Saturday, February 29, 2020

Fun Facts about Leap Year


Fun Facts about Leap Year


     Have you ever really thought about Leap year before and why we have it? Well according to History.com it was created to keep us in sync with the astronomical year or season of the year. Leap year comes every four years or at least most of the time. As we all know there are 365 days in a year but Leap year has 366 days. The extra day over a four year period is divided into fourths because it takes the earth 365.25 days to circle the sun, each forth makes up that extra day that is needed. It may not seem like a big deal but it does over time make a difference in our seasonal changes.
In history many calendars have even added a leap month to make up for lost time during the winter months. Their calendars were referred to as lunisolar which indicated the position of the moon as well as the earth in relationship to the sun. Because of a natural gap in time there were about eleven days that were measured by the lunar cycles and the earth’s orbit. It was required they add additional months which is referred to as interstitial months just to keep things straight but in the end it still did not keep the days in sync for the year.

     There are about 5 million people worldwide that were born on Leap Day. They are referred as leaplings. The odds for being born on this day is 1 to every 1461 person. How cool is that.

     In Ireland it was not proper for a lady to ask a gentleman for his hand but on the leap year they had that one day to do so. Thus calling it the Bachelor’s day.
Now for some more crazy Ideas, for most of us leap year may not be a problem but some folks feel it is a huge problem. According to an article written by Joshua Bote of USA today a couple of professors’ names Hanke and Henry of John Hopkins University feel their calendar would be a better fit for the work week. The week would always start on Monday and the first two months would have 30 days and every third month would have 31. This would be a perfect way to have a four day weekend when a holiday came around because all holidays except for the fourth of July and Thanksgiving would fall on that Monday. Thus it would not be breaking into midweek work time and production. By the end of the 364 day year there would be a free week that could be used as vacation time every 5 -6 years. This would be called the Xtr or weeklong month and because most folks take that time off to be with family anyways during this time around the winter holidays. Not sure how they will keep the Sunday schedule for those of us who still keep the Sabbath but I am sure it will be interesting. For those folks born on leap day will that mean they don’t exist?

     Believe it or not this calendar could actually take place soon as it has already been sent to congress for a vote on it. It would be called “the Trump Calendar”. Oh Gee, I think Happy Monday calendar sounds better. So there you have it fun facts that may not exist in the near future. All you ladies better get out there and ask that guy to marry you because it may be your last chance!

     Quote of the day:

"Every leap year I like to jump. It’s a good way to get my daily exercise in every four years." — Jarod Kintz

     Scripture of the day:

“Those knowing your name will trust in you; you will never abandon those seeking you, O Jehovah.”PS. 9:10.

Friday, February 28, 2020

Free for the Taking?


Free for the Taking?

Choose to build a new house

Fix up an old beauty

Or maybe own the one you use to live in.
   
     Have you ever wanted to create the perfect dream house with all the amenities that comes with it? Or maybe you had your eye on a prime piece of property close to your favorite spot. Maybe you have a rich relative that you hoped would put you in their will. What would you do if that dream could come true? This is the house and land you have been dreaming of all your life.  And what if, no one will ever take this property away from you and it will be free of taxes and you can feed yourself off the land and grow perfect non GMO heirloom plants to feed yourself and your family and farm your own animals there for eternity? Would you take this opportunity to thank that person with all your heart for giving you such a gift? Would you care for what has been given you and do your utmost to keep it up and continue living there?

Making good with what We have

     I know that I have always wanted a dream house and I have a design program that I have designed so many house on and each time I design one I try to put in all the great new ideas that I find in pictures from Houz or Pinterest. No matter how many houses I design I have to keep in mind that it has to be affordable to my very small budget and I mean small. Over the years my hubby and I have picked up things for little to no money to fund our house. Free windows and doors, free tubs, free tile you name it we have saved it. Things people want to give away or ask for little to nothing just to get rid of it. My house will have lots of windows as we have collected a six plus pairs of sliding glass doors. Each piece will be as one window framed into the living room and bedroom. We have been  given a pool table slate to make counters with and we have 100 year old oak boards to create the perfect look for something in the house. When my daughter remodeled her house we got a lot of goodies from her too. A great door that had come apart that has a glass work in it that will make a great window for a bathroom. There are so many treasures out there for little to nothing and I can always find use for so many things. Yet I know my house may have someone else live it if I die like one of my children. I know I will still have to pay my taxes and I will never be an heir to any one here on earth unless I have some secret admirer I don’t know about that put me in their will. So it will still be my dream house that may not ever get build because of my low income status.

