A little something!

Leigh, over at 5 Acres and a Dream has written a book!!!  Isn't that awesome!?  And to celebrate it's arrival, she is having a giveaway!  Go check it out here!  You could have a chance to win!!

Leigh is a delightful writer and has been a 'blog buddy' for quite a while.  This is so exciting!

I probably shouldn't ruin my chances

For those of you on Facebook.  Meyer Hatchery is having a giveaway.  3 blue chicks: a blue Ameraucana, a Blue Orpington and a Blue Copper Maran.  Set for delivery the week of June 4.  Not that I NEED more chickens... but you never know.

Winners and babbling

Ok... it's after the new year so I thought I'd better figure out who were the winners of my giveaway.  I trotted over to Random.org and had them generate a couple of numbers. So... the winning numbers were 14 and 17.
So....  That means the winners are Jenna Gayle and 2 Tramps.  So, you two please email me your mailing address to fullfreezer at gmail (dot) com and I'll try to get those packages into the mail this week while I'm off.

Today was the first real day of my vacation.   Oh, I was off on Sunday and yesterday but those were play days.  New Year's day we didn't do much.  We actually spent a lot of time looking for a folder that V has misplaced.  The children have been clamoring for a family D&D game and V couldn't find his Dungeon Master's folder with all his maps and stuff in it (the lost was finally found today in the bottom of a box of books that we hadn't unpacked yet).  But the search got us to tidy up and do a bit of sorting and purging of stuff we don't need yesterday and today.  As rooms have been finished, we have been slowly unpacking books and such and we're finally down to only 2 boxes left and I believe those are V's collection of 'Presidential Papers' that he inherited from one of his uncles.  Not anything I'd probably read but it is a complete set for what it is and most likely has some value.
Last night, instead of D&D we played a family game of 'Kingmaker'.  It's a strategy board game about the War of the Roses.  We stayed up late and V finally won because my royal heir was killed by the plague after I had retired to Calais with him and 700 troops.  C'est la vie...

Today, I got busy on my to-do list.  We all slept in after a late game night and when I rolled out of bed at nearly 9 I made a triple batch of waffles for breakfast and to freeze.  I also did lots of laundry (We finally strong-armed J17 to clean her room and she had two hampers full of dirty clothes!), worked on a Victorian shirt (my next project), brought in another table for my sewing room from the shop where it has been stored and figured out how to rearrange that room so it is more user friendly.

Tomorrow, the children go back to school.  I've got some errands to run and then I hope to finish the shirt I'm making for V.  That finished, I'm going to rip apart the sewing room and rearrange.  Also on my list for the week, reorganizing the pantry, sorting seeds and seed starting stuff, perusing seed catalogues and sorting through the piles of papers that have accumulated on my desk.  My desk is upstairs and tends to be a catch-all for all kind so stuff- not all mine!

Oops, gotta go check my chicken in the oven.  Have a great week...

150 crazy people read this?

Greetings and Thanks to all my bloggy friends out there!  I've been waiting to hit 150 followers.  I hit 148 and just hung out for quite a while.  Thanks to Mandy (Not our cat!!) and SciFiChick I made it!  I have been saving a couple of things for a giveaway to celebrate.  I figured I would host this either at 150 followers or 1000 posts whichever came first.  Since I've got a ways to go to 1000 posts it's a good thing this is happening now since I've got springtime, garden planning things to give away... A garden planning grid and a magnetic garden to-do list.
There will be two, I tell you, TWO lucky winners of this giveaway.  To enter, leave a comment on this post (by New Year's CST) sharing what your favorite garden vegetable is and a tip for helping it grow.  That's it, no tricks or links or anything.  And, yes, I'm open to international entries.
At the new year I'll draw two names at random from the entries.

Let the fun begin!!

And the winners are...

Random Integer Generator


Here are your random numbers:


7      11

Timestamp: 2011-04-27 12:45:17 UTC

So that means the winners of the prize packages are:
Erin  and Dmarie

Email me a shipping address and I'll get your surprise packages off to you soon.  The address is fullfreezer (at) gmail (dot) com.
Now I get the fun of putting the packages together... mwahahaha

Two years ago... (and a giveaway)

... I had a restless night.  Because...

