Need A Funny Caption

What's your caption for this week?

Last Week:

                                  "You may want to get mom,
                 I think the dog has given you fleas!"

Last weeks caption is from Clint Baker over at:

The Redeemed Gardener

I had a great laugh over this one Clint!!

Hop on over to his blog and see his re-purposed

garden chair.  It turned out so cute! 

He's looking for your advise as to how to use it.

Other captions were:

"Now this is a bark-o-lounger!"

by Jacky over at:

Dicky Bird's Nest

Little Guy says to Big Guy, "Well, if I were you, I'd pay to have it

professionally styled."
Or

Dog says, "Maybe if I just ignore both of them, they'll go away."

by Mama Pea over at:

A Home Grown Journal

"Dog-on-tired"...aka Dog Gone Tired...:)

by A Quiet Corner over at:

A Quiet Corner

Dude... dont touch the hair

by Jennifer over at:

Our Little Farm

Someone around here is shedding. Is it you?

by Michaele over at:

Sprout 'n' Wings Farm

"Whadya think, little dude?

Should I get my hair cut or let it grow out?"

by Chicken Mama over at:

The Tales of a Lady Homestreader

Don't worry Bro, just hang with me and the dog,

 the girls won't mind your hair!

by Sall over at: 

Sall's Country Life

                          "Hey, we've got the best seat in the house!"

by Marissa over at: 

Life On Our Side Of The Mountain

What's that smell? Did you do that?"
"No...musta been the dog."

by gtyyup over at:

Life at the Rough String

Mutual Admiration Society.

by Sandie over at:

Chatty Chrone

Thanks for playing everyone!!!

This was a picture of Future Leader Dog Trixy

(now working Leader Dog Trixy) and

Grandsons: Remington and Brayden.

Trixy absolutely did not let them resting on her, interrupt her nap!

.....dr momi

Mr. Lazy

Billy's favorite "perch" in the house.....at the top of the loft steps.
If he looks sleepy, it's because he is :-)  I'm disturbing his nap.
(But see his tail in the back?...it's thumping)

.....dr momi

Growing Celery


      Two years ago I really knew nothing about growing celery, but my chicken soup has got to have it. I only use organic celery because celery is one of the top 10 pesticided (new word :-) vegetables out there.  ....and since organic is getting a little pricey, I wanted to learn to grow it.  So, I started on a quest.  It really isn't something we regularly grow up north with our short growing season. (Wisconsin)

     Two summers ago I bought 6 started plants.  They grew beautifully, and I kept waiting for them to look like the ones I buy in the grocery store before cutting them.  That never happened.  Finally my husband wanted to plow that garden section for the end of the year, so I cut the tops that were there. (leaving the roots)  I was not impressed with the yield, and it had a rather bitter taste.  My husband dragged the garden.

     Imagine my surprise when the celery started to grow again!  He obviously hadn't pulled up the roots.  I actually got a lot more yield off those plants after I figured out that you can cut the top off and it just keeps growing. .....like I said, I knew nothing about growing celery!

     Last year, I started celery from seed in the house and then transplanted it.  It took a LONG time for it to get going, and then got smothered by a volunteer pumpkin plant I let grow.  I decided starting them from seed was a little too much bother, seeing as I don't have a green house.





My own picture of growing
celery :-)

        Enter Pinterest this year.  Pictures of the end of a celery stalk growing new leaves, were everywhere.  I had to try it.  I cut off the end of my organic celery stalk and set it in a bowel of water.  Within 2-3 weeks I had new stalks and leaves.  I planted it today.  When it gets planted in the garden I expect to keep cutting the tops off and getting a huge good crop to dehydrate or freeze.  I'll have to let you know how it goes.  If anyone has more advise on how to grow celery please share!  I'm trying to learn it all :-)





We'll see how it goes.



.....dr momi

Linked To: Homestead Barn Hop # 51
Linked To: Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #16





Sunday in Pictures



This year's sweet potato plant has
already given me a couple of slips.



They are ready to plant.

...and my celery end has sprouted and is ready to plant.
Check out directions at Farm Bell Recipes at Chickens in the Road.
I hope to get a few more going before garden planting time.

This was Levi's 1st Sunday Night Supper with the whole family.
He slept through all the noise.
Big brother Brayden walked into the house *sing-songing*
"I got a baby. I got a baby."

