tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55491055080971664432024-03-05T06:09:37.770-05:00Whispers From ElizabethMy journey to a frugal, self reliant, non-electric life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger370125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-26970733543842679242017-02-16T09:00:00.000-05:002017-02-16T09:00:21.134-05:00We FINALLY Cut The Cable Cord!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took a few years, but I finally convinced my family to cut the cable cord! This will save us over 1,200 dollars a year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We haven't been watching much TV for the past year anyway, most shows are of such poor quality that I can't stand to have them on. When we want to watch something, we have been relying more and more on Amazon Prime. We can watch movies, documentaries and the few TV series that we like WITHOUT ANNOYING COMMERCIALS! Sometimes I don't know which is worse, the amoral programming or the amoral commercials.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, now I don't have to put up with either. Santa brought us a new 'smart' TV for Christmas (all our other TVs are 20 years old - or older!) so we can access Amazon prime directly from the TV. My husband also bought a digital antenna so we can pick up our local news channels for weather updates. It is an indoor antenna positioned close to a NE facing window. We receive 18 channels! Many of them show old TV shows and movies from the 50's - 80's. They are a delight to watch! (In moderation, of course.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I could have done this years ago! However, when you don't live by yourself, life is always a compromise. I am just glad it has happened now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another note, I apologize for my erratic posting lately! We are still looking for land and it has taken up much more of my time than I anticipated!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-90228676567118560622017-01-31T12:24:00.000-05:002017-01-31T12:36:06.155-05:00Time to Make This Years Fire Starters!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These things are SO handy! We use them every time we make a fire at home and when we are camping. I just used the last one in the fireplace, so it is time to make more!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Normally, I make these outside in our fire pit. However, today it is cold and quite windy. I have decided to make them in the house (read that to mean I used electricity!)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I made two kinds, one using dryer lint and one using newspapers/shredded papers.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Dryer lint method:</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At our house, making fire starters isn't a one day project. Actually, I am making them throughout the year. It takes that long to collect the ingredients I need to make them. I start with lint from the dryer. It takes all year for me to collect a significant amount because I don't use the dryer that often. Most of the lint I collect is from my husband using the dryer. I stuff the lint into empty toilet paper rolls.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dTJujV39GduP8Xt_bO5w4OF7j5C14XVFumqqyNM7PBHk7mvK-0AeLRzwg3rm4cjHLR1JoEGAwoxvMwaWFddJRNoevRYKXwnzVznD7W33r9ZApDafZN3T5MTcDuNp0SGdB4F7DlEpr_k/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dTJujV39GduP8Xt_bO5w4OF7j5C14XVFumqqyNM7PBHk7mvK-0AeLRzwg3rm4cjHLR1JoEGAwoxvMwaWFddJRNoevRYKXwnzVznD7W33r9ZApDafZN3T5MTcDuNp0SGdB4F7DlEpr_k/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, once a year, I dip the lint-filled toilet paper rolls in wax. You can use these without the wax, but they burn longer and steadier once you coat them with wax</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. It also makes sense to waterproof them for emergencies and times when you need to start a fire in the rain. Dipping them in wax is very easy, but it can be a bit messy. I covered the counter with freezer paper to make clean up easy. In addition to the dryer lint, you will need wax, string and scissors.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdid799HyeVxv-eRu6gh9P4mOJlJbFa1Xsu5bYbgpaQ5lCuk7cNq3Mc0-lkTuI80fG7ARevK5kuIMt9bBPEApPfAQ2X0gFkD9EnzaszqeSo92UZQPnhe7u35WQNYti7p-_XriERZIirWk/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdid799HyeVxv-eRu6gh9P4mOJlJbFa1Xsu5bYbgpaQ5lCuk7cNq3Mc0-lkTuI80fG7ARevK5kuIMt9bBPEApPfAQ2X0gFkD9EnzaszqeSo92UZQPnhe7u35WQNYti7p-_XriERZIirWk/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Start with a small amount of water in a pot. You need a double boiler to melt the wax and I don't have one. I used my small soap pot instead. You will also need a container for melting the wax. I used a Christmas cookie tin. I have used this one for years. I leave the left over wax stored in it from year to year.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW5-8Cb7VZ-TJHuICsnMCpnvpVTmPbGW-kbJkThEPcJIa55Kh2WcWumY1EqZwg9lC6i2gFOf7tW7LIt6QfL8khggorqvD4XRKBhT4n9ligWyZoqxQIHgbD1wnkm8oy6E2PqkpJ86_Zpo/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW5-8Cb7VZ-TJHuICsnMCpnvpVTmPbGW-kbJkThEPcJIa55Kh2WcWumY1EqZwg9lC6i2gFOf7tW7LIt6QfL8khggorqvD4XRKBhT4n9ligWyZoqxQIHgbD1wnkm8oy6E2PqkpJ86_Zpo/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Put the container with the wax into the boiling water. Once I did that, I turned the heat down some to keep the boiling water from splashing around. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXcrs5vz3D4w-U4paklrYRUsF-9W-8ybeMiaV611rqPLvhGTtlMGdCsqSkUGJ6WDBU5FahR-rUQy7ouWlxFqQYTvR0_-G5auvdQObEBRxxsInJlPkBUwgHCBiVe5svcjLv3Pnv8AYs8Q/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXcrs5vz3D4w-U4paklrYRUsF-9W-8ybeMiaV611rqPLvhGTtlMGdCsqSkUGJ6WDBU5FahR-rUQy7ouWlxFqQYTvR0_-G5auvdQObEBRxxsInJlPkBUwgHCBiVe5svcjLv3Pnv8AYs8Q/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After this wax started to melt, I added another pound of the Gulf Wax to the container and let that melt as well. Needless to say, please be careful, the melting wax gets very hot. If you touch it, it will stick to your skin and you can get burned. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the wax was melting, I prepared the paper rolls. I tied them with string to make dipping in the wax easier. Make the string long enough so you don't need to touch the hot wax. The string also makes lighting the starters easy. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQabcFjhNvzp2ruL171USi2kKtpXLyuMoeJj6NlkSirHlWkMABdw_e2aZxcLfX_3n66TmduFmn8TlBw2TU11X_aGLjJIXGzYDboJWsMaPgMkmHYbx3ESJi6n7ubW5b1csSCIE_g6LO9dk/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQabcFjhNvzp2ruL171USi2kKtpXLyuMoeJj6NlkSirHlWkMABdw_e2aZxcLfX_3n66TmduFmn8TlBw2TU11X_aGLjJIXGzYDboJWsMaPgMkmHYbx3ESJi6n7ubW5b1csSCIE_g6LO9dk/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They don't have to look pretty, they just have to hold together so everything can be dipped in the wax and not fall apart. I dip one at a time so I don't make a mess. While holding the string, dip one and hold it under the melted wax (with a spoon, not your fingers) for a few seconds to let the wax penetrate both the lint and the paper.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7xNGDx9_KWDZCEGPH10EIhB0vIEzcjJ7-q6YZ8cmCSBjhNaJW0WZp1pWde8lFEMblsyN9hnvR6ANN8euJavVF69a1Lfw3RYMmcdV475jMtlGRn7M-fOejUNh2Kk4nC2Ph4ULCGULJrM/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7xNGDx9_KWDZCEGPH10EIhB0vIEzcjJ7-q6YZ8cmCSBjhNaJW0WZp1pWde8lFEMblsyN9hnvR6ANN8euJavVF69a1Lfw3RYMmcdV475jMtlGRn7M-fOejUNh2Kk4nC2Ph4ULCGULJrM/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When finished, hold the string up and let the wax drip back into the container.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqifH8cXkSNtxYY4pWRIJAfR7gOJhci4zkGwkQNxImcS6nFr5UffAQtNdNfC469RFZTsOx9gMHKovFkjxk84OKgPtay4KdMsuwKMzpQropYByy9psWemjyNQJReM_I4G8ZEVFS2fL0cc/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqifH8cXkSNtxYY4pWRIJAfR7gOJhci4zkGwkQNxImcS6nFr5UffAQtNdNfC469RFZTsOx9gMHKovFkjxk84OKgPtay4KdMsuwKMzpQropYByy9psWemjyNQJReM_I4G8ZEVFS2fL0cc/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When it stops dripping, place on a piece of wax paper or freezer paper to cool. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxe_GiGmrt61T8jdPh1vF55uEknxGCF9Ab7GZ3bbFKeCtvX-7dYEkZWu_mlXQhWbxlzuJ5SG_lPUbgpvqVli-ThgnQ0tJ40_gx0ND0HSCu6J7XG_zwb3mitztuXQsUpQyMb-YfEBQYaY/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxe_GiGmrt61T8jdPh1vF55uEknxGCF9Ab7GZ3bbFKeCtvX-7dYEkZWu_mlXQhWbxlzuJ5SG_lPUbgpvqVli-ThgnQ0tJ40_gx0ND0HSCu6J7XG_zwb3mitztuXQsUpQyMb-YfEBQYaY/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the fire starters are completely cool and the wax has hardened, store until needed! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I store mine in a plastic bag with the newspaper logs in the garage.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Shredded paper method (aka - Fire Bricks):</u></span><br />
