Everything Home...with Carol

IMPORTANT * I've Moved * IMPORTANT

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0000

What else do you title a post that you want to make sure is read?

Sadly, this is the last post you will receive from EverythingHomewithCarol.blogspot.

My new address is http://EverythingHomewithCarol.com.

I really do NOT know what I am doing. But somehow, over the course of the last six weeks, I've managed to purchase my domain name and host it through HostGator. I've downloaded WordPress, loaded a template, and customized that template to make it feel more like home.

This is what I haven't figured out, yet--how to move my followers. If someone knows how to do that, please, please, tell me. Otherwise, please, please, hop over to the new digs right now and subscribe so that you do not miss a thing. In fact, I noticed a few new Feedburner subscriptions in the last few days that I'm suspecting were meant for the new site (mainly because one of them was my own) and went to this one. So, if that describes you, bear with me as I work through this technicality. I'm also trying to get it changed in Networked Blogs through Facebook.

At the new place you will see a few different things. First, I have added some Amazon ads. I've done that to make a place to show you the books that I use on our homestead and in our homeschool. (Of course if you decide to purchase any through my site, that doesn't hurt me either. :-)) Secondly, you will notice that all my blog friend buttons are missing. I didn't move my buttons because #1, I only want to display buttons of those that follow Everything Home; and #2, a lot of you have changed your buttons and I'm showing old ones. So this is the deal...if you want me to put your button on Everything Home, send me an email and let me know.

One last thing. I'm still playing with the look of the new place. So if you have any suggestions...don't like the colors, columns too wide, whatever...please let me know. I'm open to suggestions. Also, don't be surprised if you log in one day to see things moved around. Like I said, it's a work in progress.

So, with no further rambling from me, please hop on over, subscribe by clicking on the little RSS button or by giving your email address, and then you won't miss a beat.

Next up...new e-booklets!

Blessings,

Do Your Children Have Weeds?

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0000

This morning while pulling weeds I was just busting with pride over the garden. I want so much for you all to come over and gloat with me at how beautiful everything looks. You have to remember that last year my garden suffered from neglect because I was working outside the home. We also suffered with drought.

However, this spring God has blessed us with an over-abundance of rain. The Shenandoah river has overflowed its banks three times. And, not only do I have beautiful green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, etc., I also have weeds that are flourishing.

This one is my worst nightmare. Spiny amaranth is its name. We never had any until we took some horse manure from a neighbor. My guess is that the seeds came in that manure. The first year it was everywhere. I had so much trouble eliminating it. Now, it's not as bad. Fortunately, this fine specimen was discovered in the compost bin. My seven year old dug it out and put it in the fire pit. Burning is the only way to deal with it. This weed is such a nightmare because it has thorns that are hard as nails and sharp as needles. They are camouflaged as well. There is no getting them out without a shovel.

Anyway, as I was dealing with the other less dangerous weeds in the potatoes this morning, I realized that as beautiful as my garden is, I do tend a more important garden. That is the garden of my children's hearts. As a mother, my children are a garden that I tend to daily, hourly, even by the minute. And if that garden is not beautiful, then I have failed as a mother.

So, while bending over those potatoes, that still, small voice whispered in my ear, "Do your children have weeds?"

"Do my children have weeds?" I asked back. "Let me think about that one."

Tattling, whining, sneaking, ignoring my voice, teasing..."Yes, Lord, my children have weeds."

So, as a conscientious mother, it is my job to pull those weeds. I use various tools for the job. Sometimes, it's just a talk. Sometimes, it's a story. Sometimes, the tool is a little less pleasant. But as any gardener will tell you, if the handles of your tools are not secure, the job is more difficult. That is why the "handle" holding all my child-weeding tools is the Word of God.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. --Hebrews 4:12

Something to ponder...do your children have weeds? How do you get them out?

Blessings to you,

What's Up for July

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0000

July is my blogoversary month. I can't believe it's been two years already. And in honor of this occasion, I have several surprises for you.

First, I'm moving this blog. I've been working on this process for several weeks now and it is not yet complete so don't ditch me yet! When I have the other site up and running, you will be the first to know.

Second, I will be compiling another set of FREE (don't you love that word?) ebooks:

Everything Home with Carol--Homeschooling, the SECOND Year
Everything Home with Carol--Homesteading, the SECOND Year
and
Everything Home with Carol--Homemaking, the SECOND Year

For those that missed posts, just joined us, or just want everything compiled in one place, these are a great idea. Then,

Third, I will be having a super giveaway that you will not want to miss.

So hang in there, because I will be scarce this month trying to get all these things together. But I promise, it will be worth it.

Thanks for understanding and blessings to you all,

I'm Guest Posting Again

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:39:00 +0000

Happy 4th of July!

