Thursday, July 31, 2008

Welcome home...

Brandy and Samuel! You remember Brandy right?....the Pampered Chef lady? Well, we met them at their new home today and helped them paint some rooms. We spent the day enjoying fellowship, friendship and...well...lots of painting. I thought I'd share the results with you :)



Here is Brandy...she saw the camera, mumbled something about my blog and tried to vamoose! Aha! I was quicker! Do any of you have this trouble? Even my children get jumpy when I pull out the camera....they ask me if the pictures are for family or for the world aka "the blog". Silly boys! Of course all of y'all are family...right?

Isn't this a yummy color for their new living room? It took two coats to cover but it is so warm and inviting. We have a room to paint in the next few weeks...and we really liked this color...we shall see!



This next picture is their little boys' room. It turned out lovely...just like the sky. Josiah did most of this room by himself. I learned something about Josiah today...he has a VERY steady hand with the paintbrush! I watched him "cut in" windows and trim without using tape...and he did a wonderful job!

So...I did what every Mama does...I filed that away for future reference. I shared that with him and he made a funny face...do any of your boys ever make those faces?

I think he realized that he will be called on frequently for that job.

After painting for the boys it was time to paint for their little girl...this was Jeremy's job. Brandy told him he had to think "princess thoughts" the entire time he was painting. Being a mama of all boys, I am not sure exactly what "princess thoughts" are...sounds like fun! I know that my niece loves to "play princess" and wants the boys to play with her. I think that is where they draw the line. They do NOT like to play princess...and I'm not sure they even know what it is....

They painted two of the walls in her room this lovely green. The neat thing is that the window in her room looks out over grassy green yards, fields and mountains. It is almost like some of the outside beauty settled in her room. I think she will love it. It will be cheerful even on the gloomiest days.

Jeremy did a great job...and he was really quick!

We then stealthily took this picture of Samuel doing some clean up....don't think he knows we did this....Surprise!



These are the colors of the master bedroom. Samuel and Siah worked on this one. LOVE the color. I think



even more than the living room! Very restful and relaxing...just as it should be. This was the last room that we did today.



Here is my #1 helper today. Elijah washed baseboards, killed spiders (lots of spiders!), swept carpets, painted, cleaned up painting supplies and explored and conquered the yard. He ran a million errands so my legs didn't have to...what a blessing! AND...he did it with a cheerful heart....an even greater blessing!

And then there are these two guys...who saw the camera and started to flee...really now people...y'all are getting ridiculous!

Samuel and Brandy think we blessed them today but really...we were blessed to serve! I so enjoyed spending the day with them...my boys did too. Great fun. Brandy shared some things with me...changes she was seeing since our court date...positive things...encouraging things.

I asked the boys about what she said and Jeremy reminded me of some things...and agreed with Brandy's observations.

Many of you have written and asked how my heart is doing...how I am processing all of this....I'll have to share that with you at a later date. I want to share but really want to make sure that I honor my Father as I do so...thank y'all so much for caring!

So...Brandy and Samuel....see you on Sunday and welcome home!

Shampoo Bars...NOT out of stock!

Just a quick note....someone just mentioned in email about my shampoo bars being out of stock. I was shocked!

I went to check my website and that's what it said....OUT OF STOCK ....but it wasn't true. I'm not sure why my website decided to take them out of inventory...but it did. I've not had that happen before.

However, the website does tend to charge excessively high shipping if you have a medium to large order. Please contact me by email for correct shipping charges. I do not try to make money on shipping. I charge you exactly what shipping costs me.

All that to say...the shampoo bars are available! I'll warn you though....those citrus shampoo bars are filling the house with the scent of sunshine....and will be available in 10 days!!! You might just want to wait :)

Busy day today....I'll tell you about it tonight :)

Have a blessed day!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

At it again!

They cut the hay....we let it bake in the sun....they wind-rowed it....and the rains came! Not enough to really help our drought but enough to wet the hay...over and over and over again!

I was tempted to rake it up and burn it but thought at least it would make great bedding. So, the other day we began the job again. Jeremy wind-rowed it for the second time and let it dry out. That evening he baled it and we picked it up around 8 in the evening....much cooler than our last experience in heat that topped 100 degrees. This time we ended up with almost 100 bales. This is wonderful since 4 legged creatures keep finding their way to our farm :)



Jeremy and Josiah amaze me with their strength...and their willingness to work hard without grumbling. I so appreciate them!