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</u></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FYI - making fire bricks also takes about a year to collect enough newspaper/junk paper to make them. T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;">hey are a breeze to make and burn quite efficiently! They can also be used as the only fuel in a Kelly Kettle or volcano stove! Here is how you do it:</span><br />
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;"><ol><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></ol></ol><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;">Shred your newspapers or junk mail. You can shred by hand or machine. There isn't any difference in the quality of the bricks. Be sure not to shred any credit cards or other plastic in the batch you will use to make the bricks.</span><br />
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</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;">Place the shredded papers in a pail with water. Soak the papers well. If you shred by hand, you may have to soak them for a few hours. If you shred by machine, you don't have to wait that long. </span></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6BUaRnkUpiDnRiOlx7_1hJaTJh5BXuQp-yJPjwzYWJb-LQpPX2w7TS2kCqWYpcdMga577Ge1LKgdreGOg6L2uC24rZVFywRDGN94mmGuaNAWD5mVkLXxeu-FNFIaItw1gJICcsq9vSI/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #9d4d0d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6BUaRnkUpiDnRiOlx7_1hJaTJh5BXuQp-yJPjwzYWJb-LQpPX2w7TS2kCqWYpcdMga577Ge1LKgdreGOg6L2uC24rZVFywRDGN94mmGuaNAWD5mVkLXxeu-FNFIaItw1gJICcsq9vSI/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" style="background: rgb(212, 105, 19); border: 1px solid rgb(212, 105, 19); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: left;">The papers will reduce down a lot. Stir and let them soak for a few minutes to a few hours. Stir again. Break up any lumps. The lumps are not saturated with water yet. If you had to break up a lot of lumps, wait a few more minutes and stir again.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2whwK1lEv1ePNbld33pk1C0khAYPGJ-R1vAp_eAk5uYUnoWyr2Hl5HmxF0V6q3IbggFvXgHEe0FWrgjJnC2k4KXGK_OvIWix1UWlNNpfi-ZzoAFrTsTO_hIfKfgG6eyqr71-Kw9EKqc/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #9d4d0d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2whwK1lEv1ePNbld33pk1C0khAYPGJ-R1vAp_eAk5uYUnoWyr2Hl5HmxF0V6q3IbggFvXgHEe0FWrgjJnC2k4KXGK_OvIWix1UWlNNpfi-ZzoAFrTsTO_hIfKfgG6eyqr71-Kw9EKqc/s320/IMG_0903.JPG" style="background: rgb(212, 105, 19); border: 1px solid rgb(212, 105, 19); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;"></span><br />
<div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;">Compact the shredded papers together (allowing the water to drain out). There are a couple of ways to do this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px; text-align: center;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get a mold. You can purchase a paper brick mold to do this - online stores sell them. I don't have a brick mold. I prefer to keep mine small so I use an old cookie press. When filling, compress the papers every so often then add more. Your brick will be bigger this way. Add the top and squeeze the handle. Remove the cookie cutter and squeeze the handle until the brick comes completely out.</span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1ALu6roBJXCStxH7AN8SDVzVX1ZaDKftoPv74K-zcoPQ_QLddXvonu97nukrtVvpcwIkvPwvYspAyXjL9OXI9lMu06s-IVV2ZS0ds3RY43Cis-9KSlDHa76TENMjTDSMfubOCUa1qgM/s1600/Making+Fire+Bricks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #9d4d0d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1ALu6roBJXCStxH7AN8SDVzVX1ZaDKftoPv74K-zcoPQ_QLddXvonu97nukrtVvpcwIkvPwvYspAyXjL9OXI9lMu06s-IVV2ZS0ds3RY43Cis-9KSlDHa76TENMjTDSMfubOCUa1qgM/s400/Making+Fire+Bricks.jpg" style="background: rgb(212, 105, 19); border: 1px solid rgb(212, 105, 19); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">You could also use your hands to compress the paper, the same way you would make a snowball. It isn't hard, I have osteoarthritis and I do just fine. </li>
</span></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let them dry completely. They are going to take a couple of days to dry. If you used a paper brick mold, it could take a few weeks. That's it! Here is a picture of one I did with the cookie press and one I did by hand.</span></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxdrlkxhM272t1kvFzAPxLjRJ6Su-WoshoKUiKLMMDmBwuLsyISZBrbEzRy19WUHCHS54NI6PJwMgFvd1YZtgzTX7pcUNbVbGQDbIPpXXIswX8C3jRt2NL_0onLKncRZmBJAUm8YJM9c/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #9d4d0d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxdrlkxhM272t1kvFzAPxLjRJ6Su-WoshoKUiKLMMDmBwuLsyISZBrbEzRy19WUHCHS54NI6PJwMgFvd1YZtgzTX7pcUNbVbGQDbIPpXXIswX8C3jRt2NL_0onLKncRZmBJAUm8YJM9c/s320/IMG_0909.JPG" style="background: rgb(212, 105, 19); border: 1px solid rgb(212, 105, 19); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We now have enough fire starters to last through next January!</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-28180066006078260292017-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:002017-01-26T09:00:11.828-05:00Each Day Is a Chance To Do Something Great!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Need a motivational boost today? This blog post has it!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/every-day-is-a-chance-to-do-something-great/" target="_blank">Each day is a chance to do something great</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-34237240873080482752017-01-24T15:01:00.000-05:002017-01-24T15:12:30.739-05:00My Vision of Self-Reliance<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a different point of view on what self reliance is. (Come to think of it, I have a unique point of view on <i>everything</i>!) My husband and I have decided that now is the time to focus our efforts on our future vision of self-reliance. Now is the time because we think (expect?) the US economy is going to kick into high gear now that we have a new president. This may put rural acreage out of our price range if we wait too long. So, we have been driving around for the past month or so looking at land that we can move to (in about a year to 18 months). We want this land to be something we can use now, and will also meet our needs when we retire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what exactly are we looking for?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, self reliance to most people means taking care of your self, your family and helping out your community when you can - and doing it all on your own, without help or handouts from others. Our family takes this to another level. We consider self-reliance to be not requiring <i>anything on a continuous basis </i>from any government agency or quasi-governmental agency. This includes our utilities. We don't want city water or sewer services. Nor do we want electricity or TV services. (While we don't really need internet and wireless phone services for our personal life, we do need both to run our business. Hopefully, that need will end when we retire in a decade.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We want to live where we don't need stores either. Now, I don't mind going to the store once a quarter or so, just like the pioneers did, but not weekly or bi-weekly. Without a cow and chickens of my own, it isn't possible to do that. Cooking with powdered milk and powdered eggs limits my trips to the store, but having my own cow and chickens (as well as a larger garden) is truly self-reliance to me. When it is time to 'go to the store' I want to go out to my land to harvest what I need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Different states and each county in those states, all have different rules! I have been spending <i>a lot</i> of time on the phone asking questions of local governments. One county employee actually told me that all homes in that county require a continuous source of electric power to get an occupancy permit, and that solar panels with batteries (and a whole house propane generator for back-up) are not considered a continuous supply of electricity! The problem with that is the land we were interested in was almost two miles away from the nearest power line! This is such a shame because those 20 acres we looked at in that county were beautiful! Another property we were interested in did not have access to a phone line (and satellite internet won't meet our business needs).