Too funny!

Since I have been at a loss for words lately I will share a funny post Nita at Trapper Creek posted. It is a letter her husband found in the wall of their old farmhouse. Nita's blog is one of the first blogs I followed when I started blogging 3 years ago. She is a hardcore homesteader with many passions, I have learned SO much from her!

Sometimes Nothing is the Right thing To Do

THANKS for all your comments on my last post! I really enjoyed reading them. Although there was lots of great rename suggestions I've decided to just leave things be. Especially where some of my long time followers where the biggest opponents.


On to business......THE WINNER OF THE DRAWING is Joanna @ BooneDocksWilcox
So Joanna send me your e-mail address and I will get your address and send you some Maine goodies! Any special requests?


Up next: tapping the trees, a tasty recipe, and "the cow" he will be here in the morning! Woooo hoooooo!

3rd Year Blogging Anniversary

On Monday I will be closing in on my 3rd year of blogging. When I first started I really wasn't sure how far this may go or what it may turn into. To date this blog has had a total of 28,718 visits averaging between 100-200/day closer to 200/day lately and I currently have 141 followers. Not sure exactly why.....I'm truly not a writer. My high school grammar teacher would probably cringe at the sight of my punctuation and grammar. Maybe it is the critters or Maine Man?

Any Hoo, I have had a lot of fun documenting our nutty lives here in cyberland and I think the responses I get here in my comments and in the community keep me motivated. So I guess what I am getting at is THANK YOU to all who read and enjoy. THANK YOU for ALL for the positive feedback. THANKS to my brother who points things out like mispelling or misuse of words. Ha, he is my biggest critic here.

So in celebrating this anniversary I have TWO requests.

#1 I really want a rename. Remember way back when I requested help in naming John. Angie came up with Maine Man. It stuck and I love it.....not sure if he does or just tolerates like many of the other things I do ;)
So I want a rename. I initially went with Country Girl because it just popped into my head. But there is several of us out there and I just want something different, unique, something that fits. So suggestions, anyone, everyone :) Let's hear it! HELP

#2 Leave a comment. I would LOVE to hear just ONCE from all you silent readers. And for all you non-bloggers it is EASY. Just go under anonymous and comment that way.

For EVERYONE that leaves a comment, something, anything I will put your name in a drawing for a little something from Maine. Not sure what, if you have a request (maple syrup...whatever within reason) write that in too. If your a local it can be more specific like a baked good, couple dozen farm fresh eggs and I'll even deliver.

On a final Note, Thanks Kimberly for being one of my most faithful followers. Don't forget to tell Booker you too are now famous. Love You All!

Seeds, Seeds, and more Seeds

Johnny's had a $1 bin the other day! That is a rarity so I took at advantage and bought a few ;) packs of seeds that were on the verge of expiring. Depending on who you talk to and what you read germination may not be as good but I DON'T CARE! We have seeds from years back that still seem to produce. For me it was an opportunity to try products we've never grown and/or tasted before. There was a mix of hybrid and heirloom seeds available. We grow both but my interest in heirloom seeds is increasing as I plan to learn more about seed saving. Next time I go to the library I plan to take out a book on seed saving and see what I can learn and put to action this year.


So here are some of the goodies we are going to plant this year. And I SWEAR this is the year that I am going to keep track of what is where! I can always tell what is what, those are pumpkins, here is the corn. This year I WILL go beyond that by knowing the variety. For instance, Winter Squash, Specialty Long Island Cheese

My plan is to make a map and track the varieties Maine Man plants where. He truly is the brains behind this operation! The garden is the one place I do as I'm told as he is the Master Gardener;) He does give me free range in my assigned herb area, that is about it. Harvest and preservation, that is a whole different story!

I am so excited to grow the above squash. If you click the link there is lots of great info! I have always admired them year after year at the Common Ground Fair. Now I am going to have them growing in my back yard! They are said to be a great for cooking. This past year was the first time I've ever cooked up pumpkins and froze. I have enjoyed having a pumpkin/squash stash to cook with but I really can't wait to see what this year's bounty taste like.

Basil Dark Opal is another variety I picked up. This with be my 3rd year of growing herbs. This year's herb patch will be bigger & better then previous years. I am amazed how easy they are to grow!

