Down On The Farm

Can a Faucet Really Make a Difference?

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:01:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Moen, Incorporated for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We use sinks a lot around here. We use our kitchen sink much like any of you probably use yours. We also have a sink in the back porch/pantry area. We use it for all sorts of things. We fill buckets to mop or clean the bathroom or some other mess. We wash eggs in that sink. We know that eggs keep better if they are not washed, so we only wash the eggs that are really dirty. When it is muddy outside, the eggs can be very dirty and I don't want that mess in my kitchen. We wash vegetabls that come in from the garden. There is always a lot of dirt and mud with that job. Again, I don't want that mess in my kitchen. We clean our milking buckets and other items out there. We have brined our poultry out there, although we are doing that in pans now. That sink gets used a lot. Each time the sink is used for one of the dirty jobs we have to clean it with clorox or some other germ killer since it is used for so many different chores that include food items.

The faucet makes a real difference out there. We want one that is high enough to get the buckets and other taller pans under it. We also many times need to spray the sink down to clean it up or spray off the vegetables, so we need a good sprayer as well.

Our kitchen sink gets used a lot as well. We do wash dishes in it, but also use it when we can and freeze our produce. Many times you need to blanche a vegetable before you freeze it. You put it in the hot water on the stove, but then have to put it quickly in a sink filled with ice cold water to stop the cooking process. We use our kitchen sink to wash vegetables from the store. We use the sprayer often as we are rinsing things. Since we use this sink when we are canningit needs to be a higher faucet to get the tall pans under. The kitchen sink is in the main part of the house so we also want one that looks good. It adds or takes away from the eye appeal of your kitchen.

The Kiran Spot Resist one-handle pulldown kitchen faucet works on all aspects of what we are looking for in a faucet. We know someone who has this installed in their kitchen. They have nothing but praise for it. It's simple lines would work with all sorts of decor styles. Ours is a basic farmhouse kitchen and I would be thrilled with this faucet.

I like this design. It has the higher arch which allow you to fill buckets or taller pans. It would also be nice that when your hands are sort of dirty from the veggies or whatever, you can easily pull down the sprayer unit when you need it. There are 2 spray functions, an aerated stream or the powerful cleaning rinse. The sprayer has a reflex pull-down system that will easily pull the sprayer back up and let it dock securely. The really neat thing about the Moen Kiran is the fact it is spot and fingerprint resistant. I can shine the current faucet I have and with the first use there are smudges all over it from my hands.

I would consider this a handy tool to make some of my jobs a little easier. They are available at Lowe's. If you would like to keep up with the latest news at Moen, follow them on Twitter (https://twitter.com/moen) and like their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/moen?ref=ts&fref=ts). I am a fan!

Can Your Garden Organically?

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:50:00 +0000

This post brought to you by Whitney Farms. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love to garden and have beautiful flowers. Most of my gardening is in my vegetable garden, but I always have a bunch of plants on my porch as well.

If you live out on a farm like we do and have animals that provide manure to compost and other things, it is much easier to garden organically. You have things to add to your soil for fertilizer and other things. If you don't have animals or you live in town, there are still ways to have a beautiful garden and to do it organically.

Whitney Farms® can help you do this. They have a full line of 100% natural plant foods and organic soils with no additives, nothing artificial, just ingredients from the Earth, designed to give you big, beautiful flowers and veggies. When I went to look for soil to start my seeds this year, I had a very hard time finding any of the soil mixtures that did not have a lot of junk added. With Whitney Farms® you will be able to find a natural soil mixture. Get the goodness of gardening naturally, with Whitney Farms® plant foods and soils.

Whitney Farms® has 25+ years of leading gardening experience and have made improvements to their products so that they have low to no dust, no manure order and they are easy to apply. They contain beneficial microbes and have specially designed protein-based blends to provide your plants with
both macro and micronutrients that they need to grow and thrive.