Who needs the latest weight lifting machines? These boys have bulgy muscles...just from daily life on the farm! It takes a couple of hours to heft 100 bales of hay onto the wagon...by the end it is 4 layers high - then we have to head for the barn...unload and start again to fill the next wagon!



He a picture from the bottom of the field looking up towards our home. The barn is what we call the "lower barn". We use it right now to store equipment. It needs a new roof, some gutters and some repairs inside and on the doors...not a lot but we have great plans!

Here is Elijah...he isn't quite big enough yet to lift the bales but he loves to be a part. He spends part of the



time navigating for me and part of the time exploring the newly mowed field. If you look close you will see binoculars around his neck.

He is keeping an eye out for coyotes. We have had two - one huge and one small - lurking in the early morning and evening hours. The boys have been taking their rifles with them to do chores.

Elijah has a love for the Father's creation....he loves to explore it, study it and read about it. (And collect it! Much to my dismay!!!)



I like looking at the finished bales in the fields. It is much the same satisfaction I get when I look at my pantry shelves filling up from the garden.

I think it is the sense of a job well done, a feeling of thankfulness that the Father is allowing us to prepare for the coming cold months and the knowing that because of Him and our diligence we will be able to feed ourselves and the livestock that He has placed in our hands to steward.


And here is Faith...our farm dog. We rescued Faith as a puppy from certain death. She is a silly dog but a good watch dog and certainly stays close to the boys.

Silly....because she always lays down with what we call "prissy paws"....her paws are always crossed very properly. Silly...because if you throw her a bone, a piece of watermelon...pretty much anything...the first thing she does is to put it on the ground lay down on it and roll over so that she rubs it all over her back! I have to get it on video and figure out how to put it up here. It is a guaranteed belly laugh! Silly...because while she is drinking her water she is simultaneously trying to dig the bottom out of the tub with both paws...or maybe she is just trying to cool off her belly!



And here is our finished work....this is the second load!

The first load was 4 layers high! We took it up, unloaded it into the barn and went back for the rest. Dusk was falling and rain was coming again so we didn't want to let it wait till the next day.

We are thankful to our Father for His provision! We feel that by the time we are done, we will not have worries this fall/winter when it comes to feeding our animals.

There was a terrible hay shortage in our region last year. Because of the drought, people were feeding hay from the summer clear into winter. The pastures just weren't growing...no matter how much land you owned...or how much pasture you had available...there wasn't any food in them! I know people who spent tens of thousands on hay last year. Our county government was having it shipped in from other parts of the country. I know people this year who are selling off their herds....because we are in the same situation. Although we have had some rain, there are parts of the county that haven't had much and their pastures are dry and brown.

We are truly thankful...our Father has blessed us amazingly! Our fields are not growing much but they are still green. Our pond may be receding but still has plenty of water for the animals. Truly we have been shown much grace and mercy. We are continually humbled and amazed at His provision in our lives!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Congratulations Deb!!!

Deb's suggestion was Stonebrook Farm. Here are her reasons why..
What fun, Cheri! I always enjoy your blog, and I keep you and your boys in my prayers.

I've been pondering this renaming thing. I like Stonebrook Farm. Stone and brook from the verses, obviously. But also, I think of David slaying Goliath with his stones, of the Israelites building altars with stones, of building our houses on stone/rock, of Jesus being our Rock, of Him being the capstone, etc. I like the brook part because it nicely complements and softens the hardness of stone. Jesus is our living water, Proverbs 18:4 tells us that "the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook," and Revelation 22 tells us of a "river of the water of life," which flows down the middle of the great street in heaven. Further study would make many more tie-ins, but my vote is for STONEBROOK FARM!

Many of you included the scriptures and reasoning behind your choices - it helped us to think through certain names. Many of the scriptures ministered to us personally even though we didn't choose your name so we thank you for that blessing!

We had narrowed it down to just a few names and were leaning in the direction of Stonebrook Farm. On the way to church yesterday, Josiah said he thought we should change Stonebrook just a bit and make it Stonewater Farm...for all the same reasons that Deb named. We all loved it! It seemed to flow just a bit easier and would encompass even more scriptural tie-ins that would allow us to give our testimony.

