tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67753609294127802322024-03-05T16:16:42.568-06:00Our Cedar Cottage<center>Ramblings about our little bit of God's Earth.</center>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-81863423345758395192011-06-22T22:12:00.000-05:002011-06-22T22:12:11.927-05:00Busy, busy, busy …<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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... as if that is any excuse for neglecting this blog for three months! <div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I started this as a form of record-keeping for our family and way to keep our extended family members and friends abreast of what is going on in our little world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, woeful failure!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since last I blogged …</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">… the wildlife has turned out after a hard winter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68S_Ol916PqmQ73z7yJYqB-GDnmACe6WWBtXFnQIrkeowN9CzJwXWWQt1OT-Jmd-o1abVzWGXPd2fsC4ZKW9yP8ghUDKtqsKfwpDgt8y7hjJorMVCNSDy6UrPTUnvKAWH5VqKQMJSrLO8/s1600/YoungBuck2011June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68S_Ol916PqmQ73z7yJYqB-GDnmACe6WWBtXFnQIrkeowN9CzJwXWWQt1OT-Jmd-o1abVzWGXPd2fsC4ZKW9yP8ghUDKtqsKfwpDgt8y7hjJorMVCNSDy6UrPTUnvKAWH5VqKQMJSrLO8/s320/YoungBuck2011June.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">… the chicks are now over a month old.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqwv7yCcMrjLkw3qnqtGDlCplQhgiSDxBlGgdjBkKk3vL5b8IQD45f-Ay9SqAyi8IpbLJByCwM7IavBTUo5-16cR3UYU-WrPOjNoZ5tnz11nf7P8HjaB6gC2mEb055GHQxFd5BkasMVBc/s1600/MatildaJune2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqwv7yCcMrjLkw3qnqtGDlCplQhgiSDxBlGgdjBkKk3vL5b8IQD45f-Ay9SqAyi8IpbLJByCwM7IavBTUo5-16cR3UYU-WrPOjNoZ5tnz11nf7P8HjaB6gC2mEb055GHQxFd5BkasMVBc/s320/MatildaJune2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">… the ducks are fully grown and should soon produce eggs.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yN2GRJRsjYCWCKohal68kX1sHHcSbmgc-EaAJC5UraoQgG6ZFSHv6qY5kfBRo3M-fW69RBwkxqwcfR5V3_RCgnmtAqWnaaVydAcB8NUMbGcMkfBP1mk8frt94YPPMsGr_pr5Oh_YRhRg/s1600/DucksJune2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yN2GRJRsjYCWCKohal68kX1sHHcSbmgc-EaAJC5UraoQgG6ZFSHv6qY5kfBRo3M-fW69RBwkxqwcfR5V3_RCgnmtAqWnaaVydAcB8NUMbGcMkfBP1mk8frt94YPPMsGr_pr5Oh_YRhRg/s320/DucksJune2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">… the garden beds are all planted.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5oEDpOFsxNJxdjUGqY_O7DI4Em_-r09E8K2u2c1Bt43Qj4c29GgoPuvNn3a6zEawzUmfcYtEOpCo8bT8kweNhLVMngpWu8hjPHEQd9qpP5tSoj07OVyQyIgsYSKuXCoerR9KGhirvuDk/s1600/DadWorkingInGardenJune2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5oEDpOFsxNJxdjUGqY_O7DI4Em_-r09E8K2u2c1Bt43Qj4c29GgoPuvNn3a6zEawzUmfcYtEOpCo8bT8kweNhLVMngpWu8hjPHEQd9qpP5tSoj07OVyQyIgsYSKuXCoerR9KGhirvuDk/s320/DadWorkingInGardenJune2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">… our foundling cat turned out to be female and gifted us with two wee kittens.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YTJvv7Moq3hwGminEyY5qd2Pec8y-WwtLqcZOrYCBQzERtGXFMpeR3oIVmXM711enlVC4Ysskcl0Snx8KBy5-YxDKQEaj2SFStXribqA4uHPBbLS8ECTEB6GwDtzvQ6bcsinb0hFXr26/s1600/BabysKittensJune2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YTJvv7Moq3hwGminEyY5qd2Pec8y-WwtLqcZOrYCBQzERtGXFMpeR3oIVmXM711enlVC4Ysskcl0Snx8KBy5-YxDKQEaj2SFStXribqA4uHPBbLS8ECTEB6GwDtzvQ6bcsinb0hFXr26/s320/BabysKittensJune2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">… and most of all, the children are growing up, loving our life.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY_2JNWxW0Olb3fZlQBr3Zpw_iCuZ7GPpSxIPbQyp-p-K63jVpa3C1NBlVykeGvI3QEFv-7ZFYYWZj9KWbpJqA_UY0JL87obwgG7avP5heTFxYJs5HtU4VuKzezprSlHULz4TYANontGN/s1600/FiveOfOurSixJune2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY_2JNWxW0Olb3fZlQBr3Zpw_iCuZ7GPpSxIPbQyp-p-K63jVpa3C1NBlVykeGvI3QEFv-7ZFYYWZj9KWbpJqA_UY0JL87obwgG7avP5heTFxYJs5HtU4VuKzezprSlHULz4TYANontGN/s320/FiveOfOurSixJune2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This photo features our five younger children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our oldest was the photographer that day.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvJZ2KvlZLAVL4ou0s-aLw5iwRp1U07MCH_72bKaBZ6y6o2DacJIm3FDs8cUzX1c49LkctP76tEhxtHzmFAeQHmygrp1OtmO7GPnJXcGom-PusnMQNvFhDb3J6mMb8k5Vz9Svu46BZyeM/s1600/OurOldestJune2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvJZ2KvlZLAVL4ou0s-aLw5iwRp1U07MCH_72bKaBZ6y6o2DacJIm3FDs8cUzX1c49LkctP76tEhxtHzmFAeQHmygrp1OtmO7GPnJXcGom-PusnMQNvFhDb3J6mMb8k5Vz9Svu46BZyeM/s320/OurOldestJune2011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div> Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-39411240359846169472011-03-27T20:46:00.005-05:002011-03-28T22:35:02.253-05:00Organic Panic!We measured the area for the dog run today. <a href="http://ourcedarcottage.blogspot.com/search/label/Crockett%20the%20Airedale%20Terrier">Crockett</a> will end up with less space than we intended, but he'll be in a good spot with plenty of shade from the summer sun. We have a solid doghouse for him. We just need to move it to his new spot.<br />
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The weather is supposed to warm up this week and it's finally going to stay warm!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD-6vDsc_qVmRffXr0_aZsLDCK4VZ9nWSZsFplHXNT2-tQBWZb2xpokuLX8SR_uSORnivnQEM2ilKX9prbf8Rn44jBX7x7vcxhrUlaioJZp-sBl9hMwO57NLAjK6NDiXojqdyGgXk0kE6/s1600/WeatherForecast2001Mar28toApr4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD-6vDsc_qVmRffXr0_aZsLDCK4VZ9nWSZsFplHXNT2-tQBWZb2xpokuLX8SR_uSORnivnQEM2ilKX9prbf8Rn44jBX7x7vcxhrUlaioJZp-sBl9hMwO57NLAjK6NDiXojqdyGgXk0kE6/s320/WeatherForecast2001Mar28toApr4.jpg" width="106" /></a></div><br />
That means we'll be able to work on more clean-up around our place. We'll be <a href="http://ourcedarcottage.blogspot.com/search/label/Garden">prepping the garden beds</a> for the seeds we received last week. I hope to find a local source for seed potatoes.<br />
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We also need to determine the size of the enclosed area for our <a href="http://ourcedarcottage.blogspot.com/search/label/Chickens">chicks</a> while they transition between the brooder and being free-range. They <a href="http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/">won't arrive until May</a>, so we have time to work that out.<br />
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On top of all of that, we're trying to sort through the ridiculous regulations hampering Farmer's Markets in our state. Our local <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tractor-Supply-Co-Tomah-WI/101359173262672">Tractor Supply</a> store is offering free space for vendors. Yay! We can't wait to set up there.<br />
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In the midst of all of this, we figured out how to link this blog to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cedar-Cottage-Farm/190852340955888?sk=wall">our Facebook page</a> so our friends and family members can easily stay up-to-date on what we're up to.<br />
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All of this planning has put us, as seven year old Noah said, into an <i><b>Organic Panic</b></i>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/03/barn-hop-6.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJEBGpLjEmGttzd7mDJK5t_Y7FJW_ZyH2FYj2Mxu9Lb72uneIRnDQpS2P23uerfvQuj1zt6KZj86F60qpxzx_-GEb4kuJ7z28oLDSPaLGJZNCtBnFi8gHc-V0LYREsSZxELmzG-wguj7O/s1600/Homestead-Barn-Hop.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Welcome, <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/03/barn-hop-6.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a> friends!Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-35151380553059318362011-03-24T16:38:00.000-05:002011-03-24T16:38:28.791-05:00Seeds, Freebies and Nerds ...Our seed order arrived from <a href="http://rareseeds.com/">Baker Creek</a>! We received it in just six days, including the weekend. They even included a free packet of <a href="http://rareseeds.com/red-romaine-lettuce-1-oz.html">Red Romaine</a>! I'm blessed by that because we were bemoaning the fact that we hadn't ordered as many greens as we ought to have.<br />
