Cedar Haven Musings

I'm Back

2012-02-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a while since I've been here. Most of my blogging has been for the women's center "Wise Women's Journey, Center for Creative Self-Discovery & Wellness located in Aitkin, and opened Feb. 1st of this year.. Visit the blog and website and you'll see what I've been busy with. This is a new venture that myself and friend Francine have had a vision of for about three years now. It has become a reality and we are very excited.

Ok, I'm going to end this note and will begin with another of a catchup since May. In the meantime go visit Wise Women's Journey and I'll see you shortly.

Puppy Udate

2011-05-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Four puppies and Honey the mom have gone to wonderful, responsible new owners! All went to families with kids.Two families kept the names that we gave them; "Opa" and "Ramsey". I'll find out if "Smiles" still has her name or not this weekend, when they stop and bring her for a visit to see her sisters.
The first picture is Remington holding "Rocci" who we are keeping. The second picture is "Bailey" and we are keeping her as well. Both are birdie and are use to the guys shooting their guns. Baily is retrieving already.
It was really hard to see "Ramsey" leave last night. We all were getting attached to her as well. But she went to a perfect home.

Slowing Down...taking care of myself

2011-05-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

Well my body has finally had enough...it's telling me to slow down, quit doing so much and take care of itself.
In January I hurt myself hauling and dumping water to the horse stock tank. Then I reinjured myself by slipping and falling on the ice the end of February. Then March again hauling sap buckets. The pain has been unbearable with the Siatica shooting from my hip to my foot. I almost couldn't walk for about a week.
I found a great integrated therapies Chiropractor in Crosby. Murray Jones of Cuyuna Family Chiropractic.
I'm on the mend, but it will be a while. Huge choices in lifestyle. My sons are helping do my chores. I am not lifting anything and am really being careful.
The lymes is acting up again as well. I am thinking it has settled in my injuries. I'm visiting Gus Kaubisch of Chi Research in Walker on Thursday. We'll see what is going on then.
It's time to share wellness resources, alternative and integrated healing therapies and healthy lifestyle choices everyone!
Me and my both sons are starting a new eating/weight reduction program. Lots of people in the area have lost lots of weight. There are meetings at the Aitkin Hospital for support and education. It is the HCG Protocol.
I'll post more information when I have checked it all out.
Here we go!!!

One Puppy "Scout" goes to live with Mike Riley

2011-04-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

One of the puppies has gone to a wonderful home. Mike came and picked her up this morning. The Rileys have been long time friends of ours and we know "Scout" will be spoiled rotten and loved oh so much.

Spring!

2011-03-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Spring means sapping time! The guys are out and tapping trees down in our maple grove. They started yesterday and will finish up with that today. The sap is flowing steadily and we'll be cooking it down for Maple Syrup in a day or so. We have about 16 gallons left from last year, so we have a nice reserve. We do sell a bit of it each year, so just give me a holler if you would like to purchase a quart or two. We sell it for $16 a quart. Spring special for $14.00! The harvest varies from year to year; last year was a bumper year for sapping. I think our total gallons of cooked syrup was about 60. It just might not be the same this year. We'll see!
Spring means waterfowl back to our creek and the geese and swans have been coming and going for about a week. Yesterday we had a pair of swans swimming up and down the creek and it they were so beautiful and fun to watch. We had company from the cities and Colleen, me and the dogs went for a walk a couple times. Our own Moscovy ducks are breeding and laying eggs already. They will be setting soon and we can expect ducklings in about a month. We bred our rabbits on the 16th and 17th so new bunnies will be here in a month too. If nothing else can, just having new hatches of baby ducks and newborn rabbits will bring new cheer after a long winter in Minnesota.
Calving season is winding down and we have 31 calves born and just 5 cows left to go. It has been a good year calving with no losses and a pair of twins.

Alright, I'm going to tell you about our Ooops. Our black lab Brew bred our border collie Honey and we have puppies. 6 black females. We are going to be responsible owners and find homes for all of them. They will be free of course. Personally, I think this cross between the collie and lab, will make a delightful family pet. For those of you who advocate spaying and neutering and might find this bad management, I apologize. We had an ooops. I was going to have Honey aborted, but thought twice about it and decided not to. They were 3 weeks old last Friday, their teeth are coming in and they are starting to wag their tails and bark. Puppy breath is a delight. They are outside in their puppy shelter and have room to run, poop and play.

Oh before I forget, I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful Spring Equinox today!

Taunees Artwork

2011-03-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

Taunee Beekman my tattoo artist friend and neighbor has created original artwork for greeting cards that you can color and personalize with a name for yourself. Here is one of her designs. The top pic is of a design that you color and add the name in the banner. The bottom pic show a colored version and still needs a name but it gives a good example.

#4 and #5 Herbal Wellness Chamomile and Pineapple Weed

2011-03-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

German Chamomile

(Matricaria chamomile)

Also known as; Mayweed, Scented Mayweed.

Pineapple Weed

(False Chamomile)

For the first time in 2010, I had Pineapple Weed growing in abundance near my chicken coop! I was able to wild craft a couple cuttings in spring and early summer. I am hoping it wintered over and I'll have the fortune to harvest it again this year.

Description: Chamomile is typically an annual herb originally from Europe. It has escaped and is now naturalized on almost every continent. The branched stem is somewhat erect, round, hollow, and grows to about 20 inches tall. The leaves are finely divided, light green and feathery. The flowers are daisy-like about 1 inch across and bloom from May to October. The entire plant has an apple scent. Planted in the garden is said to help sickly plants to grow. A close sister plant known as the Pineapple Weed grows abundantly and wild crafted. To wild craft look for it growing along fence rows, roadsides, and in sunny open fields. The entire wild plant has a pineapple scent.

Propagation: Chamomile can be propagated by seed. Seeds germinate easily. The plant thrives in partial shade, but can be grown in full sun if kept moist. May winter over for another season, maybe two. Pineapple Weed is a wild perennial.

Constituents: The flowers contain various volatile oils including proazulenes. Upon steam distillation these proazulenes produce chamazulene, a remarkable anti-allergenic and is useful in the treatment of asthma and hay fever.

Harvesting and Preservation: Gather the flowers each day as they bloom, in the morning and dry in a dehydrator. Infuse flowers and leaves with oil and then keep refrigerated. When collecting flowers for essence, do not touch but instead cut with scissors into a glass bowl. Preserve in dark glass with equal amounts of vodka or brandy. Wellness Properties and Modalities: Both cultivated Chamomile and the wild sister Pineapple Weed have basically the same properties. Pineapple Weed tea is naturally sweeter tasting. Chamomile is one of the most widely used flowers for herbal tea. It is used as a mild sedative, and is good for insomnia as well as many other nervous conditions. It is especially suited to teething children and those who have been in a highly emotional state over a long period of time. The anti-inflammatory properties make it good for rheumatism, arthritis, and other painful swellings. Additional uses include an antispasmodic for intestinal and menstrual cramps, relieving gas pains, and a very mild but efficient laxative. Milder tea in large doses is given throughout the day for fevers, sore throats, the aches and pains due to colds, flu, and allergies. Dried Flowers: Made into potpourri and herb pillows. Used as an insect repellent. Wash/Compress: Relieves skin inflammations, sunburn and burns. Infused Tea: Added to bath for relaxing tired, achy muscles. Infused Oil: Flowers used in cosmetics as an anti-allergenic. Ointment/Salves: For use on hemorrhoids and wounds. Flower Essence: Harmony/Higher Wisdom which stimulates the pineal gland which creates states applicable to meditation. Aligns the mental body and emotional tensions are released. Emotional stability and greater calm results from the use of chamomile elixir. Miscellaneous Uses: Chamomile tea is used as a liquid feed and plant tonic, effective against a number of plant diseases.

Cautions: Except for the small risk of allergy, Chamomile is also one of the safest herbs to use.

Culinary Uses: The flowers are edible and quite tasty in salads.

Folklore: The Blackfoot Indians called it mat-o-at-sin, using the dried plant as a perfume.

#3 Herbal for Wellness Red Clover

2011-03-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

Red Clover

(Trifolium praetens)

Also known as; Meadow Honeysuckle, Meadow Trefoil, Purple Clover, Trefoil, Wild Clover, Cleaver Grass, Marl Grass, Cow Grass.

I pick Red Clover blossoms every year. On our homestead, we have one particular pasture that grows Red Clover in abundance. I get to harvest as much as I want, just before we begin our haying (cutting and baling for our cattle, horses and goats). I bring my cloth bags for harvesting, bring all the dogs with me for a walk and enjoy a few hours of wild crafting. I add this to most of my tea blends as it is an excellent blood purifier and overall health tonic.

Description: A perennial herb, with origins believed to be in Britain where it is abundant. Found world wide and naturalized in nearly every country, even the Arctic Circle and high up into mountains.

Cultivation and wild crafted it is an easily grown, from seed or root cuttings and requires little attention. The long root is rhizome, and sends out runners, producing several stems 1 to 2 feet high, slightly hairy; leaves ternate, leaflets ovate, slightly toothed, ending in long point often lighter colored V shape in center, flowers red to purple, fragrant, in dense terminal ovoid or round heads. Blooming from April thought out the summer months.

Constituents: Contains phenolic glycosides, flavonoids (Vitamin P and citrin), salicylates (known for its ability to ease aches and pains and reduce fevers. These medicinal properties, particularly fever relief, have been known since ancient times, and it was used as an anti-inflammatory drug. Some researchers believe that salicylate is an essential micronutrient in the human diet, potentially qualifying as a vitamin, namely Vitamin S), coumarins (sweet-smelling plant substance), cyanogenic glycosides, mineral acids.

A viable source of many nutrients including high protein content, calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. It is also considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens and are found in many plants). Contains genestine which is known to inhibit cancer cell growth.

Wellness Properties and Modalities: Healing properties of the flower and young leaf alleviates the symptoms of female menopause, promotes general prostrate health, normal urinary tract function in males, support for normal cholesterol levels, lymph flow and supports the immune system function. It is suggested to provide a mild sedative effect that can relax and relieve muscle cramping and nervousness.

Known as a blood purifier, useful for improving the overall health of the liver. Acts as a digestive aid and stimulator of digestive fluids and bile production. It is a good expectorant and relieves bronchitis and coughs.

Crushed Fresh Flowers: applied to insect bites and stings. Tincture: Taken internally for eczema and psoriasis.

Compress: Used for arthritic pains and gout. Ointment: Applied topically to lymphatic swellings.

Eyewash: 5 to 10 drops tincture in 20 ml water (a full eyecup) or a well-strained infusion is used for conjunctivitis.

Douche: Infusion is used for vaginal itching.

Syrup: A syrup made from the infusion is used for stubborn, dry coughs.

Flower Essence: Self-awareness: Provides true self-awareness so that the individual can think in a calm and balanced way, and act from his/her concept of reality without the undue influence of the group consciousness. Used for centered awareness and clearing the heart chakra when it is in conflict. It allows new energies to be involved when overcoming a crisis and brings on new opportunities.

Cautions: Use with caution if on anti-coagulants and anti-platelet agents or if using contraceptives. Do not use before or after surgeries because of blood thinning properties.

Culinary Uses: Harvest edible leaves for soup or salad before flowers fully bloom. The sprouted seeds are edible in salads and have a crisp texture and robust flavor.

Folklore: In the middle ages this herb was considered a charm and worn to ward off evil spirits and witches. The four leaf plant was said to have even more power against evil, a five leaf plant was said to be worn by witches to give them evil powers, and a two leaf plant would give a maiden the power to see her future lover.

Herbal Wellness #2 Comfrey

2011-02-14T13:00:00.000-08:00

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Also known as Knitbone, Knitback, Consound, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Slippery Root, Boneset, Yalluc (Saxon), Gum Plant, Consolida, Ass Ear.

This is one of my favorite herbs to grow. As the picture shows, it needs be kept contained or it will literally take over an area. I let my plant flower as I wanted to make Flower Essences.

Description: Comfrey is an herbaceous perennial. The large, hairy, lance-shaped leaves grow in clusters about 12 inches high. It sends up a central stem, which can reach three feet in height. The bell shaped flowers appear in clusters on this stem shortly before midsummer. The flowers of wild Comfrey vary in color, but are most often yellow. Prickly Comfrey may have blue or pink flowers, and Quaker Comfrey has purplish flowers. The root is black on the outside, white on the inside and tuberous, shaped like a turnip.