Two years ago tomorrow, all this became ours. Our 5 acres of heaven (although sometimes it doesn't feel like it!)

We closed on our property on April 20, 2009 and then the adventure really began.

The journey is far from over and I'm so thankful for all of you who have come along for the ride; providing inspiration, advice and companionship for the trip.

This week, I'll be posting a series of then and now to see how far we've come.  I'll be looking back through the photo files to highlight some of the challenges we have faced, both big and little.

But you are all interested in the giveaway part, right?  To celebrate our two year farmiversary I'm going to have a giveaway.  To thank you all for your support through the last two years, TWO, yes, two lucky winners will receive three packets of herb seeds each.... and maybe a few other surprises as well.  If you're interested, post a comment, telling me either what your favorite herb is or what you would like to see more of here.  I'll select winners at random from comments posted by midnight CST on Tuesday April 26th.  Good luck to all... and oh, the seeds are available to US residents only, although there may be alternate gifts available for those overseas.

Signs of spring

Spring has sprung.  Although you couldn't really tell by the weather this morning.  We woke to a light dusting of snow and continued flurries.  Fortunately it warmed up nicely and turned into a lovely day.  I was hoping to get into the garden to do some preliminary tilling this weekend but they're predicting sleet and freezing rain for Friday (FUN!)  So, V was using my tiller this afternoon to loosen some soil that the trucks had driven over when they did the septic installation and said that the soil was working up really well.  So....  I went out before dinner and tilled up about 2/3 of the garden- I would have done all of it but I didn't get the rest cleaned out very well over the weekend.  But- oooo!!  REAL playing in the dirt!  I was in heaven!

But Spring is springing inside as well: Behold:

Tiny red cabbage and kale seedlings.  And below- tomatoes!!

I do definitely need a 12 step program for seeds.  We had to stop at the home improvement store and they had packets of seeds for nine cents- can you believe that!  So, of course, we got a couple.  Since my Anaheim chilis didn't germinate well, we got a pack of Numex Big Jim chilis as well as some calendula and forget-me-nots. Then, when we stopped at our local grocery on the way home, they had a Seed Savers Exchange seed display.  Since some of my other peppers haven't germinated, I picked up a pack of  Bulgarian Carrot peppers and some Tolli's Sweet Italian peppers.  Mmmm...  So, last night I was starting a few more seeds.  Please stop me!!!  Of course, I didn't have very good germination on several things and I need seedlings not only for myself, but for Jim and for the plant sale in May.  And Roger (my best friend and former garden partner) said he didn't plant any jalapeno seeds this year and could he have a couple...  how could I refuse...
And the final sign of spring here-

 Yup, the toenail polish came out already.

But I also want to share a wonderful treat that arrived in the mail today.
I was fortunate enough to win a give away hosted by my dear blog buddy Robbyn at The Back Forty
Look what arrived in the mail today.

A fabulous book on perennial vegetables.  I've just had a bit of time to flip through it so far but it looks great.  I've learned something already- I didn't know that day lilies are edible- oh, I've seen the flowers in edible things before but I would have never thought of eating the fleshy tubers.  Supposedly you can eat them like potatoes.  Hmmm, they seem a bit small but, OK.  Evidently the dried flower buds make an appearance in many Chinese dishes- who would have thought...
Anyway, I can't wait to have more of a chance to read this one.
THANKS ROBBYN!!!

FIRST SEEDS!!

The first seeds of the 2011 gardening season have been planted here at my not-very-urban homestead.  Ok, it is only a little cup of parsley on the windowsill but still--- the first seeds of the year!  A momentous moment.  I'm hoping to start my leeks this weekend. V moved my grow light set up into the addition so it is all set and out of the kitchen for the remodel.  The real seed starting will begin in March.  We've still got 12 weeks to go before our average last frost.
And speaking of seeds,  this is the last call for the Save the Bees seeds.  I need to get those in the mail so let me know if you want some.  I'll try to contact those who have already indicated they want some.  If you want in, email me.  I'm at gmail and you send it to fullfreezer.  Pretty simple.  Let me know your address and what you want.  I've got Anise hyssop, Bee balm, purple coneflower, clary sage, nasturtium and poppies.  I've got lots of other stuff as well- lots of odds and ends of black flowers from last year's Goth garden as well.

