQLMUZWyVHn50aEm6WOrM49yBv4ORgK4U3BI0m7FNfg7LekT7aW2N5AxQM2Xidwfdg_GFwEMglOPVHn99CFtaFtf5DN9pGGXEEZo/s1600/ESF+03082015+quick+baby+blanket.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>A crocheted piece is the lovely manifestation of a thought, expressed through hand, heart, hook and yarn.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>~Francine Toukou</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The history of crochet is difficult to track down but appears to have been developed in the 16th century in the form of lace. </span><a href="http://www.crochet.org/?page=CrochetHistory" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank">(Crochet Guild of America)</a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> While the history may not be as old as knitting, embroidery or weaving, the skill of crochet is an honorable one to learn. In fact, crochet helped alleviate the poverty in Ireland that happened during the potato famine. Men, women and children in Irish crochet cooperatives crocheted beautiful lace to be sold to buyers abroad and brought much needed income to the country. </span><a href="http://www.crochet.org/?page=CrochetHistory" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank">(Crochet History)</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If you already are skilled at knitting, you will find crocheting to be an easy craft to learn. If you don't do any needlework yet, you will find crocheting easier to learn than knitting since you are only manipulating one hook to create your work of art. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Crochet can be applied to sweaters, hats, mittens, scarves, socks, blankets and even the finest lace curtains. The craft is highly versatile. One of my favorite projects to make is the baby blanket. The blanket pictured is always welcomed as a gift for a new baby. The best part of the pictured blanket? It can be made very quickly. This one was made in six hours.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">This blanket was adapted from this pattern: </span><a href="http://thecrochetcrowd.com/2012-04-05-21-57-43/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Never Ending Granny Square</span></a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> and was just made to be baby sized and with baby colors. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Crochet is easy to learn so either seek out a willing teacher or use the valuable tutorials you can find on the internet. (Like the ones at </span><a href="http://www.yarnspirations.com/how-to-crochet" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;" target="_blank">Yarnspirations</a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">By learning to crochet, you will increase your self-sustainability and have a relaxing skill to occupy your hands in the evenings. It is one of the skills I most value. The tools are inexpensive and free patterns are easily accessible so what are you waiting for? Start hooking! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Peace be with you, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i></b></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-18211798484466303512015-03-11T17:14:00.000-07:002015-03-11T17:14:01.712-07:00The UnIntentional Mud Bath - Getting Stuck in the Mud <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmnzfhJk3bRrlpwI8SVU3wlIh5P8Fe6RSXCto8kW7VyTUbssSllbSTqpHuYhbyaLPdj9T2_cZSu7GpXGRU28HaZm4AkaUEkkNY0qnCrJVR3XUE_55QLLwCcqaoBRgZHqkzAXlCHeKJB8/s1600/ESF+03112015+mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmnzfhJk3bRrlpwI8SVU3wlIh5P8Fe6RSXCto8kW7VyTUbssSllbSTqpHuYhbyaLPdj9T2_cZSu7GpXGRU28HaZm4AkaUEkkNY0qnCrJVR3XUE_55QLLwCcqaoBRgZHqkzAXlCHeKJB8/s1600/ESF+03112015+mud.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>The world is mud-luscious and </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>puddle-wonderful</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>e.e. cummings</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">The snow is disappearing, the temperatures are rising and our barnyard is full of mud...all certain signs that Spring is near!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">I'm not really sure why I didn't remember that the path to the barn becomes a mudbog...I was rushing between chores and work and getting the boys to school when the day started on a two hour delay. I pulled up to the barn to feed the cats who were loudly complaining that breakfast was late. One foot out of the car and I realized that the muddy days of Spring had sprung. Oh dear, please let me be able to drive out of this mess...please, please, please! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Of course, I was already stuck...rock forward, no traction, reverse, no traction, turn the wheel, no traction...sigh...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">After some time, I was able to pull free from the sucking muck. My car shows the muddy badges of courage for facing the battle. Remind me to go to the car wash on payday. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">In case this happens to you, here are some tips to get yourself free: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>Stuck in the Mud? </b></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>Do Not Panic and do not press harder on the accelerator - spinning your wheels will only make it worse.</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>Do push on the accelerator gently - put the car in the lowest gear and see if the tires will get some traction</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>Turn the steering wheel so the wheels are straight and rock from reverse to drive but only a few times - you will know very quickly if this will work. Rocking from reverse to drive can damage your car if overdone.</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>Find something to put under the tires for traction. (This is what worked for me today) Boards, sticks, rocks, an old blanket or (as a last resort) your floor mats.</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b>Still stuck? It is time to call for a tow truck...</b></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Welcome to life on the hobby farm! The adventures of rural living can challenge your patience and your creativity but every hard-won victory brings joy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Thanks for visiting today, I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm sending you good thoughts for your tires to always gain traction! