Messy Maples

I mentioned last week about putting on gutter guards to keep out the seeds from the maple trees, the ones I had said weren't ready to drop. Well, I spoke too soon. They dropped, and are dropping, and dropping . . . The huge maple next to the deck isn't our only maple. I don't even know what kind it is, but researching it I found there are 13 species native to the United States. Now out of all those there are four* that share several characteristics in common, and can you guess what one of those characteristics is? They all four produce a fruit called a samara (or double samara), which is a pair of connected, winged seeds. You know, those things you split open as a kid and stuck on the end of your nose. Remember that? Well those wonderful little things have helicoptered and covered our entire lawn! It was like it was snowing here over the last few days. But, what is that sound I hear? It is the drone of the mighty blower. Paul is out waging war, trying hard to get a handle on them, that is at least clear off the sidewalk and driveway. I'll be picking out the little sprouts of those seeds from my gardens forever. It's a never ending battle. Mother Nature . . . always one step ahead of ya!

*Sugar, Black, Red and Silver Maples

Copyright © 2006 Deborah Sharp Loeb

After the blower comes the vacuum!

Missy the Cat

We had only one cat growing up. She was all white and thought to be half Persian and half Angora. She was quite a character. Missy kept all stray dogs out of the neighborhood. Fearlessly she run after them, hissing and arching her back as cats will do. In the days before air conditioning she took to sleeping all curled up in the bathroom sink. A little strange if you got up during the night to use the facility or go to get a drink of water. During the colder months I'd come home from school and she come out from under a chest of drawers in the living room where there was a heat vent. Now mind you I never did actually see her sleeping under there. Then one day I opened the bottom drawer and there she was all curled up asleep on top of the dish towels. She had found a way to get in from the back.
Another thing she'd do was "beg" at the table like a dog. If you held up a strand of spaghetti she'd work her way eatting up to your fingertips. She'd also run like crazy if you shook her box of "Friskies". It worked better than calling her name.
Now back then we didn't rush to have her fixed like you would these days and so "Missy" probably should have been more appropiately named "Madam" as she had 3 or 4 litters of kittens before we did finally get her fixed. She would always have 4 very fluffy kittens, 2 all white and 2 salt and pepper. There was once a grey one but that little fellow didn't make it even with us trying to help with bottle feedings. By the way all were always quickly adopted, as they were really pretty and cute.
When we knew the time was near for her to give birth my mom would make up a box for Missy in the kitchen or basement. There was this one time that she wanted her kittens to be in the floor of the closet in my parents room. We'd no sooner bring them back to box in the kitchen, then we'd pass her with one in her mouth going up the stairs! My mother finally gave up, cleared out the shoes, and put the box up in the closet for the duration. It's hard to fight with such a determined mother cat.

Copyright © 2006 Deborah Sharp Loeb

Life in the Gutter

A year or so ago my husband put those plastic guards over the gutters. Every so often when we have a windy storm a few fly off, and then it's back up there to replace them. Well, about a week or two ago it happened again. There was all this stuff in the gutter over the sliding glass door that goes to the deck. It simply just couldn't have flown in there on its own, especially if anything that would get in there would be those little whirly things the huge maple tree next to the deck would send out, and it's not time for them to drop. (There used to be a lot of those in there before the gutter guards!) Anyway he cleared it out and set the guard back.
Then one day Brian and I saw some birds going in at the opposite end of the house and told Paul that there were birds going in by the downspout. I guess he thought we meant near the deck so he lifted of the guard only to find a nest with 4 eggs. I finally went up on the ladder that he had left on the deck and had a look for myself, only to find 5 eggs! Amazing, those determined parents had decide where they were going to put down their roots and nothing was going to deter them!
I'll keep checking back and keep you updated.

Copyright © 2006 Deborah Sharp Loeb

Crib Size Baby Quilt

This is the first quilt I've made using that batting that you can iron in between the front and backing. I liked that I didn't have to pin the layers together before I stitched in the ditch. I did find it to be rather thin and wondered if anyone out there has used it and put extra layers in, and if so, what, and how? Bottom picture is a close up and shows the back.

Pennies From Heaven Goes Live!

Yes! Pennies from Heaven is now live! Matt did a wonderful job bringing it to the homepage of the Farm. So go check it out. Print out a label for your pennies canister, get pictures to color, and an informational brochure.
I know "What's Her Name" is anxiously awaiting to hear from all of you!

