tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13884611930608837392024-02-19T02:06:35.562-08:00Stable Road Homestead BlogSteadfast at Home in Gold CountryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-50803821298539595042014-07-29T11:16:00.002-07:002014-07-29T11:16:33.205-07:00Stable Road Homestead MOVED to Garden Valley Homestead<a href="http://www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com/how-lavender-oil-and-tea-bags-helped-this-labrador-retriever/">http://www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com/how-lavender-oil-and-tea-bags-helped-this-labrador-retriever/</a><br />
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Please visit our new blog and blog location.<br />
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Follow us on Facebook<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GardenValleyHomestead">https://www.facebook.com/GardenValleyHomestead</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-54719596761203639322014-06-27T16:23:00.001-07:002014-06-27T16:23:58.816-07:00Garden Valley Homestead Blog is LIVE + Facebook PageThe new blog, <a href="http://www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com/" target="_blank">Garden Valley Homestead--How-tos + Adventures in the Western Landscape,</a> (www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com) is LIVE!<br />
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I'm very excited to invite you over to our new homestead blog--<a href="http://www/gardenvalleyhomestead.com" target="_blank">Garden Valley Homestead.</a> It's like Stable Road Homestead, but bigger, BETTER; richer in content, images and interactive-ness. (Is that a word?)<br />
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It has a magazine format.<br />
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<h3>
Why A New <a href="http://www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a>?</h3>
I have a strong leading to take my blogging beyond a hobby/past-time, and up to the next level, so I can bring you more and better information. Bringing my vision for the new blog to life entailed switching from Blogger to WordPress.<br />
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Yes, I pretty much had to start all over.<br />
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Yes, it was a lot of work--but so much fun!<br />
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<h3>
Garden Valley Homestead Has A <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/sallyaolson/" target="_blank">doTERRA Essential Oil Store</a>. </h3>
One of my favorite things about the new Blog site is the essential oils store.<br />
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I've been a passionate user of pure therapeutic grade essential oils since 2007, when a friend brought them to us in an emergency circumstance. Essential oils have change our lives! <a href="http://www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com/?p=108" target="_blank">(The full story is on www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com)</a>.<br />
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Until recently, I've kinda been in the closet about my passion for the healthful properties of essential oils. But, I know the time is right to share my passion with you. If you're already a lover of essential oils, I'd love to hear from you!<br />
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Essential oils have been in use for more than 5,000 years. The Lord wrote about them in His Book. Remember Frankincense and Myrrh? (Recommended book: <i>Healing Oils of the Bible</i>.)<br />
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Garden Valley Homestead Has A <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GardenValleyHomestead?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a></h3>
Of course, it does. Right? On the Facebook Page, you will find information about upcoming articles and information about essential oils.<br />
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Please visit the page, tell your friends, and LIKE, like, like it ;)<br />
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<a href="http://www.gardenvalleyhomestead.com/" target="_blank">Head on over the Garden Valley Homestead today!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-78699283157576785512014-06-08T18:29:00.002-07:002014-06-08T18:29:37.803-07:00A Brand New Blog Site Is Coming!It's a good thing it's so hot outside right now (100+). why? So I can focus some time on creating a brand new blog, complete with new products. I'm really excited about it and will post the new web site address here when the site is ready to launch. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-35038293395742357252014-06-08T18:24:00.000-07:002014-06-08T18:24:20.861-07:0012 Days On A Ladder In the Garden, Orchard, and DeckI realized it this morning: I spent the last 12 days on a ladder. At least the view is beautiful from here.<br />
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The cherry and apricot trees in our small orchard came into season--more or less, this week. I harvest the fruit
when it's just starting to ripen so the birds don't eat it before I do. The
stone fruits (peach, apricot, plums, prunes) will continue ripening inside a sealed paper bag in the kitchen. <br />
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Our three apple trees are bearing an abundance of fruit, which means it's time to get back into the garden and climb <i>back up on the ladder</i> to start thinning them. <b> </b><br />
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Thinning the apple trees is an important step to reduce the load on the branches and allow for the remaining apples to grow larger. </h3>
The apples are thinned to leave 4-to-6 inches between the fruit. It seems like a waste of fruit, but it's an important step to growing a good crop. (We thin our peach trees, too). Besides, this time of year the trees experience what's called "June drop", a process through which they naturally start shedding fruit on their own. I'm just giving them a hand. <br />
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Meanwhile, I'm busy in our family room repainting the
20' x 20' space in Sherwin Williams Harvester. Most of the painting could easily be done from the floor with an extension poll...until I realized caulking was missing between the tops of the dry and the ceiling, and around some of the windows. So <i>back up on the ladder I go..</i>.<br />