     I know some day I will have that dream house and I will have everything I could ever dream of and more right here on this very earth but this inheritance will be from our Grand Creator God. He has promised all of us that we can have all of it free and no more mortgage payments no more taxes, free food and more. What you say? Isaiah 65:21- 23 tells us that God has promised for all who obey him all these things.
 Is 65: 21 They will build houses and live in them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. 22 They will not build for someone else to inhabit, nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full. 23 They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bear children for distress, because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah, and their descendants with them.

     Now, how can anyone not want to be a part of such wonderful provisions? For those of us who have no place of our own and especially if you owe the bank a mortgage or taxes this is a great opportunity. Can you visualize living in your own house and land like this? What part of that scripture appeals to you?  This is not something that most people have really thought about, but this is what God has promised to all of us. His plan for the earth from the very beginning was to have Adam and Eve extend the Garden of Eden to the ends of the earth. This plan has never changed. In fact He has said the meek ones will inherit the earth.  Chapter 37 of Psalms tells us many great things that will take place for those ones. Verse 3-4 states that if we trust in God and do what is good residing on the earth he will grant us the desires of our heart. Now what are your desires? But for those who are evil? He will do away with them in verse 9, but those hoping in Him WILL possess the earth. Ps 37:11 But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. I don’t know about you but to me that gift is one I will work very hard to receive even now.
Can you see yourself living in such a paradise as Adam and Eve once started? Can you see yourself never having to do without ever again? In revelations it tells of such a place right here on earth.

      Rev 21:3-5 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” 5 And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

     If the Bible says these words are faithful and true how wonderful will that be for us. Can you imagine waking up in the morning and not have to reach for your glasses or put in your teeth, feeling 100 % no pain!!! How about that word death are you afraid of it? I bet most are. But it says there will be no more death. What about all those loved ones we have lost over the years, I know I have children I have lost and grandparents and friends that have long passed. What does it say about them? No more mourning, how can that be? Jesus will call them all out of their graves to be united with us.

     At John 5: 28 (Jesus says), Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.

     Remember Ecclesiastes 1:4 A generation is going, and a generation is coming, but the earth remains forever. So the earth will not be destroyed. Well it will be a place of beauty once again never to be destroyed by man doing his worst. Can You be one who will build that dream home and live there forever? I know I am willing to try my hardest to be there! I will build my dream house and have more than I could ever imagine and it will be given to me and I will be an heir to its abundance of all that God intended it to be and more. I will serve Him to the best of my ability and be thankful and keep the faith that all my dreams will come true one day soon. I hope this sounds like a plan you will have too so I can see you also living your dream. It is free for the taking and God is offering it to all of us.

     Quote of the day:
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.” — Morrie Schwartz

     Scripture of the day:
1 Peter 4:8 Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.


Thursday, February 27, 2020

Wisteria a Beauty or Beast


Wisteria a Beauty or Beast



     When I lived in Ohio I had the most beautiful trellis of wisteria and I cut it back to keep it from getting too out of control. It smelled so good too. The pretty purple flowers made such grapelike cluster of flowers.  Here in Georgia it is a vine that grows like crazy and covers trees and landscapes all up and down the highways. I thought it was still so beautiful. Now that it grows on my property I tend to not like it so much. Over the last few years that I had worked during the late winter, early spring months I have not been able to keep up with it. I started to make a wisteria tree but it didn’t get cut back and it is all over the front yard. I use to keep it contained by making wreaths and baskets with it just to control it. It is all over my back yard too.

Creeping Crazy Benefit?

     I have spent a whole day cutting and pulling vines from my driveway. It was a backbreaking job and I didn’t even make a dent in it. I piled up vines and every time I thought I had cleared it out a whole bunch more was buried under the leaves I raked. I do have a plan for all this madness. I will be putting it into pots and getting it ready for my greenhouse area so we can sell it. This along with a few other things that grow up here on my hill in abundance will be dug up and repotted, and this will be a good start to our nursery.

