Homemade solutions to common problems, Part 1

I am no rocket scientist. 

I am not even that resourceful.  Though, I DO have some great resources.  And I use them, refer to them, and sometimes, even get stuck in the pages of them.

I would like to think that maybe I’m thrifty.  GREEN.  Clean.  Even if only a little bit.

ANYWAY,  Here are a few of my favorite things.  Some are great ideas I have figured out on my own.  Some are things I have read about, and used, that really work.

Hope they are helpful, useful solutions to your everyday common problems!  ;)

1) Peppermint.  Did you know that mice HATE the stuff?  I didn’t.  Read about it during a time of GREAT frustration.  (At The Farm mice are an issue.  I’ve come to terms with them, it.  I don’t have to like it.  I don’t like it.  But, where we live, there are part of the “deal”.)  I found that if you get peppermint oil (The real stuff.  Not the “flavoring” kind.  Preferably from an Herb Store, as it is of higher quality and potency than other types.)  and put a few drops on a cotton ball, the nasty little buggers avoid it like the plague.  Whaaahoooo!  SCOOOORRREEE!  I tried it this past winter after discovering the little devils had devoured some yummy treats in my pantry.  I can honestly say, that it has been 6 months, and NO sign.  Nadda.  Zip-o! And my house smells a bit yummy in the process…… bonus!

2) Tansy.  Ants, dirty little bastards, avoid it.  They give me the creeps. But again, dab a few drops (again, essential oil from an Herb Store) on a cotton ball, place it in the areas you’ve seen them.  Presto, their outtahere! 

3) Witch hazel.  This is like the ubber-dubber, holy smackers, good stuff.  It works on everything.  Acne? Dab a bit on it with a cotton ball, and whall-aha, blemish gone.  Oh and as an extra added bonus, it doesn’t dry out your skin like the Sahara. Bug bites or general itchys?  Presto!  Takes the itch away.  No Calamine Lotion needed here.  Got a babe with a serious case of diaper rash?  Slather a little on, no burning, and its healed up in no time.   Had a late night out with the girls? Had a little too much fun at that office party?  If you wake up with bags under the eye, again, dab a bit on.  Ta-da!  Bright eyed!  Whomp your leg the night before your event with that great little black dress, and whamm-o, huge bruise?  Dab it on.  It speeds up the healing process.  Razor burn? Rub it on before or after a shave, and the itchy bumps, presto, are gone.  Sun burn? Dab it on a soft cloth and rub it across you sore skin to ease the redness caused by inflammation.  Oh and it helps prevent peeling.  Who knew!?

4) Vase cleaner.  I love getting fresh flowers.  Whether it some my husband sent or ones W picked from the garden.  But I hate the uckys left at the bottom of the vase.  You know the ones.  Left there by the dishwasher, the ones you can’t reach with a dish cloth.  Solution: Add a couple tablespoons of salt (or dry beans work well too) to a couple inches of water in the bottom, and swirl. Clean!

5) Cleaning mini blinds.  I’m talking about the plastic or metal louvered ones.  NOT fabric.  Take the blinds down.  Fill the bathtub about half way with moderately warm water.  1/2 Cup of powdered dishwasher detergent.  Give the water a generous swirl to dissolve detergent.  Then dunk the blinds, repeat as necessary until they are clean of all their grime.  The bonus, dishwasher detergent don’t leave a residue.  BONUS!!

6) Vegetables.  Live in the city?  Want “organic” choices for your family? Want to grow veggies, but don’t think you have the room?  Porch pot gardens are the answer.  Every year my mom grows small amounts of veggies at the River House in pots. (As the BIG garden is at The Farm)  Green beans, specifically “pole”, can be grown up any trellis.  They don’t need a huge amount of space, and a dozen or so plants will bear enough to feed a couple people most of the summer.  Tomatoes do wonderfully on a patio.  I know people that are “city dwellers” that will grow up to a 1/2 dozen varieties on the patio.  Plums, grape and beefsteak (for burgers).  Trellising plants will allow you to grow watermelon, pumpkins, honeydew, spaghetti squash, etc in pots.  One of my clients at LI even grows corn in porch pots!  Happy gardening!!

