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Tree Hugging Really Was….

Posted by html404 on February 24, 2012
in All Natural Products, Education, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Food and Treats

I loved all your responses to our Wordless Wednesday post! I got a lot of chuckles! The tree hugging really was about measuring the tree, but it was for tapping the trees for sap. We need to measure the diameter of the tree to determine how many taps we can put in each of our five maple trees because we are making maple syrup! Today’s fun with food post will be all about our fun tapping trees and making our very own chemical free maple syrup! (I know there is really no food shown, but it’s all about making our own and being self-sufficient in providing our family’s food from our land – rented land in this case.)

Our handy little reference booklet.

Maple syrup supplies.

Photo from Anderson’s website.

Yes, we can measure with the measuring tape upside down, we are talented that way!

Drilling tap holes.

Tapping trees was a family event.

Two of our maple trees are in the backyard, the other three are in the front.

Stay tuned for more of our journey into the world of making maple syrup in our own backyard!

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Vegetable Gardening

Posted by Brande on February 23, 2012
in All Natural Products, Coupons, Deals, Farm Stuff, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gardening, Health, Health and Nutrition, Organic, Saving Money, Shopping, Thrifty Thursday

Spring is Coming!

I found this great deal for vegetable gardening and it all starts with a bumper sticker. A bumper sticker? Yes. Use this link to the left and get your free bumper sticker! When you put your information in you’ll receive an email to confirm your email address. THEN, you’ll get a promo code for 53% off “Seeds of the Month Club“.

Some background – Mike the Gardner Enterprises is located in NJ. Mike is a 3rd generation home vegetable gardner and author. Mike has been featured in many publications around the world with articles and tips, including ABC & NBC.

Mike also has a podcast, blog and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, LinkedIN, Pinterest, & Google +.

“Seeds of the Month Club” – According to their website. “All seeds are non-gmo, open pollinated heirloom varieties that have been tested for a germination rate of 90% and higher. ”

“You receive 8 packs of seeds your first month and 4 packages each month thereafter. With a 30 day money back guarantee.”

With the 53% off it cost $15.06 for the year! I signed up, so we’ll see what it’s like. Granted, I don’t know what kind of seeds I’ll receive monthly. It’s still a great deal!

Happy Growing!

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Guess What We are Doing?

Posted by html404 on February 22, 2012
in All Natural Products, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Food and Treats, Fun Stuff

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Oils & Pets – A Healthy Tuesday Tip

Posted by html404 on February 14, 2012
in All Natural Products, Animals, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff

Winter has finally sprung! Our family was kind of hoping for very little snow this winter, but now that it is here our children are going out to play several times a day and having lots of fun! We have a beautiful winter scene out of our patio doors that is just delightful to look at! We hope this post helps you become more aware of the products you use on your pets (and yourself!) and make healthy choices for them (and you!).

– An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Oil Tips for Your Pets
Vaccinations

Before any vaccinations give puppies and kittens 2-5cc of Ningxia Red for less soreness.
For larger Animals give:
Cats: 1/2 tsp
Small Dogs: 1/4 ounce
Medium Dogs: 1/2 ounce
Large Dogs: 3/4 ounce
X-Large Dogs: 1 ounce
Horses: 1-2 ounces (Start slowly)

This really helps with less soreness and also helps with any lethargy and reactions.

Shampoo

If you use traditional pet or human shampoos, consider the chemicals and try Young Living’s base shampoo that you may scent with whatever essential oil for your pet’s needs. For example: Lavender for skin issues, Copiaba for arthritis or Purification for fleas and ticks (once warmer weather arrives again!)

Flea Collars

Instead of the chemical laden flea collars you can use two oils Longevity and Purification and the supplement called Longevity. It has been found that animals that take the capsuls/oils and have the oils put on them are much less “appetizing” to insects! (Please note: This is not normally used on cats!)
Small Dogs : 1 capsule or 2-3 drops
Medium Dogs: 1-2 capsules or 3-5 drops
Large Dogs: 2 capsules or 6-7 drops Maximum
Horses: 1 Capsule or 3-4 Drops twice daily

A Reminder

Remember, we only recommend the use of Young Living Essential Oils for use in or around animals (and humans for that matter). This brand of essential oils consistently shows the quality needed for use in animals – and the use of other brands may prove dangerous for your animals. We know a vet who through research, case studies, and retrospective studies – is documenting the difference in qualities of essential oils in her veterinary hospital. We do not make this recommendation lightly!

