tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55803428912365390172024-03-14T01:59:08.775-04:00SunflowerFarmsSunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-19075065378315438612022-08-06T16:25:00.001-04:002022-08-06T16:25:45.787-04:00Its hot.... Its humid..... Welcome to Florida!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Its been a while since I posted last. Not much has changed yet much has changed here. When I wrote last we were living in our camper in a tiny RV campground in the city. It wasn't alot of fun but we got through it. We closed on our house, finally. I love my home so much. I love the park it sits in....now. I love the great neighbors we have..... But it didn't start out that way!!<div> When we moved here our "park" was not very aesthetically pleasing you could could say. It was really a mess. It had been let go for many years, the lots mostly unkept overgrown and sad. When we came in all I could think of wad....."what have we done?" The plus side....we are very close to the gulf, the sunsets are amazing and the gulf breezes are wonderful.<span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"> </span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"> What a HUGE difference a year and some new managers have made. More than a few times we have talked of selling and getting out of here . We actually did put our house up for sale but the look of the park really put people off. Its now a very pretty sweet little park all cleaned up and a very nice place to be. </span></div><div> We have added a lot of improvements and elbow grease to our little home and shined it up rather nicely. I now have a pleasant little patio worthy of long sitting spells enjoying a sunrise, a beautiful garden filled with beautiful flowers and plants and intoxicating fragrances morning and evening. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"> I am still knitting......its what I do! In this warm weather the most I seem to be able to do is dish cloths.....lots of dish cloths. I've begun to get bored with them so I am leaning toward a new adventure. </span><br></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></span></div><div> I am thinking of learning to quilt. I love quilts. I spend hours lookig online at hundreds of them and admiring the colors and patterns... I have 3 sewing machines sitting waiting for a job. So I think that will be my fall and winter hobby this year. </div><div> I still have my poodle girl. Can't believe she is 4 already! I have a new little buddy who keeps me always moving. He's such a stinker. This is Bodhi Jack. He is 4 months old and a crazy little guy. He is a Mini Aussie Shepherd. He is something and I hopefully can train him to be a good boy. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div> I am still baking. I love to bake and try new things. My neighbors also love for me to crank up the oven and bake....as I share with them. I am pretty famous around the park for my peanut butter cookies and biscuits!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div> So.... Thats whats been happening here in sunny Florida. Well I think that's about all for right now. I promise to be much more diligent about writing here since I now have a beautiful new computer and great internet! </div><div> See you soon... Promise!!<br><div> </div></div>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-54203176859440717922021-05-08T11:54:00.001-04:002021-05-08T11:54:46.094-04:00These Endless Blue Skies. As many mornings as I have woken here in Florida I never tire of seeing the gorgeous sunrises..... or sunsets for that matter. They each in their own beauty takes my breath away even from a camper window..<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div> Today started out magnificently as ever. It was cool for a Florida morning in May. Cool enough for a sweatshirt to take the dogs out this morning. Never thought I would say sweatshirt and May in the same sentence in Florida. It was refreshing, and a great night sleep was gauranteed last night as the temps dipped into the mid 50's..... in Florida.... in May. Who knew, but we are very blessed.</div><div> Just as beautiful as the mornings, the evening sunsets don't disappoint and are truly amazing in their own right! I mean... who wouldn't want to be sitting and just relaxing watching this happen? I never want to miss a spectacular end of my day like this... ever.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>We are in a holding pattern waiting to close on our home here and the days do tend to run together. They can be very long and very boring. Sometimes it is difficult to get through them so I do the best I can to keep busy. There really is nothing to do here in this tiny little RV park we are in. The wifi is horrible and never works, there are no amenities unless you count a laundry and shower house. So life is very dull most days.</div><div> The heat this past week has been really unusually warm and very humid. Not weather you want to be out in to walk the dog or take a noontime stroll. The nights sometimes have cooled down enough to turn off the air and open windows so that helps a little for this non-camper loving person.</div><div> One of the things I have been doing is picking up my knitting to break the boredom. I have manged to do a few of these and take my mind off things plus I will have a few new things for a new home. A small win for me as I love knitting, knitting dish cloths and I love using these little beauties for lots more than just dishes. </div><div> They really do have a plethora of uses and they never wear out. They last many times longer than store bought and they are very inexpensive to make. You can find hundreds of free patterns on the internet for the too!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div> Well that's pretty much concludes my tales from a camper for today. I've learned to bake, cook and keep my self somewhat entertained here in my little 28 foot world. Until we meet again.... Be blessed, take care and be kind to everyone. Trudy</div><div><br></div>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-80565560846061310172021-05-04T12:33:00.001-04:002021-05-04T12:48:30.287-04:00Adventures in Camper living... Let's just say I am not a huge fan of camper living. I have always been a girl scout - in the forest-tent sleeping - cooking everything over a campfire- kinda girl. I have never been one to want to go live in a camper. Ever.....