Change is good...

Today the seed orders have been placed. The Bountiful gardens order is the same with of course adding the Rosa Bianca eggplant and Delicata Squash.
I called...and called... and called. Trying to get through to Pinetree garden seeds for most of the afternoon. The phone was busy for hours. Then when it actually rang I got a machine saying "No one is available". Which made me think, what if I had a problem with my order and that was what I would have to endure?! No Thanks! So I went with Fedco.
This is what I ordered :

Rattlesnake Pole Bean
National Pickling Cucumber
Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash
Jericho Lettuce OG
Nantes Fancy Carrot
Purple Haze Carrot~ which was spied by the kids who exclaimed
"Mommy can we grow that one?"
(*pic from Fedco site)

Garden Peach Tomato~ which is our yellow tomato replacement and is said to be a GREAT keeper.
(*pic from Fedco site)

Grandma Marys Paste Tomato OG
Flowering Cabbage Mix
Astolat Pacific Giant Delphinium
Chaters Double Mix Hollyhock
Perennial Sweet Pea

Hopefully the cold will back off soon so I can tote outside the new project
I made- during one of my late night woodworking fits... I am not entirely happy
with its final result but know the next 2 will have to be made when I have extra hands
around to ensure straight placement... I have learned from my mistake with
this first one.
I am working on another fun project ~ which I hope
to have complete by Valentines day. Easy, useful, and no hard angles to cut!
(I am bad at cutting wood angles.)

Sunny Dreams,
Tammie

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New Living Room Furniture Listings added to GoWFB.com

Wholesale Furniture Brokers has updated their Living Room Furniture with the following new products.

Empire Leather Sectional Sofa Set

Chenille Leather Sofa Set

Berkline Leather Sectional Sofa

Decoro Leather Sofa Set

Bradford Leather Sectional Sofa

Granada Leather Sofa Set

Panama Leather Sofa Set

Modena Black Leather Club Chair

Ravenna Brown Leather Club Chair

Monza Blue Accent Chair

Novara Acrylic Occasional Table Set

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7 things

Maid my own tagged me to divulge seven things you might not know about me.
So lets begin:

1.Due to the transient life my brothers and I lived with our birth parents, I was placed into the 8th grade at age 15 -when I was blessed with Foster care. That put me at 18 years old in the 10th grade. At age 18, I was on my own and high school plus a job to support myself was not going to happen. So I dropped out. When The Captain & I found out that Panda was coming into our lives, I quickly enrolled into night classes at age 23. I did the G.E.D test 1 month before she was due. I passed with high scores from just 3 months of classes.

2. I can not stand straight cut jeans. I will only wear flare and boot cut. They also have to be low rise waist due to a smaller waist and big hips. The normal or higher waist jeans leave me with a big gap in the back when I sit down- straight under roo exposure. Belts would make it look horrible since the waist would be bunched up.

3. I am addicted to coffee. average 1 pot a day. I drink it with the oh so bad for you french vanilla creamer....

4. I become very nervous around new people. Which is very odd since I was always an outgoing (and outspoken) person before having Lil' Man.

5. I love alternative/ folk/jazzy music. I switch with my moods and right now I have Jack Johnson's CD's on continuous play in my car.

6.I have had my belly button pierced twice and both times they closed up within 12 hours of having the ring out. So another Tattoo is planned instead. This time on my upper back.

7. I call my best friend in Missourri every morning at 9:45 am. We speak for a minimum of 2 hours. Rarely does a day go by that we do not call each other- weekends are optional. Phone bill? I have the flat rate fee and I do take advantage of it. What do we talk about? Our husbands say the same thing. We talk about everything. Just as we would if we were to visit each other and have coffee each morning. But that is why we are best friends. We "get" each other. we have been the best of friends for 13 years now. I only wish she lived close by.I should also add that when I am on the phone- I am a cleaner. From sweeping floors, picking up toys, making beds, etc. It's like having company while I clean up!

So I guess this is more of a 7 things of "dirt" about me. What fun would it be though if I just wrote stuff like i hate socks but only own funky ones that i wear in the winter. Or that I love the color red?
So tagging...hmmm...Well I have one to tag ~Gina at Cauldron Ridge-Tag- Your it! But will leave it open to anyone who happens upon this post, too. Just leave a comment to let us know who to visit.
Sweet dreams,
Tammie

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Garden seed order

The seed catalogs are truly some of my most favorite Winter reading. It is a time for exploring. A time to read every description, drawing the image in your mind. Placing it in the garden you have pictured for the upcoming year.