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In other news, <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/">Homestead Revival</a> is hosting a give-away from the folks at <a href="http://www.homesteaddryingracks.com/index.html">Homestead Drying Racks</a>. I've been eyeing their drying racks for a while now. They have an excellent design and look to be well-constructed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesteaddryingracks.com/uploads/5/8/2/5/5825360/5104710.jpg?269?8540842?1891751?8686797?3946059" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.homesteaddryingracks.com/uploads/5/8/2/5/5825360/5104710.jpg?269?8540842?1891751?8686797?3946059" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wac.naturalnews.tv/2941-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Such a drying rack would be ideal in front of <a href="http://ourcedarcottage.blogspot.com/2010/11/out-with-old.html">our woodstove</a> for drying clothing in the winter. It dwarfs our wobbly little drying rack purchased at a big box store. I finally gave up using that one because it was so precarious and held so little.<br />
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Last night I watched a video on <a href="http://naturalnews.tv/">NaturalNews.tv</a> about misrepresentations in the organic poultry/egg industry. <i> (Click the image to view the video.)</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1542986182"></span><a href="http://naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=EDCEEE66359E89ED8D001AABC849A8DE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://wac.naturalnews.tv/2941-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span id="goog_1542986179"></span><span id="goog_1542986180"></span><span id="goog_1542986186"></span><span id="goog_1542986187"></span> </div><br />
I wanted to revisit one of the statistics in the short bit, so I replayed it today and all the children gathered around. I joked that my children are nerds. While other children are talking about video games and cartoons, they are watching <a href="http://naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=EDCEEE66359E89ED8D001AABC849A8DE">organic poultry videos</a>.<br />
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I don't mind at all.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-32799765975431037752011-03-21T19:00:00.002-05:002011-03-21T19:14:59.470-05:00M - U - D<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUu1VeVoQ-jYfHqLcizSi99YV4Fh2RNTEQJvpud8F5MEIphOBFYyUOk91NiEzIgpJH3324GMLMRNeCIkLjSf4_Y_XMh45WYMLy6EnZMi2Jizxf8AYgU3F-1QOBIKcEk_-1xkFDjGAtmV3/s1600/PinkMuckBoots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The Spring Thaw has gifted us with a deeply rutted, slippery road. Our Suburban is able to handle it if in 4-wheel-drive, but we always forewarn the children to "Hang on!"<br />
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Our cell phone service is spotty today for some odd reason. Dad tried to reach all three of our cell phones, and some of them more than once, but we never heard them ring. In somewhat of a panic he attempted to drive his Durango back here to check on us.<br />
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Despite having 4-wheel-drive, he couldn't make it. His truck is too light and he went right off into the ditch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlXmMMZuhyphenhyphenVxXVpjZ0Tcij4SQZvX1BfLVqPTehLTsXfUpgVcKl2uwHSmF4_r7ciLxso7s1j_KrpFVfrUCiFrn2tXytOAsNAV4OEUQaDe9FAuZmX6nUBgvZnF0IuARkQodsxm12JqEq5id/s1600/MuddySpringRoad2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlXmMMZuhyphenhyphenVxXVpjZ0Tcij4SQZvX1BfLVqPTehLTsXfUpgVcKl2uwHSmF4_r7ciLxso7s1j_KrpFVfrUCiFrn2tXytOAsNAV4OEUQaDe9FAuZmX6nUBgvZnF0IuARkQodsxm12JqEq5id/s320/MuddySpringRoad2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
He called Kenny to bring the Suburban to pull him out. When that failed, they called me. I was in the Durango, hooked hitch-to-hitch to the Suburban, which Kenny was driving. Dad hooked his tractor to the front of the Surburban and we choo-choo-trained our way out of the mess. Yay! <br />
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I'm sorry that I have no pictures of the Durango in all it's muddy glory, but Dad power washed it before I thought to take any. Our Suburban is perpetually muddy as it's absolutely useless to wash it until the road dries out.<br />
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Since the power washer was already in use, I took the time to clear Dad and Mom's 2-car concrete parking pad of the winter's dirt and debris. Forty-five minutes and one aching back later, it looked pretty good.<br />
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I also power washed Dad's muck boots and then mine. I exclaimed "Look! They're PINK!" I havne't seen much of the color over the last few weeks of trekking between our two homes.<br />
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Of course, the walk home undid the job for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUu1VeVoQ-jYfHqLcizSi99YV4Fh2RNTEQJvpud8F5MEIphOBFYyUOk91NiEzIgpJH3324GMLMRNeCIkLjSf4_Y_XMh45WYMLy6EnZMi2Jizxf8AYgU3F-1QOBIKcEk_-1xkFDjGAtmV3/s1600/PinkMuckBoots.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUu1VeVoQ-jYfHqLcizSi99YV4Fh2RNTEQJvpud8F5MEIphOBFYyUOk91NiEzIgpJH3324GMLMRNeCIkLjSf4_Y_XMh45WYMLy6EnZMi2Jizxf8AYgU3F-1QOBIKcEk_-1xkFDjGAtmV3/s320/PinkMuckBoots.jpg" width="320" /> </a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">This is my first time participating in the <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/">Homestead Revival</a> <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/02/wanna-barn-hop.html">Barn Hop</a>. Welcome, new readers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/02/wanna-barn-hop.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ezIY6edQAkFD232uBdMjcDb3UfaDJUlqVoJyZtboLBYe8oc9tV7l6O0AkI2J2tXgTZ6_g6-UdyAljI_bTaCmIu2w3DEgkdW2s2Yb2flpzVvNia-CwXT21VBR1k_jlP6G-UTZ73zkwiLt/s1600/Homestead-Barn-Hop.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-6967940805469448142011-03-20T21:21:00.000-05:002011-03-20T21:21:16.875-05:00Kitty update ...Some of our friends and family members will remember that we started out with five kittens last Fall. One came from a farm where our friend Joe works and the other four were part of the same litter at a farm near our home. The four in that litter died within a five-day time frame and we never learned the cause.<br />
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Grey C. is the kitten that survived. She (At least we think she is a she.) is healthy and happy and permanently outdoors now that the frigidly cold winter is behind us. She likes to lurk on the deck and slip into the inner porch where she scratches and mews at the door to be let in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmC5H-xrAA5Q1gG1MHsLKfJwh14fJaq0F-XpmmOQsH53dOYsuA_CTpFhr_chWzAkcgoYo7W-pXHNxksa84hGUmd4IqHLfS5Rfl6EJe7AquInw2kt4zdB_X2mJZ5CUDJ3ci6ga7kEwd50n/s1600/Grey-C-March2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmC5H-xrAA5Q1gG1MHsLKfJwh14fJaq0F-XpmmOQsH53dOYsuA_CTpFhr_chWzAkcgoYo7W-pXHNxksa84hGUmd4IqHLfS5Rfl6EJe7AquInw2kt4zdB_X2mJZ5CUDJ3ci6ga7kEwd50n/s320/Grey-C-March2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This week a new kitty showed up at our place. She (At least we think she is a she.) turned up under our deck, which is enclosed so we had to wonder how she had gotten under there. She found her way out and by afternoon responded to calls of "Baby Kitty" but not really to "Kitty" alone. And so she named herself "Baby". She approaches us now, however timidly, and loves to be cuddled. She hisses at Grey C., though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf17GfE5YOSwSZnYeBD-AYDtZEjC3SQzRp2EvcLTzP5tOCvc9aF4L1MtTSNMnwgDZdxvB-iuWEciHM2OuKT5VZZeMv_7IBjvAhllfdQnC_oOzQpS2tbp5jdFYRdloRCpPUaU8W7WXPMPI/s1600/Baby-March2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf17GfE5YOSwSZnYeBD-AYDtZEjC3SQzRp2EvcLTzP5tOCvc9aF4L1MtTSNMnwgDZdxvB-iuWEciHM2OuKT5VZZeMv_7IBjvAhllfdQnC_oOzQpS2tbp5jdFYRdloRCpPUaU8W7WXPMPI/s320/Baby-March2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I suppose at some point we should determine their respective genders or we may well have more baby kitties calling Cedar Cottage Farm their home.<br />
