Not just for beer

Simple Herbal Wisdom & Plants Sense

The Hop

(Humulus lupulus)

The plant is a climbing vine, which gives out scaly and cone shaped fruits called hops from which the name for the whole plant is drawn. Harvesting and collection of the hops is normally carried out during the month of September when the fruits ripen and following a drying process, these are marketed and used mainly in the brewing industry.

Healing potential:

Hidden inside the ripe conelike fruit of the female hop plant are tiny yellow grains called lupulin that contain the active substance bete-humulene, beta-mycrene,beta-caryophyllene and farnescene. These chemicals help the body secrete bile and digestive juices. Some herbalists believe that hops' antispasmodic action make it a good choice for easing stress related digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulcers. The estrogenic powers of fresh hops makes a good remedy for menopause. The medicinal and tonic properties of the hops was also apparently known to traditional herbalist even if the primary use of the hops has been in the manufacture of beer, with which it has been associated for close to a 1,000 years now - the hops has been valued for its bitter taste and preservative action

Using the hops: The herb is usually taken as a tea or in capsules. Hops are also used in baths

and in" dream pillows to induse sleep.

Part used: the fruit of female plants.

Memories of my paternal Grandma

It's been many years since she passed away,

every precious moment we had I will always treasure

and in my thoughts and my heart she will be forever.

I look around at the things I have of hers and with each there is a story to tell. The many hours I sat at her kitchen table as she rambled on and on, now I wish I had listened closer. I am quite sure someday these things will be passed on to my children. I hope they remember what these things meant to me when I am gone. I do remember she always wore her hair cut short with a bit of a wave here & there. Sometimes she even had bobby pin curls tucked under her brown hairnet that she always wore and a handmade apron with pockets that she made herself. She spent a lot of hours, making aprons, potholders and even cutting out triangles & square shapes of brightly printed fabric using cardboard templates to make into quilts. My Grandpa made her a quilting frame and I have vivid memories of my mom & aunt stitching through layers of fabric stretched over that wooden frame with her when we went to visit. The faded now quilted fabrics matched the dresses that my cousins, sisters and I wore as a children. When we would go to her house we would find her often sitting at her kitchen table with a crossword book or find a word puzzle book and always a cold cup of coffee. I would ask her to bring out the album of pictures of my dad and his brother & sisters when they were younger. She would shake her head and open the cabinet drawer where letters from her sister in Kansas, laid neatly wrapped in a rubber bands and she would say "OK, but for just a few minutes I have supper to cook. " Grandma had a lot of buttons too that often we would sort through at her kitchen table matching colors, shapes and patterns as she told stories of her own childhood, of the things she used to do. She talked of people I never knew "back in Kansas" she would say. She was a quiet lady spoke softly and very kind, she only wore red lipstick and her hands were not soft but weathered from her daily labours, she lived a simple life and never seemed to complain or tire of my asking questions about my dad and how things were back when he was young.

Grandma had pretty flowers around her yard. Zinnias, Cosmos, Roses, beautiful Iris and orange & yellow marigolds, chrysanthemums, bachelor buttons & hollyhocks too and a big chestnut and a sycamore tree shaded her back door....everyone used the back door even the milkman. I guess because it was closest to her driveway. My cousins were lucky they lived in the house right behind hers on their 1/2 acre. I was often jealous of them. They could run down to her house anytime they wanted, I wonder today if they remember the things I do, like the time we sneaked down into the cellar and opened up a jar of grandmas home canned dill pickles and ate them right from the jar.. Ya know I think she knew we were there, all along.

At Christmas time grandma made the best divinity and suet puddings and mincemeat. I wish I had all her recipes that she kept in a wooden box in a cupboard on the second shelf next to her butter dish. I think my grandpa tossed them...Oh, that is another story to tell. The mixing bowls she used often are another of my favorites. At the time when I was young I didn't know were pottery called "yellow ware" quite popular now for some collectors. I used to have all three but one got broken sometime ago and I cried and one has a little hairline crack so I don't use them anymore. My sisters don't have tangible things of my grandma's and sometimes I do feel guilty but I was the first grandchild and a girl and I think I am entitled to these treasures I asked my Grandpa if I could have them when she passed away, because of the many stories she told and I remember some of them well. I hope someday my children and grandchildren will have fond memories of me and my stories of their great grandmother and remember my stories as well.