Pennies from Heaven

Awhile back I had mentioned to start saving your pennies and Pringle's potato chip cans. Well the day has finally arrived to put them to use. It is with great pride we at the Geranium Farm are launching "my baby" - "Pennies from Heaven" for Episcopal Relief and Development! This is a program designed for kids (and grownups are of course welcome to participate) to save pennies and then choose from the Gifts for Life catalog online at: www.er-d.org/giftsforlife and pick a gift to donate to ERD with the money they have collected. There are 3 labels you can choose from to download from the farm homepage and printout to wrap around your can. In addition you can print out any of 3 informational pamphlets, with line drawings to go on the back that can be colored, with some choices of pictures for Gifts for Life. (You can even print out full page size of each picture if you wish. The little pamphlets are nice with their own pictures to color for" pew art"!)
Now the other thing we'd like you to do is to write to: Noodle@Geraniumfarm.org the cat and let her know your name, where you're from, and what you've donated. (Please put PFH in the subject line.)
It should be noted on donations that it is from the "Pennies from Heaven" program. In time if this if this goes really big, ERD is going to bring it to their website. So farmers, let's show ERD that our "little seed pennies" can grow into something huge!
Now I'd like to thank some people that have helped make this little idea grow. First to Barbara for believing in it, bringing it to ERD, and helping in its development with ERD enthustastic support. The beautiful artwork is by Dianne Robbins and her friend Rick Uhler helped with some layout and the technical stuff. Matt Gai thanks for getting it up and running to the website, and of course Deacon Joanna and Buddy Stallings support and helping this along.

So watch for the downloads , they're on the way, and in meanwhile keep saving your pennies!


Oh, every time it rains
It rains
Pennies from heaven
Don't you know
Each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven

You'll find your fortune fallin'
All over town
Be sure that your umbrella
Is upside down

Trade them for a package of
Sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love
You must have showers
So when you hear it thunder
Don't run under a tree
There'll be pennies from heaven
For you and me

- Music and Lyrics by John Burke & Arthur Johnson (1936)

Cordless Doorbell

We've had one of these cordless doorbells for a number of years. If David needs assistance and I'm in another part of the house where I might not be able to hear him calling, he can have the button with him and I can have the chime with me. By adding velcro to the back of the button it can be mounted anywhere.
When my father came to need a home health aide, I got one for him.
Most recently my in-laws were in need of one as they couldn't hear the regular doorbell when they are in their den. This did the trick!

Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work

"Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® Day program was founded by the Ms. Foundation for Women to create an opportunity for girls and boys to share and communicate their expectations for the future. The national date for the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® program is on the fourth Thursday in April. Having a consistent date helps workplaces, parents, communities, and schools plan ahead to create a unique educational experience for girls and boys across America."
Have you ever taken your son or daughter to your place of work? Do they know what kind of work you do? My husband took our son Brian years ago to the school where he teaches.
So if you haven't done it before, you now have a whole year to plan to do it for next year!
To learn more about the program go to this link:
http://www.daughtersandsonstowork.org/

Child Safety Toolkit

How current a photo and informatiom do you have on your child?
From the Duracell website at: http://duracell.com/parents/ you can take the Child Safety IQ test. There you can also download a Child Safety Toolkit. One of the most important things you can do is to take a color facial portrait of your child every 6 months. You can even sign up to get an email alert reminder to update your photo.

Mc Cain Baby Potato Pancakes

These are easy to cook on the grill using Reynolds Wrap Release Foil. Nice with steak or burgers. Just brown on one side and turn. They came out better than the oven and faster. Onion rings worked well too.

Decorative Painting Techniques

These links will show you videos on how to do some decorative painting techniques.
(Note: If this is of interest to you check it out as links sometimes disappear in time.)

For walls - Parchment, Venetian Plaster, Crinkle Paper, Strie, Color Wash, Leather, Stencil, or Stripes

For Furniture - Distressing, Marbling, Mettalic, Woodgrain

Go to this link:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_41902,00.html

Directions to Make a Cloth Basket

Read these directions all the way through before beginning. If you're not sure you understand, practice first with some scrap fabric. You can email if you have a question. Let me know how you do and send me a picture of your completed project. Note: I would recommend a heavier weight fabric. The fabric I used was remnant, drapery or upholstery fabric.
Each tie is about 10" long.

Cloth Basket Project

Last year on vacation I picked up the reversible cloth basket pictured above at a Cracker Barrel restaurant gift shop. I took a look at how it was made and figured I could duplicate it. I made a pattern, shown bottom right, a little bigger than the purchased one, big enough to hold a 9" x 9" pan. The one I bought had cardboard between the layers for stability but I wanted something washable. I used the extra firm plastic needlepoint canvas sandwiched between layers of craft foam. Ribbon or double fold bias tape (sew together) can be used for the corner ties. The one pictured below is the one I made.
It's a nice way to bring a dish to someone's house and then give the basket to your hostess!

Radon

Recently there's been a commercial running to have your home checked for radon. Radon gas causes lung cancer. If you'd like to know more about radon you can go to the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency at: http://www.epa.gov/radon/
You can get more information there and download a discounted coupon for a test kit. (limited time offer)

SnackWell's Cookies

Tried these cookies and didn't like them, or like them but would like even a better way to enjoy them? Try freezing them! They really taste better frozen. I have a couple with a cup a tea in the evening when I sit down to relax.

