Tuesday, November 30, 2010

TNFarmgirl is on Facebook!

In an attempt to *ahem* stay abreast with the social-networking cyber-world, TNfarmgirl now has a Facebook page!  You can find me here.  Yes, I know....it's.about.time.  Sorry I'm late.

True confession time here - I created a Facebook page for myself for the sole purpose of seeing friend's pictures.  No one emails them anymore - everyone would casually toss out "they're on my Facebook page" when I asked to see pictures. I'm rarely on (who has the time?) but I do get to see pictures now!

After the gazillionth peson asked about a Facebook page for TNfarmgirl, I got the hint!  It appeared that I needed one.  So with the help of this lady, I went about creating one.  You will be able to keep up with new soaps, classes and new creations there.

So, please hop over and visit - if you like what you see, please tap the "like" button for me!

Tomorrow - another contest...but not for anything I've made!  You won't want to miss it!

Blessings,

Monday, November 29, 2010

His Endless Gifts

We worship Him with our gratitude for His endless gifts....


#291 to #315


family meals together

tradition

the Old Testament

classical music

warm fires

grandfather clocks

new ideas

heating pads

the sound of wind in the trees

winter

game nights..just the four of us

laughter

water rushing in the creek

fresh eggs

the generosity of children's hearts

forgiveness

old things

warm socks

the sound of a son singing and playing the guitar

worship with friends

our men's bible study that welcomes my boys

jewelweed

candlelight

Christmas traditions

pink cheeks and cold noses


Won't you join me as I worship the King with gratitude...your life will change and perhaps you will find, as I do, that He is your source, He is your provider...He never fails...He never forsakes....

He leaves me breathless....




holy experience



Blessings,

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Grace like Rain!

May it pour on your home and family today!



Blessings!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Might you consider shopping with TNfarmgirl this year?

My new soap, Pumpkin Spice, is up on my farm website and available for purchase. Boy does it smell yummy!  This soap should be wonderful for dry skin!  It is packed with pumpkin and shea butter!  Pumpkin is an emollient...who'd have known!

As you are purchasing for your loved ones this year, might you consider shopping a bit with TNfarmgirl?  Perhaps you know someone who'd like a gift certificate to be used at my website or to attend a class here on my farm? Perhaps they'd enjoy one of my books available here and here.  Would they enjoy a calendar to help them all year long with gardening?

There are gift baskets available on my farm website but I also create custom gift packages for Christmas or any occasion. Stocking stuffers can be as simple as one of my all natural lip balms to a package of tea or a bar of soap!

Here are a few custom gifts I've created over the last few years!

From stocking stuffers to small gifts in baskets, boxes and tins...



To large baskets and boxes filled with goodies!



























I'd be delighted to work within your budget to help create a custom gift for that special person in your life. Stocking stuffers begin at $2.00 and small baskets and tins begin at $10.  Share your ideas and I'd be glad to give you a quote. I can include a gift card and mail directly to the recipient taking all of the work off of your hands.  I always share a picture of the final product via email for your approval.

You can be assured that their gift will be unique and created especially with them in mind!
Thank you!

Blessings!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Won't you worship Him with Thankfulness today?



From our farm to your home...

May your Thanksgiving Day be blessed and joyous!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

And the winner is...

It all began with a yummy new soap made with real pumpkin. It smells like pumpkin pie..














Did you know that pumpkin is emollient and wonderful for wrinkles and dry skin?

I called on you, my faithful readers, for names and boy did you respond!  Y'all are so creative!  It was so hard to pick but the boys and I had a meeting today and spent a lot of time narrowing it down....

Jeremy really liked "The Great Pumpkin"....Josiah and Elijah had favorites too....

but the name we finally decided on was....

Pumpkin Spice!  Congratulations to Beth S.!














I'll have this soap available to purchase on my website this weekend - after all the cooking is done!

Beth, you'll receive a bar of this yummy soap and another of your choosing so please drop me a note and let me know what you'd like!

Good news dear readers...there are more soap naming contests coming up!  I've been busy in my little kitchen and new soaps are popping forth regularly right now!