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Just to make sure that we stay <i>really busy</i>, we are diving into re-roofing our home <strike>before the full-blast of summer's heat strikes</strike>. And The Heat Is On. The first step is to remove the old overhang, which we'll replace with something simpler. Next, we removed the gutters. That's when we discovered that the fascia boards had not been painted. Fortunately, they're redwood and are in good shape...but still in need of a protective layer of paint.<br />
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Back up on the ladder I go.<br />
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We took our time to seriously contemplate how to remove the deck cover from the existing roof without getting smashed under it. My husband, and his engineering genius, worked it out perfectly so that the three of us could remove the structure in manageable pieces...and not die in the process. Phew!<br />
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The old gutters are shown in this photo. We've since installed new gutters around the entire home. The next steps is to paint and install the downspouts. Painting the downspouts now is a little tricky because it's gotten so hot outside. We're working around the heat of the day by painting the sheet metal during the cool hours of the early morning and late evening.<br />
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<h4>
Come back to see what it all looks like when it's finished. Plus, I'll share how I made no-cost custom "farmhouse" baseboards for our freshly painted family room.</h4>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-84485668178012956032014-05-22T16:51:00.000-07:002014-05-22T16:52:10.297-07:00WARNING: No Fish Were Hurt During This Shoot<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look up the creek we just traveled down</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing to a deep pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luring the trout out from under the shadows</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting out of the wind (gusts at 45 MPH)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to cross</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granite captured by the tree's roots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family of geese browse the shore </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine carpet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7s9tH6EOoMPGdl36wJT19y96obPIZByy8Vnw7Lau7GT-SuIHmvjsXMDsrGbiR57yJYTpgYVWfgfDMyXtMmbeG071pqW42-bZjPgLwz49VvEISjCQy1zuVu4YZ2aL6Fa9m_zD4aUenZg/s1600/06-P5103257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7s9tH6EOoMPGdl36wJT19y96obPIZByy8Vnw7Lau7GT-SuIHmvjsXMDsrGbiR57yJYTpgYVWfgfDMyXtMmbeG071pqW42-bZjPgLwz49VvEISjCQy1zuVu4YZ2aL6Fa9m_zD4aUenZg/s1600/06-P5103257.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a plan</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-37785652946309056842014-03-31T12:07:00.002-07:002014-04-18T15:55:53.985-07:00Powerfuel Morning Chia Muffins Recipe<span style="color: #073763;"><i>If you tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it. I'd love to know.</i></span><br />
<br />
I might be wrong. You'll have to judge for yourself. But, I think the secret to the goodness of this recipe is coconut oil, <a href="http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Chia-Seed-Whole?s=Chia%20seed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">organic Chia seed</a>, fresh home-grown eggs, and organic whole oats.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvviCZVMXhMypwiu7uB0VjpTEQWDli9hHAn4u4_ACbKmTuvbuzWt7bRDuqgFQ0IGvY8yuYRxAZtP0DrKPy7UfbGXsyC3vgVbRf9qBR6D61k99QBbA9DC-jNqocjWU4jXfqXQeLn2qvPMU/s1600/1-P1013200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvviCZVMXhMypwiu7uB0VjpTEQWDli9hHAn4u4_ACbKmTuvbuzWt7bRDuqgFQ0IGvY8yuYRxAZtP0DrKPy7UfbGXsyC3vgVbRf9qBR6D61k99QBbA9DC-jNqocjWU4jXfqXQeLn2qvPMU/s1600/1-P1013200.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo by Sam Olson</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This recipe came to me one rainy Saturday morning when I felt like making muffins, which is odd because I don't eat muffins.<br />
<br />
I don't like them.<br />
<br />
Why? you ask...<br />
<br />
Because eating a typical muffin leaves me feeling not only tired, but hungry. (Tip: When I feel hungry right after eating something, that's a clue that I shouldn't eat it.) So, instead I thought I'd create a recipe that does just the opposite. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coconut oil</a>
is the key ingredient in this recipe, so don't substitute. It's the
thing that brings in flavor and moistness without creating a heavy or
greasy...or crumbly muffin. Chia seed and whole oats not only give this muffin tremendous flavor and texture, but also supply excellent sources of energy and fiber. (The <a href="http://www.bulkherbstore.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bulk Herb Store</a> has a great article library where you can read more about the health benefits of coconut oil, Chia seed, and a lot more.)<br />
<br />
This recipe comes together very quickly, especially you have a food processor. You'll notice I don't do a lot of measuring. The fun comes from mixing a little of this with a little of that to see what works. And this recipe works!<br />
<br />
Mix up a batch for yourself, then <i><b>please</b></i> let me know what you think!<br />
<br />
<i><b>RECIPE</b></i><br />
Preheat oven to 325 degree fahrenhiet.<br />
Use muffin tin liners (cups) or do as I did and lightly grease your muffin tin with coconut oil.<br />
<br />
In your food processor, (or mixer or mix by hand), pulse together (approx. 6 times):<br />
<ul>
<li>2-3 apples, peeled, cored, and quartered</li>
<li>1 handful of raisins</li>
<li>1 handful of shredded coconut</li>
<li>1 tbsp organic <a href="http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Chia-Seed-Whole?s=coconut%20oil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chia seed</a> </li>
<li>1 handful of walnuts (shelled, of course :/)</li>
<li>1 scoop (about 1/4 cp) organic whole oats (from a gluten-free source)</li>
<li>2 tsps (real) vanilla extract </li>
</ul>
<br />
Add in: <br />
<ul>
<li>about 3/4 cup organic extra virgin coconut oil, melted</li>
<li>1 cup sugar (I used organic sugar)</li>
<li>2 egg yolks (I used eggs from our Barred Rock hens)</li>
<li>2 cups all-purpose flour</li>