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So on we go! I am doing most of the research, because my husband is super busy with work right now. I am learning a lot about building a house on rural land in all the southern states, and plenty about many of the counties we have targeted in each state as well! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are praying for guidance from our Heavenly Father on where we should look next. I certainly hope we find what we are looking for soon - I want to plant the apple and peach trees on our new property this year!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-63585041126439605362017-01-12T10:12:00.000-05:002017-01-12T10:12:42.815-05:00Is It Time to Tighten Your Belt?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Money wise I mean! The Christmas bills are coming in this month and we all could use some reminders on how to save money.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of the latest ideas I have found on how to save money this winter and spring:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://morningchores.com/frugal-living/" target="_blank">63 Practical Ways to Live a Frugal Life</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://zenhabits.net/the-cheapskate-guide-50-tips-for-frugal-living/" target="_blank">50 Tips for Frugal Living</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/frugal-living-rich-life/" target="_blank">People Might Call Me Cheap, But I Live a Rich Life. Here's How I Do It</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These lists have a few ideas in common. In my opinion, that is the best place to start!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-12880523442874547762017-01-10T09:00:00.000-05:002017-01-10T09:00:12.667-05:00Still Living Without a Microwave!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I updated the feature post (over in the left column), last week and just wanted to provide an update to it. I wrote that post 2 1/2 years ago and we still d</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on't have a new microwave!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't miss it a bit and don't plan on getting a new one!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-88101132806309025522017-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:002017-01-05T09:00:00.268-05:00Easy Ways To Add Moisture To Your Home This Winter<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is your house too dry in the winter? It is easy to tell, try going through the day without a static electric shock! You can always purchase a humidifier to solve the problem, but that costs money and electricity. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is my solution? I offer three </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">inexpensive ways to add moisture to your home!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#1. Set out bowls of water throughout the house. This is the easiest one to do! Once you set them up, all you need to do is fill them once a week or so. I fill mine when I am watering my plants. Note of caution, don't put the bowls of water on the floor, someone will kick them over. When I lived in a different state, the heat vents in our home were in the floor. I would put the bowls of water next to the heat vents. My family was always knocking them over. On top of a cabinet or bookcase where they will not be disturbed works better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#2</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Skip the dishwasher drying cycle and open the door to let the dishes air dry. I typically don't use the dishwasher, instead I opt to wash them by hand. However, if the dishes pile up and overwhelm (this usually happens at holiday time), I will grudgingly use the dishwasher. All you need to do is turn off the drying cycle. When the dishwasher stops, open the door. Quite a bit of steam and moisture will be released into the house! It will warm the air and the dishes dry quite quickly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">#3. Don't use the clothes dryer! Drying your clothes on a clothes rack in the winter is an easy way to add moisture to your home! In addition, there are quite a few other benefits of giving your dryer some time off:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You will save money. In my opinion, this is the biggest benefit in forgoing the dryer. There is a significant difference in my electric bill between the months I use the dryer and the months I don't. (Your mileage may vary if you have a gas dryer.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your clothes will last longer. All that lint your dryer produces, isn't good for your clothes. What is lint? It is the breakdown of the clothing fibers. While you can do some creative things with the lint your dryer produces, your clothes will be better off if they don't produce it in the first place.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It will help</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> reduce allergens. If you have allergy problems, you can greatly reduce your exposure to pollen by drying your clothes indoors. While I am not opposed to drying clothes outdoors on a clothes line, many neighborhood associations forbid it (including mine). In addition, any sensitivities to the chemicals in dryer sheets can be eliminated when you air dry your laundry.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have a basement, you have a ready made area to hang a clothes line. However, not everybody does. I know someone who hangs her clothes on the back of her kitchen chairs. She lives in the southwest and the clothes dry very quickly there. Here in the southeast, our clothes don't dry that quickly, so I use another solution. I use drying racks. I set them up at night so they are not in the way. By morning, the clothes are dry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I usually put them in the family room. With a hot fire going in the fireplace, they can even dry in just a few hours! If you are interested, there are many places you can get drying racks. Google it and you should find lots of sources.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is a picture of my racks in use a few days before Christmas.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyxVluOWXekeTmhXXzd-14JDi4GMPkXjhCST66SX0b8Q2rqTEzB0XuVdpfe56NmSmEhrRExnLGDdBXcnyly5ld-zk5WhX3qA19t8ElBXelNZMeF1AXAMglvFHXS-KwcPCOSp2JxopaSk/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyxVluOWXekeTmhXXzd-14JDi4GMPkXjhCST66SX0b8Q2rqTEzB0XuVdpfe56NmSmEhrRExnLGDdBXcnyly5ld-zk5WhX3qA19t8ElBXelNZMeF1AXAMglvFHXS-KwcPCOSp2JxopaSk/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">OK, I will admit skipping the dryer does take some planning. If you need a certain piece of clothing right away, this idea may not work. However, I can state it is easy to do, and it will make your house warmer and add a significant amount of moisture to the air. I</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n my opinion, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">when compared to using the dryer, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the additional time it takes to hang the clothes on the racks is no more than a few minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost everyone finds static electricity and very dry air in their home annoying during the winter season. (And we all know dry air makes your skin feel dry too!) These tips will help you to add moisture to the air without a lot of time and effort. This will raise the humidity and make the environment in your house feel warmer and more comfortable without turning up the thermostat. You won't get as many static shocks when you walk across the rugs or pet the dog either!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And best of all, these tips are a frugal answer to a common problem!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-40487823686876793052017-01-03T09:00:00.000-05:002017-01-03T09:00:19.569-05:00A New Way to Look At A New Year<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the things I love about my Church is they have answers for any question about life you can think of!</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-15588448419542013372016-12-29T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-29T09:00:20.623-05:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSydEUVXTgaqoTMq58lzLp0Y_JFxMjWlohrwtArM4-KIIpvccDgGaHbj44E4R8Jxv9IsEa8nKsnjkFy-xtrfttyABlyGZgLpwpriwG_n5S2u1PJHkAMW2Rk2LWzQF1-22WwLm5_7GvT4/s1600/BTP50013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSydEUVXTgaqoTMq58lzLp0Y_JFxMjWlohrwtArM4-KIIpvccDgGaHbj44E4R8Jxv9IsEa8nKsnjkFy-xtrfttyABlyGZgLpwpriwG_n5S2u1PJHkAMW2Rk2LWzQF1-22WwLm5_7GvT4/s320/BTP50013.