I also happen to have two (only two!) copies, already printed, of my medicinal herb course.  This normally sells for $20.  I am selling these for $10 each plus shipping.  The only difference is that they have an older email and website address on them. I am changing the name of my course (not the contents) and these still carry the old name. This is the same course on my website that sells for $20!  If you are interested, please email me.

I  will be sharing some Christmas traditions with you later next week - I just can't get to Christmas until after I've finished Thanksgiving!  Y'all have asked so I'm sharing books, tips and hints to help you focus on Jesus.

More exciting news - there will be a new giveaway this year!  I've been contacted by an amazing company and given some goodies to pass on to my readers. I can't wait to share this with you - it's something that is VERY hard to find this time of year! And the quality - oh.my!

I'm looking forward to a full table this year, filled with family and friends.  There'll be cranberries, turkey and cornbread stuffing, sweet potato souffle, maple green beans, homemade rolls, desserts, cookies and pies...oh my!  I'll be busy in my kitchen for the next couple of days as, I am sure, most of you will be as well.

May He bless you as you gather to worship Him with Thanksgiving!


Monday, November 22, 2010

His Endless Gifts

We worship Him with our gratitude for His endless gifts...

#266 to #290

holiday celebrations

family gathered close

fellowship

special meals

snicky snacks

the changing of seasons

full moons through bare trees

night sounds

a million stars shining down on my farm

the view from my kitchen window

pecans raining in the wind

the wisdom of elders

secret giving



doctors filled with grace

orthodontia (it is about to begin!)

a timely hug

friends who love

working together

wonderful students

Aunts who visit

Mark Lowry's ability to bring joy (my sides still hurt!)

the chime of an antique clock...reminding me to pray

Won't you join me as I worship the King with gratitude...your life will change and perhaps you will find, as I do, that He is your source, He is your provider...He never fails...He never forsakes....

He leaves me breathless....

holy experience

Blessings,

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Give me Jesus



May you find Him today....

Thursday, November 18, 2010

She lied!

Yes she did!  She stood right up on that stage and told me that her products were made only with natural ingredients that I'd find in my kitchen.  I believed her..well..   *ahem*    sort of...

I had to check for myself, I mean she was a perfect stranger and I'd never even heard of her!  Make me feel better and tell me you'd check too.

I finally remembered to do that - I went to the frozen foods section, found bread and breakfast items and began reading labels. (Have you ever looked  at the stuff in the frozen food section - oh.my.goodness!) This was fascinating...and horrifying...and fascinating...and horrifying.

I left right before management arrived to investigate the woman and young child reading boxes and bags and tossing them back into the freezers while exclaiming - "yuck!" to the amazement of other shoppers.

I disavow any knowledge of those people.

I don't know about you but I don't use soybean oil (ack!) and I certainly don't use cottonseed oil  even though they are considered natural.  However, I don't think I've ever added mono and diglycerides or nitrates to my home-cooked meals.  I suppose, if you stretched it, the mono and diglycerides might be considered natural - I mean they started as fats right?  But nitrates???

She was a very nice lady and she certainly loved Jesus and I liked her.  I felt like we could sit down over a cup of tea (I'll bring the baked goodies thank you!) and have a great time. However, her idea of natural and my idea of natural are a wee bit different.

I'm just saying.

A friend just loaned me her cookbook - I hope the recipes are made with things in my pantry.  I'll keep you informed - perhaps I'll do a book review - they take awhile because I have to actually make the things in the book to know if its a good book.  Let's face it, all the pretty glossy pictures don't mean a thing - it's the taste that counts.

Her products are probably one of the most natural compared to the other labels I read. I had never read frozen bread labels before - it was the stuff of horror stories! Once I started it was hard to stop.  People are actually eating this stuff - I wonder if they know?

Next week I might get brave enough to  peek at these "meals in a box - just add water".  Once I've recovered that is - I can only handle so much information without nightmares.

Blessings,

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

C4L Emergency Alert!!! Cloture Vote TODAY On S. 510 "Food Safety Modernization Act"

*Tennessee residents* - Senator Lamar Alexander is a co-sponsor on this unconstitutional legislation - please let him know your thoughts on this!
From C4L- BE VIGILANT TO PROTECT YOUR FREEDOMS!
Toll free number to Capitol Hill - 1-866-220-0044 - Write it down and use it often!

