Happy Canada Day + Free Printables!

Hey, hey hey! Happy monday and Happy Canada Day (fellow Canadians)! What are you up to? We're planning on taking in a bit of the sun (hasn't it been amazing)? And hopefully catch the fireworks display later in the evening!  I created some summer-themed wrapping paper and gift tags for you (from my instagram feed) for a fun Canada Day treat (west coast-style)! I thought the west coast theme might be fun for this special day and made some black and white and others colour so you could mix and match!  Click HERE for the wrapping papers and HERE for the tags!  (Related: I posted a round-up of 25 Instagram DIYs today over at Babble if you're looking to be inspired! Click here to visit)!  Happy Canada Day!

All gift wrap and tag photos ©Jan Halvarson | Poppytalk (use for personal use only)

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Potter's shed progress, apples from heaven? & pie bread

The cement block compost bin is still lacking it's stucco finish being I have yet to buy the mesh & such. Instead, I started working on a Potters shed to store all those garden tools I have a horrible habit of leaving out. The notion is to have a spot I can leave them close at hand instead of trudging them the distance from our house to the back everyday. I am using pallet wood being it is so freely available. I emphasize FREE.. I found the perfect frame base already put together, re purposing from a 4 level pallet used by a locally owned garden center for transporting potted plants from their supplier. The perfect size for me to step inside and even The Captain would not woe from hitting his head.

I still have some finishing up to do as well as it's painting to match our chicken coop of a French blue base & white trimming. In it's current state, The Captain keeps chiding me it looks like an old outhouse. I guess it did not help my case being I was dressed in a dark old flannel with jeans and a neon orange beanie hiding my pulled back hair, which he burst out in laughter with first glance, exclaiming "You look like a bag lady building an outhouse!". Thanks Honey. I know I can always depend upon you for putting a smile on my face...

Being the work on my tool shed has been stalled due to the high wind, rain & my kidney stone out patient surgery, I will at least for now share the perfectly small 6 pane wood windows I scored for it's sides:

My potter's shed will sit at the back outside corner of the garden, butting up to the picket fence. Frog is begging for more flower variety so the space between the "bag lady outhouse" and the opposite end of the picket fence will be a 5 foot wide x 12 foot long strip of her flowers. I do believe it will look rather nice being flanked with her cutting flower garden and possibly some more woody herbs on it's grass  side.

Little Man & I went into the side woods yesterday looking for fallen tree limbs to collect for the winter fires. When what before our wondering eyes should appear? But apples! Fallen from the heavens, leaving a trail for the deer. O.k, not really from heaven but the very tops of these ancient apple trees gave a beautiful sight of golden apples laid out as though they are urging you to explore down the path.....

We were thrilled to see all the hoove prints amongst them meaning the hunters on neighboring property have not scared off the locals from our woods. We rather enjoy the chance encounters we have with the deer which may also be due to their leaving my garden alone. The two of us collected some of the most perfect organic apples into our button up shirts , backwards tied around our waists, made into a makeshift apron. We left our wagon of logs & sticks for just a moment to release our treasures onto the kitchen counter.Making quick of our work in the woods knowing what awaits us.

We sat in the living room, shredding apples for the delight of a Fall favorite. Apple pie bread! I clipped this recipe from an old Better homes & garden magazine some years ago and have found a link to share with all of you whom may very well find this to be a Fall favorite.

I add 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice when I add the flour in the recipe. They do not mention any spice and despite tasting nice without it, the addition makes it glorious. I also use GOLDEN raisins and on occasion add the streusel topping depending on my supply of walnuts.

The sonic blasting of the largest kidney stone today seemed to go well. I was surprised to discover, just 6 hours after surgery, to have such a blatant "battle wound". Panda was grossed out by it and the nurses told me it would turn even nastier as it sets in with blues, purples/black of healing.

But it's not as painful {yet} as it may look. I can not wait to get back to my workout routine {it's been a month!} and to finish up my outdoor projects without aching. I have another item I scored from a big name hardware store which was used in their garden center and will now be an organizer for the after school throw downs. THAT you will have to wait for as well, which is bare in it's current state. Lacking the layer of paint to tie it in to the living theme & appeal.

Until next time...

Sweetest dreams,

~Tammie

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Nordic Ware "bakeware" Giveaway!

So much talk of scones has our home emanating fresh baked scents. The blueberry with lemon glaze scones are a huge hit with my kids. I found this light distinct scone recipe over on the Food network web page by Tyler Florence.

Wonder how mine came out so perfect in shape and color? Oh my dear friends the secret is in the pan. But not just any pan will do. Your baking world will forever change with what I played with all week and have to share with you. A new one for you. Not the one I played with. I hold that in the secret bake ware cabinet where no other woman, man or child shall pass. My most treasured pans are stored in there for fear of someone getting the bright idea to use it for a purpose I would highly frown upon.(Think stove top or grill. Oh~ it has happened... Which is why the sacred cabinet was born.)