Today you can find me at The Kerrie Show. Kerrie's blog is about...being a mom, being a homeschooling mom, attachment parenting, working around the kiddos, and just life with the family in general.

The post is about Seed Catalog Curriculum. So, if you haven't heard my schpeel on that...hop on over to Kerrie's and read all about it.

Great day to ya'

Connect With Your Teens without Spending Much Money

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Oh my stars, I read so much that I can never remember where I read something. Likewise, I cannot remember how I stumbled upon The Homeschool Jungle. But Jana has a great site, there, and we agreed to swap posts since summer is always a hectic season. So, with no more rambling from me, I want to introduce Jana Miller.

Why is it that we spend so much time wishing them to grow up and then it happens and we are shocked?

Start a Hobby

I took up blogging 5 years ago when my son was 12. He was always entrepreneurial minded. I knew I needed to help that grow. I knew he would look at what I was doing and get interested in making some extra money. My goal starting out was for him to have some kind of business that would provide him passive income during college. I had to go and learn about blogging and how to make money online so that I could inspire him. Through the whole process, we found a hobby we both enjoyed. We always have ideas to bounce off each other. One woman I know became an expert in baseball and all the statistics involved in order to connect with her teenage son who loved baseball. That was my mom. She set a good example for me.

It’s Always about Food

This doesn’t have to mean junk food but it can. My son and I meet friends at the farmer’s market every Sunday morning. We shop and talk and pick up healthy food. The other day, Chase said, “I didn’t go out with my friends for fast food because I knew we had so much good food here at home.” Of course I love that he likes my food but I also get to sit and talk with him while he eats. This doesn’t mean having to spend extra money but simply having things that my kids prefer to eat, and choosing to stop what I’m doing.

Books

Ask them what they are reading. This won’t work if your kids never read. But it’s the rare homeschooler that doesn’t like some sort of reading. Then take time to read the books they like. My older son had read, Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. Then my younger son read it. So I picked it up and after reading it, I was able to have some lengthy conversation about God and formulas and what they think about Christianity for their generation. I lucked out…..I really don’t like fantasy fiction so it would have been a stretch to try and read some of the other books my son enjoys.

Teach Me

It’s a humbling experience. But I make it a habit to ask my kids to teach me things. Even if it’s something I pretty much know how to do. Most often this involves the computer, a printer or a cell phone. When they are able to teach me, we connect on a different level. They feel great about being the expert and they are able to see their strengths. You can start this when your children are young and they will become more teachable as adults.

How do you connect with your teens?

Jana Miller is a freelance writer and creator of The Homeschool Jungle, a website to encourage new home school families. Her first e-book came out earlier this year, The Homeschool Jungle: Get Started Homeschooling Today. She has been homeschooling her sons for the past 10 years. Her older son just finished his first year at Wheaton College outside Chicago and her younger son will graduate from high school in 2012. She admits to liking red meat and full-fat dairy products. She lives with her family in Orange County, California.

Garden Update

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

I know I've been updating you on the garden in the sidebar. But I couldn't help but show you what I've been doing. So here are a bunch of pictures for you to see.

Now, you know why I don't do pictures very often. I really think this is the unfriendliest part of Blogger. :-|

I can never get my pictures to go where I want them. So for this montage I will just keep typing away and let the pictures fall where they will!

So, from my standpoint, we have potatoes in the upper left. This is one of three rows in this garden, then we have a couple more rows in garden #2.

Next over is corn. I guess that is pretty obvious. They always say "knee high by the 4th of July" and I guess mine's made it.

Moving to the right is the beet row. It doesn't look that great. I think that a bunch of seeds got washed away in all the heavy rains. But that's okay. I get another chance in the fall.

Next, on the left, growing up the trellis is the cucumbers. We've already picked one and these plants are loaded. They are also climbing up the other side of the arch.

To the right of that, in the tires, is my 10 year old's tomato plants. I did not want to plow up any more earth so this is his way of being resourceful.

Next on the left is one row of cabbages. I took the row cover off them because it had cabbage moths underneath it! SIGH! Now I have to go out every day and look for little worms.

To the right of the cabbages is the Brussels sprouts. I had to take the row cover off them because they were getting too tall. That is why they look like someone sat on them. I have little sprouts about marble size in there. We are so excited. This is our first try at Brussels.

Then, this last picture is of my tomato row. That's it. I did NOT plant
75 tomato plants this year. Let's see how these do.

This garden measures 25x75 feet. It is the size of my house!
We have another patch in the back with potatoes, zucchini, and
more greens.

What did I not show you? Green beens, bird's egg beans, and peppers.
They just weren't very photogenic. Plus I bet you're tired of my garden by now.