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Photographs compliments of <a href="http://phantomphotographer.blogspot.com/">Mara</a> using <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">Picnik.com</a>.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-6250896789907649392011-03-19T22:29:00.000-05:002011-03-19T22:29:10.171-05:00Give-Away: Making Herbs Simple DVDThe folks over at the <a href="http://www.homesteaddryingracks.com/1/post/2011/03/-review-and-giveaway-on-making-herbs-simple.html">Forgotten Way blog</a> are giving away a copy of the DVD Making Herbs Simple. Pop on over and check it out! Your comment on their blog post is your automatic entry, plus they list several other ways that you may enter.<br />
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If you win because of this blog post, please comment and let me know. That would be sort of like winning it myself. ;-)Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-79770345918382561962011-03-19T19:19:00.000-05:002011-03-19T19:19:17.217-05:00We finally ordered our garden seeds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25jfCZOpIhbJNfkqZPxblJZM9kz7jVPkZyREYnimBWXO-aZeEwkJbTo85Kwkq0qbrt3rpSwihfmHtPFoDR6chFscPZkWBbKs-xdpOdAScX3PSA_U7vcrp1WVPWC8cdoNUzvjNsif70weM/s1600/BakerCreek2011CatalogCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Yesterday Kenny and I found the time to sit together and make the final decision on what seeds to order for this year's garden.<br />
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We knew from the start that we would order from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds at <a href="http://rareseeds.com/">RareSeeds.com</a>. It's important to us to raise <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_plant">heirloom varieties</a>. We have several reasons for this, including propagating rare varieties as well as being able to save the seeds from our produce for future gardens.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25jfCZOpIhbJNfkqZPxblJZM9kz7jVPkZyREYnimBWXO-aZeEwkJbTo85Kwkq0qbrt3rpSwihfmHtPFoDR6chFscPZkWBbKs-xdpOdAScX3PSA_U7vcrp1WVPWC8cdoNUzvjNsif70weM/s1600/BakerCreek2011CatalogCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25jfCZOpIhbJNfkqZPxblJZM9kz7jVPkZyREYnimBWXO-aZeEwkJbTo85Kwkq0qbrt3rpSwihfmHtPFoDR6chFscPZkWBbKs-xdpOdAScX3PSA_U7vcrp1WVPWC8cdoNUzvjNsif70weM/s320/BakerCreek2011CatalogCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We are planning a large garden to provide fresh food as well as extra for preserving. My parents will benefit from the bounty, as well.<br />
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Our local <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/">Tractor Supply store</a> has announced that they'll host a Farmer's Market this season at no cost. How exciting! We ordered ample seeds for our own use as well as to sell at the market. Here's the list!<br />
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<b><u>Tomatoes</u></b><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/amish-paste.html">Amish Paste</a> ~ Chosen for canning and sauces. We liked this variety because it hails from Wisconsin.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/ferris-wheel.html">Ferris Wheel</a> ~ This variety was released in 1907 out of LaCrosse, WI, so should do well for us.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/mortgage-lifter-tomato.html">Mortgage Lifter</a> ~ It would be wonderful if the name held true for us, would it not?<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/dr-wyche-s-yellow.html">Dr. Wyche's Yellow</a> ~ Kenny likes yellow tomatoes and this one is supposed to be popular at markets.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/nature-s-riddle-tomato.html">Nature's Riddle</a> ~ This is a marvelously ugly tomato!<br />
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<u><b>Melons</b></u><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/pride-of-wisconsin-melon.html">Pride of Wisconsin</a> ~ Chosen because we had confidence it would do well in our climate and it is very rare.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/minnesota-midget-melon.html">Minnesota Midget</a> ~ The reviews were great on this, it comes from a similar climate and I just thought they'd be cute to grow.<br />
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<u><b>Greens</b></u><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/red-wing-lettuce-mix.html">Red Wing Lettuce Mix</a> ~ This mix has beautiful color.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/bloomsdale-long-standing-spinach.html">Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach</a> ~ I love spinach fresh or cooked and this one is supposed to be somewhat mild.<br />
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<u><b>Peppers</b></u><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/purple-beauty-pepper.html">Purple Beauty</a> ~ These look marvelous!<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/chinese-5-color-pepper.html">Chinese 5 Color</a> ~ Purple, Cream, Yellow, Orange, Red and Screaming Hot.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/jupiter.html">Jupiter</a> ~ We wanted a disease-resistant bell that would do well at market.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/lipstick-pepper.html">Lipstick</a> ~ The name of this one was so odd that we had to read about it. The information seems promising, so we'll give it a try.<br />
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<u><b>Beans</b></u><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/cherokee-trail-of-tears-pole-bean.html">Cherokee Trail of Tears</a> ~ So named because the seeds were carried on the Trail by the Cherokee.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/blue-lake-bush-274-bean.html">Blue Lake Bush</a> ~ Long heralded in my family as a great grower!<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/henderson-s-black-valentine-pole-bean.html">Henderson's Black Valentine</a> ~ Ready in 53 days and great for snap beans or soup beans.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/old-homestead-kentucky-wonder.html">Old Homestead</a> ~ This is a Kentucky Wonder, which is another with a strong tradition in my family.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/purple-podded-pole-bean.html">Purple Podded Pole</a> ~ The pods look beautiful and grow to be 6" long.<br />
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<b><u>Carrots</u></b><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/cosmic-purple-carrot.html">Cosmic Purple</a> ~ The words "excitement at farmers' markets" drew us in to read the excellent reviews.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/little-finger-carrot.html">Little Finger</a> ~ This baby carrot is supposed to grow well and it's sweet.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/jaune-obtuse-du-doubs-carrot.html">Jaune Obtuse du Doubs</a> ~ A true yellow carrot that is ready early. I can't wait to try this one myself!<br />
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<u><b>Peas</b></u><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/tall-telephone-garden-pea.html">Tall Telephone</a> ~ Introduced in 1881 and fascinating reviews!<br />
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<b><u>Corn</u></b><br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/country-gentleman-sweet-corn.html">Country Gentleman</a> ~ We wanted to grow a traditional shoepeg corn and this one is sweet, to boot.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/rainbow-sweet-inca-corn.html">Rainbow Sweet Inca</a> ~ The beautiful colors earned the "Rainbow" part of it's name. I'm looking forward to home-ground corn meal.<br />
<a href="http://rareseeds.com/wade-s-giant-indian-flint-corn.html">Wade's Giant Indian Flint</a> ~ The photo below (from the Baker Creek web site) explains why this one was chosen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGHFxmYVBHve3sPpcZwP5wwD4cG_tLHgeIXJ6V1WGIu1MEVc9NUUTHXjAcTA0oer1KSFDD3w-Itqf4FY0c-maNERKDlaobJrr22c1354eMRjGTm-tCG7HUXrFdS1wzth_rwJxk9a3Q28J/s1600/WadesGiantIndianFlint-ComplimentsBakerCreekSeedsSite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGHFxmYVBHve3sPpcZwP5wwD4cG_tLHgeIXJ6V1WGIu1MEVc9NUUTHXjAcTA0oer1KSFDD3w-Itqf4FY0c-maNERKDlaobJrr22c1354eMRjGTm-tCG7HUXrFdS1wzth_rwJxk9a3Q28J/s320/WadesGiantIndianFlint-ComplimentsBakerCreekSeedsSite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-46954957850656611722011-03-18T00:39:00.001-05:002011-03-18T00:40:49.164-05:00Chicken order placed!Things have been hectic at our place for the last few weeks, preventing me from blogging regularly. I've really missed it!<br />