Valentines Day is coming

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I know I am ahead of the Holiday a tiny bit, but I have some really wonderful Farmgirls from Mary Janes Connection that I want to make & send cards and since I signed up for the Valentines Card Exchange. I thought I had better get busy, I drug out all my crafting supplies so there is no reason for me to lag behind. I think it's nice to receive something nice in the mailbox besides bills and unsolisited junkmail & flyers. Valentines Day comes at a perfect time to lift our spirits from thinking of days & days of snow, rain, and cold , wet and dreary. It is another time to think about others to make them feel special . A simple show of acknowledgement and appreciation need not be extravegant or pricey. A simple heart drawn on a piece of paper or remember how we as kids made heart pictures on a steamed up windows with arrows drawn through them ? I think those the 3 simple words "I love you" we often forget to say to our loved ones.
Although there are many Valentine Day poems & quotes that I am aware of sometimes those words just don't say what I feel. Some are too sappy and some just don't say enough. I think it might be better to throw myself into action and speak of how I feel about my friends & family throughout the year. I think first I will dig out my heart shaped cake pan and make my loved one a sugar free chocolate cake. That would definately be a nice thing to do. You better get busy you only have 34 days to think of a nice way to show your loved ones how much you care about them and wouldn't they like to get a Valentine in the mail?

One of my favorite lunches

I didn't know what I was going to post today, but then decided to make it easy. I realized it was after lunchtime and I would like a a simple peanutbutter & jelly sandwich. Quick & easy.. But I started thinking if it was really a healthy low calorie choice, I just started to total the numbers and it really isn't really a low cal lunch. But who cares, right.

Once I started adding, I had to stop.. because already with only

2 Tbls of peanutbutter which =190 calories & which I always use more than that, (why skimp when you are a choosy mother?) add to that

2 slices of oatnut bread =200 (you cannot make a sandwich with only one slice) and I have to butter one side before slapping on the peanutbutter.

1 Tbls butter * Yes I use Butter = ?

2 Tbls Peach jelly * made by me=? plus add

1 cup of Earl Grey tea, w/ 1 Tbls honey=? Well I know there are no calories in the water..and well the honey? Does it really matter? Peanutbutter has to be Jiff extra crunchy and jelly peach one of my favorites also and yeah I made it with 100% sugar so that add some more to the calorie count. I can't win but oh how wonderful it tastes. I am sure there is something good about a simple peanutbutter & jelly sandwich..otherwise why would moms around the world put it in their kids lunches?

A special Thanks

This is the Thank you gift given by one my new Buff Orps .

I just went out to make sure they were going to be warm in their new studio & lookie here. Now that makes me real Proud!

I can only hope the others will add to the basket. I better go have a pep talk with them.

Hen Studio now Occupied

The rental sign is down the girls have moved in finally. We actually brought home two buff Orphingtons, one Rhode Island Red and one Barred Rock. We think they are perfect for us. They endured their 25 mile ride home in the back of the explorer in a cardboard box. Their old home was a lot larger but they had to share the space with about 12 other birds of mixed heritage. So they have moved up in the neighborhood.

I think my favorite today is the Barred Rock. She is fluffy and so brightly colored. I think I will have a good time naming them. They rode home very quietly probably wonder "where are we going?" This farmgirl chicken mama is very happy. Now we see how they adapt to their nests and how many eggs they share with us.

Buster is not sure what to think. .He has been given the house rule to "Leave them alone".. and that he is their protector.. but I wonder how much of that he understands?

Our dog Buster

My name is Buster. This is my Life here on the farm.

I am a dog, thats what they tell me, although I think I am more than that. I have a human "mom & dad". I think I am my dad's best friend. It is my job to make him smile but sometimes he doesn't. He has an angry voice, but that's only when I don't come the first time he calls me, when I am outside playing. I like my mom too because she bought me for my dad, even though he really didn't think I would be a "Real Dog" cuz he thought I was a "girlie dog when I was a puppy. "Whats a dog to do when you have such a cute face & I was all fluffy?" I am now 2 1/2 and that makes me a teenager. My mom takes lots of pictures of me, I think she thinks I am more than a dog too...and she will let me tell you what's on my mind here from time to time...Right now my life here is pretty good. I get to sit in "my "dad's "chair ( this is my favorite place) to watch the birds outside the window and occassionally I see a few jack rabbits and deer out in the field. I have tried to catch them, but they can run a bit too fast for me. I get to ride in the car with my dad almost everywhere he goes. I think he likes my company, but he rarely lets me get out until I get back home. Then of course I have to go check out all my favorite holes to see if anything has been trespassing on my turf. My dad took me yesterday to the spa for a clip and shampoo, I think she cut my hair too short but dad says it will grow in a few weeks,and I will be fine. My hairdresser is "Rhonna". She is really nice, but she puts me in that cage to wait for my dad to come get me. I don't mind it too much if I dont have to wait too long. When I see my dad at the door I get real excited and my dad smiles and I know he missed me. I like the peanut butter biscuits my mom made me, they are really good. I am kinda picky when it comes to treats. I only like the small ones, those that the people at the bank & gas station give me are too big, but I don't want to hurt their feelings so I pretend I like them, I have quite a stash in the car. I am saving them for "my new brother or sister"I think I am going to get one, thats what I heard them say, but I don't know when, All I hear them talk about right now is "chickens"and I think they are birds.. and I cannot chase them. I hope they don't bring them inside & let them sit in my chair.