I hope you've enjoyed my show and tell. How is your garden doing?
My husband keeps saying, "This is your best garden yet!" I tell him the proof is in the pudding. Hopefully in a month or so I will be complaining about all the canning and freezing I have to do. Without my daughter--who got a job!

Blessings,

Freedom Ranger Chick Update and How To Weigh a Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Can You Believe It?

We're guessing these guys weight about three pounds. But since I want 6-7 pound birds, we're going to give it a few more weeks. I switched their feed to a higher protein mix to help them put on the desired weight.

How do I know how much they weigh? In the past we've used my son's fishing scale. It's a nifty little device that you hook the fish through the gills with and hang it to weigh. When I asked to borrow it again, he said he broke it but that I could get one at WalMart for $3-4. I'm going to look next time I'm up that way.

Anyway, we hang a 5-gallon bucket on the scale and take note of its weight. Then we put a chicken in the bucket. We subtract the weight of the bucket from the total. I once tried to use a plastic grocery bag so that I didn't have to mess around with subtracting the weights. But a chicken has sharp claws that go right through a plastic grocery bag. So don't try that. Your chicken will fall right through onto the ground.

I'm dreaming of fried chicken...chicken pot pie...chicken stew...

I'm at the Homeschool Jungle Today

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:40:00 +0000

Ever wonder how to prepare your teen for filling out that first job application? What about choosing the right "first job" for him? Well today I'm guest posting at the Homeschool Jungle, and that is what we're talking about.

"Is Your Teen Prepared for His First Job" is a checklist for parents to consider before sending him out into the "real world."

So, hop on over to Jana's Homeschool Jungle and join in the conversation.

Blessings,

Bramble On -- In Hobby Farms Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:05:00 +0000

I love it when I can tell you I have a new story out in a national magazine. But more importantly, I love it when that story can really help you out.

If you've ever thought of growing brambles--of any sort--this is the tell all article. In it, I interviewed friends and raspberry farmers Marlin and Christine Burkholder. The Burkholders have successfully sold their Heritage raspberries at our local farmers' market for years. They have gotten so proficient in the process that raspberries are now their number one cash crop.
I also interviewed several other experts in the berry field from Cornell University and Sakuma Brothers Farms in Washington.

If you do not currently subscribe to Hobby Farms, you can do so here. If you just want a copy of this issue, it is currently available on your local newsstand.

I must point out, too, that there are several other articles in this issue that inspire. If you ever thought of raising meat rabbits, here it is. You can also learn how to effectively deal with those weeds that have come with our abundance of rain.

So run on down to your local book or farm store and pick up a copy of Hobby Farms. I promise, you'll like what you see.

Blessings,

Are Your Kids Outside?

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:46:00 +0000

A quote I recently stumbled upon:

Most children in the US spend only 30 minutes of time a week in unstructured time in the out-of-doors, whereas the average 10-16-year-old spends over 30 hours a week in front of some kind of electronic screen.

Not my children!

Thank the Lord!

Only by God’s grace are we different.

My brother-in-law has a saying, “But for the grace of God, there go I.”

But…those statistics are staggering, don’t you think?

My boys have been spending hours putting a room addition and closet on their tree fort.

My 10 year old spends hours helping me in the garden. Because my back was in a kink, he was responsible for planting almost all of our potatoes. He runs the roto-tiller, hoes, weeds, and plants. And he loves doing it.

Here's a picture of half of our potato crop.

My 7 year old spends hours a day looking for critters to feed his pet lizard, building things, and just otherwise getting dirty.

But that is not all. Because we fostered this love for the out-of-doors, my adult children spend many hours outside as well.

My 16 year old works for a landscaper. When he’s not working or playing his guitar, he’s riding his bike long distance over country roads.

In fact, most of my adult children’s leisure time is spent out of doors.

Even if you live in the city, there are ways to get your children occupied outside. There are parks, biking trails, even your own backyard to explore. If you have nothing more than an apartment balcony, then for their sake, buy some pots, potting soil, and seeds and start a container garden. Get a Styrofoam cooler and start an earthworm bed. If you grow enough to sell, you’ve not only taught your children to play in the dirt, but entrepreneurial-ism as well.

Turn off the TV, computer, cell phones, iphones, smart phones, ipads, Wii, and all the x, y, zcontraptions I failed to mention and go outside! And then report back here and let us know what you did.

Food for thought,

1995 Subaru Impreza Wagon--My Car

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:24:00 +0000

This is my car.

Can you tell we live on a dirt road?

I really like my car. My son bought it about 4 years ago for $500.

It was all banged up like this when he bought it. The previous owner hit two deer.

It was his car until he moved to Haiti. My husband says that I think my car can do anything. Well, it has done a lot. Just last night we had a kayak in the back, a canoe on top, and three boys (one, almost 6 feet tall) squished in besides. It's all wheel drive. Just what we need in the winter time.