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Today we placed our first order for chicks. We're very excited to raise heritage breeds from <a href="http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/">Sand Hill Preservation Center</a> in Iowa.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRdWoujzoq_nFIv1cTGVjcepd8PqJdP9et_oBwApU0RyzJiecBU9ZYFREsrNRHTYOXHunFymQw5u8iOlnWi4cVAd1nzOwdaKlvENyw1KAcIUNeFPNVeKMV-Y6bUv1c1hsZev94fTNUNgq/s1600/SandHillPreservationCenter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRdWoujzoq_nFIv1cTGVjcepd8PqJdP9et_oBwApU0RyzJiecBU9ZYFREsrNRHTYOXHunFymQw5u8iOlnWi4cVAd1nzOwdaKlvENyw1KAcIUNeFPNVeKMV-Y6bUv1c1hsZev94fTNUNgq/s1600/SandHillPreservationCenter.gif" /></a></div><br />
We ordered just 50 birds to start and they will be surprises. We requested 25 <a href="http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/catalog/chickens.html#assortments">Assorted Heavy Chickens</a> as well as 25 of the <a href="http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/catalog/poultry_assortments.html#super">Super Assorted Chicks</a>.<br />
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Hopefully this will give us an idea of what breeds we like and which birds will do well here.<br />
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Do you raise chickens? If so, do you have any tips for us? Please leave a comment!Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-90830140968196933052011-02-12T23:00:00.000-06:002011-02-12T23:01:17.962-06:00I'm still here ...... and feeling rather sheepish about not blogging daily since I'm the one who started <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/event.php?eid=180703188635282">the February Challenge</a>.<br />
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I've been writing for <a href="http://cedarwellness.blogspot.com/">one of our family businesses</a> and helping my husband set up <a href="http://experiencemymadness.wordpress.com/">his new blog</a>. I've also provided technical assistance for <a href="http://thecranberrycrane.blogspot.com/">our daughter's regular blog</a> and <a href="http://phantomphotographer.blogspot.com/">her photography blog</a>.<br />
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In other news, we surpassed 32 degrees today and the snow is getting that mooshy, wet feeling as it melts. The depth of the snow has decreased as its weight presses down upon itself. All signs are pointing toward Spring!<br />
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In the mornings, I hear birds singing that haven't visited us for some time. Tiny songbirds are rejoining the chorus that has been dominated by crows and blue jays.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkjzZi_W8Ocro8qIxgFGujpSpUQVk2yZi7PFfoOKYo1Qh9c5kYcO5vVNfyg4SMlJUJD79-B1nlxP9xer2oq0yPpQy8JPEM4x6Z65EapP6cvdBntsxb0Xg-Bp6tufi1zKKcC8T7zk-d_bp/s1600/Dark-Eyed-Junco-In-Pine-In-Fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkjzZi_W8Ocro8qIxgFGujpSpUQVk2yZi7PFfoOKYo1Qh9c5kYcO5vVNfyg4SMlJUJD79-B1nlxP9xer2oq0yPpQy8JPEM4x6Z65EapP6cvdBntsxb0Xg-Bp6tufi1zKKcC8T7zk-d_bp/s320/Dark-Eyed-Junco-In-Pine-In-Fall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This has been a long, cold winter and we are all ready to move on to the challenges of Spring. There is much to do around our little place!Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-90738898179449653522011-02-07T00:19:00.000-06:002011-02-07T00:19:37.234-06:00This do in remembrance of me ...Our family has been blessed to join with a local church body once again. Today marked our second Sunday there. Communion was to be served, so we spoke with the pastor ahead of time be certain we were welcome to partake as believers. The scripture, no matter how often I hear it in conjunction with communion, never fails to bless me.<br />
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<blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.<span> </span>After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.<span> </span>For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” ~ I Corinthians 11:24-26</div></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXo1pLe1DflktuQHf-rjc82-F4AGITJFmZ0W4_loDRFQfw6Vb9R3MzTkVQqBEu2aHRsfnACMxapwD9jvtRAZYyVT8YxGcG-D-2aeBYok1Lks6gx9oW-na5CSgq9LJOXIkEFMNsgfkFiPyV/s1600/Del_Parson_Last_Supper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXo1pLe1DflktuQHf-rjc82-F4AGITJFmZ0W4_loDRFQfw6Vb9R3MzTkVQqBEu2aHRsfnACMxapwD9jvtRAZYyVT8YxGcG-D-2aeBYok1Lks6gx9oW-na5CSgq9LJOXIkEFMNsgfkFiPyV/s320/Del_Parson_Last_Supper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-70299332946998667542011-02-04T21:20:00.000-06:002011-02-04T21:21:30.973-06:00Drip, drip, drip ...It's a sight I would like to see more of.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJTGrbz0nFZeAyjG2vmNPaf7uByT5u_j_SGacBInY6oM9nm9jCC84WvPH8_AOGjZMphF5uAWL-cX-wqLd4g1F8kJqvxnwwPsmyBWfozBUfCXR1eMyG2YqA_1et6IVncehl6hwXs9QiGW2/s1600/Icicles.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJTGrbz0nFZeAyjG2vmNPaf7uByT5u_j_SGacBInY6oM9nm9jCC84WvPH8_AOGjZMphF5uAWL-cX-wqLd4g1F8kJqvxnwwPsmyBWfozBUfCXR1eMyG2YqA_1et6IVncehl6hwXs9QiGW2/s320/Icicles.gif" width="256" /></a></div><br />
I am so weary of winter.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-45340917392953485872011-02-03T21:13:00.000-06:002011-02-03T21:13:35.239-06:00Well, I declare!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><blockquote><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Us_declaration_independence.jpg/200px-Us_declaration_independence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><i><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."</span></b></i></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Us_declaration_independence.jpg/200px-Us_declaration_independence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Us_declaration_independence.jpg/200px-Us_declaration_independence.jpg" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Constitution_Pg1of4_AC.jpg/220px-Constitution_Pg1of4_AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Constitution_Pg1of4_AC.jpg/220px-Constitution_Pg1of4_AC.jpg" /></a></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"></div>American Vision is giving away a free pocket copy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States">The Constitution of the United States</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence">The Declaration of Independence</a>. For your free copy <a href="http://www.americanvision.com/products/Pocket-Constitution-and-Declaration-of-Independence.html">*click here*</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.americanvision.com/product_images/e/752/Screen_shot_2011-01-27_at_3.21.22_PM__49581_std__34793_std.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.americanvision.com/product_images/e/752/Screen_shot_2011-01-27_at_3.21.22_PM__49581_std__34793_std.png" /></a></div><br />
While you're at it, might I recommend printing out a copy of your state's constitution? It can make for fascinating reading. Did you know that, up until 1975, the rules for dueling were included in the constitution for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Constitution">the state of Wisconsin</a>? Thus far, I can only find that the statute was removed. I cannot tell, aside from laws governing assault and murder, that it is actually illegal in our state. Yes, as I said, it's fascinating!<br />
