Glad you are okay. Sometimes with out electricity it can be fun. Makes you think about what is really important. And sometimes those well made plans just go up in smoke,or down with the rain or something but the sun did come out,and again thank God you are okay.

Brenda, thank you for commenting.  We are so thankful – it could have been so much worse!  -Nicole

So happy no one was hurt at your house!We certainly learn how to function quickly when disaster strikes, don’t we? Still praying for everyone in Irene’s path.

Gosh, Nicole! I am relieved that you and your family weathered this storm and will continue to weather many others (just maybe not this type!)….You did great planning for your basement retreat.
I have never lived in an area prone to this type of weather activity. The closest we got here in eastern Washington state is something we locals call ‘ice storm’. I remember I was working that particular day and my mom and dad called me to tell me that everything was covered with ice and to NOT take the freeway. I dashed out to my car and started down the hill to the main street when I realized that I couldn’t see through the ice shell covering my car. When I got out to work on my windshield my hair froze automatically, sticking out on one side of my head. We also were without power and I thanked God that my husband was an electrician and had installed a generator! My folks used their motor home alot that year and when we came over for Thanksgiving, mom had cooked the turkey and side dishes, promptly finishing when the power went out again.
I think back on this part of my life, being thankful that I had wonderful parents and a husband to help me through. As mom would say, ‘It was a tough row to hoe..’…..

I’m sending you some positive energy! Hang in there, sweetie!

Wow Janice, what a story!  Thank you for sharing.  We get blizzards here, but with those, we know in advance, and honestly the roads are cleared the next day.  With ice, there’s a higher chance of losing power.  What made last winter so hard was the ice and snow piled up so high, you couldn’t see the oncoming traffic when you pulled out or could walk anywhere.  Thank you for your wishes.  We are well, power here is back.  Certainly makes you appreciate it, though, when it is out for long periods!  -Nicole

I am from the quiet corner of CT and there isn’t anything more intimidating then facing such storms and the aftermath of doing without a lot of things we take for granted till we don’t have them. We made it through and I am glad you and your family also. I like the laundry idea.

Glad to hear you are doing well, too.  It was something, that storm, wasn’t it? Thank you for reading!  -Nicole

Been there, done it. Cooked on a camp stove…..windows open all around. Hanging clothes out to dry…..by the way, the washboard idea was a good one! After five days without power, we got in a groove, and then when the lights came on, we were sort of bummed!!! But only for a few minutes! What I missed most when the lights came on was the quiet.

Jeannie, I know what you mean.  We enjoyed "hunkering down" each night before it got dark in our basement (the generator powers a part of it).  We had more family time without t.v. than we have had in ages.  I also am looking into getting a "real" clothesline.  I was inspired to do it when I read MaryJane’s book, but now really want one.  The clothes smell so fresh! Thanks for reading.  -Nicole

I am glad you are OK and hope this next storm is nice to you too! How convenient to have that washboard! And I am lovin’ your clothesline. Don’t you wish for one up all the time?
Blessings to you as you clean up!
Cyndi

Totally!  My daughter wanted her swingset back, so I am looking into a "real" clothesline.  I have to say washing with the washboard and hanging it up to dry was actually quite relaxing!  My daughter says we should get a wringer, too!  We’ll see… Thanks for reading and commenting!  -Nicole

Nicole,
Another great story and great advice about being prepared for a potential storm. So many people do not heed storm warnings and get caught with no food or water and an empty tank of gas.
I love the vintage washboard! And it is a practical item to have on hand.

Thanks, Rose!  Thank you for reading, too.  -Nicole

Interesting comment about not reusing the jar lids. Is it because they don’t form a tight seal the second time? My parents made jam and would cover the jam with wax instead of a lid. How safe was this to keep jam fresh and good to eat?
By the way, your homemade jam is wonderful! It is worth all the hard work you put into it!