When I garden anywhere on our property whether it is flowers or the vegetables we will eat, I want to feed my plants only organic plant food. It is very important to us that our ground and any plants on it are organic. We firmly believe that what we put into our bodies starts with the soil and the plants we eat from. Using the conventional plant foods you buy at most garden centers is putting chemicals into your soil that will become part of the plants that you eat from.

I encourage you to try their products and they are giving you an incentive to try. Whitney Farms® will give you a $3 coupon toward their products. Just click the link. Whitney Farms®

The Blog Has Been Moved!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:41:00 +0000

We have things set up enough that we will b able to post over on the new blog from now on. Come on over and check out our new web page look and blog!!

Down On The Farm Blog

See you over there!!

Book Review and a Give Away!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:29:00 +0000

This post will stay at the top until the give away is over. Please scroll down to see newer posts!!

Vision Forum sent me a book to review. I am sure that most of you have heard of the Duggar family. They get a lot of attention both good and bad. I never really understand the bad though. They are debt free, have lots of children, yes, but they are well behaved and loved and really normal. I read their first book and loved it, but this one made them so down to earth. They face the same problems that we all face, but theirs is multiplied so they have made sure they are doing all they know to do in their training.

They share the trials and triumph of their little Josie who was born three and a half month premature and weighed just twenty two ounces. Michelle also had a health issue at that time and things were touch and go. They walked what they talked. They turned to the Lord and He led them through those days.

There are lots of pictures and recipes all through the book. They give a lot of practical ways to train your children and give them heart to serve and reach out to others. They talk about preparing their older children for purity and marriage and careers. I think some of their beliefs might even surprise you.

This book is well worth reading and I am thrilled to announce, I also have a copy to give away. Leave a comment below telling why you would like to win this book. You will have until March 1st at midnight, EST to leave your comment. We will draw a name on the 2nd of March.

A Love That Multiplies is available from Vision Forum. It is currently on sale for 20% off.

Blog Will Be Moving!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:07:00 +0000

We have been working on our webpage. We are totally redoing it and giving it a different look. The blog will be moving to that page as well. At this point, we will leave this blog here, but we were able to transfer over the posts from this blog to the new one. When we are ready to go live, we will post a link here.

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:13:00 +0000

Winner of the Give Away!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Since we never heard from the winner and she left no way to contact her, we drew another name. The winner is:

Mama Duck!!!

I have been a bit behind this week and I am sorry for that. I added up the people who commented on the give away below and also those who entered on Facebook and put the numbers in the random number generator. The winner is:

Debbie Weedman-Lynn

I have asked her to contact me with her address so I can get her prize in the mail. If you did not win and would still like a chance, we are sponsoring another give away of a yogurt cheese strainer. Head on over here to enter!!!

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

I have been asked several times how I am doing. So, today's blessing is that I am doing better!! :) My only pain is right at the site of the incision and only gets bad when I over do. I still tire out quicker than normal, but I can feel myself gaining energy every day. Because they had to do more than they originally thought my recovery time went from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, but I am planning on being good so that I have a complete recovery.

My wonderful husband has taken great care of me!! He has done his chores and mine and cooked and many other things. He has done them cheerfully and with love. People brought us meals and the Wonderful Neighbor girl even baby sat me the day after surgery for a short time while Michael had to run an errand. :) One of my friends in another state tried to make arrangements to come and stay to take care of me (without me asking), but that did not work out. I have had many call and check on me, or email me.

I am getting better and so glad this is behind me. I am truly blessed!!!

What are YOU thankful for?

More Sunset Pictures!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:44:00 +0000

These pictures were taken last week before I had surgery. Michael took me up to the top of our hill. The first one was looking East and the other one was looking West. A bit of a difference!

What the Day Brings!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:12:00 +0000

Last night my sweet husband brought me home these beautiful yellow roses. They really brightened up my evening and my day today.

I was supposed to have 2 friends drop by for a visit today, but here is how the day began.