I also think it most appropriate that Josiah came up with the "tweaking" idea and the final name since his desire is to live here for the rest of his life and work this farm for a living. It somehow makes it more "his". With the struggles he has had to endure during these last few years, that was an important thing....and I think a true blessing from our Father who understands our deepest needs. Now, would Mom like it? That also was very important to us. We checked with Mom after church and she agreed, even more so since Josiah chose the name. Her tender heart understood what that would mean to Josiah.

When I can find an artist to sketch us a "logo" we already have the picture in our minds! Our mountain ridge in the background, some rolling green fields and a barn and trees atop one of the hills. A large area of veggies growing in the field in front of the barn and a lovely stream descending down the hill....with a sandy bank at some point that contains 5 small stones and a slingshot...David's type....not those modern things! A fruit tree planted next to that stream makes it complete!

I can see it in my mind...now just to get it on paper. I made a rough sketch (rough is a kind and gentle word!) and the boys liked it also but I will be searching for a more professional version :) We don't want them to think this farm is linked to Romper Room....wow!....I just dated myself BIG time!

We also greatly appreciated this comment from Ginny:
I have enjoyed all these farm names as it will give us plenty of ideas for our new place.

Have you thought of doing a "sub-name" (like a subtitle)? That way you could answer and sign the short name, but add the sub-name to your signs and packaging. For example:

Father's Fields
Partaking of the Good Land...a blessing from the Lord.

Just an idea! It may make picking the final name a little easier or harder??!!!

We think this is an excellent idea and will be working on this! Of course suggestions are always welcome :) .

This was not easy...as you can see by the delay in our announcement. We had so many wonderful names...truly I don't think anyone submitted a blunder....they were all good! We thank each and every one of you who took time to speak into our lives. May our Father multiply your time, bless it and return it to you!

Deb!!!! I need you to contact me and pick out your 2 soaps, salve, tea and lip balm that will go along with your new cookbook!!! We all thank you so much for a wonderful name and hope you don't mind our playing with it just a bit!

Thank you y'all!! And remember when next you call...we'll be answering the phone "Stonewater Farm, may we help you?".

Blessings,

Cheri and the boys

Sunday, July 27, 2008

We have a winner!!!

We've been swamped this week with baling hay (92 bales!) and painting and re-arranging furniture...long explanation more tomorrow. Lots still to do today!

After much discussion, prayer and contemplation...we've picked a winner. We tweaked her choice just a bit and immediately felt it was the one. It was the first name that we all loved...my Mom, all three boys and myself. We felt it just rang true...and we loved the explanation that she gave...so...

I'm gonna be really rotten and tell y'all to tune in tomorrow :) since we are swamped and I want to explain the choice, our idea of the logo and why we tweaked it...

Forgive me for leaving you hanging?

Friday, July 25, 2008

Dawn comes early....

I have been watching the hand of my Father over the last few weeks...moving mightily in our behalf in many areas! I watched it again last week as He delivered another blessing to us. A four legged one! I received an email that some people who we like to buy goats from (no worries from CAE or CL!) were aware of our situation and were sending us a new buck! Not only that, they had a friend traveling from the coast of N.C. back to Nashville and would bring the little buck along! How easy can it be?

We talked to the gentleman last week and he told us he would call when he got within an hour of Newport TN which is about an hour from us. The call came....just before dawn. Jeremy and I jumped in our clothes and in my suburban. My brother, who was visiting, asked what we would haul the buck in. I told him the only thing I had....the back of my suburban. I think he thought we had lost our minds. But, after all, just a few weeks ago I hauled a calf back there...how hard could it be?

We lined the back with a tarp...laid down a little hay for absorbing in case it was necessary and off we went. Dawn broke as we headed down I-81. It was a beautiful morning...kind of cool actually. It felt more like fall than summer!

When we got to Newport, we called and found out that they had just arrived also. We met them at Hardees but it was so busy we decided to move across the street to the empty lot of the local ABC store. He had a pick-up full of goats! We were hoping that the little black and white one was ours and we weren't disappointed. He looked just like one we had years ago!