Thank you, Rose.  Yes, with the lids they do not form the tight seal if reused, but they are so inexpensive it certainly is not worth the chance.  The rings and jars are reusable, as long as there are no cracks in the glass.  Hugs, Nicole

Hello Nicole, I am amazed at how canning is taking off this year. Or is it that, now that I am canning too I just notice it more? I started canning for our churchs christmas boutique this Nov. I was kind of shanghied into it actually and now love it. I have about 100 jars so far of jams and relishes. My fave to make was "plum rum walnut conserve". It made me think, how about strawberry dacquire jam for the adults? I had so many organic fruits donated to me that I had to freeze them until I had time to can them all. I have, even now, strawberries and grapes (for jelly) still in the freezer, waiting. I loved your post, very encouraging. Keep up the good work. Linda

Hi Linda!  Wow!  Those recipes sound great!  I love to try different ones!  I’ve got a few I want to give a whirl that I haven’t tried yet.  Thanks so much for reading, Linda!  Happy Jammin’! -Nicole

I love to make jam. I love to see and how it all tastes. This was fun to read. Thanks

Thank you for reading, Debra!  -Nicole

Thanks for reminding me of the fact that I actually went to the local Mary Jane’s store and purchased Chill-Over powder awhile back! I thought that you could use it for jam…The last raspberry freezer jam that I did was sweetened with stevia. It turned out more like a fruit spread (not as sweet as most jams) and good.
My mother-in-law does a plum jam. She starts by washing and pitting her plums and putting them in the oven in a turkey roaster with some water. She cooks them down and sweetens them with a little sugar. She even places the jars in the oven in a pan of water to start the sealing process. I researched this part and read that it was not safe, though I won’t tell her! She’s been doing it for years….
Next I will try your version!!
Good ideas and lots of fun!

Janice, my sisterhood chapter and I took a canning class last year at our local extension.  I agree with them, safety must be the first precaution, and using the boiling method for jam, I don’t worry, as that is the preferred method.  If canning low-acid foods, (green beans, etc.) then a pressure canner must be used. I haven’t tried Stevia, but sure was happy with MaryJane’s Chillover Powder.  Have fun!  -Nicole

I like making jam and make apple butter every fall with crate-priced apples from the local apple orchard. I was glad to see you working on a smooth-top stove. When I got mine (I love it) I was told by someone that "you can’t can on a smooth-top stove." That made me move to freezing my jams and butters (not as nice to give as gifts). Your article here made me pull out my Use and Care Guide and finally read up on "Home Canning Tips." Whadda ya know? I can can as long as I use a flat bottom pan. Off to can some blackberry jam!

Thanks for writing, Mary.  Blackberry jam – yummy!  That’s one of my favorites.  I used to have a gas stove, and was talked into the smooth top by the salesperson years ago, but I have to admit the only issue I have with it when canning is that it is easier to scorch the bottom of the pan if you aren’t careful, as the heat doesn’t turn down as quickly as with gas.  Just keep stirring and watching, and you will be fine!  Have fun!  -Nicole

Hi Nicole,
It’s me Patricia, I’m addicted to reading your posts! This past weekend, I had a "canning party", we canned strawberry jam, spiced onions, pickles, applesauce and apple butter. I LOVE to can, it gives me such a sense of accomplishment, please keep up the wonderful posts, really makes my day!

Patricia, oh my goodness, you are so sweet!  What a nice thing to say!  Your canning party sounds like a blast…would make a great Sisterhood Chapter activity!  Thank you again, you made MY day!  -Nicole

Nicole- Love, love, love your posts!! I’ve been making jam for several years and I, too, love it! I’ve used regular and low sugar pectin but never MaryJane’s Chillover Powder. I’m looking forward to ordering some and trying it! We live in Oregon and get fresh strawberries in our garden, pick organic blueberries and sometimes, organic peaches. It really does give you such a rich sense of accomplishment and the flavors are unsurpassed. Giving it as a gift brings sunny smiles from the recipients and a warm feeling for me inside. Thank you for your encouragement.

Hi Tess!  Thank you for the nice comment!  How fun to do the picking yourself!  We usually go peach and apple picking every year, and there are farms to pick strawberries and blueberries as well. (It always seems to rain the day we want to go)! Your garden sounds wonderful.  Thanks again for reading.  -Nicole

Hi Nicole,
Loved reading your jam blog as I LOVE jamming and am trying some new stuff this year like Jalapeno and Red Bell Pepper Jam for a great Christmas look.
Question:
How did you make that Mason Jar soap container. Where did you get the dispenser part and how to make the hole fit just right? It’s SO cute.
Thank you.
Suzie Treloar

Hi Suzie, Thank you for saying such nice things!  For my soap dispenser, I took a regular mason canning jar, lid, and ring.  I tapped a hole in the top with a hammer and nail.  The dispenser part came from an old dispenser, so I just re-purposed it.  I have only had to replace the lid part one time in two years at it got a bit rusty.  I saw in Lehman’s catalog (www.lehmans.com) that they also sell that part now, as well.  You would just need the jar.  -Nicole

I haven’t tried canning yet, but I am working my way up to it! How long do you boil the jars and lids to sterilize before filling? How do you dry them before filling?