From picking the right yellow, orange, and red tomatoes. To the new taste adventure of a Delicata squash. All to find a place amongst last years saved seed of favorites. I savor my time with each publishing. Some may be scanned once, others showing the worn corners within just a week. Red marks circling a variety to consider. And rarely is my mind settled by the end of January.
This year, I have the list made and ready to place my order in February.( That is of course, I do not fall into more seed temptation). There are 2 catalogs sitting next to the reading chair, corners bent and roughed up. Covers folded back to the last well read page.
Pine Tree Garden seeds and Bountiful Gardens.
From Pine tree seeds, our order will be
#141 Homemade pickles #203 Pinetree loose leaf lettuce mix
#82803 Bush Delicata squash #410 Taxi yellow tomato
#16 Romano pole bean #38004 Long Island cheese squash
And from Bountiful Gardens the order is:
For the beasties~ Mangels (VBE-2500) 2 packs Medium red clover (CCL-7000)
Agriculture Mustard (CAG-6910)
For us~
Early Nantes carrots (VCA-2930) Jarrahdale pumpkins (VPU-5000)
Strawberry spinach `aka beetberry (VGR-3830) Winter Density Romaine lettuce (VLE-4230)
seeds for kids offer packets (MSE-6430)
I had wished for Rosa Bianca eggplant which neither carry.( **correction** Bountiful gardens has Rosa Bianca. How did I overlook that?!)
There are a few others I so desired and will have to wait on.
Our seed box has a good choice of heirloom/open pollinated tomatoes and flowers. it is not what I would call a great seed bank. That is where this years garden will come into play.
I will continue to look over the seed catalogs and imagine my dream garden from their pages. More herbs, or perhaps more color in carrots? Maybe saved pennies can be turned into another order...

Sweet dreams,
Tammie

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I LOVE bartering...

Friday is Chia's big day. We will make the trip down to the breeders where she will meet her Beau, William, once again. Hopefully she cooperates this time around. She will be staying until it is obvious she has been bred.

It is an almost 2 hour trip, so the first half of the day will be spent on that. Then in the afternoon, we will be meeting up with a local who is searching for a bantam cochin to accommodate their ladies.We have no purpose for ours and a barter was quickly made. She gets the cochin from the hatchery order we received, and we get some Triple Crown (thornless) blackberry plants.
I LOVE bartering for goods. I had no use for the rooster and contemplated taking him to auction so we could keep the rooster population down. I am much happier with Triple Crown Blackberries. Much happier.
So that brings me to a change in my Stark Bros. order. We enjoy picking blueberries from the Blueberry shack each year, plus the cost is very reasonable. So we decided to change them out for something that is not easily found local and when found can be a bit pricey. The change in the order was removing the blueberries and one peach tree. In their place we added 2 pear trees (a bosc and a bartlett) plus a nectarine tree. What an orchard it will be!
So now on just over 1 acre, we are able to produce 5 different tree fruits, 2 different grapes, some blackberries, and grand ( 30 ftX45 ft) vegetable plot. Plus raise our own meat chickens, egg layers, and hopefully soon goats milk for yogurt and cheese. Our farmer friend will be taking the pig to butcher in a few weeks so the freezer will be filled with all natural, chemical free, pasture pork! Plus we may be receiving some beef from a steer he is taking down in a month or two. That should make the Captain happy- that beef lover.
Of course there will be plenty to barter with which has been produced by us. We have even discussed a possibility for a small market stand next to the driveway with any extra fruits or such, next year. I bring this up since The Captain asked "What are we going to do with all those pears and plums from 2 trees?. Of course I reply "Have I ever failed to amaze you with my resourcefulness? Of course not. Just wait and see. When the time comes, they will not go to waste".
6 years ago, I would have not imagined what we have made possible with this small plot of land. Nor would I have thought I would be successful at it, which has come with many trial and errors. Many have shaken their heads and doubted me. Or even thought it was out of place here in the suburbs. But look at us now. We've come a long way, baby.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie

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Attention NFL Fans! Win a Leather Recliner!

Want to WIN a leather recliner? If you think you can guess the final score of Super Bowl XLII, you have a chance to win a supple, top grain leather recliner by Stanley Chair. View our collection of Stanley Chair leather recliners to choose the recliner you want to win!

Want to enter? For your chance to win, write a blog post that includes:
1. Your prediction of the final score of Super Bowl XLII.
2. Discuss which Stanley Chair leather recliner you would like to win.
3. Link to, http://www.gowfb.com/Living-Room-Furniture-Recliners-c-59_206.php?cPath=59_206, with one of the following words 'Recliner', 'Recliners', 'Leather Recliner', or 'Leather Chair' as the ‘anchor text’ on your blog.