To list a few of the seed packets pictured above: Sorrel (I have never tried but heard of), Endive (Is known to be winter hardy. This will be our first year attempting 4 seasons growing/harvesting), Chinese Lanterns (I have always wanted to grow these), hedgehog gourds (just for the fun of it!) then there are the traditional peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, corn and so on.
So psyched for Spring! The past few weeks in Maine the weather has been UNUSUALLY warm and recent rains have wiped out much of the snow in our area. Wouldn't it be sweet if this was our end to winter? Ha, we will see what March brings!


On a final note, a FYI for my fellow bloggers:

I have previously mentioned printing out my blog into a book and I have finally taken a step towards this. Reasons why ..... 1) if the internet crashed and burned I would be distraught at the thought of loosing documentation of the last 3 years of our life. Not to mention the recipes that I recall almost on a weekly basis. 2) as a keepsake for my children 3) in this world of digital photography the days of photo albums (at least in this house) are over. Back in the days of film photography I was faithful at filling my albums but right around 2003 that all ceased. Now I rarely print them out except if I plan on framing, giving as presents, an occassional photo book for family or friend, and my annual calender that I give to our parents as a Christmas gift.

The secret is Blog2Print . It literally only takes a few minutes! You type in your link and a few minutes later you can view the book and see what the cost will be if you decide to order. No cutting and pasting, Quick & easy! I made and ordered a book from the first year of my blog, 2008. The more information you have naturally the more you will pay. I also made a book for 2009 and placed it in my shopping cart. I am waiting to see if I like the end result. I did not include comments as that added many more pages which = more $ and I ordered soft cover to limit the money paid out. My plan is to print one at at the end of each year therefore making the cost more managable.
I will let you know how I like. In the meanwhile I encourage any of you fellow bloggers to give it a try. Hope you all find this helpful!

1 Year of Blogging & Finding Balance

After we bought the farm I started doing some research on-line and came across many farming blogs. I thought to myself, "I can do that." I LOVE taking pictures and could use the practice. I also noticed that many of my friends and co-workers were very inquisitive of our lifestyle so THAT IS HOW THIS BLOG BECAME. Over the last year I have learned SO much from other bloggers and I have enjoyed sharing our new adventure here on the homestead. In this year I have had a few blog friends sadly delete their blogs and disappear from cyberworld and I have had a few question if they should blog on. Although I have only been at it for a year, the two notions have never crossed my mind. I will admit it has taken me some time to find that balance. Like any hobby it can be consuming as you let it be. I happen to be a computer junkie and it is the base of everything I do from paying bills, reading the news, cooking, working with my pictures and blogging. Over time I have realized, I just can not keep up with all the wonderful blogs I want to read. I was up many nights past midnight trying to do that. Most I only check in on periodically and get caught up. I have learned , I cannot post x amount of times a week. I post when I can. I never stress about the topic of my next post. Something always comes to me and I post when time allows. I have received many awards in this last year and I GREATLY appreciate. I have since decided that as I often lack time I will not accept (other than a BIG THANK YOU) or pass them along. (Because frankly YOU ALL DESERVE them) Instead from time to time I will take a moment to recognize some of my great blogging friends.

With that said thanks for following our journey for the last year. I appreciate all of my readers and I am always thrilled when I read my comments! BLOG ON!

I will end with some random recognition to a few blogs I follow.

2 nights ago as I was catching up on a few blogs as I discovered that Sallie @ A homestead Heart lost her husband of 30 years, my heart goes out to her.

I have followed Nie Nie's blog since just after her plane crash in which she and her husband were severely burned and the pilot passed. She is a young mother of 4. It has been a humbling experience to read her post.

On a lighter note my buddy from nursing school, City Girl just started a blog. I encourage you to go check it out!

And that is it for now folks. Off to do some MUCH needed domestic duties and then take some ducklings on a field trip to Leah's classroom.

What is wrong with this picture?

Angie's Gourd Bowls

Angie at Children in the Corn made these AWESOME gourd bowls and I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this tutorial! She guest posted at Women Not Dabling. Check out her post here. I couldn't resist and had to share this with the world and I wanted it in my archives as well so I could easily refer to it the fall. I CANNOT wait to grow and make these along with some of the birdhouses she made. What great Christmas presents!

MM has been doing some research on meat bunnies and he would like to get some in the spring. Here is a video we found tonight on how to butcher them if your interested in watching, much easier then butchering chickens.

It has been REAL cold in Maine and is suppose to drop to 40 below zero up in Aroostook County tonight...glad I am a ways from there!