     This will be part of our bread and butter. No sense in letting it be something we just discard into a compost pile or burned in a burn pile. It will end up being a money maker. I know I can never run out of this vine because it is like kudzu it grows like crazy. I see at most garden supply places they sell it so I know I can do it too. I may have my work cut out for me but in the long run I think it will pay off.

     So if you have something that you have an overabundance of in your yard you too can possibly make a few dollars sharing it with others. It may surprise you who may have wished to have that specific plant that you have in your yard. Don’t look at it as a nuisance but a way to create an income. This can work for bulbs that you have planted that have taken over the flower bed and just needs to be divided up or even herbs like mints that have spread beyond its boundaries. Maybe you planted too many of something and in the end you were overwhelmed with the outcome. A farmer’s market on Saturday will help there. You never know till you try.  As a homesteader I am always looking for ways to make money and this was a no brainer. You just have to think outside the box.

     Quote of the day:
"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune." - Jim Rohn

     Scripture of the day:
Matt. 24:45 “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?




Saturday, February 22, 2020

Storm’s a Coming & Now You're in the Dark


Storm’s a coming


     With all the storms and rough weather we have been having this winter, we might ask are we prepared for a power outage. I know we have had ours flicker a few times this year already and a few years ago we were without power for a few days after the hurricane so we try to be prepared now. We have had so much rain here that we have trees uprooting all over the place. That was what happened here during the hurricane. It just blew a huge oak tree into the house taking the power line with it. I know we don’t get a lot of snow here but occasionally we do, but mostly ice storms and then we have downed trees and power outages too. Up north though my family has a ton of snow from time to time. You would think they would have a power outage for sure somewhere.
What causes these outages? Weather is one cause and it could be from hurricanes, or lightning strikes. Downed lines or transformers exploding can be another. Sometimes it may be caused by overloaded power grids and even solar flares and it could be updates on the system itself. It is never coinciding with your plans whatever the case.




 What to do when the power goes out!!!

     So all of a sudden the house goes dark, no more TV or lights. Now what? Have you got your supplies ready? Have you got the emergency backup plan in place? I hope you have prepared well in advance because if it is a huge power outage it may cause stores to be without power in your area also and that means no computers to make purchases. If I know in advance we have a bad storm coming I always make sure we have water for us to drink and cook with. (I keep water to flush the toilets. I have always had a few huge jugs filled for toilets and stored.)

     Here is a list of other things you may want to have on hand.

  • Non perishables, can goods and juices etc. snack foods and fruit
  • First aid kits 
  • Extra toilet paper (Something I always have on hand.)
  • Batteries and extra flashlights- we have a few of the LED lanterns they are great and put out a lot of light. 
  • Can opener (hand crank) 
  • Matches  
  • Extra fuel: gas, wood or propane 
  • If at all possible have a backup generator
  • Extra blankets in case you do not have heat, thankfully we heat with wood here.
  • Extra clothing
  • A grill or camp stove to cook on if the power is out for too long.
  • Charcoal and lighter fluid
  •  A cooler and ice from the freezer if possible, if you have snow fill it with snow.
  • If you are like my hubby who needs his coffee have a pot to make it in from the cook stove.
  • Card or board games to keep the kids happy or a good book.  These things will help you get by for a few hours or days.

     If you have a generator make sure you have it connected from the outside in because it does let off carbon monoxide. Try not to open the refrigerator too much if you don’t have a generator it will keep the food cold longer.

     Things you can do when the power does go out is report the outage. Most times if there is a big outage the electric company will tell you where it is and how long it will take before they get you back up and running. Keep your radio on to keep up with bad weather just in case it is the cause so you can be prepared for something worse. Social media will help to pinpoint outages too. Try to unplug things like TV Computers etc. that can be damaged when the power comes back on. Hot water tanks will not be working nor will gas stoves with electric ignite switches, so keep that in mind. Unless you have a way to charge your cell phone try not to use it too much. Refrigerator will be safe up to 4 hours and freezers if full will make it for a day or so.

     Once the power has come back on you can start to plug your electronics etc. in again but not all at the same time. Always remember to restock what items you have used from your kits so you can be ready the next time you might have an outage. 

