Carolina Farm Life

The Holidays Are Approaching

2008-11-05T16:05:00.006-05:00

As your family and friends gather for the holidays, you’ll want to have on hand all the essentials for entertaining and preparing memorable meals. Save big at Amazon.com on thousands of products for your kitchen and home in Holiday Markdowns. Also, you can start browsing the Kitchen & Home Gift Guide for everyone on your list, from the master chef to the entertainer.

Hard Freeze Predicted

2008-10-28T15:53:00.004-04:00

According to local weather reports, we will be getting our first hard frost tonight. My spinach & broccoli will be okay, but I'm going to cover my red lettuce plants with plastic pots & my row of buttercrunch lettuce with a plastic tarp. I already have an arched metal frame over the rows so all I have to do is lay the tarp on top.

Frost cloth is best, but if you are like me why spend the money when you can use a variety of household items for covers. Cut the bottom off of milk jugs or 2 liter soda bottles. You can also use newspaper, large trash bags, old sheets or blankets. When the temperature warms enoughduring the day you have to take these off or you will heat the ground too much and throw your plants into active growing which could damage them later on. For your milk jugs and soda bottles just take the caps off during the day and pop them back on at night.

The Webs Are Back!!!

2008-04-21T21:01:00.005-04:00

Yuck! These gross worm-filled webs appear every spring on my apple tree. After doing some research, I found that these critters are tent caterpillars. The adults are actually moths that lay eggs on the branches in the summer. The eggs overwinter and in early spring the little buggers hatch. The spin a silk tent for protection and only leave at night to feed on my poor tree. After about 5-8 weeks they migrate down the trunk where they pupate in the leaf litter.

Okay, now that I know the life cycle of the tent caterpillar how the heck do I get rid of 'em? I could use a pesticide. Nope, don't want to do that. So my only other option is to be brave and knock 'em out of there. I used the handle of a rake to break open the webs. Since the webs were so sticky I had to wind it around the handle and pull most of it down. Then my kids and I stomped the life right out of 'em. Any caterpillars that were left were snacks for the birds. Not the neatest way, but quite effective.

Please post if you have had experience with these nasty critters. How do you get rid of them?

Acerage Reporting Time is Here

2008-04-05T17:10:00.002-04:00

Mark your calendar.

For crops other than NAP (noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program) crops, acerage reports are to certified by May 30, 2008 on small grains. For spring-seeded crops the deadline is June 30, 2008 and for tobacco, CRP, grain sorghum and soybeans the deadline is July 15, 2008.

Acreage reports on crops for which NAP assistance may be paid are due in the county office by the earlier of April 15, 2008 for strawberries, July 1, 2008 for forage crops, and August 1, 2008 for pumpkins, or 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing of the specific crop acreage being reported

Beware of Crop Insurance Rebating Schemes

2008-04-05T17:01:00.003-04:00

This article comes straight from our Farm Service Agency newsletter. Farmers beware....

With the spring sales closing date for many Federal crop insurance policies right around the corner, crop insurance agents have stepped up their marketing efforts. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) has received reports from producers and agents that some aggressive marketers have been approaching producers with rebate offerts. These schemes promise lower insurance premiums, refunds, dividends, or itmes of value tied to crop insurance purchases. Most of these activities are illegal.

RMA reminds all Federal crop insurance program participants that it is now coordinating with state regulators to take appropriate regulatory action against all those who are found to promote or participate in such schemes. Producers who are found to participate in illegal rebating activities will not only lose their crop insurance coverage but will also lose elgibility in all USDA programs. Producers and agents can report suspicions of illegal rebating to the OIG Hotline: 1-800-424-9121.

Energy Wasters

2008-04-04T11:57:00.001-04:00

Did you know that when you turn off some appliances they are still using electricity? Yep! That’s right. Most of them continue to drain power even in standby mode like your set-top DVR set to record your favorite shows or a rechargeable toothbrush in its base. To put a stop to the drain, which account for eight percent of your electric bill, get a power strip that lets you shut them off completely. Here are some devices to take note of along with their kilowatt-hour consumption.