Winter Wonderland

Today was the first official snow fall in my little town in Maine. We have had a few flurries but nothing that stuck to the ground. I enjoy all the seasons but winter like many can be tough at times. To keep those winter blues away I vow to make the best of it and get out. We will ice skate on the pond once it is safe. We will get out onto freshly packed powder with our cross country skis and my hiking boots & I will hit the trail on a regular basis! Fortunately, the main snowmobile trail goes right through our property so I have access to acres and acres of packed trails. No excuse not to get out unless it is below 0! There is no sense in whining because it is here to stay.





This winter I will also make lots of goodies in the kitchen. I have been making broth with any chicken or turkey bones I have remaining. I use it up mostly in soups but I plan to try it in rice. Until a few months back I had NEVER made it. To me broth came from a can at the store. When I first started making it I always cooked it on the stove top but now I cook it overnight in my crock pot. That idea came from Erica's 3 part series about "Making the Most of a Chicken". She is over at One Busy Momma and she is just that with lots of clever ideas.




I am trying to make more and more foods from scratch and I must admit (except for the dishes) I am having a good time doing it and I am learning lots along the way.



We have had a few batches of squash and pumpkin seeds. I mix them up with sea salt and olive oil and cook them up on a cookie sheet.



I have cooked up several pumpkins and squash since reading about how to cook it up over at Angie's blog . Here is the post if you want to check it out. I have made up a couple of batches of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and for Thanksgiving I made a yummy squash pie. I might attempt to make up a squash soup unless any of you have any suggestions for something better.
I am also in search for some bean recipes. I recently had a three bean casserole that was to die for. If any of you have some good bean recipes on your blogs please direct me.

~Sweat Dreams ~ Kim

I am Thankful For...

I am thankful for... Angie at Children in the Corn and Linda at A Truckers Wife.

They both presented me with the butterfly award. I am also thankful for the Hot Blog award handed over from my other blogging friend, Grey Wolf at Two Old Cripples.

THANKS AGAIN!

If I wasn't so stinking pooped and stuffed from today's events I'd pass these along BUT since I like to break rules I will just end it in saying YOU ALL have wonderful blogs!

There are many blogs I read although I do not have time to visit them daily. I do catch up and read back whenever I get a chance. I read an array of blogs from homesteading, hunting, self-sufficiency, animal loving, parenting, and even some that are somewhat religious (although I am not the least bit religious per se. I do believe in prayer and God) I just don't get into following what one group feels is the "right way". I have my own beliefs and my own way of doing things. I do not need to go to church and kneel on the benches when I can go in my back garden and kneel on soft dirt while reflecting on my life. To me the outdoors is my chapel. Don't mean to rant, just my opinion! (Too many years in catholic school) What I am getting at is that we all are so different but we all bring something to the table and there is so much to learn from one another. That is what I love most about blogging!

Since I started blogging in March I have done and tried so many new things. I contribute it to the new path I've taken in my my life along with all the new things I've learned from my blogging friends . I just want to say... Thanks for being REAL. Thanks for the SUPPORT you all offer in hardships. Thanks for the ADVICE you give and Thanks for sharing all of your great IDEAS.

There are many more things I am thankfull for, my family, my friends, this farm, my health, but I share that with you throughout the year and today I thought would be a good time to show my gratitute to my fellow bloggers.

On a final note, THE WINNERS of my giveaway are.......SARAH so girl you best be going to get your ears re-pierced because those fish earrings will be headed your way via snail mail and MANDIE those colorful earring are all yours but there will be a slight delay as I am waiting for my headpins to arrive. If you both leave me a comment with your e-mail addresses I will contact you asap.

Potpourri

“This is the true joy in life, to be used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, to be thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap. To be a force of nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am a member of a community and as a member it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can before I die. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch that I want to make burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
George Bernard Shaw

I came across this over at Super Hero Journal and had to post...hope she don't mind!




I was tagged back in September by Coast Rat and I am just getting to it and I am going to break the rules....yes I am a rule breaker all the way! What fun would life be if you followed all the rules? I am suppose to tag 6 others but if you want to play along, it is up to you. The deal was that I share 6 random things about myself.

1. I have never flown in a plane!

2. I had to kill an animal today for the first time.

3. I worked as a waitress in high school and nursing school.

4. I work out primarily for my mental health.

5. I am not scared to say I am sorry when I am wrong and I stress that to the kids. It is ok to make mistakes just recognize and live up to it.

6.I love being a Mom!



Lastly a tag Callie got from YD's

Again please join along if you want!

Please answer the following questions:

1) What breed are you?
German Short Haired Pointer

2) How old are you?
I think I am around 4 or 5, who keeps track when they are having this much fun?