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</div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-33215979277155778332011-02-02T23:28:00.000-06:002011-02-02T23:28:22.899-06:00Miscellany ...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I couldn’t pull together my intended post on “A Christian’s Perspective on Sustainability” today, so please check back for it later this week.<span> </span>Instead I thought I’d share a few bunny trails that, in and of themselves, aren’t quite enough to constitute an honest-to-goodness blog post.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Blog Re-Design</i> ~ I <strike>wasted</strike> invested a lot of time today in redesigning my blog, as folks who visited prior to today are sure to notice.<span> </span>When I first set it up, I thought I’d like a minimalistic approach.<span> </span>Whether my love of Fall colors finally burst forth or the doldrums of winter pushed me to the edge, I cannot tell.<span> </span>I only know that I needed *color*.<span> </span>I hope you like it. <a href="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/">Cutest Blog on the Block</a> provided the graphics. If you have a blog or <a href="http://twitter.com/ourcedarcottage">Twitter page</a>, it's super-easy to use their designs. They have many cute graphics to choose from.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com//images/rsgallery/original/fall%20button.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com//images/rsgallery/original/fall%20button.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Blogging for Books & BookSneeze</i> ~ I signed up with both <a href="http://booksneeze.com/join">BookSneeze.com</a> and <a href="http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/">Blogging for Books</a> today.<span> </span>If you have an active blog, you ought to join.<span> </span>Books are sent to you for review.<span> </span>The books are yours to keep in exchange for your honest review.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/img/site_specific/anim_180x150.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/img/site_specific/anim_180x150.gif" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><a href="http://booksneeze.com/images/booksneeze_badge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://booksneeze.com/images/booksneeze_badge.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i> </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Give-Away</i> ~ Amy at <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/">Homestead Revival</a> is <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/02/give-away-ramsign-classic-enamel-signs.html">hosting a give-away</a> on her blog.<span> </span><a href="http://www.ramsign.com/">Ramsign</a>, a company out of Denmark, makes high quality enamel signs in many shapes and sizes.<span> </span>I’m partial to the <a href="http://www.ramsign.com/products_category.asp?vg=900">Lighthouse Oval Address Plaque</a>, myself.<span> </span>Pop over to Amy’s blog and let her know which design you like because your comment to her post is your automatic entry in the contest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-37658330541073063942011-02-01T11:36:00.000-06:002011-02-02T21:36:04.365-06:00We may build our next home ...When we moved to our place last October, we knew the current house would not be our permanent home. It is too small and has a poor layout.<br />
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We played with the idea of building <a href="http://www.clearybuilding.com/">a steel frame building</a>. That would require quite an outlay financially for someone else to build the actual structure. This was my favorite photo among the many we looked at.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oYqep7nfyEQ_Y9OoO4WL_J-wHbPCRwLxVUHm_YuSsGVYieNeY1V4MzC2bL7opmp_waYej5UA5pqgO_ZwjPUvNeXdRW_jkd4SoH-5LEeUFq8FskkOJ-HvA9ePW4CIuNpMcvzFvqaqgScP/s1600/NorthlandBuildingsSteelFrameBuilding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oYqep7nfyEQ_Y9OoO4WL_J-wHbPCRwLxVUHm_YuSsGVYieNeY1V4MzC2bL7opmp_waYej5UA5pqgO_ZwjPUvNeXdRW_jkd4SoH-5LEeUFq8FskkOJ-HvA9ePW4CIuNpMcvzFvqaqgScP/s320/NorthlandBuildingsSteelFrameBuilding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I came across an article about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordwood_construction">cordwood construction</a> a couple of weeks ago. I was intrigued, so Kenny and I set out to do more research.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OkNcAov9F6y5iQ_WmPcgMzyYSdaF-vtgpX_FNlx08hsgeLT7bxuWMsmBW75wlzoeunAzSh_oC8La0UpZfxv5prPzdehyphenhyphen_zOS8pE0wBDUoIR3qSvfGQeXKtOTUaMsTkJSkVRic0J9xZWM/s1600/EricRobbinsCordwoodHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OkNcAov9F6y5iQ_WmPcgMzyYSdaF-vtgpX_FNlx08hsgeLT7bxuWMsmBW75wlzoeunAzSh_oC8La0UpZfxv5prPzdehyphenhyphen_zOS8pE0wBDUoIR3qSvfGQeXKtOTUaMsTkJSkVRic0J9xZWM/s320/EricRobbinsCordwoodHome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Not only can we do this ourselves, but we can personalize it to a great extent.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbH8sNej4c0uXwLFPUfj72F0-n2ddhDnLKaUqS1zZu2hzuhHoPkJBM3eurbcZK43o8Lwxs5SXd1MhsoO7my3_tHE38qElCpZuKofgdpJw3AmAqFCgKMTAFA-fEG1fY5_8aLih5Sm3C1P2/s1600/EricRobbinsCordwoodDetails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbH8sNej4c0uXwLFPUfj72F0-n2ddhDnLKaUqS1zZu2hzuhHoPkJBM3eurbcZK43o8Lwxs5SXd1MhsoO7my3_tHE38qElCpZuKofgdpJw3AmAqFCgKMTAFA-fEG1fY5_8aLih5Sm3C1P2/s320/EricRobbinsCordwoodDetails.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
We are looking for sources for pine. Many folks can't burn it due to the risk of chimney fires. We can harvest a good deal from our property and from my parents', but we don't want to thin our woods too much. Fallen-but-not-rotten trees are perfectly acceptable.<br />
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I spoke about alternative energy with a representative from our electric cooperative. He recommended we visit <a href="http://www.focusonenergy.com/">FocusOnEnergy.com</a> for the first steps in the process.<br />
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Kenny talked with a gentleman from <a href="http://www.becsolar.com/">BEC Solar</a> regarding solar power (good choice!), geothermal (not right for us) and wind (debatable). It will cost about $300 to have an assessment done on our property.<br />
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I talked with the plumber that has come so highly recommended to us. He will do the required next step - a perk test, septic inspection, well test and pump inspection - for about $500.<br />
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I also spoke with the area building inspector. We expected some roadblocks while utilizing alternative construction, but he was very encouraging. He sent a preliminary packet to us and gave us an idea of how much we can do ourselves and what would require a plumber, electrician or engineer.<br />
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Our next assignment is to locate an engineer who will be willing to work with us. We're considering contacting <a href="http://www.kickapoogreen.org/index.html">KickapooGreen.org</a> to see if they can recommend someone.<br />
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Of course, since we are building with a commitment to being debt-free, each step will take some time.<br />
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Learn more about cordwood construction and view lots of photographs at <a href="http://www.daycreek.com/dc/html/allthingscordwood.htm">DayCreek.com</a> and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38106535301&ref=ts">Facebook</a>!Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-15139368565047047542010-12-25T14:54:00.000-06:002010-12-25T14:54:06.125-06:00A simple CHRISTmas ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJOwla5eFkwMIYu0l_wV111yZvynq9JIGoCMW17IJwHhyphenhyphenygjsa1qNc2e-2ocoXlzMP9XekDigYOIrjZ44cA-X9dBU6VUjymrqR4dfJbfc_HZ-nSlLKXE-NJyD81L-woqUG3tEg3LYsl_6/s1600/ChristmasTreeAndMantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJOwla5eFkwMIYu0l_wV111yZvynq9JIGoCMW17IJwHhyphenhyphenygjsa1qNc2e-2ocoXlzMP9XekDigYOIrjZ44cA-X9dBU6VUjymrqR4dfJbfc_HZ-nSlLKXE-NJyD81L-woqUG3tEg3LYsl_6/s320/ChristmasTreeAndMantle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNa32Qcy58Yb4sz7b_bNZCPpku-XNGYG5Xr1Lbv6AuZ6gLgdCEu9HVV1mv5UTMtZ0_D3B0t8kCMA2koQNIbknrCpAktcXLYYZLU7xCZgYB8uroMB-4RvbdO1ZnHQP5HRbJ-3NZ4lBeryQ/s1600/ChristmasPresents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNa32Qcy58Yb4sz7b_bNZCPpku-XNGYG5Xr1Lbv6AuZ6gLgdCEu9HVV1mv5UTMtZ0_D3B0t8kCMA2koQNIbknrCpAktcXLYYZLU7xCZgYB8uroMB-4RvbdO1ZnHQP5HRbJ-3NZ4lBeryQ/s320/ChristmasPresents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpJ9jeaWizwICx55R-kvlfeP-vmW8SwmzVKGisWN-eSA2ZpmF6uPpeIEy4xE3DCujbzkbrd90S12Lkw7iilXRhARXegN1trF2L-9mhvv7hf8FmyJsrVrofbmV0aSYae8JK5bn4zBiHGGW/s1600/MerryChristmasJudah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpJ9jeaWizwICx55R-kvlfeP-vmW8SwmzVKGisWN-eSA2ZpmF6uPpeIEy4xE3DCujbzkbrd90S12Lkw7iilXRhARXegN1trF2L-9mhvv7hf8FmyJsrVrofbmV0aSYae8JK5bn4zBiHGGW/s320/MerryChristmasJudah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-8459423339701689032010-12-14T22:19:00.000-06:002010-12-14T22:22:03.207-06:00Finally ... real snow!I have lived in Wisconsin for 28 years. Many people automatically assume we have frigid temperatures and deep blankets of snow every winter.<br />