Rechargeable toothbrush: 12.3
Radio: 13.1
LCD monitor: 22.8
Cordless phone base station: 28.9
Convection microwave: 35
DVD player: 78.8
VCR: 92
DVR: 111.7
Laser printer: 113
Laptop: 144.5
Game console: 233.9
Computer: 311
Plasma TV: 1,452.4

Wow! Eye Opening! With the ever rising gas prices, looks like I will be purchasing a few power strips.

Cute Overload

2008-03-23T17:51:00.004-04:00

This litter is snuggling up to keep warm. Just too cute!

Here A Pig, There A Pig, Everywhere A Pig.....

2008-03-23T17:35:00.006-04:00

Woohoo! The piggies have been busy! We have litters being born just about everyday. This one is a record for us. She had 15 piglets! And I think my two drive me crazy sometimes!

Tax Season! What To Keep...?

2008-03-23T16:00:00.003-04:00

It is upon us once again. Tax season. What do you keep? How long do you keep it? What can be thrown out? Here's some information that will help with the confusion.

Keep for Seven Years

W-2 AND 1099 forms
Year-end statemens from credit-card companies
Canceled checks & receipts/statements for annual mortagage interest & property taxes
Deductible business expenses
Child-care bills
Out-of-pocket medical costs
Other tax-deductible expenses

Keep Indefinitely

Your annual tax returns
Confirmation slips that list the purchase price of any invenstments
Home-improvement records
Receipts for major purchases where replacement cost exceeds the deductible on your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
Beneficiary designations

2008-03-17T09:50:00.002-04:00

Bored Of Walking?

2008-03-06T10:17:00.002-05:00

Even with all the chores that farm life brings, I still need to find time to work out. I like to walk but sometimes it can be a bit boring. Don’t you agree? Let me share a few tips I have found to break up the ho-hum walking workout.

Get off the treadmill. Get outside and walk. Now with the days getting longer, as soon as I get home I change into my sneakers and take walks along the edge of the fields. Don’t live on a farm? No problem. How about the park, or track. Too cold? Head out to the mall and walk some laps.

Watch TV. Instead of keeping your eyes on the treadmill timer, watch your favorite show. You’ll become so engrossed and viola, 30 minutes have flown by!

Change is good. Got stairs? Try walking up and down your stairs, then the treadmill, jumping rope, walk around your house, back on the treadmill or whatever you can think of. Mix the varied activities over 30 minutes. Don’t forget to stretch before and cool down after.

Listen to music. Get out your mp3 players and listen to your favorite tunes that make you want to get moving. You’ll be so distracted by the music that your workout will be over in no time!

Got The Gardening Itch?

2008-02-13T16:30:00.004-05:00

What can you do in the garden in the middle of winter? Now is the perfect time to take soil samples.

To do this you can either purchase a soil test kit from you local garden center or you can contact your local extension agent. The store bought kits run about $15 and will give you a good idea of what your soil needs but it is not as accurate as your extension agency. To find your local agent look in the government pages of your phone book or go to the USDA website . Your local agent will provide you with a Soil Sample Information Sheet and a Soil Sample Box free of charge but expect to pay for the analysis. Around here I pay $8.50.

They will test your soil for the following major nutrients P (phosphorus); K (potassium); Mg (Magnesium); Ca (Calcium); and five micronutrients. The test will also determine your soil pH and make recommendations on how to raise or lower pH.

When testing is complete, they will mail you their findings. On the report they explain everything even technical terms and provide extra details on fertilizer application schedules and rates. If you have any questions about the report contact your Extension Agent, they are always glad to help.

Very Blustery Day!

2008-02-10T22:16:00.001-05:00

As Pooh would say..."it's a very blustery day!" With a cold front moving in we had wind gusts of up to 40-50 mph. Kids are having fun letting the wind hold them up!

Ready For A Pet?