3) What is your full name?
Callie

4) Do you have any nicknames?
Naughty

5) Where do you usually sleep?
Right where my human mother's legs are suppose to go in her bed. She has to sleep sideways in order to accommodate my position of comfort, isn't that sweet of her?

6) What is your favorite thing to do?
RUN and bird hunt with my human dad aka Maine Man

7) What is something unusual/interesing about you?
I like to go to bed early and sleep in but when I am up I spend most of my day outside, weather permitting. I put some mileage on during the day. I usually will not even stop to be patted if I'm outside. Oh yeah, one more thing.... I am a female and I hump, some say that is "unusual".

8) Who is your best friend?
Maine Man

9) Did you go to obedience school? If so were you "TOP DOG" or did you flunk out?
I can't remember if my previous owner brought me, I think not! I was a handful when the fine folks from the Achorn Farm took me in. I would take off for HOURS and HOURS and Maine Man nearly stroked out screaming like a crazed man. Our new neighbors thought he was psycho and so did I for that matter. I was just excited that I could finally run for miles and miles and all the new scents around here, I just couldn't help myself. Then Maine Man came home with a collar with some prongs sticking out and lets just say I never ran off again. He doesn't even have to use it any more, I hear the beep and I come running!

10) Can you do any tricks?
Not really unless stealing butter off the counter counts. And, I am one hell of a good bird dog...that should count for something!

Resourceful

My mom picked up some canning jars at a lawn sale. They must have been from LONG ago because as you can see they were priced at $1.99. Well I guess it is ok that I invested in lots over the summer because they do not loose their value. I think she said she paid $3/box.
Before last year I only had a couple canning jars kicking around my cupboards. Now you never know where you'll find them! I even bought some of the 1/2 gallon ones...they have so many uses, I'm addicted. They also sell the plastic covers so after you open a jar you can replace with that so the metal doesn't get rusty prematurely. They also work great for dried goods: beans, almonds if you buy in bulk, flour, sugar. I even drink out of them. Nothing like ice water with a straw straight from a mason jar. I also like to store broth and soups and stew in them. By summer I will have them filled with goat milk. I CAN'T WAIT!

We were not able to get into the butcher for 3 more weeks for the meat birds so John decided that today was the day. While I worked and the kids were in school he processed all 30 meat birds. That is a whole lot of work to do by yourself! He's the man I tell you!!!!
Total weight was about 120lbs and we did not have much money tied up because John bought extra birds and sold them which paid for a bunch of their feed and the cost of our birds and he did the processing which saved us $90.
Our freezers are maxed out. Not sure what we will do when he gets his deer and oh yeah the pigs?????

Just made my third batch of homemade laundry detergent. I will not go back to store bought. 1 batch last me about a month and costs only a couple dollars. It also gets my clothes squeaky clean! It is environmentally friendly the materials used in it's makings are borax, washing soda, and fels naphtha soap. Then their is 3 less plastic jugs that have to be produced. I also really like the all purpose cleaner. I have learned that the way to make all these homemade things work is to do it in quantity so you do not have to add these to your already busy weeks. Always looking for ways to save time and money! Last batch I made made enough to fill a half gallon jug, I used an old vinegar container. Now when my squirt bottle is out I fill it up quickly and viola I have just save myself $3 and that is one less isle I have to go down in the grocery store. Slowly I am distancing myself from the grocery store shelves....


On a final note I'd like to share of few good post I read this week


*7 reasons why it is better to buy used goods
*making pumpkin puree
*roasting sunflower seeds
*childhood memories and pumpkin pickles

ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

Live in the Moment

This week I read a touching post by Down to Earth. I clicked on the links she shared to read about a devastating event that occurred in August. A fellow blogger and her husband were in a plane crash and severely burned. I too will share the links with my blog friends.

This is Stephanie's blog which her sister is keeping alive by re-posting some of her previous posts.
This link has updates of about their recovery.
Another link with more updates.

My hearts go out to them, their children, and their families.

THANK YOU!!

A big thanks to Angie at Children in the Corn
for passing this award on too me and the rule is to pass it on.
There are lots of blogs out there I enjoy but here are just a
few that I will pass it on to.

* Wiked Awesome Parenting
because she makes me laugh out loud.

* Coast Rat because his kind heart and volunteer efforts blow me away.

* Country Boy because he is my son and why wouldn't I love his blog.