Durch Ovens old & new

Old 1870 ~ New 2009

I always wanted a Dutch Oven and now with so many new models and prices. I had quite a decision to make and I was unaware of the history until I started researching. I used to have a old cast iron pot for roasting meats & cooking stews. Where it disappeared to I have no idea. After Christmas, I decided to purchase a new one and found this one with my name written allover it. The price was still a bit heafty but I love the color and now I can better prepare soups, chilies, stews and roast, chicken, any meat I choose. Not that I did not do this before. It is just nice to have new appliances & cookware don't you think? I think it makes me feel like a great cook, special & to be honest , it kinda puts a "me in the mood" to cook that is...& I am sure my recipes will taste even better. I did noticed Emeril and Paula Dean, Rachel Ray all have these pots and look what great cooks they are...it must be the pots they use and I now have one so I can put on my apron and get started creating some terrific meals.
I'd like to share some things I learned about Dutch Ovens. Did you know:
No one knows for sure where the name 'Dutch Oven' originated. Some speculate it came from Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania who used and sold the ovens. Others think it may have originate from the cast-iron sand mold casting method used by the Dutch.

Today, a century and a half after their appearance, Dutch ovens are being used more than ever.
and this was quite interesting to know,
Utahns own more Dutch Ovens per capita than any other state. Nearly every county fair and city celebration features a Dutch Oven Cookoff or demonstration of some kind.
In fact, the Utah Legislature named the Dutch Oven Utah's official "State Cooking Pot" in 1997!

Now if I can just decide what to cook in it. Stew, soup, chili or a nice beef roast? It is so pretty I hate to get it dirty but if I know you are coming for dinner I will take it off the dispay shelf.

Simple Herbal Wisdom & Plant Sense

I have decided to educate myself about the healing powers of plants and herbs. I will be learning and posting bits of "Herbal Wisdom" on my blog every Tuesday. I love flowers and plants and have plenty space to grow them. I am studying currently from "The Woman's book of Healing Herbs" by Sari Harrar and Sara Altshul O'donnell. The book is published by Rodale. Both authors are editors for Prevention magazine. I want to know simple ways to use medicinal herbs to treat everyday health problems, relieve stress, and beautify my skin, hair & nails. This book looks like it will provide me with that knowledge.

Today's bit of " Simple Herbal Wisdom " a pretty purple flower

Echinacea (eck-in-AY-see-uh) is the most popular medicinal herb, just as it was 100 years ago.

It stimulates the production of infection fighting white blood cells. It combats colds, flu,infections, slow healing wounds and inflamed skin conditions.

Echinacea can be taken as a tincture sometimes (called an extract) or in capsules. Herbalists recommend using it at the first signs of a cold or flu. The part used for its healing properties is the root. Before taking any herb or other medicinal plants be sure to consult your doctor.

I am going to add this plant to my garden this spring.It is my understanding that deer do not eat purple flowers so I will give it a try.

Echinacea is a hardy and easy to grow perennial that likes fertile well drained soil and full sun to light shade.

Barn Door Creations "Ginger"

By request I am posting my latest creation " Ginger" to this site. She is posted on the Barn Door Creations blogsite if you want to know more about her.
She is a cutie don't you think? Right now while she is waiting to be adopted, she is enjoying her place in the red recliner, watching what's going on in the front room and even "Buster" stops to check her out.. he sniffs at her everytime he walks by her . He doesn't like it when she is in " his place "(which he shares with Clay) in the big club chair, so she had to be given her own place. I hope to create another after I get some other projects completed, so keep checking back.

Need something to read?

