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Fall colors
I am sure that those of us experiencing a touch of cold now have colors starting to show around the Homestead. Please share here! I'll begin our parade of color. Up first is what I call my memory tree in honor of the baby I miscarried 18 years ago. Isn't it stunning? It is only half grown at approx. 20' wide & tall, and I…
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Food insecurity
I do not understand how we can have "food insecurity". It drives me crazy! How is this possible when healthy food is so easy to grow. Why are the schools not teaching gardening? Ever hear of Victory Gardens? Only recently have i. However i have memories of my father talking about gardening and his food harvest when he was…
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If you are of Celtic heritage, this will be funny!
Where I was born, in the mountains of NC, there was still a bit of a brogue and Gallic words used in the more remote areas... and at the Highland Games every year. Down where my grandparents lived, near the coast, it was Gaelic and an odd mix of several cultures.. well, I think these two clips are not only "instructional",…
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Amazing what you discover when you really look!
I’m not exactly sure why we got extremely lucky this week on our daily walks but we did. We live in an area on the east coast which is known koala habitat. We have lived here for over 3 years and never spotted one. It is mating season at the moment, so more likely to see them and we did. Spotted 2 in 3 days, we were so…
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Best places to homestead
I’m originally from Texas and have briefly done great gardening in the Pacific NW but now want to move back closer to Texas ( to be able to visit family now that flying is impossible) but am looking for a place easier to grow food that is not so challenging. Any suggestions? Colorado looks promising. I’d like a state…
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Night Sky...Looking up!
I know some plant by watching the night sky. I simply love watching the night sky, but often plant by the moon phase. Here are some points of interest for fellow sky watchers: October 1 - Full Harvest Moon, October 7 - Draconids Meteor Shower, October 13 - Mars at Opposition, October 21 and 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower,…
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Yep, it is fall...
My annual visitor is back. Every fall, this little bird shows up and sleeps with its head tucked into the corner.
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Prospective Buyer Beware
So the other day hubby says I have to look at something, it's a deal so good he just can't pass it up. He's been online and found a 1993 Kubota tractor, backhoe attachment with 2 buckets, a front bucket, and a pair of forks for the front. Something about the seller was a Sergeant in the Air Force, didn't use the tractor…
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Just A Little Lighthearted Fun
So many times I am doing something or hear a phrase and a song will pop into my head. Generally the song is a popular older song from the radio with a quirky twist. :) My husband and I were out in the garden the other evening and I started singing this little ditty: Hello Garden, my old friend, I've come to weed in you…
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Chinese packages in the mail
Okay, everyone was so concerned about getting unsolicited seeds from China. The package always seemed to have something bogus listed as the contents. Today we received a legitimate package with the properly ordered contents contained therein...but look closely at what they claimed it was... 'Tis the funniest looking most…
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A Gift to ALL of you here at The Grow Network...peace be with us all
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Do you get happy when you shop for food at a local coop or small organic grocery store?
These days shopping for food can be stressful, but I just left my local organic grocery store after spending an hour slowly going up and down the aisles looking at all the better choices that you rarely see in the regular supermarket, unless you really search. I felt so good supporting all of these small business people…
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Coping With Major Schedule Change
While I am so very thankful to have a job again, the 12 hour shifts (6 am to 6 pm) and shifting days off are making me so very tired. I had such a hard time fining any job, and will keep looking for one that uses my office/bookkeeping skills while I do this one to pay the rent and bills. The new job as a nutrition services…
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Where in the world would you go?
Hi everyone, very new to all this. found this page after I saw an interview with Margorie Wildcraft on TheIceAgeFarmer. now I am in a panic to start growing/raising my own food!! However I live with my family (husband and 2 kids) in Manitoba Canada, which is already very cold all winter... it regularly gets down to -30…
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Can tulips self seed?
I just found a tulip next to my blackberries. I'm sure I never planted it there. And I'm also sure I never moved dirt from the tulip bed to the blackberries. The tulip bed is about 10 metres away.
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Preparing for first frost
It's that time of year again when those of us in the colder parts of the northern hemisphere have to think about the end of summer and the changes to come. Our low last night was about 35F, so not quite frost, but getting close. Our average first frost date is around September 23, so it's coming. In the garden, we covered…
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Fire flys a special experience !
Up until I was 26, I was unaware of fireflies. It was in Winchester Kentucky USA, that I experienced my first sighting. Never before in Australia, did I realise that they existed. I was told of their existence in my area but until the last day or so, wow, they are spectacular. It seems that all my friends are in the forest…
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Popped popcorn in a pot for the first time/ instead of the microwave
I made popcorn on the stove for the first time in my life. I think it turned out great with a light airy taste. Has anyone else tried this method and how did it go?
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butterfly bush
How do I take care of this butterfly bush during the winter?
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Anyone still have that long list of what I want to do on the homestead this year?
I think for everything I check off this year, 3 more go on! I'm on hold on 4 big projects till I can get the supplies: Need more pallets to finish the fence that runs around the 4 + acres right around the house. Need about 15 more to finish but on hold. This fence has metal post every other pallet, wired together and…
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Today’s kitchen happenings
Since I’m taking it easy looking after my shoulder, I decided to do some herbal preps in the kitchen today. On the left, calendula and camomile face cream and on the right calendula and lemon balm lip balm
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Fall Foliage Prediction Map
I love this time of year, so here is a guide for all you fellow fall lovers out there. It's interactive! https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
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Everyday should be...
looked at through the lense of a new spectral of critical thinking.....lest we be caught up in past experiences overlooking new potential experiences we had not given focus to leaving us unprepared for the consequences...my 'quote of the day' hence this story of consequence:
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The beauty of nature...
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Animals Helping Other Animals
The video shows the intelligence of quite a few animals.
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First taste of autumn
It has been very hot in the southeast this year. I know it is still crazy hot out west, but we got a nice cold front, with another coming in tomorrow... bringing the high temps down from around 100F to 70-low 80s and some really pleasant nights. The sun angle and quality has shifted toward fall. So, tonight I made a fall…
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First Cold Damage
My garden received its first extensive cold damage last night. It is very disappointing. I was hoping for a few more weeks. Temps are suppose to continue in the 90s next week. Cukes, squash, watermelon, peppers, tomatoes, and corn are all looking pretty sad. It is especially frustrating when the growing season started so…
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the intelligence of plants
https://www.naturalnews.com/2020-09-07-plants-higher-level-cognition-scientist.html#
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What's Your Story?
Hi! I like to get to know people and how they came to the place they are today with their lifestyle. If you are an herbalist, when did you learn about herbs and what piqued your interest? Did you have a health crisis? If you are into mycology, what interested you in that and why? If you raise butterflies, or bats, or goats…
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Herbal folks, how's my disclaimer?
I added a disclaimer to my blog. What do y'all think? Is it okay, or do you have any suggestions to improve or change it? https://southernappalachianbitters.blogspot.com/ Disclaimer The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or…