Submit your blog post to SuperBowlRecliner@GoWFB.com. Notify us of your posting by February 2, 2008.

After you post your blog, it should remain in your archive. If you choose to post on a website, you must follow the same criteria as posting on a blog. Keep viewing the Official Site of Super Bowl XLII for the final score on February 3, 2008!

The winner will be announced on February 3, 2008!

View our official contest page. Good luck!

GoRecliners.com has launched a new Super Bowl XLV Recliner Giveaway. Check it out for your chance to win a Black Leather Recliner by Mac Motion Chairs. Deadline for entries is February 5, 2011.

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One Who Truly Helps

In the world of adversity, there're 3 types of people who helps. One who simply help by donating money or things. Another helps by simple means, means giving a helping hand or lending or advise or alms. The last one is one who don't how to help and hence this type of person seldom helps. I see this type of person quite pathetic.

There's only 1 type of person who truly helps. This type of person, I don't call him a person because he is the one who truly (if not wholly) understands what helps truly means. The truth was his guidance. To obtain truth, one must obtain wisdom. To obtain wisdom, one must cultivate over time. Then one can see the universal truth. So I call this person a sage, rather than a person. He who truly helps does not ask for any rewards. When one does so, he will receive divine rewards. Rewards from heaven that is. He too rather seldom takes but instead he'd gives more. Overtime, he will surely accumulate more wealth and hence he'd give more.

To me, any advise should only be given on 3 circumstances. When it is asked. When is of grave danger. And when it is questioned.

It is a good intention in helping ppl esp those in dire needs. but one must have wisdom to see in order to help. It's not about the simple way to simply help. It takes more than that. the way maybe simple but it can be not. simply help is not the way too. The guidance is the way of truth, if u can see it by using your wisdom. Hence is the case is true, then by all means you can help.

Some says it's difficult to be a good person nowadays to help as every good intentions was mistaken for it. It's not about being a good person. It is about the way to be done and how it's to be done, correctly. Many lost faith in doing so. It's just that they don't truly understands what it takes to help.

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Birds eye view...

I have spoken so much about our property and shared many pictures of it. I thought an aerial Winter/Spring view may give a better perspective and different angle on the layout. This is an older picture but it works for now.
Oh, and although it appears we have non-utilized space, you have to factor in the hill slope and tall trees scattered hap haphazardly throughout. I use as much as possible.
Lets take a mini-tour, shall we?
All are spoken in true North South East West directions accurately.
Of course you see the house on the left with the truck in the drive way. The house and actual front/ back yard are about 1/4 of an acre, maybe slightly more. The mass of the land is to the North side. The hill sloping is not noticeable here, so just take my word on it.It begins between box C and B. Sloping down before flattening out just before box A. This is where we garden, play, relax, raise livestock, and practice our "suburban" farming. (refer to compass on far upper left corner for key to my directions)
The Box with a letter C would be the Garden (a new 30 feet X45 feet) location.
Just in front (east) of that box is the infamous Magic Tree/ swing tree. South of that box is a small orange box. That would be the Brick Bonfire pit. The outdoor pizza oven may be built in the same area -be sure to stay tuned for more on that.
That red square in Box B is the Goat cabin sitting under the antique apple tree. The lines of Box B show how the pen is planned to be set up with 16 feet long sections of cattle fencing. It will differ somewhat from this picture once we get to work on it. Most likely, it will go more North cutting in front of the "Magick tree", staying of course 100 feet away from the property line and 65 feet away from roadside. Your welcome Mr. Zoning guy....
The Goat Cabin will never be moved. Too much trouble. Besides, I like having it under the apple tree and visible from the mud room windows. And it seems having the poultry underneath it have put a dent in the aphid population.
Now Box A is new. That is where we have determined the mini orchard's home will be. No fruit trees by the garden anymore. They will all go in that box area. Obscuring more of the view from passer by 's.The trees (and blueberry bushes) will stagger out/zig zag line with the standard peach tree being at the back of the sun line,(farthest north). So as not to shade out the smaller dwarf trees.
Now for the concord grapes we have ordered. The nice lady taking my order informed me that they must be at least 100 feet away from our seedless variety. If not, they will make the seedless be with seed. Hmm. I did not know that. So where to put them?
Well, garden spontaneity does seem to be my style....
Sweetest Dreams,
~Tammie

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Major goal accomplished- almost & a new cool blog I discovered.