Propagation: A cultivated herb that prefers full sun, but might need some shade if you live in a very hot place. Soil should be rich, but it's not picky. It appreciates a bit of fertilizer once in awhile. It is most often propagated by root cuttings. It can become invasive if not kept contained. Comfrey likes it moist, so water regularly if it does not rain. Flowering stems should be removed in the first year, so that the plant's energy is focused on a sturdy root and leaf system After that, you can let the plant flower. Growth continues while the plant is in flower.

Constituents: A great source of protein, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, B12, and C. Most important is mucilage and Allantoin with a little tannin. (While Comfrey has finally gained some acceptance from the “official” medical community, there is also a quite a bit of fear surrounding the consumption. Recently, the FDA banned Comfrey from all commercially produced herbal supplements. Bear in mind that the FDA decided to ban the plant only after injecting unnaturally large amounts of the plant's inherent alkaloids into animal test subjects, which then died of liver failure, just as they would have had the alkaloids been extracted from a carrot, concentrated, and injected into their bloodstreams.) The highest percentage of the alkaloids are found in the root.

Harvesting and Preserving: The more you harvest this plant, the more it will grow. It should be harvested from early May and throughout the summer. Harvest before it blooms, for the greatest potency. Collect the leaves in the morning and immediately dry in a dehydrator as they break down easily. Dry at temperatures of 90 degrees or lower. Infuse leaves with oil and then keep refrigerated. Prepare a tincture/extract of the leaves with vodka, and bottle in colored glass. When collecting flowers for essence, do not touch but instead cut with scissors into a glass bowl. Use spring water to sun infuse for at least three hours. Preserve in dark glass with equal amounts of vodka or brandy.

Wellness Properties and Modalities: Containing allantoin, which is found in the milk of nursing mothers, it encourages cell reproduction and thus stimulates healing and regeneration. No better ally can be found for the woman with thin bones. Contains special proteins used in the formation of short-term memory cells. Its soothing mucilage adds flexibility to joints, eyes, vagina, and lungs. This is another herbal that Susun Weed promotes for Menopausal Womyn's Infused Wellness Herbals.

Infused Tea: A gentle remedy in cases of diarrhea and dysentery. Infused leaves are said to help speed the healing of broken bones and other internal injuries. Use as a soothing addition to baths. The root is used for persistent, painful coughs as well as hemorrhage and ulcers.
Infused Oils: Add to salves for burns, acne, bruising, abrasions and other topical complaints. Add when making lotion to smooth and reduce wrinkles in the skin.
Poultices: Use fresh leaves for sprains, swellings, bruises, severe cuts, boils, abscesses, and ulcers. The whole plant, is excellent for soothing pain and is useful in any kind of inflammatory swelling.

Flower Essence: Telepathy/Yoga This elixir is a powerful tonic for the nervous system. It can enhance telepathic abilities and other seldom used parts of the brain. It is also useful for athletes and yoga practitioners for it may increase physical coordination. Deep healing, encourages feeling emotionally and physically safe.

Folk Lore: Saxons referred to the plant as “Yulluc” and utilized it in travel magic. Comfrey was apparently also given to bards and minstrels to protect them in their wanderings.

Cautions: Do not use while pregnant or nursing. Never us Comfrey for very deep or puncture wounds, because it can actually make the surface heal faster than the lower part of the wound, causing abscesses. Make sure a wound has been thoroughly cleaned before applying Comfrey, so as not to seal dirt inside the wound. Comfrey should not be used internally or externally for longer than four to six consecutive weeks.

Herbal Wellness #1 Nettle

2011-02-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

I promised everyone at the Back To Basics presentation that I gave on "Top Ten...slash....Fourteen Herbals and Botanicals For Wellness" that I would post each of the botanicals and their information on my blog. I compiled all the information from numerous resources. I'll share those resources as well. Any time you see italics, those are an indication of a personal note from myself.

Here is the first Botanical for Wellness "NETTLE Urtica dioica"

Also known as; Bichu, Common Nettle, Grande Ortie, Great Stinging Nettle, Nettle, Nettle Leaf, Nettle Seed, Nettles, Ortie.

Here in Minnesota the Nettle will be popping up in early May...well, maybe even April sometime. I always start picking the new plants as soon as they are about 3-5" and continue to harvest through out the summer.

Description: Stinging nettle is found and wild crafted in nitrogen-rich soil. It blooms between June and September, and usually reaches 2 - 4 feet high. Stems are upright and rigid. The leaves are heart-shaped, finely toothed, and tapered at the ends, and flowers are yellow or pink. The entire plant is covered with tiny stiff hairs, mostly on the underside of the leaves and stem, that release stinging chemicals when touched.

Cultivation: Widely distributed as a weed. You can take cuttings or seeds from naturalized stands and plant them.

Constituents: Nettles are rich in iron, silicon, and potassium. They are very high in vitamins A, K and C. When dried, nettles are 40% protein.

Harvesting and Preservation: Best when gathered early in the season. Harvest all of the young plant, up to six inches tall. When picking older plants, use only the young, tender leaves. Nettles may be cut back to obtain a second harvest. NETTLES STING - USE GLOVES WHEN PICKING AND HANDLING THE FRESH PLANT. The volatile component is neutralized by heat (cooking or drying). Dry nettles at a low temperature. For even drying, separate leaves and stems. Prime nettle season is short, 1 to 2 months. The sting may be relieved by rubbing the skin affected with Rosemary, Mint or Sage leaves. Prepare Extract/tincture with fresh, clean leaves in Vodka. Bottle in dark glass.

Culinary Uses: Add young fresh leaves that have been simmered to soups, stews. Use in quiche in place of spinach.

Medicinal Properties and Modalities: Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years. They have beneficial influence on various body systems including the lungs, kidneys, skin, and blood. It is used to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate, for urinary tract infections, for hay fever, asthma, seasonal allergies, and hives. Recognized for its ability to stop bleeding, relieve mucous congestion and water retention, and improve skin irritations. Beneficial during pregnancy due to its rich mineral value and vitamin K, which guards against excessive bleeding. It is used during labor to ease the pains, and will increase milk production in lactating women. Often recommended for pre-menstrual syndrome because of its toxin-ridding activity. It acts as a restorative remedy during menopause, and the astringency of the herb helps in excessive menstrual flow.

Dried Leaves: Stops nose bleeding.

Infusion: As a gargle, it is useful for mouth and throat infections. Nettle tea is an excellent nourishing herbal. Susun Weed has included Nettle as one of the main nourishing herbals for women's health. An infusion (below for instructions) of nettle builds energy, strengthens the adrenals and is said to restore youthful flexibility to blood vessels. A cup of nettle infusion contains 500 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron, and zinc. An excellent source of Vit. A, D, E, and K, for flexible bones, a healthy heart, thick hair, beautiful skin, and lots of energy.

Compress: The tea is said to help relieve acne and eczema.

Tincture/Extract: An excellent blood purifier. Preventative therapy for Gout and Urinary Tract Infections, Allergies, Asthma and Hay Fever.

Creams/Salves: For treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites.

Other Uses: Dried nettles have also been widely used for farm animals. Added to chicken feed, they will increase egg production. Used as fodder for cows, they will increase milk production. Nettles produces a healthier, glossier coat.

Folk Lore: Nettles in a pocket will keep a person safe from lightning and bestow courage. Kept in a room it will protect anyone inside (common knowledge of huge amounts of nutrients, making them a powerful plant in that sense). Nettles are reputed to enhance fertility in men, and fever could be dispelled by plucking a nettle up by its roots while reciting the names of the sick man and his family. Arthritic joints were sometimes treated by whipping the joint with a branch of stinging nettles. The theory was that it stimulated the adrenal therefore reducing the swelling and pain in the joint. A 2000 controlled study supports the effectiveness of this treatment.

Nettle Pie (Quiche)

Pie crust
1 cup flour
1/3 cup plus 1 T. cold butter 1/4 t. salt
2 T. cold water
Cut the butter into the flour and salt until the butter is well distributed and mixture is crumbly. I use a pastry cutter to start and then my fingers to finish the job. Add cold water and mix with your hands just until the pie crust holds together. Place on a floured surface and roll out the crust. Place into pie pan.

To the crust add in order:
1 cup shredded cheese of your choice (I use a combo of parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella).
1/3 cup chopped onions and garlic sauteed in either olive oil or butter
about 2 -3 cups chopped, fresh (or simmered and chopped) nettles

Beat together, then add to crust:
4eggs 1 cup milk (goat milk)
1/4 t. dry mustard

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 40-45 minutes. Enjoy the best quiche you have ever eaten!

Nettle Pudding
To 1 gallon of young Nettle tops, thoroughly washed, add 2 good-sized leeks or onions, 2 heads of broccoli or small cabbage, or Brussels sprouts, and 1/4 lb. of rice. Clean the vegetables well; chop the broccoli and leeks and mix with the Nettles. Place all together in a muslin bag, alternately with the rice, and tie tightly. Boil in salted water, long enough to cook the vegetables, the time varying according to the tenderness or other vise of the greens. Serve with gravy or melted butter. These quantities are sufficient for six persons.

Pepys refers to Nettle pudding in his Diary, February, 1661: 'We did eat some Nettle porridge, which was very good.'

Nettle Beer
The Nettle Beer made by cottagers is often given to their old folk as a remedy for gouty and rheumatic pains, but apart from this purpose it forms a pleasant drink. It may be made as follows:

Take 2 gallons of cold water and a good pailful of washed young Nettle tops, add 3 or 4 large handsful of Dandelion, the same of Clivers (Goosegrass) and 2 OZ. of bruised, whole ginger. Boil gently for 40 minutes, then strain and stir in 2 teacupsful of brown sugar. When lukewarm place on the top a slice of toasted bread, spread with 1 OZ. of compressed yeast, stirred till liquid with a teaspoonful of sugar. Keep it fairly warm for 6 or 7 hours, then remove the scum and stir in a tablespoonful of cream of tartar. Bottle and tie the corks securely. The result is a specially wholesome sort of ginger beer. The juice of 2 lemons may be substituted for the Dandelion and Clivers (known today as Cleavers). Other herbs are often added to Nettles in the making of Herb Beer, such as Burdock, Meadowsweet, Avens Horehound, the combination making a refreshing summer drink.

Nourishing Herbal Infusions: Vibrant elder years and an easier menopause! They provide protein, minerals phytoestrogens, and special fats needed by menopausal women. Many common menopausal problems can be connected to a lack of one or more of these nutrients.

To make a nourishing herbal infusion: Use a least one ounce of dry nettle leaf. Place the ounce of dried leaf in a quart jar. (Once ounce equals one full cup of dried herb.) Fill the jar to the top with boiling water. Cap tightly and allow to brew for at least four hours. Overnight is fine. Strain and drink 2-4 cups a day. Most menopausal women prefer their infusion iced, but hot or room temperature is fine. A little mint or sage may be added to change the flavor. Honey may be desired as well. Keep the infused tea in the refrigerator to store.

First Calf...a little heifer!

2011-02-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

She was born Monday the 7th. We are waiting on Ear Tags still, as supplier had inventory in transit from the winter storm last week throughout the Midwest.
Her number is 1101. Always fun to have the little ones arrive to cheer us up from the winter blahs!

Barn Renovation 2011

2011-02-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

The barn is finished! And just in time for calving season. I'm going to post a series of photos from start to finish.
This year the back side of the barn was redone. Five years ago the bottom wall was redone, but not the roof. Within that time the roof collapsed and pushed the wall out. Three years ago the front roof and wall was redone.
One inside wall was saved that was made from mortared cedar discs in an old Finlander style of building. That was redone in 1961.

We found a few treasures as well inside the walls. Old booze bottles! Empty of course!
Both ends of the barn still need repair, but those will hold up until it is taken care of.