Thank you for your inspirational post.

Thanks for reading Monique!  When I do mine, I keep my jars boiling in the hot water for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes before taking them out.
-Nicole

Hi, I found your site by mistake when i was searching yahoo. I have to say your content is helpful. I also love the theme, its amazing!. I don’t have that much time to read all your post at the moment but I have bookmarked it. I will be back in a day or two. Thanks for a great website.

Here’s an idea that I caught on a cooking show a few days back! Slice summer squash and/or zuc in thin slices and toss in a bag with flour. Brown on each side in oil. Cook some pasta reserving some of the cooking water. Toss together pasta, romano (or similar cheese), grated garlic, fried squash, some cooking water, season to tast. Yummo…Thanks for the veggie packet idea!
By the way, my garden eater is a small baby rabbit that lives adjacent to my beans. One row gone down to the stems but I retaliated by starting some seeds in a raised bed, complete with plastic screening material..I just love my rabbits…

Janice, that recipe sounds delish!  Thanks for sharing!  Good luck with your raised bed.  Yesterday I had a small bird in my garden, as well.  She slipped through the fencing.  I was able to free her unharmed.  Thanks for reading! -Nicole

Nicole,
I’m really getting the "hang" of this! Let me say that your site inspires me, I get done reading & get off my "duff" and get busy doing SOMETHING. I appreciate you, please keep up the excellent posts…

Wow!  Patricia, thank you so very much!  It means a lot to me!  -Nicole

Great post, Nicole. I can’t wait to have my own backyard someday so I can have a veggie garden and flowers. Thanks for the recipe, too – looking forward to trying it, as well as Janice’s recipe!

Nicole- As always your blog is a pleasure to read…I look forward to reading it just as much as I look forward to receiving my latest issue of MJF! Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your "suburban" farmgirl life. Living in suburbia across the sound on Long Island I can totally relate to your stories. Enjoy the rest of your summer my friend!
Smiles,
Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403

Thank you, Laurie, enjoy your summer, too!  -Nicole

Great stuff, you helped me out so much!

Have you tried tomato leaf tea? Soak tomato leaves in water over night, drain out leaves, use as spray on garden. It is good for most soft bodied bugs like afids. Diatrimatious Earth, made of powdered sea creature skeletons, found in the pool section. Lightly puff on vegetable garden for most exoskeleton bugs, like ants, fire-ants, and crickets. Gets in their joints and dehydrates them to death. Must reapply after rain. Completely harmless for humans and pets to touch, although avoid inhaling the dust. I did notice the application on the plants needs to be a dust, if you apply to heavily, it seemed to dehydrate the plants.Great Blog. Thanks.

Hi Barry,
I have only recently heard of the tomato leaf tea, but have not tried it, and have never heard of the other method.  Thanks so much for the recommendation – I will keep it for next year and try.  Always good to get new suggestions.  Thanks for reading and commenting.  -Nicole

Love Kent and meeting you at Black Sheep Yarns. I agree, choosing the yarn, reveling in the color, texture and hand is almost as fun as the knitting!

Happy Trails,
Susan

Susan, it was lovely to meet you, too.  Hope to see you again – I know I’ll be at Open Knitting again sometime!  -Nicole

I loved your article today. Small town America is where I want to be! The people and their shops each have their own special personality. I like to stay long enough in each town to get to know at least one personality. The town of Kent sounds wonderful. Oh, how I would love to visit.

-Each town has it’s own special traits, too.  Thanks so much for reading.  -Nicole

What a gem of a town! Very lovely. I love taking day trips to special places too. 🙂

The first time I found it, we drove "through" it on the way to somewhere else.  I had my nose literally pressed to the glass!  Thanks for reading!  -Nicole

Nicole,
I only crochet, knitting is on my "list" to learn. I live in Indiana and my town to visit is Nashville IN, very quaint, very scenic. My husband is an over the road trucker and I home schooled our children while traveling in the truck with him, we saw some of this BEAUTIFUL country, there are many, many small towns with charm and character…My best to you and yours.