The big order is in! I received a catalog from Stark brothers 2 weeks back and decided to order from them. Why? Because of the "Bumper crop" listing insert. I was able to purchase :
1 dwarf size "stark grand gala apple tree for$15.99
1 standard size Red haven peach tree for$14.99
1 dwarf size Reliance peach tree for$16.99
tree starter fertilizer small size for $5.99
2 concord grape starts for $3.49 each
2 dwarf size Stark Beach plum trees for $10.99 each
plus the "Northern Blueberry assortment
(1 blue ray, 1 jersey, and 1 blue crop plus soil acidifier) for $32.96

Along with the $5 coupon and 6 free Asiatic lily bulbs for spending more then $45.
They are pruning the trees for $1 each which brings me to a total with shipping around $125.
I know it seems like a lot of money as a whole, but if i had done this 4 years ago as I had desired, I would already have the mini orchard established. Buying them gradually never worked out since each time I planted an item, it never flourished and was a total waste. (a peach tree, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.) All bought from local garden centers. This time, I will with the big guys.
The Captain was working at another terminal for a few weeks which he was receiving 50 cents per mile traveled as an incentive for agreeing to help out. The extra( after his real expenses), pays for the order. So no out of pocket money for the plants and they come from a reputable nursery.
The "bumper crop" insert showed prices of 50% off regular ones in the catalog which brings me to a savings over $90!
There are a lot of dwarf size trees in the order. The space is not a factor for our 1 1/4 acres, but earlier production is. Dwarf size trees will produce 1-2 years earlier then the standard size which makes it ideal for our situation.

The beautiful freak weather of 65 F degrees kept us inside no longer then an hour. That hour was at the local library where I was able to read up on some fruit tree care and management. I am in love with the French pruning/training called Espalier. This site has a great explanation and shows how to do it.
I am actually entertaining the idea of Espalier pruning for the Beach plum trees that (may) go in front of the basement glass block windows. About 15 feet away, but forming a spaced "front" to the Pergola planned for that area. We will make the top and 1 side from lattice sheets and not solid wood beams.( less expensive that way). The pergola is support for the Hop vines the Captain desires to grow. ( He wants to get back in the beer brewing hobby with his dad.) And also provides a private nook I can sip morning coffee in and possibly an intimate dinner.
Clicking through pictures of French Potager (kitchen) gardens, I came across a Flickr account here that I quickly bookmarked and knew I would return to look through such mood lifting photos. I discovered in the profile that the photographer has a blog.
So if you have some extra time, be sure to check it out. I am going back through the entries and pictures and thought I would share what I am currently devouring.
The French Gardening topic has really got a hold on me right now. Wish I could make my gardens as beautiful as the ones I have seen. Beautiful kitchen gardens that please the eye , soul and belly. I can at least peek in on others and try to work with molding mine that way.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

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Love

If LOVE can be described, it's not called LOVE.
If LOVE can't be described, you don't have LOVE or you've mistaken LOVE.
So what is LOVE?
LOVE transcends Space and Time.
Everyone has different kind of LOVE and different experience of LOVE.
LOVE is the most unique feeling that comes out from the HEART!
LOVE can't be described not explained! It doesn't had to!
If you made LOVE to be so, it's not LOVE.
When human made LOVE to be as they pleased, it's not TRUE LOVE as human is not perfect.
But when LOVE came from the heart, then it is a TRUE LOVE.

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Life Or Wife

This is my Little Quote. Hope you enjoy it Big time with your Life or Wife. :)

If you can't get a Life, Get a Wife then.
If you can't get a Wife, Get a Life then.
If you have a Wife and can't get a Life , it's bcos you've got a Wife!
If you have a Life and can't get a Wife, it's bcos you've got a Life!
You can't have Both Life and Wife, bcos one will go out thru the window sooner than you think!
And you can't loose both Life or Wife

Wishing you therefore have a Good Life or A Good Wife!

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A warmer day to chase the winter blues