There are still original outside red slabs on the one side

Back To Basics in Pine River

2011-02-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, January 29th, Happy Dancing Turtle hosts a "Back To Basics" Event. I believe it is 4 - 5 years running. I've missed just one as a vendor and/or Presenter of a Workshop. This year I gave a workshop on "Top Ten Herbals & Botanicals for Wellness". Unfortunately I couldn't pick just ten and had fourteen to talk about!
The class was filled with 25 and I believe the class was well received. My only wish was that I had chosen a double session, as the single session of 45 minutes was not long enough at all! I briefed through which was a shame. Sooo many herbs, so little time!

Here is a pic of a few stations I set up for everyone to look over. I set up a station for each herb, that consisted of an informational sheet, dried herb in a jar and product. Most stations consisted of a tincture/extract and an infused oil.
As promised I will be sharing information on each plant that I presented. I handed out informational sheets for Nettle and Wild Rose/Rosehip as well as a recipe sheet.
Included were informational sheets on "Body Dowsing", "A 12th Century Herbalist Invocation", A list of resources from the web and books, "Herbal Procedures and Preparations".
Here are the Top 14 Herbal and Botanicals for Wellness!
Nettle (wild crafted), Wild Rose & Rosehips (wild crafted, but of course you may use cultivated rose), Elder (cultivated), Plantain (wild crafted), Calendula (cultivated), Borage (cultivated), St. Johns Wort (cultivated), Chamomile (cultivated) & Pineapple Weed (wild crafted), Yarrow (wild crafted), Catnip (cultivated, but I've found it escaped and growing "in the wild" like along a sidewalk!), Red Clover (cultivated & wild crafted), Comfrey (cultivated), Jewelweed (wild crafted),

Everyone seemed to enjoy the procedure of self-testing by "Energy Scanning" and also known as "Body Dowsing:". The website that I used for the hand out sheet is from Heron Herbals.
Barbara's is known throughout the herbal community as the guru of self-testing. Here is her website, "Lady Barbara's Garden".

If anyone is interested in product, please visit my website Earthlyte. I ship and accept payment via Paypal! My shop is open by appointment as well.
Soooo, it seems there was interest in my hosting some "Weed Walks". I was asked numerous times at the presentation if I did. It has been a few years, and you know, I think it's time to host a few this summer. I have a workshop link on my website and I'll be updating that as I plan the first walk!
Wishing you wellness,
Terri

Winter Solstice & Yule Blessings

2010-12-22T14:18:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I sat down and did some doodling and made up a few designs for Holiday Cards. To the left is one I designed in mind for my "Pagan" friends. I made a couple star designs as well for my Christian families and friends. I believe that whatever your beliefs, they all have these in common. LOVE, JOY, SHARING, PEACE...ah yes, the big one...Peace on Earth.
It will be a very quiet Yule for us this year. My parents have become "snow birds" for the first time and they left the day after Thanksgiving. They are enjoying the very warm weather in Arizona and I am sooo jealous.
Although my sister Karen is coming home today from Kosovo, I know we probably will not be seeing each other, as she is back for just a short time...I think 10 days. She has a lot of catching up to do with her own family and friends down in the cities. My other sister Susan is down in Georgia. My two brothers...I'll have lunch with my youngest brother Don who is home from his stint in Alaska, and probably a call to Bill will suffice, unless he treks from Hutchinson and makes a quick visit to the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Talking about the quiet weekend ahead with my hubby and youngest son, we decided to go all out for our Christmas dinner and have BBQ Ribs and Baked Potatoes. Number one son will be in agreement, that it will do just fine.
I'd like to share a New Years Legend and Ritual that I came across quite a few years ago. I don't remember for sure, but it might of been through the Goddess Path Newsletter. It is perfect for bringing in the new year.
Visit my creation studio's website and you'll find the link there.
Rustic Rooster Art Project

Blessings to everyone this Holiday Season!

New Product Line! Pet & Livestock Care

2010-11-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

Scooter my Border Collie is my "spokes-dog" for my new product line of Pet & Livestock Care! I call him "Scooter Bee"..."Goot Bee"...you know how those nicknames just some how come about. So on the labels, under a line drawing (from a photograph) of him (digitally made by my friend Melody), it says "Scooter Beez".

Here is the line drawing pic. He's such a cute guy.

Here are the new bar soaps: Shampoo Bars in Essential Oils of Lavender/Cajeput (Tea Tree), and Rosemary/Lavender, Goat Milk Shampoo Bar: Honey & Oats with Lavender Essential Oil, Goat Milk Bar: Honey & Oats. All Shampoo Bars have hair loving, conditioning Castor Oil.

Ear Wash with Essential Oil of Lavender: Made with Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, infused herbals of St. John's Wort (pain relief), Jewelweed and Plantain (healing and soothing). An excellent cleanser and preventative of yeast infections, wax build up, mites, itching and inflammation. Long eared dogs especially are prone to ear problems. This is concentrated with a dilution of 1 to 2 with distilled water.

Wild Rose Elixir: I can't say enough about this healing and soothing botanical. Made with 100% vegetable glycerine and Wild Rose Extract. External Use: Spray on burns, wounds to soothe pain, promote and speed healing, reduces redness and swelling. Use on heat rash (hots spots), contact dermititis, blisters, poison ivy. Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, astringent. Non-irritating and safe for use on any animal. Liniment for relaxing and soothing sore muscles and nerve pain. Internal Use: For trauma, panic, fear or stress.

First Aide Aroma & Flower Essence Therapy. In instances of stress, change, injury. A base of 100% Glycerine, Aloe Vera Juice and Distilled Water in which Lavender Hydrosol and Essential Oil, Flower Essences(Parsley/Balance, Red Clover/Calming, Chamomile/Calming & Harmony, Fireweed/Restorative, Rehabilitating, Rejuvenating; combined, provide the healing and therapy.

And be sure to check out my website for up and coming products for your pets and livestock at:
Earthlyte Herbals & Botanicals

I'm really excited as always to be offering amazing products as Gaia intended. Pure, natural wellness.

Introducing Earthlyte's New Product Line!

2010-11-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

"Abundance" is the perfect word to describe the harvest on our homestead of herbals, flowers and wild crafted botanicals this summer of 2010.
My herbal product list expands. I have been working on a total Pet & Livestock Care line that will be available soon. My next post will be to share a bit more about each of those product.

But first I wanted to share one of my newest passions! Three years ago, I began studying and learning about Flower Essences. Last year was the first year I made a few and that's all it took for me to realize what actually was available here on our homestead! This year I harvested and made over 30 different kinds.
The picture to the right is of my Elderberry bushes. I had plenty of blossoms for essence as well as berrys for wine and extract.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this amazing gift from Gaia, here is one of the most thorough and insightful descriptions I have found about this botanical therapy.Written by Pegasus Products, they have been one of the leading distributors and educators of flower essences for about 30 years;
"Flower Essences are tinctures of liquid consciousness, and stored within them is an evolutionary force, the life force itself shaped to a particular pattern depending on the signature of a particular plant and/or flower. This liquid consciousness can be considered educational for the psycho-spiritual dynamics of an individual. Working with these vibrations, offers one an opportunity to shift one's beliefs, conceptions, ideas of science and long-term patterns to a place of greater awareness and understanding. Flower Essences offer much more than the temporary relief of some emotional state or physical difficulty. They are contributing to a change in a soul's life pattern and consciousness. This goes far beyond the cessation of some symptoms within one incarnation. When one looks deeply enough one realizes that it is only to increase consciousness that one incarnate in a body, moving through various physical, emotional, mental, spiritual difficulties to attain some self awareness. Flower essences adjust the flow of consciousness and karma that create the disease state. They influence the subtle bodies and ethereal properties of the anatomy and then gradually influence the physical body. These are a safe, sometimes subtle from of therapy that before one even realizes what is occuring, positive change has happened. These products work whether one is a believer or not. They have been very effective with animals and plants. If one truly wants change, more satisfaction from life and enhanced wisdom these can benefit you greatly".
So, with that said, I would like to introduce my new line of Flower Essences!
I have two Care Kits available in: "Sleep & Dream" and "Joy & Loving Heart". My oldest son has insomnia from worry and the "Sleep & Dream" Flower Essence and Aromatherapy spray has helped him amazingly! Before bedtime he liberally sprays himself, his room and linen.
If you are interested in a personalized essence, I incorporate them into 4.6 oz. mister spray bottle containing Distilled H2O, Glycerin, Aloe Vera Juice, and Essential Oil Hydrosol. You spray mist your body, space, linen, clothing, etc. Aromatherapy with Essential Oils is another therapy that I like to incorporate along with Flower Essences.
Listed are all the flowers I made into essences and their main properties. Flower Essences are more complex and I will have a complete description listed on my website.
Alfalfa: Self-worth, Bee Balm: Clear Expression, Bedstraw: Focus, Activates Kundulini, Birdsfoot Trefoil: Self Value, Black-eyed Susan: Self-esteem, Borage: Courage/Strength/Confidence, Calendula: Inner Healing, Chamomile: Harmony/Higher Wisdom/Serene Solar Plexus, Christmas Cactus: Intimacy, Comfrey: Deep Healing, Creeping Bellflower: Reunion of the spiritual and sexual, Dill: Positive Outlook, Elder: Regeneration, Fireweed: Forgiveness, Foxglove: Fortitude/Stamina, Geranium: Past Relationships, Jewel Weed: Clarity/Focus, Joe Pye Weed: Lighten Load from Over-responsibility, Lady's Mantle: Inner Feminine/Green Heart, Marigold: Psychic Abilities, Milk Weed: Objectivity, Peppermint: Soul Attunement, Mullien: Group Persistence, Oregano: Will-power/Clarity of Thought, Pansy: Mental Clarity, Pearly Everlasting: Committment/Lasting Devotion/Positive Energy, Pentunia: Balanced Perspective, Red Clover: Self-awareness, Sedum: Release from Limits, St. John's Wort: Visions, Sunflower: Spiritualize Ego, Sweet Woodruff: Compromise/Clarity, Tansy: Insight/Understanding, Thyme: Time Flow/Energizing, Thistle: Focus to Spirit for inner strength, Violet:Highly Perceptive/Sensitivity, Pasture Rose (Rosy Pink): Family Forgiveness, Yarrow: Protection, Zinnia: Laughter
Please feel free to call me and we can determine what Flower Essence Therapy would be best for you.

My Wild Rose Elixir is a must in every household. This healing spray takes care of it all! Externally spray on burns, wounds to sooth pain, promotes and speeds healing, reduces redness and swelling. Use on heat rash, contact dermatitis, blisters and poison ivy. Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, astringent, non-irritating and safe for use on baby skin or as a sitz bath. Liniment for relaxing sore muscles and sharp shooting sensation related to nerve pain. Internally use for trauma, panic, fear or stress in children, adults or pets. Put a few drops under tongue.

The month of October was spent catching up and making bar soaps. I'm updating my website and will have them all listed. Most soaps are cured and ready! I'm anxious to try for myself the Goat Milk Honey & Oats with Lavender Essential Oil!

My Herbal Tea Blends are now available in loose leaf and bulk sizes. Each cello bag contains 10 generous cups of tea! Available: "Mellow Out", Nettle/Red Clover, Mint Reviver, Day Time Cold & Cough, Hormonal Harmony, Daily Wellness, Rosehip/Red Clover, Comfort & Soothing, Sleepy Time.

Rose Hips

2010-10-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

We had a killing frost Saturday night. This time of year, is Rose Hip gathering time. This is one of my favorite wild crafting botanical. I found a wonderfully loaded bush down by the old bridge along our Cedarbrook and they were huge! I now have four more trays drying in the dehydrator.
Most of my tea blends include powdered rose hips. My "Daily Wellness Tea" would not be the same without them. High in Vitamin C they provide this much needed nutrient throughout the winter months.

Pixi

2010-09-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

Our new horse Pixi. She has settled in nicely. She is 4 yrs. old and Quarterhorse Palomino Paint. A smaller horse and perfect for us ladies to ride.

Tribute

2010-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the gardens

2010-07-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Flowers are still blooming and also many of the herbs. I am almost done with making Flower Essences. Perfect timing as the garden is calling for harvesting. The garden is lush this year. I've kept up on the weeding fairly well and it shows.
Zuchinni up the the WAHZOO...I'll beable to make lots of relish.

Do you know what the one flaw in women is?