April is National Autism Awareness Month

Some information about autism from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
"Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.
There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling.

The hallmark feature of autism is impaired social interaction. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of autism in their child. As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement.

Children with autism may fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with other people. They have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they can’t understand social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions, and don’t watch other people’s faces for clues about appropriate behavior. They lack empathy.

Many children with autism engage in repetitive movements such as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head-banging. They also tend to start speaking later than other children and may refer to themselves by name instead of “I” or “me.” Children with autism don’t know how to play interactively with other children. Some speak in a sing-song voice about a narrow range of favorite topics, with little regard for the interests of the person to whom they are speaking.

Many children with autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. These unusual reactions may contribute to behavioral symptoms such as a resistance to being cuddled or hugged."

To read more about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more go to:
www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

You might also want to check out the Autism Society of America at:
www.autism-society.org

Happy Easter!

From the website www.familyfun.com here's some Easter crafts for the kids.
http://familyfun.go.com/printables/craft-templates/specialfeature/easter-printables-ms/

I've printed out these little baskets to fill with some candy and use as placecards for the dinner table. (When you go to print be sure to set it to just print page 1.)
http://a.familyfun.go.com/Resources/global/printables/0306_Easter_Basket_Template.pdf

Have a Happy Easter!

Wine

First let me say I know nothing about wine and seldom ever drink alcohol but I had some of this wine last weekend when we out for a family celebration and liked it. It wasn't too sweet or too dry. It comes in a frosted bottle with a "window" in the center which shows a landscape. The bottle says: Moselland - Arsvitis - Riesling - Qualitatswein
I bought this bottle to have with Easter dinner.

Maundy Thursday

The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin for 'command' (mandatum). It refers to the command given by Jesus at the Last Supper, that his disciples should love one another.

and from www.howstuffworks.com website:
"The word "maundy" may have come from the maund (or mand) basket used by the fishermen in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Centuries ago, there was a fair held on this day in Norwich (Norfolk), at which vendors sold horses, cattle and general merchandise. Some of the fisher-folk brought their maund baskets filled with items to sell, including fish. Clothing and hats were sold, as it was customary to buy a new item of clothing for Easter Sunday. This may well have been the origin of the Easter bonnet and the notion of wearing new spring attire for Easter.
Maundy Thursday may also have come from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," as in the Biblical words of Jesus:
"A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34, NIV)
Many Maundy Thursday services begin with these words."

Enchanted Learning

I came across this website and I think it offers lots of good activites for kids. It says at the site:
"Enchanted Learning® produces children's educational web sites which are designed to capture the imagination while maximizing creativity, learning, and enjoyment.
Ease of use is a hallmark of our material. Children need the clearest, simplest computer interface, and our material is created so that the navigation and controls are intuitive. Our mission is to produce the best educational material, emphasizing creativity and the pure enjoyment of learning."

If you are a teacher or home school your kids you can find many things here that you could you to enhance your lessons. You can become a subscriber for $20 a year but there are tons of pages for prospective subscribers to sample!
Even if you just want some rainy day activities this is a good place to look!

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html

Bunny Cut-Up Cake

1 pkg. (7 oz.) BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut (2-1/3 cups), divided
2 baked 9-inch round cake layers, cooled
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Strawberry Whipped Topping, thawed
Suggested decorations, such as licorice, assorted ring-shaped candies, gumdrops

LEAVE 1 cake whole; cut remaining cake as shown in illustration. Arrange cake on serving tray as shown in illustration, using small amount of the whipped topping to hold pieces together. Frost cake with remaining whipped topping.
SPRINKLE coconut over bunny's head and ears. Decorate with licorice and candies. Store in refrigerator.
Variation
Prepare as directed, using regular COOL WHIP Whipped Topping and tinted coconut. To tint the coconut, mix 1/2 tsp. water with a few drops of food coloring. Add to coconut in resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; shake until coconut is evenly tinted. Sprinkle center of bunny's ears with tinted coconut.

We made this cake when I was a kid without the coconut and just covered it with vanilla icing and decorated it. I made it for my boys when they were little for Easter.
This is from: www.kraftfoods.com
Search for - Bunny Cut-Up Cake
To see how to cut it up more clearly go to the link and click in the recipe where it says Bunny Rabbit Cut-Up Cake.
What are your special Easter recipes, traditions, or stories? Pass them along to be posted.

Software Easter Eggs

What are software Easter Eggs might you ask? Go to the link below to find out!

http://h30046.www3.hp.com/news_article.php?topiccode=20060310_314114_225_121_0_0&pagesite=SMB_OOV®ioncode=NA&cat=tafriend