Algae Pond Water

Algae ha taken over the fish pond. We have a sufficient pump and keep the filter cleaned almost daily. I've tried barely bales and they seemed to work earlier in the season, but once the weather got hot the algae got so thick it looked like pea soup. About three times a week, I remove as much as 30 gallons of green slimy water and refill with hose water. I pour the pond water around our flowers (but not our vegetables) to keep them alive. Nashville has not had sufficient rain in about a month and since the rain barrels are dry, I'm have to use the hose and city water (yuck) to keep the veggies growing.

Any suggestions on how to overcome this problem? I don't want to use chemicals to kill the algae because our dog sneaks a drink from the pond when my back is turned.

Eating Vegetarian

I've been eating a plant-based diet for six weeks. Why? Because I felt like crap and had to make a change to keep from being taken out with the garbage.

Processed foods are high in sugar and wheat flour. I have to avoid them or take them in limited amounts because according to my lab work, my body has decided not to process sugar. I thought chocolate was good for me! Ha! Meat is high in trans fats, cholesterol, contaminates, and acidity. Not good for anyone.

This means I am now vegetarian (almost vegan) and practically gluten free. I would be vegan if there was a health food store near where I live. Soy cheese, yogurt, sour cream, coffee creamer are hard if not impossible to find in a traditional grocery store.

My entire kitchen cabinet and refrigerator are in shock! One, because of the change in the groceries I bring home: quinoa, chia seed, millet, amaranth, teff, and other whole grains very high in nutrients--even protein. Lots of green veggies, soy products, legumes, and strange things like buckwheat flour, polenta, and almond meal. And, two, because I'm in there cooking—something I had not done since I learned that my husband would do it for me. :)

At home, my new eating regime is not a problem. In fact, I now love cooking because it’s creative like art! And, I'm never hungry because the foods are so nutritious, I stay full. Besides, I can always have a snack such as an ice pop make from the remainder of my morning smoothie!

If we go out to dinner, it requires going to extra lengths to find a restaurant that offers a nutritious menu. If I’m at someone's house and can’t eat what they prepare, I hope they will not take offense. Going on vacation in May will require some extra planning but with a positive attitude I can manage.

I think I'll share some of the new recipes I've been making. Every day is a new experience and I love it!

Asparagus sautéed in garlic oil, tomato topped with fresh parsley and feta cheese, purple cabbage slaw, and grain mix of quinoa, amaranth, and millet.

Spaghetti with marinara sauce and pinto beans, tomato topped with feta and quinoa, spinach with artichoke salad, corn fritters with quinoa, chia, and amaranth!

Spring Beauty Abounds

My irises are blooming beautifully. I have loved the iris since I was a child and saw it growing in my grandmother's garden. Here are some in my garden this year.

Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening

This year we decided to fore-go the straw bale garden and put in something more permanent. Raised beds was our choice. Once we get them built and the dirt purchased, the major expense will be out of the way and these can be reused year after year. We plan to save our seeds so we won't have to purchase them again next year. In fact, much of what we will plant in April (when we can count on the weather to stay warm) will be the seeds we harvested from last year's crop.

So far, we have planted lettuce, spinach, turnip, mustard, and mesculun (mixed baby greens for salads). We plan to create a second box like this one and put it on the left behind where Randy is standing. There will be a mulched path between them so we can access all sides of the garden boxes.

LATER: April 4, 2012 progress

A Fairy Nice Resort

I got this idea from someone on Pinterest and had to make my own. I had a clay flower pot that was cracked so I tapped it with a hammer and chisel to create a larger surface for fairy "real estate." The glass "rocks" came from Dollar Tree store. Since it is early in the spring season, Home Depot had a limited choice of outdoor plants. I got a pansy to drape over the front of the cracked pot, a strawberry to trail off the back, hens and chicks for shrubbery, and aloe plants for trees. By the way, these are all safe if ingested, which is a great thing since my grandsons will probably find this creation irresistible.

Here it is from the side view.I brought it inside because the overnight temperatures are still in the 50s. The aloe plant would appreciate a warmer climate so I'll have to move it in each night until the weather stays warm at night. I don't mind; I get to see it more often! And, it makes a nice centerpiece for the dining table.

