Friends in my garden

Momma kitty was a part of our lives for almost 15 years.  She was a wonderful hunter and kid lover – as you can see the kids loved her, too.

Wind power then and now

We received a letter in the mail the other day, notifying us that funds are available from the Federal Government, for property owners that would be interested in installing an electricity generating wind turbine on their property.

Quote: “Over a hundred years ago almost every landowner had a wind turbine on their property.  It’s time to get back to the basics and become energy independent.”

I am a  strong advocate for self-sufficiency,  so the wind power movement has caught my attention from time to time.  I also have a son-in-law who is working with wind power projects,  so I grilled my daughter (he was out-of-town) for information about modern wind power technology.  In a nutshell this is what she said:
·  Enormous investment
·  Long time to realize a return on the investment
·  Major maintenance needed after 20 years

Think about it.  One hundred years ago, with very little technology, every one could afford to have a wind mill on their property, a solid wind mill that would work and last for many decades; many of those still dotting the countryside and some yet in working condition a century later.  I realize that the wind mills of my grandfather and great-grandfathers time had one main purpose, and that was to power the water pump, not the entire household.

Yet still, with today’s technology, we can have internet on our cell phones, and repair satellites in space …………. hmmmmm, doesn’t it seem like someone could come up with a small-scale wind project that was affordable and built to last?  Or was that just the good old days?

Gun rack finds a new life as a chalk board

I didn’t need a red gun rack any more than I needed a hole in the head, but when I spied it at a thrift sale, I purchased it with the intent to give it a new purpose in life.  My husband cut a board for me on which I sprayed a few coats of chalkboard paint, then he screwed the board to the back of the gun rack – and PRESTO!  I now have a message center and an apron/hat/bag/you.name.it holder.

What have you turned into a chalkboard?

When life gives you weeds, feed them to the pigs!

Farming organically has its challenges, and managing weeds is one of the greatest challenges.  While we have not found a way to eliminate the weed pressure in the fields, we have discovered a way to use them as a beneficial by-product on our farm.

During the Summer and Fall months we raise pasture fed hogs to sell; they have free roaming in a pasture that was seeded in a mix of rape seed, kale, and barley just for them.  In late Summer and early to mid Fall they are turned out into a section of  sweet corn and field corn, where they feast, feast, and feast – you have never seen such happy hogs!  About the time our field harvest is done, they have entirely rooted up their pasture and the corn field, and it would appear that their hog heaven days are almost over ……. but here is when and where the weeds come in.

During the process of combining and storing the crops from our fields, the crops are screened to remove weed seeds, and the weed seeds would normally be considered waste.  But we have found that our hogs consider foxtail (millet) and pig weed (amaranth) seed to be five-star dining, and knowing the seeds are packed with rich nutrients and minerals has us happily serving them by the buckets to our spoiled pigs!  I love it when nature gives a bonus along with a challenge.

FOR SALE:

All natural, free range, pasture raised pork for sale.  Pastured in a hog pasture mix of rape seed, kale, and barley; additional feed consisted of chemical free, non-GMO ingredients.  Hormone and antibiotic free.  Processing done by award-winning French Lake Butcher Shop.  Sold as a whole or half.  Call 320-286-5384 for more information.

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbls. plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin
3 large eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup apple sauce
½ cup orange juice
1 or 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped

Combine flour, pie spice, baking soda and salt; set aside.  In mixing bowl blend sugar, eggs, oil, apple sauce, orange juice, and pumpkin; mix well.  Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, stir just until moistened.  Fold in cranberries.  Spoon batter into two 9 x 5 greased and floured loaf pans.  Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until done.  Remove from pans to cool.

Note:  this recipe originally called for 1 cup of chopped cranberries, but I like to use  two cups.  Also, walnuts would be a good addition to this recipe.

Introducing our new Baby Gift Set

Once Upon A Thyme………

There was a collection of natural skin care products created especially for little Princes and Princesses with delicate skin.  Once Upon A Thyme soap and lotion are paraben and fragrance free, to cleanse and moisturize safely, naturally, and happily ever after.  Essential oils in Sweet Air Room Spray pleasantly freshen air after changing the highness’s royal diaper.

Once Upon a Thyme Set includes:

4 ounce natural unscented baby lotion

3.5 ounce fragrance free Soothing Soap

2 ounce travel size Sweet Air Room Fresh spray

Cotton diaper/burp cloth with embroidered crown

Baby gift cards and keep sake gift box with attached ribbon

Let us know what you think of our brand new baby set, or find it here for purchase at our Etsy store.

Lotion in a Mason jar

If you appreciate the vintage or shabby chic look, you would enjoy having this lotion dispenser in your kitchen or bathroom.   This  square mason jar holds a full 8 ounces of our natural, nourishing, moisturizing lotion.  A great Holiday gift idea for anyone that appreciates natural beauty products.

We will have this available in Apricot Mango, Honeydew Lavender, Berry Almond and Unscented.  Check our Etsy store here to purchase.

Let us know what you think of the look of this container.

A fun new creation ~ Sugar Scrub Cubes

A new bath creation we came up with is a fun, versatile sugar scrub in cubes.  This product can be used in the shower as a sugar scrub, or a pampering bath treat by dissolving sugar scrub cubes under the faucet while filling the tub.  As a tub lover myself, I’ve tested each scent in a long, relaxing soak, and emerged each time with silky soft skin and a better attitude.  Maybe we should call it Sugar Scrub Cube Therapy!

Made with baking soda, sugar, glycerin soap, and mango butter to cleanse and pamper you naturally, and scented in ambrosial scents such as Orange Sorbet, Berry Almond, and Warm Vanilla Sugar.

You can find these listed in our Etsy store here, or call us to place a phone order at 320-286-5384.

Polka Dot Pumpkin Project

Here is a fun and easy pumpkin project to do.  You need a few different color pumpkins, squash, or gourds, and a rubber mallet and an apple corer with plunger.

1.  Tap apple corer with rubber mallet until through the rind, remove the apple corer.  Then use the plunger and rubber mallet to remove the core from the apple corer; save the core/dots.  Remove as many or as few circles as you wish.

2.  Trim the rough pulpy ends of dots with a knife, then place a dot of hot glue inside an empty hole to help keep dots in place; then fill the hole with a different colored dot.  Repeat until all holes are filled – then enjoy your polka dot pumpkin!

A fun project for kids and adults!  Besides orange pumpkins, I grew a gray pumpkin, Jarrahdale, and a white pumpkin, Valenciano, to use for this project.

New look

We think our new logo makes our labels look even better!  What do you think?