I am not complaining about the nice 50 (F) degree weather- not at all. We had chores to do and appreciated the lighter wear to do it in. The Captain had wood to chop (remember those big pine tree piles?- scroll to post bottom for the pics of both piles) and I had to clean out the goat cabin. Cleaning out the goat cabin meant multiple times of pulling soiled bedding UP the hill in a not so great wheel barrow and spreading it out on top of the big garden bed. Very tiring when the extent of my exercise this time of year is carrying groceries up the steps once a week.( Just beyond the wooden bench to the left, is where the Plum trees will be going. The Peach trees will be going to the right, straight back from the green chair.)
All the beasties were let free to roam the yard and scratch through the old bedding being laid in the garden. That would be Dr. Seuss in my arms. She kept getting in the way of my rake- I believe she thought I was digging up worms for her, so she kept following it. She is 5 years old this month and still lays better then a 2 year layer. So if there had been worms, I would have willingly let her interrupt my raking.
The kids were helping me get the rocks up and into the white bucket but soon left that great fun to wander over to the wood chopping. Apparently that was more interesting then what I had to offer ....( I don't blame them.) While up there, I realized the recently enlarged garden is just not big enough. Nope. Gotta extend it more ( 8-10 feet) on the left side towards the ancient apple tree, just beyond the pine pile. Looking at my hand drawn diagram and devouring all the seed catalogs coming in, I want to go "extreme" this Summer. That means... `Hey Tractor boooy'....
The pile of pine is dwindling down despite being mixed in with hardwoods for the wood burner fuel. Now that was a big pile of pine! The Captain has been chopping away at it and mixing it in with the load of firewood from a month back. We are not using it everyday, only when the weather is below 40 F degrees.
Grizzle was out with us on Chia's line. Do not let her fool you in this picture. She was being more playful/mischievous then she is letting on.
And eating leaves apparently was on her list of must try's while outside today with her family.Chia was not left out of the party. Well, actually it appears she was throwing one herself...She discovered the bird feeder and invited her little gang to help with the clean up. It was quickly put out of reach and a mental note was made "remove feeder before letting anyone out".
Speaking of Chia, I have not confirmed the plans as of yet but sometime this week Chia will be going for a visit to Roseanna's. Her Beau William has some free time and is open to a visit- hopefully for awhile. She has been howling with heat cycles this winter. I have no idea what happened but she is actually on a schedule for once! I have it recorded for 3 cycles so I know it is in sync with her other signs. I am not going to say wish me luck or crossing fingers. Nope. I am just not going to set my heart on it this time. If it happens, then it happens. (And it better happen, ya hear me Chi Chi?!!) But seriously, she needs to pull her weight around here a little more. She has become a very expensive pet.
And so begins the finger twiddling and tapping toes waiting....
Sweet dreams,
Tammie

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For the birds...

We attended a wonderful family workshop held at a county metro park, which inspired a new enjoyment.( And a great gift idea for a bird watcher like my cousin Tuesday. ) At the workshop, we built an attractive wooden bird feeder which was pre cut and cost us just $5 total to attend and build. Painting was done at home and was a Mommy midnight hour job.

(Bird feeder painted and ready for gift giving)
The Naturalist who hosted, had a great table display with pamphlets and samples of bird seed with taxidermist birds for the children to see up close.
Those pamphlets were the spark and start of a great idea.
A bird feeder/ Bird watching journal!(A journal to accompany the Bird feeder above)
I had an old 3 ring binder that we covered in fabric similar to the one I listed in the gift idea post- link here for How To. A great family project- the kids will enjoy the decorating part.
We adorned the binder with cardboard letters (scrap book supplies) and made felt cut out birds to finish off the look as seen in the above photo. **We have not finished our personal journal/bird watch binder, so the example used here is one intended for Tuesday's gift since it is complete.**
The next step was hole punch the hand out papers and calender. My favorite handout was the full color 2 sided sheet of various birds more common to our area.( Here is a link to the Ohio wild life department to print out the bird pamphlets and Field check list which I have included in our Binder. Be sure to check out the one on building various bird houses and feeders. There are multiple pages of printables, so be sure to scroll down and go through all 6 pages).
I suggest making a color bird sheet customized to your area by doing a 'Net search for your local metro parks and wild life department. They may even have some already made up for you or piece one together with the information they have on their sites. This is a great tool for the younger or beginner bird watchers. When they see a bird at the feeder, they will want to look in the book to see which one matches. Be sure to make a check list *like this one* perfect for younger children.
Now for the journal pages, I have found a few sites which have printable pages to choose from. I have customized our sheets to have more lines and less "sketch space". This link has many many choices to print out. This is the site I used for our bird feeder journal pages and was able to customize very easily with more lines.
In a later post, we will be using this link again for a project I am working on for the children's Spring gifts.
If your feeling real froggy, maybe start counting birds and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count at this site*.
Our bird feeder has not seen any action as of yet, but we were told it could take a week or two before the word gets out about our feed station.
I encourage everyone to locate their local county/state park department and ask about the programs they offer. In our county, they send out a *booklet which gives a day by day account of events. *
There are so many free programs and low cost events available to all of us. I encourage you to find yours and take full advantage of the knowledge and great experiences they can offer.
Until next time~

Sweetest dreams , ~Tammie

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