<li>1 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>2 heaping tsps cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tsp sea salt</li>
</ul>
Spoon the Powerfuel Morning Chia Muffin batter, in even amounts, into your greased/lined muffin tins. Bake for approximately 12 minutes. Use a toothpick to check for "done-ness" at the 10 minute mark.<br />
<br />
Let them cool. Eat or freeze for another day.<br />
<br />
Bon appetit. :D<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-43154339416138034862014-03-14T19:12:00.001-07:002014-03-14T19:12:30.659-07:00Tax Prep Advice from the Homestead<br />
It's tax preparation day at the homestead.<br />
So I dove right in and...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Made a double batch of chocolate-chip cookie dough</div>
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Completed 4 loads of laundry</div>
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Stripped all the slipcovers off the sofa cushions and washed them</div>
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Helped my son prepare for his high school graduation exam (two years early!) </div>
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Reviewed lecture 2 of Writing Creative Nonfiction</div>
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Exercised the Retrievers</div>
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Visited with the hens</div>
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Cleaned the horses' stalls </div>
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Watered the newly-planted plum trees </div>
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Helped Hubby load the horses into the trailer</div>
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and photographed these lovely spring blooms:</div>
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Taxes can wait ;)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-24880977141663384492014-02-24T11:25:00.000-08:002014-02-24T11:25:10.531-08:00Welcome to The Homestead Barn Hop #148It looks like The Stable Road Homestead is the last to arrive to <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/02/homestead-barn-hop-148.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Barn Hop</a> today. But we're not too late for the party. Come on over! There's still plenty of fun to be had.<br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-9110732199493413802014-02-21T17:59:00.000-08:002014-02-21T17:59:16.396-08:008 Great Uses for Olive Oil. (We needed #8 today!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlQ9PwHYVVI/UwfuJfGc6XI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ySfrg88EL5g/s1600/FreeGreatPicture.com-7473-olive-oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlQ9PwHYVVI/UwfuJfGc6XI/AAAAAAAAAgg/ySfrg88EL5g/s1600/FreeGreatPicture.com-7473-olive-oil.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
On the homestead, we love anything--and anybody, that works overtime. Like olive oil. So we keep it around in great big quantities for when we need it for more than dressing our salads.<br />
<br />
Here's a quick list of <b>8 ways</b> to get more mileage from your EVO:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Eat it! <br />It's contains beneficial omega 3 fatty acids, so add it to your salads every chance you get.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WoOQDImnNGL82EcISXWDfJ0MvGjGIKmkw-FcB7qP6Wy6w-raTDLxrjOZ8VSSeEIajjtqPCQto_91MylVKLjOJU9vjP1sCtt1v6VLePdxp7oXo5EiTJIBIpIolP0W6jpmYxsMZsW5N-c/s1600/1-P1013061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WoOQDImnNGL82EcISXWDfJ0MvGjGIKmkw-FcB7qP6Wy6w-raTDLxrjOZ8VSSeEIajjtqPCQto_91MylVKLjOJU9vjP1sCtt1v6VLePdxp7oXo5EiTJIBIpIolP0W6jpmYxsMZsW5N-c/s1600/1-P1013061.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></li>
<li>Stop a squeaky hinge.<br />Grab the olive oil instead of the the WD-40 next time you have a squeaky hinge.<br /><img alt="http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/151294/151294,1284086431,48/stock-photo-old-rusty-hinge-on-wooden-door-60698272.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/151294/151294,1284086431,48/stock-photo-old-rusty-hinge-on-wooden-door-60698272.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></li>
<li>Polish your wood furniture.<br />Olive oil helps remove dust from furniture and gives it a shine. Add a
teaspoon to a quarter-cup of lemon juice, to make a non-toxic,
petroleum-free polish that gently cleans wood surfaces.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNxMCFzL4gmcW1jeKS90aHjyeUiWOKm5H7NCr8ABlaZykqYAh-" data-sz="f" height="132" name="gYCGjadF9jJXeM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNxMCFzL4gmcW1jeKS90aHjyeUiWOKm5H7NCr8ABlaZykqYAh-" style="height: 177px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; width: 267px;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.momgoesgreen.com/one-fab-chemical-free-furniture-polish/" target="_blank">Photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></li>
<li>Clean and polish your <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-personal-review-twisted-x-womens-all.html" target="_blank">barn boots.</a><br />Add a little bit of oil to a lint-free clothe, then buff your boots.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSJPIzq8ggewp2jdwjeAcJ_QYMaM_Ig0bvXWWX1blR4WnMyMiFjCAMaHN2drrdQIuk4CZsW0z43VkUeftDswWn9O3H9r4IKv-owu2smFjilvmRGN9SniXRGFBb-OSxPay8mh-yWr6Y3o/s1600/1-P1013014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSJPIzq8ggewp2jdwjeAcJ_QYMaM_Ig0bvXWWX1blR4WnMyMiFjCAMaHN2drrdQIuk4CZsW0z43VkUeftDswWn9O3H9r4IKv-owu2smFjilvmRGN9SniXRGFBb-OSxPay8mh-yWr6Y3o/s1600/1-P1013014.JPG" height="167" width="200" /></a><br /></li>
<li>Remove paint from your hands...and your hair<br />Scrub your paint-splattered hands with olive to clean and soften your skin. Add a little coarse Kosher salt for an extra scrub. To remove paint from your hair, apply the oil liberally then let it set for 10 minutes.<br /><br /></li>
<li>Polish brass<br /><br /><br />
</li>
<li>De-tangle your horse's mane...or your own<br />Olive oil is what I use to get the twisted knots out of this gelding's really long mane. (Keeping it lightly oiled when it's wet seems to help <i>prevent</i> tangles.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs34Dr5A5LV8OswP0dij5hTDZ1ViyWOvRokemTgDaOYfenR1U21Q1RAME40GhkVmrBFNSjq9vc2HLuhzuMZGDGhIfTsmRoOePY1Z3FoTp-IvMZPxRw4ersRRzGDMkIFnERLXsHHXpP8NE/s1600/P7271444.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs34Dr5A5LV8OswP0dij5hTDZ1ViyWOvRokemTgDaOYfenR1U21Q1RAME40GhkVmrBFNSjq9vc2HLuhzuMZGDGhIfTsmRoOePY1Z3FoTp-IvMZPxRw4ersRRzGDMkIFnERLXsHHXpP8NE/s1600/P7271444.JPG" height="200" width="172" /></a></li>