We moved him easily from his truck to mine and then visited for about 30 minutes. Then we were off to home. This little buck laid down immediately and stayed that way until we got to our driveway. Not a glitch, not a goat berry and nothing that needed to be "absorbed"! It was SO easy!!

We backed up to the field, deposited him, fed him and watered him and were done by 8:00 am! Tell me what you think...

We think he is adorable and looks like a duplicate of one of our favorite bucks...whose name was Oreo. We may be headed for a repeat in the name department!

He is very gentle. The girls all came out to check him out and it was hilarious. Heads went higher, back arched...they were definitely showing off....

He sniffed, and made those funny faces that only a buck can make. Seriously. We have often talked about making some bleachers for the goat field. We'd use them for observation during spring to watch the babies play and during fall to watch the buck and does show off!

Here he is up close and personal...don't you just LOVE the curly hair?



The hair is adorable but it is the smell that I just can't get past. It is hard to be affectionate with a buck. They loved to be scratched like the girls but the only thing that gets that smell off is goat milk soap!!

He has been crying a lot - he misses his friends and family and really wants to be put in with the ladies. However, I do not relish having babies at Christmas so we will keep them apart until November. Next season we will keep a little buck and whether him so that he will have a companion.

We were told that his Grandpa was HUGE. This should be a very large buck...long and lean and hopefully, if he is true to his lineage will throw great udders!!



Here is his own personal house. He tends to eat the hay we put in it for bedding. I'll bet that will change when the cold weather hits. Come November he will get to experience the barn when he joins the ladies.

I think he will enjoy the barn much more! And the company!

And my final picture...just a typical buck...acting like.. well...just like a buck...

Isnt' he completely silly?

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Students

I just have to tell you about my students! I am so pleased with their work. I have all kinds of students...some are very quiet and I rarely hear a peep! Then I have students who write in with questions everyday. But I had a new experience this week. A new student got right to work and sent me a picture of something she created using my Medicinal Herb Course....what a neat thing! Here is what she says:
Here's my first bottle of syrup! This is so fun! Now, should I be storing this in the fridge or on the shelf? I've read conflicting recommendations.
Yesterday, I made a rosemary oil infusion which I hope will be useful the next time my husband gets a migraine. Today, I hope to go on a search for some wild mullein! I am really having fun with this:) R.

And she sent me these pictures:



And just for clarification...it should be stored in the frig. :)

How cool is that?! Now we all want to know how to make those beautiful labels....right?

I think this is so fun that I'd like to continue to showcase my students' work. So...if you'd like a mention here, send me a post and a picture...past students, current students, future students....I look forward to seeing work from all of you!

Tomorrow...look what happened at the crack of dawn recently...

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

We had FUN!!!

We had so much fun tonight!! I don't know how I have cooked for so long...and I cook so much...and no one has ever invited me to a Pampered Chef party before!

I had a lot of things ready before anyone came. Jeremy was gone today so Siah and Elijah picked flowers to match our tablecloth (really just a sheet!). Who needs a florist....be one instead!! Everyone should grow zinnias and cosmos!



Then Brandy came and told me that at a P.C. party you use the table for demonstrations...who knew? :) So, we quickly, moved the food to the counters and got ready for guests.



Lots of people came...some brought a friend...and then the cooking began!



Here the pizza crust is in the pan. It was topped with onions, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese. I got to use the chopper that so many of you recommended....very cool! When so many of you recommended it, I sort of poo-pooed the idea.



I have knives...I can chop! But..I admit it....I was wrong and y'all were right! I couldn't believe how quickly and easily it chopped and the best part was how it came apart so easily and went right into the dishwasher. My kind of tool!

I also got to use their micro-planer. We grated Parmesan cheese and zested limes. I have to admit that I have one that isn't made by Pampered Chef and EVERY TIME I use it I scrape knuckles, fingers...something. So I liked the fact that it was wide, it protected my hand AND was adjustable AND stored flat....really cool! Jeanne demonstrates for y'all! Now...how come no one told me about this?



They had the COOLEST garlic press (can you tell I've never been to a Pampered Chef party before?). You don't have to peel the cloves!!!!! You just pop the whole thing in and press...the garlic comes out and the skin is left in the press....just look...

