Monthly Archives: February 2012
Today’s Artistic Outlet- Handmade Organic Bath and Body Products
This week I’d like to welcome Timothy Doty, the founder and owner of Joan Street Soap Company, maker and seller of handmade organic bath and body products.
Why did you decide to start Joan Street Soap Company?
I got started making my own bath products when I needed to find something that would help with my youngest son Gavin’s eczema. I wanted to develop an organic product to go into his bath. That’s when I developed our baby bath soak. It is an organic bath soak that contains organic oats and other organic ingredients to treat eczema. The baby bath soak helps relieve the itchy feeling that comes with eczema. It also leaves the skin soft, smooth, and well moisturized. Continue reading
Why I Love Science Fiction and Fantasy
All my life I’ve enjoyed getting lost in the amazing places that books provide. I think that Science Fiction and Fantasy, more than any other genre, feeds the creative need in me. I love to imagine, I love to daydream. I have an intrinsic need to experience new adventures, learn new things, and to do something creative. Continue reading
Too Many Roosters
The only problem with hatching our own baby chicks last summer is that we now have too many roosters. When you order day old chicks from a hatchery you have the option of ordering all female, all male, a straight run (which means whatever you get- like hatching your own), or any combination of hens and roosters that you choose. How anyone is able to tell the gender of a newborn baby chick is beyond me, but that’s how it works.
According to several of the books I’ve read, it’s best to have one rooster for every ten to twenty hens; if you want one at all. You don’t need a rooster to get eggs, but you do need a rooster to get fertilized eggs. The hens are also happier with a rooster around. A good rooster will help protect your egg layers…until you get too many. Continue reading
Foodie Friday- What’s Your Favorite Food?
I have been sick this week so I haven’t felt like preparing much besides tea and soup. Therefore, instead a tantalizing new recipe I have a question for you. What’s your favorite food?
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Today’s Artistic Outlet- Historical European Martial Arts
Welcome Fran Terminiello, today’s creative contributor!
Nicole has kindly given me a chance to wax lyrical about a passion of mine. Two, sometimes three times a week, I take up arms and practice sword fighting. I use rapier, rapier and dagger, single sword, sword and buckler (a small type of shield) and various other weapon combinations. Continue reading
The Farmers Visit the City: Our Weekend in Chicago
This weekend we had a bit of a break from farm chores and took a mini-vacation to the Windy City. We were able to visit three of my lovely sisters-in-law, and had a wonderful day at a the Blackhawks hockey game. Continue reading
Exciting News: A Guest Post!
I am very excited to tell you that I have a guest post featured on the Farmlife blog that is a part of the timesunion.com website! The article is about acquiring Josie, our First Family Milk Cow! Thank you so much to Teri Conroy, who not only writes for timesunion.com, but manages her own hobby farm and the associated blog at Wunsupana Farm. Continue reading
Foodie Friday- Homemade Belgian Frites
This recipe is taken from Mother Earth News magazine, and these frites turned out fantastic. The absolute best part about our homemade fries? My husband made them!
You will need: Potatoes, Oil, Salt
1. Peel potatoes and hand cut into sticks at least 1/2 inch thick
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This Week’s Creative Contributor- Wanda Bates
In honor or Valentine’s Day I am posting this week’s Artistic Outlet story a day early. The reason for this is that the post is a surprise! Byron Bates sent me an e-mail extolling the many virtues of his wife Wanda. He asked that I post the story as a surprise (not necessarily on Valentine’s Day, but I thought that would be fun). Here is Byron’s sweet story about Wanda. Continue reading
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
The Alloy of Law introduces a gunslinger turned gentleman by the name of Waxillium Ladrian, a likeable and very real character. His sidekick Wayne provides comic relief in the form of very genuine between-friends banter. Together the two former law … Continue reading