We couldn't figure out if Zoe was left or right handed tonight.
Or maybe Grandma's chicken soup was just extra good!

Grandsons (brothers) Ryan and Brady (6 months)

.....dr momi

Linked To: Farm Photo Friday

Need A Funny Caption

What's Your Caption For This Week??

Last Week:

Where's Waldo?

Last week's caption coined by labbie1 over at:

The Adventures of Garrett Squared

Hop over and see her new Granddog!  Awwhhh.

Other captions were:



the shell game

by TexWisGirl over at:

The Run *A* Round Ranch Report

"The light...we must go to the light!"

by Candy C. over at:

Lazy J Bar C Farm

A sea of shells - to see the sea

byJacky over at:

Dicky Bird's Nest

What time does the movie start?

by Michaele over at:

Sprout 'n' Wings Farm

"Look, over there, it's Barney!"

by Sall over at:

Sall's Country Life

Stupid rush hour!

by Tina over at:

Our Rustic Roots



                                                                  Pete...Pete is that you?

by Melodie over at:

Laughing Duck Farm

This is a picture of baby snapping turtles that just hatched.

A guy in our town will take eggs people find in the "wrong" places,

buries them in his yard, and when they hatch will release them back

into the wild. We take the grandkids to see them every couple of years.

Thanks for playing everyone....it sure keeps me laughing!

.....dr momi

A Good Day To Be Born



Grandson, Levi Daniel, born this afternoon .
8 lb. 10 oz., 22 in.



Welcomed by big brother Brayden.

Born at home.

.....Grandma Jean

Canning 101.....Do I Need A Recipe?

     Not every canning recipe you find out there in blogland is necessarily safe.  A safe recipe for water bath canning is all about the pH of the total amount of ingredients in the recipe.  Water bath canning is only safe if all the ingredients together comprise a pH of 4.6 or lower.  If the pH is 4.6 or higher, you need to use a pressure canner.  If your ingredients are acid enough (low pH) they will not support the growth of Clostridium botulinum that causes Botulism.

     So how do you know what the pH of your recipe is?  The best way to be safe is to use a tested recipe.  All the recipes in the Ball Blue Book guide to preserving and the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving have been tested by their kitchen.  They know what the pH is. I'm sure there are more tested recipes out there -- probably from your extension offices, but, there aren't all that many.  Why?  It's expensive testing. (It's my understanding we are talking something way beyond dipping in a piece of litmus paper.)

     Now, there's lots of canning book recipes out there, but the recipes are not tested.  In general, those recipes will probably be fine.  If someone is writing a book about canning, hopefully they know what they are talking about.  But here's where I have a real hard time when I'm blog reading -- someones grandma's recipe that they've "added" to.  First of all, grandma's recipe could very well not be safe to start with, and then adding more ingredients (especially vegetables) could be making it all the more alkaline.

      Here's an example.  Say you start with a tested salsa recipe (or your grandma's recipe).  This is a recipe with plenty of vinegar in it and is just under that 4.6 pH.....but, it's safe to water bath can.  Your taste for hot peppers however makes you add in another cup of peppers, and you saw on someones blog that a great way to use up some of your zucchini is in salsa, so you add another cup of zucchini.  All of a sudden, you have a recipe over 4.6 pH that is not safe to water bath can.

Here's some pH values:

pH 3.0 - 4.0   ......apples, berries, cherries, lemons, oranges, peaches,  pears (Asian pears are
                            the exception), and pickles

pH 4.0 - 5.0   ......tomatoes with added acid (tomatoes are tricky, they will have their own post)

pH 5.0 - 6.0   ......carrots, beans, onions, peppers, potatoes, squash, and most meats

pH 6.0 - 7.0   ......corn, mushrooms, peas, and chicken






The Ball Blue Book is updated every little bit.
Mine is from 2009....time to maybe get a new one this year.



I use both books a lot.
....and I haven't even touched everything you can can.
Oh the possibilities!

Check out the rest of the Canning 101 series:

Canning 101.....Here's the Rest of the Tools
Canning 101 -- Tools Of The Trade
Canning 101.....Who Cares About Headspace
Canning 101 -- Why 2-Piece Lids?