2010-07-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

Do you know what the one flaw in women is?: "You've got to watch this beautiful 3-minute movie: http://www.theoneflawinwomen.com/"

Peak Season for Flower Essences

2010-07-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

The flower season is at it's peak and I'm brewing Essences today. What joy to be working with the plant spirits. Because I grow many herbs and wildcraft on and around my homestead I have many varieties available for picking. Today I started eight flowers. Bee Balm, Oregano, St. John's Wort, Borage, Lady's Mantle, Elderberry, Thyme and Dill. I am especially excited about my Thyme blossoms as it's been a few years since the plants have done well here on the homestead.

This week I will be explaining the properties of each of my Essences. I will be offering Flower Essence for sale in a couple weeks.
On a personal note; I will be using a couple of these myself to move me forward on my spiritual and emotional wellness.

I'm also sharing my other flower beds pictures, including my "Wave Petunias". They are waving and oh so pretty.

Sweet Summer Flower Blessings to you all!

Summer Solstice Meanderings

2010-06-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

The weather gave us a break from rain last weekend and most of the weeding is done. On Saturday my hubby and oldest son went to a family reunion up in Deer River, and my youngest son Remington tilled while I weeded between the plants. More mulching is needed though and we are trying to get that done in between the thunderstorms this week. Monday's downpour put a "damper" on the progress.

Plants are just not growing like they should and most are behind. With this humidity and warmer temps, things should pick up.
I've been busy wild crafting wild rose petals and pineapple weed. Rose Petals are being made into extract for a healing elixir and the pineapple weed is drying for future sleepy time/calming tea blends. I really need to get out and pick Yarrow for extract that is a main ingredient in my bugs away/pest deterrent spray.
Here is the recipe for the Wild Rose Petal Elixir. I ran across this recipe while on the internet looking for the healing properties of the Rose. Not to my surprise, it has many healing properties. This elixir is easy to make and something you won't want to be without, just as I have found.
Take 1 pint canning jar and fill the jar with rose petals. Add raw honey or vegetable glycerine, then fill with vodka or everclear. I like to pack down layers of petals, drizzle glycerine over the petals and than add the alcohol until the jar is filled. Cover and set in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks (if you can wait that long) and when it's ready, strain and bottle. Externally, Rose Petal Elixir is amazing on burns or wounds. It is an excellent sun burn soother. For this application I like to keep the elixir in a mist/spray bottle. The honey or glycerine holds the elixir in place and adds to the soothing effect. The rose is blood moving, which contributes to pain relief and quicker healing. Anit-inflammatory, anti-bacterial as well astringent, Rose Petal Elixir reduces redness, swelling and possible infection. It is gentle and non-irritating, safe enough to use on baby skin or as a sitz bath but effective enough for most any first aid needed. A drop or two will calm itchy or stinging insect bites, rashes from heat, contact dermatitis, blisters, poison ivy. As a liniment it is effective for relaxing sore muscles, and has a special talent for sharp, shooting sensations related to nerve pain or slipped discs. Internally, use a small amount of elixir for trauma, panic, fear or stressful situations for children, adults or animals. It is calming, and blood moving, helping to move someone out of a paralyzing shock or stuck emotion. It acts as a mild nervine, calming and sedating. It excels at opening the heart and restoring emotional equilibrium. It is anti-spasmodic and can be used externally or internally for mild to moderate cramps.

Summer Solstice on Monday, brought the first hay cutting of the year. We are behind now as the rain just doesn't want to quit. My sons have been getting the machinery ready for raking towards the end of the week..."crossing my fingers'...

Summer Solstice Blessings!

What really matters? What's really important? What's is all for?

2010-05-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the message I received today from; "Notes From The Universe"

What really matters? What's really important? Why bother? Who cares? What's it all for?
You, it's all about you. What you like and dislike. What you want and don't want. What makes you smile and laugh. What makes you learn and grow.
Selfish? How else could you shine your light? How else could you possibly hope to lift the world? How else could you be all that we dreamed you might be?

Selfish of me -
The Universe

So, here are a few thoughts I have about what really matters and what it is that makes me happy.

Watching my sons becoming the awesome young men they are...truly authentic and individuals. I am happy that I was able to homeschool them and have them be such a huge part of my life. My sons make me smile and laugh.

Living and enjoying a self-sustainable life style on our homestead. Living a lifestyle that I dreamed of living while growing up. This is a dream come true for me.

Caring for and enjoying all our the different animals...goats, dogs, horses, cattle, chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits...I could not survive without my animal friends and having the connection I do with each one. They make me smile and laugh.

Feeling the dirt in my hands as I plant the garden and tending it as it grows. Raising our own food and knowing what we are eating to sustain healthy bodies.

I like that I can make healthy herbal and personal care products for my family and friends. And that I am continuing the path of learning, growing and living the "Wise Womyn" ways.

Expressing myself through my art/crafts and creating. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creation...this is the most rewarding way for me to learn and grow. I want to finish my labyrinth this year. I want to make a new herbal garden in the design of a star. I want to build a arbor out of diamond willow...

What's really important to me is my family and true friends. I can only think that it's them who really care. They are there through thick and thin as the saying goes.

This is a transitional time in my life of being a "crone". My sons are defining and deciding who and what they are all about. I think that's what it is all about...helping them and preparing them for this time in their lives...and of this time in my life!

It's all about leaving a legacy for my sons to hand down to the next generation.

It's about fond memories of special times with friends and family. I don't like the fact that I could be creating more fond memories of special times...I don't like that I am so busy all the time and don't spend more time with those friends that I would like to.

I like that it is a time to begin nurturing myself and enjoying what it is that makes me happy...this time is upon me now that my sons are grown and capable of doing so much for themselves and don't need me as much. I don't like that my sons don't need me as much...LOL!

Kidding Around

2010-05-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

We are done with birthing the kids and what a relief. Flossy had her two buck kids on Monday morning the 17th. Number One Son is white with a little black for points around the eyes, nose and knees. Number Two Son with coloring like his Dad Lester, didn't make it into the world alive.
Today we introduced the new little buck to Snowball's kids. Her three were born on Earth Day, and are juvenile delinquents with running and climbing all over the yard. The first two pics are the newest arrival. We were going to call him Dipstick, thinking he had black on the end of his tail. But it was still just wet from being born. So we'll have to come up with a better name.

The third picture is of the two bucks from Snowball. "Ghini" is colored like his Dad Lester an Alpine coloring and "Dude" is light brown with white ears that speckled brown with tiny spots. Both are beautiful little Bucks. They have been debudded and will be banned this week to become Weathers (castrated bucks). We already have homes for them and will be pets on a farm.
The fourth picture is "Ghini" meeting the newest addition. Total acceptance.
And the last picture...here is Chatty on top of my oldest son Winchester. She is very indulged and I think we have created a monster. We will be keeping her and adding her to our milking herd.
Goats make me happy!

Dandelion Wine Making

2010-05-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

This is my first year making dandelion wine. I'm excited to add another to my list of brewing accomplishments.
Yesterday, me, my son Remington and 5 of our dogs went and picked the flowers down by our maple grove for about 45 minutes. It was so windy and cold...a very blustery day! The dogs always enjoy themselves and snoop, running and chasing each other. Brewsky (Boo Boo) the black lab and Scooter (Pickle Weasel) especially!
Beware...your hands will become stained with brownish yellow "stuff" from picking the flowers!
This is what I discovered; I waited until early evening to remove the green base of the flower from the yellow petals and by that time, all of the flowers were wilting...alot. So now I know that they must be processed SOON after picking. Your hand and fingernails will continue to stain.
The recipe calls for 2 litres of dandelions needed for 1 gallon of wine. The yellow flowers measured 1 1/2 litres after de-greening.
Here is the link to the recipe I am using: "Brew-magic, UK"
I have two batches started. I used 1/2 gallon of distilled water per batch of dandelion flowers. This was just enough to cover the flowers for steeping.
Two days the flowers steep and then it will be ready to get it brewing.
I will continue with the procedure and relay any information that may help anyone for their first time in brewing Dandelion Wine!

Mosquito Season Coming Soon!

2010-04-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

Two of my seasonal products I make are "Insect Away" Lotion and "Insect Away" Spray; Herbal & Essential Oil Pest Discouragers! I use the spray on my horse "Greyboy" as he has sensitive Arabian skin and it works wonderfully! I make up a huge spray bottle especially for him.
I'm going to be giving Herbal Workshops this spring and summer and making your own bug spray is going to be one of those scheduled. Probably in June. So keep posted and I'll have the workshop schedule up soon here and on my website.
But for now I'm going to share a couple of my main ingredients that make my bug spray so very effective as well as natural and safe! These two ingredients are; Infused Catnip in Olive Oil and Yarrow Tincture. Both of these are easy to prepare and incorporate into your own homemade bug spray.
So today I'm going to give directions on how to make your catnip infused oil.
When your catnip is up and flourishing, gather with scissors (leave enough behind so your catnip can continue growing). Chop up your catnip with scissors. Put it in your crock pot, pour cold-press virgin olive oil (I use organic) over the catnip until it is just covered. DO NOT put the cover on, and turn on low. Now my crock pot is not a hot crock pot and I am able to leave mine on for a couple hours. You do not want your catnip and oil to get too hot so don't let it simmer. If you have to turn your crock pot on and off a couple times so that you get a couple hours of infusion with a low heat then do so. Strain with a colander. Put into a glass bottle and let sit overnight on the counter. In the morning you will see a sediment film on the bottom. Strain off again and throw the sediment away. Keep in the fridge until ready for use.
I have an affinity with catnip. I love the smell, I adore the fuzzy like leaves and wouldn't think of being without catnip in my herb garden.
Next I'll post on how to make Yarrow Tincture.

In Full Swing

2010-04-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

A working ranch's chores are endless; the seasons change...one phase ends and another one begins.
Sapping is done. Maple Syrup abundant with about 54 gallons made this year. All that's left is the cleaning of the buckets, taps and hose and then stored away till next year.
Calving is almost over. We had another born today. Old #3895 (1995 born cow) had a heifer. We have two cows left but they will be late...with "Oops" babies. A young bull got out before he was sold last July. These two cows would of been open with out calves...perhaps "Oops" babies...better late than never...calves to sell in the fall.
Butcher Chicks will be ready for pickup this coming Thursday. We'll be getting ready for those and getting the brooder out. No coop this year. I'm trying to cut down a bit so I have a little more time to breath! 20 years...I think it's time don't you?
Baby rabbits born...with 10 live and doing well to one doe. We had two does loose their young and one doe didn't settle. We'll breed again in a week.
Horse Friday began and friend Francine and her girls have come to ride. They have bought a rescue horse "Molly" who has come here to live. The Picture is of Francine riding my Greyboy and one of Francine's girls friend riding Molly.
Yard work and garden preparation are next on the agenda. So much to clean up...we have six dogs, so you can imagine cleaning up you know what...can't you?
Pasture fencing repair will be a job for my guys to get done during the week while Dad is at work. A couple pastures need to be worked up and planted this year. Those fences need to be taken down.
Well the list goes on and on. I'd better start the chore list and we'll just plug along and try to prioritize the best we can.
So one of the first fun things I want to accomplish this year. Learn to rope from my horse Greyboy. I know I can practice on Moan. We've been messin around with ropes with him since he was a weanling. So I'll start practicing on him. But I'm going to teach Greyboy to tolerate the ropin thing...wish me luck...two old dogs (me and Greyboy), learn new tricks...ummmm...Ok we'll give it a try.

You Know Spring Is Here When.....

2010-03-07T06:14:00.000-08:00

It's Maple Sapping Time! The guys starting tapping maples yesterday. Remington had tapped our big maple in the front yard on Wednesday which is always our indicator for when the sap is running. Last year we started on March 10th, so yup we are right on schedule. I'll head down sometime today and take pics of the area we sap. We have a lovely grove of Maples on the South end of our property.

Calving is moving along slowly. We have only 17 born...not even half way! Last weekend with the Full Moon did NOT bring about the births we had hoped was to happen. Sigh...so frustrating this waiting and waiting.

Painting in my workshop area is coming along nicely. I have most of the floor painted. Yes! The walkway still needs to be painted but I'll do that when I get the walls done and everything put back and organized. The walls are a lovely butter yellow.