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i></b> </span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-16136173246810051432015-03-09T16:20:00.000-07:002015-03-09T16:20:45.639-07:00Every Monday Matters - Week 14: Create, Support and Appreciate Art <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmm8lnvf1x9hMyyjtUYCOYYiRUXHvqTvZSPpHEsiAUync7KumRnCMK4Ne0I3S_2f3lBdV-5YIgzdjKMqMS3k9Dw0WnVa1GphP0wcSbQsJi4u6M-htaJzQz4htWTaAXKjhKiNYNVvlP-M/s1600/03092015+pears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmm8lnvf1x9hMyyjtUYCOYYiRUXHvqTvZSPpHEsiAUync7KumRnCMK4Ne0I3S_2f3lBdV-5YIgzdjKMqMS3k9Dw0WnVa1GphP0wcSbQsJi4u6M-htaJzQz4htWTaAXKjhKiNYNVvlP-M/s1600/03092015+pears.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>~Pablo Picasso </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">The task to <b>Make Monday Matter</b> this week is all about art...creating it, supporting it and appreciating it. When was the last time you allowed yourself the freedom of losing yourself in CREATING? </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">We rush from work to tasks to obligations and hardly take time to decompress. There is such a release of stress in pulling out your favorite supplies and expressing yourself. Whether that expression comes with paints, pencils, crayons, fabric, fiber or clay, I want you to spend some time letting yourself enjoy it AND displaying it in your home - someplace that will lift your spirits and make you smile. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Art as expression is the goal - not perfection! Simple use of <b>colors</b> YOU like and <b>shapes</b> YOU like <b>put together</b> in a way YOU like is the goal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Many people believe that the arts are important to a well-rounded life. Many of us have not allowed ourselves the freedom of artistic expression since the mandatory art classes from school. I hope that is not you but if it is - please make today matter and change that. Even sitting down to color a page in a coloring book with your child counts! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Be sure to spend some of your free time appreciating art in all forms - attend a free concert in your area or visit an art museum if there is one in your area. If there isn't one, visit one virtually online. Be Intentional amd make this happen. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Some school corporations are cutting budgets to the arts. If this is happening in your area, consider attending a school board meeting to speak up on the value of artistic expression and appreciation to a life well-lived. Present the board with facts such as students who study art and music in all four years of high school average <b>100</b> <b>points higher</b> on standardized SAT tests compared to students who take a half year or less. That will surely get some attention! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">The watercolor posted with today's post is one I painted myself but here is my secret....the outline was traced from a template and I painted it with step-by-step instructions. That doesn't make me any less proud of it - in fact, it was fun and relaxing to create. There are many online tutorials available to create art like this and it gives you so much confidence to do even more. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">I hope you will Make Monday Matter and, in the words of Picasso, dust daily life off your soul by creating, supporting and appreciating art. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-1013198091317798472015-03-07T08:09:00.000-08:002015-03-07T08:09:18.021-08:00Skills Saturday: Tapping Maple Trees <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuHuR6E6Bf9Z6dEVznf-4scNnM9-X4vTvddGbNSN_uXUDQegLoe5WzSS-1Qf4s29nY6R2U9r5_FAsdpi6aiyy074Rfp1xjbyA9LxnbkC-G3R90n_spm-kKzkr6i5Qd2bSPI4U1MdY6WQ/s1600/ESF+03072015+tap+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuHuR6E6Bf9Z6dEVznf-4scNnM9-X4vTvddGbNSN_uXUDQegLoe5WzSS-1Qf4s29nY6R2U9r5_FAsdpi6aiyy074Rfp1xjbyA9LxnbkC-G3R90n_spm-kKzkr6i5Qd2bSPI4U1MdY6WQ/s1600/ESF+03072015+tap+trees.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #783f04;">A sap-run is the sweet good-by of winter. It is the fruit of the equal marriage of the sun and frost. </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Jim Burroughs, Signs and Seasons, 1886</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">We are trying a new skill today on Estle Schipp Farm. We have never tapped our maple trees and it has been on our list of want-to-do's for quite some time. I'm sending out a huge thank you to our daughters who gave us the tapping supplies for Christmas! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Real maple syrup is so wonderful and as about a pure a product as you can get. It is the concentrated sap of a sugar maple tree - that is it - not one other thing added. What is sold on the grocery shelves as syrup is usually a form of corn syrup with artificial flavoring and coloring plus some additives to preserve the shelf life. I was well into adulthood before I found out that what I had put on my pancakes all the years before was not real maple syrup. Stop using the fake stuff. Once you make the switch, you will be so glad you did. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The resource I'm using is the website: <a href="http://www.tapmytrees.com/" target="_blank">Tap My Trees</a>. Last fall, we marked the trees we planned to tap. Update on that, we tacked a small piece of fabric to the trees so we could remember which ones to tap. We tagged four trees but only found two tags.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Lesson 1: Mark the trees better </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The next challenge was to figure out when to actually set the taps. I've been closely watching the weather reports and the daily high and low temperatures. Generally, the sap flow starts between mid-February to mid-March. The sap will flow when daytime temperatures rise above freezing and nighttime temps below freezing. Looking at the forecast for this week seemed promising. So off we went and set four taps. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Bob drilled into the trees....I was expecting to see the flow begin immediately but it didn't. The temperature was not above freezing when we tapped in the spiles so I'll be making frequent checks throughout the day as the temperatures rise. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Lesson 2: Sap flow depends on weather and it not always consistent. Some days may have alot and others none.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">If you look at all the supplies marketed to the process of maple sugaring, you may get overwhelmed. I originally thought I needed several buckets, yards of tubing, an evaporator and various other supplies. I'm glad that I re-thought that (especially on the hobby farm budget). Use what you have! Instead of buckets, I'm using 2 liter bottles and milk jugs as sap collectors and I'll use the electric roasting pan I already have to boil down the sap. Good old canning jars will hold the maple goodness I hope to have by the time the season is over. The spiles/spouts were really the only necessary purchase. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Lesson 3: When trying a new skill, only obtain the minimally essential equipment necessary and expand from there if it is a skill you enjoy. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I'm really excited to add sugaring to our growing list of hobby farm life skills. I'll keep you posted on the progress! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><i>Star Schipp </i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-64309988408434387822015-02-26T17:01:00.000-08:002015-02-26T17:01:13.812-08:00Beating the Winter Blues <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAc7Zu0m7sS_64cN1Rmqvxe5yeXFlGX7udOEprEqaAavcHX1qOJlGjxjD91ya3_d5uOhI1O1R_W_tOgRMu-9_7_jMoZhQ8ZX1SvPX-5fSJRaiwNqHeMjtFMf8I4KD2IeucjBipmrrs0U/s1600/ESF+02262015+WINTER+BLUES+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAc7Zu0m7sS_64cN1Rmqvxe5yeXFlGX7udOEprEqaAavcHX1qOJlGjxjD91ya3_d5uOhI1O1R_W_tOgRMu-9_7_jMoZhQ8ZX1SvPX-5fSJRaiwNqHeMjtFMf8I4KD2IeucjBipmrrs0U/s1600/ESF+02262015+WINTER+BLUES+.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>In the dim background of our mind, we know what we ought to be doing but somehow we cannot start. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>~William James</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>I am firmly in the midst of the winter blues. Tired of being indoors but, oh my, it is cold outside..and snowy..and windy...and did I mention cold? I've had a few too many days of having to use a hatchet to 'chop' chunks of ice for the chickens to have water...only to have my work gloves freeze to the watering can. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>It is the kind of cold that makes my body ache and makes all tasks slow down. I look around and see lots of things that need done but motivation escapes me. It is just so frustrating. So whether you call it the Winter blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder or Cabin Fever, the effect makes it seem that February will go on and on and on....</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>Of course, it won't and March is just around the corner and soon it will be time to tap the maple trees and look for the first brave snowdrop or crocus to break the cover of the snow but the past couple of weeks have been difficult. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>Very soon, we will be able to open the windows for that freshness that we crave in our home and start Spring cleaning but I realize that, right now, I need something to look forward to. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">I started a Crochet A Long (CAL) and a Knit A Long (KAL) with </span><a href="http://www.yarnspirations.com/kal-cal" style="background-color: #ead1dc;" target="_blank">Yarnspirations</a><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"> and those weekly clues are giving me something to look forward to plus I'm learning some new skills along the way. I finally learned to knit a cable pattern! I made sure to choose bright, sunny colors to work with and it is helping to lift my spirits. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>This is a perfect time to re-evaluate your routines and responsibilities too. When Spring comes, there will be little time for things other than work, gardening and caring for the family and the animals so how can I change up my routines a bit? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>I opened my email today and saw that I had over 2500 unread messages. I am way past due with weeding out those notifications and newsletters that I rarely find time to read anyway. Pare down that list to a manageable level to get ready for the demands on your time in the coming season. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>I also realized that I belong to 108 Facebook groups! Time to cut that list down too. I do enjoy many of those groups but I was able to cut it down by half. I'll set an appointment for myself to re-evaluate next week too to see if I can cut it down even more. The goal is to belong to a group to PARTICIPATE not just read everyone else's posts. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>Here are two things to break through these Winter blues: </b></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Start a project you look forward to working on and learn a new skill too.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Evaluate your electronic communications. Can you cut down on the number of emails you receive a day or the number of Facebook notifications? </b></span></li>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>I hope you will share in the comments some of your tips for getting through these next few weeks of winter. I look forward to having your help. Let's all inspire and support each other! </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>Thanks for stopping by to visit today. I am so glad to be back! :) </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>Peace be with you, </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>Star Schipp </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-40511203399611165292015-02-16T15:42:00.000-08:002015-02-16T15:42:54.607-08:00Every Monday Matters: Week 13's Task is To Donate Books <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEezJbrwLVNLUkyRYawEGHmh2SPLD8ibXfX_dDie636W4hZ6N1wqfYCuZgOZT_5M7OGl9mCH_DjY9qRyQQOoH3Ie_4cwkOy14BLW3xMyGhDmCnN9p0j1hrHBDcSlPyiebo_MGDrA4HDfs/s1600/ESF+02162015+EMM+Donate+Books+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEezJbrwLVNLUkyRYawEGHmh2SPLD8ibXfX_dDie636W4hZ6N1wqfYCuZgOZT_5M7OGl9mCH_DjY9qRyQQOoH3Ie_4cwkOy14BLW3xMyGhDmCnN9p0j1hrHBDcSlPyiebo_MGDrA4HDfs/s1600/ESF+02162015+EMM+Donate+Books+.