7) Pantyhose.  (For Jenna) They are a creation of the DEVIL!!!  I’m not even sure if I even own a pair anymore…..  Anyway.  Did you know that if you are trellising (see #6) vining fruits (watermelon, squash, etc), you can use a pair of pantyhose to create a “sling” to support your growing fruit.  The ubber cool thing is that the pantyhose has so much flex that it will expand as your fruit grows.  AND, the sun and rain do not break down the fibers!  How COOL is THAT!!??!!  What a great way to “recycle” a pair to the “devils garment”!

I will rack my noggin for more useless knowledge to share with you.  So… More to come…….

Hugs from The Farm!

Down it goes!

We own a blessed little chunk, 14 acres, of land in Central Michigan.  I jokingly say “between somewhere and nowhere, and it’s a wonderful thing.”  I refer to it as The Farm, but call it HOME.

The Farm really isn’t much of a faarrrmmm.  It’s more of “we have this land, lets enjoy it.  Lets try it.” It is “old” at the bones.  But it all has “new” skin.  A full body “face lift.”  It has charm.  I like to think it has a history, a story. 

This is what she looked like when we decided to love ‘er.

We tore her down.  To the bones.  Ripped out her guts.  All of them, her heart, stomach, and central nervous system.  Then we infused her with all our love, and built her into someplace spectacular.  A place to raise our family.  A place to call HOME.

My ubber talented, and nostalgia-guided, husband decided his next mission was to salvage the vintage Farm barn.  It was going to need a HUGE amount of patience, time, devotion, money, and imagination.  We found a wonderful man in our area who’s “hobby” is to restore these old barns to their original glory.  After consulting with him, husband had a plan.  He devoted the first few winters to pulling her back in, bringing it straight and tall.  New rafters were built.  Cables installed across the upper floor to pull the sides in tight.  (to “put a belt on her”, so to speak) It really started to look like the project was coming together.  About year 4, we made the leap to purchase all new metal for the ‘ol girl with the hopes that the time was nearing for a new roof. 

And then, on spring, summer and fall came and passed.  Winter was rough.  Snow was heavy.  All of the tightening and straightening we had done was starting to fail.  Gravity was taking over.  I was devastated.  Husband was devastated.  We made the decision, reluctantly, that we could no longer keep ahead of the pace of the Evil Deterioration. 

So over this past winter, we came to peace with the fact that the ‘ol girl had to be taken down, put out of her misery. (insert sadness, devastation, and denial here)

Well……  this is what I found in my drive way this past Friday.

 

The excavator.

The symbol of destruction.

 

 

 

Now, this is the landscape of The Farm.

Here is some shots of the process. (insert sadness, devastation and denial)

And now, its all in one big PILE.

One huge heap!

One monstrous disaster.

One sad Wife.

 

One one positive note, if there is one, our wonderful excavator was able to save my cupola.  He said he wasn’t sure how it survived.  It dropped 40+ feet vertically, and 40+ feet horizontally from its home.  I was giddy!  I told him it was meant to stay at The Farm.  It was its HOME.  I can’t wait to clean it up and put it atop the chicken coop.  It will always have a HOME at The Farm, just a new location.  :)

Well that’s all.  I’m going to go cry my eyes out now.

Sad tidings and love from The Farm.

Hold the salt, please!

I was never a person that was all about booze.  Now, don’t get me wrong or misunderstand that statement.  I’ve consumed my fair share of the devil’s liquid in my day.  I’ve had my share of the morning-after-misery to prove it.   

But these days, a cocktail of any sort is a rarity.  But, oh how I love having a good cocktail with my ladies.  Here is what I know, I have never been much of a beer drinker, still to this day.  I’ve tried ‘em all.  Lagers, ales, light, dark, malts, flavored, you name it.  And I can’t locate the taste buds for wine, of any flavor.  Whites, reds, ports, they all make me gag.  Not into foo-foo girly drinks with cute umbrellas. Double gag! 

But…….  Somewhere in a world far far away…. I have started a love affair with tequila.  Weird?  Yes.  Odd choice?  You betcha.  A bit dramatic? Absolutely!  But its true.  Now, don’t get carried away with the thoughts that some how I’m sitting around tossing back shots with a bit of salt and lime.  Just ain’t gonna happen.  I think that in itself might make me gag.  

I’ve really become accustom to the deliciousness of a great margarita.  I self admittedly profess that I’m a Margarita snob.  I’ll send a yucky one right back to the bartender for a redo with out a second thought.  And I can taste “cheap” tequila in a flash. 

I want a fresh, stand on your tip toes, limey margarita.

So here’s my perfect, and I do mean perfect, margarita. 