Both friends called and decided this was not a day to be out on the roads. I figured I would sit by the fire and stay cozy. A little bird told me that I might have visitors after all. I watched and waited and here they came.

All five of the Wonderful Neighbor children came over with a bag of valentines for both my husband and I. They had each made us a valentine and they sent a lollipop!! :) I did not get a picture of all five of them while they were here. I should have.

Then later on, Skye began to bark and let me know that someone was outside. Some of them had come back and built me some snow people. I think it is a snowman doing a cart wheel. :)

I can always count on these Wonderful Neighbors for snowmen in the winter time. :) I truly enjoy them and love those Wonderful Neighbors!!

Give Away #2!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:39:00 +0000

It's time to do another give away!!! We are going to be giving away a Yogurt Cheese Strainer!! These are wonderful tools to have. You can make your own yogurt and use them, or you can buy it at the store and use it. If you like Greek style yogurt you can strain the regular kind and make a thicker yogurt with this. I like to drain it and then use the thick yogurt that is left as cream cheese or even sour cream. You can use the whey that is drained off in other recipes or feed to your animals.

Leave a comment on one thing you do in your kitchen that you do the old fashioned way. :) I will leave this open for a week and then draw a name. You can leave a comment under THIS POST or leave a comment on the Facebook page under the give away post!!

Sale on R. M. Ballantyne Books!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Meet a Special Phillips Family Friend

Presenting "Ballantyne the Brave" — 50% Off This Week

Letter From Doug Phillips:

Dear Friends:

In my home, I have introduced my children to a special "Daddy-approved" friend and adventure guide. His name is R.M. Ballantyne, and he inspires my sons and daughters with exciting tales that teach them about the greatest adventure of all — serving and glorifying our Heavenly Father.

Today I'm inviting you to share the stories of this incredible Christian man with your family, and I have a special offer that will help you do so.

Through Friday, save 50% when you purchase any three or more of Vision Forum's twenty Christian adventure classics by R. M. Ballantyne. View his books and purchase them online.

Pirates, Ice Caves, Wild Gorillas, and the Gospel

So who is R.M. Ballantyne, and why would you want him as a friend and adventure guide for your children?

Mr. Ballantyne was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1825. His father and uncles were longtime publishers of Sir Walter Scott, one of the most famous authors of all time. Building on his family's legacy in the book world, Ballantyne himself would become perhaps the most influential writer of boys' literature from his generation.

Called "Ballantyne the Brave" by Robert Louis Stevenson, R.M. Ballantyne was a devout Christian of the Scottish Covenanter kind, and his books reflect his belief in God's faithfulness regardless of obstacle or hardship. Ballantyne's adventure tales are filled with shipwrecks, polar bears, Viking expeditions, pirate attacks, Eskimo encounters, the deep jungles of Africa and South America, gold mines, dangerous savages, and many other heart-pounding, page-turning exploits. But though his stories featured earthly adventures and conquests, they were also self-consciously and vigorously Christian. He wrote with an eternal purpose in mind:

...in all my writings I have always tried — how far successfully I know not — to advance the cause of Truth and Light, and to induce my readers to put their trust in the love of God our Saviour, for this life as well as the life to come.

– R.M. Ballantyne, Personal Reminiscences in Book-Making

Shark Attack! — FromThe Coral Island by R.M. Ballantyne

Save 50% on Any 3 or More Ballantyne Christian Adventure Classics

Save 50% on Any Three or More Books — Ends Feb. 17

Through February 17, save 50% off list price when you purchase three or more of R.M. Ballantyne's beautiful hardback books, including The Coral Island, The Pirate City, Hunted and Harried, and many more — we have twenty titles in all. Just add three or more Ballantyne books to your shopping cart and they will automatically reduce in price to $11 each.

Our R.M. Ballantyne book sale ends at midnight (CST) on February 17, 2012. This sale pricing is valid only for orders placed online, and may not be applied to past orders.