<div> Perhaps it never just the right kinda camper. I have seen many but all with mini everythings inside them. Unless you are in one of those -mansion size buses- tiny houses on wheels. </div><div> Perhaps it's my claustrophobic nature. Perhaps it is the iddy biddy stove and fridge that hold very little. I mean seriously, I can't imagine cooking a dinner of great quality in these iddy bidddy size of a matchbox ovens. I just haven't been a big fan. </div><div> Today I looked over on my table and saw 2 very over ripe bananas. Unfortunately I knew I had to take action. I hate to throw out bananas because I absolutely love them but..... that would mean trying to use that teeny tiny - my microwave is bigger than that- oven. What to do? </div><div> So off I go, let's do an experiment I suppose. Was I crazy to think this.... to even consider trying to bake in an oven I didn't even know how light? Probably but what could possibly go wrong? Worst case scenario I would just have to toss the end result and chalk it up to experience.</div><div> Well I mixed it, put it in a pan that I generously greased and looked at that oven that i hoped was heated to the right temperature. There is no oven light to let you know you are at temp. In to the oven it went while I hoped, said a little prayer and tried to occupy my time for an hour. </div><div> I peeked into that oven an hour later and pulled one out, tested it and amazingly enough it was done!!!! It looked absolutely beautiful, golden brown and smelled glorious!! I took out the 2nd loaf and it was just as gorgeous. I am simply amazed I would never thought it could be done!!!! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div> There is hope. Perhaps I may be convinced just a wee bit that camper living might not be quite so bad if indeed I can produce some semblance of normalcy such as a loaf of Banana Bread!!! I must admit I can't do this over a campfire. Perhaps it might be okay. I must admit my curiosity is peaking..... what might I try to bake next in this oven??? Stay tuned . I think I will make a cup of tea, have a slice it two of bread and mull it over. Be blessed.... Trudy</div>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-80158415756979362742021-05-03T11:18:00.001-04:002021-05-03T20:26:58.759-04:00We have come back ...... Home. <div class="entry-content"><p> Well it’s been a bit, a long road traveled, but we have finally made it back home.</p><p> We left Michigan almost 2 weeks ago with a full camper and 2 puppies in tow. We are looking to find the perfect place to land. We are trusting God to lead us where He wants us to be and where we can be of use for his purpose.</p><p> It seems so much longer than that already but no. We had moved back there 18 months ago trying to make a home and trying to regather our family together. Don’t get me wrong, I love Michigan I do. I was born and raised there. I lived over 50 years there. My brothers are there, and daughter and granddaughters too. We tried to make it feel like home. We bought a really nice old farmhouse in a big city to try to make it feel like home, but it just didn’t feel like home to us.</p><p> Maybe it was the being too far from the kids. Maybe it was being separated by distance from my brothers and family. Distance not just in miles but relationship. I love my brothers so much. They are one of the reasons I wanted to move back to Michigan. I had hoped to build a relationship with them again, but sadly I feel like I just didnt. I feel like I failed and I still feel the distance between us.</p><p>Life sometimes has a way of twisting and turning our lives that sometimes fractures our relationship with family. I am sure the fractures are mostly my fault and it is burden I will carry everyday. I feel guilty, I’ve offered apologies and I’ve asked forgiveness. I feel I can do no more but the guilt still lies in my heart.</p><p> We tried to make Michigan home again with family, with a different home for us. I loved the home we choose. It was beautiful, welcoming and comfortable. It was just in a wrong area, a much too big city for us. It was much too far from family. We felt like we had been living all alone there in this big busy city. Perhaps we had been away from family too long to remember what being with family felt like. I feel I wasn’t nearly as happy as I thought I would be in Michigan. </p><p> I tried for 18 months to convince myself that I could indeed be joyfully happy there but my lack of happy drove me deeper into a depressing anxiety filled funk. I had been fooling myself I guess thinking all would be bliss if we just moved back.</p><p> So here we are again, in what now does feel like home. We are back in Florida. We lived here for 7 years the first time. This is where my dearest friends are. This is where a deep raw personal tragedy struck and I lost my relationship and faith with God for a while when it happened. I was very angry with God. I went into a deep dark place for almost 6 months. I turned my back on everyone and everything that I loved. There were days when I just wanted to not be there anymore. I wanted to not be in life anymore. I wanted to give up, to finish it but something wouldn't let me go. I know now and I indeed found out that God truly loves His children and it hurts Him to see us hurting. I know now He won't let go of us because we are His, because He loves us so much.</p><p> This place is where God never gave up on me. This place, with the help of 2 very dear friends is where I found my faith again, where God saved me again. They helped me to find my place, my purpose, my church home, my church family. This place is where I found my now even closer walk with God. This is where I found my purpose, my work for Him that fills me with peace. This is where I found my happiness, my joy. It’s everywhere I look around me. This indeed does feel like home. </p><p> I have learned that I can’t expect others or things to make me happy. I can choose to be happy or miserable. In Michigan I think I just never chose to be happy. I felt unappy and lonely and separated not just from family but God too. I just couldn’t seem to find my relationship with my God in Michigan because I was miserable. But if I am honest, I wasn’t really looking. I was wanting it to come find me!!</p><p> But now we feel like we are indeed home again. Hubby is happy, puppies are happy in this warm almost always sunny weather. I feel so much lighter. Happy, relaxed and blessed. We have found a new home and we will close on it soon. This new home just happens to be almost a carbon copy of our last home here in Florida before we moved. We loved that home it was so comfortable. </p><p> The new home is in a beautiful older small trailer park that is cozy, quiet and feels just right. It is very close to the Gulf side of Florida..... which maybe could be a not so good thing during hurricane season. But hey, the park and the trailers are still standing through all the storms that have come through there. That should mean something right? </p><p> We are so delighted to finally be back home. God is so good. I feel like, I hope that HE is smiling down on us and telling us to just be content and to trust Him. I know his plan is perfect and I know his timing is always true. I just have to remember to let him in, listen for his whispers and trust him to always take care of me like he always has, always does and always will. He has given me so many life lessons, He has never failed me and He is always by my side.