Posts Tagged Children

Weekend Highlights – Noteworthy Articles by Fellow Bloggers – July 21, 2012

Posted by Granny in Homesteading, Lifestyle, Weekend Highlights on 07/21/2012

Food canning equipment, tool carts, compost bins, growing kits, cider and fruit presses, the Squeezo Strainer, food dehydrators, juicers, smokers, cold frames, greenhouses and so many more innovations contribute to making our lives organized and healthier and to turning our homes and properties into an oasis where the living is good.

All of these things exist because we are creative and because we have a unique ability to adapt to our environment. In truth, foodies, homesteaders and gardeners who write about their experiences are telling the ongoing story of our inventive spirit. On their pages, every tool and appliance is like a paint brush; ready to express a new vision.

You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.

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I found City Girl Farming on Facebook. Someone had posted a link to a blog article offering 17 ways to help keep your flock (of chickens) cool this summer. I knew this would be a topic of interest to many of our readers, both on Facebook and on the Blog. This, of course, led to a bit of investigating and it did not take long for me to determine that this new-found blog belonged on our reading list.

It chronicles the experiences, observations and moments of pure gratitude shared by the author, a country-raised gal who moved to the city to go to school and stayed. In her own words, “I missed some of the ‘homemade’ ways of country living, so I decided to learn how to grow and raise more of my food, even in the city.” She invites us to join her for weekly chats about chickens, food, gardening, canning or other city farming mishaps and adventures.

Her topics are engaging and you will want to read what she has to say even if you do not live with chickens yourself. I invite you to begin with When Chickens Don’t Play Nice (Or What to Do When You Have a Bully) and also Misses and Near Misses.

Her writing style is honest and down to earth. Clearly, she is someone who does not give up in the face of a problem, but immediately contemplates solutions instead, which I know is a quality you will appreciate too. Incidentally, I noticed that some of the bloggers who kindly follow Granny are already familiar with this city gal and following her blog, so we are most certainly in good company.

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“I want to be a clam now…” – Under the Sea – The Middlest Sister

It is always a pleasure to revisit The Middlest Sister once in a while. I find that it is especially enjoyable if I allow a few days to go by so that there are several stories with which I need to catch up. The story-telling here, done mostly by way of intricate collages, is a special treat every time. In fact, I think that the stories would not have half the charm and power and humor they have if they were merely written. The author paints with a few words and writes with pictures.

While you are there, make sure you visit the Middlest Sister’s Shop. You could have her stories decorate your walls!

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I hesitated before adding the following blog post to this review because it is somewhat graphic; not in an inappropriate way though. But then I realized no, our readers have children, they will appreciate hearing someone finally put into words what they had tried to explain to child-less folks all along. So if you are childless (not that there is anything wrong with that) and occasionally roll your eyes (admit it) when you get a glimpse of the “drama” at the neighbor’s house, sit down and get a real glimpse. You will laugh (compassionately) at the trials and tribulations of being human.

This account of the life of the family unit in the midst of a flu bug invasion is right on target. If the author stood in front of a live audience at Comedy Central to deliver this piece, rave reviews would appear in top newspapers the next day, in addition to a standing ovation. We laugh with the most abandon when we realize that our lives are equally quirky.

“It always hits the weakest first. The toddler goes down. It’s messy, demanding and exhausting …for everyone… It’s now day four. You couldn’t smell a week old prawn in the sun if it was stuck to the front of your shirt…” – Barely Poppins – The family life cycle of the common cold

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Marty – 1955 – Betsy Blair & Ernest Borgnine

“Ernest Borgnine died on Sunday. When I heard, my immediate thought was of his film, Marty. Run and get it, if you have not seen it… Marty is one of those universal stories to which every person can relate… It’s the story of the culture of the 1950s– after WWII and Korea–when men came home and had to make a place for themselves in a society suddenly changing at lightening speed…” Curtiss Ann Matlock - “Marty”…or encourage yourself

In the morning, I had coffee and conversation with an elderly neighbor. We talked and talked about the changing times and values. Curtiss Ann’s blog post brought this to mind again and in fact added depth to my early morning thoughts. Movies of the 1950′s, perhaps unconsciously on the part of the writer, perhaps not, were a living record of the values of their time. I am not certain many modern movies have the same quality of story-telling and human soul exploration. I wonder if this is not a lost art and younger generations will never witness that form of portrayal of our society again, at least not in the same way. Except for a few exceptions, today’s story-telling pace is so hurried.

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Thank you for stopping by to read this Weekend’s Review. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the Blogs you enjoy, if you feel so inclined that is.

