Sagewood Farm

Happy New Year

2012-01-09T08:31:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I've posted here..I know it..so shoot me. I hope everyone had a grand Thanksgiving, Yule and New Year! Ours has been pretty good so far. Pretty normal actually..not too many changes in life, and sometimes that's a good thing I guess. I mean..who want's tons of changes coming at ya at once anyway?

Just like everyone else in the world, I'm currently looking for a job. I've applied at a few places and hope to hear something this month from at least one. I don't want to go back to work, but right now, I find it's an important thing to do, at least till the end of the year.

It is unfortunate though that when I go to work, gardens are usually out the window. Neither of us (hubs) or myself will have time for them. I may try to just do the small box garden this year and nothing more. Sad really. I guess this is the same dilemma that many in two income household face. Lack of time.

I plan on doing some 'stocking up' this year. Dry products and things that have no real expiration date so to speak. Flour, sugar, rice, oatmeal, honey. Basics. The money from me working will help out in this way a lot. So there is a plus to everything I guess.

I've been doing some cleaning and clearing out in all those places we sometimes forget about or ignore for the longest time. Like, drawers, and cabinets and under sinks. This week, I get to tackle the kitchen drawers. Empty them, clean them, root through the stuff, toss what's not needed and re-organize the drawers. This is a good thing, really. I did under the kitchen sink last week. It looks fab under there now. Clean and organized.

It's funny how sometimes the smallest of accomplishments will give you the greatest amounts of pleasure and satisfaction. I like it. :)

Well, there it is, my first post to Sagewood for the new year of 2012. Just a small update to tell you where I am in life. Same spot really. Just plugging along, as most are doing. :)

Have a great week!!

Till next time

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

2011-11-24T08:44:00.001-05:00

They say things come in three's

2011-11-03T08:01:00.003-04:00

And now, I'm waiting for the 'other shoe to drop'.

There are times in life that a little sweet tooth is a good thing!
Yesterday for example.
As chilly as it is, I was in the mood for some icecream that I knew was in the deep freeze..just a regular vanilla icecream with the hard chocolate coating, comes on a stick..I know you know the type right?

So..off I go to the deep freeze and pull out said icecream. I open it from the bottom so I can grab the stick..and when I pulled out the stick there was no icecream on it.
The icecream was still in the package. HUH?
So I stuck the stick back in and ...uhhoohh.
I wiggled the stick...uhoooh..
I gave the icecream a little squeeze and I got a 'squish'........ohhh noooo!
Quickly I run back to the freezer and sure enough, some of the 'boxed' and bagged items on the top were on the 'soft' side. Bread, icecream, pizza, that type of stuff. Just the stuff directly on top.
I knelt down beside the freezer and checked the settings. Still the same.
I turned it up and I heard it..the whine of a compressor trying to kick in but failing miserably to do so.

OH DAMN! no no no..tell me it's not so. I shut the freezer down..waiting about 10 minutes and tried again. This time, there wasn't even a whine.

With heavy head I rose from the floor and dialed the hubs at work. It was just at his lunch break. I told him the bad news. We had no choice but to buy another freezer. There was nearly a years worth of food in this freezer. I couldn't even 'can' it all in time to save it all.
The real kicker...we had just paid the credit card off and now......egads, we were gonna have to use it.

Onto the 'net' I went to seek out the best deal I could find. Hubs would pick one up on his way to work (if I found one in that area). Looking through all the 'big guys appliances' I found Sears carried the best deal unless I ordered it online through Home Depot. Then it wouldn't arrive for a week.
Uhmm no.
Just so happens our local Sears outlet (small store) had the one we wanted on the floor. Hubs got home and out we went. Purchased said freezer, got it home and inside to plug up.
You have to plug them up and let them get cold for about 12 hours before you can load them up ya know.

Luckily, I am fully aware of the kind of power outages we have here, so the bottom of my freezer is loaded with a layer of frozen milk jugs filled with water. As long as I don't open it much, the things in the freezer will stay frozen and cold. This is a good thing.

See many many moons ago..We collected milk jug after milk jug, cleaned them and filled them all with water. We emptied the freezer to give it a cleaning and when we went to refill it, the jugs went in first. Then I put a sheet of plexiglass on top of them to act as a 'bottom' shelf, then refilled our freezer.
This does two things. A full freezer takes less energy then a 1/2 full one, and the frozen jugs in the bottom would keep things frozen for a much longer period of time, should there be an extended electrical outage. Besides all that, once the water started to thaw, you can use it for drinking and cooking.

Today..I am thankful I did that.

As we are loading up the freezer hubs says to me "So tell me, is this number one or number two..please tell me it's number two."
I asked him what he was talking about..cuz he was making no sense!
He replied, "You know as well as I do, things come in three's ..so tell me this is number two."

I giggled..but had to inform him.."Nope..this is number one"..

He hung his head, mumbled something incoherent under his breath and walked away.

I have my fingers crossed. Although, I'll have to uncross them today as I transfer all the food over from one freezer to the next. It's cold finger day...no crossing possible.

See ya next time..down on the farm!

100 acres of people? Oh no!

2011-10-25T18:06:00.000-04:00

Fifteen years ago I moved here to the country. We've lived surrounded by acres and acres of farm land (not my own mind you) surrounding our house and across the road. There were (are) no other houses near mine. None. Matter of fact, by distance measurement alone, my closest neighbor is home to many.. it's a graveyard.

About a year ago my country solitude received a shock with the simple placement of a 'for sale' sign on the land across the street. ACK!!! I watched the sign daily at first. Then weekly as it didn't move nor did it ever get the 'sold' placard stamped across it's face. I started to relax. Maybe nobody wanted it. He did have a high price on it and it was 100 acres to be sold in one unit, he would not break it up. If I remember correctly, he wanted 30,000 an acre for it. 100 x's 30,000 is like 300,000.00 That's a lot for land around here. It would never sell. (of course, there are idiots everywhere ya know)

Apparently the owner found one. The sign was removed at the beginning of this week and today heavy equipment started moving in to clear it out. My heart is broken as I fear my idyllic solitary country life will no longer be solitary.
For some reason, I don't believe a 'single' house is going to go in. For some reason my gut is telling me that 100 acres will make a prime location for a neighborhood. 100 acres, that's lots of subdivision space ya know. At an acre per house, that's 100 houses. (OHMYGAWD!) At 2 acres per house, that's 50 houses. (GULP!)

Shudder the thought that they make them 1/4 acre lots!

One, I might could deal with...but 100??? (or more)
(breathe..breathe)

It's official

2011-10-14T09:08:00.000-04:00

After today, I will no longer fall prey to the viscous cycle of cell phone contracts & payments. Oh no. The hubs and I have decided to rid ourselves of what we truly find as a 'want' and not a need.
Now, you must know, hubs is going to keep a cell phone, but not one under contract.
He had to keep a phone for two reasons. One: for work purposes and Two; He drives in large amounts of traffic, two hours daily ; Ok, so we'll have ONE phone and go the cheapest route we can.
He has purchased a "Straight Talk' phone, and gotten the cheaper 'card plan' to go with it.
One phone.
I am home 90% of the time, so tell me why in the world would *I* need a cell phone?
I have a home phone.

We saw no reason to pay for things on a phone that we do not use. Yes, we are of the old mind set, that a phone is a phone. Not a net surfing object or something to type on. It's a phone. You talk on the damned thing.

Our previous cell phone bills ran about 100$ or more a month. We've knocked that down now to $30.
I am pleased with this decision. Everyone complains about the 'cost of things' but very rarely will 'do what it takes to lower those costs'. We are now doing.
We find it odd however, with all the technology that we have reached that the companies want to take such advantage of it and charge so much for it. Cell phones are an everyday thing now. WHY are they costing people so much?
It's much like 'HD' on your tv. The signal comes in 'HD' period..so why are they charging you to 'have HD signal"? HUH? Makes no sense to me. So..I don't pay for it. They give it to me free, or not at all. But that's another post all together.

Anyway..I am now cell free. If you call my home and I'm not there, leave a damned message. You don't have to track me down.

Woohooo..one less thing to worry about 'forgetting' as I walk out the door too!
It is a revelation!

Traveling back in time

2011-10-12T07:48:00.000-04:00

I have returned from my jaunt to the past. After boarding our time machine and zipping through the wormhole we emerged in the Middle Ages to partake of a fun filled weekend of Royal Court, Jousting, War and Feasts galore.
Our chariot was jam packed with all the goodies we would need for the trip through time. (and I do mean jam packed!)
We camped, we cooked, we ate, we attended Royal Court, jousting matches and drum circles. We gathered round fires to drink mead and share in the joy of conversation and laughs without the aid of modern conveniences. It was sad to have to see it end, but our time in the past was near over and again we loaded up our chariot and transported back through the wormhole into the current ages. I think I prefer the Middle Ages.
Here are some pics for you to enjoy!


At Royal Court

Elchenburg Castle

On the Jousting Field

Another Jouster

If you would like to see more photos you can go "HERE" to see my facebook album (because it takes forever to upload them onto blogger)

This event was an "SCA" event. So if it intrigues you or interests you, I urge you to check out the SCA page, maybe you'll join us next time!

Schools IN!!!

2011-09-18T09:55:00.000-04:00

SCHOOLS IN!! Time get looped up??

see more Epic Fails

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Ahh the pumpkin!

2011-08-31T07:00:00.000-04:00

While chatting with a friend the other day, she reminded me I had never put up the pictures of the 'canned' pumpkin! Soooo without futher ado..here it is

I ended up with 6 jars I believe..all about 3/4ths full. :) It's slightly sweetened..and ready to use! YUM!

Here's the larder for this year..(and a few from last years still)

Jellies, figs, tomatoes, chicken, sauerkraut and a few other odds and ends I'm sure! (that empty space at the very top, is where the canner usually sits..handy spot!
Enjoy!

Example

2011-08-29T07:36:00.000-04:00

The previous post was written in earnest! For the upper U.S. states, where rain just kept coming, Irene was a disaster.
As I posted before "Think" and ask your self how will you get by without water, electric or no way out, I point you in this direction..

["in Plattsville, New York, seven families who thought they had escaped the wrath of Irene in Brooklyn were stranded in the Catskill Mountains Monday after bridges crumbled all around them.

"We're sitting in one room, and it's a horrible situation and there is no way out," said Irina Noveck, who was stuck along with 22 other adults and children. "Kids are getting scared, food is getting spoiled."]

And this

["Vermont State Police Capt. Ray Keefe said Wilmington is "cut off," hundreds of roads had been closed, and some homes were washed into lakes."]

You can find the above quotes in this article here.

It cannot be stressed enough..be prepared, have 1st and 2nd alternatives!

Soon..we'll discuss 'generators'. Good? bad? or useless?

Irene was a test run

2011-08-28T12:25:00.008-04:00

I have to say this, only because ..well just because.
(Long ranting type post, be prepared!)
Living between South Carolina, Florida and Texas for the past 30 years, lends that I am in hurricane territory. I do write this from some experience.
I have watched the news reports and reporters on Hurricane Irene for the past week and I can honestly say these things. Some of you may not like what I'm about to say. Period. Be prepared for that.

No, where I live did not get 'a direct hit ' from Irene (just some outer bands) I've been hit before.

I am not downplaying the damage that was done, a good portion of the east coast did suffer some damage from Irene. I hope for everyone who did have to deal with her, the damage was minimal.

The newscasters must be paid to make it out to be much worse then it is because they made it seem like she was going to rip the US east coast apart.

People are spoiled to their conveniences, like electricity and cars.

I saw and heard so much with this past 'storm' that it was enough to make me think about how 'unprepared' people really are. How much they rely on the conveniences of modern day to get them through. What happens when those modern conveniences may NOT be available to them..what will they do? What will YOU do?

I personally think Irene was way over played, but at the same time, I think many people took the possibilities that any storm can create, and made light of it.
How many people expected things to 'still be available' to them today? Like cars, and open stores and places to 'run get something'!!?!
If you didn't have electricity this morning..why would you expect someone else to have electricity? Why would you expect someone else to get up and go to work (in an emergency situation) so they could provide a convenience for everyone else? How arrogant is that?
That store owner or worker may have suffered damages from the storm in ways that you have not thought of, not to mention no electricity at the work place or at their home. Relying on 'others' for personal comforts is NOT the way to get through an emergency.

Having said all that (and deleting some things because..well just because) let's talk about preparedness. I actually don't like that word. It makes it sound like something 'extra' you have to do, and being ready should any emergency arise should not be an 'extra' thing, it should be second nature (nothing in life is certain!).

Have we forgotten we CAN survive without electric or do we always expect there to be the ability to 'have what we want' in times of trouble? Grow up people. Electricity really isn't a necessity to survival..it's only a necessity to convenience. Learn to plan ahead before the emergency approaches. Get it?
.
Being ready for any emergency is a must. It doesn't take a ton of money either, it just takes some planning and forethought.
I could put all the things on a convenient list to check off, but that's not what I'm trying to get across. We need to learn to THINK !!
Sit down and think about your normal day, what you do, every day and what it takes to get things accomplished. Just the daily stuff, food, bathing, bathroom, etc. (write it down if you have to)

Now picture doing them without electricity. What would you need to get it done without electricity. Got that in your head?
Good, now think about doing all those things without 'running' water. No electric...no water. How would you do it? What could you do or not do without those two seemingly vital things? Got that in your head. Good, now one more time I'm going to ask you to THINK.
You have no electric, no water and now you have no transportation. Not necessarily because you don't have a vehicle sitting outside full of gas (cuz you thought this would be enough) but that all the roads are washed away, blocked by down trees, or for petes sake, blocked by the powers that be due to a state of emergency or martial law.
Now..what is it going to take for you to 'survive', even comfortably so, where you are, providing daily requirements for you and your family?
Now, think about doing it for more then a day, 2 days or even 3. Think about it for 2 weeks, 4 weeks..2 months.
Be honest with yourself now..are you REALLY PREPARED for an emergency?
If you're honest, the answer is 'no', probably not.

Our ancestors would never have thought about being 'prepared' for an emergency. Their entire life by OUR standards was an emergency. They were always prepared. No electric, no running water and most times no transportation anywhere. They survived it, the thrived..you're here aren't you?
So for one day of your life, be a founding family and survive just a day without the spoiled conveniences. See how far you get.
Then rethink your life in an emergency situation. Picture yourself in Joplin MS. when they suffered that horrible tornado..they still have not rebuilt that town and it's been months. Where is everyone?
Consider these other hurricanes, works of nature that put areas in to 'states of emergency'..for days, weeks and months! (click on each one to read about them)
Katrina
Hugo
Charley
Andrew
Ivan
Rita

Now go and 'think' for a while on preparedness. It's not just 'stocks' of supplies, it's being able to use your brain to create what you need..that is biggest key to preparedness, the brain...thinking ahead and know how.

I may do more posts on this very subject soon.

Now on to another similar topic at hand.
Knowing this, here is a prediction for you. Irene was a dry run. (Unfortunately..many people failed).
She was a forerunner to something bigger. There have not been any major storms to hit the east coast since about 2004 (going on memory, 2004 was when Florida took great hits from Gustav and Ivan to name a few)
That's somewhere between 5 and 8 years since a major hurricane. I say Irene is a forerunner, a warning to get prepared, to use your head and to think things through.
Simple prediction..the next big one, will hit, the east coast somewhere and will hit sometime.. (Of course, we always hope not.......and I always hope I'm wrong..but what if I'm not?)

Canner time

2011-08-10T18:49:00.001-04:00

Ok...so here's the 'scoop'! Scoop..pumpkin..get it? LOL
The pumpkin was baked. I scooped the soft pumpkin into the jars filling them about 1/2 or a little better with pumpkin.(trust me..it was a soft squishy dense product..there was no ability to cut in chunks..period!)
I boiled up a medium syrup..for every 3 cups of water, I used 1 & 3/4 C sugar.