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-79694811688953946672016-12-27T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-27T09:00:33.851-05:00The Best New Year's Punch Ever!<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I originally posted this recipe a few years ago. However it is SO good, I decided to post it again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have this punch every New Year's eve.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It is easy to make and tastes great too! If the amount is too much for your family, you can cut the recipe in half.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Here is the recipe:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><u>New Year's Punch</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">2 packets of strawberry or cherry Kool-aid (we like cherry better)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">1 can pineapple juice (1 lb. 14 oz.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">2 two litter bottles of ginger ale</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">4 cups sugar (you can use half of this and it still tastes good)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Vanilla ice cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My recipe says to combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and add a few scoops of vanilla ice cream. However, after making this many, many times - I think it does make a difference in how you add the ingredients. I have found that if you add the ginger ale last, it will keep some of the fizzy bubbles in the punch much longer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I start with the Kool-aid packet and then add the pineapple juice. Stir in the sugar and add a few scoops of vanilla ice cream (to taste). I usually add more later when these melt a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Then add the ginger ale. The whole punch bowl will fizz up! Stir a bit and serve immediately.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8BkV5zIgnKSvTZNrNkXhCReD9XNoDuVxp4-H6N-44aQflfGJgogesTxuP_bMLr7nLHpLLNkpPApHesZBqkTlKpkJpKOFrW2v3iYnElj5vlF5_o6Wx-YYhVIX35ZAIOzflx6GAS9a9e0/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8BkV5zIgnKSvTZNrNkXhCReD9XNoDuVxp4-H6N-44aQflfGJgogesTxuP_bMLr7nLHpLLNkpPApHesZBqkTlKpkJpKOFrW2v3iYnElj5vlF5_o6Wx-YYhVIX35ZAIOzflx6GAS9a9e0/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This recipe also works well completely sugar free. Use Splenda instead of sugar and purchase diet ginger ale & sugar free ice cream. That is what we are going to do this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Happy New Year!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-31178558961244500792016-12-22T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-22T09:00:12.279-05:00Merry Christmas!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My most favorite music video of all time is from the Piano Guys. While all of their music is wonderful, this one tops them all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>You can go to YouTube and key in 'The Piano Guys' to listen to more of their wonderful music!</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-18699969568816334802016-12-20T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-20T09:00:00.920-05:00More Christmas Blooms!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since I have <i>a lot </i>of orchids, my house is full of many different blooming plants at Christmas time. Orchids are really not that hard to care for and they are so pretty to look at when they bloom! In addition to orchids, cactus is in bloom now too. (You really can't get a more easy-care plant than a cactus - anyone can grow one.)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are a few other blooms I have been enjoying this December.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Try your hand at some blooming houseplants! Many don't need much care are are so rewarding to display when they bloom!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-88312325541141536982016-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-15T09:00:04.648-05:00'Treating' The Poinsettia Plants - Part 3<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to show you how pretty <i>some </i>of my Poinsettia blooms turned out to be. If you recall, I started the 'turning' process on October 1st. It really does take 60 days to get the beautiful red blooms from the plants when you are treating them at home. Here are the two super big ones. I have been 'turning' these at home for quite a few years and I didn't have any problem 'turning' them to get red blooms. (Light differences are because of the different rooms I placed them in - one gets morning sun and the other gets afternoon sun.)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the baby ones that were only a year old, I got mixed results. One 'turned', but it took 75 days of treatment. This is entirely too long! If it doesn't turn within 60 days next year, I will toss it and get a new one to try. At this rate, it will be New Year's or beyond before it becomes a full, lovely flowering plant!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other two.... NOTHING! These plants will be tossed in January. If they won't 'work' for their keep, they can't live at my house!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have already purchased their replacements! I have two new poinsettia plants in small 4in </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(10.16 cm) </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pots. They will go into the bigger pots in January. These two currently are living in my bathroom.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I truly am in awe of God's wonder with this plant! (It is still one of my all time favorites - even if I can't get them <i>all </i>to perform for me!) I am quite happy with my work and the beauty they provide!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you liked this post, you may also like:</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.whispersfromelizabeth.com/2016/10/time-to-treat-poinsettia-plants.html" target="_blank">Time to 'Treat' the Poinsettia Plants</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.whispersfromelizabeth.com/2016/11/treating-poinsettia-plants-part-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Treating' the Poinsettia Plants - Part 2</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-30075576137513025512016-12-13T12:52:00.000-05:002016-12-13T12:57:45.625-05:00Time To Roast The Peanuts!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a favorite treat for us during the Christmas season! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dry roasting peanuts is easy!. At our house, roasting is the first step to the chocolate covered peanuts I make for Christmas every year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">We roast the peanuts we grow. BTW, anyone can grow peanuts. If it is too cold for peanuts where you live, you can grow them in pots. You can also purchase raw peanuts at the grocery store and roast them. They are a great treat at Christmas parties! The scent of roasting peanuts will fill the house!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Here is how you do it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the peanuts out on a cookie sheet. (A cookie sheet with a rim works best.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ4AkzEMeWgKS5Hy4QKTzzG7uHmCL28B20Bkxu88MsaWJZg__RfnL8s2sOE9fvB-arc2CwHFVga_V44aqA60K_TABtCTBI67JgNvGD3Ek4qy1PgacEicEWv3aCim7YXvT6_l3cm5wJqM/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ4AkzEMeWgKS5Hy4QKTzzG7uHmCL28B20Bkxu88MsaWJZg__RfnL8s2sOE9fvB-arc2CwHFVga_V44aqA60K_TABtCTBI67JgNvGD3Ek4qy1PgacEicEWv3aCim7YXvT6_l3cm5wJqM/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">Roast the peanuts for 20 - 30 minutes. If you have smaller peanuts like Spanish, roast for 20 minutes. If you have larger peanuts like Virginia Jumbo, roast for 30 minutes. At about the halfway point, stir and turn the peanuts over to prevent burning. This is why you use a cookie sheet with a rim. When stiring and turning the peanuts, they will fall off a flat cookie sheet. Ask me how I know this! It is quite difficult to reach the peanuts that fall to the bottom of the oven without removing the oven racks! Here is a picture of my peanuts at the half way point.