St. Patrick's Day Crochet Project

Here are some of the items I crocheted as gifts for St. Patrick's Day. These can be used to sit hot pans on and they look nice as a decorative mat underneath a candle or other centerpiece.

The smaller Shamrock in the middle is detachable

You can add candy, tea bags, or other goodies and draw the string to close the shamrock like a bag.

Trivets or doilies

Deck and Pergola

In 2008, my husband and I tore off the old dilapidated wooden deck of our house. We expanded it and put an open rafter roof on it. Here are a few photos of the process and final product.

Old deck and rails

Tearing out the old decking

Pouring footings

Setting the upright structure

Rafters in place

Lattice "roof"

Floor joists going in

Laying the deck floor

Steps are done

Completed project from the backyard

Ready for relaxing

Remodeling the Bathroom

My husband and I enjoy taking on remodeling projects around the house. Several of them have turned out quite well. We have saved a lot of money doing things ourselves rather than hiring it done. Here are a few photos of the remodeling of our guest bathroom.

Stripping off the old wallpaper, which had been painted twice.

Patched and primed walls

Wallpaper is up

The final product

Valentine's Project for Children

I enjoy arts and crafts and so do my grandchildren. Therefore, I like to do an art activity whenever we are together. Each Tuesday I have the privilege of caring for one of my grandsons while his parents are at work.This week we created Valentines for his mommie, daddy, grandparents on both sides of the family. No, they are not perfect, but that's what makes them so special. While I did help with creating the background from heart-shaped doilies and construction paper, my grandson added stickers and colored them with markers, the best part is they have his authentic child's touch.

Crocheted Valentine's Heart Gifts

I've been such a busy bee with a crochet hook for the past weeks, I haven't even played Words with Friends. I didn't photograph the hot pan trivets I made for my daughters, or the dragon puppet for Lochy, or the purse for Keilie, or the tooth fairy bag for Mac, but here are a few of the items I made for Valentine's gifts for my kids and grand-kids.

This case keeps the phone from being scratched while in your purse.

These are actually two hearts attached with a woven string. They can be filled with candy, but I'm choosing a more healthy option and inserting individually wrapped tea bags for the adults and a bag of dried fruit for my grandsons.

Fabric Covered Storage Boxes

Here's how to turn a cardboard box into a serviceable work of art.

For Christmas this year, I gave my grandson (almost 11 years old) a bookshelf to help him sort and organize his thousands of pieces of Legos, DVDs, video games and devices, toys, and other items. I'm hoping he stays out of trouble about keeping his room clean this coming year.

To keep the storage bins from being plain and boring, I covered some cardboard boxes with fabric. I wasn't sure how well he was going to like it but he actually showed quite a bit of interest and asked for more boxes for his closet. I made these larger ones from the boxes my coffee maker came in.

Bean Bag Compresses

A few years ago, I made a bean bag compress for my grandmother to help soothe her aches and pains and warm her up on a cold day.  When I visited her over the holidays, I noticed she is still using the bag but it has seen better days. When I got home, I made her a new one. And while I was at it, I made myself one.

The process is easy. All you need is:

Two 12-inch squares of sturdy fabric
2 pounds of dry beans
1 pound of dry rice
2 Tbsp of herbs such as thyme, mint, cloves, lavender, etc. (you can substitute 25 drops of essential oil)

With right sides together, stitch three sides of the square to form a pocket. Turn right side out. Mix the beans, rice, and herbs in a large bowl. Scoop the mixture into the bag and sew the fourth side shut. Heat the bag in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes and use to bring comfort to the body. The herbs make a lovely fragrance!

Cooking with Family

One of my fondest memories about my childhood is the time I spent in the kitchen with my mom and grandmother (now age 95). As a young mom, my daughter was also a member of the kitchen staff both at home and at her grandmother's and great-grandmother's. It thrills me that this tradition is continuing in my daughter's kitchen now that she is a mom. I was invited over for a kitchen craft day with her and her son this week. Here are some of the things we made: I especially love the gingerbread sock monkey my daughter made.

Here's the little apprentice chef busy at work:




This is the gingerbread the house we made. Hansel is alone with the witch now since the smallest chef ate Gretel.

Since this is my second year to participate in this marathon cook off, it is now an annual event that I enjoy immensely and look forward to each holiday season.