     I know we are never expecting for the weather to take out the power but sometimes it does. You never know when there are accidents involving power poles or some crazy something else so please be prepared. I know I try to be as much as possible here because we are way out of town and I don’t want to be caught off guard.

     Quote of the day:

“We forget just how painfully dim the world was before electricity. A candle, a good candle, provides barely a hundredth of the illumination of a single 100 watt light bulb.” Bill Bryson

     Scripture of the day:

 Gen. 1:3 And God said: “Let there be light.” Then there was light. After that God saw that the light was good, and God began to divide the light from the darkness. 




Friday, February 21, 2020

Protect Thyself!



Protect Thyself!

     I was kind of shocked to read a post one of my friends had posted on Facebook a day ago. She had just walked to her car in the parking lot of a store when a couple of cars pulled up to her and pinned her in. She was scared to death because they got out and were beating on her windows and screaming at her. Fortunately there was a Good Samaritan or guardian angel watching over her. A truck pulled up and chased these guys away! I don’t know how I would have acted in a time like that but I thought about it and told my hubby what had happened to her. He gave me a few good tips about what to do in case this happened here. You know so many of our sisters are out in field service these days and they may come up on such a scary incident too.

Good Advice For you Ladies

     He said if that were to happen the first thing you should do is start taking pictures of the people. If they know you are taking pictures of them they will take off. Good point. I thought well from now on I would make sure my doors are all locked once I get into the car. If the pictures do the trick make sure you get a picture of the cars involved too and call 911.  Try to park where there are cameras. Keep a container of pepper spray or mace in the door of your car. Honk your horn anything to bring attention to your situation. Don’t forget to Pray.

     Living close to a major city like Atlanta, you always see on the news about carjackings especially when folks are getting gas. Remember to always turn off your car and take your keys when paying or pumping your gas and never leave your purse in the car. If you have your children in the car or a pet they are safer under locked car. Thieves may not have that chance to steal your precious cargo then. A good thought to keep in mind is get your gas without your children and pets if possible or let our hubby fill your tank the night before. So many of these thieves will slip in the opposite door of the car to steal it. Just be aware of what is always going on around you. And if someone does get into your car don’t try to get it back let it go no matter what the cost.

     There  are so many folks out in the world these days that don’t have any respect for another human being and we are living in a time when so many take desperate measures only to serve their own needs. Drugs, car theft for profit, and even child and women kidnappings are so ramped these days, we all need to be aware and be safe.
I hope this post will help you ladies out there. I am glad my dear friend is fine and she made it safely home to her family. Just remember keep that phone in a place you can get to it fast and Pray.

     Quote of the day:  


     Scripture of the day:

Ps 18: 1-3 I shall have affection for you, O Jehovah my strength. 2 Jehovah is my crag and my stronghold and the Provider of escape for me. My God is my rock. I shall take refuge in him, my shield and my horn of salvation, my secure height.  3 On the One to be praised, Jehovah, I shall call, and from my enemies I shall be saved.





Thursday, February 20, 2020

Going Bananas!


Going Bananas

     I don’t know about you but at my house we eat a lot of bananas. My hubby buys a whole bag of bananas as least once a week. A lot of times we have so many that I just end up making banana bread out of them. I love to eat peanut butter banana sandwiches too. This week we decided to do something a bit different with some of the bananas. I pulled out our dehydrator and started to cut up my bananas to make banana chips.

Banana chips

     This is an easy recipe and even if you don’t have a dehydrator you can still make them. I just made up two trays for us since they are a sweet treat that we do not need a lot of. They are a great treat for kids and folks with a gluten intolerance and vegan approved.

     Things you need:

Lemon juice to toss the banana in to keep it from turning black
Bananas
Knife
Spray your trays with coconut oil to keep them from sticking.
Parchment paper for oven cookie sheet option.


  
 Slice your bananas 1/8 of an inch thick in rounds, toss them in the juice and place them on the trays or cookie sheets or screen. Place on a few trays to dehydrate or other options: you can dry them on a cookie sheet in the oven, or sun dry them on a screen.

  • If you are dehydrating them, they will take between 6-8 hours at 135 degrees. 
  • For oven the temperature is 175 degrees for about 3 hours.
  • For sun drying you need about 4-6 days of 86 degrees heat. Where we live that isn’t a problem. But to help with the heat place drying racks on cement to help hold the heat.