I think Brandy was tickled by how tickled I was. I just had to try it and I still can't figure out why the skin didn't press through with the garlic but...it didn't. I tried it twice to make sure. Then it also had this nifty little cleaner to get the garlic leavings out. No more using a toothpick ladies!!

By the way...you can read the writings of the lady in pink (behind Brandy) here. She is one of my boys favorite people. I watched Elijah idle closer and closer...I knew what he was after...one of her hugs! (She's one of my favorite people too, I dearly love her!).

Then we got to play with a mandoline. Now, I have a mandoline but it is nothing like this fancy thing! Here my friend Ginny is giving it a whirl.



I like the fact that it had a built in stand and that there was a storage box for the extra blades. It was really neat that the storage box fit onto the mandoline when it wasn't being used. But the best part is that there is a safety built into the machine...if you aren't using it properly then you can't cut yourself. I use one of these a lot for cutting cukes into pickles and for cutting squash and zuchinni for the dehydrator . Julie and I thought it would be good to slice Roma tomatoes thin, sprinkle them with Italian seasoning, add a little parmesan and then dehydrate - bite sized pizzas!! We also figured out that it was SO safe we could assign slicing to children!!! Many hands... :)

Here is Willa covering the pizza just before baking. I'll send a free bar of soap to anyone who can guess where we met!!!!) She has the most adorable 2 yr. old grand-daughter! My boys spent the evening playing with her, reading to her and lamenting the fact that they didn't have a sister and want one just like her...and the golden curls are a must! She's been gone over an hour and they are still talking about her and how much fun they had!



I did find out that I have two (count 'em two!) Pampered Chef things in my kitchen. One is a round stoneware dish that I make cinnamon rolls and deep dish pizza in. I love it.

And the other....one of my most FAVORITE kitchen things in the WORLD...is this nifty little tool...ta...da!!



I have two of these and use them everyday...I'll probably order a couple more. This is THE best little gadget. I use this little springy, whisk thing to heat sauces, mix gravy, beat eggs, melt butter and more. But the MOST important thing I use it for is making salves for y'all! It is the BEST tool for whisking the beeswax into the other oils as it melts. And it cleans up like a dream!! Gotta have it! And at $3.95...I can afford to love it! (Can you tell that Brandy thinks I've lost it?).

We laughed, talked, ate and laughed and talked some more. I think we all had a great time. Then it was time to clean up....notice the medicinal herb i.d. book? Seems that the interest in medicinal herbs is growing...I almost always need one when I am with a group of people. Someone always has few questions. Around here I am known as "The Herb Lady" :)



We began cleaning....many hands pitched in to help. The boys walked Grandma home across the drive way, helped Brandy carry her huge and heavy bag to her car and before you know it we were back to normal...



Everyone found something to order so I think we were able to bless Brandy. If anyone still wants to order you can do so by following the directions here. Don't forget! I am still sending out a free bar of soap (no shipping even!) to all who place an order with Brandy...so be sure and email me with your request! I think she said you can order through Thursday.

I wish you could have all been here! I got to see old friends and new friends. I even made new friends! Good food, great friends...what a wonderful evening!

Thanks Brandy....you did a GREAT job!!

Monday, July 21, 2008

The name and other things...

Well, believe it or not, we actually had 78 names submitted!  Wow!  What creative people y'all are!  That is on top of the SHORT list we came up with ourselves.

We need a few more days to pray and pick the final name (this is a really big deal after all!) but we have narrowed it down to the following:

Still in the running from y'all are:
Stonebrook Farm

Copper Hills Farm

Iron Stones Farm

Providence Farm

Charis Acres

We'll let you know as soon as we pick.  Since we are baling hay today (Hard Work Farm?), and we have a party tomorrow that y'all have been invited too, it will probably be a few more days.

It has been fun to get some phone calls from local readers letting me know they are coming to the party.  Wish you could all come - wouldn't that be fun?

For those of you who placed orders with Pampered Chef...THANK YOU!  If you sent me your choice of soap, it will be mailed today.  If you haven't...don't forget!

You can still place an order if you are interested.    Follow the link above for the "how to" information.  Brandy will be blessed!  Then email me and let me know what soap you want and a free bar will be in the mail to you :)

And stay tuned for party pictures!!