Oils & Pets Book Recommendations

Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care: A Veteranarian’s Desk Reference for the Top Health Concerns of Cats, Dogs and Horses

Animal Desk Reference Website Click Here!

If you contact the author of either of the above resources, please let her know that Young Living Distributor – #1038605 Theresa Gould – sent you.

There are lots of new things coming in 2012 for our Young Living group and we hope you choose to be a part of it!

Testimonies:

Ningxia Red

“I once forgot to give my own kittens Ningxia Red, they limped after a vaccination. Within 1/2 hour of me giving them a dose of Ningxia Red – all limping had stopped.” ~ Melissa Sheldon DVM, Minnesota

My Dog is Playing Now!

“My dog, Wolf, has never been playful, or had a ‘sense of humor’, even as a puppy people thought he was old. His fur felt like a cheap stuffed animal. I figured it was because he is half coyote.

I started giving him Sulferzyme, to see if it would cut back on the hair loss, and he started PLAYING for the first time in his life, sticking his rump in the air and wagging his tail. I thought ‘Hey, I am on to something here!’. Thinking maybe he had been in pain all this time, he is 7, I started giving him Longevity. His hair started growing thick and full, not feeling so cheap.

He now instigates playing, stealing socks, etc, and running with them. I am not sure if he was lacking something, or just feels better, but he will be on these two forever now!”
~ Mona Cheney, Nevada

Purification

“I was not a ‘believer’ of using essential oils, but I am now. My son adopted a stray cat and began feeding him. We have three large dogs, so the cat could not come into our house. The stray was plagued by fleas, unbeknownst to us, and each time we pet him, then came inside- we brought quite a few fleas in with us. It wasn’t more than a couple of weeks, when we had a flea infestation in our house. I bombed the house, and applied frontline($$), bathed all 3 dogs numerous times, but the fleas never went away.

I had to tell my 5 yr old son, that he couldn’t pet his cat, or get near him, because of the fleas. My one dog Marley actually is highly allergic to fleas, and had to be put on steriods.($$$) I had to bomb the house again, and bath the dogs 3 more times. I was also being bitten, and couldn’t sleep. My sister told me to try Purification, and I was skeptical, but at my wits end. I put 2 drops on the necks, and butts of the dogs, diffused it, and actually put 2 drops on the cats neck. The FLEAS WERE GONE IN 2 DAYS!!!!! I apply Purification about every 2 weeks to everyone.

A side note- the cat now has a beautiful shiny black coat, the discharge is gone from his eyes, and he hasn’t been sneezing like he was before. My son is happy- he can pet his cat again, and my house is back to normal. Thank you Purification!”
~Tracy Slavitsky, New York

Don’t expect the same results unless you are using Young Living Therapeutic Grade essential oils and supplements. Also, each person is different so they may not work as well for you as it does for others, So try another oil or supplement that might work better for you.

Essential oil testimonials are an effective way of learning and sharing. With this knowledge, We can take control of our own personal health. However, we are required by law to state:

“These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and Techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided here is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. Consult with the health authorities of your choice.”

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Review ~ KitchenKuffs

Posted by Professor on February 13, 2012
in Cleaning, Clothing, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gardening, Handmade Items, Home, Houseware, Products for Dad, Products for Mom

KitchenKuffs Keep your sleeves up

KitchenKuffs is a great product designed to keep your sleeves out of the way of everyday tasks! I was very excited when I received my KitchenKuffs…I can honestly say that this product has so many uses! Basically the product slips over your sleeves near the wrist area and helps keep your sleeves out of the way of dirt, grime, water, muck…etc. No more continual pushing sleeves up after they slide down…KitchenKuffs keep them up!

I have used KitchenKuffs around the house in so many capacities…especially cooking and washing dishes… they have been invaluable in these two tasks! Once the weather gets warmer I cannot wait to use them while I garden and put up preserves and vegetables in the fall!

I received two pairs, a medium size and an adjustable size. When you visit the website they have a fitting guide so you know which ones to order! When in doubt order the adjustable!