Fingerless Gloves

These are for accident-prone people who have no fingers. Not really. They are for those who need to text or use their phone on cold days. The phone doesn't "feel" the cloth of a glove, so best use your ungloved fingers for that.

They also come in handy for wearing indoors like I do when I'm typing.

Holiday Gift-giving Ideas

Instead of buying stuff for folks on your holiday list this year, why not think outside the gift-wrapped shirt box and make something for them? Most people enjoy getting a handmade item from someone. It shows that someone took the time to actually sit down and think of you. The energy and love of the creative person is in that object.

Okay, so you aren't very crafty (although there are plenty of ideas on this blog). Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. My daughter-in-law had a party last weekend and invited guests to come see (and purchase) her exquisite hand-made jewelry. You could try some of these unique ideas:

• Everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
• Gym membership? It's appropriate for those who are thinking about some health improvement.
• Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
• If you are in Nashville, give a certificate to Wheel Fix It Mobile Vehicle Maintenance and Repair 615-496-2544.
• Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of spending hundreds of dollars on a foreign-made electronic device? Perhaps that gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
• There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants—all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
• How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
• Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
• Could someone's computer could use a tune-up? Find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
• Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
• Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Seven More Crocheted Hats This Year

My grandkids requested three of these hats.

You know me—I can't stop once I get on a roll—so I made a Buzz Lightyear hat for another one of my four 2-year-old grandsons and an Iron Giant for another 2-year-old grandson.

Then, my 10-year-old grandson, who originally said he didn't want a hat this year, decided he would like to grow a beard—thus, the sixth hat.

Then, while I was in South Carolina over the Thanksgiving holidays, another 2-year-old grandson needed a Lightning McQueen hat.

Seven hats and counting. I've gotten two more requests from people who have seen my grand-kids wearing these. You want one? Let me know.

Making Stevia Syrup

I didn't get a huge crop of stevia from the plant I managed to kill at the end of summer, but obviously it doesn't take a lot of stevia to do a lot of sweetening.

Rather than putting the leaves in my tea, I decided to make a syrup using vodka and water. Here's the recipe I used:

• 1 teaspoon of dried stevia leaves
• 4 ounces of vodka (the cheap stuff will do)
• 8 ounces of water (used to dilute the syrup after infusion) 

Add stevia to the alcohol and let it sit overnight. Test for sweetness within 24 hours. If you want it sweeter, let it sit another 12 hours, but not much longer or the stevia will have an aftertaste that I personally don't care for.

Strain the vodka through cheesecloth (I use double netting like the kind grandmothers use to make tutus for their granddaughters).

Add pure water to the strained mixture and pour into dark bottles. Store in refrigerator for up to three months.

Recycling Candles

Save your old, used candles to make new ones. I collect the scraps until I get enough to make this project worth while because it can be very messy.

I use a coffee cup warmer to melt the wax at a low temperature, but you can use a double boiler. My method takes all day, but it doesn't need much tending to, which means I can go about my day and not be confined to the project. I work from home. Use your brain; and don't leave this unattended all day while you are not home.

Stir every few hours to ensure even melting. I admit I like to play in the wax and stir it about ten times an hour and make a huge mess on the counter top. I've learned to tape thick layers of newspaper to the counter to make clean up easier.

I purchase non-smoking wicks online and set them into the jar after the wax melts. That way, I don't have to pour the hot liquid.

For more information about making candles at home, download my free PDF with instructions
http://writersinthesky.com/pdf/Essay-Candlemaking.pdf

Making Echinacea Oil at Home

Echinacea is well known for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Recommended to reduce symptoms of scratchy or sore throat, lymph node inflammation, stomach cramps, and urinary tract infections, as well as lessen the symptoms and duration at the onset of a cold or the flu.

Taken in a tea up to 6 times per day, or as an oil at one drop every 2-3 hours or so. The oil can also be used for treatment of insect bites, burns, skin ulcers, herpes sores, cold sores, and yeast infections in women.

Seeing how this stuff is good for just about whatever ails you, I used the leaves of the echinacea purpurea (coneflower) that I grew in my garden this year, to make an oil infusion. In this photo the leaves are in a net bag, which makes straining unnecessary.