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUt6O_6DcXfNPUopLu1zd5buWiCj_e8WsNxbg6FpLAvFQHCVKyvWYh2c23lnqEBM_h44NLePqLbfMHtwmqYmFfcf3maCuQI8ZpO0miNom1_86CzXR3co-GjkJfUVv7N5m0K0n8NaS5Zo/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUt6O_6DcXfNPUopLu1zd5buWiCj_e8WsNxbg6FpLAvFQHCVKyvWYh2c23lnqEBM_h44NLePqLbfMHtwmqYmFfcf3maCuQI8ZpO0miNom1_86CzXR3co-GjkJfUVv7N5m0K0n8NaS5Zo/s320/IMG_0557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">When the peanuts are done, remove from the oven and turn them onto a plate or another cookie sheet. They will continue to cook while they are cooling so it is best to remove them from the hot cookie sheet so they don't overcook.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw3GubXYrQwaST6KcIZNIgSfIEDE-YRaipA0YyogmeLRzt7mQkdXYVy1U76eSsnQ3N4pITbCw248E532jsSaS-OgDyOzTTvdJxqsZGjbVm_GMMndo_mdtFK6iuHC0mQV1LVnRatG8P-k/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw3GubXYrQwaST6KcIZNIgSfIEDE-YRaipA0YyogmeLRzt7mQkdXYVy1U76eSsnQ3N4pITbCw248E532jsSaS-OgDyOzTTvdJxqsZGjbVm_GMMndo_mdtFK6iuHC0mQV1LVnRatG8P-k/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">Once they are cooled, you can store them in the shell until you are ready to eat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">Delicious!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-35231939789813688182016-12-08T11:59:00.001-05:002021-10-05T20:14:58.673-04:00Make Your Own Christmas Ornaments for Just Pennies! (Victorian Style)<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Middle class in Victorian times was much different than it is today. When the Victorians wanted to decorate their Christmas tree, they didn't go to the store to purchase ornaments. They had to make them!</span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>(As a nugget of history: presents were also placed on the tree or in your stocking, not under the tree. Presents were much smaller in Victorian times because disposable income for middle class families was much less then it is today.)</i></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So, in honor of our ancestors, I am going to show you some of the easiest (and inexpensive) ways you can decorate your tree this year.</span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The first one is quite simple. Get some ribbon that you like (this is a great thing to do at the after Christmas sales - then you can save it for next year) and tie it on the tree in a bow. It is just that simple and very Victorian! </span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Here is a picture of one of my bows.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGzTRIobz90Widb2dYSPfN9K1G99eeFMLuWSYKxpGucXXZ4p6WVlWonrac2jV8hkyHNBEObCKvFeErwdJRrZ_1BzRaFvjfaabfxrmaicKV10X5J7v0Krn-hCBJMtw-qhN097Y9bbCjNA/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGzTRIobz90Widb2dYSPfN9K1G99eeFMLuWSYKxpGucXXZ4p6WVlWonrac2jV8hkyHNBEObCKvFeErwdJRrZ_1BzRaFvjfaabfxrmaicKV10X5J7v0Krn-hCBJMtw-qhN097Y9bbCjNA/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The next idea involves aluminum foil. </span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Victorian children spent the entire year saving aluminum foil to decorate their trees. Aluminum foil was not available in the stores like it is now. Aluminum was use by florists, wrapped around cakes of chocolate, cream cheese, large packages of tea and inside the paper used to wrap tobacco. Now, this foil was <i>quite </i>thin. I can just imagine how many pieces were torn as they tried to make the ornaments! I can certainly understand why it took all year to save enough to decorate the tree!</span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">For my ornaments, I used heavy duty aluminum foil and I still scraped many of them because they tore as I handled them! However I imagine in Victorian times, if you started making these as a child, I bet you got to be really good at it by the time you were a teenager!</span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I saw this idea on a Craft blog a few years ago. You can see the original post <a href="http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/craft5-2000-1.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. To make an ornament, start with a piece of foil. I like the look of smooth foil, but they shine in the lights at night just a much if the foil is crinkly.</span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I like mine small, but if you are making these with children, bigger is better so they don't tear. I used a piece of foil about 1 inch by 4 inches (2.54 cm to 10.16 cm).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcsCAcRx3yl-LfOTQOhhO1O4HedS2p7I7GXzZBBBSWHxJ6rr7EXgxyJocGymJANI-KPwD45JhwYziHtS5hUx_-3LPr5zubQWAdbNsZm8jqwD4gJkivkYWMjStruMGqmrFqBht65g2k3M/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcsCAcRx3yl-LfOTQOhhO1O4HedS2p7I7GXzZBBBSWHxJ6rr7EXgxyJocGymJANI-KPwD45JhwYziHtS5hUx_-3LPr5zubQWAdbNsZm8jqwD4gJkivkYWMjStruMGqmrFqBht65g2k3M/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Fold it in half and cut it with scissors as described in the original post. Basically it says to cut on opposites sides of the foil for the entire length. I spaced mine about 1/8 of an inch apart (.20 cm). Here is a picture of mine.</span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Open the folded foil carefully! Once completely open and laying flat, gently pull at each end of the foil.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrizQ7j8F-iRZtOnAl8UgLAIhcGimYc5pwUmcWLjrbpvNNC2cUfvupFniYmIQzxI3I8_ity2lRxPWO2iSQSCDw3ldNu911W92Tm_OhiGxBhhU8depvjCYDLhoNuJawThcsN6Cu-X8lzyc/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrizQ7j8F-iRZtOnAl8UgLAIhcGimYc5pwUmcWLjrbpvNNC2cUfvupFniYmIQzxI3I8_ity2lRxPWO2iSQSCDw3ldNu911W92Tm_OhiGxBhhU8depvjCYDLhoNuJawThcsN6Cu-X8lzyc/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What the original post does not tell you is that this technique steps the decoration like stairs. So it is either coming towards you or going back away from you. For best results, don't make them too long. You can either hang with string or ornament hooks. Here is one of mine on the tree.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaNukJcE-K9Qptiyd7grGw59AKqhXaAwq8bgKr1NbbVg9IkL_Y3SwGBovtZXTUZ5-KTuWjXyWaDCeNjk8EUdBi42NLYEBuD1uyKWEP9a86VBZjJTLUyByQCldkjQTdRP6R61uicpDqh8/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaNukJcE-K9Qptiyd7grGw59AKqhXaAwq8bgKr1NbbVg9IkL_Y3SwGBovtZXTUZ5-KTuWjXyWaDCeNjk8EUdBi42NLYEBuD1uyKWEP9a86VBZjJTLUyByQCldkjQTdRP6R61uicpDqh8/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">If you want to make them longer, I recommend a different technique. Fold over the foil, but make the cuts all on one side (similar to making fringe). When you unfold the foil, use a stick, handle of a toothbrush or something similar to open the ornament for you. (Pulling on this one won't work.) I used a barbecue skewer because that is the first thing I thought of.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplAbjlMDOwSk-0mynv2tycsiskNE7CFmA42hyphenhyphen-tAaUEnGD4MNcg4imLdnL_jY6ibj7sFo-jfJS6D78dXTjbli2X4XcKQ5xwoeZWfarX45lXd9XqZ46hdASw9ov_XndnGAPnJftw9LdWs/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplAbjlMDOwSk-0mynv2tycsiskNE7CFmA42hyphenhyphen-tAaUEnGD4MNcg4imLdnL_jY6ibj7sFo-jfJS6D78dXTjbli2X4XcKQ5xwoeZWfarX45lXd9XqZ46hdASw9ov_XndnGAPnJftw9LdWs/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">When cut this way, the ornament hangs straight down and looks much nicer as a long piece. Here is one of mine on my tree.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhbzBE6CWV0ZvknW_3egGLjJw5hD4bVwFoKFhDbkj4UvLp7mBHgdL9OQlDVpc4maUgnU0RV2HHRn72lHY2Th8t5rNop0ctaI_KPaJlS0mjEJGjHaNRiwTsj7nqrIaQlPMi0kAf7lD8Fs/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhbzBE6CWV0ZvknW_3egGLjJw5hD4bVwFoKFhDbkj4UvLp7mBHgdL9OQlDVpc4maUgnU0RV2HHRn72lHY2Th8t5rNop0ctaI_KPaJlS0mjEJGjHaNRiwTsj7nqrIaQlPMi0kAf7lD8Fs/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The last idea is also super simple. Decorate your tree with cookies! I have made gingerbread men in past years and placed them on the tree. If you have dogs, this can be tricky. I remember one year I had a beagle that tried to climb the tree to reach a cookie! (My cat was never interested.)</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">All of these ideas were used by your grandparents and great-grandparents to decorate their trees! They don't cost much and the whole family can do it together! And, </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I bet it will also be something your kids never forget!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-14191649067141205192016-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-08T12:11:21.104-05:00Five Dollars and 20 minutes to update the Christmas Door Wreath!