If you are not one of the lucky recipients of the King Arthur scone mix, no worries. Here is your chance for more scone delight and the perfect baking must have.

The Nordic Ware "Mini Scone" pan! A Heavyweight cast aluminum design.

Instead of the normal 8 portion circle pan, this is divided into 16 scones with a square shape. This way you can indulge like you are being naughty by eating that second scone (or third in my case), but truly it is like having 1 regular size.

I love so much about this company and their bake ware. I am deeply honored to have their participation with our giveaway.

Their bake ware is MADE IN THE USA. They follow Green sustainable business practices and have been recognized by their county and state of manufacturing with "Green recognition awards". They continue to make improvements moving their company to an even more Green status. Just click here for more information. A must read for those who wish to know more about their Green ways and non use of heavy metals & PFOA's.

These average in retail about $32. You can buy direct from their site here if your local store does not carry them. Of course they offer more then this scone pan. Have a look around and get those holiday wish lists going!

Now enough of my soapbox. What about the giveaway? No hoops to jump or mathematical equations to answer. A simple comment saying "I must have that awesome pan" will do. No you do not have to put exactly that. Just get your name in the "Bean pot" before November 14,2009.

Entry comments must be in before midnight Eastern time Friday November 13,2009. One entry per person.

I have a few more Nordic Ware items for you to chance at before this year ends. There will be a giveaway of a tea time related item(s) almost every week till 2010.

Why you may ask? Not just as a debut to my Tisane blends. It is because YOU deserve it. Those who tag along on our adventures through my blog and those who have been following along on our adventures from the very beginning almost 4 years ago. The ups, the downs. The fun and hysterical along with the sad and not so great times.

I have spent many days & hours researching the best companies and prizes to offer you. I wish I could send each and every one of you a great prize, but alas you would break the bank dearies. So I offer these giveaways as my Thank You for your support and friendship through the years and those who may have just stumbled upon my humble blog of adventures.

Your comments, your support, sharing your own adventures through blogging. You give me so many smiles and laughter with the occasional good cry. I have gone from feeling like a lone soldier in my way of living to the big meadow of many in "Blogdom".

Now enough sappy talk. Get your entry in!

Good luck to all! and of course...

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

....as Mary Poppins 10/31/09

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My " King Arthur Scone mix " Giveaway!

In honor of my upcoming Tisane blends, King Arthur Flour Company has so generously participated in the first of many giveaways right here on The Unusual Farm Chick site.
I truly love their flours which is all I will use for my Artisan breads. I am so thrilled to share with you the taste of exceptional quality one finds with King Arthur's products.

"Here at King Arthur Flour, we believe “value” still refers to the worth of something, not how cheap it is. So while our flour may cost a little bit more than some of the other brands you see on supermarket shelves, we know it’s a good value, because you get what you pay for: the consistent performance of King Arthur Flour yields exceptional results whenever you invest your time and ingredients in baking.
All flour is not created equal. King Arthur Flour is subject to the most precise specifications in the milling industry, and the resulting purity and consistent performance has made it the trusted flour of baking enthusiasts and professionals for over 200 years. We put that care into our products because we believe you deserve exceptional results, every time you bake.
We believe it’s best to offer pure, natural flour free of unnecessary chemicals that may be hazardous to your health. In particular, we avoid adding any bleaching chemicals – such as benzoyl peroxide, commonly found in acne treatment products – as well as potassium bromate, a suspected carcinogen banned in Europe in California.
What’s more, we back our superior flour with a host of resources developed from our more than two centuries of baking experience."

Pick one from the many delectable choices of scone mix from their site here. (There are so many, it will be hard to choose just one, so take your time and browse around!) Then come back to leave a comment including what Herbal blend Tisane ( tea) you would enjoy sipping to compliment their delicious scones. This extra step where you include what herbal blend would go best with the flavor of Scone, helps me know what you enjoy in your herbal tisanes which just might result in a new blending experiment.

It's that easy!

Be sure to check out their FREE Traveling Baking demo's too! They are coming to the Firestone Country club here in Akron Ohio November 6,2009. I know I will be there to benefit from the knowledge of experienced bakers! Heres a direct link to see if they will be coming close to you*.

The deadline is Midnight on Friday November 6, 2009. One entry per person. Two Winners will be chosen from all commenter's to this post. King Arthur Flour Company will mail your choice of scone mix directly to your home. Be sure your comment/blog link has a current email address so I may contact you for your mailing information. I reserve the right to disqualify anyone who does not fully participate with the comment qualifications.

I will announce the winners chosen from a random generator, on Saturday November 7, 2009.

Be sure to keep watching for the next giveaway. After checking out all those scone mixes, the next giveaway will give you even more reason to give King Arthur's dry mix items a try!

Best of luck to all! And be sure to spread the word to your friends about the Unusual Farm Chick giveaways. So many more prizes and well worth the wait.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

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