.....jean


Linked To: Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #45
Linked To: Homestead Barn Hop # 50

Need A Funny Caption

What's your caption for this week?

Last Week:

                                               
                              I'm all puckered up, come get your kiss!

This week's caption is by Rue over at:

Rue's Ruminations

Hey everyone....looks like Rue is just starting to blog.

Maybe we could all hop over and give her a good welcome?

Thanks for playing along Rue!

Other captions were:

S'more please :)

by Stephanie over at:

Caffeinated Homestead Dream

Want a lick? 

by Sandie over at:

Chatty Chrone 





Salad... what salad?
by Heidi over at:
 White Wolf Summit Farmgirl




"Oh, were you savin' that?"
by Kim over at:
Jabez Farm
(I've tried a bazillion times to highlight Jabez Farm in red,
I'm clueless as to why it won't. Hover over it...it's a link.)





"It's the newest facial mask. Why do you ask?"
by Mama Pea over at:
A Home Grown Journal




Alien, what alien? Ooooooh, I think I ate it!
by Sharon over at:
Fitzgerald's Family Farm




"Become one with the food."
by Candy C. over at:
Lazy J Bar C Farm




Was it yummy and gooey? Haven't seen it. Don't have a clue.
by Ronda over at:
The Pauley Principle




Willie wants a wet wipe!
by Sall over at:
Sall's Country Life



"Yes, I think this make my eyes look more blue?"
by Dicky Bird over at:
Dicky Bird's Nest




Who me? I didn't eat it!
by Madge over at:
The View From Right Here




"What? Did I miss a little?"
by Lisa over at:
Country Kids Farm




Can I have a spoon already!?
by Michaele over at:
Sprout 'n' Wings Farm





This is a picture of my Grandson Remington
at his 1st Birthday Party......he liked it :-)
Thanks for playing everyone!!!



.....dr momi

Sunday in Pictures

So.....this was the "dusting of snow" we got on Friday.
I took this shot as I was leaving town to go "up north"
for a three day weekend with some  friends.



I traveled straight up the middle of Wisconsin
on Highway 51.  Had to go through the town of
Mercer -- the "Loon Capitol of the World".  This big loon was at their
Chamber of Commerce.  They call it ClaireD 'Loon.
Only in Wisconsin....:-)



....and this big statue of Chief Hiawatha was in Ironwood, Michigan. (Upper Michigan)
LOL....only in Michigan???
He's not even on a main highway....right in the middle of a neighborhood.

This is the backside the neighbors get to look at out their windows.
I suppose you'd get used to it. :-)



My trip ended at Big Powderhorn Ski Resort at a friends ski chalet.
No I did not ski. I lounged :-)
I did play with Future Leader Dog Kimber.
Kimber goes back to Leader Dogs For The Blind in
Rochester Michigan in about a month and a half.

 .....dr momi

Canning 101 .....Here's the Rest of the Tools

The jar lifter:



.....no, not the CAR lifter, the JAR lifter!



Squeeze the handles together at the top
and the bottom grips the jars tight.

 
     Always use a jar lifter to take jars out of boiling water -- and to put them in for that matter.  I've tried fishing jars out with a spoon and potholder, now that's a great way to end up in the ER.  I have never had an accident using the jar lifter, they work great.






      We will talk pressure canners in a separate post.  To water bath can , (that would be your jams and jellies, fruits and sometimes tomatoes),  you'll need a deep pot.  Not necessarily a wide pot but a deep (tall?) pot.  In the picture is my large enamel water bath pot.  I have a smaller one too, that I use quite a bit.  You can use the wire "rack" that comes with it, (in front of the enamel pot in the picture) to pull your jars from the hot water, or, for me it's just as easy to only use that rack in the bottom of the pot, to make sure the jars aren't sitting directly on the bottom, and take the jars out with the jar lifter.  Every time I try to lift that rack out when it is full, I end up joggling jars all over the place.

     I use the stainless steel pot to cook my jams and jellies in, and also as a water bath canner.  (I usually use a smaller size stainless pot,  but there's chicken soup cooking in it right now :-)  The piece of metal in front of it is part of my pressure cooker.  I use it in the bottom of the pot to make sure the jars are not directly on the bottom.  You will be risking it if you put the jars directly on the bottom with nothing in between.  Jars will bust, and all your hard work will be gone.