* Living The Road Less Traveled because Jodi is a beer drinking Mainer (oh yeah and a sweet little Momma)

* Throwback at Trapper Creek
because Nita is a wealth of knowledge, I always learn something new when I read her posts.

P.S. No obligations to pass this along!



Also another thanks to Angie at Children in the Corn for mailing this out to John all the way from Michigan. Maybe we can tackle this project over the winter because it is looking like we could really use it sooner than later. Not a good fall project because nothing gets done in the fall because "It's hunting season."

Also thanks to City Girl for the pears, as you can see we ate a bunch before I could take a picture. They are so yummy!! We ate lots as is and I made a pear crisp last night. Thanks again! City Girl is a regular commenter on my blog (and personal buddy). I have been trying for months to get her to start her own blog. She has agreed to be a guest blogger here and share some of her secrets to saving money at the grocery store. I am still waiting for her post. No pressure Amy!

Hosted by Two Frog Home
Monday update: I have been doing cardio 2-3 times a week and finally picked the weights back up. TRYING to watch what I eat and cut back on diet pepsi ( I'm an addict). Attempting to eat more homemade/whole foods and less processed junk.

I am behind on reading others blogs and responding to comments. Sorry :(
Took about 150 pictures this weekend....I will be sharing when I have more time!
GOODNIGHT!

I've been tagged

I have been tagged for a first by YD @ YD's A Little Bit of Everything Place to share six random things about myself and then tag six people.

In order to do this, I will have to follow some Tag Rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on the blog.
3) Write six random things about yourself.
4) Tag six people at the end of your post.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Here goes:

1. I went to a catholic school from K - 7, I took French classes 6 of the 7 years. I barely can speak or understand French and I do not practice religion all though I do believe there is a God.
I could go on and on about this topic but I will spare you.

2. I only have one sibling, a brother who is 5 years older. We lived together until I was 6 and then we grew up in separate households he lived with my dad and I lived with my mother. My brother holds a special place in my heart and has always been by my side in good and bad times. I love ya Steve!

3. I was a WILD child from age 13 until about 23. I started slowing down when I was in nursing school and the kids surely put a halt on my wild side. I had lots of fun but I do not miss that lifestyle. Now I' m a party pooper and I get a headache after 2 drinks.

4. My home is rather simple. I do not spend much on home decor, kitchen goods, bedding etc. It does not take much to make me happy. I rather have hand picked wildflowers than a bouquet of flowers from the florist.

6. John and I are high school sweethearts.

Ok, so here goes tag you it:

Angie at Children In The Corn

Pie at Wicked Awesome Parenting

Farm Chick Paula at Fraker Farm

Nita at Throwback from Trapper Creek

Don at A View from the Green Barn

Amy at Twelve Acres

Changing Times

The time has come where we all must start thinking about changing our ways. With the talk of gas being $10/ gallon in a few years and the electric companies warning of blackouts lasting several days John and I are seriously considering alternate ways. Above is a picture of a wood cook stove I would love to own. Something that is definitely on my "I want" list. I would be happy to get one from a camp or maybe I can get one at an antique shop. I'm in no hurry on this one but eventually I'd like one. So any of you Mainers reading this, if you see a good deal somewheres let me know. With the weather in Maine a wood cook stove could be run 9 months out of the year.

The two big investments that John and I are considering and researching are a wind mill and an outdoor wood furnace. I work with a man that has a windmill that makes 900kw/month. On average that is about what we'd use. Depending on the time of year we consume 550-1200.
He said installed his cost $15k but the actually windmill was about $5-7K, it was the installation that costs so much. Well you all know how handy dandy John is so we could do at a reasonable price I think if he did the installation.

Some may object to the thought of an outdoor wood furnace because they are known to be pollutants but I think what contributes to that is what some people burn in them. We have plenty of wood to burn so that would be what we are burning, not trash. And I cannot see that it is any worse than a wood stove. Regardless, I do have more research to do on this matter and maybe I can find an eco-friendly version. If we had a outdoor wood burner I could heat my house, my shed or a portion of the barn keeping my critters warmer, a greenhouse, and my hot water. I figure between gas for hot water and electricity with those two items alone we'd be saving about $300/ month and we would be less dependent on others to provide for us.
What do you think?

Amy at Twelve Acres and Don at A View From The Green Barn had some posts regarding what people are doing in these changing times. I did not respond on their posts because I knew that I planned to make a post about what we are doing so here goes? What are you doing?
I must say I do regret that I was not more mindful about the environment, reducing wastes, conservation, and self sufficiency in my twenties. I can say that buying this farm has been life changing for me and the rising prices of everything and maturing as I age has certainly contributed to me finally seeing the light.