<li>Remove tree sap<br />When the Mr. Firewood Stacker came in today after loading one and half cords of wood, I handed him the olive oil to clean his hands...and the bottom on his shoes.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://savingourtrees.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/tree-sap-1-photo-by-saving-our-trees.jpg" class="decoded" height="158" src="http://savingourtrees.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/tree-sap-1-photo-by-saving-our-trees.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://savingourtrees.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/tree-sap-1-photo-by-saving-our-trees.jpg" target="_blank">Photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></li>
</ol>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #274e13;"><i>What other ways do you use olive oil around your place?</i></span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-43455978572646227622014-02-14T12:26:00.000-08:002014-02-14T12:26:47.259-08:00COFFEE! A Re-posting from The Prairie Homestead<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxwKnbEFZiGD8xZ3PcxlfTbaSUrON0kSmR_a3m_OH5Q60auZ-Nfc35BkKJEtnNQCFmO-ZsgjlLOGd2Kmil5cWty_MTuiAM7lmyS1NrccsDiXKdpHFJ-NMVvBBUkkkxu0DLiMHrNK2-QU/s1600/1-1590438421_4aa69a8e37_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxwKnbEFZiGD8xZ3PcxlfTbaSUrON0kSmR_a3m_OH5Q60auZ-Nfc35BkKJEtnNQCFmO-ZsgjlLOGd2Kmil5cWty_MTuiAM7lmyS1NrccsDiXKdpHFJ-NMVvBBUkkkxu0DLiMHrNK2-QU/s1600/1-1590438421_4aa69a8e37_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. I love <i>everything</i> about coffee. It's a true gift from the Lord--especially during these cold, dark early mornings of winter when I need that "extra motivation" to get outside to care for the livestock and dogs. <br />
<br />
I save my freshly used grounds in a bucket with a lid that I keep under my kitchen sink. When the bucket is full, I mix the grounds into the soil around my blueberry bushes. Blueberry bushes are an acid-loving plant and our soil is high in alkaline. I have to amend the soil with SOMETHING to boost its acidity, so I treat my plants to hardy serving of coffee grounds about once a month.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/02/uses-for-coffee-grounds.html" target="_blank">Read about the myriad of ways coffee grounds can be a blessing to your homestead</a>. You
don't need to be a coffee drinker to reap the benefits of reusing
coffee grounds around your homestead. Ask your family, friends, and
neighbors to save their grounds for you.<br />
<!--more--><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deapeajay/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Photo credit. </a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-36597971834893163932014-02-06T15:03:00.000-08:002014-02-06T15:03:02.462-08:00Top 5 Tips for Making Your Rainy Day Barn Chores Carefree5. Hose off your muck boots <i>before</i> returning them to the tack shed.<br />
4. Turn on the hose to the horse shelter <i>before</i> you walk down to water the horses and realize the water is not on.<br />
3. Rope off the muddy hillside <i>before</i> your horses get to it.<br />
2. Fill the chicken's waterer <i>before</i> you hike back up the slippery road and remember that you need to walk back down, fill it, and walk up again.<br />
1. Remember you have eggs in the pockets of your barn coat <i>before</i> you decide to lift and move the hay bale.<br />
<br />
Today is the day the Lord has made. <i>I will rejoice</i> and be glad in it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-3792321806411047792014-02-01T17:02:00.000-08:002014-02-01T17:02:01.125-08:00Historic Record-breaking DroughtCourtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA):<br />
<br />
...A PLETHORA OF RECORDS SET IN (sic) CALIFORNIA THROUGHOUT
JANUARY 2014 DURING THIS HISTORIC DROUGHT...<br />
JANUARY 2014 RE-WROTE THE RECORD BOOKS (sic). HERE ARE
THE HIGHLIGHTS, MANY RECORDS NEVER SEEN BEFORE (sic).<br />
<br />
1. LONGEST DRY PERIOD DURING THE RAINY SEASON (NOV-MAR)
FROM DEC 7, 2013 TO JAN 29, 2014, 52 DAYS. THE OLD RECORD
WAS 44 DAYS FROM NOV 15, 1976 TO DEC 28, 1976 ( MEASURABLE RAIN)<br />
<br />
2. THE THIRD DRIEST JAN IN HISTORY SINCE 1850 WITH 0.20 INCHES
DATING BACK TO SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION RECORDS.<br />
<br />
3. JAN PRECIPITATION ENDED WITH 0.20 INCHES. NORMAL IS 3.97 INCHES.
THIS IS ONLY 5 PERCENT OF NORMAL.<br />
<br />
4. JAN 2014 BROKE HIGHEST AVERAGE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE WITH 66.1
DEGREES. THE OLD RECORD WAS 62.1 DEGREES SET IN 1976. AVERAGE
MONTHLY MAXIMUM ONLY 55.1 DEGREES.<br />
<br />
5. NEW ALL-TIME RECORD HIGH FOR THE MONTH OF JAN SET ON JAN 24, 2014
OF 79 DEGREES. THE OLD RECORD WAS 74 DEGREES ON JAN 31,1976.<br />
<br />
6. JAN 2014 BROKE THE NUMBER OF DAYS WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES OF
70 DEGREES OR HIGHER AT 7 DAYS. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 6 DAYS
SET IN 1976.<br />
<br />
7. TIED THE RECORD FOR CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF HIGH TEMPERATURES
AT 70 DEGREES OR HIGHER WITH 3 DAYS IN JAN FROM JAN 23, 2014 TO
JAN 25 2014. PREVIOUS RECORD WAS JAN 29, 1976 TO JAN 31, 1976.<br />
<br />
8. RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES SET ON 12 DIFFERENT DAYS IN JAN 2014<br />
JAN 1....65 DEGREES....TIED RECORD SET IN 1887.
JAN 2....66 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 65 SET IN 1940.
JAN 3....66 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 64 SET IN 2012.
JAN 7....65 DEGREES....TIED RECORD SET IN 2012.
JAN 15...69 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 68 SET IN 2003.
JAN 16...71 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 68 SET IN 1991.
JAN 18...70 DEGREES....TIED RECORD SET IN 1976.
JAN 20...71 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 69 SET IN 1976.
JAN 23...71 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 69 SET IN 1948.
JAN 24...79 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 7O SET IN 1984.(ALL-TIME)JAN
JAN 25...74 DEGREES....BREAKS RECORD OF 71 SET IN 1899.
JAN 28...70 DEGREES....TIED RECORD SET IN 1984.<br />
<br />
9. EVERYDAY IN JAN 2014 THE DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE
NORMAL FOR THE MONTH, NORMAL HIGH RANGE IS 53 TO 57 DEGREES.