     Once they are done they will keep in a an airtight container for a few weeks. That is if they last that long! That is all you have to do to make banana chips. They are a very healthy snack that has lots of vitamins c,b, fiber and potassium. They make you happy by the tryptophan in it. Eat them for weight loss because they help suppress cravings. Your kids will love them.

     I love using my dehydrator and it makes storing food so much easier. I love using mason jars because you can see what you have in them and it the color or each jar content is so beautiful to display on your shelves.

     I hope you enjoy the sweet snack as much as we do. Just in case you want to give your treat a twist here are a few ways to change it up. After you have cut up your bananas you can shake them in peanut butter or you can use a different juice such as orange juice, lime juice, cranberry, grape or sweetened coconut milk or sprinkle some cinnamon or ginger in them you could even sprinkle cocoa powder on them. Your dogs will love them too in moderation. If you have exotic birds they love them too.

Other uses: add them to granola, cereal, crush them up and add them to your favorite cookie recipe or add to ice cream. The list can continue, just go bananas!

     I bet you didn’t know that the peel of the banana is good for quite a few great things. You can even eat them, polish your shoes, whiten your teeth, keep aphids out of your plants and so much more!
Check out this article and you will never look at a banana peel the same again! Whatever you do don't drop it on the floor for the next person to slip on!

Quote for the day:

  “A monkey glances up and sees a banana, and that's as far as he looks. A visionary looks up and sees the moon.” - Author: Eoin Colfer

Scripture of the day:






Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Georgia’s Waterfalls

Georgia’s Waterfalls

     With all the rain we have had here it just reminds me of all the wonderful waterfalls we have here in Georgia. If you ever find yourself in our vicinity, you may want to check out some of our spectacular waterfalls. We have so many wonderful places to visit that have waterfalls that you will be breathe taken by them.

A land with a view
     My hubby and I have visited several of them here in north Georgia and would love to see them all. Some you may just drive to and walk a short distance and others you may trek into the woods a ways to see.

     Here is a list of some of the falls here in Georgia.

Ada-Hi Falls, Amicalola Falls, Ammons Creek Falls, Angel Falls, Anna Ruby Falls, Bad Branch Falls, Becky Branch Falls, Blue Hole Falls, Bull Sluice ,Caledonia Cascade, Cherokee Falls, Cloudland Canyon, Cochrans Falls, Darnell Falls, DeSoto Falls, Dick's Creek Falls, Dukes Creek, Emery Creek Falls, Estatoah Falls, Falls Branch Falls, Helton Creek Falls, Hemlock Falls, High Falls of Lookout Mountain, High Shoals Creek Falls, Hightower Falls, Holcomb Creek Falls, Horsetrough Falls, Jacks River Falls, Keown Falls Lake Trahlyta Spillway, Long Creek Falls, Lula Falls, Martin Creek Falls, Minnehaha Falls, Mud Creek Falls, Oceana Falls, Panther Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, Rock Falls, Sea Creek Falls, Stonewall Creek Falls, Tallulah Falls at the Gorge , Tempesta Falls, Toccoa Falls,Vickery Falls. and this is only a small list. If you make it to all of these beautiful falls you will have made some wonderful memories of what Georgia has to offer.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Minnehaha Falls, My most favorite of all so far! I thought I wouldn’t get there because I was having trouble breathing that day but it was well worth every step to get there!
High Falls, We visited the falls here in 1994 shortly after we got baptized. A week after we visited there they had a flood and it took out one of the last wooden bridges in Georgia. I had taken pictures of the bridge and so glad I did. I painted a saw blade of it to remember that trip.





Toccoa Falls, We took our kids and they loved it and two grandkids there after our Daughter got married in Stephens County. We couldn’t keep them out of the water! Recently the falls flooded but not as bad as it did in 1977 when the dam broke above the falls killing 39 people. This falls is the tallest falls East of Mississippi. It is an amazing sight to see!





















Tallulah Falls and the Gorge, Now it  is amazing how the gorge has carved itself through the rocks here and the view is unbelievable and the Falls are just as amazing on a drive around the lake. Karl Wallenda crossed the gorge in 1970 on a high wire!( karl-wallendas-high-wire-walk-across-tallulah-gorge-1970/ ) No you cannot get me to hardly look over that height let alone walk across it!