And before he went to Haiti, it was the hunting vehicle. Here is a picture that says, "The boy needs a pick-up." (Wonder what happened to them hubcaps.)

Well, I was at the farm store the other day buying straw and chicken feed. Of course, I couldn't resist a few six-packs of flowers, too. And when the young man was loading the straw into the back of the wagon he said, "It fits if I put them this way, right?"

"Yes," I responded, "That's right."

"I thought that's what I remembered from last time," he said.

"We're looking for a truck," I said. "Maybe next time, you won't have to fit them in like a puzzle."

"Oh, you don't want a truck," he said. "I have two trucks and they are just gas hogs."

"Oh," I ponder that for a moment. "I'll have to think on that." Actually, that has been a major factor in our vehicle choosing decision--that, and the cost.

So we pull out of there, my two little boys and I all squished into our little car with two bales of straw and 50 pounds of laying mash behind and beside; and cruise slowly through town. Then, when we hit the open road going 60 mph, windows down (the a/c doesn't work), wind blowing hair and straw in our eyes, singing along with Doyle Lawson at the top of our lungs, it hits me--I don't want a truck. I want my little car to last forever.

But there's this clunk in the rear end when you make a sharp turn. And the oil leak. And the constant ticking of a valve going up and down. And that hot smell when you get where you're going. And the fact that most of the time you have to stick a screw driver into this little hole next to the shifter and press really hard, while pressing on the brake pedal really hard, to get it out of park. And the 256,061 miles to reckon with. My husband is getting nervous about it getting me where I want to go.

But I like my little car. And I like its miles per gallon. Besides...it's green.

I know I could come up with several spiritual analogies with this one. Like how my little car is like my little body (neither will last forever) and what matters is the condition of my soul. Of course, my body's not nearly that bad; but I've felt like it with my back out the last 6 weeks. Or how we shouldn't store up treasures on earth where moth and rust corrupt (boy does my little car have the rust). But I'm not going there today. I just want to enjoy my little car while I've got it. And think that just maybe God will provide me with a new little car to replace it--in His time.

Blessings,

Are You Done with School?

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:26:00 +0000

I hate that question.

We recently had our homeschool group's end-of-the-year picnic. You hear that question a lot at the picnic.

We've been out and about quite a bit lately. Everyone in our small town knows we homeschool. I guess since it's spring we've been hearing that question a lot.

"Are you done with school for the year, yet?"

I hate that question.

We are forever done with school. We are never done with learning.

That is my final answer.

Blessings to you all--still schooling or not,

Ten Ways to Save a Large Family Money

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:05:00 +0000

My friend Jamerrill, over at Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling, did a post with the top ten ways she saves money for her family. I was so impressed with the list that I wanted to share it here, as well as add to it.

Jamerrill's list includes:
1) Reuse zipper shut bags
2) Make cloth napkins
3) Make own cleaning products
4) Shop monthly
5) Use cloth diapers
6) Buy the family pass
7) Buy homeschooling materials at yard sales, thrift stores, etc.
8) Replace ground beef with sausage
9) Use the woodstove
10) Do not keep a car payment

Every one of these things I do, or have done in the past, and they are all ways to save. But I think I can add ten more ways, and I think you can add yet another ten ways.

This is what I want to do to help each other out. Run your own post on your blog with Ten Ways to Save the Family Money. Link back to Jamerrill's post, and this post so that we can find you. Leave a comment here letting us know that you also have ten ways to save on your blog, and we will make sure to come by and read your list.

I'm excited to see how long of a list we can come up with. So for now, here's my Top Ten Ways to Save:

1) First and foremost, we save money by doing without. It is amazing how much stuff we think we need but don't. If you want to make a new purchase, say a new dishwasher for example, wait six months. Do whatever you have to do to get your dishes clean without that new dishwasher for those six months. Then, when the time's up, decide if you really need it.

2) Do all your errands on one day. This can be exhausting for us but since we live seven miles from the nearest grocery store, and 20 from the nearest large town with all the places we like to go, we save our gas by doing everything in one day...grocery, thrift store, library, etc.

3) Garden. I recently spent $54 at the farm store for the following items: broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and chard plants; two bags of cow manure, and two bales of straw. When my 7 year old heard the price, he whispered, "Mommy, do you have $54?" In the car I explained to him that just to buy the broccoli in the grocery store that I would get from the plants would cost more than all the stuff I bought. You could see the light bulb turn on inside his head.

4) Buy used. We rarely buy anything new. We shop at thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales. I only carry designer label handbags, but I never pay more than $5 for one, either. If an appliance needs replaced, my husband will calculate the cost of buying new compared with a used one. Many times we've met folks discarding perfectly usable things just because they are redecorating. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

5) Shop around. When I bought my laptop and printer a couple years ago I first decided how much I wanted to spend. Then I started shopping. I read the circulars in the paper. I looked online for discounts. I went to several different stores. And I waited. I did not buy until I could get my price. And it paid off. I got a great laptop and printer brand new for under $400.