Lids were prepared, rims were wiped and jars sealed. Into the canner they went. I also opted to put one quart in the freezer and I still have some in the fridge which I intend to make pumpkin butter with. I don't know that I'll can that or freezer (I KNOW you're not supposed to can it, but...)
The rocker on my canner is singing sweetly to me, rocking back and forth as I type. YUM..canned pre-sweetened (slightly) pumpkin! Easy enough to use for pumpkin pies, bread, muffins or quick pumpkin butter to stick in the fridge for the week.

If you've never had pumpkin butter then let me tell you, it's like eating pumpkin pie! (on toast!)
So below you will find a pumpkin butter recipe. Tomorrow, I'll try to post pics of the canned pumpkin. :) ENJOY!

PUMPKIN BUTTER

3 1/2 to 4 Cups of pumpkin puree (your own or you can use store bought canned pumpkin*)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 C. apple cider
1 C. brown sugar OR 1 1/2 C. white sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground nutmeg

(Hint: You can also add cloves to this mix, but cloves are extremely strong, be mindful of how much you add. Start small, taste and add to your liking. I usually add about 1/2 tsp to this mix)

Combine all ingredients into a large pot, mix well and bring to a boil. Simmer 30 mins. Put into sterilized jars, cap and let cool. Refrigerate and use. :)
*NOT PUMPKIN PIE MIX!You'll never be sorry..trust me.

It's PUMPKIN time!

2011-08-10T10:02:00.001-04:00

No, it's not Halloween..but it is pumpkin time around here!
I planted lots of sugar pumpkins this year. They are of course ready and have been sitting on my kitchen table for a week.
The time has come to 'can' them up!
I read up on some of the easiest ways to can them, more so on how to peel them and cut them up. Suffice it to say, cutting them into junks while raw is not too much of an option unless you want to stand there and peel and wear your hands out all day.
NOT ME!

The better choice (for me at least) was to cut them in half, gut them (sounds gross don't it?), cut them into large chunks and bake them till they were semi soft. Then you scoop the pumpkin out and jar it, then pressure can for 90 mins on 10lbs psi for a quart
(The USDA does not recommend making pumpkin butter or pumpkin puree due to it's density)

I plan to scoop and fill the jar to 1/2, add medium syrup then pressure can. I hope this will negate some of that density. Either way..I'm canning it up! .
(I'll also have less pumpkin per jar, so I'll be doing quart jars instead of the pints)

Let me tell you, cutting pumpkins is hard!
But, all my pumpkins are cut, gutted and chunked into sections and are now in the oven. They do have to bake a long time so I've got several hours before the canning process starts. It's just good to know the hard part is over! WHEW!
There is a faster way to 'precook' them, and that is with a microwave. Since I detest using a microwave ..this was not an option for me.
Besides all that, the microwave that I DO have is extremely small so I could only do 1 pumpkin at a time! It would probably take me the same amount of time as baking the whole lot at once!
Now it's off to find something else to do with my time while the pumpkins bake.
TA TA for now!

Can someone tell me....

2011-08-08T22:52:00.000-04:00

Why it's nearly 11pm and it's still 82 degrees outside????

It's so muggy and hot here, that my windows are starting to sweat on the inside? WTH?

For about two weeks now we've avoided going outside at all costs.
(It's a good thing I put extra hay in the chicken coop, cuz I haven't cleaned it in two weeks either!)
I do check it every day and so far it's not suffering too badly.
You know why the coop hasn't suffered? I'm letting the chickens out very early instead of at noon..because at noon, I don't want to walk outside! It's too hot!

We have had a few days of afternoon showers. I'm not sure this has helped with the heat, but the grass appreciated it.
What little is left in the garden appreciated it to. The garden is pretty much done for the year of course. I've got a table full of sugar pumpkins that I will need to do something with soon.
The 'hot' peppers (various type) are still going strong and doing well. I think they like the heat.
(Seems the peppers are hotter this year too!)
I'm still fighting ants occasionally. (I can smell snow for our winter!)

The only thing I've semi regretted on a near daily basis is I have to pass an embroidery sign in my kitchen that says "Make hay while the sun shines" and I just don't have the heart to go out in this heat to make ANYTHING!

Sad isn't it?

In loving Memory

2011-08-06T05:01:00.002-04:00

I woke this morning....once at 3 am...and again at 4. Not that this is necessarily unusual, but it was significant for me. Today is August 6. Three years ago, on this date...just at 4am, my phone rang. I didn't get to it before the answering machine cut on..time '4:03'..Tony said my name..and hung up. I STILL have that message on my machine. He waited a minute and called back. I got that call. Click here to read:

In memory of

Deputy Dennis Carl Compton

Badge #535

Colleton County Sheriffs Department

End of watch: 08-06-08

"Mama take this badge off of me...I can't use it anymore"

ANTS!!!!!

2011-08-02T21:30:00.000-04:00

They come in the house..you don't know they are there, they are quiet & sneaky. Unlike a mouse, they leave no 'indication' they have been there.

What happens is, you go to get something out of your cabinet, totally unawares of the little crawlers and suddenly, you have 5 of them on your hand, you look down and see several on the counter. As your eyes move up and scan the item you just pulled out of your cabinet, you see several crawling on it and then you make the mistake of looking inside!!
(ACK!)
It's loaded with ants! This could be anything from crackers to marshmallows. Trust me the bag of marshmallows I pulled out yesterday looked like hunks of swiss cheese !

I began pulling other things out of the cabinet that ended up in the trash or fed to the chickens. Crackers, raisins, said bag of marshmallows and several other items that I can't even remember right now.

Strangely enough, here is what they did NOT eat or get into, pasta (go figure) and chocolate chips ..Now, I have to ask..WHY? Do ants 'know' what's bad or something?

Either way, I fought ants, wiping and spraying, checking food and moving items (thank goodness for tin cans) for most of the day.
Then a whole day goes by and I keep checking for ants, no sign. Good, maybe I've taken care of it again (this has already happened 2x's this year). So tonight I'm in the kitchen putting away dinner. I pull out a plastic storage container ..it was moving!
THEY'RE HERE!
Again.
What in the world could they possibly be after in THIS cabinet. There is nothing there but plastic containers and lids. AND OH MY GAWD..the lids! They were coated in the little buggers!

Needless to say, everything was dumped into the dishwasher, the cabinet emptied and sprayed and again tonight I'm fighting ants.
Someone give me a clue! I've tried everything!
WHY do ants come in?
(just a hint here so that you'll know in advance. I've lived here at this same spot for 15 years..and this is only the 2nd time this has happened. First, the summer of 2009 and now the summer of 2011) What has happened here! And we just got rain, so they're not looking for water..

You know..the summer of 2009 we had an ant invasion from hell. That winter, we got like almost 8 inches of snow...had a white out here for several hours, lots of ice, trees down, etc. (UNHEARD of for Southern South Carolina puhlease!) Then, last summer, no ants. I was relieved. Last winter, no snow, not that cold even.
Could this be a sign of things to come? Is it going to snow on us again this year? hmmm..makes me wonder!

Let's try this again

2011-07-28T08:42:00.000-04:00


Entrance to September Oaks Winery, Ridgeland, SC.

Ok, I'm off to the craft room. For what? I'm not sure. Bad case of the 'no inspiration' lately and I KNOW it's hiding in there somewhere, I just have to find it.

So tell me, is anyone else having this 'no inspiration'..'no gumption' attitude lately? Is it the heat? What is it?
Whatever it is, it needs to go away!
Until the inspiration fairy visits and the 'no gumption' fairy goes away, I'll leave you with a few pics. Some are taken at the end of last year, but one in particular shows how I'm feeling right now...the last one!. :) ENJOY!

"Hot grass, hot grass, hot grass!"

This is how I feel..LAZY!

Till next time!

It started out good

2011-07-25T22:01:00.000-04:00

And I was raring to go, and actually I did. I cleaned my bathroom, stripped the bed, washed the linens, put clean sheets on the bed, mopped the kitchen floor, vacuumed the whole house, cleaned the vacuum ...boy I was on a roll! Then..something happened. I don't know what, but SOMETHING happened. I ran out of steam.
That was all that I got accomplished today (besides the usual fixing dinner of course.

So I took a nap.

It didn't help.

But hey..I did get 'those' things done right?
So here I am, perusing the web tonight while I wait for sleep to find me (I think it's lost) and I run across this saying:
“Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” -Mark Twain
here's the post that goes with it..It's a good post, read it. Enjoy. I think tomorrow I'll eat the frog first. :)
Simple Mom

A Prediction

2011-07-24T07:01:00.001-04:00

What with the recent 'Royal' wedding and 'news' (and trust me, I loved her dress) and the 'family' of Kate..I predict that there will be a huge rise in PIPPA as a choice of names for baby girls near the end of this year and into next ..
Of course..anyone could see that coming right? I love the name Pippa. First time I heard it was in a Stephen King movie (1999); Storm of the Century. I loved it then..I love it now.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. :)

Today is a day to try and get creative and inspired in the craft room. It's been a long time coming and I really need to do SOMETHING in there.

What's on your Sunday plans??

The Meld

2011-07-23T14:50:00.001-04:00

Ok, for two days solid I've taken time off from everything else and drowned myself into the world of 'the blog'...to tell you the truth, it's feeling more like 'the BOG' right now! WHEW! However, I'm nearly done.
Many of you know I had several blogs, some designed and dedicated for one purpose or another. ALL those blogs save for the grand babies have been melded into this one. Sagewood Farm now encompases the Hedgewife, Sage's Kitchen and The Garden Gate. There is a separate site for the babies, which you can find here:
Babes of Sagewood
And you can see a link to that on the left as well.
I'm hoping to be able to hop back into blogging a little more often now that it doesn't seem so daunting a task. :) Thanks for all the patience and waiting for postings. I'm still here..glad your hanging with me!

Revamping

2011-07-18T10:19:00.000-04:00

things have been crazy here at the farm, garden, vacation, visitors and you name it. I have not taken the time to post, and that's ok. A blog is a personal thing and well, personally I wasn't up to blogging. HOWEVER, I'm into revamping and such so look for changes soon. :) Till then, just hang in and hang out. We'll see what comes of this transformation.

Want to see what I've been doing?

2011-05-11T18:48:00.000-04:00

I know that here, on Sagewood Farm and on the Hedgewife, posts have been few and far between. There are several reasons for this..really! (I kid you not) First; I was sick..came down with the creepin' crud the hubby had, knocked me out of doing much of anything for about a week and two, I've been doing some 'house revamping'..but the BIG reason is.....well, it's garden season and it's just easier if I show you in pictures.

Overview of garden #2

Collards

Potatoes


Yellow Squash

Well, I'll have to try and download the rest of the pics tomorrow..Blogger is taking FOREVER to do just 3 or 4! ARGHHH! I'm done.

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Thoughts on Mothers Day

2011-05-08T22:20:00.000-04:00

I've watched as the last two days have gone by with many many wishes for a 'happy mothers' day to everyone. I agree..I hope you've had a very happy one, but now that the day is drawing to an end, here is something I want you to think about as your eyes close tonight. Mothers Day is everyday.

Each and every day be thankful you're a mother.

Enjoy the simple pleasures with your children, like reading a book as they cuddle in your lap or the softness of their hair while you rock them. See the delight in you child for something as simple as a hug or playful tickle.
The tears they shed or the hurts they have bring them running to your protective embrace, be grateful for that. You are their hero, and heros are a precious commodity.

There will come a day when you will no longer hold the status of protector or hero, it will last for many years. You'll let them make mistakes because you love them and no matter how much you wish you could stop them, you won't be able to. It takes the experience of a mistake to learn.

As they grow through life and learn, your status will rise again, when they come to see what it takes to raise a child as they begin dealing with their own. They too will put on the same shoes you wore and become their childs hero, just for a little while.
Everyday is Mothers day and Fathers day for that matter. Everyday be grateful you're a parent. Don't pass up these precious years, they'll be a long time before coming around again in Grandchildren.

Many years ago my sister wrote a poem about her son when he was about 4. He'll be 44 this year. It seemed it was decades later, I learned to cross stitch and still had a copy of that poem. She had forgotten all about it. I cross stitched it for her and it still hangs in her living room today. It's a beautiful poem and represents the sentiment of the above statement very well.
Have a look yourself.

My Son

There he stands so big and tall,
but not long ago he was so small
Running with a football in his hand saying
"Mom some day I'm gonna be a man."
He tries so hard to fit in
but it seems his head is always in a spin.

He has long blonde hair and dark blue
eyes, and just one look makes my heart
cry. To think he'll grow up and go away
no matter how hard I wish he'd stay.
Up to bed behind old sleepy head
A pillow in his hand a blanket under
his arm, he will always be my most
precious charm.

Wanda Buchanan Bennett 1971

Sprouting & Wine!

2011-04-04T11:37:00.001-04:00

Would you drink for me?

What does one of those have to do with the other?? Not much, but it's whats been going on here at the Farm. If you've read my blog before, then you know I occasionally volunteer my services to the SC Police Academy. Yep, I drink for the po po. After getting another call, I packed up my wine and headed to Columbia with Officer Buchanan (see above), this was to be an all day testing for an advanced class. I took along the camera!


My choice of alcohol, I mean, it was EARLY!

Names have been changed to protect the innocent! Hahaha, I'm not naming names, but I do have permission to post the pics!

Two of my drinking partners.

Empty glass..one down, several more to go!

Two more drinking partners.

The whole gang (minus me), into a game of Quiddler!

" I SWEAR..it was THIS BIG!"

"Sure, sure..you're not the slightest drunk are you?"

Giddy maybe?

Texting while drinking?

Time to "BLOW!"

FIRST!! (you failed)

SECOND! (you fail!)

THIRD! (another fail!)

Trust me, we all failed, but we were supposed to! When it was time to go down for testing, there were 5 or 6 classes that had to test us. Normal roadside tests were administered along with some new and improved more detailed testing. Trust me, it truly was an all day event!

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

The Spring of Life! (and one thing)

2011-04-04T10:24:00.000-04:00

A lovely spring day! The garden is coming in and it's time for some country farm girl fun!


Let's play some golf!

Ciannon enjoys the outside on a lovely spring morning!

Spinach and Kale, up and already in use.

I've harvested spinach and kale two times already. The spinach was enjoyed in a lovely salad, the kale put aside for hubs dinner!

Radishes almost ready to pull. Strawberries coming along.

Beans sprouted and growing. Soon they'll reach the running rack!

The beans have sprouted and are on the rise to reach the trellis made for them. It's weighed down with the bricks so our spring winds won't blow it down.

Random yard flowers.

Garden #2, the zucchini, yellow squash, cantaloupe, sugar pumpkins, corn and okra on their way up!

Most everything in the big garden, Garden #2 has sprouted.

Even the corn is up a few inches.

Cami watches as the sun comes up.

Fig trees coming into leaf.

The sun beams through the front trees as the early morning springs forth!

Here comes the sun!

LOVE the moss hanging!

Baxter giving the yard an early morning stroll!

Ciannon getting ready to start the farm chores for the day

The small garden, or Garden #1. Only two boxes left to plant, now I need to decide what to put in them!

Distance view of Garden #2

What's in here to play with?

We are getting 'springy' down on the farm. The garden is coming in, (the weeds are too), and soon, it will be veggies galore to contend with! ENJOY!
Oh yes, as far as our one thing goes, it's an easy one today. I'm asking you to think. Think of ONE way you can reduce YOUR cost at the grocery store. ONE WAY, that's it. If it means growing your own tomatoes, (in containers even) then get out the dirt and the seeds! If it means making less trips by planning ahead and creating menus, then get to it. If it means not buying something you KNOW you can make at home, then get to baking, making or creating. ONE THING..ONE WAY. :) You can do this!