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CXPA-i9jORjnQTFXlbG5ho3GiRXmXoLZZvyFGny97kSTkLeiJ8Z2KKgcY3xuingRhAKBmO-EImU2UEBAM3iZYmsBzt7fRlMAsQ2PmrkA2FA1EWdqtsHxD834KMzv9wwBtuM6yMRavd4/s1600/Wreath+compare_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CXPA-i9jORjnQTFXlbG5ho3GiRXmXoLZZvyFGny97kSTkLeiJ8Z2KKgcY3xuingRhAKBmO-EImU2UEBAM3iZYmsBzt7fRlMAsQ2PmrkA2FA1EWdqtsHxD834KMzv9wwBtuM6yMRavd4/s320/Wreath+compare_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you can see in the picture on the left, the ribbon on my Christmas Door Wreath was in very poor condition when I pulled it out of storage last month. I created this wreath about 10 years ago, and for the most part, it withstood the harsh weather conditions I put it through for 10 years! (I put my Christmas wreath up on November 1st and keep it there until about May 1st every year. It gets hot afternoon sun.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tried to bend the ribbon back into some form of shape and it looked OK for a few weeks. However, I looked at it Saturday morning and it just looked pitiful. The ribbon ends were all torn and falling apart.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOwi6yTJ_toh87mDQCEp568TT5Yt6QjyJ2pUbBbJoIrThN3zei19JE4j53NtjZrcVdqCtRb01CV4mbkOGMohW2RNRwIRw7athisSCIJ9Y5CmCn3RALc1NaK5Yp7B_0gvjuEYz_Tse_l8/s1600/IMG_1876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOwi6yTJ_toh87mDQCEp568TT5Yt6QjyJ2pUbBbJoIrThN3zei19JE4j53NtjZrcVdqCtRb01CV4mbkOGMohW2RNRwIRw7athisSCIJ9Y5CmCn3RALc1NaK5Yp7B_0gvjuEYz_Tse_l8/s320/IMG_1876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was time for an update! Just because it caught my eye, I purchased some new silk flowers a few weeks ago at the big box store the last time I was there. I got one bunch and it cost five dollars. I really liked the contrast between the gold and red.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1rYMIfLtXQ1w602Z0jAhv7iHZXgCrxpgdvWvdlW3F7o6gcdTYEfwVdcImCHywH_QRQNSS-u6dpyR14Nb6D03OA5FDX4nx5ksxpbTAD3O4UwNLzMzrVk7St2Y_LRFh2hZAsgDiXbO5-s/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1rYMIfLtXQ1w602Z0jAhv7iHZXgCrxpgdvWvdlW3F7o6gcdTYEfwVdcImCHywH_QRQNSS-u6dpyR14Nb6D03OA5FDX4nx5ksxpbTAD3O4UwNLzMzrVk7St2Y_LRFh2hZAsgDiXbO5-s/s320/IMG_1879.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new ribbon came from my leftover stash. These three were the best matches. I chose the one in front because it too had gold and red in the ribbon and matched the silk flowers. Of course the one I wanted only had about 18 inches (45 cm) left on the roll! I wanted to use it like I did in the old wreath but 18 inches was not enough to go around the entire wreath! I had to make a smaller bow.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvXdVflK9r8BBcxQY_hIyMBSeMljz6zCznH7wMPB6Qx7O5ZKpEtE7tFWnIaw-emwhc91_KqADPT0mmRnJCcv6W96T0j965sohmlCBalwnjr2N5MhFHX9_ILIF1pGd96pqerCtf40PBdw/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvXdVflK9r8BBcxQY_hIyMBSeMljz6zCznH7wMPB6Qx7O5ZKpEtE7tFWnIaw-emwhc91_KqADPT0mmRnJCcv6W96T0j965sohmlCBalwnjr2N5MhFHX9_ILIF1pGd96pqerCtf40PBdw/s320/IMG_1880.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step one was to remove the old items. The ribbon was attached with floral wire so I needed to cut that off and then I just pulled out the old flowers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ZGFsItyIth-1nooaClHVRKgpKOlm77EW4bntR2lfvndRTDffhjuCGSXK5Fg5J8qBgp4xONKrT-WAkokk5b_3dkS5mNwgNn__u7jCz2w_PTW0-d6blfeqQqlenSzusTBBzxMc7yswzM/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2ZGFsItyIth-1nooaClHVRKgpKOlm77EW4bntR2lfvndRTDffhjuCGSXK5Fg5J8qBgp4xONKrT-WAkokk5b_3dkS5mNwgNn__u7jCz2w_PTW0-d6blfeqQqlenSzusTBBzxMc7yswzM/s320/IMG_1878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, start adding new pieces. There isn't any 'special' way to do it. Decorate it to please you. The only 'rule of thumb' I can give you is that an odd number of items looks better then an even number. For example, using three poinsettia flowers/ using one pine cone, etc.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Start with the first piece. I placed a flower on the wreath and pulled the stem through to the back. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2iABHms1SPOsrXU0QtKqbxLID99EqLlzhWsLq3YRiWTkl8lUVTMzN0l9r3b9MHjPmoL7H6OBJqprC32X5Derua6NHU6f8Oj-5ZeKsSuzc8VU8cV9UsNHH0KOji1Z0Wbc5dh7glPZX0Y/s1600/IMG_1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2iABHms1SPOsrXU0QtKqbxLID99EqLlzhWsLq3YRiWTkl8lUVTMzN0l9r3b9MHjPmoL7H6OBJqprC32X5Derua6NHU6f8Oj-5ZeKsSuzc8VU8cV9UsNHH0KOji1Z0Wbc5dh7glPZX0Y/s320/IMG_1883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sorry for the blurry picture. I needed three hands for that one!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, just wrap the stem around the base of the wreath. No wire or glue needed. I usually wrap it a few times so it won't fall off. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only piece I attached with wire was the ribbon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vifUFuI05ppbMBB_Moq7P5r_zaONAstc3XWbLYdUX6EbvCDmj7jHrZIjPNZcqDa5TBHvRfUzswL1atbx_vrcrDYp5TlD2pvSSGTqBomlj4Vkmxq7wzwnrBmjYVzklosIJ6dhvAAeDTU/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vifUFuI05ppbMBB_Moq7P5r_zaONAstc3XWbLYdUX6EbvCDmj7jHrZIjPNZcqDa5TBHvRfUzswL1atbx_vrcrDYp5TlD2pvSSGTqBomlj4Vkmxq7wzwnrBmjYVzklosIJ6dhvAAeDTU/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Continue adding pieces until you like the way it looks! It took all of 20 minutes (from start to finish) to make mine! Once I put it on the door, I adjusted it a bit more so the ribbon showed up better. This is what it looks like now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pretty to look at, quick to do, and very frugal!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-78542876977492721442016-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-01T09:00:01.599-05:00Light The World This Christmas Season!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This message was shared with us in Church this past Sunday: To help the world be a better place, you must serve others!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a beautiful message this Christmas season!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mJmAV0gTp_Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mJmAV0gTp_Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.mormon.org/christmas/in-25-ways-over-25-days" target="_blank">Serve 25 ways in 25 days!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-57942889389745398622016-11-29T09:00:00.000-05:002016-11-29T09:00:00.210-05:00Have You Ever Made a Gingerbread House?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My goodness it is super fun! I am going to start gathering my supplies to make one next week. What do you need? Your imagination is the limit on how you can decorate yours! In these three blog posts from a few years back, I take you through the steps on how to make one from scratch!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgGH-CpHzlusyZwZMD3AeIhYhsOejKX0abwM98UzoS6OFIc3Y3SlFhFO0ek9NaOD8C4HJ8uPqaIq-mgSjYy8cTVpDEkKZtSssEPLV-1dSa_aWjh4fnXUeYi7d6WbodvnUC0tY3desmIE/s1600/IMG_1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgGH-CpHzlusyZwZMD3AeIhYhsOejKX0abwM98UzoS6OFIc3Y3SlFhFO0ek9NaOD8C4HJ8uPqaIq-mgSjYy8cTVpDEkKZtSssEPLV-1dSa_aWjh4fnXUeYi7d6WbodvnUC0tY3desmIE/s320/IMG_1421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make the cookie pieces ahead and plan a Saturday or a day off from school to decorate it with your kids!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have fun!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.whispersfromelizabeth.com/2013/12/make-your-own-gingerbread-house-part-i.html" target="_blank">Make Your Own Gingerbread House, Part I</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.whispersfromelizabeth.com/2013/12/make-your-own-gingerbread-house-part-ii.html" target="_blank">Make Your Own Gingerbread House, Part II</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.whispersfromelizabeth.com/2013/12/make-your-own-gingerbread-house-part-iii.html" target="_blank">Make Your Own Gingerbread House, Part III</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-35536913297436998382016-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:002016-11-24T09:00:16.026-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0DMwT2EBreH_34AalFp24QaZb_jlj-fftdj3HUgaHf6EE_vXuWbbswXl5-FmMbEnwd1DVlX8aGuUNYOIF11eFowritTT139AVkSAj09T-YiLZBocew3InkFDDQEcH-Rbvms2LHsIHaE/s1600/vintage-thanksgiving-boy-girl-dinner-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0DMwT2EBreH_34AalFp24QaZb_jlj-fftdj3HUgaHf6EE_vXuWbbswXl5-FmMbEnwd1DVlX8aGuUNYOIF11eFowritTT139AVkSAj09T-YiLZBocew3InkFDDQEcH-Rbvms2LHsIHaE/s320/vintage-thanksgiving-boy-girl-dinner-card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Image(s) courtesy <a href="http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/" style="border: none; color: #416e90; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="vintage art">VintageHolidayCrafts.com</a></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-6133396463435445772016-11-22T09:00:00.000-05:002016-11-22T09:00:11.586-05:00The Colder Weather is Coming! Completing Some Pre-Winter Gardening Chores.