</p><p> That’s all for today. I hope wherever you are you are truly happy and blessed. Take care. Trudy</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p></div>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-66138419949187768082021-04-13T08:00:00.001-04:002021-04-13T08:15:15.946-04:00On the road again.... Well life has a funny way of keeping you on your toes. Just when you think that things are going along smoothly here comes another bump. <div> We thought we had settled in here, we bought a really nice comfy old home. We thought that this was our last stop in the road to retirement..... but I guess we we wrong. </div><div> We wanted a camper to do some traveling since we are now in our golden years. We wanted to become snowbirds and head south in the winter.... in our golden years... Except these years don't feel so golden right now with Covid, kids and campers. We devised a plan, although not a perfect plan as you will see. </div><div> So a little back story. We had a camper, our kids wanted that one so we sold it to them. We in turn bought a much newer and more expensive beautiful camper to do some traveling. We then realized that we couldn't really afford a house and camper payment easily at the same time. . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div> Soooo.... We had to make a decision and we decided to sell the newly purchased home 6 months in and become full time rv'ers. We had decided to sell our home thinking all was well with the kids and things were going great for them.</div><div> Things happen though and life got in the way. The kids couldn't keep the camper and keep paying on it so now we had 2 campers and a huge payment. Excuse me a minute while I deep sigh... So now more we had more decisions to make. </div><div> We sold the older camper and we in turn had sold our house to do our traveling but now our kids wanted us to stay close. Trying to buy another home in these days and times is a major headache and something we are not able to do easily with today's housing market. Homes sell as fast as they are listed and for <b>much </b>more than they did 6 months ago we are finding out . </div><div><div> So over the road we go in our nice new camper and I am not sure where we will land this time but we are heading for warmer weather for a while for a much needed vacation. It's been a long cold winter and we need some sun right now.</div></div><div> One thing I forgot to mention, I am a puppy raiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto Florida. I have raised 2 pups already and they are now certified working guide dogs. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div> I am now raising my 3rd pup and he will be joining us in our little camper adventures. It's not exactly how I wanted to do this but hopefully Saint will enjoy it. He most likely will be my last pup to raise unless we are somehow able to find a home for us somewhere.</div><div> I invite you to follow us along on our camper adventures to see where we end up. Will it be a warm or a cold climate? Will we be able to find a home or be rv'ers forever? Let's see where life takes us!!! After all..... Life is an adventure. </div>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-60259544114156338462020-05-19T12:26:00.002-04:002020-05-19T17:29:35.347-04:00Welcome to our garden....Well yesterday we visited the chicks, so today as promised I will show you our garden raised beds. I have always had the old fashioned conventional garden, you know, the dig in the dirt, break your back to till, spend hours and days ridding weeds type garden. It wasn't always fun but it was a great produce maker and had lots of space.<br />
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Since we have moved to our daughters land, she has always used the raised bed garden. I must admit it has always intrigued me. So when we moved here she and I began to talk of having a good size garden this year so that we could preserve the produce for the winter. With the way this country is going right now we must plan and do what we can to take care of and provide for our family with what ever we are able to and have at hand.<br />
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When I was young, I remember spending many summers along side my grandparents working in the garden or in the kitchen with them canning and freezing all of the produce from our garden. I can honestly say that those were some of the best times of my life, My grandma instilled in me a love of canning and baking that I carry to this day. I can tell you that I still love to walk through a garden and dream of what those beautiful plants are going to bless me with with a little water, a little sunshine and a little help from the Lord above.<br />
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I have gotten off the path so let me get back to my garden story for you. This year my daughter and family decided we needed to double the size of her old garden so she and her hubby built 4 more boxes for a total of 8. I will tell you in advance, that still is not enough!!<br />
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working on the new garden boxes</div>
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Anyway, the adding of the boxes was quite a good days work making us feel quite accomplished when finished to say the least.<br />
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So with this addition of 4 more boxes we are able to greatly expand what we want to grow and we had started some seeds in the house to be place outside in the boxes. Needless to say we planted to soon and with help from the many of the plants did not make the cut to the garden. </div>
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This was one of the lucky survivors in the tomato plants that made the cut. We have planted a mess of tomatoes so I am sure we will be picking and canning them for weeks!! Below you will find some of the "instant garden" we have planted and despite all the rain they all look really good today.</div>
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Lettuce and Strawberries in the planter</div>
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We decided to move the strawberries to a planter for easier access and to be decorative later. </div>
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So I think we are all done with the planting of the garden and no, we did not have enough space even with the addition of the boxes we still had to till up 3 more conventional spots along side the beds to place potatoes, cauliflower, onions and garlic. </div>
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So what we planted in our garden: Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, peppers and jalapeno's strawberries, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, winter squash, sugar snap peas and Kentucky wonder pole bean. That is a full garden and will be lots to put up for the winter I am sure.</div>