Garden Progress

2011-03-22T06:57:00.000-04:00

Oscar stands watch over the yard.

Garlic! Ready soon.

Things are starting to sprout..strawberries, spinach & radishes..

The Big Garden..raised beds planted. Now, we wait for mother nature to work.

Some pic's for ya!

2011-03-22T06:43:00.000-04:00

Little sprouts of this and that

Garden #2..the Big Garden


One corner of garden #1..The Little Garden, or Box Garden.

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

It's back to the Summertime grind!

2011-03-21T08:40:00.000-04:00

Yep, summertime grind. Early morning rising (normal) and straight out to the garden as the sun comes up!
I'm not much into digging and weeding and harvesting in the heat of the day so you will usually find me doing my 'outside' chores first thing in the AM. Things like, weeding and pruning, mowing and picking up yard debris, hanging out laundry and harvesting, yep, all morning time chores.
I've gotten myself into a pretty good routine what with the new summer hours and the hubby's third shift hours. I'm in the garden or outside doing whatever first light ..but having 'two' gardens, small square foot garden and a larger raised bed garden it's a lot of work for one day, so I've split it. When hubs leaves for work at 6:45 I water one garden, set the clock for an hour and do any kitchen clean up I need to. When my hour is up, I go out and water the chickens, and all the other critters, check for eggs a 3rd time for the day, pick up anything that's 'not where it's supposed to be (garden wise), feed the chickens for a 2nd time and close them in for the night. Then the sprinkler is turned off and I fill up the watering can and hit the spots that the sprinkler hose may have missed. All this takes about 20 minutes or so. The next night, I repeat it, but it's the 'other' garden. It works, and it's routine, but it keeps things fairly simple around here!.
But as it is morning, and it is Monday my laundry is calling to be hung in the breeze so I'm off.
It's laundry hanging time!

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

It's Monday again

2011-03-21T08:21:00.000-04:00

The garden is almost planted, the last few of the crops except tomatoes will be going in today. Laundry is in the wash ..sheets specifically and it'll soon be time to start harvesting the young spinach leaves. (they are up good!) Of course you know it's one thing Monday, so here's our list for today:
Yep, you heard that right..a one thing list! LOL just kidding with you! Our one thing for today is:
The computer! Today is the day to clean the computer, inside and out. Run a scan disk, clean up unnecessary files and give the monitor a good wipe down along with vacuuming out the dust in the fan vent. The computer may be a non required item, but it's still in many homes and is a tool, so keep your tools clean! (they'll work better for you!)
I have lots on the list to do today with it being Monday and all. All laundry, sheets too. Plant more in the garden, get dinner in the crock pot, move all herb starts outside, take down a shelf unit and since our temps have been getting in the 80's I have to set up my 'fan' vent system to cool things down. I'm not willing to start up our air conditioner this early in the year. The late afternoons have been getting pretty warm around here so it's 'fan' time!

This week looks to be a busy one for sure, so get your aprons on and your working clothes and let's get busy! :) Have a great day!

Don't forget!!

2011-03-18T07:15:00.000-04:00

Our full moon this month is a 'SUPER MOON'...the rising on the 19th is the first of it's kind in 20 years, so go watch (start tonight and watch tomorrow too!)
Here's some info on the super moon!
NASA Super Moon
See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Spring is around the corner

2011-03-17T08:13:00.000-04:00

And I would say I can actually SEE it! We've been doing a lot of planting around here. Everything from lettuce to collards to corn! There is still much to do and time is getting on so it's off to work today in the garden. Our highs are supposed to be in the upper 70's with it reaching mid 80's by tomorrow! OHMY!
Before you know it, we'll be harvesting the garden and 'laying aside' the bounty!
Good news on this end, the boy child has secured a job and he and his little family will be moving to Wilson, NC. He'll start his new job on the 28th of this month. We are excited for them! And I know they are relieved and excited as well. GOOD LUCK to them. Appropriate timing what with it being St. Patty's day and all!

No rain in sight for the next week, so it may be time to wash all the blankets and such in the house to let them 'line' dry before storing them away for the summer. Yumm..line dried linens, what could be better?

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Let me catch you up!

2011-03-16T17:36:00.000-04:00

It's been pretty busy around here for the past week. So busy that I didn't get a chance to post our 'one thing' Monday, so we'll call it a vacation. Also, my no techy Wednesday turned into an almost entire week, so I figure it's legal to post today! LOL
Things have been hard to do here with my arm in a sling, but alas, I keep taking it out which I know is not helping the situation, but the boy child and DIL are helping where they can so that I can try to give this 'issue' a helping hand to heal. Tendinitis is not fun.
Not all of the garden is planted, but a good many things are. Peas, strawberries, cabbage, collards, turnips, mustard, lettuce, spinach, green beans, kale, onions and radishes (plus probably a few more I can't remember!) Many of those were planted today!
The tomatoes have been transplanted into larger pots to finish up their 'spring' growth, and more seeds added to the mix for extra.
With it being Wednesday the chicken coop had it's weekly cleaning as well.
Tonight we'll probably be planting all the squash items (zuchinni, yellow, patty pan, acorn and pumpkin) along with some okra, cantaloupe and corn! (ok, maybe not all tonight..but at least the squash items).
Spring is always busy round a farm, small or large. If you plant a garden at all, spring, summer and fall are busy busy times, with spring and summer the most busy.
Dinner is in the oven and the rest of dinner is still needing to be prepared so I'm off to finish my days chores. Dinner & dishes, planting, watering and what not. Dinner for tonight: Oven bbq chicken, buttered noodles and green beans. I may even whip up some biscuits to go with!
G'night all ..

A loaf of bread...14.97??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-04T14:52:00.000-05:00

Well that's what the store thought they were going to charge me for a loaf of garlic bread today! Ahem, let me recount for you what happened.
I try to be a savvy shopper. I clip some coupons, I check sale papers and I have a price book. A price book is where I write down the normal price items I usually purchase from our local stores.It allows me at a glance to see who has the lowest price on that item and when a sale is advertised, if it IS a sale.
By comparison shopping, price book and watching the sale papers, I shop where I can get the best bargain for my buck.
Know in advance...I hate Walmart. But trying to keep my grocery bill low, Walmart is a must. Trust me it's not the only store I shop at and they are not the cheapest on everything by any means. But they do save me money on a good many items.
My goal, 150.00 every other week. I get close.
As I shop and go down my list, I write down everything that I purchase and it's price. I do this so I won't suffer 'price total shock' at the register. Today was no different.
As a norm for me, I always check the 'reduced' isles for bargains. Walmart usually has a reduced section of bakery goods, such as garlic breads, french breads, rolls, etc. I will buy them when I think it's a good deal, they aren't too old and if I know I'm going to be too busy to bake bread that week. So today I'm browsing the reduced bakery goods and low and behold they have already buttered garlic bread ready for heating for 1.50$ Decent deal, so I pick one up.
Mind you, this was one of the last things I purchased before heading to the checkout. I knew my total today should have been right around 140$ give or take a few. (before coupons)
Groceries now on the counter being rung up by the cashier I know I only have one stop left and that's IGA for their truckload sale. 40lbs of chicken leg quarters for 16.95. good deal. I'll can some of it, freeze some of it and chicken won't need to be worried about for another month or two....Coming out of my fog as the cashier announces my total of 160$ and some change. I am a wee bit shocked but think to myself that I must have forgotten to write down a good many items. (this is not normal for me, but hey..schtuff happens) I pay my bill and she hands me my receipt. As I'm walking up the isle I glance at my receipt to see if I can figure out why the overage between it and my calculations.
BAM! Right there in front of my eyes was a $14.95 charge. WHAT? I didn't purchase anything for 14.95$ WTH?? I look over and it says "SHEET CAKE"..now I KNOW something is wrong, I didn't purchase a sheet cake..why in the hell would I do that! I stopped dead in my tracks and the traffic of exiting walmart customers, turn my happy butt around straight back to the cashier I just left. Hand her my receipt and begin questioning.
In my mind I'm thinking, "good gawd, how will we know what rung up at this price, I've got a buggy FULL of groceries". So I looked to the receipt at what was rung up before it and after it. Both items were from the bakery and or the fresh produce, the last two places I stopped before heading to the register.
By pure deduction I knew, it had to be one of the two breads I bought off the reduced rack. The cashier ran the 'scanner' on the garlic bread and lo and behold there was the culprit. It was ringing up as a sheet cake for 14.97! Of course, you know this means I had to go to the customer service desk and do the deal to get my money back. Pain in my ass. Apparently the regular price sticker on the bread was data entered wrong, and it was registering that bread as a sheet cake and at that price. Forget it even recognizing it was on a reduced shelf or that it wasn't really a sheet cake.
Anyway
Problem solved, money refunded and my grocery goal still within a close reach I headed to my last stop.
I got to thinking though. How many people went into Walmart within the last two days, dumped 200$ worth of groceries on the counter and bought a 15$ loaf of bread without even noticing? Without looking at their receipt? Without batting an eye at a 200$ grocery bill? Without double checking anything?

WORD TO THE WISE..write down what you buy as you shop, write down how much money the label SAYS it should be, make sure to check the label carefully ..check the UPC code of the product verses the label on the shelf, read cautiously and finally, MAKE SURE what you put in your buggy is what you're buying, WATCH that register LED as it rings up your purchases. Check your receipts BEFORE you leave the store.
After you do this enough, it will become easier and easier..but START now.
Make a price book. KNOW what is a good deal and isn't a good deal.

I mean, you really don't want to be eating a 15$ loaf of garlic bread do you??

Remember ...The Crock Pot Pork

2011-03-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

Last week I prepared a Crock Pot Pork dinner..served over noodles. Was DELISH! You can find it here. There was quite a bit of that leftover so I put it in the back of the fridge where it's the coldest and I waited.

It was eaten for lunch two or three times ~~and then sort of ignored~~ and I knew then I'd have to revamp it for it gain appeal again. . So last night was the revamp.
I pulled out the pork and gravy and dumped it into a big bowl. I added one can of evaporated milk, one can of cream of mushroom soup, one can of water, and one medium bag of mixed veggies. Salt and pepper and into a greased casserole dish it went. I preheated the oven at this point and proceeded to my bread making area. Whipping up a huge batch of homemade buttermilk biscuits, I cut them out and laid them on top of the now revamped, souped up, veggie laden base.
What was this mystery dish?? Well it was KA POT PIE! (the KA stands for Kick Ass!) Oh yeah. Bake in oven @ 400 for about 35 mins (or until bubbly and biscuits are golden)
And you know what, that pork and gravy that was going begging in the back of the fridge barely has ANY leftovers today. Go figure.
We do what we must and boy did I stretch my dollar on that dish!
Your Frugal tip of the day. DO NOT GIVE UP ON SOMETHING. Rehash it, make it new, put a spin on it and recook it or remake it different! NEVER GIVE UP!
( I so wish I had taken a picture of it, it was a most beautiful thing!) Maybe next time!

What's on the table for dinner tonight??
Chicken & gnocchi w/ cream sauce
Garlic bread
Steamed broccoli
Two weeks ago I found boneless skinless chicken breast on sale .. for 1.78$ a pound. When I got home, I began the process of 'making the most out of this purchase.
I cut the little side strips off the breast and bagged them up, total bags of strips = 2. I'm using one bag of strips tonight.
With the large pieces of breasts that remained I cut them in half as if you were butterflying them, but cut all the way through, then cut the bottom tips off each one. I put 6 cut breast pieces to a bag, total bags= 4.
What did I do with the tips I cut off? Into a freezer bag of course, now I have 1 bag of 'bits and pieces' to use for soup.
How many meals does that make?? Eight. I can get 7 meals out of the one package of breasts. Total cost of the package was 10.58 round up to 11$ ..that means the meat in each meal will cost: $1.57. WOOOHOOOOO! I'm all about less then $2!

Congratulations tooooooo

2011-02-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

Amy over at Crazy for the Country! She won the Chicken Nest Box Giveaway hosted by Ga. Farmwomen and her hubby at Life on a Southern Farm. ENJOY THEM AMY!

OOOhhh PS. Our one thing Monday is............

Windows!! (I know I know..but it's easy!) Do you have a kitchen window, or a bathroom window?? Today's the day..wash the insides of the windows in ONE room today..preferably the kitchen or a bathroom! Use newspaper to prevent streaking!! :)

A RESURRECTION!

2011-02-28T09:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome home Oscar! Oscar is our resident scarecrow. He has graced our yard during Halloween and now will grace the yard to protect the flock and the garden. On a farm along with the birth of new things, comes the sad but true fact of the cycle of life and the death that it brings. Hawks, falcons, foxes and all predatory creatures must eat so they prey on the smaller ones. Big fish eat little fish kinda thing ya know? A few weeks back we lost one of our 2 month old chicks to a Falcon. He's been surfacing nearly daily now in search of more..hence the very reason for Oscars Resurrection!

The stuffing begins!

Oscar has been housed in our storage shed for quite a few years but after our loss we knew it was time to resurrect him. The DIL gave him new clothes, new stuffing, the boy child helped and he's got a temporary head till we can find suitable head material and a hat for him. He's in residence at the edge of the garden and seems to be doing his job well. I'm sure he's happy about the new life he's been given and doesn't want to let the little farm animals down. He'll protect them. (the little birds however, totally ignore his authority! I think they mock him daily.)

Oscar has risen!

I'll post pics soon of our 'decked' out Oscar as soon as I can. Till then..Welcome home Oscar!

A final addition of a temporary face.

What's happening around the Farm!

2011-02-28T08:42:00.001-05:00

Baxter stands guard!

I'm not sure why everyone thinks it's still winter! With temps in the 80's around here, winter is but a memory of last month! I love it at the same time dread it. If our temps are 80+ in February, what will it be like in August! Enjoy the color and the farm goings on...

Maya watches

Aiden waits.

The Japanese Magnolia is in full bloom!

It's a colorfest outside my window

The House Druid still watches and waits.

Blueberries bud

It's lovely to see!

And the pink color keeps going!

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Second post of the day

2011-02-21T14:36:00.000-05:00

UNBELIEVABLE HUH?

Well, here's some news for ya. Georgia farm women over a "Live on a Southern Farm" is having a giveaway of some chicken nest boxes that her and the hubby produce and sell. They look like this:

They are fantastic and now's your chance to try your luck at being the lucky winner of one. Go on over to "Life on a Southern Farm" and sign up..HAVE FUN! and GOOD LUCK!

Ok, now on to some delicious things.
Last Thursday was a park picnic day for us, so off we went to the park. I knew I would be pooped after a day at the park so I made sure dinner would be ready when I got home, enter the Crock Pot.

Into the crock pot here's what I stuck:
2 slices of boston butt, completely frozen (yep, hard as a rock)
(this would be equivalent to a small roast. (we buy whole boston butts and have them cut into 1inch steaks and in this recipe, I used two)
1 small onion, rough chopped
1/2 bell pepper from the deep freeze
3 stalks of celery chopped
4 cups water
1 T. chicken bouillon
salt, pepper and a few dashes of soy sauce.
Turned the crock pot on high and walked out the door. When I got home, the aroma met us at the fence gate. YUM!!
Once inside, I gave the mixture a stir to 'pull' the pork apart, then added 2 cans of 'cream of soup'. You can choose whichever soup you prefer, chicken, mushroom, potato or celery. Since I had the mushroom on hand, that's what went in. I gave the mass a stir, boiled up some egg noodles to serve it over, veggie of your choice on the side, added a few dinner rolls to the fare and dinner was DONE! DELISH! Try this one, you won't be sorry!
Ohh, this made enough to serve 6 that night, 2 work lunches and I still have a small/medium container in the fridge for munching on for lunches. If I have any leftover today, I'll put it in the fridge and when I've got some leftover mashed potatoes, I'll put it all together with some freshly chunked cooked potatoes for a hearty potatoe/pork soup! :)

So you're frugal tip for the day, NEVER throw it at all possible. Think ahead about what you can 'change' it into and freeze it for later use. You MUST become the Fairy Food Godmother and wave a magic wand over some things to make them last!