     Side-Note...If you ever see that small piece of metal from a pressure cooker at a rummage sale, snatch it up.  Brand new they are $15.00 !  .....and if you ever see a pressure canner at a rummage sale, snatch it up ! All new parts can be bought for it, and you will end up with a great pressure canner for 1/2 the price.

     Of course some big spoons and ladles will be needed, and jars, lids, and rings are understood.  ....and don't forget the bubble freer we talked about in the last post of the series.  If you only get started water bath canning, you could put up lots of good food.

      Let's see, some of the things I water bath canned last year.  Dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, pickle relish, grape juice, apple juice, pineapple, peaches, cherries, applesauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, blueberry spice jam, elderberry jam, strawberry jam, apple jelly, and apple pie filling.  I'm sure I missed something, and this barely dents what you can do with the water bath canner!  So, if you are eager to get your feet wet canning, this is the place to start! Next week we'll can some strawberry jam together.

Other posts from the Canning 101 Series:

Canning 101 -- Tools Of The Trade
Canning 101 ...Who Cares About Headspace
Canning 101 -- Why A Two Piece Lid?


.....jean

Linked To: Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 44
                  Homestead Barn Hop #49

Need A Funny Caption

What's your caption for this week?

Last week:

gee, my dogs are tired! 

this week's caption coined by TexWisGirl over at:
The Run *A* Round Ranch Report
Hop on over and check out her beautiful photography
of a Golden Crowned Kinglet





Other captions were:

"Wait a minute...what's that SMELL?!?"
by Candy C, over at: Lazy J Bar C Farm




Happiness is a warm foot.
by Michaele over at: Sprout 'n' Wings Farm




Tired paws
by Sandie over at: Chatty Chrone




Foot warmer? Or puppy warmer?
by pattib over at: plays with puppies





"At my master's feet"
by Dicky Bird over at: Dicky Bird's Nest






The ladies are going to find my aroma irresistible tonight!
by Dean Homesteading at: Homesteading Guide






Okay we can bottle this aroma and call it Midnight by the Sewer,
smells so sweet!
by Ellen from Georgia




Oh man, this foot oder is enuf to make me pass out!
From Alice on Facebook



Thanks for playing everyone!

This is a picture of my 7th Leader Dog puppy Trixy.
She always curled up by feet :-)

.....dr momi

Med Kit Staple...Grapefruit Seed Extract

     I keep grapefruit seed extract in my medicine cabinet as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.  When I owned the health food store, I had a chance to try out many products.  This is one product that really stands out. (and I'm not even getting compensated to say this :-)   To me, every medicine cabinet should have some.

....I use grapefruit seed extract (NOT grapefruit extract - two different products) in the water I store for emergencies.  Studies have shown it to be superior in antimicrobial activity than isopropyl alcohol, colloidal silver, and chlorine bleach.

....I use it in a nasal wash to keep sinusitis under control.  It has stopped a beginning cold many times. It kills the virus.

....I have used it as a dog ear wash for those nasty ear infections.  Within 2 washes it is generally under control -- because it kills the fungus.  I will buy a bottle of ear wash over the counter, and then add a couple drops of grapefruit seed extract to the bottle. (shake well)

....Ringworm (animal or human).....grapefruit seed extract.

....I take it on trips where I will be drinking different water.  A little "off" stomach in Mexico -- clears right up with the grapefruit seed extract.  I never go on a trip without it. Grapefruit seed extract has "saved" a vacation or two.  It kills parasites.

     Grapefruit seed extract has a very long shelf life.  Tests have shown that a 6 year old batch is just as potent as a brand new batch.  This makes storing it very practical.  NEVER use grapefruit seed extract full strength.  It is very bitter and acid. (but it alkalizes the blood)  I only use one or two drops in 4 oz. or more of liquid.  So a little bottle goes a long way.

     Here's the very cool part of it all. Grapefruit seed extract is non-toxic and has no known side effects!  Somehow it seems to differentiate between the good bacteria in the gut and the bad bacteria.  The good bacteria seem to thrive with it.  Regular antibiotics are non-discriminating, they kill both the good and the bad bacteria.  Hence the need to "eat your yogurt " after regular antibiotics.