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Along with this garden I decided to try and plant a few things with the chicken girls in mind so I did small container gardens for them. I decided to place these close to the run for the girls so that I can treat them when ever I go in to visit them. To put them in the run would mean they would wipe them all out in one sitting and they would have no treats this summer. So far everything is doing well. </div>
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I have lettuce coming up in the little square containers, in the buckets I have a Patio tomato plant and cucumber for them. I also planted Rosemary, Thyme and Basil for my usage in my kitchen. In the green planter is mint that is supposed to keep the mice away and that will go in the ground all around the coop when it gets bigger to help keep the mice away (hopefully). </div>
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Lettuce for the girls and for my salads.</div>
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Tomato and Cukes, with mint in the blue pot behind the buckets. Please note these items will be removed from run before the chicken girls have access to their new run. That will be this weekend. I have placed them in there to protect them from all the rain the past few days. </div>
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Thyme, Rosemary and Basil</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">So that ends my little garden tour for today. Hopefully the rain is done for a few days and these plants will grow like crazy. So I hope you have a blessed day today and everyday. You can choose to do anything, choose to be kind. Take care and we will see you very soon back here at SunflowerFarms. </span></div>
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Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-34582401923752845372020-05-18T14:42:00.001-04:002020-05-18T15:04:55.184-04:00They are here!!Well the last time I was here I told you that chicks were on the way and you saw our progress on our coop and run. I am very happy to say the build was a success and is now complete.<br />
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When I say complete I mean really complete. Our chicks arrived on the 27th of April and spent 2 weeks in the house in totes in the bathroom and laundry room. Why inside with such a nice coop you ask? Well we live in Michigan and Mother Nature has a sense of humor it seems.<br />
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We thought that the babies would be able to go immediately to the coop but the day they arrived it was a blustery rainy day and we knew that the best decision would be to keep them in the warm house....... for a day or two. BUT the weather had other plans. Not only did it rain but the temps dropped, and we even got a couple days of snow. So the babies had to stay inside, which was okay for a week.<br />
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But 19 chicks is about 10 too many in one tote so we had to separate and divide into 2 totes and then into another room. This was the 6th day and they grew so fast we knew what we had to do.<br />
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So bring on the next tote and lets let them have some room. The chicks were much happier. I did have 2 little chicks that had a bad case of pasty butt and one developed a prolapsed vent so I had to be very choosy who I put with who. So luckily we have chosen 4 very docile breeds and it was not to difficult to choose. We have Salmon Favorolles, Austrolorpes, Delewares and Speckled Sussex. All very sweet girls for sure. </div>
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Now the chicks are 3 weeks old and if you are at all familiar with chickens you know what little mess makers they can be. Needless to say they needed to be moved to that lovely coop ASAP. We love them but we didn't like the mess, the dust and the poop! OH so much poop! I had forgotten how much poop they can produce and with 2 brooders going ...... yeah they had to go out. </div>
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So when they turned 2 full weeks they made the move to the big girl coop. We had a few pretty chilly nights but with the help of a little space heater and some dividing of the coop the girls did just fine. Now they have full run of the coop and they are beginning to truly become chicken girls. They love life and I love these little egg makers. </div>
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I can't wait for the day when I can take a little run out to the coop and gather some goods!!! Some fruits of their labors this time....</div>
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But that is a few months off for now..... If you have never had a fresh from the nest egg before..... You have no idea what you are missing out on. They are the best,. and I know what my chickens ate and how healthy their eggs really are, </div>
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Well until next time everyone, have a blessed day and we will see you soon. Next time we will show you our garden and how it is progressing. Be kind to one another and take care. See you soon.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/trudy.j.vetter" target="_blank">They are here!</a>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-57066431251126691322020-04-25T20:33:00.000-04:002020-04-25T20:33:04.272-04:00Fuzzy Butt Plans <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> One of the best things about coming home again is the joy and anticipation of raising chickens again. I love chickens.... I love just about everything there is to do with chickens and I even don't mind cleaning up after chickens. I love all the eggs they bless us with. I love all the different color eggs these sweet girls give you. I can't imagine having a small farm without having some fuzzy butt girls to brighten my day. They are my joy in the early mornings and I love to sit and have little conversations with them each day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So if we want to have chicks, we must build a place to put them. Some place safe for them and easy for me to clean and gather the goods they leave for me. Thus the coop and run build has begun. It won't be a big coop. Not nearly as big as what I had in South Carolina or Arkansas but definitely just as safe as those. My husband likes to call them his version of Fort Knox. We have a lot of predators here as we did in SC so he is making it as safe and impermeable as he can. This time will be no different as the last two times. I will only have a small flock this time but they will be so special to me. I am finally getting a breed I have longed for so I intend to keep them as safe and healthy as I can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The chicks will be here in just a few days so we must get this coop ready for the big day. Here are just a couple pictures of the progress of the run which is almost done and the coop that we began today. If you have any questions about how we are doing the build you are welcome to ask in the comments or send me an email. For now I will sign off it has been a busy day and tomorrow promises to be even longer. See you next time when the fuzzy butts check into town and take up residence in Sunflower Farms . Until next time...... Take care and be kind to everyone. </span><br />