I have plenty of reading material to keep me busy when I have nothing else to do.. Yeah right.. I am sure with my other interests of sewing, crafting, cooking, decorating, these winter days will be full . I wonder what magazines the mail man will leave in the box today? I'm waiting anxiously for the next issues of "Mary Janes Farm" & "Living the Country Life" & "Country Living"...so

I just sorted and put away the other magazines, travel brochures ( we wont be need those for awhile) and cook books realizing I am actually waiting for two more books from Amazon and a few seed catalogs to add to the "library of things to read when I have nothing else to do.." I love magazines and get lots of decorating, recipe, and gardening ideas from them. I started to read a few pages nightly of a novel but have really fallen asleep after two pages, so I am behind on that too. I am making a personal goal to keep the books & magazines purchases under control as much as possible, but it is difficult when so many offers come in the mail with lower renewal rates. How can these publishers do that to me... It is a budgeting issue and I will not order another magazine ...until spring. By then I will have twice as many to read, I will get started thumbing through them again with the weather outside being snowy & cold....or maybe today it will be nice to curl up in my chair with a nice cup of tea and read...or maybe I will just put them aside for a rainy day...in the Spring when I sort through them again .

A New sign of our time

My son Dennis & his wife Michelle made me this great gift for me for Christmas. I know they put many hours into designing and constructing it. I am very please to share the fruits of their labors.

In the beginning , Clay & I had a dream ...to own a small place of our own where we could have a few chickens, a place where the dog could run and play. Clay could pursue his interest in bee keeping and we could live a simple life and still be free to travel and enjoy our remaining years together. We were fortunate to find this perfect place for us.

Now we have a real sign to claim the property as ours and to declare just what we are doing here besides enjoying our farm life.

We are reading a lot about gardening, soil textures, composting, organic seeds and saving seeds, bee keeping including honey & making candles & soaps, lipbalms, chickens, coops & egg production. This small place could turn into something BIG , to say nothing of a healthy lifestyle.

There are a couple more signs to hang under the BlueSky main sign which may or may not be displayed along with these at the drive way entry like "sleigh rides," "u pick blackberries" Happy Holidays..but you never know our tiny begining could become a local landmark. That's what happens when you dream.

Cute one Room Studio * furnished*

With dry, sunny & cold weather ,
We spent the better part of the day working on the Hen House Project.

Let me give you a tour of the interior. Stepping inside you can notice the decor is inviting and warmly done in rustic country. The interior walls with designer knot holes are of pine plywood untouched naturally in earth tones. The Natural daytime lighting comes from the warm sunshine and the late evenings in crisp calming moonlight. These "girls" will enjoy the southern exposure shelf for longer hours of laying or a quick escape from "Mr. Rooster" when they have that occasional "headache" ..at the top of a short 4 foot reproduction Navajo Kiva ladder to reach their nests. The dry golden yellow straw is waiting in the garage to carpet inside their dwelling. During the cold winter nights the heat lamp furnace will be sufficient for the 4x8 ft construction. The ceiling is an off white colored fiberglass sheeting. A extra large wicker basket will make a comfy nesting accomodation to be shared by more than one hen and Clay has donated a favorite retired box for another. I plan to paint the outside when the weather warms up. We have to install the roosting pole and cut out the little entry door below the window yet and eventually build the outside fenced yard for protection against those pesky hawks & coyotes who may think they are at a "fast food joint". With just a few last minute decorating items the studio will be habitable for an early occupancy if our "chicken nanny" contacts me to come get the darlings! Now tell me what would be more suitable for few laying hens and a rooster?

Budgeting.. Start with groceries

We need to see where our money is going and that means budget time. Starting with Grocery buying. Today I inventoried the freezer and we have plenty of "Food" frozen. I think enough Meat,Vegetables and Fruit to carry us through the next months. I am planning meal menus by the week and trying my best to budget what money is spent on food. It seems we go to the grocery store a bit too often, and although we set out to get stuff needed on our list we are bringing home more than we went for. I have checked the pantry and will organize that tomorrow. We certainly are not going to go hungry. I am making a goal to spend less than $100 a month grocery shopping. We do shop for bargains and Safeway prices are usually higher than our neighborhood "Sherms Market". We are not skimping I think we are being more frugal and since we both like to cook we can share the duty. Eat more left overs and start using the food we have canned & frozen. Today is the start of a Great Plan....but

I see a problem brewing if we decide we are not in the mood to have what is planned for the meal on any given day. I think Flexibility is the key here and making sure we three well balanced meals. Gosh maybe we will lose some pounds around our midsections if we can comply.

Another Birthday

When you have three kids it keeps me hoppin to make sure nobody's feelings get hurt.. Especially my daughters. Pj is going to be 38 on the 5th. I did not make her an apron for Christmas, while making 5 others as gifts. Well wouldn't ya know it, her "older" sister had to tell her thinking she was "special" that I made her one for Christmas. "Thanks Nancy".
PJ it's a joke You were not adopted..as your siblings like to say of you.. You deserve an Apron too. So Happy Birthday!