6) Re-purpose used items. Just as Jamerrill described how she made cloth napkins out of worn out dish towels, I've done the same kind of thing. My cloth napkins came from stained table cloths. I never give away a bag of clothes with stained up t-shirts. Anything made from absorbent material is cut up for rags (I do not buy paper towels). We use discarded drywall mud buckets to store our grains in. I turned a worn out bed quilt into window quilts to use when the cold winter winds blow through our drafty windows.

8) As a writer, I go through tons of paper. When I edit a story I like to do it on a printed copy. After marking it up, and making the changes on the computer though, I do not throw away the paper copy. I put it in a scrap paper pile. When my children want paper to use, they know they can have whatever they want from the scrap paper pile.

9) Buy in bulk. We buy our wheat, popcorn, and sugar by the 50 pound bag. If I see ketchup for $1 a bottle, I buy a case of it. Same with toilet paper. I rarely use coupons, because we rarely purchase the processed foods for which coupons are made. Although we grow most of our meat, in the summertime we will find our freezer getting low and ourselves wanting a burger. But, I buy the big family packs of burger. I also buy several of them when they are on sale and divide them up into meal-sized portions and freeze.

10) Wow. I could keep going, but this is my last tip for today. Drink water. You will never find soda pop, Kool-Aid, or fruit juices in my grocery cart. I do not buy milk because we own a dairy goat, but we also are not big milk drinkers. In the summer we will make a pitcher of iced tea to have with supper but otherwise my family drinks water. We often flavor it with a little lemon or a sprig of mint.

So, what about you? What ten things do you do to save money? Let's keep the list going. Post yours on your blog with a link back to these ideas so that your readers can get the full effect. And, let us know where to go to read your list.

Blessings to you,

You Can Move a Nest of Baby Birds--Successfully

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:07:00 +0000

This little blue spruce tree in our yard is one of my favorites. I can't take credit for it. It was planted by the previous owner. I love the color and the shape of it. I never realized before how prized the blue spruce tree is until one day our friend the landscaper came by and commented on it. I shared with him how much I liked it and was distraught to find the goat munching on it. He said, "If I found my goat eating my blue spruce, I think I'd be eating the goat!"

Now, this spring has brought us more than our share of rain. So much so, I have had very little time outside. You can tell by looking at the weeds in the garden! So imagine my dismay when, one day, the little boys were showing me a robin's nest in the little blue spruce and I discovered that it was being devoured by caterpillars. Thousands of them. I was mortified.

Caterpillar Damage

If you've read this blog for long you know that I like to do things as natural as possible. My garden is definitely organic. But I have no plans for ingesting my little blue spruce so I was geared up to get the strongest poisons out there to defend it. But alas, the little baby birds would be poisoned as well.

Enter the landscaper friend again. Our 16 year old is now working for this friend and he just happened to bring him home from work the next day. When I showed him the tree he said, "Tent caterpillars." He also marveled that it was the worst infestation he'd seen because these caterpillars generally don't care for spruce. I knew my little blue was special. Just didn't want the caterpillars to think so.

This is what he told me to do: Sevin. Drench it thoroughly. Till it's dripping. If I didn't, Little Blue would die. He said I could try some natural stuff but that it probably wouldn't work with such a bad infestation.

"What about the baby birds," I asked.

"Cover the nest with plastic," he replied. "When the poison stops dripping, remove the cover so the mama could get back to her babies."

Something in me just didn't think that would work. I mean, those little birdies could suffocate. Or, the fumes from the poison could kill them. Or, the mama could try eating one of those horrid caterpillars and be poisoned. Or, or, or....

So, I consulted expert #2. A young man in our church with a biology major and a love for all things in the wild. Surely he would know if I could move the nest and expect the mama to find it. However, he said it was a toss up. And, that if I didn't move the nest, I would surely lose them, so I should at least take the chance.

The Re-located Tree Branch with Bird Nest

And, we did. We cut the branch out of the tree and stuck it in the bush right next to Little Blue. We prayed. We hoped for the best. And it happened. Mama AND Papa Robin found their babies and they are all doing well. But, best of all, we saved Little Blue from those horrid tent caterpillars.

Blessings,

Rooibos and Honeybush

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:18:00 +0000

You all know how much I love tea. I read books about tea. I’ve taken classes in tea. And, I pour over all the tea catalogs that come in the mail as much, if not more than, the seed catalogs in the winter.

