Snow

It's snowing heavily here and the wind is starting to pick up. We've got probably 5 or more inches already and the worst of the storm is yet to come. The children had an early release from school. I, of course, had to work. But we went sledding after I got home- yup, sledding in the dark! It was FUN!!! Of course, now my back is reminding me that I hurt it last week- but it was so worth it. The hill running South from the house is definitely a kick-ass sledding hill!!!

We're pretty sure that the children will have a snow day tomorrow. We've got a blizzard warning through the entire day tomorrow and authorities are already advising against travel unless it's an emergency. I'm holding my breath about getting to work. Very, very rarely the hospital calls an emergency situation and only essential personnel need to report. That is one time I'm happy to be considered non-essential. They did it for a while during the floods of 2008- at that time we worked with minimal staffing rather than none. In the past when the weather was really bad, I was the one who always showed up since I walked and didn't 'have an excuse' to not be there (like I was any safer walking 1.3 miles through a winter storm than someone having to drive!) Now, living out in the country, I'll have to see what the road conditions are before I decide. Since this is our first winter in this house, we don't know where the drifts will form yet. Personally, I'm hoping for a 5 foot drift right in front of the garage!

In other work news- I had my interview this afternoon. It's hard to gauge how it went. It was very odd being interviewed by people I know, including 2 who I work closely with on a daily basis. Like I said- odd. They've still got 2 more to interview for the position I applied for and I have an 'open forum' over the lunch hour next week where anyone in the department can come and ask me questions. I'm more worried about that than I was about the interview.

We still haven't put up the tree yet, maybe tomorrow if it's a snow day. And I need to figure out when to plan the cookie baking extravaganza. I work on Saturday so that's out. Maybe the following weekend- I'll have a three day weekend. We'll see.

I hope all of you in the path of this storm stay warm and safe.

Bad weather, Bad news

We had snow overnight. Not much this time- a little less than an inch. But this is the set up for the bigger storm that is coming. We've got a winter storm warning starting overnight through most of tomorrow and then a blizzard watch for Tuesday night/Wednesday. Woo Hoo. It looks like we'll get to try out the sledding hill! Of course, this was NOT a good time for V to inform me that he never got around to ordering the snow blade for the tractor. Oops! We'll have lots of shoveling to get out. We're predicted (at the moment) to get anywhere from 6 to 12+ inches with sustained winds of 25-35 mph and gusts up to 50. I just hope it holds out long enough for me to have my interview tomorrow. It's not scheduled until 3 pm and if the roads get too bad they will likely have to reschedule since several members of the interview committee have school age children and commute 20 or more miles.

In the really bad news- V got the "after a difficult decision, we have decided to go with a different candidate" letter today. (sigh) At least he still has his on-line job and now he'll continue to have time to work on the house.

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.

A Feast of Music

Last night, V and I put aside the toils of everyday and went out for a feast of the soul. We attended a holiday concert by Musick's Feast. They are a professional vocal ensemble with a focus on early music (primarily 15th century last night). They sing without accompaniment so it is just their voices blending in intricate harmonies. They have a two-fold purpose: They aim to provide high quality music and they are fighting hunger at the same time. They have actually organized into a non-profit organization, all their time is donated and 100% of all door receipts go to fighting hunger. According to their brochure, over the past 7 years that they have been doing this, they have donated $36,000 to feed the hungry. They have sent money to Heifer International, Church World Service, The Salvation Army and Mercy Corps. More locally, they have contributed to the local Table to Table Food Rescue and the local food banks and free lunch programs. Last night's proceeds were to be divided between the Salvation Army and our local Crisis Center food bank.

V and I both love early music and it was a lovely, relaxing way to spend an evening together, away from our worries and also give back to our community. They sang a variety of holiday music so it also helped me ease into the holiday spirit.

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.

Not feeling it.

It's hard to realize that Christmas is only a few weeks away. The weather here has been unreal. It was 58 here yesterday. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I just haven't been able to get into the holiday spirit.

I have only 3 gifts so far. One for K9, one for J15 and one for my mother. I want to get V a chainsaw but I need to do some research and get some recommendations first. I know it is something he will use around the property and has been looking at for a while. He has a little electric one that we used in town but we've got much bigger trees and definitely not enough extension cords to reach to some of the trees that need cut here.

I do have some home canned goods that I can use for gifts (peach salsa, pear chutney, cranberry mustard) probably for the nieces and nephews. I may make some biscotti as well and I usually give them coffee or teas.

I've been laid up for a few days. I pulled some muscles in my back over the weekend and then they were further aggravated when I came down with a stomach bug on Monday (I ended up leaving work early). Let me tell you, it's a terrible thing to realize that you need to get to the bathroom now and have a catch in your back so you can't even breathe much less move. My stomach is feeling much better and my back is slowly healing. I've been taking lots of ibuprofen and me and the heating pad have been close friends. I did make it back to work today and oh my it was busy!!

But regardless of health and gifts, the season keeps creeping up. I'm having difficulty getting into the swing of things. I even put some holiday music on my ipod but can't stand to listen to even some of my old favorites. Maybe when we put up the tree and do some more decorating I'll feel more into it- maybe.

I have been pleased that the boys aren't making excessive demands on their lists, and J15 is simply asking for fatigues and boots (she wants clothes to work outside in). V just wants trains (no surprise there- but that's probably not what he's getting). He has asked me several times what I want. I honestly don't know. Last year he got me a pressure canner that I really wanted. I got my land this year, that is gift enough for me. Maybe some books...

I've also been a bit preoccupied with this possible promotion. I've got an interview next Tuesday and a candidate forum on the 16th where staff members can ask me questions. Eek. V still hasn't heard anything about his job possibility and I think he's getting a bit discouraged. sigh.

I'm being buried alive!

I'm posting today over at Homemakers Who Work about my problem with too much stuff in my life. Drop by to check it out.