Patricia, how cool is that…traveling all over with your family seeing the country.  There are so many states I want to visit someday!  Thank you for reading!  -Nicole

Nicole,
I used to knit a lot in the past. The baby gifts that I gave were always knitted by me. I even created my own designs. But because of arthritis in my fingers of both hands, I find I cannot knit much these days. But I do crochet every day still. I live in a small town in Kentucky and am always seaching for interesting yarns. So, thanks for giving the link to the store in Kent.All the best, Aloka

Thanks so much for reading, Aloka.  Have you ever tried the gloves that are for knitters to help with arthritis?  It’s good you are still able to crochet.  Wishing you the best, Nicole

Great post, and what a great day! The yarn shop sounds amazing and if it wasn’t across the country from me, I think I’d be there as often as I could. 🙂 Thanks for taking us along on your day. 🙂

I just got around to reading this blog about Kent – it’s wonderful. I have yet to check out the yarn store (one of these days), but I love Foreign Cargo and have gotten some unique and lovely clothing from there. I think Olga is one of the most lovely women I have ever met! And you already know how much I love Belgique! Next on my to-do list: visit Black Sheep Yarn store!

Farmgirl Chapter Roadtrip??? -Nicole

Nicole,

Loved the tour I just took of Kent. Now I know where I can get a delicious box of Belgian chocolate for my husband. He always gets a box at a small shop in Antwerp when he is there but now…

Thanks for the lovely tour of Kent and taking me back in time when for a year of my life. I lived near Lancaster, PA. I loved everything about it. It was so different from Memphis where I was born, raised and here still after 62 years.

Thanks again,
Linda

Wow, Linda…thank you so much for your wonderful comment.  It makes me so happy to hear that others enjoy what I write.  Enjoy those chocolates!  -Nicole

Dear webmaster, thank you for writing that article on Belgique kent ct. I had a good time while reading this. I wish you all the best, Claudia!

Thank you for reading! -Nicole

Oh my goodness my sister and I can relate to your reusable bags – we had gone shopping – she had the bags in her cart – she too turned to look at something – turned around and GONE were the bags – thankfully years ago we learned to attach our purse either by the child restraint strap or by a quick click clip – so her purse was not taken. We too would have shared if the person had just asked – we don’t always shop where one gets money for using the reusables – so it wasn’t like they were worth anything at that store. Anyway now we attach our bags as we do our purses. Also thanks for the reminder to be a FRIEND – I’m getting into making more cards and I will for sure use the verse you found on a card. Thank you ‘friend’ you joyed my week.

Joan, Thank you so much for reading!  Wow – you had your bags stolen, too!  Just never know what is going on in someone’s life to make them do what they do.   I love to make homemade cards, too.  Isn’t that just such a lovely verse? -Nicole

I, too had bags stolen out of my grocery cart. Luckily, they only took half. I thought, at least they won’t be using those icky plastic bags!

Those plastic bags can be valuable…lol. I have made rugs, or better yet, large bags that are wonderful for carrying wet bathing suits or other things. Durable, strong, washable, but it takes many of them to make one item. Bet that is why you lost yours to someone…..now that is recycling at its best…:)..Tauna

Sorry about your bags getting taken! I have some favorite bags I used all the time when I go shopping. I will keep a close eye on them in my cart. I will send you some more animal related ones. Thanks for the column. Thanks for keeping in touch even if it is a quick text message.
Miss you! Rose

-Miss you, too, Rose!  Hugs!  -Nicole

Nicole you hit it again always true and interesting.Dad

This was such an inspirational story, I quickly sent 5 emails (sorry, at work) to friends that I think of and just don’t get to tell them … thanks!

I just loved your crafting idea, I so miss my ladies groups I’ve been in over the years, crafting moms, book group, and Bible study…the fellowship of women is a good thing, any one out there near Makaha Hawaii ? I would like to find a group again.

Gloria, thank you for reading!  Have you thought about starting your own Sisterhood chapter? -Nicole

PS. Have a safe 4th of July!
Deb

What a wonderful idea! Looks like everyone had lots of fun.
And what a great personal touch to any gift or package.
I also love the scrap book you make for your daughter. That is something she can share with her kids one day.
Take care

I love your ideas, and you just reminded me how fun stamping can be. I am definitely going to use your idea for homemade gift tags!

