MORE GARDENING RULES!

by Robin

http://www.fromscratchmag.com/stop-fda-shutting-small-farms/ 

"1,500 pages.

That’s how much paper the new set of rules and regulations put forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for farmers as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

The Act, passed by Congress and signed by the President in 2011, attempts to address some concerns in America’s food safety and security.

It allows the FDA to regulate food safety for farms all across the United States.

The act included “scale-ability,” which basically means for small and medium sized farmers and agricultural, the law included a built in safety valve so the regulations would not be too financially onerous for the type of farmers – local, sustainable operations – we support at From Scratch magazine."

http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/fsma-issues/ 

There are new rules from water samples to manure to processing (canning) to marketing. 

http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FDA-2011-N-0921   Here is your list of regulations and comments made by people. 

*****************************************************

I am not a small farming business but a more like a homesteader where I have a small garden in my backyard and some chickens for eggs.  Once they shut down the small farmer, who's to say they won't shut down the backyard farmer.  

Afterall, we already know of one case where the city of Miami is forcing a family to mow over their vegetable gardens in their front yard. See the below link.  Face $50/day fine or 90 days in jail.  Ridiculous.

http://watchdog.org/116807/pure-manure-city-uproots-fl-couples-17-year-old-garden/  

I can't believe I live in American, where we are the Land of the Free, We the People supposedly protected by the 1st Amendment.  What happened to the pursuit of happiness? 

Blessings,

Robin

Day 12: Thankful for the Fair!!!

by Robin

Day 9: Thankful for Sin Found Out

by Robin

This morning, we were in search for a missing phone.  I was certain it must have fallen between the cracks and stayed hidden under the bed.  The problem was finding time to deal with pulling toys out, crawling in dust bunnies and grit with a flashlight and searching.  It was easy to ignore it for a while but eventually, we needed that phone for our child as the days have grown shorter and darker.  Why did I take so long to find that "safety" a phone brings?  Because it was easier to avoid dealing with the hard work.

Life is like that.  How many times do I avoid going to God in prayer and digging in His Word for His security?  Really now, Robin, how hard is it to pull out the Good Book and read a couple chapters?  There is so much comfort and wisdom in His Word.  Why do I see it some days as a chore?  like I'm crawling through dust bunnies and grit?  Why do I blame being busy?  Who allows me to get so busy?  Me.  There is only One who is blameless before God and it ain't me!

I have no idea why.  He calls me.  I hear it clearly.  I ignore it.

After finding the phone, we were determined to do a deep clean on the room.  Finding a home for some toys, clothes, a pair of shoes.  Reclaiming pencils that have lost their way over the three months from the pencil bucket.  Putting up endless books that I did open while avoiding God's Word.  (Shame on me! How could I think I could do ANYTHING without Christ being first in my life.)

And then..... then, I found it.

Something that disappoints any Mama's heart.

You thought you raised them better than that but they didn't run away from sin but towards it. I wonder if God thinks that way about me.  Do I disappoint Him and make Him wonder about His parenting skills?

For Day 9, I am THANKFUL that my sin is "found out", or revealed.  Darkness cannot live where there is light.

You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence. - Psalm 90:8


Today, I will be so relieved to return to the Father and His embrace of love and forgiveness just as I will embrace my child with love and forgiveness.  I think we both could spend a lot more time in the Father's Word and prayer.   

God tells us that we're all sinners who fall short of His glory and perfection but that there is hope through faith in His (Jesus') blood for our sins.  (Rom 3:23-25)  

And THAT is something to be THANKFUL about. 

In His care,
Robin

HOT WATER!!

by Robin

Trust me, if I could figure out which one started this, they'd be in the pot by now and I'd be blogging about chicken soup.

So much for my green onions.  I need to find a good recipe for onion soup and start it.  LOL.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Senior Pics (from Barberville Pioneer Settlement)

by Robin

WAITING FOR BIG BRO

by Robin

(Little bro put a treasure map in a bottle for when big bro gets home.)



I spy Bible, laptop, stapler, headphones, lego and gaming mags, transformers, head lamp, air soft gun, college materials.  Typical 17 yo homeschooler, right?

Across from this.... somebody else is waiting for his buddy.  (The guitar, not the dog... LOL)

GARDEN UPDATE - WINTER PLANTS

by Robin

 Full Garden.  There are some empty spots that I'm having trouble keeping things growing.  Water lines may be plulgged.  I have reseeded some spots 3x and still have nothing.  I have a winter batch of tomatoes in tubs in case we get freezes. 


Beefstake tomatoes.  Seeds saved on paper towels from Farmer's Market in New Smyrna, FL.  


Campari tomatoes and Turnips.  Seeds from live fruit from Publix grocery store.  Turnip seeds from Home Depot.


Lettuce blend. (Swiss Chard not in pic, but in garden.)  Burpee seed.



Italian Broccoli. (Also American variety not in picture)  All my own seed saved from last spring.

Cauliflower. Seedlings from feed store since they were late getting planted.


Cabbage.  Last year's seed from company.


Black Bean Bloom.  This is a drying, heirloom variety.

I decided to only grow one garden this fall. I was awfully busy with starting up school but then I also convinced myself this was the right thing because I want to start a spring garden in early February (risking frost). Many of these won't be done growing until that time or LATER. So, I thought it would be nice to have an entire section open for squash, cucumbers, beans, kale, peppers, etc.

 Happy Gardening. The weather is just beautiful for weeding (or watching football).

Robin

FUNDRAISER YARDSALE!!

by Robin

The North Brevard Homeschool Association Graduating Class of 2014 is having a YARD SALE!!  We are accepting donations to help us raise funds to pay for graduation expenses.