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Not so! In fact, I can only recall one memorable winter since moving here in 1982. I don't remember just which year it was, but I do remember that the streets of our small town were mere tunnels with snow well above the roofs of our cars. I remember that the boys at one house on Church Street had taken to skiing off their roof into the drifts. I imagine now that their mother couldn't have appreciated their bravery very much. At the time, I thought it sounded like an adventuresome thing to do.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3eSK2CuV-a31Eh6WZGVmtUUBZF6SejgC2NCVJdGAIp4Ny-tw6qscwydFRWwBOnLY8DoNwEpr7bZnQafntyYa1EBFPuhutaqcxm_Pw0YqFeUWcpNOghKoXOVPwBIJ_zvl14WveM8bnyLU/s1600/13Dec2010AfterTheBlizzard-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3eSK2CuV-a31Eh6WZGVmtUUBZF6SejgC2NCVJdGAIp4Ny-tw6qscwydFRWwBOnLY8DoNwEpr7bZnQafntyYa1EBFPuhutaqcxm_Pw0YqFeUWcpNOghKoXOVPwBIJ_zvl14WveM8bnyLU/s320/13Dec2010AfterTheBlizzard-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We have just experienced <a href="http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13657939">our first blizzard in years</a>. We already had 4 inches of snow on the ground and another 16 inches have joined it, with more in the forecast for tomorrow. The high winds that came at the end of the snow made for white-out conditions. It's all been <a href="http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/Dangerously_frigid_the_next_couple_of_mornings_111766789.html">followed by temperatures dipping as low as -29 degrees</a>. We are so thankful that our pipes have not frozen!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKz3tW0hVFY7dfL4o_k78yA6l4bk43YmYKaUfjZ3UPfEJFON25hU4bE_UZ1TNcXbgYyimMAFFjvifkTE0w1vgongx1BRX3-cuRmdxGPYtn_6saXix_qI7FVWrFZePAh-runF8dfmO8P2T/s1600/13Dec2010AfterTheBlizzard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKz3tW0hVFY7dfL4o_k78yA6l4bk43YmYKaUfjZ3UPfEJFON25hU4bE_UZ1TNcXbgYyimMAFFjvifkTE0w1vgongx1BRX3-cuRmdxGPYtn_6saXix_qI7FVWrFZePAh-runF8dfmO8P2T/s320/13Dec2010AfterTheBlizzard.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Our road out to Dad and Mom's house was well drifted in. We have been partially plowed out now, so we can get out in case of an emergency. After the next storm passes, we'll get it properly cleared.<br />
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With no ability to work outside other than to split wood, our thoughts are turning to plans for our little homestead.<br />
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We've been looking at heirloom seeds for our garden beds. We also need to seriously consider which breeds of chickens we want, how many and from which place we should order them.<br />
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Dairy goats, too, are on our minds. A friend in Texas may have some available to us, but the drive will make the purchase financially difficult.<br />
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What plans are you making as winter has set in?Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-43317496462543955852010-12-04T14:47:00.000-06:002010-12-04T14:47:05.052-06:00Red State, Blue State ...My friends know that I am active politically. Since the fall elections passed, I have refocused on pursuing our interest in homesteading now that we can actually live out what we learn.<br />
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As I have time, I am reading past posts on The Contrary Farmer blog. <a href="http://thecontraryfarmer.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/farming-is-cultural-as-well-as-agricultural/">A post from April of this year</a> discusses some of the political and philosophical differences between rural folks and city dwellers.<br />
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<i>"But there’s something else that I think is important in this regard. The fact that our country has become divided into so-called red and blue states is an outcome directly traceable to the urban-rural division of our society. This is something of a simplification, but food producers and their social allies tend to vote red and food consumers and their social allies tend to vote blue. The division is thought to be between conservative and liberal philosophies, but it much more reflects the difference between rural and urban values. (There are plenty of urban conservatives and rural liberals.)"</i><br />
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The folks in rural areas with a tendency toward conservative family values are often frustrated when redistricting includes an urban area in their district.<br />
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Our district has included two urban areas and several colleges. Our county voted strongly conservative, but the urban voters pushed us out of conservative representation and saddled us yet again with representatives who do not reflect our votes nor our values.<br />
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<a href="http://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/House/2010">This map</a> shows Congressional District results. We are in the blue section in Western Wisconsin.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-91808917433366370602010-12-02T22:44:00.000-06:002010-12-02T22:44:37.988-06:00Introducing Crockett ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wB4ZwVRFmUcwdCzdeirsRqyCc-7WshfZiSfIBskwE6J394q7t90uVX43nPzigammqyHghlTM0sWaV3V59C034tgvd4CM5EkUS7KLvVuPn5mM6a3-jxGq3dxR8zjos31ACmU9IzDxD4SY/s1600/Crockett-Injury-2-December-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>About a month ago, we visited the local pet store. The owner takes in rescue animals and mentioned she had an Airedale Terrier mix that would soon be available. She had taken him in because the previous owner couldn't care for him.<br />
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Unfortunately, she put the Airedale in with a Pit Bull puppy which attacked him and, among other injuries, nearly severed the Airedale's ear.<br />
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The thought of rescuing the rescued-then-injured Airedale tugged at our hearts. However, she said he was too badly injured to allow anyone to see him.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wB4ZwVRFmUcwdCzdeirsRqyCc-7WshfZiSfIBskwE6J394q7t90uVX43nPzigammqyHghlTM0sWaV3V59C034tgvd4CM5EkUS7KLvVuPn5mM6a3-jxGq3dxR8zjos31ACmU9IzDxD4SY/s1600/Crockett-Injury-2-December-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wB4ZwVRFmUcwdCzdeirsRqyCc-7WshfZiSfIBskwE6J394q7t90uVX43nPzigammqyHghlTM0sWaV3V59C034tgvd4CM5EkUS7KLvVuPn5mM6a3-jxGq3dxR8zjos31ACmU9IzDxD4SY/s320/Crockett-Injury-2-December-2010.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe6GijiiihmsMt14LRf2_kmlsAeI0iTN55jri0txI30ciGUMsBOr1DmgCMP-kku6hYsklhkTohsUBYW2TknDm_G_nLJwX0SAGsCWmd6tJ_CTwpyc0jUsmoldA8BPLV0LqUnzyfPVZUjAv/s1600/Crockett-FirstBath-December2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>My phone rang while I was out today. I almost ignored the call because I didn't recognize the number. It was the pet shop lady calling to say he was ready.<br />
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Mom and I agreed to come see him, banding together so we could keep level heads about it. One look at the grubby little fellow and our hearts were won. The nominal adoption fee covered his up-to-date vaccinations and treatment costs for his injuries.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe6GijiiihmsMt14LRf2_kmlsAeI0iTN55jri0txI30ciGUMsBOr1DmgCMP-kku6hYsklhkTohsUBYW2TknDm_G_nLJwX0SAGsCWmd6tJ_CTwpyc0jUsmoldA8BPLV0LqUnzyfPVZUjAv/s1600/Crockett-FirstBath-December2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe6GijiiihmsMt14LRf2_kmlsAeI0iTN55jri0txI30ciGUMsBOr1DmgCMP-kku6hYsklhkTohsUBYW2TknDm_G_nLJwX0SAGsCWmd6tJ_CTwpyc0jUsmoldA8BPLV0LqUnzyfPVZUjAv/s320/Crockett-FirstBath-December2010.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdh8nwPOjMpjUnGwUcsvknzmjW0xxMJt05Gx9l-Y8YuVWT3aEmII9qzI9dllivXWfCBWgKrXg87EuYMLLlsAb5XNE1a9A9pNl7QAvoUzrbi2Ew7SXKgtoa0sIXtKhXTUdXkhV1R-cpW98/s1600/Crockett-December-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Crockett is 3/4 Airedale Terrier and 1/4 Bouvier des Flanders. He is seven months old, but seems small considering his mix and age. It could be that his breed mix is incorrect or perhaps he was a runt or stunted by his injuries.<br />