Oh, and the toilet works!!!  Woo Hoo.  It turns out that it was actually the filter in the new septic tank was clogged and draining too slowly.  That's why it would flush sometimes but not after someone took a shower.
I am SO ready for the weekend.  This has been a long week, it seems.  I'm fighting an annoying cold- not one where I feel bad but one with a continuous post-nasal drip that makes me cough.  Blah.
But, the weather has been fabulous!  It was 60 today!!  The snow is almost all melted and the creek is running full.  It is really making me want to get out and work outside- unfortunately it is sloppy muddy at the moment.  sigh...  soon enough... it is only February.

Project: Save the bees- a giveaway!!

I learned through a post by meemsnyc that there is a giveaway project sponsored by Holly at Tasty Travels.
The idea is to get gardeners, bloggers, whoever, to plant bee friendly flowers in their gardens.

The idea is simple: purchase a packet of bee friendly seeds (or find them in your stash), divide them up as you desire and offer them to other gardeners to plant.  Simple, huh!

To play along, here are the rules..
1.  Purchase a package of bee friendly seeds and figure out how many people you would like to share them with.
2.  Announce the project on your blog/website and offer the seeds to others (starting Sunday, Feb 6)
3.  Link back to this post.
4.  Mail your seeds to your people.
5.  Update your original post with a list of places you mailed your seeds to.

See, easy, peasy, right?

I'm game.  I hope you don't mind seeds from my stash...

Last year, as many of you know, we started lots of perennial flowers (and herbs) from seed.  Well, there are MANY, MANY more seeds than I needed in those packets. So, I can offer:
Lavender Hyssop (also known as anise hyssop)- lovely blue/purple spikes of flowers, edible/medicinal and makes a wonderful tea.
Bee Balm (monarda lambada)- one of the most beautiful bee balms I have ever seen!
Purple Coneflower (echinacia)- many uses and beautiful.
I may also be convinced to part with some Clary Sage (Salvia sclarca)- a biennial with 3 foot tall spikes of flowers,  This is a new one for us this year
All of the above are from Botanical Interests in 2010 in case you are wondering...

So, to get in line for these seeds. Please leave a comment below telling me your favorite bee friendly flower.  I'll try to honor at least 15 requests for seeds and may be able to do more.  Some of these I've got more of than others.  Of course, I've also got cosmos and poppy seeds if you're interested...
I'll announce the winners sometime and you can send me an email with your address.

Lets get planting to make the bees happy!

An editorial note:  Sorry, I can only ship within the US.  While the postage doesn't bother me, I'm not sure of the customs regulations about shipping seeds overseas.

Check it out- a giveaway

As you probably know, I write with a wonderful group of women over at Homemakers Who Work. We are having a reader poll to help us figure out what changes you, the reader, would like to see over there. As a reward for helping us out, there is a giveaway associated with it. All kinds of goodies. Head over and check it out.

Ooo, a chance to win!!

Penny over at All Natural Mama is hosting a giveaway. A cast iron skillet!!! Can you believe that!? What a sweet deal. I really hope I win. I love, love, love cast iron. And I only have three! I have one large (12 inch), one medium (8 inch) and one small (4 inch). Would you believe that the small one gets the most use? It's just the right size for cooking a single egg.

In house news- we have no news. We haven't had a call from our realtor so either he is really busy or the buyers let the deadline pass without accepting the counteroffer. I just wish I knew one way or the other.

Updated just minutes after posting!!!

Heard from our realtor. They signed!!!! And they now have our permission to show the house to perspective renters and if they can get it rented they will close before April 1.

Darn it, we don't even have any champagne!

And the winner is....