The yard sale is Nov 1st and 2nd at  1285 Little Oak Circle, Titusville, FL 32780.  This is a neighborhood yard sale but be sure to check us out FIRST!!   We have dozens of families donating to our "yard".  Lots of furniture, clothes, etc.

Here is a preview of what is available!!!  You can PRE-BUY these items and beat the crowds!

Homeschool desk!!  (dog and feet not included)   $20 or best offer.



Bookshelf!  (missing a couple knobs but can be easily replaced with something you like better)  I'd like to get $25, but make offer.



Nice glider.  Has a little wear down around seat area but very useable! Make offer




Small table to hold books or microwave or fish tank & supplies, whatever your needs are!!  Comes with wheels.  $10



For the little man in your life....  tool table & blocks.  $10 or best offer.




For your little military man....  aircraft carrier.  Also there is a HUGE bin of action figures to go along with it.  $8 or best offer.



For the handy man... one of those board-thingies and a white counter top  (about 4-5 ft long).  Come see and make offer.



6 ft DR table, but it has seen some better days.  May be restored or possibly a great craft table. Very sturdy.  Make offer.



Same table, different view.




HP Photosmart C3100 printer, copier, scanner.  WORKS!!!   We upgraded to wireless, but this was working as of Sunday!  Has almost brand new color ink cartridge and I refilled the black cartridge on Sunday. (I do that myself.)   $25.



All buttons working and look good.



Works on Windows XP, ME, 2000 and MACs.   I was told that you could use this with Win 7 or 8 but I'd need to upload drivers from their website.  I'm not techie, hence the new printer when I got a new tower.



This is the only little ugly spot.  Because I refill my own cartidges for cheaper than new, it will sometimes make this mess.  I used to clean it up but then I quit doing that.  Never seems to bother anything other than the "look" on the machine itself.  Prints look good.




Also, Littlest Pet Shop set with hundreds of pieces!!  Will sell as one big set.
 - Speakers
 - Receiver
 - Books
 - Coffee mugs
 - hanging lamp

Thanks for browsing!

EGG-SALAD-AVACADO SANDWICH!

by Robin

I've got my eldest addicted to these (only he adds ham too).  I think they are the perfect meal.




I am trying something new in my diet lately.  I am primarily a vegan plus fish/seafood person, but between all the eggs, health issues and some deficiencies in my diet, I'm starting to in incorporate new foods.

The nutritionist wanted me to eat more lean meats and I tried that twice but found that I really don't enjoy the taste of red meats.  I have a freezer full of venison but it is just 'ok' to my palate. Chicken is much better.  But, back on topic, I am trying to do a 2-1 ratio of alkalines to acids in my diet.  I have this sheet of paper that helps me figure all this out.  And I'm taking a digestion pill to help too.   I do think we solved the mystery as to why I gain each winter.  I love beans and rice.  Way too much acid! I could eat that all day long and never balance it with my veggies.  My reflux is challenging and so forth. So, instead of all the red meats, I will put in an egg.

Everything is a balance.  I do not want to go back to meats but I do know I need a change. Something is wrong with something going on inside me besides the fibromyalgia.  It's like juggling figurative thryroid, reflux, inflammation and food balls in the air and trying not to let anything fall.  All of it needs to be carefully managed.  And, of course, it is always through trial and error.

I saw a Scripture this week that spoke to me about all this careful obedience in body and mind.  The Nazarites took a vow to completely give themselves over to God, through every aspect of their life, including food and drink, to separate themselves from the world.  I've always felt a special closeness to this vow as I have given up drinking many years ago to have special favor from God with raising my children, protecting my marriage and helping me in ministry work.  I feel like I am living it again for special favor with my health.

In Romans 12:1-2  Paul states, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Thank you Lord for your blessing me with wonderful food that is making me feel better.  I'm thankful for the fresh lettuce from the garden, the huge Beefstake tomato from the market, non-rotten avocados and fresh eggs from the coop.  May you see my entire life as a holy and pleasing act of worship.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.  

EGGCITING!!

by Robin



Five of 6 are laying! One is still in molting. She lays green eggs.  I love how you can see the distinct differences amongst the breeds.

Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, RIRx NH, Lt Brahma and White Leghorn.

I'll have to retake the photo once I have all 6 laying again.  I was just super eggcited to have 5 eggs the other day in the box.

MANHUNT PARTY

by Robin

Trying to get these posted up for friends to enjoy viewing!  We had a manhunt party on Friday.  In short, it is just a hide-n-seek party for older teens, in the dark, with flashlights and camo clothes. But, they also played cards and danced in the LR too.  Lots of fun.  Here are some highlights.

First batch of kids.  Three sisters and the neighbor.



Somebody wanted to kidnap our bunny Lulu.  Is it kidnapping if the bunny is a willing participant?

Jack loaded the smoker down with ribs and chicken. The other grill had corn on the cob.  The house oven had beans, plus all the cold sides in the frig. Feeding an army?




Through the big meal, the number of kids began to grow.  Jack lead them in some yard football, although it looks a little like a prayer meeting.



Then, a few more kids came and it was time to go over the rules and boundaries. Sadly, we had 6 cancellations. Boo.



Picking teammates by alternating feet, I think.



Hard to get a clear pick as night was falling and the kids were ready to go.  This is the best of 3.



Eventually, I joined them to walk the lot and street to check on kids.  I look mean but I really just baked 3 dozen chocolate cookies to hand out for that late-night sugar rush.




Awww, c'mon.  Get up and dance with the girls!  I have no idea how we went from manhunt to dance party, but it did.  I think it was too humid outside.



Everyone getting the sillies.



Hug me brother.  I almost missed this shot!



Hard saying good-bye.  We'll see some of you in 2 wks for Contra-Dancing and Bluegrass music.