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Regardless, he is adorable and he is ours.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdh8nwPOjMpjUnGwUcsvknzmjW0xxMJt05Gx9l-Y8YuVWT3aEmII9qzI9dllivXWfCBWgKrXg87EuYMLLlsAb5XNE1a9A9pNl7QAvoUzrbi2Ew7SXKgtoa0sIXtKhXTUdXkhV1R-cpW98/s1600/Crockett-December-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdh8nwPOjMpjUnGwUcsvknzmjW0xxMJt05Gx9l-Y8YuVWT3aEmII9qzI9dllivXWfCBWgKrXg87EuYMLLlsAb5XNE1a9A9pNl7QAvoUzrbi2Ew7SXKgtoa0sIXtKhXTUdXkhV1R-cpW98/s320/Crockett-December-2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-38289248863585615442010-11-30T18:27:00.000-06:002010-12-01T00:11:30.764-06:00An interesting blog post ...Earlier this evening, I came upon a blog called <a href="http://thecontraryfarmer.wordpress.com/">The Contrary Farmer</a>. I read and enjoyed the three most recent posts.<br />
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From <a href="http://thecontraryfarmer.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/abandoned/#more-4215">the post entitled "Abandoned"</a>: <i>"In case I sound overly-romantic or sentimental, what I remember best about our farmstead was that even when my mother was heavy with child and carrying a heavy bucket of water from the windmill pump to the chicken coop, she was singing. I see Dad hurry to her and, scolding gently, take the bucket from her. She had a hard life in some ways, so, I ask, why was she always singing?"</i><br />
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His statement on finances was equally interesting to me. <i>"The only way to starve out such a self-sufficient homestead was by way of paper money and usury which in one guise or another is often what happened."</i><br />
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I plan to do more reading there. I might also look up his book called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603580778?ie=UTF8&tag=genestreeh-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1603580778">Small-Scale Grain Raising</a>".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrABYeDYhBkLkn92QcbG12Y3J7xlGB9g2N1mofxCKPPXLstCV2oA-y2eZ9Kq34eJIRbYHq4xXFKLoqeIx2pT2swusE22cs6FeolSZyTwSYbMTxsOZiwLzGalnUZXtSLHwNmDpKE00P8Xy/s1600/small-scale-grain-raising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrABYeDYhBkLkn92QcbG12Y3J7xlGB9g2N1mofxCKPPXLstCV2oA-y2eZ9Kq34eJIRbYHq4xXFKLoqeIx2pT2swusE22cs6FeolSZyTwSYbMTxsOZiwLzGalnUZXtSLHwNmDpKE00P8Xy/s1600/small-scale-grain-raising.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-11322151629605619582010-11-27T23:42:00.000-06:002011-02-01T16:38:49.484-06:00How to make fire starters ...We finally found the time yesterday to make fire starters.<br />
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Normally we use dryer lint, which works very well. When we lack old candle stubs, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KXRLQ?ie=UTF8&tag=genestreeh-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KXRLQ">Gulf Wax</a> works well and is very cheap.<br />
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This time, however, I had a number of old scented candles in various sizes. We also decided to try <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/wood-shavings-5027706">pine wood shavings</a> in place of the dryer lint.<br />
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Dad keeps his fire starters in an old aluminum pot, which doubles as our wax melting pot. The process of melting the wax would have gone more quickly if we had chunked up the old candles first.<br />
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I had two candles still in the jars, so we softened them by putting them in a pan of hot water. We put a rack underneath to prevent breaking the jars.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_xGrSA65zCtnOhHQBXOYbtcAFn7C6JXtk9XX95UQ0x3eFSZYEXDuiZ06iqvtoh-lZrxxAOXna2dIvN97d6dL5qpNRI85KUWhVim0arfIvZp-O6zoNij0PATEIQe-lw9Vvf8_AMOTMDGc/s1600/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCWCcysNJzgXp2WwipVwOIatCYjaniFpDg9kY1yghImipedYxTlbUyPEUXPELX0wRWNl8JOEIyyw-YLJKJ5BsAtsAjck4_hVghC0pFIP2EGUqVycN1jruYGQor_VqXfmkCzCd19vdJHMw/s1600/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCWCcysNJzgXp2WwipVwOIatCYjaniFpDg9kY1yghImipedYxTlbUyPEUXPELX0wRWNl8JOEIyyw-YLJKJ5BsAtsAjck4_hVghC0pFIP2EGUqVycN1jruYGQor_VqXfmkCzCd19vdJHMw/s320/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_xGrSA65zCtnOhHQBXOYbtcAFn7C6JXtk9XX95UQ0x3eFSZYEXDuiZ06iqvtoh-lZrxxAOXna2dIvN97d6dL5qpNRI85KUWhVim0arfIvZp-O6zoNij0PATEIQe-lw9Vvf8_AMOTMDGc/s1600/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>A nearby nursing home saves all of their cardboard egg cartons for us to recycle as fire starters. We plan to raise chickens next year, and will set aside the cleanest cartons at that time for our eggs.<br />
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We filled each carton with pine shavings. We found that they worked best when the shavings were contained in each cup and not mounded over.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4lu16t93XcMLlSUyxPT3PfROKlzgdPOdQ2UdS7PhTAKyL1QVvRuSwM8I80pPaOB7G4GWtL15AOjyeFjjt6sZQBdaCHcsKqmQEl8tf82iT8XCdf4_pwWc5G-Xm4tgigII47bnkbH43yug/s1600/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4lu16t93XcMLlSUyxPT3PfROKlzgdPOdQ2UdS7PhTAKyL1QVvRuSwM8I80pPaOB7G4GWtL15AOjyeFjjt6sZQBdaCHcsKqmQEl8tf82iT8XCdf4_pwWc5G-Xm4tgigII47bnkbH43yug/s320/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We stirred the wax gently to prevent splatters. An old spoon found among the camping utensils served for stirring and for ladling out portions.<br />
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We found that hotter wax provided better saturation and a more cohesive fire starter. Just be careful as it tends to have a boiling action when it is poured into the cups.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCWCcysNJzgXp2WwipVwOIatCYjaniFpDg9kY1yghImipedYxTlbUyPEUXPELX0wRWNl8JOEIyyw-YLJKJ5BsAtsAjck4_hVghC0pFIP2EGUqVycN1jruYGQor_VqXfmkCzCd19vdJHMw/s1600/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_xGrSA65zCtnOhHQBXOYbtcAFn7C6JXtk9XX95UQ0x3eFSZYEXDuiZ06iqvtoh-lZrxxAOXna2dIvN97d6dL5qpNRI85KUWhVim0arfIvZp-O6zoNij0PATEIQe-lw9Vvf8_AMOTMDGc/s1600/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_xGrSA65zCtnOhHQBXOYbtcAFn7C6JXtk9XX95UQ0x3eFSZYEXDuiZ06iqvtoh-lZrxxAOXna2dIvN97d6dL5qpNRI85KUWhVim0arfIvZp-O6zoNij0PATEIQe-lw9Vvf8_AMOTMDGc/s320/How-To-Make-Fire-Starters-Set3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I had trouble getting a fire going today after a busy morning kept me from tending it. Placing a fire starter under a log that is supported by a couple of small kindling rounds will provide a flame lasting 10 to 15 minutes with plenty of air flow. That is usually enough time for the fire to catch.<br />
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The fire starters reside in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZKYjoLup75nEZMMyjtzme9QfxLuVNPzbpJqb_si8Uxnoqljrr4Ag6cz86Vz9cmX4s0XyCiwDJl9XvQffPkpn18jp0PDyVC-9LF8DG04JDn6j-hJUump6dtXnDS26THu-lCuGefqJC0DG/s320/NewWoodStove.jpg">my old cast iron dutch oven on the hearth</a>.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-52890677550140182202010-11-23T21:20:00.000-06:002010-11-23T21:23:56.886-06:00Frozen pipes!What a start to our day! The first true cold snap of the season froze up our pressure pump works.<br />
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We dismantled the pressure switch and thawed the pieces in front of the wood stove. Since we had it apart anyway, we replaced the pressure switch and pressure gauge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipYJCMmiAV02otQGgwxE2VquifFidhqlDDHeUnGeMB2wCO_x4ZFprQyyO-QQM4Ui-c2RTD4ZvWAIsmFXh0_LPJf5ozaBMMAfHDOA0HQAdVRuHX32lrUmx5Bpj8XQalM9EzrYwENVL2Pap/s1600/Pressure-Pump-Parts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipYJCMmiAV02otQGgwxE2VquifFidhqlDDHeUnGeMB2wCO_x4ZFprQyyO-QQM4Ui-c2RTD4ZvWAIsmFXh0_LPJf5ozaBMMAfHDOA0HQAdVRuHX32lrUmx5Bpj8XQalM9EzrYwENVL2Pap/s320/Pressure-Pump-Parts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We then discovered that the pipes at the back of the house were frozen. We put a heater underneath and after a couple of hours, the water was flowing freely once again.<br />