Thanks for your patience!

Blessings!

Cheri

Saturday, July 19, 2008

All you Pampered Chef fans....free soap!

Just thought I'd add a little fun to the party for our "virtual" attendees!

If you are unable to attend but you place an order online...email me and let me know....and I'll send you a free bar of soap of your choice!!! No shipping charges, nothing, nada, just pick your scent and send me your address. I'll mail them out on Wednesday morning!

For those of you who have already placed an order online (you know who you are!) send me that information and your soap will go out in the morning!

Have fun!!

Cheri

Friday, July 18, 2008

Y'all are invited!

This Tuesday...July 22nd...my house...7:00 p.m.!

Has this ever been done before? Will this be a new Internet phenomenon? Want to be a part?

Let me tell you more. I have this sweet friend named Brandy. Brandy is a young mama to 3 littles - all under the age of 5. She is such a good mama! To help make ends meet, and to enjoy a few minutes of "adult" conversation, Brandy has become a Pampered Chef consultant.

Truthfully, I didn't know what Pampered Chef was when she told me. I've never been to a party but I wanted to do this to encourage Brandy. Since then, many women have told me what great products they have...I can't wait to see myself! Don't know how it all works (I was surprised when I was given a shopping list!) but I know we will be eating, laughing and having fun!

So...here's my plan....ssshhhhhh....quiet now.....I am hoping to bless Brandy's socks off with this party! If you are in my local area...please join us. I know that Brandy will be cooking some things and I plan on making some of my herbed cheese and crackers, some hot blackberry cheese, some delicious pound cake and many other things (guess what I'll be doing on Monday?!). I'd love to surprise her with lots of guests and great sales. They live north of us about an hour but are moving in a week or two into our area. Let's make this an awesome welcoming party!! You'll even get to meet this lady! I've been told that if you bring a friend you get a free gift...so grab someone and bring them along! Just drop me an email or phone me and let me know you are coming! (My boys think I've lost my mind!!)

If you aren't local and would love to bless Brandy, we are having a "virtual party" too! You can order directly from her by going to her website and clicking on "Order Products". A window will pop up and you can fill in my name (Cheri Shelnutt) and proceed from there.

I also need your input....do you love Pampered Chef? I'm really flying blind here since I've never used their products or shopped their catalog.... so leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite product is...which product is a must in your kitchen...which is the greatest time saver?

I'll be posting pictures after the party of how much fun we had...who was there...what we ate... all the details :) Perhaps we'll make internet history :)

We'll eat, visit, talk, eat, laugh and really enjoy ourselves (did I mention that there would be lots of food?) ...y'all come!!!

Last chance...

Just a reminder...tonight at midnight the contest ends.....it is going to be so hard to pick a winner!

Later today....the invitation :)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Guess what we did today?

We took a day off!  My brother and his daughter arrived yesterday from Florida and today we had our annual day on a local lake....with views like this...





The weather was glorious...breezy and warm...and the water was terrific - or so the kids said...



...me....I just stayed on the boat and relaxed....drowsed a little in the shade of the awning and enjoyed visiting with my Mom and my brother.

My niece enjoyed the attention that 4 boys, who have ALWAYS longed for a sister, showered her with.  Lots of laughter, good food and great conversation.



Elijah really enjoyed driving the pontoon boat....fast!

And the end result of such a lovely day????



Really tired big and littles!

Keep the names coming for the contest - it ends tomorrow night at midnight!

And tomorrow I want to try something new with y'all....don't know if it has ever been done before...I certainly never have but it will be a lot of fun!  Y'all are invited to.......??????

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A new shampoo!

I've been wanting to add to my shampoo line for a long time. I finally had an afternoon to play around with ideas, colors and a formula for the scent...and....ta da!......



I'm very please with how it turned out. I used my basic shampoo "recipe" but tweaked it a bit. I used Grapefruit and Sweet Orange essential oils with a splash of Lemon and Lime essential oils....YUMMY! Then I decided to play with a little color. I swirled with a bit of paprika for color and am very happy with the result!