You should be here!

2011-02-21T06:39:00.000-05:00

Baxter enjoying the wonderful weather

The weather is beautiful! It's 54 degrees here this morning and the daytime temps are near 70-75! Couldn't ask for nicer weather.
The DIL and I have been in the garden and planting seedlings for the past week. We are ready to plant! Now we just have to wait till it's safe from any possible frost! WHOOHOOO!

Time for a lovely spring picnic!

The chickens have gone on an egg laying strike and we are not sure why. We seriously think it has to do with a predator bird that snatched one of the young hens up last week.Chickens don't like 'upset' and since that little incident they've all taken to hiding up under the porch and not laying any eggs! I'll be adding some extra calcium (read: oyster shells) to their diet this week just in case. Hopefully I can get them out of this non laying funk they seem to be in.

Anyone up for a wheelbarrow ride?

It's looking to be a busy day here on the farm. A little bit of work in the garden, some laundry to hang out, floors to clean and vacuum, whew, never ends does it?
See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

It's one thing Monday!

2011-02-21T06:26:00.000-05:00

Yep, here we are again!
Our one thing Mondays ..so what shall we do today?
I actually have several things I have to do, laundry, cleaning bathrooms, make a scarecrow..yep. That's right, scarecrow. Don't know if it will work, but I have to give something a shot. Last week I lost one of my 3 month old pullets to a prey bird and he's still roaming the area. Sooo scarecrow it is with the hopes that it will deter him.
But back to our one thing. Today, it's the washer and dryer. They need a bath. So today, I'm going to give my washer and dryer a good wash/wipe down. Lint, dirt and dust collects on them, I know this. And with mine being right at my back door, dog tails are constantly hitting them spreading dirt everywhere! So your one thing is, cleaning the washer and dryer!

I've got a recipe to share with you later. A crock pot recipe..and it was soo good!
The DIL and I worked in the garden for two days last week, my boxes are all seated and filled with dirt ready to plant. It's a wonderful 54 degrees here this morning and according to the Almanac, our last frost date is March 9. I've already planted seedlings and some are sprouting. I can't wait, it's garden time again folks!

Has another week come and gone?

2011-02-14T09:09:00.000-05:00

Oh yes dear Hedgewives, it surely has.
Firstly..HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!
A new week, a new Monday and a new 'one thing'.
Here we go, get on your garden aprons and let's plant.
The one thing for today is play in the dirt!! Yep, plant something or care for something that makes it's home in the dirt. Whether it's taking care of a few house plants, fluffing up their dirt, giving them a boost or transplanting them, it's time for dirt play! How about planting a few herbs for an indoor herb garden? (if you don't have room or can't plant an in-ground garden). Get some seeds, and some dirt a small pot or two and plan on some culinary delights! It's playing in the dirt day!

The DIL and I will be doing some planting of our own today as we head out to collect some unused dirt to fill the little pots for seedlings! WOOHOO...it's time for garden chores!

Oh yes! Lovely days ahead

2011-02-14T09:02:00.001-05:00

The rain has finally rained itself out! WHEW! We had a glorious weekend and to catch up and be prepared for today, there isn't a stitch of dirty laundry in the house. We washed and hung all day Saturday and a wee bit on Sunday..all laundry DONE! WHEW! It's nice to be able to hang them all out at once.
The rest of the week is suppose to be beautiful as well, so keeping up with the 'garden' laundry I'm getting ready to have this week will be easy peasy! That's right, today is seed planting day. Boy child is going to construct a shelf unit for me to go in front of my dinning room window and the DIL and I are going to gather the dirt and fill the mini pots and plant seed after seed for the garden!
Our first order of business according to the Farmers Almanac will be the cooler weather crops..all cabbage related crops will be planted today. Broccoli, cabbage, collards, etc. Maybe tomorrow we might turn one of my garden boxes into a mini green house and plant carrots and lettuce too!
One never knows what we may get into. I do know that Thursday of this week, we'll be heading to N. Charleston to have a picnic with all the grandbabies at the park. Our temps this week are supposed to rise one or two degrees each day so that Friday is scheduled to be 75 degrees! WHEW..sounds like spring to me!
I've heard a hoot owl singing for many mornings past, tons of cardinals in the yard and blue jays too. We even have one resident red headed woodpecker flitting about! I'd say for sure it's spring!
Welcome to Spring in the South!
Ohhhh..PS: Happy Valentines Day!!
See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

It's been five days! (or is that six?)

2011-02-12T07:27:00.000-05:00

Since I've posted. The week has been sort of busy. We had one day of sunshine early in the week so all the laundry was done, hung out to dry, folded and put away. One day was a visit day, went to visit the daughter an grans and one day for a dentist visit, not what I would call a good day.
Today is looking to be full of sunshine with mild temps, so I can see another laundry day on the horizon. Of course, all of next week is looking nice too! Can you hear it? The little seeds calling out, ready to be planted. Next weeks plans are a picnic and a park visit and planting seeds that will turn to seedlings for the garden! YEAH! I'd say spring is surely springing!
Today is looking to be a cleaning day for sure. Maybe I'll even get to open a few windows!

Rain rain and more rain!

2011-02-08T14:43:00.000-05:00

I wasn't sure the sun was ever gonna come back out. Seems like it's rained here for a week or better! (actually..it kinda has!) BUT TODAY is beautiful ..upper 50's, lots of sunshine. So that means, LOTS of laundry to do. Washed up all my laundry last night, layered it and got it ready in the basket and hauled the heavy thing outside as soon as the sun peeked over the house this morning. 5 loads of laundry, all hung out and over 1/2 dry and back in already! The breeze was pretty hefty so they dried quick..add sunshine and you've got instant natural dryer.

I'm coming to realize that dryers are NOT an necessity as I once thought they were. Funny how things seem to take on less importance when you do without them. I'm half tempted to remove the dryer from the house. It'll give me lots of extra room in the laundry area for sure! (I can see it now.."hubby"? Yes? "I want to take the dryer out of our house"...(pause..gasp) "Have you lost your mind, what in the world are you thinking!?" So..yeah..that will NOT go over. It's been over 3 months since I've run the dryer, but he wont' see it my way. See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

One thing Mondays!

2011-02-07T07:34:00.000-05:00

Yep, it's that time again..it's one thing Mondays! Today is an easy day..sort of.
It's mirror day!! The one thing to do today is to wash/clean/dry/polish (however you choose to do it) all the mirrors in the house. Even the decorative ones. Yep, that's the ticket. Might as well be able to see yourself in the New Year we are in..so shine those mirrors!! :)

Not much went on here over the weekend. We had lots of rain for many days last week, and it's not looking a whole lot better for this week. Was sort of dreary.
The DIL and I finished quilting up that quilt and today I'll start putting the binding on it, maybe I'll have it finished in a few days and can post some pics of it.
Till then, happy mirror washing!

Outside my window today

2011-02-01T09:19:00.000-05:00

Are cardinals (male and female) by the dozens, a hoot owl asking me who I am every time I step onto the porch, crows by the tons flying over, plenty of blue jays stealing the chicken feed and even a red headed woodpecker knocking on the birdhouse to ask if there is anyone home.
Do you think he'll get an answer?

It's cloudy and a wee bit gloomy here, chilly even. This can be a good thing for Imbolg. Check out Sagewood Farm home page to see why a gloomy day on this day is a GOOD THING!

I'll be heading to the kitchen soon, I think I'll whip up some bannock bread! Join me in this FEB 1 day of celebration.

Welcome to February!

2011-02-01T08:56:00.001-05:00

What is today??
Imbolc (also Imbolg or Oimelc): an Irish festival marking the beginning of spring. Most commonly celebrated on February 1 or 2 (or February 12, according to the Julian Calendar or 'old' calendar), it falls halfway between the Winter Solstice (Dec 21) and the Spring Equinox (March 20/21).

Imbolc means "in the belly" indicating the pregnancy of the ewes and usually marked the beginning of lactation. It was a sign that the ewes would soon give birth to the spring lambs. A major importance for survival.

This date, (Feb 2) also known as Candlemas was at one time the day that the Chandlers dipped and or made the candles to be used for the upcoming year.

Imbolc recognizes the lengthening days and early signs of spring. The celebrations traditionally included special foods (bannocks, sheeps milk cheese, butter & mutton) and weather predictions.
Bonfires were lit in celebration of the coming spring and the old tradition of watching for animals to appear from their winter dens. Could this be where we get our Ground Hog Day?

Imbolc is the day the Cailleach, (a hag in Gaelic tradition) gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Lore says that if winter is to continue , the weather on this day is beautiful & sunny, (so the hag can gather plenty of firewood), but if Imbolc is a day of bad or foul weather, (cloudy, cold and wet) it means the hag is still asleep and winter is near over. People always wished for a foul weather day on this day!

SO what are your plans for this day of spring beginnings? How's YOUR weather? If it's cloudy and wet, CELEBRATE!!
The Farmers Almanac says there are 47 days left until spring.
Are you planting seeds yet??
Tomorrow, get your wax, your molds and you wicks ready and make some candles!
Plant some seeds!
Make some Bannocks and spread them with butter! Spring is springing!! (really, it is even though you might be able to see it, it IS!)

Bannock Bread Recipe:

1 cup white flour
(can mix 1/2-1/2 with wheat, oats, corn or any choice of flour)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/3 cup or more cold water

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly then cut in butter. Add enough water to make a thick dough. Form into thick cakes and place in the bottom of a greased cast iron frying pan. Cook on low/medium heat until done on both sides. For a change of pace add raisins, blueberries, dates, prunes, etc. Or even a spice or two like cinnamon or cloves. Serve with molasses and/or butter.

You can deep fry this bread, or choose to bake it in the oven. You choose, make your own tradition. Enjoy it!

(don't want to make bannock?? Substitute pita, tortillas or even pancakes!)

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Wow..

2011-01-31T08:16:00.000-05:00

The weekend is gone already! We had BEAUTIFUL weather and it was a good thing too.

Since today is BUBBLE day, which means laundry and it's due to rain all day, I did all my laundry yesterday! (can't hang clothes in the rain ya know) Good thing too, it's raining already.
It was 74 here yesterday! Wow..what nice weather!
It's still one thing Mondays though, and today's one thing is..CLEANING THE COFFEE POT! Don't have a coffee pot? How about a tea maker? Or any item that you use on a daily basis that can get sediment in it and clogged up. Today's the day. It's the coffee maker for me. Oh yeah.

Tomorrow is the first of the month and there are certain things I do on the first of the month too..here's the list..
Change the air/heat unit filter
Check fire/smoke detector batteries
Give the dogs/cats heart worm medication
Dust ceiling fans

That's about it. Do I get it all done? Not always, but I make sure to try and get it done in the first couple of weeks.
I sure do hope you have a great day rain or shine.
KEEP THE VOW!

A Challenge for YOU!

2011-01-30T14:44:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure how many readers are aware, but I have been a 'clothes line gal' for a while, was raised with one as a matter of fact, BUT. (confession time) .I've not use it to it's fullest extent. I know, bad girl, but with this years mantra and a great desire to reduce a few things, (namely my 'carbon footprint', and my electric bill), I have taken a vow of....uhmm what shall I call this..a vow of...~~poverty~~? no, ~~chastity?~~ oh heavens no, dependence?...well, I can't use that cuz I'm still dependent on electric for 'other' things.
Let's just say it's a vow to reduce! Yeah, that's the ticket.
I have vowed to not use my dishwasher or my dryer as long as possible.
I've been at this since Oct/Nov of last year and in that time, I can say I've used my dryer twice, for 20 minutes each time when it started raining and I had to grab my not quite dry clothes off the line. I now have an inside drying rack so hopefully that will not happen again.
Now, the dishwasher. Hmm how to explain this one? I use it everyday. Not electrically though. Instead of removing the electric vampire demon, I use it as my 'drainboard'. I wash dishes by-hand in the sink and use the dishwasher to drain them in. Now, because I do this it means that once every month and a 1/2 or so I do have to run it at least on hot a rinse cycle. If I don't what I get is, standing water in the bottom. Since we have well water with lots of natural minerals, leaving well water to 'sit' is not a good idea!

So since Jan 1 of this year, I have used neither the dishwasher or the dryer. Since I will have to run the dishwasher once every 6-8 weeks or so I'll make sure it's FULL of stuff of course but if I can stretch it to once every 2 months, that means only 6x's in a year. That's a good thing since reduction is the goal and last year, prior to Oct/Nov I ran it at least every other day. (sometimes more depending)

So the challenge is out there for all you Hedgewives. This year, for the year 2011, take a vow to not use your dryer or dishwasher. At least reduce the use of each as much as possible. Want to join the vow?

A funny thing I saw on the way to:

2011-01-30T09:32:00.000-05:00

My TAXI for the day!

Ok, here's an adventure I never told you about.
One day a few months back, very late in the day my phone rings. I recognize the number as being Tony, my nephew (remember? the officer?) The first thing out of his mouth is "You wanna go drink tomorrow morning?" I'm a wee bit confused, dumbfounded and wondering what has gotten Tony on a kick to party! I asked him, with all seriousness, 'Uhmm..drink? HUH?"
After a few minutes of conversation and confusion I realized what he was talking about.
It's like this see.
Police officers in training have to learn how to determine if someone is possibly over the alcohol limit by looking for certain signs, then by those determinations they administer a breathalyzer test.

Well, just how are these trainees going to learn what to look for unless they encounter an 'over the limit' person? That's where I come in, and what the phone call was about.
In short: The Police academy conducts 'wet labs' where volunteers 'drink' a certain amount then go to the classroom and get tested by the officers in training. They are learning how to determine if someone may be over the limit. Once the officers looks at them and issue a few tests, they must give an educated guess on what they would 'blow' on the breathalyzer based on their observations. The volunteers then 'blow' and the results are recorded, discussed and re-evaluated if needs be.
There are rules and regs and it's completely safe. For instance, you are never alone. If you have to go to the bathroom or outside to smoke you are escorted. The officer pouring your drinks does so on a measurement basis so that each person gets the same amount of alcohol no matter the drink of choice. You have to drink 'X' amount in 'X' amount of time. You blow 10 mins after each drink to see what your 'level' is. You are not allowed to leave the facility until you 'blow' a 000. And believe it or not, they even serve you lunch.

Believe me, I'm not much of a drinker and when I do drink it's wine. But it's even harder to start drinking wine at 9:30 in the morning, get snockered and then sober up in time to get home to cook dinner! WHEW!
I did it anyway!
The academy is very appreciative of the volunteers that do this, heck, I even got 'parting' gifts last time! LOL. We had a wonderful time and I learned a lot. I learned exactly how much I can drink before I blow over the limit and trust me it's not much. (you would be surprised!).
Now, I tell you all this so I could show you these pictures: Ready? Once we arrive at the academy and get out of the car, I'm in a parking lot full of police cars right? Walking up to the academy I just happened to notice THIS TAG:

And then, realized it was on THIS car. I bout died laughing. Gotta love an officer with a sense of humor!!!

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Christmas!

2011-01-28T21:29:00.000-05:00

Yep, you read that right! Christmas! So tell me, what have you gotten ready, bought, made or prepared for this years upcoming Holiday?? There are only 330 days left until Christmas!! Go make, buy or find one Christmas gift this month, wrap it, label it and put it away! (hehehe) You'll be one step ahead of the game! Heck, if you're feeling froggy, do TWO! And if you're like me with three grand-babies, 4 children (including in-laws) and one hubby (the most I can have..OR WANT) do one a month for each of them, ..wrap it, tag it and put it away! If you do this I PROMISE you there will be no 'last minute' rush of shopping for you! :) Now, isn't that a GREAT idea? You have THREE days left in the month! GO ..GET..DO...MAKE..wrap, tag and put it away! I have faith in you!