November 15, 2010
Dear Friend of Liberty,
A critical cloture vote is scheduled for this Wednesday, November 17, on S. 510, the so-called "Food Safety Modernization Act," which will open the floodgates for tyrannical federal bureaucrats to crush local producers of healthy food.
Click here to get contact information for calling, faxing, and emailing your senators today. Tell them to oppose S.510 on every vote - including cloture.
The statists in the Senate are banking on us not paying attention after the elections in order to ram another disgusting bill down our throats.
Don't fall for their rhetoric about a few provisions that supposedly address concerns of small-scale farmers; the FDA still has all the power it needs to shut down family farms on a whim.
In other words, it will be up to bureaucrats to decide whether or not local food production is decimated by federal regulations or shut down if the FDA has "reason to believe" the food on the premises is contaminated.
While family farms face greater scrutiny and increased costs, the government’s Big Agriculture allies will have no problem adjusting to the new rules.
In these tough economic times, S. 510 will drive up the costs of food production by adding more layers of government interference. Like Cap and Tax, which will guarantee higher energy bills, S. 510 will ensure you pay more to meet an essential need.
We know Congress won’t be the one tightening its belt: Section 401 of S. 510 authorizes nearly $1 billion to grow the government’s reach and calls for over 17,000 new bureaucrats to be hired through fiscal year 2014 (just for starters).
The bill also grants blanket authority for federal agencies to impose international guidelines and standards on domestic food producers - giving agencies authority to harmonize all American food production and processes in line with the globalist Codex.
Well-intentioned amendments to this rotten bill are not enough to make it anything other than unconstitutional.
It should be noted that Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Richard Burr (R-NC) coordinated to reach a "bipartisan" agreement earlier in the year to forge ahead with the otherwise stalled bill.
If you are a constituent of any of these senators, they especially need to hear from you.
Don't let the statists empower their Big Agriculture allies and destroy reputable food producers like the independent family farm, where the free market works every day to provide the public with healthy choices.
Click here to get contact information for calling, faxing, and emailing your senators today!
http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Tell them to oppose S.510 on every vote - including cloture.
In Liberty,
John Tate
President
P.S. The cloture vote is scheduled for this Wednesday. Make sure your senators hear from you today. Urge them to follow Senator Tom Coburn's lead and oppose the bill.


The Coming Food Dictatorship

Blessings,

Why I hate Codex....(stepping up on my soapbox once again)

I had an interesting experience this week.  I posted an ad about my classes on a local online "bulletin board".  I received a rather nasty response from a "Dr," who accused me of fear mongering for greedy purposes.  You know - scare them into taking my class so I can earn TONS of money by insinuating that herbs and vitamins may be difficult to find under Codex. (Riiiiiggghhhht - that happens....like I can scare them into that whole tons of money thing...)  My knowledge of herbs was also called into question because of my beliefs about Codex and I was informed that Codex will not address vitamins, minerals or herbs.


I though perhaps y'all could benefit from my answer (Yes, I had to respond!) and perhaps that would explain how I feel about Codex and our country's involvement with the U.N. and W.T.O.  I'd love my students to chime in on whether I scared you into taking my class (I'm so powerful that way) and what your opinion of my class was.  Be warned - I'll probably use your comments on a page I am working on for my website....names removed of course...to protect the innocent...or guilty - whatever the case may be.


This person also took umbrage that I insinuated that our President quietly signed an Executive Order that begins to place the U.S. under Codex...against the wishes of the American people.  I wasn't too worried - Ron Paul happens to agree with me on most of this - gotta love being in his company!


