Egg-cellent Reading

     In my previous post I mentioned that I love to read information books,  I even read cookbooks.  As strange as that may sound just pick up a 1950's cookbook and compare it to todays cookbooks.  Fascinating reading comparing the size equivalents...you don't see a "pinch" of much anymore.  Well, this past winter I've been reading chicken/poultry books.  I've always had a fascination with chickens, we've raised chickens (not very well) so I wanted to learn more and read more.  Following is a list of books that I've read.

Living with Chickens by Jay Rossier
The book I own is a beautiful hard covered book. A good general information with exceptional pictures.  I see now Amazon has a soft covered version also.  This is a good book especially if you have children that want to learn also.  My other books have black and white pictures but this book is full color.  I give this book 5 eggs...gotta love the pictures.

The Family Poultry Flock edited by Lee Schwanz
A small general purpose book.  You'll learn a little bit about all kinds of poultry. It makes for a good starting point.  Enough reading for you to find out if you'd like to learn more.  Black and white pencil drawings are used for illustrations.  I'd give this book 3 eggs  I saw it more as a tease and you'll end up running out to get another book to do more reading.

Raising Poultry the Modern Way by Leonard S. Mercia
This book has more meat to it than the previous book.  Definitely a little more information included.  Another book with black and white drawings.  I give this book 4 eggs...you could easily get just this one book.

Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry
This is the creme de la creme of poultry books.  A must have for the more serious poultry grower.  Talks about all aspects of raising poultry.  Over 300 pages of egg-cellent reading.  I give this book 5 eggs!!!

Raising Poultry Successfully by Will GravesAnother "ok" book.  It is a good book with black and white pictures. Definitely a good starter book.  I give this book 4 eggs.

Raising you own Turkeys by Leonard S. Mercia
A good book just focusing on turkeys.  It is a smaller book also with black and white pictures and drawings.  I can't find this book on Amazon.  I give it 4 eggs...I'm wanting to get the Storeys guide on Turkeys now. :)

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens
OMG...I LOVE this book!!!!  A very in depth education on chickens.  Well worth the money. I have the second edition and I see the third edition is out.  I don't know how much information changes from one edition to the next.  I would check Ebay. A most definite 5+eggs!!!

A Guide to Better Hatching by Janet Stromberg
A subject I really would like to learn more about.  This is an informative little book.  I didn't realize the science behind hatching.  I've done it with an incubator but I think a real hen will be my best bet...LOL  Making sure the humidity is just right...sigh.  Overall I give this book 5 eggs.

Chicken Tractor by Andy Lee
A very good book with very good information on building a chicken tractor...those mobile coops.  You end up with helpful information about grass fed chicken and how to protect them.  Also informs the reader about raising poultry.  I give this book 5 eggs!!!

If your budget allows you to get 2 books my recommendations would be the Chicken Tractor and Storey's Guide to Raising poultry.  With those 2 books you can't go wrong.

Enjoy and happy reading!!!

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say!

     When I was a young mother, my mother in law would tell me this all the time "Say what you mean and mean what you say" in regarding raising kids.  She raised 7 great kids, I know, because I married one.  She also told me to always follow through with what you say...now is that being stubborn?  I've been called that by my kids...I see it as being persistent.   Sure, I make sure they get their homework done, they get to work on time, chores get done...if this means I'm stubborn, so be it.  It's being persistent or making sure there is consistency in their lives.  They are raised to know that things need to be followed through.  I'm not the type of parent that allows my kids to run wild across a busy street.  When they are little you carry them across the street.  Then you hold their hands.  Next thing you know, they're walking beside you and finally crossing themselves.  That doesn't mean you aren't watching them anymore, you're still there to jump in and ask "what are you thinking?"  Some day I won't be around anymore but they will still hear my voice in their head, or at least I hope so.  :)  You hope and pray that you've raise your kids with good morals and know right from wrong.  Then they are equipped to enter into adulthood with values that will carry them through life.
     I've also been called opinionated.  I find this comment interesting.  With the internet at our finger tips I read articles every day.  Doesn't matter the subject, I take it in and evaluate it towards my life.  Do I agree with everything I read? No  But it sure has helped define the person I am today.  I never went on to college, my "degree" is life.  I'm self taught.  Am I always right? No  I've had my fair shares of stumbles in life.  So I keep reading and educating myself.  Does that make me opinionated?  Probably, but once you've read what I've read, lived my life, walked a mile in my shoes...you might be opinionated to.  I hope that our kids keep reading and educating themselves through their whole lives.  Learning isn't just K-12 or K-college but a life time.  I'm not into novels, they are just a waste of time to me.  I love books chucked full of information.  Before I made my first bar of soap I read everything available to me. And when that first batch fail I read some more...see, I'm persistent...LOL  So me being called opinionated also means I'm educated.  God gave me a brain and I want to fill it with knowledge.
    With all this being said, can you change my mind?  Most certainly!  But you better be prepared to back up your information with something I can read...maybe there are things I missed along the way.
     Back to the title of this post..."say what you mean and mean what you say"  that statement means you follow through with what you say you're going to do.  If you tell Johny that if he doesn't eat his dinner then no cookie...follow through and no backing down.  Children need guidelines and rules.  They need the consistency of their parents.  We as parents do this out of love but kids see it as being stubborn.  LOL  Well, then eat your dinner...LOL
    My final thoughts are another saying my MIL would always tell me (yes, she's been my guardian angel this past week) "God doesn't give you anything you can't handle" The first time I heard this was when I told her we were expecting twins.  To tell you the truth...this has been the hardest lesson for me to learn.  When you run into a road block in life just stop, drop and pray.  When you allow your heart to open you'll know his answer.