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Ohh the blueberries!

2011-01-28T13:17:00.000-05:00

Blueberry Cake..yumm..what could be better or easier..so, following Georgia Farm Woman's recipe found here over at "Life on a Southern Farm" (which I encourage you to visit for a load of cuteness) I commenced to baking. The only problem was, I didn't have any peaches, but I DID have blueberries! (and loads of them) Sooo I grabbed out a home canned jar of blueberries:

Home canned blueberries

And strained them, reserving the juice. (which was a light syrup)
Now, the reserved liquid is supposed to be used in the cake for the wetness, but I think to myself "self, if you do that you're going to have a purple cake..not that *I* would mind, but someone else might" So, I used water instead but sat aside the juice for another use.

Strained, reserving juice.

I followed her instructions about the butter, the brown sugar and nuts. (Oh, I didn't measure the nuts, just tossed in a large handful and broke them up in skillet)


YUMMMMM! Nuts, sugar and butter..what ELSE could you want?

Added the blueberries

Added in the blueberries, mixed up the batter remembering to use water instead of blueberry juice for the liquid in the recipe.and poured!


Blueberries float, did you know that? Popped into oven, timer set 35 mins.

Here's what I did with the blueberry syrup. Pour it into a saucepan to heat on medium heat. Add 1/2 c. sugar (since this was a light syrup when I canned them). Bring to a boil and stir and boil 2 mins then removed from heat. Now, I have thickened blueberry syrup to drizzle on top. :)

Rolling boil..2 minutes

Thirty-five minutes later..LOOKY LOOKY what I've got! YUM.. so here comes the test, turning it OUT of the pan, intact not to mention being able to do it! Ready...?? HERE GOES!

Ohmygoodness!

First cut, still warm! Time for the syrup!

This calls for fresh coffee!

Keeping it real!! Here's the mess!
.

Here it is again..

2011-01-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

It's one thing Mondays!!

As you already know, today is my BUBBLE day, the last of the laundry is washing now, the other loads are washed and stacked in the basket waiting for the weather to warm up a bit and the sun to peak over the edge so I can go hang them out. It's supposed to be in the 50's by noon.
I still have to put clean sheets on the bed, but bathroom and bedroom cleaning are done for the week/day.
So what's our 'One Thing? It's the silverware drawer!
I'm sure everyone has some way in which they divide their silverware up, little holders or one that's shape fit to the utensils. Either way, it's time to clean it! While you're at it, go through your silverware and take out what you don't need. Re-purpose it where you can (use them for garden tools!), donate the rest or even make a 'kitchen' wind chime for outside the window. Once the drawer is empty and the containers or dividers are clean, clean the drawer and re-organize it as best you can!
So what's on your agenda today?I'll try to post some pics this afternoon of the finished apron. I may have to make a few adjustments to the pattern, but it's exactly what I was looking for! :)

For my no 'techy' Wednesday this week, I think I'll be sitting in the dentists office. Good way to get some hand work done, or even a book read. It'll also make 'no techy Wednesday' easy to accomplish! LOL

We'll be getting 10 more chickens today. A little while back a young man (who lives on the next street down) came to my door asking if I had fertile eggs..of which I replied "yes, I do." He wanted to buy some so I sold him the first 2 dozen, but then he told me he'd like to get about 10 dozen total in the long run. Apparently something got all their stock, 30 of them, killed and or ate them all. I've been there.
So I made a deal with him. "You take all the eggs you need, hatch them out, I'll charge you nothing but 10 chickens 'feathered' out in return". He agreed. All told, he probably got about 20 dozen fertile eggs from me and he's bringing me my 10 chickens today. Eventually, and very soon I think I'll be getting a rooster from him if he has one available.
The current roo we have is MEAN as a rattlesnake! So, bringing in another roo may cause fights sure, but the second roo will be much more docile with not being the 'lead roo'. Once he's here, subdued, established and easy to get along with, the mean as a rattlesnake roo#1 will see the bottom of the stew pot! I carry a big stick with me every time I go outside because of that roo.
He's so onery I'll have to cook him extra long just to tenderize him!
Well, I'm off to find something to bake to finish up my 'BUBBLE'..I think some blueberry 'something' is calling!
Matter of fact, I think I'll follow the "Georgia Farm Woman' and make 'this' except I'll replace the peaches with blueberries! Visit "Life on a Southern Farm" to get the recipe and see her new babies!!

Have a great day!!!

TWO DAYS!

2011-01-21T06:33:00.000-05:00

Did you hear that?? Two days I decided to go techy-less (well, close) it was a no techy Wednesday, check, but I decided to repeat on Thursday as well. I did watch TV on Thursday but didn't get online at all.
Here's what I did for those two days! Remember that apron I wanted to make? Well, it's 99% finished and I've sewn it all by hand! I'm down to adding the tie and a few pockets, but I have a gimp finger..and will have to hold off for a day or two before I finish it up. It's a mock up from a pattern I made to see if it will work, problems I'll have with it, adjustments, etc so I can modify the pattern and do it again!
I'll be visiting today, since today is my 'visit' day. Heading out to 'the city' to visit with the daughter and will probably have two of the Grands with me for the night! WOOHOO..that means it's pizza night!

I'll have to stop by the store and get all the stuff I'll need to make some homemade pizza..yum! (I actually have everything, just don't think I'll have enough!)
Anyway, will posts pics hopefully by Sunday of the finished apron..and what adjustments I plan on making to it. :) Hope you enjoyed you're 'no techy' Wednesday, I know I did!

Just so you'll know..

2011-01-18T22:07:00.000-05:00

My plans for tomorrow being a no techy day is to make an apron. I think they are probably the greatest idea! I ruin more clothes getting grease splatters and coffee spills then anyone I know! I figure an old fashioned apron would certainly help protect my clothing while choring about the house! (Isn't that what they were made for anyway?) I've made several for gifts, but have yet to make one for me! (isn't that always the case).

I want an apron yes, but I want a specific type. A 1/2 apron will not serve the purpose I'm looking for, so those are out. It has to be a full bib apron..remember..coffee and grease. I'm just frugal enough and sewing savy enough not to want to buy a pattern for it, even though after many hours of searching I found something as close as I'm gonna get. You can view it here.
If you've ever watched Dr. Quinn Medicine Women, she wears something very similar to this one, only it doesn't have the extra gathers in the top. That's what I'm looking for. So tomorrow, I'll be creating my own pattern and trying to put one together. I'll let you know on Thursday how it goes. In the meantime, enjoy the Apron Memory below..

GRANDMA'S APRON The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a holder for removing hot pans from the oven; it was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken-coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those old aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids; and when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling-wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, it was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out on the porch and waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner. It will be a long time before anyone invents something that will replace that old-time apron that served so many purposes.

~ Author Unknown

Morning!

2011-01-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

Happy day to all you Hedgewives!

As normal, up at 5 and all the morning chores done and out of the way. Today is my DOLL day.
DOLL stands for
Dinning Room
Office
Living Room
Laundry (Ironing only)

I always do my laundry on Monday's but as the old ways said "wash on Monday", Iron on Tuesday I save the ironing for Tuesdays. So if there were anything I washed and dried the day before, today is the day I iron it. :)

How did you 'One thing Monday" go?? There will be another listed for next Monday..one thing at a time, it's the way a Hedgewife takes life. :)
Remember Wednesday's are 'non techy' days. No computer and no TV specifically, so there will be no post for tomorrow.
I sure do hope each one of you join me on No techy Wednesdays, you'll be surprised how much you can accomplish!

I'll check back in with you on Thursday and maybe I'll list all the things I got done. How about you?
ENJOY your DAY!

GOOD MORNING!

2011-01-18T08:47:00.000-05:00

And how is everyone out there in blog land today? I hope this post finds you all FINE AND GOOD!

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Well, it may not be a secret to everyone, but I'm sure not everyone knows about it, so I'm here to share!
Are you a reader? Like books? Classic novels??
Ever had anyone read to you?
Trust me when I tell you this, you can get a lot of work done while being read to! Shhh ..don't tell everyone, it's a secret!
No..audio books are not for 'old people' or people who can't see..they are a true gift to the worker of the home. We all have so much to do in a day, and we all enjoy doing pleasurable things as well, but sometimes one has to give over to the other. I'm here to tell you, you can do both. Let someone read to you while you dust, organize, sew, polish the silver or wash the dishes! Take a dull and boring job and turn it into"can't wait pleasure' by using audio books.

Visit your local library, they will have loads of them. Just ask your helpful library assistant where the audio books are located and plan on spending an hour or two browsing!

You can download many to your computer for free as well!
Here are a few sites that have download-able audio books. Enjoy
Project Gutenburg
Libravox
Open Culture
Audio Books for free
Most of these places also do written e-books for you to download as well. Here's a few more.
Free e-Books
e-book directory

And that's just a start, do a simple search for 'free e-books' and free audio e-books and you'll find tons.

So, take the opportunity to 'hear' a good book while you do your housework! You may find you can't wait to fold clothes!
See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Thought I'd show you this

2011-01-17T10:47:00.000-05:00

Here is the current quilt I'm working on. The DIL helps me with it when she can, it's her first time quilting and I'm loving that she's giving it a try, maybe I can recruit another quilter!

The frame of course, is not store bought, but one the hubby and I made. It doesn't work as good as some I've used before, but it does get the job done, with some fussing, ~~screaming and yelling~~ and lots of patients. I've made 4 quilts on it so far, so it's not awful!

I'm sure we'll eventually improve on the design or break down and buy one. (not in my plans at the moment).
And if you know Sage the Hedgewife, you know I like to do quilts by hand. Takes me longer sure, but I like it that way. This quilt is about a twin size, my plans are to use it in the living room for a 'toss over'. Ya know what I mean by a toss over right? One that you keep on the back of the couch or close at hand in the living room and toss it over you while you sip tea or hot chocolate (or for me coffee) on those cool or rainy or gloomy days while cherishing and old movie or even a new one. Yep, a toss over.

My next quilt I'm going to try my hand at using a lap frame. I have one (a round one), and I'm hoping to get it going before winter ends so I can use it to cover me while I quilt!

That's a warm memory. My mother was not a quilter, she loved to crochet. She made beautiful afghans. I remember every year just as summer was ending she would begin a new afghan. By the time the weather started to cool, she had the afghan big enough to cover her lap, and then when full blustery winter cold set in, she had it big enough to cover her feet. She finished it just as season ended. Smart women my mother, I think I'll try to be like her, except in quilts of course.

Even though the pictures make some of the squares in the 9 patch blocks look different colors, the rose color is all the same on the 9 patch and the bigger plain squares. Silly ~~picture taker~~ camera.

It's ONE THING MONDAY!

2011-01-17T08:25:00.000-05:00

Today is "ONE thing Mondays"...so here's the one thing to accomplish for the day:
You know that drawer under the oven. You know..the one you put all your lids in. Maybe you store pots in it? Heck, you may not even have an oven that has one, and it's a broiler down there instead. Either way today is the day for that one item. If it's a drawer, take everything out, wash them off and give the drawer a good cleaning. If it's a broiler, clean the broiler pan and the slides under it.
It's ONE THING and I know you can do it!

Monday is BUBBLE day for me
BUBBLE day is what I call it anyway. It stands for
BATH
BEDROOM
BAKING & LAUNDRY
in short, BBBL..pronounced BUBBLE! :)
Bathroom cleaned, Bedroom cleaned and Laundry done, Baking is the only thing left on my chore list for today.
I say that, knowing that I still have other things to do of course. I'm currently in the process of going through all my craft items. Yesterday I refolded and re-organized almost all my material. (I'll finish up the rest today)
I felt like a miser counting out his gold! I love material. Believe it or not, the small stuff is what gets me giddy. I think of patchwork quilts and some of the beautiful blocks I could make with the plethora of little bits and pieces that can be matched up...I'm drunk with glee about it. Now if I could just make more time in a day to do it!

The hubby and I cleaned out the deep freeze and re-organized it yesterday. (ohh I found treasure in there too!) Now, match that with the fact that two days prior to that I went through all my 'home canned' goods and I can see what our dinners will consist of for the next week!
I've got to put my brain to work and come up with something that will use 'home canned' blueberries. I try to use the FIFO method of food storage and usage ..in case you don't know FIFO means First in First out. It keeps the food rotation and storage up to date.
Well, my canned blueberries are the one thing on the shelves that I need to use up before this summer comes and I add more to the mix! These are blueberries in a syrup/juice.
I've recently made blueberry cobbler, so I'm not wanting to do that again. I can always make blueberry muffins, but would rather find SOMETHING different or unique. So all you Hedgewives out there, got any ideas? Great recipes using blueberries in syrup/juice?
I'm off now to accomplish my 'One Thing' and then back to my ~~gold counting~~ material folding. I may even pull out some block patterns and whip up a few to start a sampler quilt!

What's on your agenda?

2011-01-17T07:52:00.001-05:00

Today is the 17th day of the New year and we have 62 more days till spring..this according the Almanac of course. The Almanac doesn't list today a 'best' day for anything. Does this mean I can goof off today?
It's supposed to rain today. Our high, 55..not bad but still with those higher temps comes the rain. So rain it is and well, it's already a wee bit gloomy looking outside.

I'm in the process of cleaning out and re-organizing the craft area. I refolded material all day yesterday! LOL. Sounds like a good thing to finish up on a rainy day huh?

Chickens have been fed, coffee is made and I'm ready to take on the rest of the day. How about you?

TODAY IS:
Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (observed)
Since 1986, the third Monday in January has been a federal holiday in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and civil rights leader dedicated to nonviolence. It was the first new federal holiday created since 1948, when Memorial Day became a national holiday, and only the third in this century (the other was Armistice, or Veterans, Day). To read the rest, go here.

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Wanna see some canned chicken?

2011-01-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

I've canned chicken and chicken soup as well as extra broth for several days now. Check out HERE to see pics!
Maybe this year I'll get a jump start on some garden canning since I'll be HOME!! :) For now, the chicken, carrots and celery were on sale, I could not resist packing the larder just a wee bit!

Some canning pics for ya!

2011-01-15T11:55:00.000-05:00

Start boiling the chicken.

Jars ready and sterilized

Chicken done, time to strain the broth

A lot of lovely golden broth...YUMM

Fill canner with prepared jars and process!

Prepare the veggies

Veggies and broth added

NOW..time for SOUP!

I add carrots and celery first, then parsley and a t. salt and fill to to the top of the veggies with broth, then add chicken and finish filling with broth.

Filled with chicken and topped with broth, ready to process!

Five qrt. jars of soup, 6 qrt. jars of chicken and 4 qrt. jars of broth later..WHEW! I'm done (for now at least!)

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Guess where we're going today?

2011-01-15T06:14:00.000-05:00

THE THRIFT STORE!! Woohooo!
I love the Thrift store!
I'm on the lookout for 'non' electric items, such as a coffee grinder, a grain grinder, a pasta machine, a wood burning cook stove, and of course, just the various good 'treasures' that one can find at Thrift stores. I always look for quilts, good baby clothes for the grans, kitchen gadgets and just the right furniture pieces. I'll grant you, the list above is really 'dreaming', but one never knows what one will find! I can always hope!
We may even hit the Flea Market before the day is over! They usually have a HUGE farmers area where fresh fruits and veggies are always available! I can see more canning days ahead! :)

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Homemade Granola

2011-01-15T05:49:00.000-05:00

Can't stand the price of the granola cereals out there? I know I can't and refuse to buy them, even though I LOVE granola.
Since I love granola so much, I started years ago making it on occasion. Being in the mood for some granola and NOT going to pay nearly 5$ a box for it, I pulled out my classic stand by recipe and began.
So here's the simple granola recipe that I use. This is a base. You can add extra items to kick it up a notch (see list at the bottom). You can always add fresh fruit when you serve it too. It doesn't take much for a serving, so start small, it will fill you up! Enjoy and reap the benefits of your own granola..laugh maniacally at the grocery isle granola as you pass it up!