Anna Ruby Falls, We have taken our kids here too it is an amazing road through the forest to get to the bottom and there is just a short walk to the falls.



Amicolola Falls one more beauty to see.


     We have made a trip to see many others in the North Georgia area and many great memories too! I love to listen to the water run it is such a soothing serene sound, not to mention it is letting us see some of the most beautiful places that our grand creator made for us. So when and if you want to see all these wonders and you are in the area keep this great  list and see how many you can see while you are here.

     Quote of the day:

"We are all naturally seekers of wonders. We travel far to see the majesty of old ruins, the venerable forms of the hoary mountains, great waterfalls, and galleries of art. And yet the world's wonder is all around us; the wonder of setting suns, and evening stars, of the magic spring-time, the blossoming of the trees, the strange transformations of the moth..." ~ Albert Pike

     Scripture of the day:

Genesis 1:20  Then God said: “Let the waters swarm with living creatures, and let flying creatures fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” And God created the great sea creatures and all living creatures that move and swarm in the waters according to their kinds and every winged flying creature according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Zep 2:3 Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, Who observe his righteous decrees. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you will be concealed on the day of Jehovah’s anger.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Compost Happens


Composting Made Easy

     Many folks may not even think about composting because they just don’t know how. Well here is a great way to get started. Compost is a great way to amend your soil if your garden or flower bed is just not producing like you would think it should and it is free and organic. And if you are like use we love organic because it is safer and no chemicals to worry about. There is nothing better to rebuild your soil and fertilize at the same time. So if you worry about what is going into your food starting a compost is a great way to get started. You can get started now and it may be ready for you in the spring when the garden is ready to be planted.

What is needed to build a great compost?

Well, some folks choose to pile their yard debris in a corner of the back yard which is a great spot to get started. Now if you are looking for something a bit neater you can buy one at your local garden center or you can build one or recycle something you already had. Some things you can use that you might have right there at your house: if you have a large plastic bin, if you are like me I keep them handy for feed bins and other things. You might have a few old pallets around to build a small area.* You might have an old IBS container that you can use. Just do not make it more than three feet high. I prefer to recycle myself. It saves on money out of pocket and we all need that right.
Once you have decided on a bin or spot you are going to compost there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure you that your domestic and wild life will not be rummaging through it. Just remember this is going to be a place of rotting things and will have an odor to start with. Make sure there is enough room for air to circulate and cool the pile. You will also want to have a way to water your compost to aid in the process.

What are things you can compost?

     Grass clipping, small tree branches and twigs, leaves, food scraps (excluding bones and meat) peels, eggshells coffee grounds tea bags (if they have organic compostable bags, if not tear the bags off first) manure of chickens, rabbits, goats or sheep and wood ash. For bigger animals you may want to start a separate pile to make sure bad organisms have enough heat to be destroyed (more of that later.)Things you should never put into your compost: used cat litter, chemicals, or charcoal from grills.  

     Once you have your bin set up and ready to go make sure you alternate green with browns to help compost at a good rate. You will have to turn your pile periodically to keep the heat of the pile promoting decay. Using a pitch fork you can turn it easily. Add water to the mix but do not soak it. You can test the heat by placing your hand on top of the pile or use a thermometer, the temperature should stay at least 60 degrees or higher to efficiently compost if your pile has cooled lower than that continue to turn it to create more aeration. Remember alternate the greens with the browns and you can add soil to the mix also.

       Your compost may take a long time to mature depending on what you have put into it or it can less than that. To know if your compost is ready it will have a dark rich color to it and be more like soil itself. It won’t hurt for it to continue to start in the bin for storage purposes that is why it is good to have another pile to start next to it. Once it is to this stage you can add it to your garden and flower beds. Just mix it in and grow! Your garden will love it and your produce will grow so much better.