I used the adjustable ones and actually gave the second pair (medium) to my mother. My mom owns an ice cream stand and when I showed them to her she was practically begging me to let her try a pair…so of course I did. She was so excited about how they worked. She usually uses a rubber band to keep her sleeves up when she works serving ice cream and now she has a more comfortable, more fashionable way to keep her sleeves up. Mom also said that she liked that if they got dirty she only had to wash the KitchenKuffs and not her whole jacket!

What a Myriad of uses …KitchenKuffs come in handy in work, play and everyday!

You can find out more about the product here:

http://www.kitchenkuffs.com/

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Free Apps for Kids!

Posted by Brande on January 28, 2012
in Deals, Downloads, Education, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Humor, Technology/Electronics

**(When I downloaded these apps they were free, I cannot guarantee if they started charging a fee.) **

Personally, I’m over the Angry Birds frenzy. How about you? For the next few weeks I’m going show you 3 apps that my daughter (she’s 3) and I enjoy. Most of these apps are directed toward the little ones, but there are a few along the way that your older kids might like as well.

Like most free games on iTunes, they are not the entire version. They want to get you hooked so you’ll buy it. So, far that hasn’t affected our home and we are happy with what we got.

The first one is called ABC Animal Puzzle Free. This game is compatible with an iPhone and iPad. This is not a complete version. However, still very playable for your younger ones. It’s a puzzle game. There are 5-9 piece puzzles. Besides the puzzle you are learning animals names, for example there is an elephant puzzle and it says ELEPHANT when you are completing it. Also, on this app is a Memory Game. (Click the bubbles on the bottom right corner to activate the menu). There is a stickers & score card section that let’s you know which puzzles you’ve completed and how long it took.

Baby DJ – this one can get a little annoying after a while, but is still cute! This app is currently available for the iPhone and iPad. Got a little musician in your house? Here’s the app for you. There are 10 options on this one. Anywhere from a lion to an octopus. Even Santa Claus makes his way onto this app. Once you choose an animal, the next screen opens to 9 “records” (like the good ol’ black vinyl records). You touch a record and it spin and start a beat. Then as you continue pressing the records, they sync up. Then press them again and that record turns off. Each animal has different beats.

The last one for this week is Glow Draw! Again, this one is available for the iPhone and iPad. All kids love to draw and this app is kind of like etch a sketch. You draw and then shake your device to erase it. On the lower left you can change colors,make your line wider, put a background of your pictures loaded on your device and save or email you pictures!

Fun FREE apps for kids! Now it’s your turn to share you favorite apps!

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Country Views in Winter

Posted by html404 on January 20, 2012
in Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Home

Love, love, love my country views this winter! So picturesque and pleasing to this country girl’s eyes!

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My, How Things Change!

Posted by html404 on January 12, 2012
in Family Stuff, Farm Stuff, Uncategorized

Well, things have definitely changed around here weather-wise. The weather men were right! Take a look at these from our doorways, but first a before picture of the fields behind the horse barn:

Before

After

It’s suppose to continue snowing all day. Looks like we may end up with 4-6 inches….maybe. The children have been out to play, but I did not get any photos of them yet, thought my daughter was going to and she didn’t so that is on my agenda! After all it is the first snowfall of 2012 and the latest snowfall we have ever had in the Chicago area! Fun in the Snow!

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Surviving a Job Loss

Posted by html404 on December 27, 2011
in Blog Stuff, Business, Family Stuff, Farm Stuff

As many of you know, these days I wear many hats. Not only am I a wife and homeschooling mother to eight, but I also run two businesses, with a fledgling farm waiting to burst forth from the side lines.

It’s obvious that being a wife and homeschooling mother to eight is a full-time job in and of itself. Then why would I want to add a business…or two…or three…or four to that mix? It happened out of necessity nearly four years ago on January 3rd or 4th when my husband came home to say that he lost his job of 25+ years. What a shock that was!? It came out of no where even though we had been on shaky ground from the end of 2004 when my husband learned his boss of 24 years was selling the business. At that time we had no idea if we would even have a job once the sale of the business occurred and felt we had to do something as a back up plan… just in case.