JAN 2014 WAS 57 TO 79 DEGREES.<br />
<br />
10. FINALLY, WE ARE HOPING FOR A FABULOUS FEB 2014. ALL-TIME RECORD
FOR RAIN IN FEB IS 10.30 INCHES SET IN 1986.<br />
<br />
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-60811015530629481102014-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:002014-02-01T07:59:00.642-08:00UPDATE: Simple Blogging eBook--Can You Find It?I'm so disappointed to have to tell you that Simple Blogging's link is no longer functioning. I love this little ebook and wish I could share it with you. I'm sorry I didn't retest the link...and I'm sorry that you can't access the ebook through it either.<br />
<br />
Where else can the Simple Blogging be purchased? I have no idea. I haven't seen it anywhere else. If you come across it on your travels through the internet, let's us know where you found it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-17431737727174642752014-01-31T15:27:00.002-08:002014-01-31T15:28:18.911-08:00Unconventional: How this Blogger Succeeds by Breaking the Rules<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">There comes a point in every blogger's life when we ask ourselves a few questions, like:</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Do I <i>really</i> need <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2014/01/unconventional-5-reasons-to-include.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a photo of me</a> in hyperspace?</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> I've spent more than a little time rolling around this idea. You'll find my thoughts on the subject <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2014/01/unconventional-5-reasons-to-include.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Do I <u>really</u> need to engage in all the social media streams?</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> I confess, I've struggled with answering the question of how involved should I be in social media. I know conventional blogosphere wisdom says to be active in as many channels as possible to gather a following. But then I read Rachel Meek's ebook, <a href="http://simpleblogging.net/wp-content/uploads/Simple-Blogging-125x125.gif" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging</i>. (Affiliate)</a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In her ebook, <i>Simple Blogging</i>, Rachel makes her point that "social media is optional". Amen. For me, entering into social media, Facebook in particular, is like walking through a crowded mall where everyone is talking at once and not about the same thing. With my introverted personality, I get more enjoyment out of the blog than the social media streams. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> But, don't count me out completely when it comes to social media: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stable-Road-Homestead/614128168615927?ref=hl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stable Road Homestead does have a Facebook page</a> and I DO reply when "friends" leave notes. (Remember, I told I struggled with the idea...) </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Do I really <i>need</i> to post something earthshaking each day?</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Conventional wisdom says, yes. But, I'm anything but conventional, so I say <i>no</i> to this blogosphere rule of thumb, too. (If there's a rule to be broken, allow me to be the first. Those who know me are nodding their heads in agreement right now.)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Sincerely, I don't have enough good ideas--or hours in a day, to master the art of posting earthshaking copy everyday. Maybe one day I will. Today I do not. Beside that, I think both you and I would burn out from hefting through so much verbiage. So instead I choose to come up with a half-dozen or so ideas then work on a few until they're relatively good reads, versus just pumping out words for the sake of getting Stable Road Homestead out in hyperspace each day. I guess it's a quality over quantity sort of thing.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Then, of course, we'll get to the real question:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What was I thinking when I decided to start this blog anyway?</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> I think every blogger comes to a point, probably sooner than later, when we ask ourselves: Why did I get this thing started anyway? The answer to this question is key to the longevity of my blog, and yours, if you've started one. Why? Because the heart of the question is The Heart of your blog. I love the homesteading lifestyle and I love writing. Together, they make a great combination. If you're like so many, and started your blog...or are thinking of starting a blog as an incomes source then your motivation to keep it going is different from mine. I'm a homestead blogger because it's fun, not because there's any money to be made by doing do so. Doing anything just for the money is not enough of a motivator to keep at. Try it. You'll see.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-4575852300636257132014-01-31T15:15:00.002-08:002014-01-31T15:15:53.669-08:00Unconventional: 5 Reasons To Include a Profile Photo On My Blog<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe you noticed a photo of ME is missing from this blog. Maybe you didn't. Anyway, I came up with an explanation for you.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reason 1: So I Can Be Recognized By My Audience</span></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br />For real estate agents who are out-and-about in their sales
territories meeting with people face-to-face, including a photo makes sense.
But, for me writing in virtual reality<i><b> to an audience I can't see</b></i>, it doesn't make sense.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
This argument takes me back to my first job out of college as an
advertising coordinator for the largest real estate company at the
time in the San Francisco Bay Area. Shortly after my arrival, the
company launched an image campaign to help defend its title of "biggest
and best" from an upcoming competitor. Marketing materials of every kind
were being updated with the new logo and tag line, business cards being
an <i>important</i> marketing tool for real estate agents and brokers. So the battle began: include the agent's photo on business cards or not?</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Those in favor of adding photos of agents on the cards argued that
it increases recognition and therefore recall, and maybe brand
awareness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> OK. Maybe.</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Those against the idea believed that people judge you by your
appearance: they will choose to work with you or not work with you based
upon your appearance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> OK Maybe. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm not selling real estate, or anything else right now, so why do I care?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reason 2: My Appearance Affects My Content</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Really? I can tell you I'm 5'6", 130 lb, brown hair, blues. Right?
Do I need a photo to prove it? And, how do you know that photo I use is
me if you haven't met me and you don't know anyone who has? And, the
real point, what does my appearance have to do with my ability to
communicate to you through this blog? I can't come up with any reasons.
Can you? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reason 3: Print magazines don't sell well because every article doesn't include the writer's photo.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I still read printed and bound, hardcopy magazines and I don't see a
head-shot photo along side every article. Often there's a photo of the
editor, but not one of every writer. And people still read the articles,
clip the articles, share the articles, etc. Nuff said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reason 4: Privacy is overrated</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
None of the companies benefiting from Google's newest plan to
include Google user profile photos in ads hired me to be their
spokesperson. (Did they hire you?) It seems they want my endorsement for free-whether I
like the company or not. Sorry, Google. I'm going to cling to what
little privacy I have left. You'll have to manage to get along without
my photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reason 5: Conventional blogosphere wisdom advises to include profile photos on personal blogs</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Oh yeah. This is key, really. You're not likely to find me doing
anything conventionally. I'm a homesteader. Nothing we do is
conventional.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">What say you? </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-34942071628102454702014-01-18T07:32:00.000-08:002014-01-20T10:23:50.831-08:00Simple Pruning: 5 Branch Types to Prune From Your Fruit Tree This Winter<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Winter presents one of the best times to <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>prune your deciduous</b></span> (all leaves drop from the tree) fruit tree(s). The deep cold temperatures lull </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">deciduous trees into a dormant