      If you are wanting to use larger animal manure for your compost you can add wood chips to the pile you have cleaned up the area. The ratio is 1 to 1 or 1 to 2. Start an initial pile and let it set for a week, make sure you water it and tarp it from the start. After one week, start a second pile which becomes the one week pile. After another week goes by you can add the one week pile to the two week pile. This is stirred in good and watered and tarped. Now make another pile to start a one week pile again. You  will have three piles now. In the third week the compost the second week pile can be added and start a new pile for first and second piles again. After the third week it should be close to maturing. Keep adding to piles and rotating each week. Your first pile should be newly started and it will smell like poo.  The second pile will have a slight odor to it. By the time a month goes by the third pile should be a rich dark color and ready to use. It will not have a smell. This will be great to fertilize the fruit trees and bushes in your yard and it can be done a few times a year to improve the soil and  be used for mulch around the bottoms of the plants. We have enough pig poo to get ours started and it will made a great plus for our blueberries.

     In conclusion composting is an easy way to get rid of all those food scraps and grass clipping etc. Make the most of it! Your plants will love it!

     Quote of the day:

A failure is like fertilizer; it stinks to be sure, but it makes things grow faster in the future.


     Scripture of the day:

Is. 60:21 And all your people will be righteous; They will possess the land forever. They are the sprout that I planted, The work of my hands, for me to be beautified.



Monday, February 17, 2020


Winter Blues


     I don’t know about you but winter really depresses me. I want to feel the warmth of the sun again and have longer days. Did you know that it is a disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder or (SAD) is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons, and it starts and ends at the same time each year. These symptoms start at the end of fall and goes through winter for most of us. Sapping energy and creating a sense of moody feeling. But there are folks who suffer from it in the spring through summer also. SAD

SAD
     Some of the symptoms you may have from this disorder could be mood shifts, over eating with weight gain, over sleeping and all around just plain down for those who suffer the winter blues. It is just the opposite for those suffering from spring and summer blues. Anxiety plays a big part in both. I for one have the winter blues every year. It is so hard to deal with too. I want to stay in bed and when I do get up I just want to go to my office and hang out all by myself. I just can’t seem to get much done. I some people it gets so bad that they even consider suicide. But don’t lose hope there are some things that you can do to help get it under control.

     First and foremost you should talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. Sunlight is a great way to help, get outside as much as you can on those sunny day despite how cold it may be. Go for a walk or do some winter sports with your kids such as ice skating, skiing or sledding for those who have the colder weather.  Find a way to just get out in the sun it can help raise your serotonin levels, something we lack in the winter months. Maybe you can try light therapy. Buy a light box that you can use indoors and suck up the light a few times a day. This is helpful in regulating the release of melatonin. Next try to get in that exercise not only will it help you mood but will ward off that extra weight. It helps raise the serotonin and endorphins which both have effect on moods. For those folks that suffer far greater than others you may have to ask for medication to deal with it. But hopefully you can cope with the prior before it comes to that.

     Some other things to think about in those winter months is keeping a regular sleep pattern as to not change your circadian rhythms. Try to eat your three meals a day at a set schedule. Try not to over indulge in sweets and high carbs and add healthier fruits and vegetables to your meals. Visit with your friends and family and even set time for yourself to pamper yourself. Helping the blues can help you out with even more information on how to beat the blues.

      If you feel like the winter blues has got you maybe these points can help solve your problems. I know this information has definitely helped me. We are getting so close to having our spring weather back and longer days. I know winter is the worst time of the year for me and I can say it truly does start in the fall here. I am going to treat myself to a walk to catch some of that wonderful sunshine we are having right now before it rains again! My office has now windows!

     Quote of the day:

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away” Jimmie Davis

Scripture of the day:

Wisdom is the most important thing, so acquire wisdom.Prov. 4:7.












Sunday, February 16, 2020

March Planting

March Planting


      Here we are middle February and it is getting closer to planting a garden outside. Do you know when your last frost date is because that will tell you a great deal when the planting outside should be. The Almanac is the best place to find out when your last frost will be. You can start planting inside for a few vegetables though now.

Indoor Planting

     Here are a list of vegetables that you can start indoors unless you choose to buy plants already growing. This will put you at about the last part of the month of March or so if you are in zone 8 like I am. Our last frost falls on the 8th of April.

     Cabbage can be started 5 to 7 weeks before the last frost date. Broccoli, Peppers, Celery, Brussel sprouts, Eggplant, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, and Tomatoes Can be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost.  This gives them a good start. I like to plant plenty of each so I can transplant to a larger container to give them a bit more space to grow bigger and some to share with friends and family. I like to start my cucumbers, squash, and pumpkin seeds about the same time too because I don’t buy them as plants.