Betsy Blair, Children, Ernest Borgnine, Family life, Flu, Flu symptoms, Marty, Marty movie, Raising chickens, Television

Weekend Highlights – Noteworthy Articles by Fellow Bloggers – Apr 14, 2012

Posted by Granny in Kitchen Products, Lawn, Garden & Composting, Lifestyle, Weekend Highlights on 04/14/2012

The weekend is a good time for grazing. This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who wrote them.
Food canning equipment, tool carts, compost bins, growing kits, cider and fruit presses, the Squeezo Strainer, food dehydrators, juicers, smokers, cold frames, greenhouses and so many more innovations contribute to making our lives organized and healthier and to turning our homes and properties into an oasis where the living is good.

You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.

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Stick to the Plan: Part I – There is usually one project or another in process at Emerson’s Acre, but just as our bodies eventually feel the weight of hard work, so do our tools feel the wear of usage. Sometimes, the repair shop is the only logical next step. Sometimes, a contingency plan is the only logical next step, but when on top of this you face questionable business practices, the logical next step involves the tough decision to take the high road.

“This weekend is not what I would call my best. The weather was perfect… But as I look back on it I realize that it was just a little off from the beginning and the fault for all of it lies squarely at my feet… It all comes, you see, from not sticking to the plan… Two weeks ago I couldn’t get my push mower to start. The weed-eater wouldn’t cooperate either… That Monday I got a recommendation for a mower repair shop… They said they would call me if either repair ran over $50…” [Read Full Article]

Yes, there is a Part II and yes, again, not quite in line with the original plan. However, what matters most is how we ride the waves.

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What Should I Do If I Can’t Grow a Garden? We may come to the realization that we do not have the time or space to grow a garden, but sometimes that is as far as the thought goes. There is always the grocery store. This, at least, is a reliable source and a practical solution. One must eat.

“Let’s be honest — with the high level of urbanization in our world, growing seasonal fruits and vegetables just isn’t feasible for everyone,” observes the author of Frugally Sustainable, “But the good news is…during the peak of harvest there are multiple ways to acquire fresh, home-grown produce without having to set foot in a grocery store or break the bank!”

Among other creative ways to find a trusted food source, for indeed this is the goal, the author suggests a different take on landscaping, making friends with an avid gardener and gearing your fresh produce purchases to the season. There is a solution for every circumstance and every wallet. [Read Full Article]

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Storage Jars. 6" x 6" Gouache on paper.

Sharyn Dimmick, of The Kale Chronicles, recently suggested she might feel tempted to indulge in a rant about plastic and I looked forward to reading her article. As you might imagine, this sort of commentary can be risky. She handled it with great tact, not that I had any doubts about that.

I must highlight one particular statement she made in “A word About Plastic (Food Shopping and Storage.” It sets the tone to perfection: “I believe that people want to do the right thing and that the right thing varies according to person and situation.” This could be summed up in one word: Acceptance. And as Sharyn points out in the end, we also learn from each other, thus “the right thing” evolves as we change our perspective.

But one must first set the stage. “I had just stopped at Trader Joe’s for a couple of things…” explains Sharyn, “and had had to make the unfortunate choice between limes coated with ‘edible wax’ without packaging and organic limes in plastic netting…” [Read Full Article]

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We close with something for the whole family. We first visited this Blog several months ago. It offers unique a truly abundant resources for art and activities for children and the family. Upon landing on the front page of the recently re-designed and re-named site, you will discover clearly identified “departments,” each one more inviting than the other for anyone in search of creative ideas. It is like opening a door that reveals a world of utterly carefree playfulness, like a giant room filled with toys for children and for the adults who share their universe. Thus the new site name, Inner Child Fun, fits its mission perfectly.

Explore “10 Simple Pleasures for Cherished Childhood Memories.”

I dare you to resist to such suggestions as: Create an outdoor Mud Pie Kitchen, Grab a roll of pennies, and visit a local water fountain to Make Lots of Wishes or my personal favorite, Go shopping for sunglasses. Take several Glamour Photos. There is much more… [Read Full Article]

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Thank you for stopping by to read this Weekend’s Review. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the Blogs you enjoy, if you feel so inclined that is.

Children, Family, Gardening, Gardening alternatives, Grocery shopping, Lawn care, Lawn mowning

8 Comments

Weekend Highlights – Noteworthy Articles by Fellow Bloggers – Mar 17, 2012

Posted by Granny in Homesteading, Lawn, Garden & Composting, Lifestyle, Nutrition & Recipes, Weekend Highlights on 03/17/2012

The weekend is a good time for grazing. This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who have written about appetizing recipes, food preparation, gardening, canning and preserving, aspects of nutrition, homesteading and life’s choices, hopes and lessons.