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had some chores to do out back and decided to take one of the warm days we had last week to accomplish my end-of-the-year gardening tasks.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was 75 (23 c) degrees outside late last week and I needed to change the water in our hot tub (I despise doing this in the cold weather and today it is only going to be 61 (16 c) degrees!!! I am glad I did it last week.) While I was waiting for the hot tub to drain, I decided to pick some of the last summer squash (I got 12!) and also wanted to take cuttings from one of my plants that grew too big.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This plant is a frangipani. I got it at the outdoor market in New Orleans 2 weeks before Hurricane Katrina hit there in 2005. It took 11 years to get this big. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is over 6 feet (1.8 m) tall!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I no longer have room for it in the house. (It must come inside for the winter where I live.) Time to take cuttings to save for next spring.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Taking cuttings is so easy! Just cut off a piece. I used a hand held saw.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLcfkfM6TB-syeRFPzrLkELMUKKPnIxpwdARESGrrMjwmNYTwE1bzR7WENBGCM6V9dmRLflYLlV4RFsvNpWkIL_LY_BW7LAfXbFb-B-OZTW22e6V4Vh3U0JTzOaNy8DrdtSn4R91AfWQ/s1600/IMG_1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLcfkfM6TB-syeRFPzrLkELMUKKPnIxpwdARESGrrMjwmNYTwE1bzR7WENBGCM6V9dmRLflYLlV4RFsvNpWkIL_LY_BW7LAfXbFb-B-OZTW22e6V4Vh3U0JTzOaNy8DrdtSn4R91AfWQ/s320/IMG_1871.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These will stay in the grass until the white milky sap stops running. I am going to leave them there overnight. That is it! Store them in a cool dry place until next spring! (The leaves will drop off as the pieces go dormant.) Then, in the spring, I will replant them to start growing all over again!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FYI - if you live in a sub-tropical climate, they can can be planted outside in your landscaping.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another pre-winter chore I do every year is to prune the apple trees and grapes. To me, the apple trees are easier than the grapes. As you can see in the first picture posted above, my grapes grow on a trellis. It is quite challenging to figure out which vine to cut! I use the power of prayer to help me decide which of the pieces needs to go!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is one of my pruned apple tree. You can see, the pieces I removed are piled in the front of the picture (along with the princess!). I will cut them into smaller pieces and save for kindling for the fire place - they will not be used until next winter - they need a while to dry out. Apple wood makes great soap so I will be saving the ashes from the fireplace! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pruning is necessary to make sure that branches do not rub on each other. (That invites diseases.) It also helps the tree to maximize the number of apples you get each year. Pruned trees produce more apples. The last thing I need to do is spray with dormant oil. I will do that when all the leaves fall for the year and the trees are truly dormant. That may not happen until mid December.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hot tub was draining slowly so while I waited, I also decided to plant a few more bushes in one of the new landscaping areas I created this summer. This area has some encore azaleas (they bloom in the fall as well as the spring) and razzleberri chinense flowering bushes. These things grow 4 to 6 feet tall (1.2 to 1.8 m). They will be perfect to screen the view of the fence! I plan to mulch them tomorrow.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also harvested some of the carrots and put up my mini greenhouse on one of the raised beds that is growing additional carrots, spinach and peas. This should produce all winter long!</span><br />
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</span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-77819131504553405192016-11-18T09:00:00.000-05:002016-11-18T09:00:01.152-05:00Happy Birthday to My Princess!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems to me that I just brought her home last year! But alas, I took this picture almost 11 years ago! It was her first night at our home and she kept me up all night. She finally fell asleep at 9:00 am the next day and I snapped this picture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlXWP7ugY0S9SlOJVT8sMEOXCAJgWP7W6zpYPXhGnM6-N9AW6d2nGYRtfzrVjYpvJckB2kRDTbH6q4uEcQip-KAv-dfrITigfjGfPmsA6UF8jecY2TS_L_3jVtn0tHc66Hzk4HPXPlaU/s1600/Princess+Molly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlXWP7ugY0S9SlOJVT8sMEOXCAJgWP7W6zpYPXhGnM6-N9AW6d2nGYRtfzrVjYpvJckB2kRDTbH6q4uEcQip-KAv-dfrITigfjGfPmsA6UF8jecY2TS_L_3jVtn0tHc66Hzk4HPXPlaU/s320/Princess+Molly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband and I have had some wonderful times with Molly! She is the best dog we have ever had. We did something different with this one, we followed the guidance from Cesar Millan, (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_Whisperer_with_Cesar_Millan" target="_blank">the Dog Whisperer</a>). I have two of his books and am a fan of his TV show. It made a huge difference in Molly's behavior! (as compared to the other dogs we had in the past.) She is the sweetest girl, does what I tell her to do and likes to play jokes on us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I scratch my head at her antics!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think we even had her a month when she climbed up on her daddy (OK, I helped her get up on the couch) and fell asleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday to 'the baby'! We have had almost 11 great years together! I am hoping for many, many more!</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-61595974111581245172016-11-15T13:23:00.000-05:002016-11-15T13:25:03.626-05:00Do you have an Emergency Car Kit?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the past month, over in the featured post, I have featured articles about how to create & update an emergency car kit. Since winter is coming, I wanted to mention one last time how important it is to have a kit in your car. Take it from me, you will use it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just last week, I had a situation that required me to dig into my emergency car kit. I wouldn't call what happened 'an emergency' situation, but a situation none the less. My car kit came to the rescue!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyone who lives where it snows regularly, should definitely have one. What would happen if you got stuck in your car in the snow? Do you have snacks for the kids? Do you have warm blankets? Do you have any food for the dog? (I do not have food for my princess, but I make sure there are snacks that don't have chocolate in them that she could eat if it became necessary. I do carry water for her.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you have extra towels and hand wipes in case you are stuck in the rain or mud? My husband and I had a tire blow out on I-75 in North Florida once. It happened just after a hurricane, and the ground was very muddy. Our truck tires weight over 100 lbs each. It takes two people to change a tire. (Well when you are older, it sure does!) My husband and I were both covered in mud by the time we were done. The towels, hand wipes and a change of clothes were very necessary that day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You don't need to go out an purchase new items to fill your kit. Mine features old blankets, old towels (some people may consider them rags), and old clothes that may be stained or have a spot or two of paint on them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are creating an emergency car kit from scratch and need some ideas on what to put in it, check out the featured post on the left. However, t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ailor your emergency car kit to your family and your family's needs. My kit won't look like yours - and that is OK. I am not using your kit - you are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you get stuck somewhere this winter, you will sure be glad you have it!