For one drink
1 1/2 oz. tequila (100% agave)
1 1/2 oz. triple sec or Cointreau
1 to 1 1/4 oz. of lime juice
Salt for the rim of the glass(optional)

Shake all the ingredients with cracked ice in a cocktail shaker until the exterior frosts. Strain into a glass over rocks, or "up" into a cocktail glass. A slice of lime as a garnish, while not strictly necessary, is a civilized touch.

So in honor of Cinco de Mayo, ENJOY!

Cheers from The Farm

New way to look at eggs

Have you ever had this GREAT idea?  Or seen a really interesting project, small or large, and say to yourself “That looks sooo easy.  I’ll try it.  Why didn’t I think of that?”

Anyone who knows me, and I mean really knows me, knows that like a fool, I carry around a mini sketch book FULL FULL FULL of fabulous ideas.  AND I am constantly adding things too it.  If I see something interesting online, I print it off, cut and paste it to this little gem of a book.  If I’m out and about and fall in love with something, I snap a pic of it or sketch it into this book.

So I told you all of that to tell you this.

Quite a few years ago, I came across this wonderful “project” showing how to blow eggs (meaning blowing the innards out through a hole.  aka instant scrambled eggs.) and transform them into homemade "chocolate” eggs that the kids could peel like a real hardboiled egg at Easter.  So, here’s the process.

 

So I figured I should start this project on a small scale.

I started out with 5 eggs.  Honestly that’s all I had to spare.

 

 

Here is a picture representing the “blown” eggs.  I definitely learned a few tips.  One would be use a drill with a small bit.  I think it would make an easier and cleaner “hole.” 

Next we washed all the eggs.  Then boiled them in a small sauce pot 2/3’s full of water.  I added about 1/3 Cup of white vinegar to the water.  Why vinegar, you ask.  Cuz’ the directions told me too.  Simmered them about 20-25 minutes.

After the simmering in a vinegar water bath, I let them dry and drain for about 6 hours.  Making sure they were COMPLETELY dry, otherwise they can get a bit…funky inside.  I placed a small bit of tape over each hole, so one on each end.  Then the little babies hit the coloring pool with the regular hardboiled eggs.  Coloring was an interesting event, considering they want to float in the solution rather than sink like their hardboiled friends.  The little buggers!

After coloring, and glitter for “bling’ed eggs,” they look just like the others.

It was a fun project.  Wyatt loved the “egg peeing egg” (ahh the mind of a 5yo boy!)as he put it, but sure loved loved loved the cool scrambled eggs for breakfast.

 

I wish I could report to all of you how easy it was to fill them with chocolate, which I’m sure it is ….. the directions told me so.  However, I didn’t get that far.  We had a bit of drama at The Farm the week of Easter, which threw the whole week off.  But, back to the story, the directions call for making a chocolate “coating” by melting baking chocolate with a bit of cream.  Pour into eggs and swirl it around until completely coated on the inside.  Pour out remaining chocolate.  MY plan was to do this coating process a couple times, then make a peanut butter cream to fill the inner core with.  YUMO!  But like I said, I didn’t get that far.  

Maybe next year. 

It was a great project none the less.

Happy Easter, The Farm

This and That’s: Randomness

So I’m back from a wonderful “girls” trip with one of my dearest friends in the world.  AKA: back to reality.  It was such a great time to sit and chat, catch up on happenings in everyone’s lives all while perched in a lounge chair beneath a palm tree sipping a cold cocktail.  We had such a restful time that we are all ready making plans to do it again next year.  May this be the start of an annual trip?  Here’s hopin”!

So while I was away, my husband was busily working on a little project to surprise me.  We had been having casual discussion regarding a new “entertainment center” for the living room.  Hadn’t really settled on a plan/design/look/style.  Hadn’t ventured out to the world of furniture shopping to even see what was out there that interested us.  As I said, casual conversations.  Well, under the radar, he had been plotting a “build”, from the day I booked the “girls” trip.  And all on his very own, this is what he came up with.  Isn’t he just the dreamiest??

Oh, and life has once again gotten CRAZY busy.  Ok, not as busy as some peoples lives, but busy for us.  Lil’Dude started T-Ball as soon as I returned.  Right now, practices are only one night a week.  Right now.  The before we know it, games will start. Some weeks that means 2 nights, some weeks 3.  3 nights a week.  Yup that’s right.  OK, let me clarify, HE IS 5.  Do we really need games 3 nights a week?  Really.  Please people.