Save 50% on Any 3 or More Ballantyne Christian Adventure Classics

Persevero,

Doug Phillips

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Blog May Be A Bit Quiet

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:03:00 +0000

I am not exactly sure when I will be back on here. I did not forget the give away though. I am having some minor surgery tomorrow and I will have to wait and see how the recovery process goes. :) Thanks for those of you who are praying!!

Word Press Experts!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:29:00 +0000

I am hoping to switch my web page and blog to Word Press soon. This looks like a real deal to help me learn the ins and outs!!

Count Your Blessings Monday!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:12:00 +0000

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am grateful for family and friends. I had some good conversations with family members this week. One of which was my Dad. I am grateful that I still have him and that I can talk to him on a regular basis. I also got to have a long talk with one of my brothers this week. It is good to have siblings that love the Lord and that love each other. I am also thankful for good friends. I got to talk to several of my friends this week, some of which don't live near here. The telephone can often by a pain, but it can also be a blessing to get to share lives with people who live far away. I also got some wonderful correspondence with some of my younger friends. I got a colored picture of a snowman to hang on my fridge. I also got a thank you card mostly written by the youngest Wonderful Neighbor who filled the card and the front of her envelope with her E I's. :) I have yet to figure out the translation, but loved it anyway. Then I got a newspaper full of lots of stories from another one of the Wonderful Neighbors. I understand I will be getting regular editions of this paper.

I am also thankful for all the people praying for me. They are praying I will have peace this week as I wait for my surgery. I know they will also be praying for me through my surgery and the healing time afterwards.

I am rich!! I may not have lots of money or things, but I am rich!!

What are YOU thankful for?

Short on Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:43:00 +0000

We had something getting our chickens. Sometimes there was a dead chicken there, other times there were feathers and yet other times they would just be gone. We have not caught whatever it is, but it has not bothered us in awhile either. I am hoping it has moved on.

With our chicken numbers down, we are short on eggs for our customers. I will be keeping my ears and eyes open to find some pullets for sale to add some to the flock. I ordered twice the number of layer chicks this year than I normally do. I also ordered them to come earlier than normal. Our customers love our eggs and we want to be sure to be able to supply what they need.

Yesterday morning was a bit foggy. I loved this view.

Free Webinar Today on Prepping Grains!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:46:00 +0000

There is a free webinar today on the ABCs of Grain Prep!! This is made available by GNOWFGLINS (God's Natural, Organic, Whole Foods, Grown Locally, In Season) You will learn so much if you take part in it. You will also receive a free tip booklet when you participate. This webinar is so easy to do and worth the time. I know you are busy, but make the time for these courses. I have taken several of them and learned new things each time.

Some of the things you will learn in this one are:

Why you should soak, sprout or ferment your grains

The differences between each grain preparation method

Simple methods for adding these techniques to your kitchen routines... easily!

Delicious and easy recipes using these grain preparation methods

And more!

You can make a difference in your health and the health of your family by learning to use and prepare REAL FOOD!!

ABC's of Grain Prep

New Butter Molds Are Here!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:28:00 +0000

I had a customer ask me if I could find a butter mold that she could use to make sticks of butter with. I told her I would try. I found some pretty butter molds, but none that would make a stick of butter or make a pound block that could be cut into sticks of butter. We have a friend who is a true craftsman with wood. We asked him if he would make some butter molds for us. He agreed and he delivered the first three to us this week.

These butter molds are of heirloom quality. They will be passed down to the next generation. They hold approximately a pound of butter in a block. This can be easily cut into four sticks.

He brought us two made out of White Oak. The plunger handle on all of them are Red Oak. If you click on the pictures and make them bigger you can see more detail. The ends are dovetailed for stability, but they also add a beautiful touch.

This one is already sold. It is made from Hard Maple.

He will be making more for us and he wants to try other woods. These are available in the store.