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Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-22760792456311055642020-04-25T20:04:00.001-04:002020-04-25T20:50:42.633-04:00Who says you can't go home again?<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> So welcome to my little homestead. Please come in, kick your shoes off and sit back and enjoy a cup of tea and some company. This is the story of my adventures with my family, my chicken girls and my homesteading adventures.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;">We are HOME! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> Its been a long time since I could say those words. My journey started quite a few years ago. My husband and I started our country life adventure 16 years ago. We moved from our home in Michigan to find a bit more relaxed life than the hurry happenings of a big city.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> Our journey took us from Arkansas to South Carolina to Florida and now back home to Michigan. Needless to say I am thrilled, my husband not quite so much. We moved to Arkansas to be close to family.... that moved back to Michigan years ago. We stayed, and watched the oil fracking companies absolutely ruin our land, home water and peace and quiet. So we moved to South Carolina, my personal favorite place to be ever. We had gorgeous land, with a river view and breathtaking mountain views literally minutes from our front door. The weather was amazing, the countryside breathtaking and I had chickens, lots and lots of chickens. I loved my home there and would have been very content to live there forever...... but my husband wanted warmer weather. HOT weather actually. So we went to Florida. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> Florida was not what I was wanting or needing. The weather was HOT all the time except for 2 or 3 months of the year. It rained almost everyday in the afternoon, the humidity was as miserable as Arkansas. The snakes and gators and monkeys were not entertaining to me at all. The land was not good for planting where we landed and I could not have chickens, the beaches were too far away to enjoy and the scenery where we were was nothing to admire. Can you tell I was not happy there? I stayed because my husband liked it there and yet he even admitted the last year was too hot and humid for him soooo...... back to Michigan we went.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> Michigan is where our daughter and kids live on a lovely 3 acre piece of land with a lake view. Michigan is where we were both born and raised. Michigan is where my heart was and now we are home where we began the journey. So we have come full circle. Who ever said you can not go home again I think may have been wrong, Just sayin......</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> Moving to Michigan has made me very happy, not just because I was born and raised there but also where we live now I can once again have a garden and chickens. I will be with family and be able to enjoy watching the girls grow into beautiful young women. I will have a chance to enjoy the good times and the nots so fun times with my kids. I can have a family once more. I have found as I go through the seasons of my life that nothing else matters so much to me than to spend time with my God and to be surrounded by those that I love. my family. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> So until next time...... see you on the homestead.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f2ce79; font-family: "coming soon"; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-87826846536198653252014-01-27T09:33:00.000-05:002014-01-27T09:49:07.252-05:00The winter ho- hums!I know I have been away for a while and I am so sorry for that. Once I returned home from Michigan and the grands, I just seem to not be able to get past the winter ho hums. I miss the grands terribly, they live so far. My son in the military is in Oklahoma with his family and that is pretty far from us. So much has happened in 2013 and it was not my best year, we suffered a great tragedy a little over a month ago. My oldest son Joshua went home to be with the lord. I hope that 2014 will be much better with much happiness and good memories. <br />
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I have been working on getting this new home in Florida all situated and to our liking and finally I think we are there, I am not the best fan of Florida, but it is for my husbands health that we came here. Don't get me wrong , the scenery is beautiful in places, the ocean is magnificent! We are very close to Daytona Beach and the home of the Nascar big race which is coming very soon I might add. We have made some wonderful friends here in our little park . Our home is small and cute and we have all we need, I am just not a fan of the really hot humid weather. Never have been really as I suffer from allergies especially from molds, I don't care for the really "so hot, you sweat the minute you get out of bed " weather , but I do like the winters . I must admit that I truly miss my South Carolina home and all the wonderful memories and friends we left behind there. That was the one home that truly felt like "home " and where I thought I would grow very old. The house was amazing and where we lived was beautiful! This may sound crazy but I even miss of all things my favorite radio station and no station here fills the void. But I must stop all of this whining and shame on me for do so. <br />
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On to happier things , after almost 8 long years my son Justin and his family are just 49 days away from leaving the military behind and moving this way . I am so happy that we will have family closer to us that I can not wait for the day when I can finally hug my family again and have one of my grands to play with . I truly wish my daughter and her family lived closer , I miss them soo very much every day and there is so much I am missing of my girls growing up . <br />