3/4 C brown sugar
1/3 C Veggie oil (you fav. brand)
1/3 C honey (use a local honey if you can to help prevent allergies)
5 C whole oats. (oatmeal, NOT INSTANT and NOT ONE MINUTE)
3/4 t. cinnamon
pinch of salt
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Grease a large cookie sheet and heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix brown sugar, oil and honey in saucepan. Heat and stir till sugar dissolves. Pour sugar mixture over dry mix a little at a time and mix thoroughly. Continue till all sugar mix is used. You may have to use your hands for the final mix, be careful it could be hot. Spread granola onto cookie sheet and bake in oven for 10-15 minutes. Stir once about 1/2 way through cooking. Let cool in pan completely. Store in airtight container.

Extras that you can add (all items BUT raisins/crasins should be added pre cooking)
up to 1 C nuts, raisins, cut up prunes or craisins
up to 1/2 flax seed, sesame seed, wheat germ..get creative!
Play with these measurements, you may like more or less of any one item.
I usually mix about 1 C of nuts, then after baking about 1/2 C raisins
You can also add vanilla into the sugar mix if you like. Use 1/2-1 t. vanilla.
*One hint, do not add the raisins till after you bake in oven.
This granola has a longer storage life then the other recipe I've posted here made with butter. You can store this one in an airtight container for about a month.
Enjoy your homemade granola!

Whew, what a day

2011-01-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

Did someone say busy?? Wow..I was busy.
I ended up not being able to go shopping yesterday, so at 5 am this morning I was up and at it. First things first ya know, coffee to be made! Gotta have my go juice! With the coffee brewing I grabbed the laundry from the bathroom, gave the bathroom a wipe down, swished the toilet and straightened the bed on my way out. First load of laundry in ..whites, hot wash. Then I grabbed the vacuum, cleaned out the filters and such on the vacuum and began the vacuuming chore.
I hate to vacuum, just so you know. My house is entirely carpet (except for the kitchen & baths) and right now, there are 4 dogs and 2 cats living here. Now you understand why I vacuum EVERY day and probably get a drift on why I hate it. Especially since my carpet is.....hmmm, well as my DIL put it she said "it's like a velvet that catches and holds on to EVERYTHING' and she's right. Vacuuming done and machine put away I started breakfast. Oatmeal today with some home canned warmed cinnamon pears and toast on the side.
Breakfast complete and grocery sale list in hand, out the door we go. Three stops, sale items only.
Ok ok ok..I confess, I picked up a FEW extra things (not many) but got those on sale too.
Just so happens one of the stores had one of my favorite wines on sale, (about 2$ less then normal) PLUS they had $1.00 coupons on the top. Sooo I paid about 7$ per bottle and bought 2! (normally about 10-12$ per bottle depending on where you buy it!)
I got various other items between 2 more stores, all on sale. Total cost today, about 70$.
Back home, cabinets re-organized with the new purchases and dinner pulled out (red beans and rice plus hamburger with cornbread from scratch) Clothes from the washer hung and drying the Chicken soup canning to begin! I did snap some pics, so I'll post those up tomorrow.
Let me warn all those who are interested in canning. I encourage anyone to give it a try, but be forewarned, it is not a lazy job. TIME INTENSIVE! Be prepared.
I made some homemade granola cereal today too. Good stuff.
Tomorrow is Saturday right? I'm ready for bed! Whew..it's been a busy day.

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

A Hedgewife Challenge

2011-01-14T06:50:00.000-05:00

I have a Challenge for all you Hedgewives out there!
Are you ready for this? I do believe we have all become accustomed to WAY too much technology. I'm guilty of it. I have satellite tv with well over 200 channels, I have a cell phone, I have internet connection, I'm a blogger, and yes, I own a microwave even though I rarely use it, along with many other whizzy gizzy objects that I can't think of right now. Do you have these things? Do you think you can't live without them?
Here's the challenge. Pick ONE DAY to go without these things. No, I'm not telling you to pull the plug on your electric, but for ONE DAY, don't turn on the tv, don't use your cell phone, don't use your microwave, don't use your computer. Turn them off, unplug them, shut them down. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES, but for ONE DAY, have a non techno day.

So here it is Hedgewives:
WEDNESDAY is NO TECHY DAY
Can you do it?
No TV
No Computer
No Cell phone
No Microwave
?????? Join me in this challenge, and see how much we can get accomplished. I DARE YA!

According to Farmers Almanac

2011-01-13T08:39:00.001-05:00

Today is January 13, there are 66 more days until spring (hmm with it being in the 20's here this morning that's something to look forward to!) Anyway in Sweden today is known as St. Knuts Day. Here's the info:

St. Knut's Day

In Sweden, January 13 is the traditional day to discard the Christmas tree and end the season’s festivities. A children’s party is the favored way to strip the tree of its decorations, after which the children are free to “plunder” the edible treats and small gifts placed on the tree especially for the occasion. Finally, everyone “dances” the tree out the door. Singing special songs, they pick up the tree and toss it out into the snow.

Almanac Calendar

I think I'd go crazy if I had to keep my tree up that long. I do like the idea of the day though, but let's move it back to ....ohhh Dec 30?
My decorations have long been down.

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

Thinking ahead

2011-01-12T17:49:00.000-05:00

As we should of course. Always think ahead. Tomorrow is my shopping day. So today, two things, clean out the fridge and have leftovers for dinner! (sad thing is, I don't have many leftovers cuz we ate them Monday when I got on a lazy streak!)
(checking sale papers)
Last week one of our grocery stores had chicken on sale, 40 lbs for 17.00$ Of course I took advantage of the sale and bought 40lbs. I put it in the freezer temporarily till I could can it. I canned 4 quarts a few days ago, and the next batch is on the stove now (should be about 4-6 qrts).
I checked the sale papers today and they have carrots and celery on sale. Hmm, makes me think 'chicken soup'. So I'll save the last 6 jars for canning tomorrow after shopping. I'll buy the carrots and the celery and can up some chicken soup sans the noodles. How easy is that?
I'm still stuck for dinner ideas, but there's always eggs! One good thing about having chickens and an over abundance of eggs is, "It's what's for dinner!" anytime you're in a fix!
So I'm off to finish pre-boiling chicken and cook up some bacon and eggs for dinner.

Updating again..or should I say Still

2011-01-12T10:14:00.000-05:00

Well, the Kitchen blog and the garden blog has been imported here to the Hedgewife. Maybe now it won't be so difficult to post since they are now one!

I'll be doing more dusting and cleaning in here and getting things more to my liking again. Stay tuned for recipes, pics of the harvest and preserving said harvest along with things of a Hedgewife!

The Hedgewife

One Year

2011-01-12T01:36:00.000-05:00

A break of one year and a break that I told no one about. Bad thing of me wasn't it.

Well, I'm back.
I hope to resurrect this blog in a big way. It will be combined with my garden blog. I've had lots of stuff going on in the last year, and hopefully they are over now and I can come back full circle here. Not necessarily that my life will be slowing down, on the contrary, it will be just as busy, the difference being, busy at home and not away from home for 12 hours a day. (yep, 12 hours a day, 5 & 6 days week..couldn't stand it, gave it up)
I'm back to baking bread, back to quilting, back to crafting and already making my garden plans for this upcoming season. I've acquired a new pressure canner (Xmas present) and will be a busy little bee come this summer.
I'm already canning chicken that I got on sale, and have more to do.
So hang with me, give me some time to get some pics taken of what's new here in the Housewife's life and we'll start again.
Still doing it the old fashioned way, with old fashioned style!

The Hedgewife

Updating

2011-01-12T01:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I had not updated my 'grands' blogs in almost 5 months. Tonight, two of them are done. The last one will be finished tomorrow. WHEW!
Come to think of it, I only recently updated this blog, once in Nov. and once again in Jan.
Wonder why that is?
Did you ever just get 'burned' out of blogging? Well, I did in a big way.
Last year while I was working nearly 60 hrs per week for the longest time, I did my best to keep up with the blogs and did a decent job. Then, I quit my job (couldn't stand it anymore) and it seems I quit everything else too, except my house. That was when I went into 'the great transformation' of the house. My craft room demolished and a 'kids room' implanted in it's place and the 'guest' room transformed into a very usable guest room. Dinning room and living room rearranged as well as the kitchen. WHEW..it was a lot of work followed directly by a yard sale, Thanksgiving and Christmas and of course, the New year which we find ourselves in now. Blogging? Who the hell had time to blog, or the energy left to do it with? Not me.

My house is still not how I would like it. Most of it is mind you, the kiddo's room, the guest room and the living room are about as good as they are going to get. I can't say much more for the dinning room except that I wish it were about 10ft bigger. Since I can't 'SIM" my house and stretch out a wall, I'll have to live with it. (oh, if you don't play SIMS you may not understand that reference, so let me just say in "SIMS" you build houses and if you need a room bigger you just move a wall..and presto, bigger room. If only I could "SIM build" my house!)
My kitchen is not as workable as I would like it, but I am at a loss as to how to make it better. (but I'm working on it, much to the bemoaning of my other half).
Things are starting to come back to a schedule around here. Hubby just went to 3rd shift, so I'm dealing with that and trying to work my schedule around it. I get most of the 'noisy' work done in the mornings before he gets home (that means pre 6:30 am people!) and save the quieter activities for when he's sleeping. It's working, but still needs refinement. I'm working on that too.
Life, it's a work in progress always. Never stops.
There has been garden planning and quilt tops put on the frames, crocheting done and various other odds and ends like bread baking and winterizing. I thought winter time was the time you were supposed to rest???
Whoever said that, needs to come stay here for a month so I can show them the error of their ways (or shoot them! especially if they don't lend a hand to help!).

I made a list before Christmas, a 100 things list, at the dare of my son. In conversation one night I made the remark "I've got a 100 things to do before yadda yadda yadda.... His reply "I bet you really don't have 100 things to do, if you sat down and wrote it all down, I guarantee you could NOT come up with 100 things." So with the task at hand I sat down and started typing up the list titled 'The 100 things list" of course.
I came up with over 70 that day and I'm sure I could finish up enough to make that 100, but haven't had the time to get back to it!!
Of that list of over 70, I'm down 13 but could easily add 20+ more with finding things doing those 13!!
Does this ever end??

I always thought I'd be able to slow down a little, relax some in my 'later years' or 'grandma years'. Someone lied to me! Again, Whoever said that needs to be shot.

Of course, it could be because of the 'country' lifestyle I have chosen huh? Shhhhh..forget I said that.
See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

It's surely winter!

2011-01-10T17:32:00.001-05:00

Well here we go. Covered in ice, electric has flicked a few times. Won't last long I'm sure, maybe for a day. Wish it was snow!

I've got a new quilt on the frame that keeps looking at me to work on, not to mention a bunch of chicken in the freezer to can up. I guess I should get busy huh?

but you see..this is one of those days that I just want to sleep. The sun never really came up, temp is about 30, it's raining sleet and ice and well it's just a grand day to snuggle under the blanket and ~~sleep~~ watch movies.

Maybe it's time to make some coffee and get to quilting!
What are YOU doing on this fine chilly winters day?

See ya next time......down on the farm! Sage

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2010-11-25T10:31:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone has a great Turkey Day!!! GO GET STUFFED!

We will be celebrating our Thanksgiving on Saturday as well as Miss Ciannons 2nd birthday.
So have a good one, I know we will!

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

Bread Day

2010-11-23T07:40:00.001-05:00

Knowing what the electric technician told me, today will be bread baking day!

I've got my starter going (made bread last week from it..was delish) and over the weekend the hubby and I purchased 2 more loaf pans, so I'll be baking 3 loafs at once this afternoon.
I may even add some muffins in there and bag them for the rest of the week to munch on. (cinnamon ones and blueberry ones!)
Wonder if I could make my biscuits all at the same time too and freeze those, pulling out however many we needed? That's something I may have to try too!

I guess I better get busy with the first mix and rise, doc appt at 11am, so after I get home, I can do the final rise and mix up the other things and begin baking away! I'm off!

I'll let you know how my experiment goes!

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

What a revelation

2010-11-22T17:40:00.002-05:00

Well, if you read my previous post, then you know I'm on the warpath with my electric vampires.

I'm putting on my 'Electric Detective Badge' and taking charge!

I spent a little over an hour on the phone today with one of our electric companies energy conservationist discussing my bill. He explained a few things to me and we talked together about how to reduce my electrical usage and to possibly find out which or where my electrical vampires are hiding.

So here goes, the plan of attack:
For the next 30 days:
At 5pm I need to write down the reading on the meter (this will occur everyday from this day on)
Keep a 24 hour diary noting what I am doing each hour, and the electrical appliances being used.
At 5pm the next day, again write down the reading on the meter.
When I see a spike in the reading, call him up. He will check each hour of that previous day and tell me which hour my usage was at it's highest.
I can then compare it with my 24 hr. diary and we should be able to pinpoint within a week or so what may be our electric vampire.

Good enough for me, so begins this adventure:
BUT here are some things you might not know.

Did you know you're supposed to service your water heater yearly, just like you do your air/heat unit? Yep, you are supposed to drain your water heater yearly, check the element, clean it or replace it if needed, clean the bottom of your tank, then reassemble and refill with water.

WHO KNEW?
(not I)

He also informed me (because I asked) that even though companies spew 'energy efficient' it does not necessarily make it so.
Specifically talking dishwashers here. Yes..that specific dishwasher you are using or getting ready to purchase may 'use less water'..may use less electricity and very well may be energy efficient for what it is or compared to 'model xxx', but it causes other items in your house to use energy which they DON'T calculate into their 'energy efficient ratings'.
Most people don't realize it, but dishwashers pull water from your hot water tank, which causes your hot water tank to empty and need to refill and heat up all that water. That is electrical usage.
Then (depending on your model) the dishwasher itself may heat that already heated water again to a specific temperature (another heating element to contend with and according to the electric man, anything that has a 'heating element' is an energy drain), then the dishwasher will run for appx 60-80 mins on regular or short cycle and fill up one more time to 'rinse' your dishes again, using your hot water from the water tank. (causing the viscous cycle to start again with your water heater having to start over again!)
Not only that, many people choose to use the 'heated drying cycle' on their dishwashers which again we deal with a heating element.
All told, he informed me that running a dishwasher pulls 7x's more electricity to use then doing dishes by hand when you consider all the other things it uses to complete it's cycle.

soooo what does this mean?? It's off with the dishwasher's head!!
Will I get rid of it? No, it's a great drainer for my hand washed dishes.
There are some keys to keeping the bills lower when washing dishes by hand.
1. Scrape food off dishes instead of rinsing off
2. Fill one sink with hot water and soap and rinse with cold water.
3. DO NOT let the water simply run as you wash.

Some hints and tips to hand washing the dishes:
Start with a clean sink.
Fill one side with hot water and soap
Wash cleanest to dirtiest in that order (ex; glasses first, silverware, plates, serving bowls then pots and pans)
Wash all the dishes you can filling the rinse sink then rinse all the dishes at the same time. (this keeps you from turning on your water on 50x's!)
If you feel that your dishes are not 'sanitized' properly think of two things:
Your mother probably did not have a dishwasher, and I can bet your grandmother did not have one, and you're still here! Secondly, adding bleach to your wash water (1/2 cup or less) will help you feel better about your sanitation efforts. (and make the sink white if you have an enamel one!)
*Hint: If you don't fill your wash sink up all the way then 1/2 way through your washing when the water begins to cool, you can add more hot water. :)

I stack the dishes on one side, in the order I'm going to wash them in. Rinse after the silverware and glasses, the rinse again after the plates and serving bowls, then finally all the pots and pans (I do this because I have SMALL sinks darnit! (not too much will fit all at once!)