A Person is a Person no matter how small

There's a lot of confusion as to exactly what Attachment Parenting is. Is it natural parenting? Some hippie movement? Helicopter parenting? Parenting influenced byDr. Seuss?

Perhaps those who are AP spent some time in Seussvillealong with their reading of Dr. Sears. Yes, the birthday guy, Dr. Seuss, has one single quote which I think sums up the idea of AP easily:

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

That quote, from Horton Hears a Who! could sum up attachment parenting as a whole. The real, true focus is that of respecting children -- even newborns -- as people with valid and complex emotions, who need respect, understanding, and love.

The reason something like "cry-it-out" is not an AP tenet is because we believe that a child who is crying is using their voice -- the only thing a baby has -- to ask for something. I'd be crushed if I asked my husband to cuddle me and he told me I needed to learn to not want him as much. Attachment parents believe that the idea of "warm, dry, and fed" doesn't give enough credit to babies. Besides, it's generally disrespectful to tell a person to be quiet because their basic needs are taken care of. Why do people do it to babies?

This also holds true for feeding. If you are capable of breastfeeding, you will, because it gives the child you've brought into the world the best and because the method of feeding also promotes the necessary closeness that babies deserve and require. But even if you can't breastfeed, babies should still be cuddled, loved, and paid attention to for the duration of the feeding. You should bottle-feed like you're breastfeeding -- in other words, no bottle propping, and cuddle, cuddle, cuddle!

This quote also applies to discipline. The path to teaching children to be loving, empathetic, and respectful adults is to treat them that way, whether they're asking to be cuddled when you want to do dishes, or trying to figure out the source of their behavior so you can help them work through it rather than just punishing the outlet they chose.

While many things like breastfeeding, babywearing, and cosleeping can end up not being ideal for many AP families, the most important thing about it is what Dr. Seuss says: A person is a person, no matter how small.

And every single person deserves respect, love, and caring, even when it's not convenient or scheduled, and things you wouldn't do to the oldest of people shouldn't be done to the youngest either.

What do you think of the Dr. Seuss quote? Does it suit your parenting style?

Taken from: http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/116937/dr_seuss_has_the_best

A Parent's Prayer Anonymous

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my sanity to keep.
For if some peace I do not find,
I'm pretty sure I'll lose my mind.

I pray I find a little quiet,
Far from the daily family riot.
May I lie back and not have to think
About what they're stuffing down the sink,

Or who they're with, or where they're at
And what they're doing to the cat.
I pray for time all to myself
(did something just fall off a shelf?)

To cuddle in my nice, soft bed
(Oh no, another goldfish--dead!)
Some silent moments for goodness sake
(Did I just hear a window break?)

And that I need not cook or clean
(well heck, I've got the right to dream)
Yes now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray my wits about me keep,

But as I look around I know,
I must have lost them long ago!

Valentine Day Gift Ideas part 1

This is just a sampling of what I have coming for Valentine's Day.  Actually, these ideas could be used any time of the year when you want someone special to know that you are thinking of them. 

Chocolate Lovers Type  Fusion of lemon, orange, bergamot and mandarin, lily of the valley and coriander emerged with unmistakable notes of sweet chocolate, along with warm vanilla and musk. 

Remember, these are carb free and calorie free.  :) 

Gift boxes of all kinds are being loaded into my shops.  Hyenacart has them all listed together.  My friend made the hang tags for me.  Fragrances to look for or watch for are Sinfully Hot, Victorian Rose, Chocolate Amber, Chocolate Lovers Type and others. 