Selected by the random drawing of names out of a hat by K9:

Lisa of Colors Outside the Lines. Poor Lisa has been going through finals week after taking the plunge to go back to school. Hopefully this will cheer her up and make her forget all that chemistry she has been shoving in her head...well, maybe not all of it.

Lisa, send me an email with a shipping address and I'll get this out to you after the holidays since I'm not fighting crowds at the post office right now.

Thanks to everyone else who entered. I just wish I could send something to each of you. This was fun. Maybe I'll have to do another one sometime.

Survival seed give away

Only one day left to enter the giveaway for the seeds! The seeds arrived today. A really heavy package too:

Sealed in a pouch for long term storage.

With an 8 page planting guide.

Leave a comment on the original post by midnight on December 12th to be entered. Then I'll select a lucky winner at random and get them off to you. Although, honestly, I may wait until after the holiday rush to send the package- it's a bit crazy at the post office these days.

Hometown Seeds- they do NOT sell GMO

I had a lovely email from the owner of Hometown Seeds this morning concerning the information that is being circulated about them selling GMO seeds. They do not and have never sold GMO seeds.
Here is the text of the email I received:

I am the owner of Hometown Seeds and I need to clarify a terrible misunderstanding. Chelsea showed me your email and I worked back from there. Let me explain.
First, our survival seeds are all non-hybrid and none are GMO. Secondly, the mistake is all my fault. Chelsea is working in our little company part time. She is a student at a local university helping us build traffic to our website by reaching out to sites like yours. She is not an expert in gardening and relies on me to answer any technical questions. When the gentlemen from Oklahoma Peppers Network asked if our seeds were Hybrid or GMO, I told her to respond that we sell some hybrid seeds but they are not in the survival seeds, and none of our seeds are GMO. This is obviously not how she responded and had no idea how badly the mistake would be received. I have seen what she emailed back, hence the misunderstanding and negative blog posts. It was there in black and white after all.
We completely agree with the evils of GMO seeds. We do not now nor ever will carry GMO seeds. As for the survival seeds, the whole point is to provide open pollinated seed that will generate seed for the next year as well as food for the family. All seeds in the survival seed packet are non-hybrid.
We have already sent the survival seed package out to you and I would hope you would examine the types of seeds and the instructions that clearly describe each type of seed.I feel terrible that we have created such a problem. What I feel the worst about is that in your efforts to help us out, we created confusion with your loyal readers. I don’t know what else I can do but accept full responsibility for the what we have done and apologize profoundly. I am very sorry. I ask forgiveness from you and your readers.

Scott Peterson, owner

(UPDATE- here is the rest 0f my email from Scott.)

(I am the owner of Hometown Seeds. Chelsea forwarded your message with your concerns for GMO seeds. I appreciate you addressing us first as our mistake has led to some very negative blog posts. Please see the detailed explanation below. We are vigorously trying to remove these concerns. We have no GMO seeds. We have a single supplier that shares our belief that GMO seeds have too many unknowns and should be avoided. Please let us know if you have any further questions.)

So, the seeds from them are safe, no concerns. I did notice from checking out their website that the hybrids they offer are all clearly labeled as such. I'm glad I didn't jump to conclusions.
There is still time to enter the giveaway for the Survival Seeds pack.

Free seeds???

And a giveaway!!

I recently received an email from Chelsea at Hometown Seeds. They are a newer online seed source and she asked me if I would post a link to their site. In return for this, she will send me a free pack of Survival Seeds, a specially designed pack of 16 varieties of seeds to keep in stock for emergencies. Not that I'm falling for the panic about the end of the world in 2012 (I haven't even seen the movie!) but you never know.

I'm good on seeds at the moment so I thought I'd do my first giveaway ever and give one lucky reader my free seeds.

I've done a little bit of checking on this company and for those of you who are heirloom purists, this company is probably not for you. They sell a variety of open pollinated and hybrid seeds. I'm personally not that much of a purist so it doesn't really bother me- I think they both have their uses. The survival seeds are supposedly all open pollinated varieties that you can save seeds from if needed.

If you're interested in being in the mix to win leave a comment on this post by midnight December 12th and I'll choose a lucky winner at random.