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Life is not so bad here, I could say . I have more time to do what ever it is I care to do every day , I have been doing a lot of work on my crochet and my knitting making sweaters and hats and mittens for grands and for us. I have learned how to pinch some pennies and make more things for us such and air fresheners , furniture polishes , and soaps . I have expanded my baking skills to making more and more yummy things and less buying of things . Even if it does not save some pennies, the enjoyment and the knowledge that I can do this gives a great satisfaction. <br />
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So that is what has been keeping us busy here in Florida. I promise that now that we have settled in I shall return much more often and share much more what is going on in our little piece here in Sunflower Farms. I hope that you are all doing well and that life is taking care of you all as best it can. My thoughts and prayers go out for all of you that are dealing with all this very cold and snowy weather this winter. I was born and raised in Michigan and lived there many many years . I must say I do not miss it anymore. Even my South Carolina home is suffering this winter. So I pray for everyone and that they will come through this winter safely. Until later friends , take care , stay warm and be kind to one another, and tell someone that you love them today , tomorrow is not promised ! Hugs !<br />
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One more little note if you like my little blog and would like to follow me on Bloglovin I would love that and thank you so much. Have a great day everyone ! <br />
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4845335/?claim=6b2skrnbjmh">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-90016781502372827752013-10-27T14:34:00.003-04:002013-10-27T14:34:37.936-04:00On vacation!!<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I bet you think I disappeared right? Nope I am in Michigan for a few weeks visiting my kids. They live so far away and I have not seen them since last year so they graciously sent me a ticket and here I am . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have had a lot of fun so far and with two weeks left I am sure there will be more memories made before I leave. Let's see ..... we have played outside in the sprinkles </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have gone shopping for Halloween costumes and I am now the proud Grandma of a pirate and Cleopatra </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The weather has been typical Michigan fall weather. Crisp and a bit windy but sunny most of the time. The fall colors have been amazing .....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh course when it is fall you have to go apple picking and then make apple sauce and apple butter so you can remember that fun day when it is cold and wintery here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> On one warmer fall day we took the girls to the pumpkin farm and let the play on the hay bales, play with baby animals and pick their pumpkins .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So after the pumpkin getting you must do this right ? I think they did an awesome job too, I can not wait to see them lit tonight ! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So the only bad memories so far? A nasty cold that won't go away but if that is the worst, I will take it !! So much for today , more memories to follow but before I go a couple more memories for you to enjoy. </span><br />
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Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-56272898659008995132013-09-08T09:16:00.001-04:002013-09-08T09:16:46.347-04:00Amy's Down Home Cooking:I love to cook and bake. I LOVE it and I love finding blogs for recipe ideas . I have found MANY blogs with fabulous recipes and there are a few of my faves. This lady and her blog is one of my all time favorites , she is the top of my list. I have found this lady on face book . I love her creativity, her knowledge and her cheerful upbeat attitude and willingness to always share. She is a star in my book. I love her blog and I love her group on Facebook. If you want an idea for dinner, or need some help with some ingredients you have but not any idea of what to do with them ...... Amy is your gal. Thank you so much Amy, for all you do for us that are recipe challenged. Please take a few minutes and check out her blog and enjoy the recipes; Her blog link is below and I know you will love it.<br />
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<a href="http://amysdownhomecooking1.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-post.html?spref=bl">Amy's Down Home Cooking:</a>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-34164235616548282262013-09-04T16:31:00.001-04:002013-09-04T16:31:14.734-04:00Sweet Tea and Cornbread: Peanut Butter Cake!I LOVE to bake. It is what I do and I love it. Baking and Crochet , what else is there that makes me so happy not counting my grandchildren of course. Anyway because I love to bake I follow many blogs. This one Sweet Tea and Corn Bread...... they are amazing. They have the BEST recipes I have found and they so graciously share them with us . Thank you folks for all you do and I give all the credit to them for this recipe . You really must check out their blog . You will not be disappointed I promise. <br />
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<a href="http://sweetteaandcornbread.blogspot.com/2013/02/peanut-butter-cake.html?spref=bl">Sweet Tea and Cornbread: Peanut Butter Cake!</a>: I have had so many requests for a good peanut butter cake with peanut butter frosting, so we decided to make a good one. This ca...Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-35936496970209136152013-08-20T08:55:00.001-04:002013-08-20T08:55:01.802-04:00Crochet Baby Bunny Hat: Free Pattern<a href="http://www.mypoochiebaby.com/2012/12/crochet-baby-bunny-hat-free-pattern.html#sthash.DhDfKGMj.cmfs">Crochet Baby Bunny Hat: Free Pattern</a><br />
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I love love LOVE hunting the web for free patterns to knit or crochet . I so appreciate the people that take the time to create them and then so generously let us use them for free. This lady has an amazing blog such a fun read and her patterns are amazing. Thank you so very much for them and she also has an Etsy shop and is on face book . Please take the time to look at her pages and friend them and support her beautiful efforts if you can. Her blog is http://poochie-baby.com/index.html and her pinterest page is http://pinterest.com/MyPoochieBaby/ and her facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poochie-Baby/206062482830506. Please check her out she is such a fantastic artist.Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-30804022476354280492013-08-15T08:19:00.001-04:002013-08-15T08:19:34.171-04:00Crochet Attic: Crochet Japanese Flower<a href="http://crochetattic.blogspot.com/2011/03/crochet-flower.html?spref=bl">Crochet Attic: Crochet Japanese Flower</a>: The pattern details are on my Ravelry project page here . <br />