**NEVER EVER put a SHARP knife in your dishwater! If you have good bubbles, you cannot see the bottom of the sink and the possibility of cutting yourself is VERY REAL! Keep knifes on the counter and wash one at a time!

Besides, look at the "GOOD" thing washing dishes by hand will do...get your nails good and clean!! (I guess that means, after garden time is dish washing time huh?)
See ya at the sink come washin' up time!!

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

The Electric Experiment

2010-11-22T04:11:00.003-05:00

Some of our fall color. Sad to say, this shot does not show it up in the vibrant color that it was...ahh well.

We have a problem. Yep, a big problem.

The electricity. Either the actual cost here has gone sky high or we have something that is pulling way more then it's fair share around here.
I've checked with some of our local residents and their bill is not near as high and they are in bigger homes then we are!! So something is running amuck with electrical frenzy around here and we are determined to find out what it is!

Over the summer, while both the hubby and I worked we made sure that nothing extra was on in the house and that the air conditioner was turned up between 80 & 82 while we were gone.

When I would arrive home in the evening about 7pm. I would turn the thermostat back down to 75 where it would stay till the following morning. (appx a 12 hr. period). Our electric bill reached the $300 mark! OMG! Mind you, both of us working, a lot of laundry being done of course, showers for each of us every day, dryer use, dishwasher use. What I call average use for most people. We struggled with it, turning more and more things off (via putting things on a strip and clicking the strip before going to bed) etc, and NOTHING seemed to work.
Since our weather has cooled, and since I am no longer working we have started taking major steps in finding out what the problem is here.

For one month solid, we did not use the air conditioner, the heater or the dryer. Our electric bill still came in at the $160 mark. Which is MUCH lower, yes, BUT still way to high for 2 people, using 'nothing' extra in a 1400sq ft home, all one floor. Especially knowing that the bill here just 3 years ago only went to $150 in the SUMMER MONTHS and around $90 in the winter.

We became electric detectives yesterday. We checked how fast the meter was running with various things on. The air conditioner, the heater, the tv's, etc. You get my drift.

I do believe we have discovered our culprit. The water heater. What with two showers a day, and running the dishwasher (which pulls hot water and then heats it again!) then endless laundry we were doing, etc., the water heater seems to be almost on a constant run to keep the water at a constant temp. (this all while I was working mind you)
We don't have it set very high in temp, BUT since we are on well water, mineral deposits could possibly have coated the element and may be making it very difficult for the element to get the water to the temp we have set.
With well water, you get minerals and mineral deposits. I'm scrubbing shower heads every month to keep the deposits down in there and wow, I've never cleaned inside the water heater! (not that you can, but you get my drift)

So first things first. We are going to call the electric company this week and make arrangements for them to come check on a few things. Secondly, not only are we still hanging out all the clothes and still avoiding the heater at this point, we will be doing dishes by hand around here. All clothes but whites will be washed in cold/cold (I used to do hubby's work clothes in either hot or warm, it was the only way to get them clean!) AND I'm going to pull a trick my parents used to do. Every night before we go to bed, we are going to turn the hot water heater off at the electric panel.

For one month we'll see just how much that lowers the bill. We've got to do something. It's a shame for the electric company to take home that much of our salary!

(I can see it now, post it notes all over the house, big bold letters..."TURN OFF WATER HEATER" and "TURN ON WATER HEATER") Let's see..the turn on the water heater post it will have to be on the coffee pot, and the turn off water heater post it will have to be.........hmm on my pillow!!)

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

EGGHEADS EGGXACTLY!

2010-11-15T12:38:00.006-05:00

Or otherwise titled "EGGHEADS".
LONG POST, BEWARE!
Yep, it's another rant. (I seem to be doing that a lot these days..wonder why?)

Anyway, let's discuss eggs.
Just this past weekend we decided to have our yard sale. I had been doing much cleaning and clearing out in the last month or 5 (ahem) and the time for the yard sale was nigh.
Many of you know we have what I call a 'small farm'. Meaning..we raise our own chickens, dogs, hell and vegetables. We USED to have pigs, goats, ducks, geese, rabbits and chickens but have downsized in a huge way over the last 6 years or so. Anyway, back to our weekend.
During our yard sale I also put out eggs for sell as well (I keep a sign out front to sell our eggs).

Two times someone bought eggs, and BOTH times I was asked "Are they fresh?"

I began to fume.
I Soooooo wanted to ask.."Do you ask your local grocer if the eggs are fresh?? Do you bother to check the dates on the cartons when you buy eggs at the store? DO you even KNOW what those dates on the cartons mean? (GRRRRRRR!)

The eggs that a farmer (well, I can only speak for myself here..but) The eggs you would usually buy with a local farmer or chicken rancher (as I like to call them) is MORE THAN LIKELY going to be fresher then the eggs you buy in the grocery store:
So let's talk turkey I mean..eggs.
Here is some basic information that ALL CONSUMERS and egg buyers need to know.

Chickens that produce eggs for mass market are
1) confined to a 12x12 space their entire lives. (and that's a big house, most times it's 8x8)
2) Never touch the ground
3) Are stacked 4 high in those 12x12 cages (heaven help the poop if your on the bottom floor!)
4) Never see daylight
5) Are fed antibiotics and multitudes of 'other' things I don't even want to discuss (but trust me, it is transferred to the egg you eat.
6) Are treated, live and must produce in such poor conditions and with such malice that I NEVER ever will buy another market egg again. Did you hear me?..EVER. I won't participate in that animal cruelty. You can do your own research, I've already done it and it was not pretty nor something I want to see again.

Eggs that are produced for mass market via the big companies are:
1) Usually collected every two days
2) Shipped to a prep area where they are 'readied' for market.
3) Packed into cartons and then
4) Shipped to you from via gawd knows where
5) Place on your grocers shelf ..total time, UP TO 4 weeks after lay ..DID you read that??..UP TO FOUR WEEKS after lay.

What happens to the egg when it is taken from the deplorable egg manufacturing plant:
Getting the egg ready for market:
First it is cooled, then it is washed .. WASHING an egg is BAD BAD BAD. Then they are 'checked' or candled as they used to call it for broken shells, blood spots and 'bad egg' syndrome. Then graded (only on weight people..not whether it's a substandard or excellent egg, it's graded ONLY ON SIZE) and finally packaged. The package tells you to SELL the egg within 30 days. SELL..no USE. (so we're talking 4+ weeks by the time you use it) ARE THEY FRESH?????

So, let's talk about egg washing.
When a chicken lays an egg she deposits a natural covering for her egg. A protective thin protein coating that seals off the egg know as the ' bloom'. This coating covers the WAY over 7,000 pores a shell has. It keeps stuff from getting INTO the egg that's not supposed to be there. When the big companies wash the egg they wash off the 'bloom'..they KNOW about 'bloom' and they KNOW it's purpose, so they try to 're-coat' the egg and usually do so with ..mineral oil or vegetable oil. THIS DOES NOT WORK like the natural coating on an egg. Mineral oil is a petroleum product..so PUHLEASE! (reminder, not ALL companies do this)

Want a list of what they may use to wash your egg with:
Chlorine, lye and hydrogen peroxide. Some use baking soda water, some use a mixture of vinegar and peroxide. EITHER WAY, what goes on that shell can get IN that shell now that the bloom is gone. Think about it.

And some people asked 'how did salmonella get into the eggs'. Well gees. If you were stored with 4 cages high, being pooped on all the time, then washed in a big vat where that poop may be, dried off and stuffed into a carton, you'd be full of germs too!

SO...to finish off this little rant.
Are my eggs fresh? You bet. All the eggs I sold were collected over the last week. They were NOT washed.
Now, think about this. A chicken sits an egg for 21 days out in the barnyard before hatch. Does she hatch a rotten baby chick? NO..she does not.
In Europe, they don't even refrigerate their eggs. A farm fresh, unwashed egg left un-refrigerated will last on your counter for appx. ONE MONTH (or better). A farm fresh, unwashed egg in your fridge can last 7 months or better.

Oh and by the by, the egg yolk in an egg has lots of ways of telling on the egg producer:
If it's pale yellow (as MOST store purchased eggs are) it tells you the chicken is 'caged' for the most part. Farm raised chickens who are allowed to free roam eat green foods, their yolks will be much closer to 'orange' then yellow. Does the egg spread out thin, and sits low, (look at it from the sides) Let your eggs tell their tale. If you listen and look, you'll learn a lot.

Some hints and tips on how to tell if your eggs are boiled, regular or rotten.
Spin them. A non boiled egg cannot spin.
Float them, a rotten egg will float, if it's boiled it'll sink, if it's fresh it'll sink.
Nuff said on eggs.

Do your research and DON'T be an "EGGHEAD".
Don't EVER ask me again if my eggs are fresh if you're a normal 'grocery egg buyer'! EVER!

Some fun for you:
Decode the code on the egg carton

Signing off: Our regularly scheduled program will return in a few days!

PS: The yard sale went well, we cleared out a bunch of stuff and took the rest to goodwill this morning.

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

The changing year

2010-11-09T15:16:00.002-05:00

Normally I love the 'fall and winter' of a year. The time change has always been my best friend. I much prefer the 'winter hours' over the summer hours. Notice the first word was 'normally'. This year, I'm having a hard time adjusting to the hour change. It could be simply that we've only been into the hour change for a few days and I haven't adjusted, it could be because I'm getting old or hell, it could be because my underwear are too tight. (wait......I don't wear underwear..scratch that), who knows, but for some reason, the past 3 nights have felt like they were an eternity long!

First off, let me explain why I always preferred the 'winter' hours to the summer hours.
Here in the south (as I am) during the early summer (before the time changes back) when it gets daylight earlier in the morning, it's cooler outside to do my 'outside work'.
Here in SC, it gets hotter then the door handles of hell by 10am. (what with the humidity factor and all)
I want my outside work done by then, or noon at the least! I want to be inside in the coolness of the house enjoying a glass of the house wine of the south (otherwise known as iced tea) I don't want to be outside in the heat and humidity of a late southern morning, sweat rolling between my eyes and under everything else making me smell like a cowboy harlot on a three day rodeo!

And let me tell you, if you're a fat women and you live in the south, POWDER is your friend. Your BEST friend. I need to buy stock!

SO, whenever the clocks ticked back to 'daylight savings time' or whatever ridiculous name they are calling it now, I've always relished in it. The sun rose faster in the mornings and come spring and early summer I KNEW I could be outside getting MOST of my gardening and yard work done by noon before the hellishness of the south set in. Being a morning person, this is a good thing. My average 'awake' time is 5am. Naturally. No clock needed, no alarm set. 5 am (and that's sleeping in, most mornings it can be anywhere from 3:30 to 4:30). I REALLY must be getting old!

For three days now, I've wondered..why the nights have been so long. I realize by 5pm it's getting dark. My 7:30pm run to the chicken coop to close the ladies up for the night and feed Baxter in the last dredges of sunlight are no longer possible. I've had to switch it over to a 5:30 run. Ok, I can do this, fine by me. But the nights are FOREVER LONG. And I USUALLY love that fact. Something is wrong here, I must be sick.

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

Did you remember??

2010-11-07T09:41:00.001-05:00

It's FALL!! My favorite time of the year, so I'll ask again..Did you remember??
SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK!!! :)
See that, you got up earlier then what you think! LOL

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

Grumble..grumble...

2010-11-05T16:52:00.005-04:00

(draggin' Suds the soap box from the corner and stepping on his back)

Ahem..ATTENTION WALMART SHOPPERS!!

Let's get the requirements out of the way.
1. I hate shopping at Walmart
2. I have no other choice but to shop at Walmart because I'm like everyone else in the world..and I need need to save money AND since the super Walmart moved into our small town..many of the competitor grocery stores have closed down. We've lost Piggly Wiggly, Winn-Dixie and Food Lion (which we didn't technically loose, it just changed to a Reids but with higher prices it seems. We do however purchase most of our meats there).
3. The prices at our Walmart are consistently higher then the Walmart 50 miles from here..WHY is that?
4. I hate to shop ..period.

Ok..now all that said, here's the skinny. Today was a 'big' shopping day for us. We needed a good many of the basics, the bones of groceries like flour, sugar, crackers, noodles etc. so it was a 'big shopping' day. Now, mind you remembering what I've already stated, off to Walmart we went.
We comparison shop at all times, I mean who doesn't in today's 'money struggle' right? Over the past many months, we have discovered many Walmart brands (great value) to be cheaper and just as good as the name brand counter part. I'm sure most of you have discovered this right?

Right.

So today..no different. What with the list I had to buy (grocery bones) I expected to be able to get a good portion of those items via 'Great Value' and save some money. What a surprise I got.
While shopping for ..well, here..here's a VERY short list.

Vegetable oil
Flour (self rising)
Grape Juice
Cheese (cheddar)

Ready?
Vegetable oil: Great Value brand: 2.98
Crisco brand: 2.50 (starring starry eyed)
Flour: Great Value brand: 2.50
EVERY OTHER BRAND (except Southern Biscuit) 1.96 OR LESS (blink..blink..WTH?)
Grape Juice 100% juice..no sugar added: Great Value Brand: 3.98
Welches Brand: 3.62 AND a $1.00 off coupon when you buy 2 (blink..blink..WTH)
Cheese: Large block, sharp cheddar: Guess what? Walmart's Great Value doesn't come in a 'sharp', however for comparison here we go: Walmart's Great Value brand, 3lb block, mild cheddar 7.98 (By the by, all Walmart brand 3lb block cheese whether it was cheddar, mozz. or colby..7.98)
Cabots EXTRA SHARP white cheddar 3lb block 6.98 A DOLLAR CHEAPER! (and trust me when I tell you, Cabots is MUCH MUCH MUCH better) WTH?

NOTE: all sizes were the same, all products identical except for 'brand'.
WTH??
Was I seeing this right? Since WHEN did the 'Walmart Great Value Brand" get such a calling and upper crust attitude that it was now more expensive then the name brand items? Can someone please tell me this?? Chime in anytime here. WTH?

So, I'm wondering here. WHY did this happen? WHEN did this happen?? And have YOU who Walmart shop noticed?? If not you better start standing up and taking notice. Walmart has sucked you into their brand..made it cheaper, saving you that hard earned dollar and then WHAM..once they think they've got you automatically grabbing that 'cheaper 'Great Value Brand" they raise the prices and HOPE you won't notice.
SOOOO
ATTENTION WALMART SHOPPERS!!!! Take notice. Price compare. Don't assume.

We found on this shopping trip that almost ALL groceries had taken a considerable price hike then by comparison of 3 months ago. Gas is on the rise again. Hard times over? I think not. Put on your rose colored glasses cuz Christmas is a homemade affair around here!

(getting off Suds and putting him back in the corner after an appreciative pat on the back and a scratch about the ears)

See ya next time......down on the farm!
Sage

2010-10-27T22:17:00.001-04:00

Well..Ok now it's time to Kick me. I haven't updated ANY of the blogs in so long I thing I've forgotten how! Just kidding, but I will be updating as soon as I get a chance.
Change in life lately. I quit my job.. it was time and well, there's just reasons I had for doing so and we'll leave it to that.

Since then, I've been revamping my house, redecorating, re-doing A LOT. I'm almost at the end and now it's time for the yard sale! That will be next week, for about 4 days!

Suffice it to say, soon I will have things back under control and under way to begin blogging again, so hang with me if you can. (if you can't ..I DO understand) ..I'll be posting again soon soon soon!