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>When you give someone a book, you don't give him just paper, ink and glue. You give him the possibility of a whole new life.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>~Christopher Morley</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Welcome to week 13 of our journey to Make Every Monday Matter. I'm so glad you stopped by! The task for this week is to donate books. I love, love, love to read and have shelves full of books - ones that I want to read over and over, others that have useful information and others still waiting to be read - but honestly, more books than I need. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I was shocked to read in Every Monday Matters that 61% of low-income households have no books in the home. Another statistic quoted is that, in low-income neighborhoods, there is only one age-appropriate book per every 300 children. As someone who has always been surrounded by books, I can scarcely comprehend this. Often these same neighborhoods have no access to libraries. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Time to make a difference and take action TODAY!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Gather together those books that you will never read again or likely never get around to reading and get them in the hands of others. Books can be donated to local libraries, schools, community centers, food banks and local pre-schools. When I was a director of several counties of Head Start programs, I welcomed every single book donation with joy! Children's books are wonderful but also books for the parents are welcome too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">My very favorite part of the day is when the kitchen is closed and I've done all the chores I'm going to do, there are no more work emails to answer and the children are settled in for the night. I get to open whichever book I'm currently reading and enter a whole new world - whether fictional or filling my mind with new knowledge. I love that part of my day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Here is what I hope you will do:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Sort through your books and pull out books to donate. </b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Pack those books in a box. </b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Choose a destination for the books. </b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>DELIVER the books! </b></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Understand that you may never know the difference you make in the day for the one that will receive a book but know that you Made Monday Matter! </b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Having access to books is the first step to literacy. Literacy promotes choices. Choices gives us power to change our lives. So let's all donate a book and change a life this Monday. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Thank you for joining me today. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><i>Star Schipp </i></b></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-88119632889573786192015-02-15T17:54:00.000-08:002015-02-15T17:54:43.859-08:00February 2015 Homegrown Collective: DIY Shampoo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pQt52IjEV9m0XI0WC2-S7W76gyKsdaSPufx78T5kFG_PT1yO-1HrctlpnmgCNZattGCCJ5DpK3cC69UOZaO5naCp1AsEBRdwHhlbHIpdK-GibNGa6b0uyWWvGe-mMlMILz8S4_Z1KNM/s1600/ESF+02152015+shampoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pQt52IjEV9m0XI0WC2-S7W76gyKsdaSPufx78T5kFG_PT1yO-1HrctlpnmgCNZattGCCJ5DpK3cC69UOZaO5naCp1AsEBRdwHhlbHIpdK-GibNGa6b0uyWWvGe-mMlMILz8S4_Z1KNM/s1600/ESF+02152015+shampoo.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">It has been quite a long week....in fact, I received my Homegrown Collective GREENBOX several days ago and only got it opened today. I was happy to see that the collection is all about natural alternatives to commercial shampoo and hair care. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">In my quest to make more of my own personal care products, shampoo was one item I wasn't quite sure how to handle but I learned so much from this month's products! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">I learned that an easy alternative to shampoo is to mix one part baking soda with 3 parts water and use that instead of shampoo. It does not lather up like you are used to but I tried it this morning and am quite happy with the result. If you are going to clean your hair with baking soda, you must follow up with the vinegar rinse to balance the pH of your hair. The vinegar rinse is 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water. Saturate your hair with the rinse after the baking soda wash and then rinse out. You can add essential oils too if you like. My hair is soft and shiny and easy to manage without the static that I can get this time of year. So far, so good! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">I remember that my mother always rinsed our hair with vinegar when we were children. In fact, she credits it with helping us avoid head lice during a particularly difficult outbreak at our school. It was so widespread that the school closed for several days to break the cycle. Even though all four of us (myself and my sisters) had very long hair, none of us ever did get lice. I'm not sure if it was the vinegar or my mother's diligence that helped us avoid it but it worked! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Here is the question I know you will ask: Won't my hair smell like salad dressing? LOL....when your hair dries, the vinegar smell does not linger...I promise! In fact, my hair doesn't smell like anything except for clean. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Other items in this month's box include coconut oil as a deep hair conditioner and also supplies to make dry shampoo. I've never really been a fan of dry shampoo but it has been many years since I tried it so I may give it another whirl. The recipe included in the GREENBOX uses corn starch, essential oils and cocoa for dark hair or cinnamon for red. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Another recipe included is a Rosemary, Lavender, Lemon Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. I'm really looking forward to using this one too. The box is really wonderful...it includes the jars for mixing and a pump bottle that makes it easy to keep in the shower. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Commercial shampoo and conditioners are full of chemicals that aren't really very good for your hair or your scalp and yet we lay down quite a bit of cash for the head full of suds that we think we need to get clear hair. I was absolutely surprised with how clean my hair feels after the baking soda wash and vinegar rinse. I'll definitely continue to use it and cross that shampoo off my shopping list in favor of the natural and less expensive alternatives. I hope you consider it too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Thanks so much for joining me today. Life certainly got busy this week but I should be back on track now and will be back tomorrow to Make Monday Matter...hope to see you then! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Star Schipp </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background: #FFF2CC; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-43398675475503620222015-02-10T16:33:00.001-08:002015-02-10T16:33:29.165-08:00Emergency Preparedness: Back Up Lighting <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyseWFFuLj9qk8CT46sWR3JgzX8N0vOz1U-fL2X3OAZSdVU2aYdWQk8LXypLkTdjnOBV55-khFzEWMMPPezJngcmmT1HZ2LQKfHxCQMan03Cy_I2vmQYY_erw4fs6dgC2fhWkBSr8DaQ/s1600/ESF+02102015+backup+lighting+plan+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyseWFFuLj9qk8CT46sWR3JgzX8N0vOz1U-fL2X3OAZSdVU2aYdWQk8LXypLkTdjnOBV55-khFzEWMMPPezJngcmmT1HZ2LQKfHxCQMan03Cy_I2vmQYY_erw4fs6dgC2fhWkBSr8DaQ/s1600/ESF+02102015+backup+lighting+plan+.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>Weather forecast for tonight: dark. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>~George Carlin</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">On this blog, we plan for emergencies. We've talked about food and water storage and also plans to stay warm in a power outage. Now we are going to review having a back up lighting plan. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Stop and consider how long it is dark on these February nights. Around here it gets dark enough to need a light on in the house around 6:00 pm and in the morning, the lights are on until after 7:00 am. That's eleven hours of darkness. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">If you lost power today, how would you spend those eleven hours? Probably around eight would be spent sleeping but, without a doubt, you would want some source of light to get through the emergency. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">What is your plan? </span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Power outages in winter storms can often last a week or more. Let's plan accordingly for a longer-term solution. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Candles</b></span> are an obvious choice but there are at least two drawbacks. The first is that the open flame is dangerous. The second is that it is difficult to read by candlelight. Have you ever tried it? When you are accustomed to reading by electric light, candlelight reading seems dim and the flickering of the light distracting - at least it is for me. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kerosene lanterns</b></span> are another option but still have the fire hazard and the drawback of the smell which I intensely dislike. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My very favorite solution is to use <span style="font-size: large;"><b>solar lights, flashlights</b> </span>and <b style="font-size: x-large;">headlamps. </b>The headlamp may look silly but is really useful as a hands-free option for reading and walking around in the dark. Have some on hand and store them in a sunny spot and you will have night-time light whenever you need it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In fact, why not go ahead and replace some of your regular lights with solar versions before a power outage and save money on your electric bill month after month? There are many tutorials out on Pinterest for solar lights. Get out there are learn to build your own to increase your emergency preparedness. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Your level of preparedness can make the difference between a disaster that tears your family apart or an event that is fondly remembered as a great family time together. Which would you rather experience?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit today. Tomorrow's post will be a review of the February GREENBOX from Homegrown Collective - it has a great collection of ideas for DIY Shampoo. I hope to see you then!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Peace be with you, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Star Schipp </b></i></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cfe2f3; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-37848823664976222782015-02-09T15:57:00.000-08:002015-02-09T15:57:51.954-08:00Make Monday Matter and Celebrate with a Purpose! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc2qHAbd7B5bZUW3_-yfZPQVyB6OeDtRfLjFofIq-Scm-G9lVDFZ0l4rNmQuBawV9Z4zD2NDb77408QCbSy8ONyTe1HtuySx09FRjT21p5qHczNUhrfrgSdhV_HXYqblVptSa3EdJQP8/s1600/ESF+02092015+celebrate+monday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc2qHAbd7B5bZUW3_-yfZPQVyB6OeDtRfLjFofIq-Scm-G9lVDFZ0l4rNmQuBawV9Z4zD2NDb77408QCbSy8ONyTe1HtuySx09FRjT21p5qHczNUhrfrgSdhV_HXYqblVptSa3EdJQP8/s1600/ESF+02092015+celebrate+monday.jpg" height="400" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>~Oprah Winfrey</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Happy Monday! I'm so glad you are here. This is week 12 of Make Every Monday Matter and the topic is to <b>Celebrate With A Purpose</b>! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">There are large things to celebrate like birthdays and anniversaries but there are little things too. How about celebrating a small thing like finishing a book you wanted to read or that all the laundry is done and the dirty clothes hamper is empty! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Celebration is a state of mind and it doesn't always have to include gifts. A celebratory shout of joy and a little dance around your kitchen is so much fun and will lift your spirits without all the stress of planning a party. What everyday things can you find to celebrate and how can you spontaneously express that happy state of being? I would love to hear in the comments! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">How about rethinking those big celebrations? Worldwide there are millions of birthdays every day. Some are elaborately celebrated and others quietly so. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">One thing that is always difficult for me at this age is when my family asks me what I want for my birthday. I pretty much have what I need and only occasionally really find something I want to own. I do love new experiences or classes to learn new things but those things are hard to wrap up and give as a gift. It seems everyone still wants to give a "real" gift that can be purchased and wrapped and given. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Every Monday Matters suggests taking a different approach to celebration...in other words to "party with a purpose" (Week 12).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">The suggested action is to ask for a donation to a favorite charity in lieu of gifts. Theme the party around the charity and provide everyone with the information needed to make a donation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Some possible themes could be:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>For donations to a food bank, ask guests to bring canned goods and a little something to add to a soup meal for your own version of the Stone Soup story.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>For donations to an organization that helps families start small agricultural businesses (for example: Heifer International), arrange a tour of a local farm to get up close with some animals like chickens, cows and goats.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>For donations of school supplies to schools where children need them, ask guests to bring scrap-booking supplies to use and share with each other AND brings a pack of pencils, crayons, notebooks, etc. to donate to a local school. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">What celebrate with a purpose party idea can you think of? Please share with us in the comments! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Thanks for making Monday Matter today. I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Tomorrow's post will be the one dedicated to emergency lighting. The post got postponed but we will pick right up and keep on going. I hope to see you then. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Star Schipp </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cfe2f3; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-9712395858516020902015-02-07T08:41:00.001-08:002015-02-07T08:46:24.446-08:00Citrus Fresh: A Favorite Essential Oil Blend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4fyxA88pjrEKRcTd2S5sptAVlz0Va5QqkAiDI4iFCiQaXpjh1MjF0GUGGzBW7FFDYj5DHR294bjX05GXfxO_k5DBmlGPW4swELrFWzdFLw39eR-czzsFeUkVhT6JYrHuXAseKsPjGQ8/s1600/ESF+02072015+citrus+fresh+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4fyxA88pjrEKRcTd2S5sptAVlz0Va5QqkAiDI4iFCiQaXpjh1MjF0GUGGzBW7FFDYj5DHR294bjX05GXfxO_k5DBmlGPW4swELrFWzdFLw39eR-czzsFeUkVhT6JYrHuXAseKsPjGQ8/s1600/ESF+02072015+citrus+fresh+.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>In the wintertime, in the snow country, citrus fruit was so rare, and if you got one, it was better than ambrosia. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>~James Earl Jones</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Is there any other scent that reminds you of sunshine more than the scent of citrus? It certainly brightens the atmosphere in the room and is most welcome in February in Indiana when the days are snowy and cold and sometimes dreary. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="https://www.youngliving.org/starschipp" style="background-color: #f4cccc;" target="_blank">Young Living Essential Oils</a> </b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">has a blend called Citrus Fresh and is one I love to have in my </span><a href="https://www.youngliving.org/starschipp" style="background-color: #f4cccc;" target="_blank">diffuser</a><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> at this time of year. The oil is a blend of <b>orange, tangerine, mandarin, grapefruit lemon and spearmint. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOyc9-vFshyphenhyphenKKSaybsRnxusYeGRiZk3sacPM7UFgO6XzUSw6reGC0g3BYh7xcai5ctJAnrvSciM_Q5Yr9IBTJPiWwqAvyqEO3hE6m-2kA0JhKEIYAH1QTmSi9zx4f4VToDA8j_CA3cHE/s1600/citrus+fresh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOyc9-vFshyphenhyphenKKSaybsRnxusYeGRiZk3sacPM7UFgO6XzUSw6reGC0g3BYh7xcai5ctJAnrvSciM_Q5Yr9IBTJPiWwqAvyqEO3hE6m-2kA0JhKEIYAH1QTmSi9zx4f4VToDA8j_CA3cHE/s1600/citrus+fresh.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youngliving.org/starschipp" target="_blank">Citrus Fresh</a><br />
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Citrus fruits are available to use pretty </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">much year round now and are considered to be one of the healthiest foods around. The vitamins they contain are essential to your body as structural materials for healing and health. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The blend of the oils in Citrus Fresh come together to create uplifting freshness in your home when the scent is diffused. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">When you are performing difficult tasks, consider diffusing it to increase your focus and alertness. It also helps cover odors that may be lingering in your home in this time when it is too cold to have your windows open. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Another use that I like is to put a drop in my drinking water. For me, drinking water is easier when it is ice cold and has a bit of flavoring. One drop is enough to create a citrus-y, minty freshness in my glass of water.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">For a really refreshing change of pace for the children (and adults too!), make Citrus Fresh popsicles with water and a few drops of the oil. It tastes great and has no sugar or artificial coloring. You can also make ice cubes with it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Citrus fruits have long been associated with well-being and I hope you consider adding Citrus Fresh Essential Oil to your home for well-being too. <b>If you don't have this essential oil, use a small saucepan and simmer orange slices or other citrus over very low heat to fill you home with a wonderful scent. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">I'm so glad you stopped by today. Tomorrow, I'll investigate different ways to prepare for a winter time power outage, specifically methods to use for backup lighting. A winter night will seem very long if you don't have some way to provide light. I hope to see you then. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><i>Star Schipp </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cfe2f3; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-22023012105766105652015-02-04T17:26:00.000-08:002015-02-04T17:27:54.239-08:00Book Review: The Hope Chest A Legacy of Love by Rebekah Wilson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaWKs61U27Md_tWcaCmNejTJhDw8c5dJCyojWtXH6rhI15zT0rLJovNrxYOAI6aTjqAvX-93elm18btQqHoSTzPzCqzoiFlxFmBKQOq65Gx2QIoXXKykN_SKoMSeGAmB4_uJcRPzjXUM/s1600/ESF+02042015+hope+chest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaWKs61U27Md_tWcaCmNejTJhDw8c5dJCyojWtXH6rhI15zT0rLJovNrxYOAI6aTjqAvX-93elm18btQqHoSTzPzCqzoiFlxFmBKQOq65Gx2QIoXXKykN_SKoMSeGAmB4_uJcRPzjXUM/s1600/ESF+02042015+hope+chest.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>Faith is the very first thing you should pack in a hope chest.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b>~Sarah Ban Breathnach</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">I want to send a big thank you to Brenda W. who donated </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595650016/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595650016&linkCode=as2&tag=estschfar-20&linkId=VZ7HTM56TEDKC75D%22%3EThe%20Hope%20Chest:%20A%20Legacy%20of%20Love%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=estschfar-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595650016%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" style="background-color: #fff2cc;" target="_blank">The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love by Rebekah Wilson</a> <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">to the farm library. Your generosity is so appreciated. The book certainly piqued my interest because I remember being a young girl and wishing I had a hope chest. I have to say, I never really got one and I didn't have one for any of my daughters either and I regret that now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">The concept of a hope chest is to fill it with items necessary to set up a home of your own - particularly with items that have been handmade because it is the learning of the skill that is integral to the process. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"> The contents of a hope chest are as varied as each family is from one another. One hope chest may be filled with fine linens ranging from napkins, tablecloths, towels and bedding while another maybe filled with recipes handed down from generation to generation or even heirloom seeds. It is less about what is in the chest and more about the heritage it represents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">I was happy to read that a hope chest can be as simple as a shoebox or as elaborate as a finely carved cedar piece of art. While not nearly as fun, it could even be one of those totes you can get at your local dollar store.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">The book is a very pleasant one to read and full of history and useful information. It really helps you consider what legacy you can pass to the next generation. One thing that I want to be clear about is that this tradition is not just for your daughters. Your sons also need skills and tools to prepare for independent living. I was happy to see a small section devoted to the boys too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">These days, it is much more common for the bridal shower to replace the hope chest but all those tangible gifts on the store registry cannot replace the traditions and memories unique to your own family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Some things I'm thinking of including are traditional and non-traditional. For example, how about along with the hand embroidered linens you include a favorite book or piece of music? Rebekah Wilson also recommends including journals as part of the family legacy. Note that she recommend journals not diaries. Diaries are very personal. Journals are more an accounting of the day to day events. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">If I were to journal about today, I would say I collected 23 eggs from the hens, spent the day at work and then traveled to pick up our milk from the dairy truck, admired the late day snowfall and unfortunately, had to clean out freezer which had succumbed to an electric failure in the outlet. Fortunately, the freezer was nearly empty waiting for the side of beef we are getting next week. That is, we will get it if we can get the outlet fixed and the freezer still works. ;) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">I love that I can still start a hope chest for everyone I love, even for myself. The book makes that suggestion and I think it is a great one. Let's go save some family memories!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">I'm so glad you stopped by to visit today. Tomorrow is the day we learn more about essential oils. The oils of the month are in the citrus family and I'll write about some uses for them around the home. I hope to see you then. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Peace be with you, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b><i>Star Schipp</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #d0e0e3; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #783f04; font-size: 7.5pt;">This post may contain affiliate links which