This shampoo bar will have a rich, thick, luxurious lather just like my other bar, which has been wildly popular of late :) This bar was also made with fine oils and essential oils to keep your hair and scalp healthy but the addition of pure citrus oils will be beneficial for those whose hair tends to be a bit more on the oily side (like me!) The scent....takes me back to an orange grove in Florida that served fresh-squeezed, NON-PASTEURIZED orange and grapefruit juice. The smell when you walked in the door! Oh. My. Goodness.



This shampoo bar will need to cure for the next 28 days but as soon as I get it up on the website I'll be taking pre-orders. You order and make payment and the day they are ready I will ship it out to you! This will help me know if I need to make another batch immediately.

I have two more shampoo bars in mind - one that has a divine mint scent and one for fungal problems of the scalp (dandruff!). Of course, ya'll will be the first to hear about those too!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Garlic Knots!

First of all..the recipe.
Garlic Knots

2 1/2 tsp. yeast

1/4 c. dry milk

4 cups bread or all-purpose flour

1 1/3 tsp. salt

1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/3 cup hot water

1 1/4 Tbsp. butter

Butter, garlic cloves and freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Put all ingredients into mixer or bread machine. Mix until thoroughly blended (or if in machine go through the first knead). Let rise till double...about 1 hour. Form into thin ropes, tie into knots and let rise again on an ungreased cookie sheet. (I cover rolls with a piece of cheesecloth or cotton dish towel.) Bake at 350 for 15 min.

Note: If you prefer a more golden color, brush each roll, before baking, with 1 egg white mixed with 1 tbsp water.

TOPPING #1 - When the rolls come out of the oven, brush each with melted butter and then sprinkle with garlic salt.
TOPPING #2 - Melt butter with freshly minced garlic. Brush this over the rolls when they first come out of the oven. Grate fresh Parmesan cheese and sprinkle liberally over the rolls.

Serve WARM.

Now, for the "how to" part. Take a handful of dough....once you have done a few you will be able to gauge how much. I use about this much:



You are going to roll this into a log. Remember play dough? Take a trip back in time and roll it together between your hands like this:



You should end up with a nice long log like this:



Here's the tricky part...you are going to take this long log and tie it into a knot. Don't know how to do video so you are just going to have to work this one out....I loop it around my hand, push the end through and into a knot.



Your finished knots should look something like these - not too big (cause they are really going to rise!) and not too small. (I have made small ones when cooking for a large crowd).



Let them sit another 20 minutes - they will rise beautifully!

Once done, pick your topping and serve. My boys prefer TOPPING #2!

Once a week, our church serves a homemade meal to the kids on campus at a local college through the summer. Today I made a quadruple batch of these to take to the college. And here is what they looked like just before I added a second layer. This is with TOPPING #2.



Can you see the cheese and butter? YUMMY! This is not one of my healthiest recipes...but certainly is one of the tastiest. You can substitute some of the all purpose/bread flour with wheat...not sure how to get around the powdered milk.

Ok...you aspiring bread bakers...tie on your aprons and get busy (you do know you can't cook properly without an apron right?). I want to hear all about your results!!!! (This means you G.!)

Ya'll have fun now!

Friday, July 11, 2008

A new name?.....in other words another CONTEST!!

The boys and I have been talking....and we think, all things considered, that it might be appropriate to give our farm a new name. Since this marks a new beginning in our lives it seems a good thing. We've discussed several names but haven't settled on one that really seems to fit. Since my wonderful readers have been so helpful in the past naming soaps, we thought we'd let ya'll have a whirl at it.

When we moved here 10 years ago, I felt like our Father put this verse on my heart for this farm:
6 “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.

It would be nice to have the farm name reflect this verse in some way...but it's not necessary.

So...here are the rules:


  1. You may enter as many times as you'd like either in the comment section or by email.

  2. The contest will end at midnight on July 18th.

  3. Although we will pick a winner, it does not obligate us to use the name.....you never know...we might think of one ourselves :)

  4. The winner will be announced on Monday, July 21st.

  5. Remember that I have to answer the phone with this name and write it down a million times a year....PLEASE....no long names (Green Rolling Hills Farm would just get tiresome quick)!

  6. Elijah wants me to remind you that we'd like to acknowledge our Father in some way with the name.

  7. *EDIT*  If more than one person picks the same name, then the one who picked it first wins!