My mom came over again and helped move stuff...again. This is all the supplies we had put in the back room before I had really thought things out. The painting project put a new "light" on re-organizing as well...I'm not promising anything, but I think this is the best layout for production I've come up with yet.

All my soaping/product making supplies are in place. Almost everything is where it should be, but just a little more organizing needs to be done. I'll move my working tables in the middle today. The space below the stairs is perfect for all my bulk containers. They are such a pain! My Mom helped with putting them in labeled garbage bags so they stay clean and ready for use.

Ok off to get ready for the day. Everyone have a wonderful day.

A Busy Saturday

2010-02-27T19:02:00.000-08:00

The weekend weather is mild, sunny and perfect for calving. We had another calf born today. A heifer. With the full moon tomorrow, we are hoping for a few more. I was busy today making soap. A friend gave me some pork lard and I rendered that, while I made a batch with beef tallow. I decided to add Birch Tar Essential Oil to this batch along with some Citral Essential Oil to tame down the smokey smell of the Birch. Here are pics. Tomorrow I hope to get another batch made with the beef tallow and the pork lard combination.

Finished batch in small mold with dividers.

Oils are about half melted.

Lye solution cooling in the sink.

Tallow, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil on the stove and ready for melting.

I also got the floor painted in the back half of the workshop room. What a lovely color. This pic makes the color look more plum than it is. It's actually a more purple color. A dusty purple. I plan on hanging a burlap on the walls in a very bright yellow. Won't this look fabulous?! Yes! Perhaps tomorrow I can get the other side of the floor painted. It will be nice to get my shop in working order again.

Memory Lane

2010-02-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of me and my boys in 2000. Winchester (on the left of me) was born in 1990 and Remington (on the right of me)in 1991. Are not the boys just too cute? I miss those days of little boy hugs, smiling faces with missing teeth...I have so many special memories to remember for when I'm sitting in my rocking chair in my old age.
But alas they are all grown up as young men of 18 and 19 years old. Both are Eagle Scouts, seasoned ranch hands, avid hunters and all around nice guys.
I'm working on a web page for each of them and have Remington's loaded with his photography. Visit our ranch website and click on the "The Gun Brothers" link.
See ya later!

A Sunny Day

2010-02-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

Spirits are sunnier with the warm, sunny days we've had this week. It was still very chilly yesterday with that wind but today is calmer and ohhh so nice. Of course no calves were born today...so far. Now what are they waiting for?
Here is a pic of Sylvester and Squirt. They decided to snuggle with me last Saturday when I was laying down for a quick nap. I had what I thought was a migraine. But now I believe it was sinus. My teeth hurt! They are as all cats, delightful and into everything! Sylvester has the most white on his face and is a chirper. Squirt just meows all the time and sounds like he's whinning.
I've got everything ready to make laundry soap tonight. All the oils are set out and lye is ready for mixing. I've got just a little left of my lavender blended up.
It was a productive day for me in the shop. I got all my Kombucha strained and put in the fridge ready to drink. I've got 8 gallons, so that should last a bit. I do have SCOBY's to share if anyone needs one. Here is a good Kombucha link that Jess shared on her FB. Jess is another Kombucha fan and is the Assistant Mgr at the Crow Wing Coop.
I'm heading out to do afternoon chores so we'll check in with ya later.

Comfort Doll Project: OK, Here we GO!!!

2010-02-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

Comfort Doll Project: OK, Here we GO!!!

Calving Time on Cedarbrook Steading

2010-02-15T08:57:00.000-08:00

Our days and nights are filled with chores and caring for the animals. We have 5 calves born so far...and about 38 to go. The weather has turned cold and blustery, so three calves and their moms are still in the barn. We hope the weather turns and we can put them out to the cow yard to get the precious sunshine they need for health and vitality.
We have our routine pretty well established and all is running smoothly. Winchester, my oldest deals with the night shift well. He checks on cows at 11:30 pm.-1:30-3:30 am and then Jeff checks around 5:30 am before getting ready for work. Remington and myself take the morning shifts after Jeff goes to work and we check cows at 7:30-9:30-11:30 am. Me and Rem do the morning chores as well as Winchester sleeps in till about noon.
We have a few hours before afternoon chores to get a few other things done around the house. By the end of the 6 weeks of calving season we are pretty tired of the day in and day out routine!
We don't venture far from home for more than an hour. In this weather, we can loose a calf very easily if the mom chooses to have it in a snow bank. So, I've been asked why do we choose to calve out this time of year with the cold and snow? Because we live on Cedarbrook. Chances are high that we can experience flooding. This usually happens right after the first of April. We want to be done with calving, in case we have to move the herd to higher ground, down on the County Line pasture. We do not have the facilities there to be calving. No buildings, no corrals, just a pasture.
Pictured is our second calf, laying along the shed wall. He looks pretty content in the sun and taking a snooze.
I'm going to look for some pics of the last spring when we last flooded. I don't even remember how many springs ago it was. It's hard to imagine that it looks like we live on an island. That's the only way, I can describe it. Living on Cedarbrook is full of wonders, but when it chooses to accept the water from the Mississippi and it spills onto our land, we have learned to endure what nature hands us.

Feral Cats Oh MY!

2010-01-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

I want to talk a bit about the feral cat population on our homestead.
FYI...Unchecked populations of wild cats are alarming and the results are devastating. I feel that that shooting and killing of these cats a sad alternative to more humane population control. If 70% of the cat population is spayed or neutered it makes a tremendous impact on population control. Did you know that a dominant neutered male cat will protect his territory and keep un-neutered males from moving in and mating with un-spayed females? But the key to this is "dominant" factor. For quite a few years we have neutered our tame male cats and our populations have lessened noticeably on our farm.
This winter we lost our "Puss Cat" and "Pal", the two most dominant tame male cats to old age and illness. Both worked diligently to keep as many wild Tom Cats off the property. We still have "Mittens" and "Target" both fixed males but they are...um...wimps. We need another dominant neutered male badly!
This morning as I cleaned the outdoor cat boxes and fed them, it became apparent that our population of wild cats has increased. Another black wild Tom Cat has moved in. We now have three that I know of.
I'm going to repost my pages on the Rustic Rooster Art Project of the "Neuter Commuter" that came here in 2005. I need to find a similar solution to our increasingly feral cat population problem here on the farm and in the area.

Friday Update

2010-01-22T17:01:00.000-08:00

The woodshed is filled again. Win and Rem went out with Uncle Keith and Manley yesterday and brought a couple loads home. Today they split and we all stacked. I'm a bit sore but it's good for me. At my age I need to keep as active as I can.
Our chores have been getting done easily with this January thaw. We hope this nice warmer weather continues on into calving season. I've posted some pics I took of a very frosty morning. It was beautiful out. It actually stayed frosted all day which is rare. I wonder if that is called something...like "all day frost"...just being silly here.
Our first calf is due February 7th!
This weekend we will bring the cows up into the cow yard and get them on a schedule again of us walking through and checking on them every two hours. The first week, all calves are due from AI'ing...Artificial Inseminating...from up to 9 different bull semen that we used. We are excited as this will bring in some new genetics.
Our first kid is due in May. We pulled the Billy Goat "Lester" the beginning of this month. The girls, Flossy and Snowball, are happier without him. He can be a little rough and a bully.
We have 15 Moscovy Hen Ducks for breeding and to hatch out this coming summer. That is exciting. We kept 4 males and butchered the rest. I really like Moscovy meat. We learned a lot about hatched out Moscovy ducklings last summer. We now know that when the hens come out with their new little ones, we let her show them how to eat and drink for about an hour or two and then put them (little ones only) in a brooder. We had a huge fatality rate last year, as we didn't realize how fragile they were.
When you have a chance go visit the Rustic Dandelion blogger. I've been busy organizing the shop and have the office all done as well as the storage room.

Have a good evening!

Sunday Musings

2010-01-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

We are finally getting a break in the weather and it's warming up. I can walk from the house to my shop without being bundled up! I took the dogs for a walk this morning and they all were happy to get out and run and play.
I have been working on the Rustic Dandelion website and have gotten to where it can be viewed. I still have a few members profiles to get done but those will be done by tonight!
www.rusticdandelion.com
Well my shop is tore up and I've got to get things reorganized. I had frozen pipes last week, so the wall had to be taken down (easily done as we've had this problem before) and heat tape installed to get us through the winter. The outside faucet is working again as well!
So with that said, I'm moving the office to that back room and organzing supplies.
Alright off I go...have a nice rest of the afternoon!

Building A Labyrinth

2010-01-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

I updated my page on Labyrinths at my Rustic Rooster website.
www.rusticroosterartproject.com/Labyrinth.html

We have been building a labyrinth beside my gardens here on the homestead.

It will be finished this spring!
I hope you come and join us for labyrinth walks this 2010!

A New Idea for Bath Salts!

2010-01-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

Every year at this time, I make bath salts. I have packaged them differently such as in; bath salt tubes (round and square), cello bags, canning jars...and all worked Ok but I wanted to come up with something different this time. So, I was looking at my bath teas and thought, why can't I package the salts the same way. A one-time-use that is convenient and simple! I've got three batches made so far (Lavender, Lavender/Tea Tree, Peppermint/Grapefruit) and will probably make a total of 5 different kinds of Essential Oil Blends.

Oh Forgot!

2009-12-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

In my earlier post I was talking about consignments and totally forgot to mention the Crow Wing Food Coop in Brainerd carries my product year around for your convenience.
http://www.crowwingfoodco-op.com/

Winter Solstice Musings

2009-12-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

This is always a time of extremes here on our homestead. Are daily activities revolve around the care of the livestock. We don't venture far, so even the holiday celebrations (if much at all) are kept close to home. On Christmas Day we visited my parents (who live in Brainerd) for a few hours and had a ham dinner and a fun activity of sugar cookie decorating.
The snow accumulation was not only sudden but abundant and temperatures warmed enough that melting occurred for a couple days. I took pictures of the snow slide off of the shed roof that is behind my shop. We realized that if it let go and actually slid all the way off it would fall right in front of the doorways to the animals that are housed there. So Remington, my youngest son cut it in sections and shoveled it away from their doorways.
Most of my product is home from consignment at Christmas Markets. I have been busy re-labeling and taking inventory. This last year has been a different venue for my product. I consigned at four new locations. It was successful and a learning experience to say the least. I will be continuing with only one for the 2010 year; the Remer Arts & Craft Coop.
So this leads me to make an exciting announcement. My shop will be hosting a new venue this next year and will be re-opening. The Rustic Rooster Art Project will be hosting a collaboration/partnership of some very talented artists, wellness facilitators and business women. Please visit the new "Rustic Dandelion" blog to find out more about this exciting venture planned for the near future.
http://rusticdandelion.blogspot.com/

All of January I will be preparing for the "Back To Basics" hosted by Happy Dancing Turtle Organization.
www.happydancingturtle.org
The date for "Back To Basics" is Saturday, January 30th. Please visit their website for workshop information and sign-up. I will be vendoring as well as being a presenter.
This week I am making Bath Salts and Body Butter. Now that the dry winter months are upon us we all need to take extra care of our skin and our health. What better way to nourish our skin than with moisturizing butters and deep cleaning and detoxifying.
Wishing Everyone Wellness
"Earthlyte"
*Body *Mind *Spirit Care

Product Update and Special Events

2009-08-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

I've been soaping and getting product inventory up to levels required for the holiday season.
Please visit my websites often to see what has been added.
www.cedarhavencreations.com
www.musesinspirations.com
For shopping convenience you can find my product at the Crow Wing Foods Coop in Brainerd (Year' round), and the Remer Arts and Craft Coop in Remer (May through December) .
I am excited to announce that for the holiday season I will have my product at two art galleries down in the cities. The first is the Eden Prairie Art Gallery and my sister's gallery, Karen's Gallery in the Nicollet Mall, downtown Mpls. How exciting.
Visit my sister's website and see her beautiful art and local artisans she promotes in her gallery.
www.karengallery.com

I'll be listing more as upcoming shows have been confirmed.
I will be at the Women's Expo at the Hallet Community Center in Crosby on September 26th which is a Saturday. I will be there with my friend Julie of J & B Jewelry. She makes beautiful jewelry at affordable prices!
Visit her blog: www.umengine3.blogspot.com

Kombucha!