I couldn’t help but notice the ‘view’ outside your kitchen windows! At first I thought that you had photos stuck up on the wall, then looked more closely….wow! So beautiful! Keep livin life to your fullest potential!

Thanks, Lisa!  -Nicole

Nicole, you will love having chickens. We have had our 7 ladies for a year now and they are just fun. Neither my husband nor I have been around chickens since we were kids and it has been a learning experience for sure, but a relatively easy one. We live in an older subdivision but have almost an acre lots. My husband made a storage shed into a hen house with a nice run. Our back yard is large and the girls have pretty much free range there. They are a bit destructive with their digging, but a bit of fence around flower beds you care about takes care of that. They are great company when doing yard work or hanging out . They are anxious to ‘help’ with any little thing you are doing. Our neighbors all find them interesting and entertaining and we all love the eggs. It has been a great experience and one I would recommend to anyone. It is so peaceful/comforting to look out and see them pecking their way around the yard.

Jean, your comment makes me want to get chickens even more!  Thank you for sharing.  -Nicole

As a child growing up, I learned so much from my grandmother about chickens. She had many mysterious talents with all animals, feathered and furry and human! I used to watch her with her flock of hens and listened very hard to all she had to say. Much was learned simply by watching her, for as she always said, "I can show you, honey, easier than telling you!"

It’s so very neat to see other children living and learning all about chickens. I finally have a garden of my own and hope to either get our "three non-crowing" chickens the town allows or move further out and raise eggs and chickens just like my grandmother did. It was not uncommon for me to bring back forty or fifty eggs in a morning for breakfast and with all the farm workers and family, they went fast!

Love love this article!
Jenn

Great article – Yea for chickens in the burbs – I too wanted some chickens and fortunately my son lives just a few miles away on 5 acres – so ‘we’ now have 20 chickens – yeah the first 3 grew to 20 – love the benefits (superb eggs) and oh what great knowledge for children.

This is timely for us – we’re working with the city of Billings, Montana to get them to join the almost 70% of American cities who allow a limited number of backyard hens! We had to sell our beautiful Buff Orpingtons, which really REALLY upset my kids, when the city decided they needed to enforce the previously unenforced ordinance… after our article went in the paper about many of us wanting to change things. AUGH!

Backyard hens are THE BOMB!!! 🙂

I live in a sub-division with an acre lot and can’t wait to start! I have been dreaming chickens for years!!! Thank you for the great and helpful article and the comments…now I know where to order them! Happy ‘farming’!

-Paula, you, too! -Nicole

Hi Nicole!
Oh, I hope you are encouraged by all these great comments to go ahead and get your chickens! We’ve been keeping backyard chickens for 5 years and it truly does this farm-girls heart good to have them tucked into the rear of the yard in the midst of the garden. We love the fresh eggs, and the companionship too. Ours keep me company while I garden…Your kids will love it too! Great post
Deb ( mjfbeachfarmgirlblogger)

Thank you, Debbie.  Yes, it is definitely something I can see doing…I love the idea of them out keeping company in the garden!  The fresh eggs are so tasty (and huge)! -Nicole

For over a year I had two muskovy ducks in my back yard. A few weeks ago a racoon got into their yard and killed both of them. They were pets that came when I called them and sat in my lap to be pet. I cannot tell you how sad I was and cried for two days. Yes, I am that sentimental. Now my daughter who has a hobby farm a couple of hours from here just got 61 new baby chickens. (she already had 30) Some of her chickens are destined for the freezer and new ones are replacing them for egg production. She gave me three of the cutest little chickens you can imagine. Since I have an amish made duck coup it will not be my new chicken coup. I live in a residential area with very close neighbors and the first one that complains will be reported for their very noisy barking dogs that bark all day. I am sure that my little pets will be quieter. My daughter says that if one turns out to be a rooster she will exchange it for a hen so the neighbors will not complain. I look forward to at least three eggs a day by fall. Yes may be a maverick in my town!!! Lee

Lee, I would have cried, too, over those ducks.  I’m so sorry!  -Nicole

Can you have chickens were you live? Check with your town. They even allow goats in city limits now.