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I am totally smitten with these patterns I have found on some of my favorite blogs and if you are a crocheter you must try them . I am going to make some up very soon.Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-44773319353622174092013-08-15T08:16:00.001-04:002013-08-15T08:16:04.093-04:00Would you like Yarn With That?: Japanese Flower Motif--FREE pattern!!<a href="http://wouldyoulikeyarnwiththat.blogspot.com/2012/05/japanese-flower-motif-free-pattern.html?spref=bl">Would you like Yarn With That?: Japanese Flower Motif--FREE pattern!!</a>: Hey everyone! I've been loving the Japanese flowers I've seen lately, but I just couldn't find a pattern. I'd find one, c...Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-33895384161844510322013-05-07T09:02:00.000-04:002013-10-27T14:36:32.646-04:00The Time Has Come!!!<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"></span><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Well the day is here !! The one I thought would never come, the one I have been waiting impatiently for!! We have a moving van and car hauler sitting in the driveway and a mess of boxes and furniture to load so now comes the physical part. This will be a long day , then we leave tomorrow morning and the next stop tomorrow afternoon is Florida and a new home. So I guess this is where I will jump off and the next time I see you I will be in sunny Florida!! You all take care and I will be back very soon after I wade through a sea of boxes and put everything away! </span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"></span></span></span>Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-75680268332257707002013-04-28T19:26:00.001-04:002013-04-28T19:26:45.510-04:00Waiting !<p><font face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS">I don’t like that word , I never have , I am not good at it .<br></font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS">So we are down to May in just a day or two. We have bought a new home in Florida, and we are moving the middle of May if all goes as planned. The waiting is the most difficult . I am not good at it , I suck at it actually. We have to wait to see if my husbands SSD goes through, we have to wait to see if we got the house we wanted in Florida, we have to wait to move because we got the house. We have to wait for my son to be released from the army……………….. and so on!! I don’t like waiting, I want things now . My grandma always said waiting teaches patients , maybe that is why I am not so good at because I am not very patient . Well hopefully this time will go by fairly quickly and it will be time to go soon. I know we are looking forward to the warmer weather in Florida . It is cold , rainy and very dismal here this weekend making Florida look even grander to us now . Pray for me that I will have patients to wait this out. Pray that we have a safe move and that all will go as we hope with the SSD and pray that my hubby gets to feeling better in the warmer weather and hopefully he will love it there. So hopefully this will be the last post for me from South Carolina and I shall see you soon in sunny warm Florida. Have a great couple of weeks and I will see you soon ! </font></p> Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-64363010550362922722013-03-23T10:46:00.005-04:002013-03-23T10:46:59.963-04:00What happened to spring?Soooo. it is the last week of March in a day and the first day of spring is long over , we had 70 degree weather that day , but now what happened? <br />
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I know I have been lapse about posting. I do apologize for that but I have been busy. I have been working up my fingerless mitts, slippers and kitchen items for folks and now they are done, so for a while I have to take a break and get back to what I want to do. <br />
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I have grand daughters that want doll clothes and bunnies and toys and hats and all kinds of sweet things made by grandma plus I have been making an afghan and I LOVE working with those pretty bright colors. Yes it is a granny , I am so addicted to anything granny , I just love the style , the colors and the patterns. The new granny patterns are very unique and so fun to make. <br />
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So what else have I been up to ? Well my husband finally has me talked into that last move I shall ever make . I hate moving , no really I despise it all the packing and unpacking, the ridding of boxes and of course all the tossing out or giving away because you won't need it or have room for it routine. We are moving to Florida. Yes I hear you snickering, but we are tired of cold and snow and ice soooooo...... since he has been suggesting it for years I have decided that we should go. I used to love the snow .......... I am from Michigan and I lived there for over 40 years but there just comes a point when I have to say enough. I love snow at Christmas. I want to be warmer now, as I move into the next chapter of my life. So we move one last time to Florida. WE have found the spot we want , we have purchased the home and now all we need to do is get our son here to this house so that he can take it over and we can make the last move. I so look forward to it , my kids and grandkids are REALLY looking forward to it LOL . We are less then an hour from the land of MOUSE and all things Disney. Plus we are surrounded by attractions and now they will not need motels ........... see a plus side always !! So I know that they will be down to visit, we shall be warm and happy and my old bones will be resting in the sun doing what I love to do , sitting and knitting or crocheting the days away in my little sun room in my new home . <br />
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See now does this not look inviting ? I think you shall agree and now I will have more time for my favorite things and blogging here with you .<br />
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The sad part of preparing to move is pretty much done already. Yes I did have to find a good farm for my chicken girls . I did that and they are very happy now and I did have to find homes for 4 of my rescue pups. I have done that as much as I love them I could not take them with us and I knew that was the mission when I took them in so now they all have very sweet loving forever homes and I know that they are doing well so I can continue on with a quieter and less chaotic but missed life. I have been in dog rescue for over 10 years and even though I will miss the licks and wagging tales I am ready for some quiet and my 3 little pups will be very happy not to have to share me anymore LOL.<br />