Let me know what you think :)


Dear Dr.,
Thank you for your email. It appears that rather than attempt to educate me about something you believe I have misunderstood, you chose instead to insult and demean. I think it falls under the category of an Ad Hominem attack (covered by our English Grammar lesson last week). 
I hope you will read my reply as I attempt to share with you what I have learned about Codex and why I do what I do. The following are excerpts from my notes over many years and links to several organizations listed at the end.
When a document that affects the private and personal choices of every single person in the United States is signed with little to no media coverage, I consider it as being done quietly.  I also understand that the apathy of the citizenry plays a great role in allowing the federal government to increase beyond the scope of what the Constitution allows. This Executive Order goes so far beyond the Constitutionally allowed reach of the Federal Government into our private lives as to be laughable if it wasn’t so sad.
I have not liked the attempts to limit my freedoms made by our current administration, the previous administration or even several before that.  To be able to protect our freedoms, we must first understand them.  I highly recommend the Constitution class taught in Greene County by local attorney Jeff Cobble.
The implementation of Codex has been attempted through Congress, under different administrations, several times... but the people of the United States have forcefully rejected the idea of a global organization making determinations on our food, vitamin and supplement choices down to a “micro-management” level.  
As a free people, the ability to choose our food, vitamins and herbs should be made by us as individuals and not dictated to us by a governing body of any kind, much less a global authority.  Our local Greene County Farmer’s Market has come under fire this last summer because of government regulations which adversely affected many small businesses and the customers of the market as the government intervened to make sure our choices were what the government deemed safe 
If I want to buy a cake from Miss Martha, the government won’t allow it unless Miss Martha has her kitchen inspected and approved or chooses to use an “approved facility”.  Of course, this costs money that Miss Martha can't afford to pay on her fixed income. So now...I can’t enjoy Miss Martha’s wonderful cakes and Miss Martha can’t earn a few extra dollars to supplement her SSI check each month. Oh goody! I feel so much safer now.
As a grown woman, I have the good sense to make my own decisions and should not have my food choices limited by my government.  The government programs that are attempting to control these choices under the guise of  “taking care of us and protecting us” are unconstitutional and there are way too many of them. ( “Hello, I’m from the Gov’ment and I’m here to help you!”) Codex, USDA, NAIS are trampling on our freedoms....just to name a few.
I have been following Codex for many years now.  I believe it is a dangerous thing.  I don’t believe our government has a right to give a global organization (United Nations and the World Health Organization) any authority over the lives of American citizens.   Under the terms of the Uruguay Round of GATT, which created the WTO, the US agreed to harmonize its domestic laws to the international standards.  This includes standards for dietary supplements being developed by the United Nations’s Codex Alimentarius Commissions’ Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary use. The Uruguay Round Agreements carry explicit language indicating that the US must harmonize to international standards! 
"Members are fully responsible under this Agreement for the observance of all provisions.... members shall formulate and implement positive measures and mechanisms in support of the observance of the provisions.... by other than central government bodies." [WTO TBT Agreement at Article 3.5]".  This will require our federal government to not only change federal law but it will have to require state and local governments to change their laws to be in accordance with international law.  Not only that, but Codex Alimentarius is now enforceable through the World Trade Organization (WTO). If a country disagrees with or refuses to follow Codex standards, the WTO applies pressure by withdrawing trade privileges and imposing crippling trade sanctions. Congress has already bowed to this pressure several times and so have the governments of many countries.
While the exemption clause (USC 3512(a)(1) and (a)(2) was created to supposedly protect our laws from harmonization to international standards, it has proven to be totally ineffective. The United States has already lost seven trade disputes despite the exemption clause. Due to the enormous pressures put on them by lobbyists from multinational corporations (who contribute millions to congressional campaigns), Congress bowed to pressure and changed U.S. laws.”
Codex benefits big business.  It is profitable to the pharmaceutical industry and big agri-businesses but not to small businesses, who cannot hope to financially meet the changes necessary to be in compliance.  Many small businesses could disappear under Codex. And it certainly isn’t here to help us.
Although I believe that Codex is often misunderstood and many rumors abound - there are dangerous precedents that need to be addressed.  An excellent article can be found here,
Codex will address vitamins, minerals and supplements.  However those decisions have not been finalized as far as I can tell.  The problem with trying to keep up with Codex is that it is constantly being changed and amended.  This portion of Codex can be found under GUIDELINES FOR VITAMIN AND MINERAL FOOD SUPPLEMENTS CAC/GL 55 - 2005.   
According to the National Health Federation, at the meetings held earlier this month in Dusseldorf, Germany the proposed NRV from the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) have been lowered to;
[2] The proposed Codex NRVs are: Vitamin A (dropped from 800 mcg to 550 mcg); Vitamin D (5 mcg or 200 IUs); Vitamin E (8.8 mg); Vitamin K (60 mcg); Vitamin C (dropped from 60 mg to 45 mg); Thiamin (dropped from 1.4 to 1.2 mg); Riboflavin (dropped from 1.6 mg to 1.2 mg); Niacin (dropped from 18 mg to 15 mg); Vitamin B6 (dropped from 2 mg to 1.3 mg); Folate (raised to 400 mcg); Vitamin B12 (2.4 mcg); Pantothenate (5 mg); Biotin (30 mcg); Calcium (raised from 800 mg to 1000 mg); Magnesium (dropped from 300 mg to 240 mg); Iodine (150 mcg); Iron (14.3-43.1 mg depending upon bioavailability); Zinc (dropped from 15 mg to 3.6-11.9, depending upon bioavailability); Selenium (30 mcg); Phosphorus (700 mg); Chloride (2.3 grams); Copper (900 mcg); Fluoride (3.5 mg); Manganese (2.1 mg); Chromium (30 mcg); and Molybdenum (45 mcg).”
What has happened in Europe may very well set a precedent as to what happens here - low doses of vitamins unless you have a Dr’s prescription.  Certain herbs either outlawed or requiring a Dr’s prescription. etc.  Although I don’t agree with everything on each of the following sites, I believe they can be a good place to continue your research.  