Hi Nicole, I am new to Farmgirl but not new to chickens. I have been raising chickens for years. I love my chickens and missed them when I lived where I wasn’t able to have them. I wish I knew how to send pics on here… I would send you some pics of my coop and run and girls and guys. They all have names and are very sweet. I have about 14 different breeds. I have 28 laying hens and 4 roosters. 3 of which I just acquired in the last bunch of peeps I raised. I will have to see how they get along with each other and with Big Sam my main rooster who is a Black Jersey Giant. I hope you get to have some chickens as they are so therapeutic. Or at least I think so. They are alot of fun to watch. Be Blessed and go ahead and get you some yard birds.
Ms. Scarlette

Ms. Scarlette, thank you for such a nice comment…makes me want chickens even more! I can just envision you out with your chickens running around!  I am working on getting some real soon!  Thank you for reading!
-Nicole

Hi Nicole!
Wonderful blog! We visited there a few years back when our children were very young… Reminds me of Plimoth Plantation here! We love living museum’s too. So much to learn and it’s fun! Thanks for the " farmgirl roadtrip"!
Deb ( your BEACH blogging sister from MA. )

What a beautiful place. Looks like the "Walton’s" farm. Love the photos…broom…..and the tin candle holder is just darling. What wonderful memories!!!!Hope I can go someday too!

It has been a very long time since I last visited Sturbridge.  I have a Stitch and Bitch group that always wants me to find something different to visit. How perfect is this? With an interest in self-sustaining, I think everyone might find something of interest. Thank you for the reminder.

When I lived in Scituate, Rhode Island my family would visit Sturbridge Village in Conn. often. My parents visited and Mom walked through much too fast for me. I wanted to go back one more time but we moved by then. There is so much to learn and observe of a time past. My daughter, when she was younger, and I volunteer at two different living historical parks. I weave and spin and she had assisted with preserving fruits by sulphuring them and helping in the kitchen with the great iron stove. It is very gratifying and we learned many useful skills. Keep up the good work!

Ellen, how neat that you can be a part of a living historical park!  I think I would enjoy doing that, too!  Thank you for reading!  -Nicole

Thanks for sharing! I would love to take my girls cross country, from Kodiak Island AK to OSV, what a wonderful hands on piece of history.

Wow Nicole! What a fabulous time I had-it was just like BEING there! I will definitely put Old Sturbridge Village on my wish list of places to visit! Thanks for your wonderful writing!

Patsy- thank you!  It’s a blessing to share with all of you!  -Nicole

I loved Sturbridge Village when I visited there in fall years ago. Thanks for another wonderful blog with an update on the Village. I may have to plan a visit to there next year when I am back home for a visit.

Nicole, Being from Scituate, MA, Sturbridge is one of my favorite places to visit. I love, love, love it in the Fall. Thanks for sharing with all of us, just makes me want to go again.
Your broom is really neat – also love the candle holder your daughter made – what a treasure!
Hugs, Ruth

Thanks for the great post. I have been wanting to go organic and just haven’t got going yet. Your post has got me inspired to start today. Thanks for the encouragement and I enjoy reading your blog posts.

Rebecca, I think it’s getting easier to find organics.  I see it in the stores more and more, and just recently found a restaurant with organic food!  (After going organic, we don’t like to eat out – we’d rather eat at home since we have such good food in the kitchen!)  Good luck going organic, it makes  such an amazing difference, and thank you for reading.  -Nicole

Hi Nicole, what a great post that gives me hope. I’ve been reading MaryJane’s Farm for a while. I love it! I’m mesmerized by the choices everyone featured in the magazine makes. I’m trying to change so much about what my family eats–it’s a hard thing to do..from the specialized shopping, the cost, the change of perspective on cooking. But, reading your article makes me think I can actually do it. A little at a time. Thanks.

Learning to eat differently from mainstream America has been a real eye opener for my family. When my son was diagnosed with Chrons disease our whole life changed. Reading labels, shopping organic, at first was a real chore because the grocery stores hadn’t caught onto the idea yet. Then Earth Fare came to town. Suddenly it was much easier to get the right kinds of food.I am happy to say there have been no hospital visits for well over a year. It is truly amazing what a good diet will do for a person.