2009-08-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

My Kombucha Tea is ready! Here are pics of the SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) .
This is an amazing health drink. I made 9 gallons and have starter and SCOBYs for anyone interested in making their own.
The benefits of Kombucha Tea: Problems associated with the skin, disorders having to do with digestion, hair loss problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis pain. These conditions are not limited to or all of the benefits.

Update on Alternative Care and my lymes...etc.

2009-07-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

My Mom and myself went up to see Dr. Gus in Walker yesterday. I suspected that my Lymes had been flaring up again and then I had been very sick with severe flu like symptoms for over a week. Mom also believed that Lyme was causing her alot of discomfort as well.
It was confirmed for both of us that Lymes was acting up again and of course we both were suffering from a type of flu as well. What was so interesting was that Black Walnut Hull Tincture works on this particular flu and also my Comfrey Tincture works as well.
I would like to share with you a post from Ingrid of Bioethica.com I recieved today.
Flag this message

The Pandemic That Isn't & the Worry That Is

Dear Subscribers,

I missed my Sunday reflections but not because I wasn't in my usual
reflective mode but rather because I couldn't quite line up the parts
of the vision in a sequential mode. You know these letters of the
alphabet have to in a queue and that wasn't how my mind was working
on Sunday.

Obviously, I am very influenced by the incoming communications and
these covered a fairly wide range of topics: dental problems, almost
entirely due to amalgams and the effect the mercury in the amalgams
has on the immune system; parasites because of my recent posts and
summer biting season; the pandemic and vaccines; and my own special
interest which is how to get our third eye to function the way that
is intended.

Amalgams

I will begin hosting toxicteeth.com when my designer has time to work
on it. He has been busy and now is vacationing but he can pull it
together in one day when he is back at his desk. In the meantime, let
me hit the highlights.

Mercury is not stable because it liquefies and vaporizes at
temperatures considerably below that of the body and the hot
beverages put into the body. This means that leaching begins
practically the moment the filling is placed in the tooth and then is
aggravated by chewing and chemical reactivity with certain foods and
medicines. Why we use mercury is a long story told in a pdf I posted
some time back:

http://subscriptions.bioethika.com/pdf/mercury_toxicity.pdf

There is no medical reason for using mercury and it has been banned
in many countries.

Not everyone is equally sensitive to mercury toxicity because some
people manage to excrete it from their bodies better than other
people. This fact was discovered when doing research on autistic
children. Contrary to what was expected, the volume of mercury in the
waste products was higher in those with the lowest incidence of
attention deficit disorder and autism. From this came some useful
language: good excreters and poor excreters. In short, the more
efficiently your body deals with the toxins, the more likely it is
that your symptoms will be fewer despite similar exposure and insult
to your body.

I could go on and on but I want to toss fluoride into the equation
for one very simple reason that my dentist friends appreciate and
will therefore not hold against me for writing. It is illegal in
Scotland and several other parts of the world but peddlers can still
get free public service announcements in our media to hype this
hugely dangerous chemical.

Why mention it? I mention it because tens of thousands of highly
trained professionals have been carefully instructed in how to poison
you under the guise of "health care" and all my conscious dentist
friends would be hugging me now if they could. They are more
concerned even than I am because the alternatives to toxic materials
are not well known and seldom made available to patients.

Parasites

Between toxic dental procedures and parasites, many people are
suffering from a drastically reduced quality of life. The parasites
can cause malnutrition and anemia and a few other problems, but
compared to the toxins, their impact on the body is more organic and
therefore not usually as dangerous.

This said, I have been communicating with Regine, head of our Congo
project, practically daily for a few years now and the parasite issue
is immense in Africa and Asia and Latin America and quite serious in
more temperate zones as well. We were talking about different
artemisias and I commented that the rabbits did not start chomping on
my A. absinthium until the mosquitoes appeared. They are very much
more adjusted to the natural world than I am so I continue to find my
small garden a great place to further my education.

The problem with A. absinthium (wormwood) is that it contains
significant levels of thujone which happens to be the chemical in
thuja that is believed to help to antidote the effects of vaccines. I
think the amount contained in my Algonquin formula is much safer than
what you get in a capsule or extract form of A. absinthium.

http://subscriptions.bioethika.com/pdf/algonquin_drops.pdf

If I were simply taking a parasiticide on an ongoing basis, I would
rotate once the major cleanse is completed. For instance, if you use
my ParaPro, the three formulas, as suggested on Kitchen Doctor
<http://www.kitchendoctor.com/healthconditions/parasites/blood_parasites.html>
, you could, after a few months, switch to using Black Walnut
sometimes and Boswellia Serrata another time and Artemisia Annua
another time. This said, there are also nuances that can help you
choose the right herb. For instance, if your equilibrium is off, take
boswellia because we know it reduces edema in the brain. If your
stomach feels "weird" and you have cramps and bloating, take
Artemisia annua, not absinthium, but annua, because it is a pretty
good stomachic.

The problem with the emails you send me is that I am only getting a
few sentences of information and the issues are very much more
complex. If you are eating a lot of carbohydrates, you are creating a
paradise for the parasites when, for the most part, your intention is
to evict them.

The Pandemic That Isn't

This is the hard part. I listened to the interview with Jane
Burgermeister that is on many web sites (youtube.com included but
there is only audio, no video) and she comes across as a very
competent researcher. This morning, I listened to the broadcast on
Project Camelot and it's very difficult to understate the importance
of the material these people are presenting. I anticipated the times
we are now facing because I saw visions as a child and off and on
later in life. Len Horowitz's material is compelling. The incredible
and suspicious links between biological weapons labs and
pharmaceutical companies crosses every line in my book, but there are
some points I want to make that will help some of you.

If you ask your doctor about these issues, you ought to keep in mind
that he or she received training in the same types of institutions as
the dentists who use mercury and fluoride. They have been taught to
fear microbes and trust vaccines. They are not generally up to speed
on the latest revelations provided by courageous whistleblowers and
they certainly do not understand the way the immune system would
handle a microbe if the interferences were not there. This is an "IF"
so big that your life and the lives of those you love hinge on that
IF.

One of the achievements of the Bush administration was to permit
relabeling of out-of-date pharmaceuticals. Another achievement was
the removal of consequences to the drug companies for vaccines that
injure or kill. If you think this problem will just go away, you are
underestimating the amount of time and effort those with power have
put into preparing for the time we are now facing.

Your local officials are probably not very well informed so the law
suits are important. Several prominent Europeans have resigned as a
result of the revelations in the Burgermeister litany of accusations
and criminal charges. This needs to happen on a much larger scale or
your children and grandchildren are going have needles jabbed into
them that precipitate a crisis on a scale never before seen.

I think Conscious Media Network has a way of pulling together
information that makes it possible to assimilate what I am trying to
say. You might want to start with this blog:

http://consciousmedianetwork.blogspot.com/

The Third Eye

This has been an interest of mine since childhood but it may seem
very much off topic now. I don't think it is.

Last week, I had another session with the animal communicator. Savika
has been with me nearly a year now and things are settling down. I
cannot begin to tell you how abused she was and what an incredible
gift it is for me to have her as a companion.

I asked her to comment on her time here so far. She said she was very
secure and that she is grateful because she is finally getting a
chance to experience what it is like to be herself, not to have to
worry about things which make her reactive and nervous. She said she
is happy now for the first time in her life and she very much enjoys
how she feels so now she can start taking a little care of me also.

I wanted to know how she planned to do this and once more, her wisdom
blew me out of the water. She said, "Well, when I came here, I rather
expected we would spend more time outside at night looking at the
stars because you need this and I'd like to do this with you."

It tells me that she is completely aware of things she cannot
communicate in ways that are normal. I also wanted to take time to
commend her on her friendly attitude towards the rabbits and even the
snakes we have seen. She said that she understands that we all live
here and she is actually taking some responsibility for protecting
everyone.

I wanted to set up some system so she could clue me in and she gave a
very detailed description of the back porch and the raised flower bed
in front of it, something I have not posted online so there is no
chance at all that the animal communicator got this information from
anyone but Savika. She told me that I could leave her leash there and
if she picked it up, this was a signal.

This made me think of the ape who drew a picture of where he and the
caregiver went for walks. A few people jumped on me and said, "Let
the animals be animals" but I think they are trying to teach us what
they know and the closer they are to us, the easier it is for them to
figure out what we might understand. As I said, if IQ tests were
written by dogs or birds instead of academicians, I would probably
score in the dunce range. I cannot think of anything more stupid than
not knowing which plants are poisonous or getting lost because you
don't have a sense of direction.

This is getting fairly personal, but my designer is gone so I tried
to get some help for a site by hiring from an online service where
countless people bid on the projects. I posted two projects and had
about 75 bids and was in a total funk because the art is soulless and
mindless and geared exclusively towards getting you to hit the buy
button. I realized that the designers were experts in misleading you
into believing a product is good because of the pictures they use. It
has nothing to do with facts. Okay, this is not really a revelation,
but I was sickened and ended up doing the designs myself because it's
so important that information comes to you from your right brain,
through inspiration, realization, and understanding. From there, it
ought to move to the more intellectual part of your psyche that helps
you interpret what to do with the information and finally, it has to
move out of thought and into action. We were designed to function
this way and we would not make a single mistake if we stayed with the
Plan, but we have been bullied into this left brain tyranny that is
completely misleading us and we need to get off that train and take
another ride.

I want to develop these thoughts because I realize that for some
people, the idea that you can choose which side of your brain to use
is novel, but my weekend with commercial art told me that even the
best designers were not into their right brain so if artists aren't
there, who is? Savika is and the rabbits seem to be so I went
outdoors and planted more yarrow because I really need to get to the
other side of the veil . . . and I think you do, too.

Many blessings,

Ingrid

http://www.eodiffusers.com
(where there are some new products for insect bites)

I believe we all have the right to choose our own wellness program. Become informed.
Wishing You Wellness,
Terri

Happy Summer Solstice

2009-06-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day for the Summer Solstice.
Here are pictures around the gardens this morning. The mint is ready for drying as you can see in the picture above left. My comfrey is blooming, pictured top right!
I've been drying nettle already. One can never have enough nettle. I plan on adding it to the goats and chicken's feed this winter.
Have a wonderful day!

Flossy and Snowball

2009-06-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

We picked up our two new goats last Thursday the 18th of June. They are very sweet and well behaved girls. Flossy is 2 years old and Snowball 1 year old. They are both milking each about 1/2 gallon in the morning and evening. Flossy tends to be a bit more in the morning. We have goat milk!! I'm going to put a sign out by the road to sell, as I know now I will not beable to use it all either in my soap or consuming.
We have had the girls in the pen with panels inside the llama pasture. Today we let the girls in with the llamas and everyone is coexisting wonderfully. Snowball went to sniff Shadow and he did a leap and ran away. Too funny.
Shadow is the chocolate male and Dharma is laying down. We had hoped for a baby of Shadow's and Dharma's this year, but it doesn't seem we will. Shadow went down to visit the Fox's girls last year and they have one darling baby boy. They named him Bo Jangles.
Off to do some yard work.

Planting Time

2009-05-31T13:39:00.000-07:00

The green house has worked perfectly. The windows with screens let in just enough fresh air to keep the plants from frying. As cold tolerant plants sprouted and grew, I was able to move them to the smaller cold frame.
Yesterday, I started planting seeds and am planting by the "companion planting" method. I have done this in past years but not as extensively as I plan to do this year. All is falling into place just fine.
I have planted more flowers this year than I ever have. This has been fun. I know nothing about flowers. Other than a few I have bought at greenhouses cuz they were pretty.
I already have a batch of nettle drying in the dehydrator. I will continue next with wild crafting plantain to infuse for healing salve. Wild crafting is my most enjoyable part of life in the summer.
We were shocked as to how many volunteer tomato plants were coming up in the garden. We salvaged quite a few of these to isolate in a raised bed. These were an heirloom variety of a small yellow pear. They were absolutely delicious in salads.