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<a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2014/01/simple-pruning-5-branch-types-to-prune.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">[<i><b>The Homestead Barn Hop</b></i> is happening now. Stop by for a spell!]</span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But, if you're new to pruning deciduous fruit trees, the task might feel intimidating. The last thing anyone wants to do is inflict harm on the tree(s) we've worked so hard to grow. Right? But, take heart! <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Giving your trees a healthy pruning is simple when you know to look for these <u>5 key branch conditions:</u> <span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="color: black;">(</span></span></b></span></span><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i>Tip: Wait until all the </i></span><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leaves have dropped off your tree so you can get a good look at the tree's whole structure.)</span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>1.</b></span> Prune away <b><span style="color: #274e13;">dead, damaged or diseased limbs</span></b>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>2. </b></span>Prune away <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>branches that cross through the center of the canopy</b></span>. (</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Opening up the center of the canopy enables light in and air to circulate.)</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>3. </b></span></span>Remove branches that<b> <span style="color: #274e13;">rub against one another</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>4.</b></span> Prune away <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>sucker branches growing straight up or down</b></span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5. Prune off <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>sucker branches or sucker roots (water shoots) </b></span>at the base of the trunk.</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">That's all I'm going to do to this tree until after the blossoms drop off in spring. Then I'll look again for any damaged limbs or thin the branches if they are crowding. In the summer, I'll prune away heavy leafy vegetation to make room for fruit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A gentle pruning will help your trees to thrive. They will do better with a little pruning rather than none at all. Most trees are quite resilient, so don't be afraid to tackle this task this winter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">As always, I love hearing from you. So, please send over your questions or comments. </span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-82890265786601573382013-12-31T11:43:00.004-08:002014-01-07T10:23:02.339-08:00Goodbye TWENTY13. Hello TWENTY14.2014 is here. Are you like me, wondering "where did 2013 go so quickly?" It's a good thing I have this blog to help me answer that question or might I not remember all that transpired in the last 12 months. Although, this blog is only 10 months old, so February and January are blurred memories. <i><b>Except </b></i>at the end of February, I do remember the <i>very</i> hard landing I took after taking an unscheduled dismount off my Arab gelding's back. <b>Ouch!</b> Somewhere during my recovery I started thinking about this blog...and how much I looked forward to walking again and being out of pain.<br />
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My first post went live on March 16, 2013. I chickened out with a short<a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/03/you-know-its-spring-when-it-snows-on.html" target="_blank"> post</a> and a photo.<br />
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I enjoyed reading back over the year's post to see all we accomplished as a family. Please be my guest to look back over the year at Stable Road Homestead.<br />
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<h4>
March</h4>
We showed you <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/03/making-codling-moth-traps.html" target="_blank">how to make codling moth traps for your fruit trees</a><br />
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April</h4>
The <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/04/fix-it-month-poem.html" target="_blank">Fix-It Month poem</a> brought a few laughs<br />
You met, Yeller, our Strawberry-loving Labrador Retriever<br />
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May</h4>
Celebrated Mother's Day and remembered on Serviceman and women in the US Armed Forces.<br />
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June </h4>
We celebrated Father's Day and our son graduated high school.<br />
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<a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/07/summer-harvest.html" target="_blank">July</a></h4>
The <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/07/summer-harvest.html" target="_blank">harvest began for apricots, grapes, and lettuces</a>.<br />
During the BIG HEAT WAVE, we took off to the lake to do some <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/07/gone-fly-fishing.html" target="_blank">fly fishing</a>.<br />
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August</h4>
Deer hunting season...There was nothing to "write home about", if you know what I mean...<br />
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September</h4>
We tracked a <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/09/bear-prints.html" target="_blank">bear</a> and harvested <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/09/bear-prints.html" target="_blank">an abundance of apples</a>, thanks to the codling moth traps we set out at bud-break in March.<br />
Stable Road Homestead joined in The Homestead Barn Hop, hosted by <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/" target="_blank">The Prairie Homestead</a> and <a href="http://newlifeonahomestead.com/" target="_blank">New Life on a Homestead</a>. <br />
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October</h4>
October was a <i>busy</i> month:<br />
I wrote a <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-personal-review-twisted-x-womens-all.html" target="_blank">review</a> (non-paid) about <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-personal-review-twisted-x-womens-all.html" target="_blank">Twisted X All-Around boots</a>, which I like a lot. <br />
We harvested <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/white-icicle-radishes.html" target="_blank">Icicle Radishes</a> and planted garlic--for the first time.<br />
We began our experiment with growing in <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/fall-renovation-with-smart-pots.html" target="_blank">SmartPots</a>.<br />
Our <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/homestead-barn-hop-131-my-favorite.html" target="_blank">Yellow Labrador</a>, Bodie, turned four.<br />
We joined other family members for a week on the North Coast.<br />
We introduced you to <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/getting-pickle-smell-out-of-pickle-jars.html" target="_blank">one way to remove the "pickle smell" from a great big pickle jar</a> so it can be reused to store whatever you like.<br />
I closed out the month with a week of <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/10/its-civil-service-for-me-this-week.html" target="_blank">jury duty service</a>.<br />
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November</h4>
We assessed our <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/11/homestead-barn-hop-134.html" target="_blank">To Do List</a> and felt pretty happy (and a little tired) with what we accomplished in 2013.<br />
We helped neighbors move and adopted their <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/hens.html" target="_blank">4 Barred Rock hens</a>, who graciously give us two <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/one-proud-chicken-mama.html" target="_blank">eggs</a> a day. <br />
We gave <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/11/13-things-to-be-grateful-for-this-fall.html" target="_blank">thanks for His grace and provision</a>.<br />
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December</h4>
<a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/winter-storm-photo-journal.html" target="_blank">Winter</a> came in hard in December. The <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/grateful-horses-werent-hurt.html" target="_blank">Big Snow Storm</a> sent a tree through the top of the horse shelter. The horses were not hurt, thank God. <br />
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Your Top 3 Favorite Posts</h3>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/11/what-i-like-about-line-drying-clothing.html" target="_blank">What I Like About Line Drying Clothing</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/11/homestead-barn-hop-134.html" target="_blank">Homestead barn Hop 134</a></li>