     I have started my tomatoes already this month but I want to have plants that are more advanced in growth to make a longer growing period. I will be canning much of them this year. Here are the things you will need to get started.


  •      When you plant seeds indoors you need a south facing window, a grow light or a small greenhouse. I have a wire rack shelving that I put all my plants on. I also have a greenhouse. That saves me when it is time to water, because I can water without worrying where the water goes. I don’t need lights either there.
  •       LED grow lights.  They run about $22 on Amazon Depending on how many shelves you have one for each shelf. I know this is a bit of a cost but this is a onetime purchase. 
  •      Seed started packs and drainage trays, you can use plastic food trays or jugs also to save cost. I love to use the rotisserie chicken containers to use the lid to cover then the plants have a good amount of space to sprout and grow
  •        Potting soil mixture with perlite 
  •       Seeds 
  •       Plastic markers or Popsicle sticks for marking plants 
  •       Sharpie markers 
  •       Plastic wrap to cover over seeds for warmth at start to encourage germination.
  •       Thermal pad for each shelf. They help the seeds to sprout.
     Make sure that once you have planted your seeds you water but do not water too much the soil just needs to stay damp. The seeds will mold.  Mark each tray of seed pack with a marker. Place the seed packs on the trays Place them on the shelf on top of the thermal pad and under the lights. Once the seeds have started germinating remover the plastic wrap. If you do not have a window to grow them in and you use the lights you may want to keep the lights on 24 hours. Don’t forget to water!
Soon you will have a nice size garden ready to be transplanted when the frost warning in your area is up. Happy gardening.

     Quote of the day:

   
  Scripture of the day:

Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.Matt. 5:8.












  




Friday, February 14, 2020

Tea or Coffee, what caffeine do you prefer?


Tea or Coffee, what caffeine do you prefer?

     If you are most people I know you prefer coffee. Now that we have so many coffee shops to pull into and order up a coffee made your way how can you not? It amazes me how much people pay to drink this stuff too. Hot or cold, flavored with so much sweet things too. Does a black cup of coffee exist still? Tea on the other hand it too has many flavors and kinds it can make your head spin. Both can be found in your favorite bottles to go at most gas stations and grocers.

     I myself have changed from drinking coffee to strictly drinking tea. I prefer to drink the herbal kinds mostly because the black type wires me out way more than I like. Just think most folks go for coffee for the caffeine too. It is crazy but it seems like we all need it to run on with our busy days too.

     Have you ever thought about how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee? I had to look it up myself. According to google there is 95 grams and that is just for a regular cup of coffee nothing fancy. Caffeine  This varies by what type you prefer. Black tea on the other hand contains 47 grams of caffeine in one cup. Caffeine Comparing these two I can see how so many choose to drink coffee. How much coffees does one person consume in a day? Well according to the Huffington Post say 3-5 cups how many cups.

This is how I keep my tea hot!
Now this is my cup of tea!


     Tea has so many different types and flavors and there are different amounts of caffeine in each one. Many tea has less caffeine and sometimes it is mixed with herbs and even fruits flavor depending on what kind of tea is used. There is green teas white teas, herbals by themselves and spices.  Many have different effects that they can have on you too. Take ginger tea, I use it most days by itself or with other spices or herbs because it has so many benefits. Here are a few of them listed in the link SimplyHealth.io. 
·        Helps lower blood pressure
·        Rehydrates the body
·        Has many essential vitamins
·        Soothes upset stomachs
·        Feeds the brain
·         Fights cancer
Now I think those are pretty good reasons for drinking ginger tea, not to mention it just warms you up on cold days.
For those of us who drink too much coffee during the day you need to add chamomile tea to your end of the day ritual.  It helps reduce the stress of the busy day and it helps you fall to sleep.

     Whatever your passion is drink wise and we all have preferences we can all know that a little caffeine can be a good thing to get us going.Whether you buy it or make it yourself enjoy a great cup with a friend.

     Quote of the day:

 “I just don’t understand why anyone would want to get their caffeine in a less-efficient form.”
 Mira Grant

     Scripture of the day:
I have calmed and quieted my soul.Ps. 131:2.