Seed Time!!!!

At least in the deep south. This time of year marks Tue beginning of gardening endeavors. We bought 50 lbs of seed potatoes and are hoping for a better harvest this year. Last year we bought the same amount but too much rain in the spring ended our season. The potatoes still came up but the harvest was pathetic. Our wonderful neighbor, Mr L allowed us to dig from the plentiful harvest that he had. We canned a ton of potatoes and just finished the last jar last week. I was wanting to use the potatoes up, so I tried using the canned potatoes for potato salad. Bet you can't imagine doing that! But I tell you, it turned out pretty good for potato salad in the winter and not at a picnic or barbecue. They were not as good as fresh, but they sure beat store bought. Scared to try canned potatoes and potato salad? Just give it a shot. You will be able to tell the difference but the satisfaction
of using your canned potatoes in something as delicious as potato salad will beat that out every time. So, here we go on a new season of gardening and our first endeavor is always potatoes. We live in an area where the soil is perfect for them. Here goes!

                                                                Linked at the Barnhop!

ACV: A Friend With Many Uses

There have been many benefits to ACV touted in the news on the natural front. My most recent discovery in relation to its uses involves urinary symptoms. I wasn't tested at a doctor's office, but let's face it, a girl usually knows what's up when one shows up. I drink about 2-3 tablespoons 2-3 times a day for several days. Just dilute it in water, which helps the issue too, by the way. The pain disappears almost immediately. I keep it up for at least 3-4 days. By then, I think there has been enough time to clear out most of my system. Try it next time-- it's not as bad as you think. Really. Let me know if you do.

Just so ya know, I usually use Bragg's but the store I was in was out of it and I didn't want to go store hoppin' so this is what I ended up with ;)

Linked at the Barn Hop

Sounds of Spring

                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

       From across the way, I hear it coming.  The constant hum.  The up-and-down.  The turn-around. Pause. And then on his way again.  It's my wonderful neighbor turning under the soil for the first time this year.          I look forward to hearing it each time.  More than the last, it seems.

  This year, our parts even saw snow and sleet which has only happened once in my lifetime before.

All this has to mean spring is on it's way, right?????   

This also means our little plot on our property is ready too!!  He usually plows ours for us and we are soo grateful

Spring Awakens ?? Seedlings

Already?? Wow. It's barely February. Okay. I guess. Whatever. Hope Old Man Winter killed enough mosquitoes off that we aren't taken away by spring. My spinach seedlings are peeking through. I'm giddy with these first green signs of warmer weather. I have them beside my kitchen door so that I can easily tear off leaves to use in my cooking. Same with my herbs. I also have lettuce here. I'll post pictures as things come alive.

Essential Oil Uses : Fluid in Ears

The last few days, several around the place have been having "junk" in there. Throats. Ears. Chest. Sinuses. Whatever it is, we've got junk in it. I try, whenever possible, to work out treatment of minor issues at home. We have great medical coverage in the event we need it. When my 7 yr old said her ear felt "heavy" and like it had water in it, I assumed it was just some fluid since she hadn't had any pain at all. She did have a low grade fever, but she is prone to them and it isn't alarming with this child. I used a few drops of an essential oil blend along with a few drops of olive oil lightly massaged behind the ear. Three times yesterday I did this , along with pushing water and lots of rest. This morning, she beat me up and was ready to go out to play. No fever. She says there is a little fluid in there but not much. She's at about 95% today. And that makes this mama's heart
happy.

Friendly Winter Harvest : Scallions / Green Onions

                                      

We have a fabulous neighbor who does far-and-away more gardening and farming adventures that we do.  And the season comes when these little gifts begin showing up on my porch.  I love them!  I love the smiles they come with, too!

Today it is scallions, I guess.  We call them "little green onions" but I suppose they have a technical name. Love these!  And, they regrow themselves, I'm told.  My husband eats them as a side with any beans I might serve.  I chop them  and sautee' in just about anything. 

As you enter our home today, the aroma is all about the entryway. And I can't stand smelling like onions just because I cook with them.  But today, it's okay.  It is near 80 degrees and it's February!  It's giving us the tease that spring is here and I'm feeling like getting in the garden  and that makes it OK to smell onions as my "home fragrance" today!!

Pre Cooking Without Cooking : Homemade Convenience Mixes

 

I've done freezer cooking.  Still do, when it suits.  Done OAMC.  Still do, when it works out.  This is one variation of pre-cooking that we use. 

My daughter made up these brownie mixes that are just as good (or better) than the store-bought cookie/brownie mixes.  She used the recipes found here and combined dry ingredients in glass jars.  The pint jar contains ingredients and instructions for the small batch (9X9 or so) and the  quart jar is a double batch. 

Instructions on the lids are just on little Post-it type sticky notes, with amounts of wet ingredients, temperature and time.  We all know how to mix it up, right??!

SO easy to just dump in a bowl, add eggs/oil and stick in the oven for afternoon snack or even a quick dessert, since I usually forget to consider that. ;)

Copywork on Sick Days

This is just how it goes some days. My youngest recently came down with a tummy bug. She wanted badly to be up bouncing around with the rest of us. By the third day, she even wanted to do school with the rest of us. Since stomach issues are grounds for quarantine, this is what she got - simple, portable and not intensive. She stayed in bed and still got to participate in school stuff.

Five in a Row and Additional Subjects

Many moms who consider using FIAR for their students have one concern right out if the chute: Is it enough? The quick answer is No. However, it quickly becomes enough when you further evaluate how it can be used to deepen studies and spread across the subjects. For example, copy work can be related to any subject you choose. Further study on the geographic region , time period, etc., can offer enrichment. An artist from the time period could offer in depth art studies. Adding a biography of any person related to the scientific, historical or artistic areas related to the title is always a good idea to bring depth for older students. Also, a poet of the time period, a poem on one of your topics or created by the student can add language arts value. Words that the student encounters in any area of study can be used for vocabulary and/or spelling study keep this area practical and not
an added drudgery. Systematically, math is not taught. It is added in applied lessons. You may opt to expand the math lessons and allow that to stand for the student's math studies for the day, but a separate curricula is suggested. So, the in depth, detailed answer is YES🙌 FIAR is more than enough.

Giving Planner Perfect a Go

And so far, so good. My planner has got my meals lined up, appointments made, notes from my days that I want to remember. Moments of gratitude, dates to remember, improvements to make, places to be and planning to plan ;). If you need another planning technique, not just a new planning book, scoot on over to Planner Perfect