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In the meantime, Kenny and Dad went to town to buy insulation. They came back with R-19 faced Certainteed. We are hoping it will be sufficient to keep the pipes from freezing again.<br />
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Dad and I went under the trailer to put up the insulation. We didn't finish until 5:30 when it was completely dark.<br />
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We also put up temporary insulation in the pump house to prevent further freezing there. Within a couple of days, we'll need to properly insulate it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzHOt4eN5A38koJQ20rXLKXpnitS-gtsGDC0DPKIcg1CX0cnZ712kkmRRmIvMEknOH4N2sA3eJw1aYCRyCHu34zvGupbXGumwb-nFrMmKdQmm0j8HwYGN9xTNT8J5YmwQD3_1gWMzl0w8/s1600/Down-In-The-Pumphouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzHOt4eN5A38koJQ20rXLKXpnitS-gtsGDC0DPKIcg1CX0cnZ712kkmRRmIvMEknOH4N2sA3eJw1aYCRyCHu34zvGupbXGumwb-nFrMmKdQmm0j8HwYGN9xTNT8J5YmwQD3_1gWMzl0w8/s320/Down-In-The-Pumphouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The Big Dipper was beautiful tonight. A Barred Owl called from one part of the homestead while another owl, possibly a Great Horned, hooted from another direction. I tried to photograph the halo around the moon, but just couldn't get the settings correct.<br />
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I intended to make fire starters today, but I'm flatly too worn out.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-23190164339911797902010-11-20T23:46:00.000-06:002010-11-20T23:47:57.460-06:00The Charge of the Light Brigade ..."Cannon to right of them,<br />
Cannon to left of them,<br />
Cannon behind them<br />
Volley'd and thunder'd;"*<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmk0tLOa4zS0lntV1lkwPYiJ2P9Zb7RsDzei1i_5pZpueLcHt_JdHQqv2bKaFThOf85KAgxY-WV4rem8pYbTHOdrReysX1aWAVc033FPS46RDc6znorzWvf_Gbxrq4WYlHgXLWlDDJD4l/s1600/Noah-Makes-Lincoln-Log-Cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmk0tLOa4zS0lntV1lkwPYiJ2P9Zb7RsDzei1i_5pZpueLcHt_JdHQqv2bKaFThOf85KAgxY-WV4rem8pYbTHOdrReysX1aWAVc033FPS46RDc6znorzWvf_Gbxrq4WYlHgXLWlDDJD4l/s320/Noah-Makes-Lincoln-Log-Cannon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Little boys can build a million things out of Lincoln Logs.<br />
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Noah's latest creation was a bevy of cannon.<br />
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<i>*"The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson</i><br />
<a href="http://www.nationalcenter.org/ChargeoftheLightBrigade.html">http://www.nationalcenter.org/ChargeoftheLightBrigade.html</a>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-82781236218097157362010-11-20T00:54:00.000-06:002010-11-20T00:56:57.082-06:00Out with the old ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6TPKN8cy-RRyuWq5YwYhluYrbIgeuHwjlN2DmCIhKiDPNSg9GcAcI8PBY3DSlZzXGKSst8CEXtVLJe9sovdJP_hRF2Xm_TX_rDCYQet9NRmpsDsEuJNVow5euWldphXEmOPH0o9q0SmU/s1600/OldWoodStove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>... and in with the new!<br />
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When we purchased our home, one of the features that I liked the most was the old cast iron <a href="http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/wiki/EarthStove_100/">Earth Stove</a> in the living room. It has a large fire box and heats well.<br />
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The problem is that it heats too well. It didn't fit in the hearth area, nor did it meet proper clearances. The mantle would become dangerously hot whenever we got a decent fire going.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6TPKN8cy-RRyuWq5YwYhluYrbIgeuHwjlN2DmCIhKiDPNSg9GcAcI8PBY3DSlZzXGKSst8CEXtVLJe9sovdJP_hRF2Xm_TX_rDCYQet9NRmpsDsEuJNVow5euWldphXEmOPH0o9q0SmU/s1600/OldWoodStove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6TPKN8cy-RRyuWq5YwYhluYrbIgeuHwjlN2DmCIhKiDPNSg9GcAcI8PBY3DSlZzXGKSst8CEXtVLJe9sovdJP_hRF2Xm_TX_rDCYQet9NRmpsDsEuJNVow5euWldphXEmOPH0o9q0SmU/s320/OldWoodStove.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
One of our first priorities was to replace the stove with one that was safer and more efficient. A nice bonus would be the ability to see the fire in the stove for that perfect, cozy feeling.<br />
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We finally settled on a <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/united-states-stove-co-2000-pedestal-wood-stove-heater-1098917">US Stove Country Hearth 2000</a>. It met our budget and is rated to heat a larger space than we have. We got the bonus of a viewing window, too!<br />
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</div>We bought a few items to round out the purchase. I wanted a <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/home-improvement/heating/fireplace-accessories/hearth-rug-assortment-22-in-x-40-in-assortment-1132347">hearth rug</a> to keep the carpet clean and safe from sparks. We knew we wanted a <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/open-hearth-trade-3-panel-star-fireplace-screen-1120065">fireplace screen</a> to keep the little ones from getting too near the stove and were happy to find one with a star to match the patriotic decor in our living room. Dad gifted us with a new cast iron hearth tool set. An old cast iron dutch oven holds our homemade fire starters.<br />
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We are warm and toasty this evening. We only lack mugs of hot cocoa, which I believe we will remedy tomorrow night.<br />
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</div>Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-88430703085983456332010-11-18T20:37:00.000-06:002010-11-18T20:44:24.754-06:00Happy birthday, Daddy!Today my father turned 65 years old. We've all been so busy getting our place ready for winter that no thought has been given to planning a celebration.<br />
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Two days ago, we spotted a turkey flying up to roost in one of our tall pine trees. Dad had a turkey permit he had been unable to fill.<br />
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We called him and he walked back to our place, shotgun in the crook of his arm, and successfully harvested the first wild meat on our homestead. The children were enthralled with the scene and Grandpa became the hero of the day.<br />
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A trip to <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/">Tractor Supply</a> provided us with inspiration in the gift department. Dad is now the proud owner of <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/hand-tools/wrenches/jobsmart-reg-dog-bone-wrench-set-1117931">a dog bone wrench</a> and a <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?storeId=10551&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&pageSize=20&beginIndex=0&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&error1=&ip_text=Schmidt&ip_textHH=Schmidt&ip_requestUri=ProductDisplay&ip_categoryId=&ip_mode=&ip_perPage=20">Schmidt red-and-black checked flannel shirt</a>.<br />
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Mom took Dad out for the evening, but when they return we'll go to their house for a little party. Cake? Yes! Ice cream? Absolutely! Hugs and hilarity? Always.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6775360929412780232.post-1845495596494919522010-11-18T00:26:00.000-06:002010-11-18T00:26:22.351-06:00The big move is behind us ...Our move is behind us and we are settled into our new home. It seems we were just in time as Fall is disappearing and the nip of Winter is in the air.<br />
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The children have enjoyed time out-of-doors, free to roam and play in a way we could never allow when we lived in town.<br />
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With Grandma and Grandpa living just down the drive from us, the children are able to walk over to visit or help out with necessary tasks. They have been enlisted to groom the dog, carry wood, rake grass clippings and so on.<br />
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This fulfills one of our great desires in making this move: that we are able to help my parents as much as and as often as they need us to do so.Our Cedar Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643998281368181415noreply@blogger.com0