<li><a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/grateful-horses-werent-hurt.html" target="_blank">Grateful the Horses Weren't Hurt</a></li>
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Your Least Favorite Posts</h3>
<a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/04/did-i-say-freezer-is-full.html" target="_blank"> ...Did I Say the Freezer is Full?</a><br />
This post is a follow-on to a post about filling the chest freezer with meals, home-raised/home butchered meat. The point was...the freezer didn't stay full long enough and I need to improve the plan for next time.<br />
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<a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/04/winter-to-spring.html" target="_blank">Winter to Spring</a><br />
A photo-only post that contrasts a cold, gloomy snowy winter day with the cold-but-sunny brilliance of spring buds on the Crepe Myrtle.<br />
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<a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/03/7-projects-to-complete-before-summer.html" target="_blank">7 Projects to Complete Before Summer Strikes</a><br />
I'm happy to report we made progress on this project list. The old pond is now filled with gravel and decomposed granite. The next step is to add the quartzite stones, seating and fire pit.<br />
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The carpets were cleaned in time for Thanksgiving. One day we hope to have wooden flooring again.<br />
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What Would You Like to Learn About in 2014?</h3>
Now it's time to hear from you. What is it you would like to know more about in 2014? Please let me know!<br />
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Thanks for joining us at this week's Homestead Barn Hop. Don't forget to stop in to say "hi" to <a href="http://www.prairiehomestead.com/" target="_blank">Prairie Homestead</a> and <a href="http://www.newlifeonahomestead.com/" target="_blank">New Life on a Homestead</a>, both of whom graciously hostess this blog hop.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-26453980732175526742013-12-31T11:39:00.001-08:002013-12-31T11:39:51.707-08:00Hens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-53917021201096194252013-12-24T14:50:00.000-08:002013-12-24T14:50:20.391-08:00It took 35 years, but I finally got the one gift I needed most."There are three things you'll learn about heaven one day:<br />
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<li>Who's <i><b>there</b></i></li>
<li>Who's <i><b>NOT there</b></i></li>
<li>That <i><b>you're there</b></i></li>
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Nervous laughter erupted from the people who made up the congregation that day. I laughed along with them, but not because I was nervous. No, on that day I <i>knew</i> with full confidence that I will be in heaven one day, and <i>yes</i>, that's a <i>miracle</i>. And, maybe a little funny....<br />
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You see, I spent most of my life in the dark, avoiding God, running from Him, even mocking Him. But, on that Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of the One who came to save us from a life of destruction, I laughed out of a deep sense of relief knowing--really knowing, that I will be there, in heaven, one day.<br />
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As A Child</h3>
I grew up thinking that heaven is the place where <i>everyone</i> goes when they die. No one had ever taught me about God, who creates each person one at a time, for a special purpose. No one had taught me about His Son, Jesus, who gave up His life so that I can have mine. No. I didn't know any of this. I didn't know that in order to live a life of <b>meaning and purpose</b>, that I needed a saving faith in Christ Jesus; that through Him and <i><b>Him alone</b></i> will my life matter; that through Him only will I enter into heaven when my purpose here is fulfilled.<br />
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The Rest of the Riddle</h3>
The rest of the pastor's riddle is equally intriguing.<br />
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We think we know who will be in heaven: all the perfect people, right? All the people who attend church each week, say their prayers, don't swear, and give generously. And "mean", "evil" people will certainly not enter into heaven. Right? But, that's not what God wrote in His book we call <b><i>The Bible</i></b>. He says we are saved by grace through faith alone; not by works. All we have to do is believe Him, apologize for our poor behavior, and change our ways. It's so simple.<br />
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Don't be fooled in thinking you know who will be in heaven. Or who won't.</h3>
I thought all along that I would die one day and go to heaven. Just like that. I had no reason to think otherwise. I didn't know I had broken ALL of the commandments. (Commandment? What's a commandment?) and that "hate" is the same as "murder" in the eyes of God. Who knew? Not me.<br />
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Little did I know that by simply not trusting God and believing in His Son, Jesus, that I was on a fast-track to hell. I was! It's true. I had no idea that God wants "none to perish" and will do whatever it takes to see each of us enter into a life of eternal peace and joy with Him.<br />
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Pursuit</h3>
God never stopped pursuing me. It's a <b>miracle</b> that He didn't give up on me. He waited patiently for me to come to Him. He waited 35 years.<br />
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Is He waiting for you? Are you like I was many years ago, thinking at first that "I'm good" and would go to heaven? Or later on when I thought church is for perfect people and "they don't have a seat for me in there"? I'm not perfect and I'm not good. But, Jesus saved me and I will one day meet Him in heaven.<br />
<br />
Are you a parent? Then you probably know what it's like to wait
expectantly for a child to be born or t return home. You are God's child and He is waiting for you.
Go to Him now. Are you ready to believe Him, apologize for your poor behavior, and change your ways? <br />
<h3>
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<a href="http://www.culut.com/static/wallpaper/1024x768/hd-wallpapers-religious-christmas-wallpaper-christian-luke-kjv-1024x768-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.culut.com/static/wallpaper/1024x768/hd-wallpapers-religious-christmas-wallpaper-christian-luke-kjv-1024x768-wallpaper.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</h3>
<h3>
The Gift of Salvation </h3>
It's Christmastime and there's a wonderful gift waiting for you to open today. God's free gift of salvation is waiting to be opened by you. The gift has no value until you open it. <br />
<br />
Open it now. Don't wait.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-24273807557510698602013-12-09T07:01:00.000-08:002013-12-09T07:01:29.218-08:00Homestead Barn Hop #139Welcome to today's <span id="goog_1977438799"></span><span id="goog_1977438805"></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1977438812"></span>barn hop<span id="goog_1977438813"></span></a><span id="goog_1977438800"></span><span id="goog_1977438806"></span>! <br />
<br />
We're so glad you braved the wicked cold weather to join us. Speaking of cold, <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/grateful-horses-werent-hurt.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here's what happened around our homestead when Canada sent down its arctic blast.</a><br />
<span id="goog_1977438793"><span id="goog_1977438796"></span></span><img alt="homestead barn hop linky" class="aligncenter" height="466" src="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/barnhopimage.png" width="700" /><span id="goog_1977438797"></span><span id="goog_1977438794"></span> <br />
<br /><span id="goog_1977438801"></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1977438802"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-78017041769821806432013-12-08T17:31:00.000-08:002013-12-08T17:31:33.266-08:00Grateful the Horses Weren't Hurt<div>