You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.

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We return to Emerson’s Acre to find our hero, Goatman Dave, in the midst of yet another project. He claims this specific article, titled “Tribute,” is not one of his greatest. I disagree. It is dynamic, heartfelt, honest, funny and every soul in America and beyond will relate to his experience and laugh (not at him, but with him) at the dilemma of being human and taming our natural environment. This article was thoroughly enjoyable and made it clear that the author should indeed, as he playfully suggests, “bask in the glow of masculine accomplishment.” Perseverance is as valuable as raw labor, if not more.

“See, there’s something macho about running a tiller, especially one of this vintage. Running a tiller like this is equal to wrestling with a grizzly bear, or better yet, plowing with a bull, using the bull’s horns as the plow, while they’re still attached to the bull… No, my biggest fear was that I’d have to go, knock on my neighbor’s door and explain why they wouldn’t be watching Extreme Home Makeover, ESPN or anything else that Sunday afternoon…” [Read Full Article]

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It is difficult to select specific articles from Frugally Sustainable, for this Blog contains a wealth of information about every single aspect of living a frugal and practical lifestyle. It is very pleasing to the eye, which is not an easy feat considering the volume of resources available here. If you are interested in frugal living, I am sure you have come across other resources that are so busy that no matter how much you want an answer, it feels like everything is being thrown at you and you probably hit the back button before you ever read a first paragraph. This is never the case with Frugally Sustainable.

Another aspect of this Blog that I appreciate especially is that the author clearly takes the time to select content and topics that address readers’ questions and interests very directly. Her format is professional, playful and truly informative. Consider, for example, an entry from this week titled, “Dear Andrea: About all of these herbal remedies…where should I start without feeling like I am breaking the bank?“

“Lorrie’s not alone in her concerns,” begins the author, “In fact many of you have written to me with similar questions – that’s why upon reading her question, I had the sense that addressing it publicly could benefit a large majority of people… Here are a few recommendations and thoughts for getting started without breaking the bank… Bottom line, don’t lose the simplicity that you seek!…” [Read Full Article]

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Gotta have something new! I came across Mad Mad Me thanks to a Facebook post that caught my attention because of its playful colors. Then I landed on a website and Blog where these personable fellaws caught my eye and there is more, but I will let you explore that for yourself.

Wise Guys

Meanwhile, I invite you to read “Madly Frugal or a Personal Tale of Frugality.” Hum! We seem to be having a theme going here today. I assure you this is not intentional, but it must be for a reason so let us read on.

The moment I read the first few lines of this story I knew I must include it in today’s review. Then I read further and was speechless for a moment. Pet lovers (such as yours truly) may find it a bit difficult to relate to this story at first. I chose to post it because it represents honesty and reality. I stood back for a moment and remembered that it takes courage to trust nature. Folks who raise farm animals know this. Those of us who live with only a few pets find out eventually. Read on.

“My mom says I can ‘pinch a penny ’til it squeals,’ and I think she’s right. In reality, I’m probably considered by most to be a cheap person. I almost always buy things on sale, I’ll go without rather than paying full price… That being said, I thought it was time to create my own post to share with you the most frugal, the most money saving moment of my life! Can most folks even claim that they have a “moment” documented in their history as being the most frugal? Here’s the tale… [Read Full Article]

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March is Nutrition Month and It’s Veggie Appreciation Month: Getting Your Kids to Eat their Vegetables at In Fine Balance.

I read interesting statistics, earlier this month, regarding the importance of eating together as a family because the table is where children learn social and language skills as well as proper nutrition. Good nourishment and good values go hand in hand, and good nourishment feeds the body and the mind. Thinking back on meals I ate with family while growing up, I easily realize how much I took away from meals shared with family. Conversation comes to mind. I hear myself voicing opinions I know I heard at the table. Thus, I think it goes without saying that later we might also mimic the actions we see at the table.

“Since we follow a mostly vegetarian diet in our house,” explains the author, “You might think I have an advantage when it comes to getting my kids to eat their veggies. I’m sure other vegetarian families would agree with me when I say, I don’t believe our eating preferences have much to do with the amount of vegetables we eat. When you remove meat from your diet – vegetables do not automatically fill the void…. I’m just a mom and like anyone else, I wish my kids begged me for salads and roasted veggies. Well, okay, sometimes they do. But this doesn’t happen all the time, I would say hardly ever is more like it… When it comes to getting my kids to appreciate vegetables, my approach is a bit different… My approach is to start with ‘veggie respect’, not veggie eating…” [Read Full Article]

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Thank you for stopping by to read this Weekend’s Review. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the Blogs you enjoy, if you feel so inclined that is.