Life around the Farm is starting to bloom, come to life.  Slowly but surely, it is attempting to warm up.  I said ATTEMPTING. (sigh.  I miss the 86 degree temps I enjoyed and left in Mexico.)  We had a fabulous hint of summer last weekend.  It was a great day to be out in the sun.

Busted out the flip flops.  Let the ‘ol pigs breathe.  And got in the gardens.  Dirty garden toes, LOVE ‘EM!

 

 

Lil’Dude enjoyed the sunshine too.  Daddy taught him how to ride a two-wheeler without the training wheels.  Yee-haw!

Now he really thinks he’s big stuff!

 

Lil’Dude working the ground.

Preparing the driveway for planting.  (hahaaahaaahhaaa)

This cultivator was Craig’s Grandpa’s.  His dad brought it home to us all the way from Missouri last fall.  I’m thinking it would look pretty darn cool in one of my gardens or up near my potting shed.  Craig, however, has different thoughts on that subject.  I’ll keep you posted on where it ends up.

That’s all I got for today.  :)

Love from The Farm

Sunday Snippets

I love Sundays.  Its seems to be my day of doing whatever I need/want to.  Whether its lounging in pj’s until noon, finishing laundry, or cooking for the upcoming week.  Usually there isn’t much of a “plan.”  The day just seems to fall into place.

This Sunday however, I have a million things on my plate.  And a million random thoughts running through my head. I can’t seem to find focus.  I’m having a really difficult time staying on task today.

Here are a some of the things rambling around in my head on this particular Sunday.

1. Packing for a “Girls trip” that leaves on Thursday with one of my oldest and dearest gal pals.
2. Trying to get the house cleaned.  I think with a 5 year old, a dog, and husband, that is an unattainable dream.
3. Trying to finish the laundry so I can finish packing.  See #1.
4. I was invited to participate in a 5K run/walk the last weekend of April.  I would love to do it.  It’s a goal of mine.  Can I do it?  I think I could run it.  That’s the plan.  Will keep you posted on the progress and results.
5. I’m tired.  I’m just plain whooped.
6. Kiddo is so bored.  See #2.  AND spring break at preschool JUST started.  Please see #1.
7. There are about a trillion, ok not literally but you get the idea, thoughts running through my head about all of the “projects” I would like to get accomplished around The Farm this year.  There seems to be no exact plan as to order, priority, or value of said projects.  Some big, some small.  I always have grand ideas, just lack the time and usually the funds for most of them.
8. I was informed this week that my husband committed The Farm to 100 baby pheasant chicks.  Yes, you read that right.  1-0-0!  Good Lord.  Really?  What in the name of all that is holy, do YOU, my husband, plan to do with 100 pheasants?  I will keep you posted.  See #5 & 7.
9. Kiddo and I traveled to our local “Amish country hardware/store” yesterday.  I enjoy that place tremendously and in a really strange way.  I am pretty sure I could spend hours in there. (its not that big, trust me)  I find a strange comfort when I’m there.

I’m ready for spring.  I’m ready to be outside.  I’m longing to get lost in my thoughts while I’m in my gardens.  I’m restless.  I need fresh air to clear my thoughts, find focus, and stay on task.

Love, from The Farm….. it maybe the “funny farm”

The dirt made me do it…..

I couldn’t hold out any longer

I had to do it.

It was out of my control.

I didn’t have a choice.

THE DIRT MADE ME DO IT!

On a wonderful date “day” with Hubby a few weeks back, we went shopping. Yes, that’s right, shopping. Well, he went to the sporting goods superstore, I went to the rest of the mall. While wandering, I came across these little gems. I couldn’t resist. I had to have them. I have been looking for/at them for yeeaaarrrrsss.

I think the “spring fever” made me do it.

So these little, well they aren’t so little, gems have been sitting in my office window for about 3 weeks. Empty. Sad. Begging for some love.

I woke up and smelled the dirt.

Herb garden started! I dug out some “seed starting” soil. Went into the “seed library” to find some seeds to plant. And the winners are: Flat leaf parsley, mint, cilantro, and basil. Yummmm. Every morning when I’m up packing lunches, I peek in to see if any of my little darlings have sprouted yet. Ok I’m impatient! I just can’t wait to cook with my OWN herbs.

The dirt made me do it! :)

Hugs from the Farm