2008-02-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

Okay, you've decided your ready for a pet, now what kind. Cat or dog? Large or small? Active or passive? Check out petside.com for answers. Let their Breed Match tools pair you with the perfect pet to match your lifestyle. Even though I already have pets, I still enjoyed reading about the different breeds. You will find all kinds of advice, tips, and care for your pet.

Let me know what you decided on.

First Snow!

2008-02-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

We received our first snow on January 20. I know it's not much. We only got about an inch, but we don't see that much of the white stuff around these parts.

Sharing With His New Friend...

2008-02-01T16:40:00.001-05:00

Our oldest dog knows how to play nice.

New Puppy!

2008-02-01T16:01:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, this little tike was a stray. She showed up in December a few weeks before Christmas. My kids told this me this is just what they wanted for Christmas. She is such a cutie how could I say no!

Christmas Rush Is Over!

2007-12-26T15:34:00.000-05:00

Weeks of preparation and in one swift day...it's over! We all had a great day. Hope you and your family did too. My kids were up at 6:00 am to check out what Santa left. (They don't believe in Santa anymore but it's still fun.) They both received an iPod Nano (their main gift...along with other stuff, books, DVDs, CD's, purse, clothes, etc.) We stayed in out PJs until it was time to get ready to go to spend Christmas with my husband's family. As always with farm life, we had to take care of the animals before we left. I really love going to my inlaws because they always have a buffet of heavy h'ordeauves including shrimp and scallops wrapped in bacon. Oh, and did I mention the deserts? Everything was so delicious! Needless to say, I pretty much gorged myself. I'll worry about working the calories off later. The rest of the day was spent opening gifts and enjoying time with our family. We are so blessed that we could all be together this time of year.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts For Teens

2007-12-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

Still not sure what to get for your teen? I've found a few gift ideas that might help and not break the bank.

Radica 20Q
$10 Hi tech version of 20 questions.

iTunes Gift Card
$15, $25, or $50 Your teen can download songs from iTunes for $.99 per song or $9.99 for entire CD.

Flip Video Camcorder
$119 Film up to 1 hour of video then upload to computer. I know this is expensive but it is on the lower end for digital camcorders.

iPod Shuffle
$79 Tiny iPod that you can wear. Has 1GB storage space. Holds up to 240 songs. Comes with everything you need to start playing.

1.5" Digital Keychain Photo Frame
$30 Holds 60 photos.

DVD
$15 - $20 (depending where you shop)
Spiderman 3
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
Transformers
Ratatouille
Disturbia (for older teens)

Books (All of these are paperback so they are less expensive than hardcover.)
Great Tree of Avalon Series by T. A. Barron
Book 1: Child of Dark Prophecy
Book 2: Shadow of the Stars
Book 3: The Eternal Flame

Eragon (1) by Christopher Paolini
Eldest (2) by Christopher Paolini

Harry Potter Boxed Set by J. K. Rowling

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Lord of the Rings Boxed Set by J. R. R. Tolkien

Stocking Stuffers
School supplies: pens, pencils, colored pencils, sharpeners
Small toiletries: I can usually find small sample bottles of shampoo & conditioner, body wash, bubble bath etc.
Toothbrush
Nail Polish, Files
Sunglasses
Hand/Body Lotion
Candy
Fruit

Hope this helps!

Merry Christmas!

Remembering The Real Meaning of Christmas

2007-12-17T20:43:00.000-05:00

Well, the holiday season is in full swing! Sometimes it is hard to keep our sanity isn't it? The Christmas decorations are up right after Halloween and it snowballs downhill from there with planning, shopping, and baking. It is so easy to get caught up in the madness and forget the one who's birthday we celebrate. Keeping this in mind, I searched for everyday symbols that I could share with my family and friends to keep our focus where it should be.

The Christmas tree

An evergreen tree symbolizes God's everlasting love. The lights represent stars of the heavens, and a big star on top represent the one the wise men followed to see Baby Jesus.