Rewind a Few Years

I am going to let you in on a little secret, when I had three children three and under, I had a yearning to have a home business and have my husband home more to help out. Ha! It was hard work keeping up with my three little girls and all their needs! But by the end of 2004 we had 5 children and I had just experienced a pregnancy loss at nearly 20 weeks along. I wanted, needed something to help me survive the grief I felt. That is truly when we discovered that I was the “Idea Lady”. There was something inside of me that went into survival mode to keep our family afloat to survive the job loss. So we started an online Christian bookstore in early 2005, but obviously we were not the up to competing with the online giant, Amazon. We did keep at it for the fun and love of our treasured books, but finally close down shop in 2010 due to its lack luster sales and needing more time to grow our other businesses.

The Beginning of Unemployment

By 2008, we were expecting our seventh child when the layoff occurred. We had six months of unemployment and an extension. With the help and grace of God we embarked on starting our second business mid-2008 that would include both of us and use more of our skills and experience as Virtual Assistants. As you all know it takes time to build a business and while our little VA business did not bring in much to start, we were thankful for whatever work did come our way. Most of which came to me, not my husband. He picked up a few odd jobs here and there but nothing every panned out for very long. I also cleaned houses for a couple families to help offset our slow start.

Personal and Professional Growth

We both grew a lot, both personally, spiritually and professionally, while waiting for God to increase our income upon losing a good paying job that provided well for our family’s needs. But to be honest, by late 2009 we were very concerned, unemployment had run out, no jobs in sight and a family member was faithfully assisting us. So when my husband was offered his old position back, with less pay, for a new owner (the third one, if you aren’t keeping track) we felt we had to take it.

Recovering

We are still recovering from that nearly 2 year long period of being without a job, which is why I continue to work. Recovering from a job loss doesn’t magically happen overnight once a person does get a job. It has been an uphill battle. One we are still overcoming, by the grace and strength of God.

Business Today

Thankfully today between VA Clients, blogging and our essential oils business we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you were a fly on the wall in our home you would see me online much of the day, emailing clients, writing, checking website statistics almost daily because not only are these stats important to our livelihood but that of my clients. Whether we are bloggers or other business owners, we all like to know how much traffic is coming to our website. There are companies like Omniture (Omniture.com) provide online businesses with website optimization tools necessary to make online marketing a success, which is very helpful.

We are grateful for the slow, but steady growth of our little online enterprises and the part they have had in helping us survive a job loss and slowly gain back the income we have lost.

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Down Time

Posted by html404 on December 9, 2011
in Appliances, Business, Farm Stuff, Holidays, Home

Yesterday was basically down time. My second oldest daughter and I were out from 9:30am to 11:30pm on Wednesday. We did have one hour at home for dinner and to quickly nurse baby before heading back out again. We had two classes to attend and help “work”.

Then we had friends stop over for lunch yesterday and to do a Zyto Compass Scan, which is a service I offer for our essential oils business. But other than that it was down time.

Today was rather mellow too. Friends from our barn stopped by after dropping off our girls, as she has offered to take them to the barn as our schedules allow. Nice on days when I don’t have a vehicle.

Why is it after being busy I just want to zone out? Would it have anything to do with driving five hours on Wednesday and just being flat out busy for nearly a week? I don’t know I haven’t figured it out yet. But zoning is what I am doing!

Update on Oven

The oven part actually came on Wednesday, but do you think we can find the repair man’s card? So no chance of getting it fixed earlier if we cannot call them to reschedule the appointment! Arrghhhh! That’s what I get for leaving an itty bitty business card on the counter and going out all day so it gets lost!

Update on Vehicle

Still no vehicle. Not sure when that will happen. My husband looked at a used one last night and decided it was not for us. I think he plans to go out tomorrow to a local dealer who has some sale going on, plus following up with our car sales man friend.

Quiet Weekend

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend at home. I could have worked but I actually said, “NO”. We could have gone out to another event but I said, “NO”. The girls and I are planning to complete some sewing projects as they all need new skirts. Thankfully we were given some fabric, plus we bought some very inexpensively from someone getting rid of fabric out of her stash. We are going to play Christmas music and just enjoy being together while we create!

I am looking forward to baking up a storm next week! We miss baking. And a huge part of our Christmas traditions is baking. The aroma of baked goods filling the house, the music playing and munching on homemade snacks as we deck the halls and everywhere else brings us much cheer this time of year!

Enjoy your weekend!