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<i><b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>Did you see <a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/winter-storm-photo-journal.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the photo journal</a> of the snow storm yet? Here's the rest of the story:</b></i></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The snowfall was taking a break and the sun was just coming up over the ridge as I headed down the stable road with buckets horse grain. I absolutely love walking through untouched snow. It's so perfect, pristine. There's something so blissful about it. I was marveling about that when I realized my "pristine" snow had been "touched" already by another...But, no one's been out yet today but me, I thought. And, what I saw looked like horse prints. Odd. I took a few more steps eyeballing the prints as I went trying to make sense of them. [Yes, I was a little slow because I hadn't <i><b>any </b></i>coffee yet :( ]. Something caught my attention. There was my horse...standing on the wrong side of the fence! What? Why? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Here's Why</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The weight of the snow plus a few strong gusts of wind sent this great big oak limb down on top of Favor's stall, scaring him into flight mode. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think he ran from the noise, down the hill and either leaped over or skid through the back fence. The fencing connections were broken and the T-posts were pushed over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">From his tracks I can tell that he headed right back to the gate to get in. When he wasn't successful at one, he tried the next. I'm sure he didn't want to be separated from his barn buddy, and he certainly didn't want to be separated from all that hay. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I also think he was out there about half the night and I'm thankful</span> he wasn't hurt (that's a praise for Finish Line fencing!) and didn't get lost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Repair Time</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">After I returned Favor safely back into the stalls (not too hard to do with buckets of grain in my hands), Homestead Boy 2 and I gathered up the tools to repair the section of fence. When my husband returned home, he, a friend/neighbor and our sons went to work cutting up the tree limb, removing it from the shelter, and beginning the process of repairing the damaged stall section. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Phew! Big job! We're not quite done yet, but we're close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We're Thankful</span></h3>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We are grateful to our friends and neighbors. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We're thankful the horses weren't hurt and </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">that the stall can be fixed; </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">the damaged fence was an easy fix; </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">for getting a head start on next season's firewood [ ;) ] and </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">that we no longer have to worry about <i>that </i>limb falling on the shelter....</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="http://stableroadhomestead.blogspot.com/2013/12/winter-storm-photo-journal.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here are some more photos.</a> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-91778384117129717972013-12-07T12:29:00.000-08:002013-12-07T12:29:12.574-08:00Winter Storm Photo Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-28440852161501893022013-12-05T15:23:00.000-08:002013-12-05T15:23:42.345-08:00The Wrangler: Gathering up the week's events<i>This Friday post is coming to you a day early because Canada is sending us the best it has in the way of a BIG.COLD.STORM. Chances are good that the trees will bring down the power lines, leaving us with electricity tomorrow or the next day. So we're wrangling in the week's highlights today!</i><br />
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<h3>
Meet the Barred Rock Girls</h3>
We are having so much fun learning to care for our new laying hens. Our family has been raising Cornish Rock Cross (meat birds) for a few years, but we haven't--until now--brought laying hens to our homestead. <br />
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We adopted 4 Barred Rock hens last weekend from friends who needed to re-home their beloved chickens in a hurry. "The Girls", as I like to call them, are settling in nicely to their new home. One or more of them decided the dog crate we brought them home in makes a wonderful nesting box. Each afternoon, when I bring them their plate of sliced fruit and fresh veggie scraps, I peek inside the dog crate to find one tan-colored egg. We have a traditional nesting box for them, but they seem to prefer the dog crate. Go figure.<br />
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The Barred Rock Girls like to bathe daily. CRCs never bathed, so this is a new revelation for me. Fortunately, I came across <i>City Boy Hens'</i> post at this week's <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/12/homestead-barn-hop-138.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Homestead Barn Hop</a>, I learned the <a href="http://cityboyhens.com/laying-eggs/dust-bathing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">importance of dust bathing.</a> So, of course, I put together a nice dust bath for them...which they haven't yet used. But, I can tell they are "bathing" in other areas.<br />
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It seems to me the Girls would like to get out and about little more. CRCs don't have that same zest for adventure. Unfortunately, we won't be able to do anything about giving the girls more outdoor space until early next, when the storm passes. Then we'll extend their outside run and cover it with netting to keep the predatory birds from snatching them up into thin air.<br />
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The Barred Rocks hens are light eaters compared to Cornish Rock Cross, whose very mission in life is to eat, gain weight, then...gulp, be eaten. <b>Incidentally, I'm looking to learn more about diet for the Girls. They came with a bag of Purina Layena, but I confess I'm not a Purina fan. I'm searching for alternatives. If you have laying hen feed brands or blends you like, please let me know.</b><br />
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Best of all, we get eggs; big, beautiful eggs, with sunset yellow yolks. What a blessing they are.<br />
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<h3>
The Storm</h3>
Since we had some warning that The Big Freeze is moving in, we took time throughout the week to prepare for it:<br />
<ul>
<li>My husband and son added a wind break to one side of the horse shelter</li>
<li>The horses are blanketed</li>
<li>All exterior pipes and hoses are off, drained, disconnected, and wrapped where needed.</li>
<li>The wood box is filled</li>
<li>The gas generator is ready to go</li>
<li>All the laundry is done and the dishwasher is emptied.</li>
<li>The emergency lighting supplies are squared away</li>
<li>Today we go to town to buy some extra food that can be easily cooked on the woodstove. (The last time Canada gifted a storm like this to us, the road shut down for 5 days and so did the electricity.) </li>
<li>Checked the water supply in case something really crazy happens and we lose water too.</li>
<li>Put the tire chains and chainsaws in the vehicles. Storms of this sort tend to knock down a lot trees which block the roads. If we have a chainsaw, we can usually cut our way through.</li>
<li>Each afternoon at dusk, I cover the garden beds with simple bed sheets, then uncover them in the late morning when the air is warmed. (If it were wet and rainy, I'd use something else, like Agribon.)</li>
</ul>
God bless you and have a wonderful weekend.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-8960707562768818812013-12-05T06:12:00.001-08:002013-12-05T06:12:42.891-08:00Deluxe Canning Giveaway<br />
Our homesteading friends at <b><i>New Life On A Homestead</i></b><a href="http://newlifeonahomestead.com/"></a> are having <a href="http://ptab.it/1Uv7m" target="_blank">a fabulously generous giveaway </a>going on right now!<br />
<h4>
This information is from their <a href="http://ptab.it/1Uv7m" target="_blank">website</a>: </h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://ptab.it/1Uv7m" target="_blank"><em>"At Home Canning For Beginners and Beyond</em></a>
is officially here! In honor of my DVD’s premier release, I wanted to
give all of you a chance to win some of my favorite canning products!</div>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Here’s what one lucky winner will receive…</span><br />
<ul>
<li><strong>21- 1/2 Quart All American Pressure Cooker/Canner ($362 value)</strong></li>
<li><strong> Tattler Reusable Lids</strong>: <strong>6 dozen regular & 6 dozen wide mouth ($131.85 value)</strong></li>
<li><strong><em>At Home Canning For Beginners & Beyond</em> DVD ($19.95 value)"</strong></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://ptab.it/1Uv7m" target="_blank"> Head on over to their homestead to ENTER to WIN this generous giveaway.</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388461193060883739.post-43967606974977287722013-12-03T14:59:00.000-08:002013-12-03T14:59:26.242-08:00One Proud Chicken MamaIntroducing...our first egg. Isn't it cute!<br />
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There's a whole long story behind how we got the four Barred Rock hens, which we'll tell you all about later this week. But, we are so excited to see that one is laying. We just had to share the good news with you.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0