Federal Register where the FDA states its intention to harmonize with Codex standards: http://iahf.com/codx-fda.txt
Personally, I have a problem with the following issues outlined:
  • Codex’s support for the global trade of simplified, nutritionally-inadequate, chemically-contaminated and increasingly genetically-modified foods
  • Codex’s lack of support or interest in community-based farming and food supply infrastructures which are known to offer high quality foods better adapted to local environments
  • The increasing ‘dumbing down’ of organic agricultural principles making them less environmentally sustainable while making them more amenable to large agri-businesses
  • Codex's lack of interest in the agricultural self-sufficiency of poorer countries
  • Codex’s support for hazardous food technologies such as GMO’s, chemical additives, pesticides and irradiation
  • Codex’s desire to limit beneficial and therapeutic nutrients delivered as supplements
  • The acceptance of risk analysis principles that are fundamentally defective scientifically when it comes to the consideration of nutrients, and foods with health benefits
  • Codex’s attempt to harmonize health claims using excessively onerous criteria to support claims which flies in the face of approaches that support the education of consumers in the field of healthy eating and nutritional supplementation
  • Pressure from World Trade Organization (WTO) for countries to harmonize to Codex recommendations, guidelines or standards, or face sanctions which might be sufficient to cripple the economy of smaller countries
The great American Founding Father, and the United States first President, George Washington once said, “Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.”  
I’ve always admired George.
"If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." Thomas Jefferson (1762-1821), Third President of the USA, author of the Declaration of Independence.

I believe that Mr. Jefferson was a very. wise. man.

You may think that Codex is a harmless or perhaps even a wonderful thing.  That’s your right and I won't insult you for believing that.  I choose to disagree with you. I don’t often trust the UN or the WHO.  My students are encouraged to do their own research and make their own decisions - funny thing is that most of them have already done so....and it is one of the reasons they choose to take my class. Many of them have educated me in areas of Codex. Because you disagreed with me about the dangers of Codex, you chose to assume that my motivation was to use fear because of “greed”.  However, you used nothing but your opinions sandwiched with some assumptions and insults to attack my small advertisement. Back to that Ad Hominem attack thing!
I teach classes.  I do not charge a lot of money  - I hardly think “greed” could be considered my motivation when many others on the fear bandwagon would charge hundreds of dollars for the same presentation.  I don’t pressure people to come. I’m not teaching thousands...I’m teaching small groups occasionally. Although I inform them of my opinions about the possibility of things to come,  I certainly don’t use fear to solicit students.  I also don’t incite fear in my classes.  I’ve never had a student leave unhappy or dissatisfied - in fact most of my students have been referred to me by other satisfied students.
I teach people how to use herbs in their own homes to make simple remedies - just like my great-grandmother did and, depending on your age, perhaps your great-grandmother did also. Just as millions of people continue to do today in Native American communities, third world countries, people here in Appalachia and yes...in the kitchens and homes of people all over this country.
I agree with one thing - you probably wouldn’t enjoy my classes.  You see the world through different eyes and respond in kind.
Sincerely,
Cheri
Tomorrow I'll post a video that I found very interesting.  It is narrated by Judi Dench which makes it a pleasure to listen to because of her lovely accent - it also happens to be filled with facts about Codex.