In one of these tea catalogs I first discovered Rooibos tea. “Hmmm,” I thought. “I wonder what this tastes like.” Let me tell you what it tastes like. Sweet. Fruity. Delicious. Our family has almost replaced our “Southern Brew” with iced Rooibos in the summertime. I also took a class to learn more about this tea and Honeybush from my friend, and professional tea consultant, Susan Teter. This is what I learned.

Only growing in the Cedarberg region of South Africa, Rooibos tea comes from the fine needle-like leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant. The word Rooibos means red bush in the Afrikaans language. Efforts to grow red bush in other parts of the world have failed.

When harvested, the fermentation process turns the green leaves to a deep red color. The needles, bark, and woody stems are used to make the tea. When infused, the resulting cup is a beautiful, sparkling red color.

Without caffeine, Rooibos touts many health benefits. The Africans call it “Baby’s Lullaby” because it soothes the symptoms of colic. According to the Metropolitan Tea Company, “Those that consume Rooibos have claimed that it has a soothing effect on headaches, disturbed sleeping patterns and digestive problems.” High in antioxidants and low in tannins, red bush also sports an impressive list of minerals. With the highest mineral content being potassium and sodium, Rooibos tea is ideal for that iced summertime drink. Also, its high antioxidant and vitamin C content makes Rooibos an excellent remedy for hay fever-type allergies.

Rooibos is also sold green. Manufacturing of green Rooibos is trickier as just the slightest touch begins to turn the leaves red. However, green Rooibos is higher in antioxidant; making the demand for it strong. The flavor of green Rooibos is not as sweet as the red, either.

Another tea indigenous to the Cedarburg area of South Africa is Honeybush. However, that is where the similarities between it and Rooibos end. Honeybush has a refreshing taste with the hint of honey flavor. The infusion is a bright orange color.

Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) is manufactured much like black tea with the four steps of harvesting, cutting, fermenting, and drying. Currently, these steps are all done mechanically. And the resulting tea is as healthful as it is delicious.

Scientific research on this magnificent herbal is relatively new; however, Dutch botanical records mention using the Honeybush as early as the mid 1600s. We do know that the caffeine free, Honeybush tea is high in antioxidants. Also, its isoflavones, xanthones, and flavones give it anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

To make the perfect cup of hot Rooibos or Honeybush tea, pour fresh, boiling water over a teaspoon of leaves. Let steep three to seven minutes. Add milk and sugar to taste. For a refreshing pitcher (one quart) of iced tea, pour 1 ¼ cups of boiling water over six teaspoons of leaves. Steep for five minutes. Put one cup of cold water into your pitcher. Strain the hot infusion and add to the cold. Add ice and top with more cold water. Sweeten to taste.

Even staunch Camelia sinensis (the real tea plant) connoisseurs will agree that Rooibos and Honeybush both are worth adding to your regular tea time. And now, you can purchase them both from most tea companies or bulk herb suppliers.

Have you tried Rooibos or Honeybush? I’d love to hear how you liked it.

This post previously appeared in NaturalHealthEzine.com.

I'm Guest Posting

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:19:00 +0000

Today you can find me at The Kerrie Show.

Hop over there to learn ways I save money on office/school supplies and the design of my really cool office...Behind the Piano!

Blessings,

Freedom Ranger Chick Update

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Tue, 17 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

These birds are no longer in my laundry room. This is a portable pen that we move along on the grass. At night we take them out of the pen and put them into the barn. No more lights at night either as it has been plenty warm.

I tried to get a shot showing that they not only have their wings, but their tails and breast feathers, too.

These birds are much more animated than the Cornish cross that we've had in previous years. It is a hoot to watch them challenge each other, and but chests, at such a young age.

Another amazing thing that I have found is that I have not lost one chick. Every year I lose at least one Cornish cross for no known reason. I do have one with a little limp. I don't think his leg is broken so I've let him alone. Probably handled too rough from a little boy.

At this point they are three weeks old.

Any questions? How are your chicks doing? Would love to hear from you.

Blessings,

And the winner is...

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Last week we had another opportunity to win a prize in the "Let's Introduce Ourselves" Giveaway. Well, today is the day to announce the winner.

First, I want to talk about the prize. Here is a picture of the goodies this chosen lady will receive.

And now, here is a little bit about her:

This person enjoys my tips on frugal living. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and planning menus. The three things she could not do without are her Lord and His Word, her husband and her six children. She lives on an organic farm in Maryland. And her name is...

CATHY HORST!!

Congratulations, Cathy. My seven year old picked your name out of the hat of all the entries and we are so thrilled.

It was great fun getting to know everyone. Thank you all that entered. Now I feel a little better connected.