Food Freedom is under Assault, H.R. 759 Worse than H.R. 875

2009-04-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

Become informed and make choices for us and the future generations for genuine health freedom in America. End FDA tyranny and Big Pharma corruption.

http://www.naturalnews.com/026114.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/019396.html

Seed Planting

2009-04-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

I was jammin last weekend and got most of my seeds started! Whooo hoooo!
I discovered I didn't have much for tomato seeds though. So today at Fleet Farm I found three heirloom varieties and got three flats of those planted tonight. What a relief. I thought I wouldn't get them started in time with the way I am scrambling around here.
The absolutely neatest part about my seed planting is that I have a greenhouse to start them in. Instead of tarping off the back room in my shop and having a blazing wood fire going, I now have this nifty little green house that my small space heater keeps oh so warm and toasty. I am excited. My back room is still open for projects!
My hubby and boys did a fantastic job building the green house. Plenty of room for as many plants as I want.
The second pic is of my hubby tilling up the garden last year. This is the main large part of the garden. The first pic is where the smaller part of the garden is and the raised beds. My eldest is taking a breather after moving the railroad ties in place.
Check out:
www.survivalistseeds.com
I went in on the package deal of seeds with my friend Christine.

Sugar Sapping Time Again

2009-04-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

The water has receded enough that we have been putting out the sapping buckets again!
It is sooooo neat how the ice has formed little shelves of ice around the tree trucks. I hope to get some pics of it today and I'll post them.
The sap is just pouring out of the hoses. Yeahhh

A blustery day

2009-04-06T15:06:00.001-07:00

The wind helped dry things up here today. The water went down so the flooding is pulling out. The sun was out. Even though the wind was cold blowing across the water and ice, it was a beautiful day.
Another calf was born. It's in the barn with mom and doing well. Beautiful bull calf out of our 0718 Bull. Here I have posted a pic of him in his prime last summer.
For more pictures of our homestead, visit our website.
www.cedarbrooksteading.com
18 Bull as we affectionately called him was an awesome looking animal with the genetics to boot. It's a shame he was injured this winter and became sterile. Sadly we had to ship him. We have some nice calves out of him, this calf crop.
I ordered chicks today. Usually we order from Privett Hatchery down in New Mexico. None were available until June. It seems people are venturing into sustainable living and the hatcheries are swamped. This is the same I've found with the Seed Companys.
So I called our local hatchery in Pine Center and we'll pick up some broilers there. They are not what we prefer, but they'll suffice.
I am anxiously waiting for our Moscovy ducks to start laying. We have some beautiful colors and can't wait to hatch some out. We will be getting our antique incubator up and running in the next week or two.
Winchester wants to go to scouts tonight, so I'd better get changed and comb my hair.

Saturday Afternoon Break

2009-04-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

I've been doing taxes this week and finishing them up today and tomorrow. I'll be getting them off to our accountant tomorrow. It is amazing how expensive it was to run this farm last year. With fuel prices the way they were...crazy.
So I'm taking a little break to post here while I'm snacking on our home made Raspberry Pepper Jelly with cream cheese on crackers. Whewwwhhhh it's hot!
Ok I posted a picture here of my Maple Mead. This is by far the best of any of my home brewing so far. The maple syrup along with the honey gives it such a nice mellow flavor. I'm making another batch this week. I've got requests from friends!
My next project is to get the back room here in my shop ready to start some seeds. I am hoping that when everything is germinated that our little green house on the side of my shop will be ready and we can move the plants out there. I am planting mostly heirloom again this year. You just can't beat the taste and health benefits.
Ooohhh, news flash! My facial scrub bar is amazing! I used all high end oils that are nourishing, age defying and rejuvenating and it feels absolutely luxurious. I made a small mold for a test batch, but now knowing how wonderful it turned out, I'll be making a large batch soon.
AND...another news worthy tid bit....I bought a milk goat! Lilly Bell (and kids) will be coming to live with us as soon as she her kids are born, which are due in two weeks. I have been wanting a goat for years. I am having so much trouble purchasing goat milk for my soaps that I just finally decided enough was enough...I need a goat!
Alright off to finish up taxes.

Remembering Buck

2009-03-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

As I was coming out of the garage the other day...from getting something out of the freezer for supper...I looked behind the door to say hi to Buck. He wasn't there of course. After 11 1/2 years he had become an integral part of the family. We helped Buckshot pass to the Summer Lands at the Winter Solstice.
I miss him.
He will be greatly missed.
An amazing cow dog, family pet, goofy sidekick...Buck-a-roonie I use to call him.

My Labyrinth bulding project

2009-03-31T07:13:00.000-07:00

My labyrinth will be finished this summer!
Visit my labyrinth link on my Rustic Rooster website. I have information and designs as well as links to other Labyrinth sites.
This is the design pictured, that I am completing. I decided on a spiral design because I am obsessed with spirals. Spirals are in much of my artwork.
www.rusticroosterartproject.com

Another winter storm coming

2009-03-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

We (myself, Winchester and Remington my two sons) spent the day getting things ready for this storm. Predictions are 8-12 inches by Wednesday morning...please! NOOOOO!!!!
It wouldn't be so bad but we are flooding as well. It's going to be a mess.
We had another calf born. Number 41. So we are down to 4 umm maybe 5 left to go.
I thought I'd get plants started this week. We'll see. As much as I am looking forward to getting my hands in dirt and getting grounded...it just might be a matter of just dealing with the flood and the snow.
This picture is leaving the house and heading out the driveway. The first pasture on the right is where we have moved the cows to get on higher land. To the righ is Cedarbrook. Very close to the brink of the road.
The calves are of course being wild and getting on the road. The water has gone down a bit. We'll see what happens though if we get as much snow as predicted.
So as I am writing, the snow is coming down like crazy.
I'll keep posting...

What you need to know...

2009-03-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

I am forwarding the latest newsletter from Local Harvest.org. I wanted to post perspectives from all sides. This needs to be passed around to inform.
Ok here is the newsletter. After it I have posted some sites that will get you to start really thinking.

It's been a big month for people who love real food. As you've no doubt heard, the First Lady planted a garden. On Friday my email inbox was full of messages triumphantly singing out the news. We'd like to send our own congratulations and thanks to Kitchen Gardeners International, a small organization that worked on this idea tirelessly and with great creativity over the last 15 months. It's a good one, and we believe the nation will be better for it.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've also received a barage of emails about the "Food Safety Modernization Act", or HB 875. The tone of these was somewhere between concerned and hysterical. From what we have learned, HB 875 is not the horror story it has been made out to be. It would not, for example, result in "totalitarian control" or "the planned elimination of farmers" as one oft-forwarded email put it. It actually contains some sound ideas. But for some reason, myths and misinformation about this bill have taken root and spread like a noxious weed.

It got me to thinking. First, truth be told, it made my head spin. All this justifiable jubilance stuffed in next to that screeching panic felt downright disorienting. The administration could not publicly promote organic gardening, and then sign off on a bill that would "criminalize organic farming and outlaw home gardening." It's absurd.

But what does it mean, to have so much exuberance in the locavore community on the one hand, and so much fear and loathing on the other? I think it comes down to this: food, and the ability to grow it honestly, is fundamental to our well-being. We celebrate when we see the food we love, and the values behind it, being respected by influential people. And if we feel that our right to grow that food without undue interference is threatened, we react strongly.

That said, it seems to me that we need to take a breath and put both of our hands to work. We can, each of us, sow at least one seed this spring. If the First Lady thinks pulling a few weeds is a good activity for her family, it's probably good for ours too - and it is. We can, each of us, also follow the food safety bills as they make their way through Congress, writing to our representatives to tell them how important small scale, organic agriculture is to us and to our communities.

It turns out that HB 875 is unlikely to go anywhere. And that's not necessarily great news, given that it contained some ambitious, positive changes. Our friends at the Cornucopia Institute tell us that 875 has been passed over for another food safety bill, HB 759. They, and others like Food and Water Watch think that we will need to make our voices heard as HB 759 moves forward, to ensure that the bill that is eventually passed includes exemptions for small food processing facilities and the same kind of smart, risk-based inspection processes that are contained in HB 875. We'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of the newsletter, take good care, and eat well.

Erin Barnett
Director, LocalHarvest

Will Congress Wipe Out Home Gardens, Growers Markets?
http://www.newswith views.com/ NWV-News/ news133.htm

Lose your property for growing food?
Big Brother legislation could mean prosecution, fines up to $1 million
http://wnd.com/ index.php? fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92002

Fined for Growing Food?
http://www.campaign forliberty. com/blog. php?view= 13500

Here's a site with an excellent article on NAIS, plus two good videos - for sharing with anyone who doesn't 'get it' about NAIS.

The obama administration is moving forward at a frightening pace to implement NAIS. Spread the world and stop the insanity.

http://eriewire. wordpress. com/2009/ 02/24/local- food-challenged/

Planting Seeds Soon

2009-03-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm excited about this website Survivalist Seeds...look for the website in my links...Thanks Leo and Christine! We're going in on a package deal of seeds with them. Lots of information on this site.
I would like to build more raised beds this year. As you can see my lettuce beds were awesome last year. We ate lots of wilted lettuce!
I plant heirlooms and start all my own seeds. It's almost time to get started.

Spring Rains

2009-03-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ack it's too early for all this rain. We are in danger of flooding...way too soon. Too soon for flooding...yeah it floods here on Cedarbrook Steading. Some years are more so than others. Last year our fields looked like lakes but it was not that much of an inconvenience. We didn't have to move cattle to higher ground. This year, hmmm...we're keeping our fingers crossed.
I've been busy making product and catching up. Last week I made healing salves and lotions. Today I finished making creams. Maple syrup time. Some collecting was done over the weekend. I hosted the A&S project day yesterday and we finished bottling our hard cider.
I posted a pic of three of our horses. I am anxious to do some riding soon. Chiree, Greyboy and Angel. My hips and knees haven't been to bad this winter as I think I've got a handle on my lymes. Yeahhhh horse back riding again!
Ok off to make potluck for COA Scouts tonight.
Winchester has his paper work back from Eagle Scout. We are very proud of him. We will have a small celebration with the troop and venture crew. Remington is finishing up his requirements and will work on his project this summer. Whooo hoooo!

2009 Events Schedule Update

2009-03-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, a little history here... I've done the craft shows and farmer's market thing in past years. I gave it a good try but finally realized it just wasn't going to be the ticket. There are lots of reason, but I think mainly the reason is that my product is for a very specific and limited consumer base. The area I live in doesn't help. If I lived closer to the cities, that would help. Like my friend Carmen says, "Here in Oregon you'd do extremely well"....So I was content on word of mouth and catering to a small audience of people who really really embraced what my product was all about. The Crow Wing Coop is a wholesale account and has help immensely with that. I truly appreciate all that Linda the general manager has done to get my product out there for her customers to see and purchase.
So a new avenue has just opened up.... I have a friend who is doing the show circuit this spring and summer and has offered to bring my product to sell along with her line of fun and exciting things.
"Unique Keepsakes" is the name of Christine's business. Go to my website and check out the Shopping Events Calendar to see where she will be next and go check out her stuff and of course mine as well. The next show is here in Aitkin at the Commerce and Sports Show this Saturday and Sunday, March 14, 15th. She has some fun and unique gifts.
Thank you Christine for letting me tag along with my product. Here's to a successful and prosperous year!
www.cedarhavencreations.com

January through March is whirlwind of activities

2009-03-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

These are pics my son Remington took in January. He has an eye for photography.
It's been absolutely a whirlwind here on Cedarbrook Steading. I have so much to share on what's been going on. Last week was absolutely crazy. I'll post later, but right now we are putting down new bedding for the cows after this storm. What a mess! Naturally with the full moon and the weather storm we had three calves born. The last one is in the porch wrapped up in Winchester's hunting suit. I'll take a picture of it before we put it back out in the barn with it's mom. Mom is a show cow so she isn't concerned we took it from her for a bit.
Till later on...Happy LAST winter storm funnin time!