So....dear students of mine....what do you think about Codex?


Blessings,


Monday, November 15, 2010

His Endless Gifts

We worship Him with our gratitude for His endless gifts...

#236 to #265

a warm fire

a hand that reaches for mine during a movie

long discussions with my son

unexpected company

soft rain on the rooftop

morning mists rising from the hollows

cinnamon

the smell of fall

planes that bring family

apple orchards

forgiveness

music

mexican food - the real thing

my married son's tender heart

students

two heads bent over a book

sons with servants hearts

words strung together

music in my home

warm sweaters

auctions

old things

new kitchens

time for fun

mornings at daybreak

cold water when I'm thirsty

a son that beats me at chess - always

a Savior who loves me

warm doughnuts

home groups studying together

Won’t you join me….journal His gifts….your faith and gratitude will grow, your trust will increase and life becomes an exciting adventure as you anticipate what your Father will do next….He is your source...He never fails....never forsakes......


He keeps me...breathless.....


holy experience



Blessings,

Friday, November 12, 2010

Soap Naming Contest!

As it stands now, the name is Pumpkin Pie.














I'm counting on your creative juices to help me improve it's name!  Of course, the best way to accomplish this is with a contest! And with a contest there has to be rules and prizes...


The Rules
1. Contest begins now and ends at midnight on November 22nd.
2. Name will be chosen by my family.  Although there *is* a winner, we are not obligated to use your name...after all..we might choose one of our own!
3. You can't be related to me and win.
4. You may enter as many times as you like.
5. Suggestions must be left in the comment section of this post or sent in email.
6. Winner will be announced November 24th - the day before Thanksgiving!

And now we have...
The Prizes!
Winner gets a free bar of the soap they name and one other soap of their choosing.
I even pay the shipping!

Always wanted to try my soap but never got around to it? Now's the time...perhaps you can try it absolutely free! 


Blessings,

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Pumpkin Pie?

Mondays are my soap days.  I set the boys up with their lessons for the day and then get busy in the kitchen making soap.  Elijah usually does his school work close by so that I can answer any questions.

This past Monday I really wanted to make something  with a spicy fall tone...something with cinnamon.  I decided to make a "pumpkin pie" soap.  It took a bit of work - figuring out the specific gravity of pumpkin, how it displaced water and doing some math to divide the specific gravity of pumpkin and the specific gravity of water...

I knew that there was a good chance it could seize in the pan but I was willing to chance it - having everything ready just in case:)  I had no idea what the color would be like but wanted to try. (Using food in a recipe can result in some pretty quirky colors!)

Oh.my.goodness.

This soap looks like pumpkin pie, smells like pumpkin pie...it even cut like pumpkin pie AND it's all natural too (the most important thing!).  I had to keep reminding myself I couldn't taste it ....and I'm not that crazy about pumpkin pie!













It did try to seize in the pot but I was able to beat it out of that seize and the color turned out an amazing pumpkin pie color - wow!













I wish I could make these pictures "scratch & sniff".

So...new soap...you know what that means...I need a name!  I can always fall back on Pumpkin Pie but am hoping you, dear readers, can be more creative than I can.

Check in tomorrow to find our how to participate in the new Soap Naming Contest and what you will win if your name is chosen!

Blessings,
Related Posts with Thumbnails