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

Just trying to catch up

2010-08-30T12:28:00.002-04:00

It's been a summer full of busy'ness' around here. Hubby has finally gotten to go back to work, he seems pretty happy about it. The garden we put in in suffering from lack of care, however, while we still had time we did manage to glean some produce for it. Needless to say I have a freezer full of okra, a few jars of salsa, a few jars of tomatoes, and a good many jars of jalapenos and banana peppers put aside. We've had to pretty much give up on it and let it over grow itself. It's all good. Hubby will till it in come fall and we'll prepare for next year, maybe by then, I won't be working and can spend some out there for next years produce market! Woohhooo.

Miss Ciannon and Miss Ashley just visited with us for about 3 weeks. It was fun to get to spend time with them again. I'm sure they were both anxious and ready to be home again once they arrived back in New York though. Soon enough, Miss Ciannon will be a TWO years old..wow.

Lilly and Brayden are growing like weeds of course. Brayden just recently had his 'first' night away from home and spent the night out here at the farm with me. I truly think he had a wonderful time! I know Miss Lilly surely enjoyed some one on one alone time with Mom and Dad. In invite you to view their pages (links on the left) to see how they are growing and some of their recent vacations and accomplishments.

Till I'm back at home and 'working' on at home, I'll update when I can, just don't look for it too often! LOL
Hopefully soon after Christmas I'll be able to hang up my 'working women' hat and put my 'crafting' hat back on!

See ya next time......down on the farm!Sage

2010-05-21T16:25:00.001-04:00

Ok, I know kick me. It's been forever since I updated the blog..like 2 months, but well..I won't give you any excuses, let's just say it's not been on the front burner of life right now.

HOWEVER..on Mothers Day this year, we did plan a get together and had a grand time all around. We had family from New York to California visiting with us! It was a blast and I can't wait till we can do it again! Enjoy the pics of our beautiful Mothers day (above). We actually had 4 generations here to celebrate...what a joy!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Getting with it..I think

2010-03-01T06:58:00.002-05:00

Well..I'm starting to see the light. Yep. It might be just a small flashlight, but it's coming clearer for me. Up at 4, an hour to do whatever my jobs are..whether it's sewing, or blogging or what have you I give myself an hour to do it. Then its shower time, eat breakfast, fix lunch then computer time to read the news and catch up on others blogs, then off to work. If you read the previous post, then you can see what one hour a day will get you. A quilt top in a week!
I started another top yesterday, but today was blog day so I didn't work on that one this morning, instead I updated grand babies blogs... but I'll be in the sewing room tomorrow, bright and early! (Who am I foolin'..it's NEVER bright when I get up...4am is still DARK!)
So, what's your bet?? How long can I keep this up? hmm??

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

The top is FINISHED!!

2010-02-27T08:06:00.002-05:00

Well here it is!! The finished quilt top for granddaughter #2..Miss Lillian...ENJOY!!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Lost in the shuffle

2010-02-23T06:13:00.002-05:00

Yep, that's me! Working 11-12 hours a day is a toughie when it comes to finding time to do something else! I've started taking an hour in the mornings for some quilting or craft room work, then an hour for some computer work..then shower and ready for real work (not to mention breakfast and packing a lunch in there somewhere). At least I've gotten a good portion of the current quilt I'm working on done..the top that is. I'll post some pics next week when I get the top finished . Hubby thinks I'm nuts. He says as early as I get up, half the day is done before I ever GO to work..were it him he'd be tired enough to take a nap before heading to the job. (hehe) well..that's not how it works for me. I'd much rather get up several hours before I had to be at work and do things *I* want to do, then go to work. Mind you that means as soon as I get home from work (between 6:30 and 7:00 pm) I'm about an hour away from sleep time! LOL. I'll have to adjust this as I go along for sure, cuz if I keep this up ..pretty soon I'll be falling asleep and it will still be daylight!
See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Did you say SNOW?

2010-02-14T19:05:00.003-05:00

Yep....here are just a few shots of our snow. We are emerging from our cave. After 2 1/2 days of no electricity..I'm finally back online..whew! Why did we loose electric? Southern trees are not made to deal with the weight of snow and ice...and fall they did, specifically over the electric lines!

Explain this one..in the front of the house we got about 5-6 inches. At the back of the house, we got 8. Go figure!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Do WHAT?

2010-02-12T08:09:00.002-05:00

Well, here it is..or maybe I should say here I am, in SOUTH Carolina..last time I checked that WAS the south wasn't it? Then can someone tell me why the weather man is telling me we are going to get between 2 to 5 inches of snow? Mind you, that amount isn't much of course..but ANY amount here is odd to say the least. (and of course, the residents of this area are not accustomed to ANY snow, so you know what that means don't you?) CRAZINESS!!!!
Last word so far, Atlanta has already begun to shut down..airports, roads, etc., cuz they are already getting the snow. (And they are MORE south then WE are..WTH?)

ahh well, winter time fun in the south..let me remind you where I work..a Towing and Emergency Break down company..with full shop. You know what that means? While everyone else is going to 'shut down' and go home......We will not be!

See you on the flip side!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Here it is Monday again

2010-02-01T06:49:00.002-05:00

And I survived yet another week. Matter of fact, last week was a pretty busy week. I worked 4 days and one day was in the hospital waiting for hubby to get out of surgery. They found cancer on his lip (from the sun) and removed it last Thursday. Everything went fine of course it was just a long day. We had to be there at 7am and we didn't' leave till 5:30..so was surely a long day. He's home recouping and doing just fine. I spent Saturday at the daughters house and well that means on Sunday...I worked on my grands blogs. WHEW! I did manage to get two quilt squares done while at the hospital. (hand sewn that is), so I'm glad about that. It will give me reason to do the rest! LOL..

Hope everyone out there in blogland has a great week! I'll try to post later this week, (and post pics of the quilt squares) but if I don't get the chance,..I'll see ya on Monday!!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Wow..seems like forever!

2010-01-25T07:07:00.001-05:00

It seems like it took me forever to get on here this morning. Our net service or blogspot one is having some problems!

Well as you can see I've survived my first week at the new job. The amount of information is overwhelming and I have suffered great gobs of brain overload for many days! WOW. You wouldnt' think that much information is needed or used to run a wrecker service, but WOWSA!

We had visitors this week and weekend. My sister came down for a mini-vacation..unfortunately I didn't get to see as much of her as I would have liked, I started the job the same week she came down, so my time was pretty limited. Then this weekend, my 2 step children came in for a 3 day visit. We had a good visit and now it's back to our regularly scheduled program.
The weather here has turned nasty, we had lots of high winds and rain last night (of course, we've had rain a lot this week too). BUT..and yes there is a but..at least we are out of the 'teens' in temps! WOOHOO!!
Sure hope everyone out there in blogworld has a great week..I'm off to learn some more about the wrecker business!

P.S. Dispatch called me again on Friday, wanting me to come in to train. Guess what? I ain't goin'..turned em down. SORRY to late.

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Today's the day

2010-01-18T08:56:00.002-05:00

After trying for a year to get on as a County Dispatcher for 911..and getting turned down once again.. (unsure of why..but doesn't matter) I'm going in today to fill out all the paperwork and take a tour of the NEW place I WILL be working. Yep yep..had two job offers on the table, one didn't come through, the second one was happy to hire me on. I'll officially start work tomorrow..today it's just a meet and greet everyone day. Soooo I'm back in the work force..wow. It's been a long time. :)

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Well..you are not going to believe this

2010-01-17T14:10:00.000-05:00

BUT..I made homemade Ravioli the other night ..homemade noodles and all and did NOT snap the first picture! (ohmygawd) can you believe that??

Someone shoot me!

However, plans are to make the FABULOUSLY good Ravioli again (very soon) and I PROMISE you, I will post pics and step by step instructions!

It was FABULOUS!

The Mayonnaise Jar

2010-01-11T09:04:00.000-05:00

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee:

A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began,
Wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again
If the jar was full... They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand
And poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded
With an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced Two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectively
Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life....
The golf balls are the important things - Family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost
And only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter Like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --
The small stuff..

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
Important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things That are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time
To clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand
And inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled..
'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Is this a sign?

2010-01-11T08:54:00.003-05:00

I have to tell you..for the last few weeks..I've felt like Mr. Rogers!!!

Now, come on..don't tell me you don't remember who Mr. Rogers is?? From Mr. Rogers Neighborhood?? The kiddy show.......puhlease! Put on your thinking cap and remember back with me, take a trip down memory lane.

Mr. Fred Rogers.."Won't you be my neighbor'?

Every show started with him walking into his house with one sweater on..changing his outside sweater to an inside sweater and switching his shoes from outside shoes to inside shoes. He ALWAYS wore a sweater!! Remember that??
By gawd..I'm always wearing an 'inside' sweater now a days..I feel like I should be singing "Won't you be my neighbor!"

Is this a sign of age? A sign of the times..or just a sign that it's damned cold?!!!!

*Don't forget to check out the new 'fail' at the bottom of the page!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Living in the south

2010-01-04T09:24:00.003-05:00

Yep..it's the south, and it's winter. Now some may think we don't get cold weather, but I'm here to tell you differently.

South Carolina, even the lower tip where we live surely does get cold and it's a cold that goes to the bone! (trust me!)
See..it's like this. Our humidity level is much higher here than in the northern climes of the US. Soooo when it gets cold, it's a damp/wet cold. THAT kind of cold, ladies and gents, is NOT a pretty one. Sticks with you like thick grits, ya know?

Our coldest months are Jan & Feb and last few days the temps have been in the 20's (low 20's at that!)
With temps that low comes the winterizing work. The chicken coop vents will have to be covered over with plastic. Any pipes above ground have to be insulated (specially at the well house!) The cars have to be 'winterized' and a few more odd and end winter jobs.

You know what's bad about all this. We only need this stuff for two months. It seems as soon as we get it all finished, it's just about time to take it down!

The other thing that January and the new year brings ..we get to start seriously thinking about the garden! What to plant, when to plant, planting seeds in the house and all the good things that go with gardening. And yes, even the bad things...like tilling the ground now so that the cold weather kills weed roots, then fertilizing and re-tilling ..only to be repeated in a few weeks.

I know..we just had Christmas and the New Year, but here in the south..cold though it may be we have GARDENS on our minds!!
See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

New Years Resolutions

2010-01-04T06:37:00.000-05:00

Do you make them? Better yet, do you keep them??

I've never been much on New Years Resolutions..instead, let's call them declarations!
So..here are a 10 of my declarations for the year 2010..(sounds cool doesn't it?)

Just 10..no more, no less..keep it simple I always say.

1. I promise to keep Christmas all year long (read: working on xmas decorations/gifts/crafts at least ONCE every month and keeping the Christmas spirit while I do it.)

2. I will find a proper recipe for pizza dough and teach myself to toss the dough like those old Italian pizza makers!

3. To spend as much time as I can with my family. (Cuz I know there will come a day when there will be 'no more time')

4. To perfect a good biscuit

5. Make the ultimate "honey do" list for someone else!! (meaning: THE HUBS)

6. To pay it forward as much and as often as I can.

7. To put my best foot forward in EVERY situation I find myself in..either good or bad.

8. To not look upon the drudgery of 'work' as such, but instead as an opportunity to say to myself "SELF: Be Thankful you have the ability (both physical and mental) to do the daily drudge"
8A. Along with this, to take each 'job' as an opportunity to reevaluate what's important to me.

9. To do something I ENJOY and LOVE..once a month.

10. To read more.

Simple huh??

Ok..so come on..fess up..what's yours??

See ya soon..
Sage

Here's wishing you...........

2010-01-01T06:25:00.002-05:00

A Happy, Peaceful, Enlightening, Joyous, Bountiful, New Year!!!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

2009-12-25T06:41:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL DAY!!!

Open lots of gifts, eat lots of food and enjoy lots of good times..make memories!

Oh oh..PS:
Check out the new 'LOOK-A-LIKE" at the bottom of the page!! You'll love it.
See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage

Well if you've kept up...

2009-12-20T20:41:00.000-05:00

With the main blog "Sagewood Farm" then you know we've been kinda busy around here..specially with a NEW BABY!! Woohoo! Daughter gave birth on Dec 17th to an almost 9lb baby girl and we are thrilled. It's made for a busy month, what with traveling and new births and Christmas..and well you get the drift.

In the meantime..here's a little idea for all those lovely holiday smells we love to smell but can never get to stay around long.

I have one little pot..a small saucepan really that I use for this ONLY. You can use a regular saucepan that you always use..but I need every pot and pan I have to prepare big holiday meals..so go thrifting or yardsale'ing it and find a small saucepan for this purpose only.

Everyone has oranges or tangerines or even grapefruit for the Christmas season it seems. I'm sure if you look in your spice cabinet you'll find cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. Any one or maybe all of the above right? RIGHT!

So take your little saucepan and peel that orange (or whatever citrus fruit you have on hand). Toss the peels in the saucepan and now run to the spice cabinet. I prefer to use cinnamon and nutmeg, but you pick the two or three that you like best and add 1 teaspoon of each one to the peels. Now fill the little saucepan 1/2 way with water. Stick this concoction on the back burner of your stove ..preferably the one your oven 'vents' on. (if you have a fireplace insert, you can sit it on top of that too!)
Turn on the burner and bring the mixture to a simmer...add more water if you need to to keep it at 1/2 full. Once it begins to simmer, turn it down to low and let it sit there..all day. Check it often and refill with water as it evaporates.

Your house will smell FABULOUS all day long! Turn it off at night of course and remember to add water the next day and start over again! You can keep this running for about 3 or 4 days before you'll need to 'refresh' it with all new stuff and start over again!

Every time I do this people walk in and ask me "What are you bakin' it smells wonderful!" ..little do they know! LOL

Now..you can always opt to do the 'new fangled' way of making your house smell by using scented candles and such..but hey, why not try and old fashioned 'air freshener' once in a while.

Things you can add to this or do differently to 'spice' it up and make it different are:
Apple peels
Pumpkin pie spice
cinnamon sticks
whole cloves
bay leaves
Vanilla flavoring (or any flavoring..orange, peppermint even maple!)

The possibilities are limitless ..and only curtailed by your imagination, so let it run wild and create your own 'house scent' designed for the season your in!

A Christmas Cake...

2009-12-20T20:26:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted a recipe for everyone or taken any pictures of the things I've made...so shoot me. :)

I have been busy with traveling to NY and then came home to the birth of a new Grandbaby (a girl) within a week or so. In between that I've been scrambling for Christmas gifts, getting interviewed for a job (that I've waited and hoped for for almost a year) and just the general every day stuff. HOWEVER..all that said I do have a cake recipe for you to try this Christmas season.
It's fattening, decadent and totally delish!

Ready for it? Here ya go..

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

3 sticks of butter, softened
1 pkg (8 oz.) Cream cheese, softened
3 Cups Sugar
6 eggs
3 Cups flour (self rising)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Line the bottom of a tube pan with wax paper and coat lightly with butter. (I use a brush) Heat oven to 300 degrees.
Cream butter and cream cheese together. Add sugar and beat till light. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Begin adding flour 1/2 a cup at a time, beating after each addition till all 3 cups are incorporated.
Bake on center rack of oven 1 1/2 hours.
Cool and remove from pan.

Additions you can do:
1. Sprinkle the top with sifted powdered sugar, serve.

2. Heat up to 2 Cups of strawberry jam, adding 1/2 C. (or more if needed) apple juice to make a hot sauce. Sever over cake slices.

3. Melt 2 bars of your favorite chocolate, add 1/2 C. heavy cream, drizzle on top of slices.

Or do it like I do..and just EAT IT like it is! YUM!!!

ENJOY!!

Well..she has arrived!

2009-12-18T08:14:00.003-05:00

Announcing the arrival of Grandbaby #3.... Lillian Ayla.
She was born Dec 17, 2009 at 10:04 pm and weighed 8 pounds and 13 oz. Check out her page here : Lillians Page ..,.,She's a little chunk of a thing and definitely has little cherub cheeks!

See ya next time......down on the farm!

Sage