Oh....and the rewards....the winner will receive:


  1. A copy of a wonderful cookbook called "From Asparagus to Zucchini: A guide to Farm-Fresh, Seasonal Produce." One of my FAVORITE cookbooks! Look up what's growing in your garden and find lots of recipes for that veggie!

  2. AND...your choice of 2 soaps

  3. AND your choice of 1 salve

  4. AND your choice of 1 Tea

  5. AND your choice of one of the new all natural lip balms that are going up on my website!



So...on your mark, get set, GO!!! We are looking forward to seeing how creative ya'll can be!

In the meantime...stay tuned for some exciting new additions to the shampoo line....I'll have pictures of the newest creation by Monday. Also, you aspiring bread bakers, join me later this weekend for a tutorial on making garlic knots...YUMMY!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Mystery solved?

Someone tattled in comments....I think I know who has been talking! And I'm so thankful!

You can read all about it here.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

An international reputation?

Now, how did this happen?  Fess up! Who's been talking?  Raise your hand......
Hi Cheri,

I have just learned about your fabulous shampoo bar and would love to try some.  Do you happen to ship internationally?  I'm in Australia.

Thank you!

F.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

...and then there were three!

We saw an ad....a disabled gentleman had taken in a stray cat that was pregnant. She had kittens - he had to find homes quick or he would be evicted...he's not allowed to have pets. Josiah was off for the day so...Elijah, Mom and I took a trip to a neighboring town. There were 3 kittens left...an orange tabby, a dark gray...and, of course, a calico!

I just knew he would love her....



wouldn't you?

When he got home, I had Siah close his eyes and I gently laid her in his lap. She snuggled right up to him and Siah was thrilled. She was exactly what he wanted!



She appears to be the same age as the others, is much calmer than they are and is very snuggly. Her markings are beautiful, and she loves to play with paper. She has a very "regal" personality. She gets along fine with the other two - they all play, fight and sleep together.



and her name....is Mia!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Freebies....

While we were at Mr. Gabby's picking up Braveheart, this small gray speck crossed Jeremy's path. Jeremy is my tender-hearted warrior. I heard "Mom! Look!" and turned around...he was holding the smallest kitten I had ever seen. Mr. Gabby remarked that she was the runt of the litter....one half the size of her litter mates. She would have fit into a tea cup! Mr. Gabby encouraged Jeremy to put her in his pocket and take her home. His words to Jeremy, "she'll just die if she stays here", were all it took to melt his heart. One look from Jeremy's big brown eyes, asking the unasked question, melted my heart. How could I say no?



I didn't think she would live...she looked like a small skeleton with gray fur. He named her Meeci...the pan of milk next to her holds one cup! But, she is putting on a little weight and I think she will survive.

When we got back to the car and Jeremy showed his brothers his treasure...the other two boys jumped out of the truck and went in search of Mr. Gabby....tradition in our home in regards to kittens is one for each. (I may be re-thinking that one). Mr. Gabby was willing to part with one more. He does have a huge dairy farm after all and needs those barn cats!

Josiah let Elijah pick....(another tender-hearted warrior...willing to do without to give to his little brother!). A beautiful orange tabby found his way into Elijah's arms...meet Teddy Roosevelt!



Teddy is...hhmmmm...shall we say....feisty! He regularly beats up his sister....we keep a squirt bottle on hand to keep him in line. His temper matches Elijah's (however I have found that the squirt bottle has no effect on Elijah ;) ). They make quite a pair.

Here you can see the size difference. Meeci weighed 10 ounces when we brought her home. Teddy was more than twice that! Mr. Gabby was right...she probably wouldn't have lived much longer.



And in a rare moment of peace and quiet (now if I could just get the kittens to sleep at the same time the boys sleep!).


And now we are on the hunt for a kitten for Josiah. Called the humane shelter...can you believe $80 to adopt a kitten? And they chip them for you too! (Do they read the reports about how chipping animals is causing tumors/cancer?). Josiah wants a Calico kitten - we've never had one.

So here I am...a Mama who is allergic to cats...with kittens living in our home until they are big enough to go out. They are in a HUGE cage which helps...but oh my...my itching eyes and nose. Stinging Nettle tea is my only relief right now. However, I have to admit, we are all enjoying a lot of laughs during play time :)
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