A Day of Sunshine and Chores

2009-02-22T08:18:00.000-08:00

Other than the fact that I'm tired...we were up till 2:30 in the morning dealing with a calf being rejected by it's first time mother...it was a day of accomplishments. Four calves and moms were turned out this morning into the cow yard from their overnight visit in the barn. It was cold enough yesterday, that when the calves were born we put them in to get out of the wind. We had one more born this afternoon. Only two moms and calves in the barn right now.
I put this picture on of Sweetie taken last spring. She was sunning herself on top of a dog house. Lots of animals were doing that today around here.
We were able to run the banded bulls (steers now) through and into the headshoot and cut off the testicles that had shriveled up. Awful nasty job. Winchester is the only one who can stomach it.
I got caught up on laundry, washing the cozy caps and the calf blankets, old t-shirts and towels we use to dry off the calves when they are born.
20 calves born. No losses. Yeahhhh!

My art and new venture

2009-02-21T08:07:00.000-08:00

This is a piece of my artwork titled "Northshore Winter". It was one of 4 pieces that I was commissioned to do for Focus 10,000 quite a few years ago.
For the past 5-6 years I have been delving into mixed media art such as collage, ATC's, Altered Books, Fabric Art, Henna...and with this new venture I'll beable to delve more into graphics and visual art again.
My new venture is working with and for my friend Melody Neumiller in her business "Blue Moon Studio". I am very excited about this opportunity to follow my passion of creating art again. I have designed and maintain the website.
www.bluemoonprintingandgraphics.com
Check it out!

Mid February Update

2009-02-21T06:36:00.000-08:00

February on our farm is a hustle and bustle time. We are calving and in this cold blustery weather we have to be on our toes. Winchester and Reminton are 18 and 17 yrs. and are our best farm hands. To date we have 14 calves of which two sets of twins and no losses. After last years calving season of too many losses including cows lost in birth, we need a fruitful calving season.
We walk through the cows in the cow yard every hour to hour and a half. A calf born in below zero weather is doomed to death if left out in the elements for more than an hour. Tuesday morning I woke up a little later than usual after Jeff had gone to work and sure enough there was a calf born, standing by it's mother with all it's hair froze....shivering. Shivering is good! I didn't even think to run back to the barn for the sled, but scooped it up and ran for the house. It was a bit heavy for me but I made it to the cow yard gate, put it down to open it and then picked it up again (not an easy thing with a slimy wet wriggling 68 pounder) and made it to the house steps where I put it down again. I ran in the house and screamed (literally) for the boys to wake up. I didn't wait for them, but pulled the calf onto my lap and scooted up the steps on my butt. The calf's mouth was still warm so I knew it would be fine once we got it dried off and warmed up. I put it into Winchester's one piece hunting suit and put the heating pad inside as well and zipped it up. Within two hours the little heifer was trying to get up and trying to suck on the wall.
Whew! I'm not a spring chicken and am pretty stiff and sore. That calf was doing some major struggling while I was carrying it. They are soooo strong it's really amazing.
I'll be posting soon, as I'm sure another exciting incident is on the horizon.

Wishing for a hint of spring in the air!

2009-02-04T15:35:00.001-08:00

February 2nd was Imbolc. Also known as Groundhog day. If you are interested in a little history of Imbolc, visit the latest Gaia's Wheel Newsletter that I put together:

http://www.gaiaswheel.com/Imbolc09.html

So I have been busy soaping and creating product like a busy bee. last weekend I made tea blends and am almost caught up with that inventory. This week I have been making Lip Balm. Tonight I start a deoderant stick!
I am slowly updating my website. Go take a visit:

www.cedarhavencreations.com

We are ready for calving. Cow #530 is about ready to pop! We are all anxious and take turns checking them every 2 hours. What fun! I'll post some pics as soon as we have a couple on the ground.

Blessings

Farmer's Market Blues

2008-08-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

I belong to the area's "Go Green" Farmer's Market. Originally "Aitkin Farmer's Market" it is 4 years running. At the 2008 planning stages of our market in March we ended up with 14 vendors signed on and things looked promising. We opened it up to crafters. Last year's market was poor and we really wondered how this year would pan out. We thought we had a chance to really make it work.

The first few markets had a good show of vendors. Since then it has primarily been me and Kris. We are so saddened and frustrated. Besides only us two vendors, we are not getting the support from local customers and buyers. We think there are a couple factors; a local CSA and large garden/produce farm in Aitkin, too many local personal gardens...? Who knows...

So that brings me to this dilemma. I will have extra produce. Actually quite a bit of produce. I planted enough cabbage, kale, Kolarabi, zuchinni to feed an army. I am selling some to the Brainerd Crow Wing Coop where I have a wholesale account for my product. A good friend is helping by telling her co-workers about my produce and I delivered a bit today on my way to Brainerd.
So I will be sending out emails every weekend to let friends, acquaintance know what I've got available for that week. Drop-offs will be either Monday, Tues, Wed. depending on where you live. You may come out to the farm and pick up your produce. This must be arranged a head of time.

All of my produce is from seeds I started myself and are heirloom or organic. Everything is natural and pesticide free. It is freshly picked and will be amazingly tasty and healthy.
That's my speal...please call or email me if you are interested and....if you'd like a market basket...here is an offer that is a great idea suggested by my friend Christine. Each week you can purchase a market basket full of fresh vegetables and herbs that are available that week. For a family of (2) the basket is $16, and for a family of (4) the basket is $28.

BTW...I still have 6#'s of yellow beans available that I picked yesterday.
$2 a pound.

Thanks! Don't miss out on a chance at home grown and healthy produce!

Terri

Lughnassadh

2008-08-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

August 1st: Irish Gaelic for "festival of Lugh". LOO-nah-sah. Like the other fire festivals, this one too was once celebrated with great bonfires. People gatherd on the sacred hills, and visited the sacred wells. This is time in which connecting with one's personal gods/goddesses is important. Some have mistakenly thought that Lughnassadh was a festival that celebrated Lugh, but in reality it was a funeral festival held for his foster-mother Tailltiu (pronounced Telsha), who had died under the strain of clearing the plain in Ireland that bears her name. The legendary Telltown Races wer held on this plain up until the early modern period. In the spirit of Tailltius' sacrifice fo her life, modern Celtic Pagans will take the time to remember that which has been sacrifices for them. This can be a personal sacrifice that was made for you, or a commulal sacrifice such as the Rainforests, or simply that which has sacrifieced in Nature due to man's greed. Like Bealtinne, Lughnassadh is also a traditional time for hand fasts, engagements, marriages and disseverments of previous relationships.

Make Hay When The Sun Shines!

2008-07-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Our newly planted Italian Rye field is a pain in the ARS!! This stuff is waxy and with this humidity it is not drying well at all. We re-raked the first section today and tomorrow the other section will need to be re-raked. Winchester has been raking while me and Remington have been running back and forth with food and water and checking on the moisture content. We borrowed the Venne's thing-a-ma-giggy that tests moisture for crops and hay. Way coooool! This is really been invaluable for this rye.
Jeff is out baling the first section right now. There is a nice breeze this afternoon, so I hope this has speeded things up a bit in the drying.
Winchester is going white water rafting up near Duluth with the Scout Venture crew tomorrow. Rem and me planned on going but we just can't with the rye needing to be re-raked. Such is life on the farm. Sigh...ya gotta make hay when the sun shines!
OMG are we covered from head to toe with peat. The ground that the rye is planted on is peat. It is itchy and permeates to every nook and cranny on your body. I'm sure this is another reason why this rye isn't drying well. The moisture that peat holds is amazing. Well of course we know that...that's why I add peat to my dirt for starting seedlings. DUH!!!
Ok off to fix something for supper. Then I've got to get out into the garden to weed tonight for a bit. It's getting away from me again.
But that's subject is for another post.
Summer Blessings,
T

Sultry Summer Day Musings

2008-07-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

Ohhhhh what a wonderful day of wild crafting. Christine and her kids came over today and what fun! We found self-heal which was like finding treasure in a treasure hunt. We picked lots of nettle, yarrow and some red clover. We found some mullien too. I have the mullien flowers and the flower heads infusing in Sweet Almond Oil. Tomorrow I'll go back and pick leaves so I can dry them. I'm so glad Christine knew about the leaves. I have only used the flowers for earache oil. Maggie has been reading up on herbs and is a wealth of information even at her young age. I can't say it again...what fun! It was very sultry and hot today. It rained for just a short bit early evening, not like the thunderstorm I thought we would get.
Me and Jeff went down to the rice paddies and moved the rakes to the next field I will be raking tomorrow. I won't be going to the farmer's market obviously. But gotta make hay when the sun shines.
Found another tick on me. Ick! That's two today. We are spoiled around here with no ticks. The chickens really take care of all the bugs in the yards.
Bright Summer Blessings

Summer Solstice Musings

2008-06-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was Summer Solstice. Me and my family hosted a gathering here on the farm on Sunday for friends of Gaias Wheel. What a wonderful evening! I am so thankful for this group of friends and their families to get together with and celebrate the Wheel of the Year. Potluck, bonfire, pony rides, Faerie house making, egg collecting, etc. etc., made for a glorious time. Here is our website:
www.gaiaswheel.com

Ok the garden is growing. Finally. We have had the sprinkler going for three days now and with the help of some really warm weather it seems to being doing the trick. My boys did some weeding tonight while I was at the SCA business meeting in Deerwood. I have been able to pick a few radishes the last couple days and actually might have some lettuces the next day or so.

Yesterday and today I picked wild rose petals and made Rose Elixar. WHAT FUN!! I can hardly wait to bottle this up and find some guinea pigs...er I mean clients who want to try it.
I have been bottling chive blossom vinegars in decorative bottles. I've made flower essences of; violet and sweet woodruff. The most coveted of all; Summer Solstice Moon & Sun Essence. Tomorrow I will make wild rose petal and borage flower essences as well.
Here is my website for herbal products:
www.cedarhavencreations.com

The Farmer's Market in Aitkin has been slow business. But the worse of it is the wind! I have had one pop-up destroyed and the second new one is bent already! I participated in the McGregor site last Thursday and it was a beautiful day. It was slow up there as well. People drive up and ask, "have any tomatoes"..."have any corn"...geeeeeez we have alot of educating to do on locally grown produce!

Ok here is my art blog;
http://rosarugosa.blogspot.com/
I'll catch up there too one day with photos of my artwork. But I do have a few projects and pictures posted there. So go take a peak if so inclined.

I have begun my studies via correspondence course for an herbalist certification. I finally quit talking about doing it and well, did it and got started. I'll keep you updated as I move along the lessons.

Please come visit us when the local group of the SCA I belong to, known as the Village of Wynandremer host a demo at the Arts In The Park in Brainerd. It is Sunday, July 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Gregory Park. We will have Arts & Science Projects and Demonstrations, be dressed in our garb and portraying our personas as well as some fighting. come dressed in your Renaissance garb as friends of the SCA or just come and learn about the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism).
Here is our website:
www.wynandremer.com

Tomorrow morning is soap making time. I am so behind in my potions and alchemy it isn't even funny. I really need to make Goatmilk Honey & Oats, Fisherman's Hand Scrub, Geranium Blend just to name a few. I have a Fruit Slice Fragrance Oil I would like to try for the first time. it smells yummy.

Haying season is upon us and me and the boys will be raking hay tomorrow I'm sure. Jeff was our till after dark cutting in his cousin's field where we have hay stumpage rights. The grass is abundant this year and this is a blessing.

Well, enough musings for tonight. Blessings to everyone.
Terri aka Teralyn
and also known as
SCA Persona "Tanith of Cedar Haven"

Spring time on Cedarbrook

2008-04-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature "Gaia" has found favor with us and we will not get dangerously flooded...sigh of relief. The water should crest tomorrow and then slowly return to normal. It will take a few weeks. Hopefully we will not received an overabundance of rain. The waterfowl here is spectacular. My son Remington has captured some amazing photography.
We shopped in Brainerd today. I picked up more seeds for the garden. The chicks are growing fast and going through almost 50# of feed a day, so that was purchased as well. These will be expensive birds to raise this year. I am thinking close to $5 per bird, versus the $3.50...it might be more if the feed costs still continue to rise.
What a beautiful day. There is still spots of snow here and there from our last snow which was two weekends ago. I believe we had almost 8 inches....ahhhhh at the end of April...amazing.
May Day is just around the corner. Beltane. Please visit Gaia's Wheel newsletter online. www.gaiaswheel.com
Blessings,
Terri