Blessings,

How to Make Yogurt in A Cooler

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

This post was sent last Thursday, May 12th. I know it posted because I remember moderating comments. I double checked my poor memory with my Twitter account and sure enough, it sent a link to Twitter. However, when I clicked on it, I received a "Page Not Found" message. I also remember that people were complaining last week of Blogger being down, so I'm assuming they messed some things up...including my blog. So, here it is again for those that may have missed it.

Those of us with dairy animals are used to an abundance of milk once our animals freshen in the spring. A wonderful thing to do with all that extra is to make yogurt.

Yogurt is a dairy product created by fermenting milk with a Lactobacillus culture. Making your own yogurt is fun and easy. And, it is a healthful snack that children love.

To make your own yogurt, start with fresh milk. Powdered or skim milk work but produce a thin yogurt. For a thicker outcome, choose whole milk. Some even add a little powdered milk or gelatin to their start for an even thicker product. If you are accustomed to store bought yogurt, and are concerned your family won’t want to eat it because it’s not what they’re used to eating, these additives are harmless and will help them transition into the homemade taste and texture. We prefer to use our raw goat’s milk.

Next you will need your culture. You can purchase a yogurt start from the health food store or a dairy supplier. Or, you can use yogurt from another batch or from the grocery store. Use only plain, unflavored yogurt for your culture.

Other supplies you will need include:

Sterile quart jars with lids, warmed
Small cooler (lunch-box size works great)
Candy thermometer

Steps to making your yogurt:

Heat your milk to 150 degrees in a thick-bottomed, stainless steel pot. This pasteurization process kills any unwanted bacteria present in the milk that would compete with the culture. It also changes the structure of the proteins so that they will “set” rather than form curds.
Remove the milk from the heat and allow to cool to 110 degrees.
Add the culture and stir well to mix. If you are using a powdered culture, follow the label directions. If you are using another yogurt, use ¼ cup per quart of milk. Pour the mixture just to the shoulder of the jars. If you want to add any sweetener or flavorings, now is the time to do it.
Apply lids to the jars and set them in the cooler. Place the cooler in a warm place where it can remain undisturbed overnight. Fill the cooler with hot tap water up to the shoulder of the jars. Close the lid and wait.
Once set, place jars in the refrigerator and cool at least 12 hours before serving.

I generally start my yogurt in the afternoon and it is ready first thing next morning. All recipes vary. I’ve read anything from 4 hours to 3 days. If I start it in the afternoon, I will check it before I go to bed (that would be 5-6 hours later). To check, simply turn the jar to its side and see if the mixture is thick. Remember, the longer it incubates, the more sour the flavor.

To flavor my yogurt, I add ½ teaspoon vanilla and about 1 tablespoon of evaporated cane juice to each quart. If you want to add fruit, wait until you serve it.

Raw Yogurt:

If you prefer, you can make yogurt without pasteurizing your raw milk. Simply heat the milk to the 110 degrees needed to grow the culture and proceed as above. After making raw yogurt for her family the first time, Lara DeHaven from the Texas Homesteader Blog says, “I have honestly never had such wonderful yogurt. It is so delicious that I am amazed. It seems creamier and less sour-tasting than before.” Lara also sweetens her yogurt with stevia. For those that want an alternative to sugar or honey, this works quite well.

Ideas for using yogurt:

Eat it plain.
Add plain yogurt to your pancake, waffle, or muffin batter.
Use it for the base of a fruit smoothie.
Use yogurt in place of sour cream on baked potatoes, tacos, or burritos.
Serve fruit on a buffet with a yogurt dip.
Freeze in small paper cups with Popsicle stick inserted for a delicious treat.

How does your family use yogurt? Do you make your own? Tell us all about it.

Giveaway Reminder

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:57:00 +0000

Don't forget...we're in the middle of a giveaway and the deadline is Friday night.

Let's introduce ourselves is a time to meet and greet one another, the opportunity to discover new friends, and the opportunity to win a prize.

Don't forget. Right now click on the above link and introduce yourself.

Do it now...before you forget...click here.

Blessings,

Build a Cold Frame

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

My oldest son is a pack rat. When he lived at home he was constantly bringing stuff home from work. Working as a carpenter, that included plenty of construction waste. At one time he had a part-time job working for a tear-down contractor. That job resulted in many piles of old barn wood and windows on the place.

We always tried to put his salvages to good use. Our chicken house/barn is built entirely out of construction waste. His forge building was built mostly from recycled materials. However, when he got married and started his own homestead, I looked forward to cleaning up our place. I once even took his then-fiance for a tour of the place and pointed out all the piles she would inherit. I'm not sure she was thrilled.

Since we almost eliminated the last of the stuff, imagine my surprise the afternoon he called and said, "Hey mom. Guess what I've got for you!" Driving down the highway, he could barely contain his excitement. He was stopping at our place on his way home to bring me "almost brand new" shower doors.