means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6050262193018012784.post-40056053771929476992015-02-03T17:17:00.002-08:002015-02-03T17:17:41.669-08:00Watch One, Do One, Teach One <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxh-q2_WXX8yahW92flzj0GXVJeQTeOllMOP5sm0Eb0dSLrmhBpyY8AQOdWmXJEIooT1O_G7felioj89qIPT3zYpw6XYtYEjtVkPbNX_8bqQllW7sKVdsCbPewxPfIHxeFV4RBVNGnuY/s1600/ESF+02032015+LEARN+TO+CAN+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxh-q2_WXX8yahW92flzj0GXVJeQTeOllMOP5sm0Eb0dSLrmhBpyY8AQOdWmXJEIooT1O_G7felioj89qIPT3zYpw6XYtYEjtVkPbNX_8bqQllW7sKVdsCbPewxPfIHxeFV4RBVNGnuY/s1600/ESF+02032015+LEARN+TO+CAN+.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b>~Ben Franklin </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Today I'm going to take you on my journey to learn an important life skill: food preservation. I grew up near the kitchen when canning was taking place but was never invited in. I was invited to pick endless rows of green beans and tomatoes but then was shooed away to play and I was happy for it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Years later, I found myself living on this hobby farm and growing tired of buying all my food at the grocery. I was learning to garden and wanted to save that produce the "old-fashioned" way. It was time to learn to can. By the time I was ready though, all my relatives who would have been my teachers were no longer able or around to do it. What was I to do?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Honestly, I was a little afraid. I was afraid that I would make a mistake and give someone food poisoning. I was afraid that the pressure canner would explode and kill someone (after all, wasn't that the reason we couldn't be in the kitchen?).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I wanted to learn for many years but never took the step. I finally stumbled upon the opportunity I needed and it came to me in a way that I knew it was do it now or just forget about it. I was talking to another farmgirl with </span><a href="http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/" style="background-color: #fff2cc;" target="_blank">MaryJanesFarm</a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> who mentioned she was going to learn and didn't I want to too? I'm so glad I accepted her invitation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I laugh about it now because I traveled ninety minutes each way, once a week, for five weeks for an all-day class to learn something I should have learned in my Aunt Mary Alice's kitchen. I paid money to do it and I rearranged my work schedule. I was determined to get over IT - it being the fear.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The class was taught with some lecture time and then it was all hands-on...just like in nursing school...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>*Watch One* *Do One* *Teach One*</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #073763;">This is an excellent way to learn to preserve foods by water bath or pressure canning method. The one </span><b><i><span style="color: #990000;">~*wonderful*~</span></i></b><span style="color: #073763;"> thing about the class is that it was supportive, action oriented and </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">~*Science</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Based*~</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #073763;"> I would not have gotten that level of instruction in that kitchen in rural Indiana in the early 1970's. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Watch One, Do One, Teach One is an excellent way to learn because it encompasses all the learning styles and then builds your confidence when you actually are able to teach it to someone else.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The program I completed (and yes there is a test) earned me the honor of saying I am a </span><b><a href="http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/outreach/2010/100505SouchonCanning.html" style="background-color: #fff2cc;" target="_blank">Master Food Preserver</a></b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> and I am so proud of that. I'm also so proud that my pantry is filled with jars of healthy food that I grew myself, prepared myself, preserved myself and will feed my family. The peace of mind is such a gift.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The program was offered through our state extension office and was offered in only a few counties in Indiana. Other states offer the program too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The program is based on curriculum from the </span><a href="http://nchfp.uga.edu/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">National Center for Home Food Preservation</span></a><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">(NCHFP) which was established by the US Department of Agriculture to research safe methods of preserving food. That website is a treasure trove of information related to canning, freezing, drying and fermenting foods. It is my first choice for seeking information anytime I have a question on food preservation. It is easy to submit a question too if you don't find the answer on the website.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The class, the website and my own continuous learning has given me the confidence to gain and grow my skills related to canning and I am happy to teach anyone else to do it too! Please look over all the </span><a href="http://nchfp.uga.edu/" style="background-color: #fff2cc;" target="_blank"><b>NCHFP</b></a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> has to offer and consider finding a class in your area. The </span><a href="http://nchfp.uga.edu/" style="background-color: #fff2cc;" target="_blank"><b>NCHFP</b></a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> has free lesson plans to teach our children this important skill so get out there...watch one, do one and teach one. You will be so glad you did!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">I'm so happy you stopped by to visit today. Tomorrow, I'm posting a review of a book I have been reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595650016/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595650016&linkCode=as2&tag=estschfar-20&linkId=SMF3FOA663VIDNOD%22%3EThe%20Hope%20Chest:%20A%20Legacy%20of%20Love%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=estschfar-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595650016%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love by Rebekah Wilson.</a> I hope to see you then :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Peace be with you,</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><i><b>Star Schipp</b></i> Master Food Preserver </span></span></div>
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means if you make a purchase using one of those links, I may receive
compensation at no extra cost to you. It is a great way to support your
favorite hobby farm blogger. Thank you! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17099448300140228982noreply@blogger.com0