It is January 1st today and that was my first project of the year. I think I am caught up with Birthday wishes for my children, now to start on those sweet "grandbabies" they all have given me.. Lets see next birthday is January 26th . Peyton will be 8years old. Where does the time go? I am fairly certain he will not want an apron..and I already sent his Kid National Geographic subscription for the year, to be delivered to mail box. Kids love mail don't they? Now I want to get started sewing on my cloth Prim Doll.....while the mood hits me...

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS & FAMILY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I lift my glass to toast all my family & friends! You won't find me up past 11:00pm I am afraid . I will be safe here with Clay & Buster as we snuggled under a nice cozy comforter waiting for the sounds of celebrations in the dark night, and the sleep fairy to dust me with a good night slumber.... I Have so many things I want to accomplish in 2009, Tonight I will be dreaming of planting my garden in the spring, once the winter blanket of snow out there thaws. I will see visions of me gathering the eggs that my "dear sweet girls" lay each day. I will be a healthy farmgirl and a good wife, mother & grandmother. I want to be a thoughtful friend and will try to do that. I will have a whole new year of stories to share of our wonderful life here on our little one acre farm. So I clink my glass, toss confetti in the air, as I wish you a Safe, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, and may all your dreams come true. Cheers!

Where are they...

Where are they when you need them? The Cleaning Crew I mean.. It's almost noon. I am looking around at this great home of ours and see such a bunch of clutter. I think maybe since Christmas is over and it is the almost the beginning of a New Year and to me that means "Clean up" ~"Pack Away" and "Redecorate."
It is so pretty outside today, our blue sky is cloud free and the sun is shining, it must be warmer than was predicted, the thermometer says nearly 50 right here in the sun. I have actually opened the front door to invite the fresh air inside. I am looking for those "cleaning elves" but only finding "dust bunnies".
The front porch is finally cleared of the snow, Thanks to my ambitious husband. (I am sure he felt this was good exercise, and it needed doing.) There is something nice about good fresh clean air and cleaning.
I really do not know where to start as I keep wandering back to this sunny spot by the computer. I did vacuum the carpet ands swept the kitchen floor. I see a few spots I should mop up but lacking motivation and the sun is so pretty shining on the glistening snow. The birds are flying into their "lunch counter" again thanks to the husband. Buster has decided to come in from his morning "look about" checking his favorite holes & shrubs incase another critter has invaded his space. He has now taken up his favorite spot in the big brown chair next to the window, overseeing any activity around bird feeder.
I really need to get a move on .. yes, I know there are lots of things to be done...But the sun is so pretty shining on the glistening snow.....maybe I will sit here for only a few minutes longer and just watch the snow melt off the roof, and maybe those "elves " are eating lunch.

The "Start eating healthy Plan"

Okay, we have had enough cookies, candy, and snack foods. I wanted to start planning our dinner meals by a weekly menu plan. Often Clay & I just decide on a whim of what to prepare for dinner. We both enjoy cooking and trying new spices & sauces. We tend to over indulge but Clay got bombarded with great gifts on Christmas with fabulous spices, rubs & BBQ sauce recipes. Thanks everyone!

I plan to make every effort to cook healthy and try my best to stick to a plan. We need to eat more fish and I just happen to have a nice fillet of Cod in the freezer. After looking through about 6 cookbooks and gleaning bits of recipes I think I have it. We have eaten some of the best vegetables from our garden and taking a freezer inventory I am now aware that I did not freeze enough corn. *putting that on my garden seed list for this year* As I rummaged deeper, to my surprise I find some sugar snap peas so that will be accompaning the cod. I think perhaps I can add a wedge of lettuce with some fresh homemade French dressing to the plate as well. I better pop a jar of canned pears in the refrig to chill for dessert. Where did I put those shortbread cookies mom made? You didn't expect me to Not have something sweet did you?

Another Blog site

Well it's done...I added another blogsite today where I will be selling my Country Prims and Barnyard creations.

They are all hand made by me with vintage cloth, lace, buttons & other salvaged notions. I design my own patterns and each is created with love.

Feel free to drop by for a visit at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com anytime and leave me a comment or even make a purchase.

No question It's Winter in K- Falls

Snow, Snow,and more Snow predicted here today and the remainder of the week. We are looking out the window at the at the snow accumulation on our front porch. We cannot get out the front door.

Our driveway has been plowed a couple times and it will need it again I am sure by the end of the week. We will start shoveling off the porch first thing. It is begining to thaw so it will be really heavy . I wonder if we should make an appointment with a chiropractor first?