*We recycle cans and glass bottles by reusing here on the farm, there are a million uses for them. I seem to never have enough now.

*Egg cartons we save and reuse.

* Scrap paper/newspaper when I buy it is reused for starting fires outdoors or in or is cut up as note paper.

* When I cook a meat (chicken/beef...whatever) I reuse the broth into soups.

* Save plastic bags and reuse as trash bags for bathroom trash can and for our compost bucket. John also is making a bow target out of the rest of the excess bags.

* We compost all vegetable/fruit scraps, coffegrinds, and egg shells

* After John bush hogs we rake up and pitch fork the downed hay for bedding/composting/mulch

* Give all the kids clothes/shoes that out grown to friends for their kids.

* Reduce electricity consumption by turning the lights off as much as possible and unplugging unused items. Also I've been hanging towels and blankets to dry i/o using the dryer. We use the A/C as little as possible and run only the one in the bedroom when someone is working nights and needs to get some daytime zzz's.

* I no longer grocery shop all in one store. I am more aware of the prices of items and buy more when things are on sale.

* We are raising some of our own meats, hope to get pigs next and we grow lots of vegetables and I am learning to do more food preservation. Next summer w will be getting milk from our goat Annabelle.

* John usually shots 2 deer/year. One with a bow and one with a rifle. That saves us a ton of money in beef. I am going to try harder this year to get one because we really do utilize the meat. We just ran out of hamburg from last fall.

* We are buying more products locally then from the big box stores.

* John saves us a TON of cash because he is such a handy man.

* We rarely eat out and I am making a lot more homemade goodies.

* We stay home often, there is plenty of fun and entertainment right here.

* I am sure there is more but I need to get a move on around the house this morning. The last thing I will mention is the gas preservation piece. We have 3 vehicles, all older and paid off thankfully. We rarely use our suburban, only if we have to haul something like the boat/shaving/farm supplies. We do not just run to town to pick one thing up, we make our trips worthwhile even though we are not far out. I work more locally now and if the kids are not with us with travel with our smallest vehicle that gets near 30mp gal.

To end with a big thanks to Farm Mom at Children in the Corn for the Awesome Blog award.
It means a lot especially for the Newbie to both the blogging and farming world. She too has an awesome blog that I learn so much from, thanks again!

Award Time

I've won an award! Its called the Arte y Pico Award. It was given to me from Tasha @ Comical Coupon Cents.
She said: "Country Girl at Achorn Farm (I don't know her name). I recently came across her blog and love it! She has a 200 year old farm house and 100 acres of land that they raise all kinds of critters on! She and her husband work so hard and its amazing. Makes me realize if the world goes to pot, I wouldn't know how to clean a chicken or be able to "live off the land". Her blog is inspiring and entertaining."

Thank you Tasha!


These are the rules to accept the award:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.

4.The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. To show these rules


Ok so here goes. I love all the blogs I read but here are the 5 that I will present with this award.

1. Danielle at Touch The Earth Farm
Danielle homeschools, has a small CSA, and produces most of the food her family eats. Her shopping list for the week is so small it just amazes me. I am inspired by all she does!

2. Tammie at The Unusually Unusual Farmchick
Tammie's style is "Unusually Unusual", she is unique, she is crafty as ever and I get some great ideas from the posts she shares.

3. Lacy at Razor Family Farm
Lacy and her husband are a wonderful couple that are in the midst of the adoption process. They live on a farm and are always busy doing projects and caring for their animals. Lacy make lots of food/products from scratch. She writes warm and loving posts about her hubby and about life.

4. Amy at Twelve Acres
Amy writes pleasant posts about nature and her surroundings at Twelve Acres. She plants lots of trees, has a bunch of chickens which are due to start laying soon and she also has a orphaned squirrel, Rocky that they raised and released but so far he comes back to visit on a regular basis. She is really knows her stuff when it comes to flower identification.

5. Nita at Throwback at Trapper Creek
I have just started reading Nita's blog as a result of a comment left on my blog. She writes in detail about many things I am interested in, gardening, raising animals, hay fed cattle. I look forward to learning from her!

Lastly, I just want to say you all deserve lots of awards but the rule was just 5. I will not be offended if any of the above do not want to pass this award along, it is a little time consuming but I thought it would be fun so here it is. Have a good week all! ~Kim