Around the Garden

More snow and more cold temperatures here. *sigh* But that doesn't mean there is no gardening going on.

We salvaged some old windows from the neighbors barn (with permission of course.) We will be turning these into cold frames. We are not exactly sure what will be done, but the tentative plan is to raise them up with cinder blocks, fill with dirt and attach the glass panes with a removable hinge. Any suggestions?

I am trying a little sheet composting to create some more growing space around our newest building. If this works, it will be the easiest garden beds I've ever made. I'm not exactly sure what will be planted here. The area will only get partial shade. I'd love to plant something edible and climbing on the fence for the chickens.

The growing fertilizer pile, and the potato tires. We are hoping that the third time is a charm for our potatoes after finally figuring out what the problems was the first two years.

Tomatoes are once again growing in my tub. There are peppers too. Last year I used a lot of toilet paper roll seed starters. I liked these when I first started the seeds, but as the plants grew I wasn't as happy with these containers. They seemed to wick the water away, and I had a hard time keeping the plants moist enough. Also I had to be careful that the tubes weren't touching or mold growth was a problem. This year I am starting my seeds in the containers from plants we purchased last year, and from recycled yogurt containers. I just poked a few holes in the bottom of the yogurt tubs for drainage.

So bring on the snow! (Did I just say that?) Actually, I'd prefer that snow and the cold stay a way for about eleven months, but even if it is cold and there is snow, the gardening work continues.

Spring Can't Be Far

The snow is mostly melted. I am ignoring the weather forecast that says more snow is coming. But even if there may be more snow, spring can't be far away. This morning the birds were singing and it felt like spring. Look what else I found.

Daffodils starting to poke through.

Band new baby chicks!

Little Things

It has been a rather blah week. I am choosing to focus on a couple of the little things that have brought a smile to my face instead of the the blahs.

Home Canned Tomato Sauce

As I reached in the pantry today for a jar of tomato sauce, I realized that this is the middle of February. It is the middle of February and I still have home canned tomato sauce! We've never had the sauce last this far. Hopefully planting even more tomatoes this summer will get us season to season with home canned sauce.



Baby goats

We've had four kids born in the last week and half. It is hard to watch them and not smile.

The sun is out today, and the snow is melting.  That alone is enough to make me smile!

What little things have brought a smile to your face this week?

The Serotonin Power Diet

Eat carbs and lose weight? This may be the diet made for me!

Recently I was given a copy of The Serotonin Power Diet to review. The book explains the research behind this diet that not only allows you to eat carbohydrates, but requires it. Eating carbohydrates triggers our brains to make serotonin, and according to the authors, "Serotonin is the switch that turns off your appetite." So, eating carbs allows our brains to curb our appetite and tell us when we have had enough.

After explaining the science behind the diet, the book gives you a plan to lose weight. The program combines exercise, meal plans, and snacks. A twelve week guide is included to help you stay on track, along with a trouble shooting guide to use if you are not losing weight. The final three chapters of the book are dedicated to helping you put it all together in the kitchen. These chapters include lists of foods to keep on hand, tricks to make meals fast, and finally about seventy pages of recipes that work well with this diet.

Eating carbohydrates and losing weight sure sounds like a great plan to me.

Save on Diapers and More at Diapers.com

Diapers.com has a lot more than diapers. They carry disposable and cloth diaper supplies, baby food, and many many more supplies for babies and their mommies. Shipping is free on orders over $49, and new accounts can save an extra $10 using code STOPRIDE. Click here for an additional rebate of $14.97. The form looks like it is only for a free magazine subscription, but there is an option to send the form in for a cash rebate instead.

So doing the math: Buy $50 worth of product - $10 with code STOPRIDE - $14.97 with mail in rebate = $25.03.

Now, that is a great deal!



Thanks Money Saving Mom.

Old Navy Kids and Baby Sale

Old Navy is having another great sale! It is the semi annual Kids and Baby Sale. Tons of kids clothes are on sale. Shipping is free for kids, baby, or maternity purchase over $50 with code ONGIVE50 (exp. 2/18.) And today you can save an extra 15% online or in the store. Use code SAVE15 online or print the coupon above to take to the store. If you are shopping online be sure to use Ebates to earn your rebate.

Life is Good without the Car

It is a long story involving shoddy workmanship, lots of excuses, and several cars breaking down at the same time. The short version boils down to one vehicle to use between two families. And believe it or not, it is not all a sad tale.

I have a love hate relationship with technology. I'm not talking about the latest and greatest technologies either. I am talking about your run the mill, taken for granted technologies like electricity. No, I haven't gone off the deep end. I can't imagine living with out electricity, but I have actually enjoyed (at least parts of) not having electric the last few times the power has gone out. I enjoyed the simplicity of sitting around the fire and reading, the quiet, and the earlier bed times.

I have found a similar enjoyment being without a car. Yes, it has been frustrating. It has required a lot of planning, and often a little juggling to get to the places we need to. We've also missed activities that we probably would have enjoyed. But I've also found that being home more than normal is very nice.

The weeks are certainly less hectic. I feel less stressed. The house is in better shape. School has been more consistent. We've played more games, read more books, and even worked on some hobbies. Not to mention, we've spent less money on gas and on activities. It has been refreshing in a lot of ways.

I'm not volunteering to be with out a car long term. I am very much looking forward to having my van fixed (hopefully right this time.) In the meantime I am appreciating, and hopefully learning from, a more thoughtful and planned approach to our activities outside the home.

The conveniences of technology are wonderful things, but they can also be big distractions. I certainly can't blame them for my sometimes over scheduled and stressed life, but it certainly is a lot easier to keep life quiet and simple without their distractions. I guess I need better self discipline to resist the distractions, and choose to keep life more quiet and simple. Easier said than done.

Free Issue of Creation Illustrated Magazine

My kids love to get mail, and I love for them to get educational magazines in the mail. Finding a good magazines for them can be a challenge.

Has anyone out there tried Creation Illustrated? Right now you can get a free trial issue of this magazine. Fill out the form here. Please note that form is filling out a subscription that will be invoiced to you after the free issue. You will have to cancel the subscription if you decide not to get the magazine.

What are some of your children's favorite magazines?

Free Uni Super Ink Pen

Uni-ball is giving away 10,000 free pens a day. The form can be found here. According to their Facebook page, the form opens daily at 12:00 PM CST, and remains open until the 10,000 pens are given away. allow 3-6 weeks for delivery.

Check out more freebies at Freebies Friday.

Old Navy Cash Back Craze

Stock up time at Old Navy!

Shop through Ebates and earn a whopping 20% rebate February 1 until February4. I am hitting the sale pages now!