     Do some reading up on it, there's many more things it can be used for,....I think you'll add it to your home med supplies (and your vet supplies) too.

Linked To: Homestead Barn Hop #48
Linked To: Frugal Days Sustainable Ways Blog Hop


.....jean

Disclaimer

The information on this blog is being provided for education purposes only. Statements about the possible health benefits provided by any foods or diet have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare provider with all questions concerning your health.

A Week of Country Living

     My mother's, granddaughter's, mother-in-law's, daughter  is starting a new linky party today, so I thought I'd hook-up. Here's my week in pictures.



Most of my week I have been editing pictures
for the e-book that I'm writing.







Of course Billy would bug me every once in awhile to go throw the ball.
See that line of weeds?  He pretends he's flushing a bird and jumps
probably 6 feet in the air over them, to fetch the ball.  Silly dog.









The chickens have been totally enjoying this warm weather.
However, the warm weather means I REALLY have to get out there
and clean the coop.  I've been avoiding it all week.  Must do it today.

 









I helped my Dad buy a new Kindle Fire for himself.
I LOVE the one I got for Christmas from my husband.



....dr momi

Linked To: Week in Photos over at Life on Leroy

Fish Soup for Chickens

     As I write, this is cooking on the stove.  Fish (perch) heads, fish spines, fish eggs, duck eggs, and corn meal.  Looks appetizing -- no?  The chickens will go crazy for it.

     When my husband goes fishing, I scrounge the left overs.  This is a small pot, and I will end up feeding the whole thing to my 10 hens and 1 rooster today.  When they eat this, they don't touch their regular feed. Can we say saving on the feed bill?  I will throw them some scratch feed to balance out all this protein.

     I have an over abundance of duck eggs this winter.  (Such a warm winter?  I don't know why.)  I can't bake that much.  They may as well become a protein source for the chickens.

     I have found that if I add a little corn meal to the pot, the whole house doesn't end up smelling like fish -- I have no idea why, ....it just works.

.....dr momi

Linked To: Farm Girl Friday Blog Hop # 43

Tag...Your It

labbie1 over at The Adventures of Garret Squared  tagged me :-)

All games have rules, so here are
The Rules: 
1. You must post the rules.
2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then
create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.
4.Tag eleven people and link them on your post
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

Eleven Fun Facts

1.  I was born blonde and I'm still brunette  blonde.

2.  I live in jeans.

3.  I am a chiropractor but retired when the 5th kid came along.

(I did not want other people raising my kids)

4. Of the 5 kids, 3 were born at home -- I'm such a rebel.

5. I co-owned a health food store for about 10 years.  Sold it to my partner.

6.  I showed, and drank the milk, of dairy goats I owned for

20 years.  Started because of an allergic kid.  Quit when the

chores just seemed too much.  Whew...so glad I did.  Miss the milk.

7.  I rode, bred, and showed horses for 29 years. 

Started because I always wanted a horse.  Quit when the chores

just seemed too much.  Whew...so glad I did. 

Miss horses galloping in the fields.

8.  I really, really love being Grandma Jean.

9.  I'm writing an e-book.

(Come-on Mama Pea, you should be too!)

10. I volunteer at a food pantry every Wed. morning.

11.  I'm a Charismatic Catholic -- yes I speak in tongues,

but more importantly; I'm head over heels in love with Jesus!

(Hope I didn't just blow some of you away :-)

Answering labbie1's questions.

1.  Would you travel to the moon if you could buy a ticket like you do for air travel?   No -- no interest

2.  What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?   Chocolate, duh LOL!

3.  What is your favorite decade?   2010 

 Why?  Being Grandma is so much easier than being a parent.

4.  If you could own any vehicle--which one would it be?      3 wheel motorcycle

5. Snowmen or Precious Moments?   Snowmen

6.  Route 66 or Highway 101?  Route 66 (have never been that far west  :-)

7.  Eat out or Eat In?   Eat out

.

8.  What is your worst habit?  Eating out.

9. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?  A Mexico Beach

10.  What do you do to relieve stress?     Does Angry Birds count??

11.  What is your favorite room of your house?   Kitchen/Livingroom -- where everything happens.

.....and now because of the rebel I am, I am not going to follow the rules :-)

I have only one question for everybody.

How did you get the name for your blog???

....dr momi