The Gifts

Giving a gift is an act of love like God's love for us in sending Jesus. Each gift, as beautiful as we can make it, reminds us of the perfect gift, Jesus Christ as our Saviour.

The Candles

As we light candles during the Christmas season, they remind us how we are to be a light unto the world.

The Bells

They are used to announce the birth of the Saviour and to call us to worship Him.

The Wreath

The circle, which has no beginning or end, reminds us of God's unending love for us as He offers us salvation.

The Holly

The holly's thorn like leaves remind us of Jesus' crown of thorns, and the berries symbolize the drops of blood He shed for us.

The Candy Cane
Is shaped like the letter ‘J’ for Jesus. Turn it upside down and it’s shape is a staff of a shepherd who were one of the first who came. The red stripes remind us of His sacrifice. The white is his purity. And like a candy cane this story is meant to be shared.

I found this wonderful article on Cathy's Christmas Cottage. She has many more ideas for a Christ centered Christmas. Stop by and take a look.

Homemade Christmas Gifts

2007-12-12T13:52:00.000-05:00

During this time of year I really have to control my spending. In order to do that I started making gifts. Over the summer I make grape jelly and sweet pickles. These will go into gift baskets or gift bags. Goodwill and thrift stores are excellent places to pick up baskets, cookie cutters, napkin rings, glassware or other little trinkets for practically nothing. I personally like to find old ice cream dishes. They make great gifts that are filled with candy. Doilies can be soaked in a cornstarch mixture and placed over a bowl to dry. When dry they make nice containers for fudge wrapped in cellophane. Cloth napkins can be used to wrap homemade candy and are held in place with a napkin ring. Please feel free to post your ideas! That way we all can learn something.

Pets Need To Be Winterized Too

2007-12-05T10:27:00.000-05:00

Don't forget your pets, especially if they live outside like mine do, they need to be winterized too. Place fresh straw or cedar chips in your dog's house and their favorite blanket if you think they won't chew it up. With my own dog I mix straw with cedar chips and place his blanket on top. His house is on a side of the barn that blocks those harsh winter winds. When the mercury drops below freezing I bring him into the garage at night. The cat has a box in the barn filled with straw and an old shirt but he rarely sleeps there. On most nights he sleeps in the garage on my daughters old sweatshirt. Last but not least is the rabbit. He has a small box in his hutch that is filled with straw to keep him warm. Of course, he will be moved inside on those nights when it's freezing.

Make sure all of your pets have plenty of food available. They need more energy so they tend to eat more. Don't forget about water. A heated water bowl is nice, but since I don't have one I have to check that the water supply doesn't freeze. If it does, I just break it up and pour some more water in there.

These are just a few things that I do for my pets. For more a lot more information, check out Yahoo Pets.

Brrrrr....It's Cold Here

2007-12-04T12:25:00.000-05:00

It's about 45 degrees and windy today. I wish I could have stayed home, but bills need to be paid so off to work I went. It's even cold in my office! I miss summer!

The Rest of The Family

2007-11-19T11:02:00.001-05:00

Meet the rest of the family..............

Tiger - He is the oldest (7 years) and is the king of the farm. Nothing gets by him.

Mocha - The youngest (8 months) and wins the
cutest award.

Chang - Just waking up from a long nap. Our best buddy. He's five years old and I think a chow mix. He has the blue tongue that chows have anyway.

Thanksgiving On My Mind

2007-11-16T15:46:00.000-05:00

I’m sitting here at work thinking about all that I have to do for Thanksgiving. Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone I’m blogging at work! Anyway back to topic. Have you made your menu yet? We will just have the usual, turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole (my favorite with brown sugar, nuts, and marshmallows on top…mmmm good stuff!), cranberry sauce, and green beans or lima beans; not sure yet. But that’s pretty much it. I’ve got the turkey which I’ll have to take out of the freezer soon. Just not sure about dessert yet. Maybe pumpkin pie or coconut pie or something different, maybe say something chocolate. Who knows!?