Amazing Graze General Store

Warm Winter Means Early Shearing

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:11:00 +0000

As the weather starts to get warmer going toward Spring, it is important to get the sheep sheared. Their wool will begin to lift off or rise on its own and makes it hard to shear the sheep and also is not very good for the wool. We also like to get the sheep shorn before they lamb. The birthing fluids can ruin a large part of the fleece. We have had a very warm winter with just a few cold days thrown in here or there. Also, I will be having surgery next week and I am trying to take care of details on lots of things that need scheduled. So, the sheep got their yearly haircut today. We could not catch one of the ewes, so she still has her long wool on. We will have to try and catch her another day and then take her to the shearer. Here are some pictures from the day before they were sheared and today.

Here is the lone ewe making sure she is not anywhere near us to be caught.

She kept coming around and peeking into the barn, but still she kept far away. :)

The shearers also trim their hooves for us.

Who could not love this sweet face?

This is the underside of a brown fleece. I LOVE the brown ones.

Here are the naked sheep with the one ewe in the background. :)

The Heavens Declare His Majesty!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:03:00 +0000

The heavens tell of the glory of God.

The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

They speak without a sound or a word;

their voice is silent in the skies;

yet their message has gone out to all the earth,

and their words to all the world.

The sun lives in the heavens

where God placed it.

It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom

after his wedding.

It rejoices like a great athlete

eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens

and follows its course to the other end.

Nothing can hide from its heat.

Psalm 19:1-6

Isn't He awesome?????!!!!!!!

Winner of the Give Away!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:33:00 +0000

This time we allowed people to enter on both the blog and on the Facebook page. We counted all the names and kept them in order. The winner is:

Alene Von Harringa Hewitt

Keep checking back, we will be doing another give away really soon!!!

Count Your Blessings Monday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:33:00 +0000

Everything is confused. We have daffodils coming up. I hope the fruit trees don't bud.

What are YOU thankful for?

Store Give Away!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:41:00 +0000

This will remain at the top until the Give Away is over. Scroll down to see new posts.

We are having a give away at the store!!

Here is the give away prizes. You may choose 2 towels from any of the colors shown in this picture and get the chicken timer and the bamboo spoon as well. To enter this give away, you must go to the store (link below) and tell me one item that would be at the top of your wish list. We are going to be doing other give aways so stay tuned. There has to be at least 15 entries before we draw a name. If you enter this one, that will count as an entry toward the next give away. :) You have to enter by either leaving a comment under THIS post or leaving a comment on the store page on Facebook (link below)

Amazing Graze Farm General Store

Store Facebook Page

Latest Sourdough Adventure - Tortilla Chips!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marci) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:37:00 +0000

We LOVE to eat Mexican at our house. Chips and salsa are among our favorites in the food category. We have not been eating as many chips as we used to just because we are cutting back some on grains that are not soaked our soured. On Friday nights Whole Foods makes some really good fresh tortilla chips. However, the ingredient list is long and not just good old fashioned ingredients. We have had them several times and I LOVE them. We don't go to Whole Foods often because it is not close, but I really shouldn't be pigging out on those chips. :) I saw on GNOWFGLINS that they make sourdough tortilla chips. I really wanted to try them. I figured that homemade would taste just as good as those other ones. So, I made them. YUM!!!!!! I am telling you, these things are WONDERFUL!!! I hope there are some left when Michael gets home. :)

First of all you make sourdough crepes. I made these a few days ago and stored them in the fridge.

I can see where these would be handy to have on hand for lots of things. They are really good and VERY easy to make. Then I cut them in wedges.

I fried mine in coconut oil. I used the kind that does not taste like coconut. I used my cast iron skillet. I used an 8" one so I would not have to use much oil.

After I browned them and let them crisp up I put them on a piece of paper towel. I don't always have paper towels, so in that case I would use a non fuzzy towel.

As soon as I took them out of the oil and put them on the towel, I sprinkled them with Himalayan salt. I let them cool and put them in a bowl.

You have to try these!!!!