Wow! It is amazing, isn’t it?  Thanks for sharing!  -Nicole

This is a great article. My father and I are in between jobs, so eating healthy/organic is a challenge. One thing we do for sure, is make all meals at home now. That’s a good first step. We also buy organic whenever we can. Thanks for all the tips and hints here 🙂 🙂 🙂 One thing I’ve noticed, is that the organic food is better quality. Also, since it’s better quality, I don’t have to eat as much. There’s also lots organic farms in the area, so it’s easy to get hold of organic produce. That’s something to be thankful for 🙂 Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather – Farmgirl Sisterhood member #2176

-Heather, thanks again for reading.  Hope you and your father find jobs soon.  You are so right about the organic food being better quality, and good food does satisfy so much more than processed.  Another budget saving tip I can pass on is to use less meat and more veggies.  For example, I’ll make my chili recipe with one pound of ground beef as opposed to two, and make up for it with an extra can of beans.  Hang in there, Heather!  Farmgirl hugs, Nicole

Thank you for making me realize that going organic doesn’t have to be an "all or nothing" endeavor right from the start. I’ve always assumed we could not afford to do it, but I see if I plan it little by little and go about it in a smart way, we can make the transition. I am growing my own veggies and herbs now, and are also getting chickens for eggs in a few weeks, so that is a start. But I will begin to pay attention when I’m shopping and look for organic goods. Thanks much! xoxoxo Helena

Such an inspiration. Harry and I love your blog!

I am trying to eat more healthy and we always put out a garden, but most of the organic stuff at the store is more expensive. I have read Maryjane’s magazine and I have a couple of her books. After reading them you have to try to be more organic. Guess it’s time to try harder. Thanks for your input.

Since we grow most of our vegetables, we are organic and we love to get it from our freezer in winter. So easy and good. Thanks for all the information you supply- that helps tremendously. Look forward to next time.

Gerri, thanks for reading!  -Nicole

I’ve been buying as much as I can organic for years. My daughter and I are almost never sick as were her older brothers when they were still living at home. When my daughter was 8 I mentioned "the doctor" and she said, "Do we have a doctor?" She hadn’t been to the doctor for years. My husband gets sick more often, and he eats less organically minded. I buy grains, seed, nuts and many other things from two food co-ops that will come to my door. One is Frontier; the other is a Pittsburgh, PA, company called Frankferd Farms. You must watch prices, even in your regular grocery store. Sometimes the organic is actually less expensive than the non-organic.

Mary, you are so right!  I’ve seen several times the organic is actually cheaper than the conventional.  -Nicole

I too have been working on going organic. FYI, if you have a Winco grocery store, they have bulk organic products at great prices. (Oatmeal, granola, nuts and such.)Also bagged organic apples. My DR recommended the change to organic because I started having hormone issues. (period every 2 weeks..yuck!)
It totally put me back on schedule. There is something to that organic stuff!

Sounds Wonderful! All those smiling faces and such sisterhood… I will have to check out the book – Always up to adding to my skill sets. Have a wonderful Spring.

You have a wonderful Spring, too.  Thanks for reading!  -Nicole

So that’s what ate my hostas last year! I had no idea deers loved hosta. Now I know!

Sarah, they eat mine down to the nubs, and unfortunately they don’t grow back until the next year, so they end up looking awful!  If I am vigilant with my spray, they don’t eat them, but as soon as it wears off or rain comes, they go right for them!  -Nicole

Smithers is greatly concerned that Bonnie can’t seem to chase away your deer. He swears that as your "small but mighty" chief of security the landscaping will remain intact. That and all your math problems solved. Just sayin’.

Heidi, tell my little Smithers that while he IS "small and mighty", he may not be able to stand up against the red-tailed hawks.  Just sayin’.  Hugs, Sweetie! -Nicole

Nicole,
Another wonderful blog that gives this out-of-town friend an glimpse of what you have been up to lately. Everyone in Chicago is ready for spring and a nice summer also! Thanks for the grandma book reference. It sounds like a fun book to read when one has a spare moment or two. And the advice in there is probably timeless. The 3 generations of females part of your family looks beautiful in the picture!
Rose

Thank you for the hummingbird feeder recipe- would you believe I just today received a feeder from my MIL and put in calls to my mom and sis, because it did not come with the info. And now, just randomly browsing Mary Jane’s low and behold…sisterhood, indeed! Now I’m gonna fill my new feeder and hopefully meet some new neighbors. Happy Mother’s Day!

Susan, enjoy!  Thanks for reading, and have A Happy Mother’s Day, too! -Nicole