Another fun thing is every order you also get something for "you".   These cute little 1 oz. heart soaps (colors and fragrances vary) will be included.  Also, because the Packers are going to the Super Bowl double the free samples.  For every $5 spent you'll get one of these cuties instead of every $10.  While supplies last.  No code or coupon needed.

Hair...Some have it, some don't

   I've been growing my hair out for the past 3 years.  This was an interesting article in a newsletter I just got.   Since I make shampoo I'm always looking for ways to enhance it. 

How to grow long hair and keep it healthy
by Carole Somerville

There are around 100,000 strands of hair on the average person’s head. Hair grows at a rate of approximately a half an inch per month.
There is no magic food or ingredient that might help hair grow in an instant. If you have short hair and you are growing it long: be patient! Even so there are ways to enhance your hair growing cycle. Vitamins and minerals, for instance, can help boost your health and keep your hair healthy. Since your hair often reflects your overall health, exercise and taking care of your general well-being will help maximize your hair growing potential.
Tips on how to make your hair grow more healthily:
Watch what you eat: Food that can enhance hair growth include: dark green vegetables, carrots, seafood, dairy foods, cabbage, yogurt, a balanced source of iron such as in liver, poultry, whole grains, egg and fish, bananas as a source of potassium and don’t forget to drink plenty water to wash chemicals and toxins out of your body.
Exercise and Relaxation: Exercise helps improve the circulation which is vital for hair growth. Massaging the scalp with a few drops of Vitamin E oil can also help strengthen fragile or damaged hair.
Cut out smoking, caffeine and alcohol: People who don’t eat healthily but drink excessively are at risk of hair loss. Alcohol affects the liver which is critical for managing the body’s metabolism. Smoking too, has been found to possibly accelerate hair loss.
Herbs that might help hair grow:
There are some herbs that have been found to enhance hair condition. These include Gingko which helps with the circulation which is essential for hair growth; Birch Oil which is thought to help slow down hair loss, Rosemary helps the hair grow shinier and Chamomile can help calm an itchy scalp which could cause hair loss.
Take care of your hair: Minimize anything that might encourage split ends such as hair-dryers, tongs and heating appliances, hair sprays etc. Find a conditioner that suits the condition of your hair and use it regularly. Get your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks to prevent split ends.
Life and Hair Loss:
At times in life, due to health and circumstances, hair can be seen to go through phases and hair loss may for instance be experienced in women after giving birth, people with diabetes or with thyroid health disease. Stress can also cause hair loss.
 How to Add Volume to Hair:
There are many products on the market that promise to add volume to hair: again experiment and choose the best one for you. Whether your hair is short, medium or long a good cut can do a lot to give hair movement and fullness.
No matter how long it takes for your hair to grow, the more effort you put into keeping your hair in good condition, will help keep your hair more manageable as it grows.

Forever in Blue Jeans

     Our farm girls love their blue jeans and will wear them until they show too much, if you know what I mean.  Heather, Hannah, Angie and Emily have saved every pair and even though they were full of holes didn't have the heart to toss them.  The idea of a jean quilt was brought up but knew we need the time to make them.  Before winter break we discussed doing them when they'd be home for a few weeks.  We also talked about the weight of these quilts and thought a lap quilt would be the best idea. 

Cutting 6" squares

After laying out a pair of jeans we decided that a 6" square would be the best choice for size.  It used most of the leg plus we were able to use some of the pockets and smaller holes.  I was a little concerned when I cut the very first pair of jeans thinking that these girls were going to turn on the water works remembering when they wore them.  It turns out that the first pair was a hand-me-down from Aimee to Angie and she wore that pair when we dropped Heather off at college her freshman year.  Each of these pairs has/had a story to tell and the girls are quick to tell you.  That's why these quilts mean so much to them. 










Each of the girls took a job when assembling the quilts.  Emily sewed, Heather double checked each of the squares because most of them ended up cut with scissors, Hannah cut apart each group of squares and too over to Angie who was ironing.  Then Hannah took back to Emily the groups of squares.  The girls did most of the work.  I helped for a while just to get a good push.  Within 4 hours they had the tops all put together. 

 Then came the tying...with the weight of the tops we just sandwiched everything and laid them out on the floor.  Again, they each took a job and in no time they were done. 

The quilt(s) before I put the binding on for them.  They chose this funky flannel I had picked up a couple of years ago from JoAnn Fabrics on black Friday. 

Angie and Hannah

Emily and Heather

Our girls with their finished quilts.  Great job girls!!!!  They are already saving squares to make their little sisters quilt too!   Now Emily is trying to figure out how to recycle their barn shoes...I don't think so!!!!

These quilts took 1.5 yards for each of the backs and roughly .5 yards for each of the bindings.  I used 3" strips for the binding.