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-16678117692888937942016-11-11T09:12:00.001-05:002016-11-11T09:12:47.453-05:00Happy Veteran's Day!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Veteran's Day isn't about a day off from work or sales at the store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the words of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Greenwood" target="_blank">Lee Greenwood</a>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I am proud to be an American</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where at least I know I'm free</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I won't forget the men who died </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who gave that right to me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'll gladly stand up</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next to you and defend her still today</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOD BLESS THE USA!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thank all my fellow veterans for their service.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-15207286628623212142016-11-03T20:06:00.000-04:002016-11-03T20:06:33.107-04:00Harvesting Your Own Loofah Sponges<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the first year I have grown loofah sponges. I have no idea why I haven't done it before, it was so incredibly easy! Really! All I did was plant them in a plastic pot full of potting soil and put the pot in the mulch next to my fence. (I tried planting directly in the soil, but they didn't like my clay soil.) Here is a picture of some gourds left to harvest.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgddY_cwrgDz0RmxKswavfUKGBKH0SamHvR4D1L1XMO6LNuEG1ImMOHvK03TRud6_JBiyMXvVowCSC4x2_OAKcPM3TB18l-i5Np8gm2OYRGlGelcDAyKQPP2aah8mm1ewO2viZkSNgjs/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgddY_cwrgDz0RmxKswavfUKGBKH0SamHvR4D1L1XMO6LNuEG1ImMOHvK03TRud6_JBiyMXvVowCSC4x2_OAKcPM3TB18l-i5Np8gm2OYRGlGelcDAyKQPP2aah8mm1ewO2viZkSNgjs/s320/IMG_1835.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think I watered them twice all summer - and we had a hot, dry summer! The only time I touched the plant is when it tried to climb the side of my house. I wanted it to stay on the fence so I pulled it off the house and used a twisty tie to secure it to the fence. I literately did nothing else! I planted three seeds and was blessed with 15 gourds that will make a lot of beautiful sponges! In reading about these sponges, I believe if I payed a bit more attention to them I would have gotten even more gourds. Still, if I can plant it and forget it, and still get 15, I consider it a win! Since it was so easy, I think I will plant more next year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fall is here and even though the temperature is still in the low 80's, it is time to start harvesting the sponges. I started with the first few gourds the plants produced. They were starting to yellow and dry out, exactly what you want when harvesting the sponge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read that some people wait until the gourd is completely dry before harvesting. In my opinion, that will make it harder to peel. They are supposed to be easier to peel when still slightly moist. When you slightly squeeze it, you should be able to feel that the outer skin has separated from the sponge. Squeeze a bit harder and you will feel a 'gap' before you feel the sponge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is a picture of the second one I harvested. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The first thing you need to do is to press your nail into the skin to create an opening to start the peel.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(As you can see, Molly wanted to help!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Then just peel the skin off. It does have a bit of a slimy feel to it - that is sap. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Njarp8I5gjXo_RsF8Jkr115_pPaqj73C0szWUMFcAW3NoG6N-_lrjkdqIzgHsL-KxmWIF9p61AkU3q3m_Pxvzw2I1VO_X1Dv6qsIgWmHD_-NHBuHjwk8HpiASciFavNpxKrBwmgKhyU/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Njarp8I5gjXo_RsF8Jkr115_pPaqj73C0szWUMFcAW3NoG6N-_lrjkdqIzgHsL-KxmWIF9p61AkU3q3m_Pxvzw2I1VO_X1Dv6qsIgWmHD_-NHBuHjwk8HpiASciFavNpxKrBwmgKhyU/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, shake all the seeds out of it. I just slapped mine against the patio for the first two, but later on I switched to using a bucket (it is faster - just hit the sponge back and forth against the sides of the bucket.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEfdOTCfhiZwwJRy-By3iJ8fbhQe9n1mY5Opc9yHw0bKGRszzIlpdEDj38aZ2zPIOASVZ4MmJWsSPKVnylyWLczKC_2JWRqjdCFdORvkMKBj7XoZ3a5RctIXd_5j-yN7-wYpiymGvwzA/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEfdOTCfhiZwwJRy-By3iJ8fbhQe9n1mY5Opc9yHw0bKGRszzIlpdEDj38aZ2zPIOASVZ4MmJWsSPKVnylyWLczKC_2JWRqjdCFdORvkMKBj7XoZ3a5RctIXd_5j-yN7-wYpiymGvwzA/s320/IMG_1840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, it is time to clean it to remove the sap. I washed mine in a bucket with some soap, rinsed well and then let it dry in the sun.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBuBhJoseBtV0tx47-2RgtsJPqCoHyHJhjBDv5mYHDDQOYFrvjVlu2bdyaFHiu1bKD096tnu_RltqPcYOL3pffR1Y_7R3vhRa1NnnBArC8zeXs2P6LB-JaNuYREoXxyVyY8nMz_0LMeQ/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBuBhJoseBtV0tx47-2RgtsJPqCoHyHJhjBDv5mYHDDQOYFrvjVlu2bdyaFHiu1bKD096tnu_RltqPcYOL3pffR1Y_7R3vhRa1NnnBArC8zeXs2P6LB-JaNuYREoXxyVyY8nMz_0LMeQ/s320/IMG_1845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can find videos on the internet that say to soak the sponge in a bleach solution to get it white. I didn't do that - the sun works just fine! In this picture you can see the first one that dried in the sun (on the left) and the second one that I just finished washing (on the right).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I trimmed off the ends of the first sponge to provide some shape, and to size it for using in the shower. Some of the larger sponges that will be harvested next, I will cut up and use to make soap scrubbies for Christmas gifts! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay tuned for that post later in the month!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5549105508097166443.post-21966370498269295742016-11-01T16:18:00.001-04:002016-11-01T16:20:59.917-04:00'Treating' Poinsettia plants, Part 2<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has been one month since I sent my Poinsettia plants to 'treatment' to turn them red for Christmas. I thought I would provide an update on how they are doing. (If you want to read the original post, you can see that <a href="http://www.whispersfromelizabeth.com/2016/10/time-to-treat-poinsettia-plants.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some are doing quite well and others need more time in the darkness. It takes a few days to remember to consistently open the blinds in the morning and then shut them (as well as the door to the room) at night. I have been so busy in the garden that for the first two weeks, my application of their 'treatment' was spotty to say the least! I ended up putting a note on my refrigerator to remind myself both in the morning and at night. It has worked, and the last two weeks of the month I was much more consistent with the 'treatment'.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So this is what my plants look like now. These two plants are older. (This isn't their first time at the rodeo.) They 'get' what they are supposed to do; so (for me) older plants are always much easier to turn.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwRE-XXj1GG4v6QyNC3XOgvvWJ73GrUpuVq-Wx0V0zmD700501_9Dd-t7lPwudCsvhLI6Du9xKX09UTDsTFuyiI_We9X-GoVpjwrtvDEX_vItoeZzzcvCceBzz3Hq-Mq2zIrK7bfaG1A/s1600/IMG_1862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwRE-XXj1GG4v6QyNC3XOgvvWJ73GrUpuVq-Wx0V0zmD700501_9Dd-t7lPwudCsvhLI6Du9xKX09UTDsTFuyiI_We9X-GoVpjwrtvDEX_vItoeZzzcvCceBzz3Hq-Mq2zIrK7bfaG1A/s320/IMG_1862.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These three are baby plants from 4 inch pots last Christmas. I re-potted them this summer and they grew like weeds! It is their first time 'turning' in a home environment. They are still confused and don't quite understand what they are supposed to do (yet).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am sure by November 15th or so, they too will start to turn red!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0