"But Son," I replied, "I don't like the shower doors we have. In fact, I want to tear them out and have a shower curtain."

"But mom," he tried to persuade, "You will love them. They look so much nicer than the ones you have. I'll be there in 30 minutes."

Sigh. These shower doors were not "almost brand new." In fact, they weren't even the same size. But my husband had said, "Don't hurt his feelings." So I graciously stashed them on the back patio.

Then, a week later, as the sun glared off those doors, blinding me as I was trying to listen to my husband speak to me, making me angry that they were even there in the first place, I had the idea--the garden. Why could I not construct cold frames using these doors?

After consulting some diagrams I showed them out of a couple books on my shelf, my husband and 16 year old got to work. Using only recycled wood and those shower doors from my pack rat eldest, I now have one huge cold frame with three more to come.

Because the glass on a shower door is so much thicker than window glass, I am not afraid of a baseball breaking them, either. What do you think?

I'm not just going to use them to start seeds. A farmer friend told me I could grow greens in them all year long in our zone. Now I'm dreaming of salads in January and fresh broccoli, too.

Blessings,

Let's Introduce Ourselves

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

I recently had a comment from someone that I didn't realize was following this blog. Not that I screen who is allowed to comment; but I was a bit surprised to hear from this gal. It prompted me to go to my followers' page and that's when I realized that I really don't know very many of you at all.

Now I have an idea. Let's introduce ourselves. Following are a couple of questions. In the comments section, answer the questions. Anyone answering all the questions and leaving an email address will be entered into a drawing for a nice prize. This event is for followers, so if you are not already a follower, become one before you answer the questions.

What's the prize? I'm not sure, yet. Maybe tea. Maybe garden seeds. Something to celebrate or relax with, how's that?

Okay, here you go:

1) Name--this can be your screen name or just first name if you wish.
2) Location--this also can be vague.
3) What type of posts you enjoy most at Everything Home.
4) What you enjoy most to do in your spare time.
5) Three things you could not live without.

If you do not leave an email address, I cannot contact you if you win. Therefore, comments without an email address will not be entered in the drawing. Oh, the deadline. Let's say next Friday, May 13th at midnight.

Looking forward to reading all about you.

Blessings,

The Chicks have Arrived!

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Our broiler chicks have arrived. This year we ordered 20 Freedom Rangers instead of Cornish Rock crosses. Why did we switch? Purely economical. To get the few birds we wanted, the Cornish Rocks would have cost us $2 per bird plus shipping. We had friends, however, that were ordering the Freedom Rangers and had already topped 100 birds on their order so they were getting quite a discount.

According to my friend, they are a heritage breed that are better rangers than the Cornish Rock. That means they do better on the grass running around. If you've never seen a Cornish Rock cockerel at 4-6 weeks, they are quite ghastly. They are top heavy because they were bred to have extra large breasts and they easily break their legs from walking around. Because the Freedom Rangers grow a little slower, this isn't supposed to happen. Now, all this information was from my friend, so I ordered them.

After I ordered them, however, Hank Will, editor of Grit Magazine, sent me this article from the Mother Earth News website. According to the author, Troy Griepentrog, this was not his experience. He shared that the Freedom Rangers were not a true heritage breed but a four-way hybrid like the Cornish Cross. He also felt they grew too fast, as well. His final analysis was that the next time around he would purchase a true heritage breed.

No matter the controversy, I have 20 Freedom Rangers in a Rubbermaid bin in my laundry room. They arrived Friday and their wing feathers are already coming in. That is fast. Today we took them outside and put them in the grass under over-turned laundry baskets for a few hours. I intend to do that as long as the weather is nice. Hopefully, I can acclimate them to being outdoors and can get them out of the laundry room sooner than we have in the past.

What do you think? Cute, ain't they?

And the Winner Is!

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Mon, 02 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

This is getting fun! I think I should do giveaways more often. Especially when they involve giving away the books of my friends.

Okay...without any further blabbering from me, the winner, drawn out of the hat by my 7 year old,of The Only Homeschool Co-op Booklet You Need To Start Your Very Own Best Co-op Ever! is...

Robyn Campbell!

Congratulations, Robyn. I will be emailing you for your address to mail your book.

All in good fun,

Canning and Preserving Book Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Carol J. Alexander) — Sun, 01 May 2011 01:11:00 +0000

I just found a blog I'd like to recommend. The Morris Tribe...One big family's homesteading journey in search of simplicity and self-reliance.

Mom, Kelly Morris, is the author of an ebook entitled Just Get 'Em Fed--Simple Whole Food Meals for Your Family which you can download for FREE.

Plus, this week, Kelly is giving away a copy of Canning and Preserving by Ashley English.

Go check them out. If you like it here, you'll like it there.

Blessings for a Christ-filled Sunday,