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So a couple things that I am working on for you to see and then I shall close and sit and try to enjoy this very cold and rainy , snowy day and dream of Florida !<br />
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This is my granddaughters work in progress she wants a big granny in little girl colors LOL<br />
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I have made more pairs of these then I care to think of at the moment but they are so nice to slip on in the house . I always have a pair with me so if I go to someones home I can remove my shoes and put these on .<br />
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AND since my grandchildren LOVE sock monkeys I am making Alyssa a small one of these and one of these below for the big girls soo soo cute and I like them so much I make one in my size of this one below. You all have a great weekend and I will see you when I see you !! :)<br />
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<br />Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-40180253847308512652013-02-18T09:44:00.001-05:002013-02-18T10:24:48.636-05:00A nice quiet weekend, snowy weather and a good blog produce this !!!<span style="color: #660000;">So I have been having some fun the last few days. I LOVE to read blogs. I could spend all day reading peoples knitting, crocheting and crafty creative blogs. I was just catching up on some of my faves and I came across this one ......... I love free stuff and I love love LOVE yarn and this one caught my attention ...... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"> <a href="http://crafter-journey.blogspot.com/2013/02/giveaway-want-some-yarn.html?spref=bl">Journey of a crafter: Giveaway: want some yarn?</a>: It's been time to do some spring cleaning in my stash these days and I've found something for you! There's 1 prize consisting in this s...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">This is such a wonderful and creative blog I am so glad I found it ..... you probably wonder how I did find it right? Well I found her on my twitter account. Yes ....... I twitter and I am having such a good time with it . My twitter name is Sunflower Farms 1. I have been putting all my things I am creating on it and I love to follow all kinds of wonderful crafty creative people and their blogs. I have made some new friends, gotten some wonderful ideas, and had fun seeing how beautifully creative people are . So I think I need to update my blog list and you should really get a cup of coffee, charge or plug in your laptop and start reading. One of my very all time faves is this one , <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/">Attic24</a>. Her blog is a wonderful relaxing read. Her designs are so beautiful, and so colorful and cheerful. I absolutely adore her designs . I go to her blog everyday and I visit her face book page all the time for updates. So you have my permission , sit down, relax and read a few blogs and enjoy!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"> OK so I told you that Lucy from Attic 24 inspires me to be creative and I love what she does with such colorful yarn . I absolutely love her eye for color and her love for all things granny. I also love all things granny! I love round grannies . square grannies, lots of color grannies. one color grannies, granny ripples granny stripes , I adore the look of the granny patterns so much and all that Lucy creates that I have started my own colorful Granny Stripe Afghan. Of course I must tell you first and foremost that I have no eye for matching colors. I stink at it and as much as I would love to recreate one of Lucy's Granny blankets, I fear it will not be nearly as pretty but here is my attempt to recreate one of her most beautiful blankets . I have been working on this all weekend since I have peace and quiet . Yes it is very quiet this weekend as the hubby has been in Oklahoma visiting our son who is in the Army. Since I have been alone , just me and the dogs, this is what I am working on . I must say the further along I get the more I am liking it .</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">Oh I did mention snow didn't I ? Yes here is wonderful South Carolina we usually get really mild winters. On this past weekend though Mother Nature decided we needed a little joke, a wake up call of sorts . Perhaps she thought we were so disappointed that everyone was getting the white stuff but us.......... well not me but we need to make the children here happy. So this is what she sent us this past weekend . Yes we got about 3 inches. It lasted until the next day or so and it began to melt . I still have just a few spots here and there where sun has not hit it but for the most part it is now just a memory.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"> </span> Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-76953336782552574142013-02-09T20:03:00.001-05:002013-02-09T20:03:42.064-05:00Busy hands So I have been very busy working on some smaller items to try and get a small business going selling what I think will be needful items that people will want to buy . I have a real liking for making these dish and wash rags and scrubbies. They work very well, and they hold up to the most difficult of tasks they last soo much longer then a sponge and I wash and dry these all the time to sanitize them. If you are interested in anything you see here please send me an email or leave a comment and I will answer any questions for you I can . I can make any of these items just about any color that you would like also. The wash rags and scrubbies are all in 100 % cotton yarn and are washer and dryer safe. <br />
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As you can see that is quite a variety. I have been busy and I am in the process of making more so please if you would like some just let me know . I will have prices up in a day or two for the items . For the most part Dish Cloths sell for $3.00 each for the simpler patterns and $1. 50 for shipping and the scrubbies and little sponges are $2.50 and $1.00 shipping each. I will have more items to post and organize very soon. If you have any questions please comment or message me or visit my facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sunflower.farms.3">http://www.facebook.com/sunflower.farms.3</a></div>
<br />Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-37727261600899755572013-02-02T19:27:00.000-05:002013-02-02T20:23:19.925-05:00So what do you do when it"s cold outside?So it is still cold here today. Yes I know it is February......... but it usually is warmer then this. Yes this weather has been really crazy here this winter, one day or two in the 60's or 70's and then into the deep freeze we go. My poor chickens keep looking at me like they want me to make them some sweaters or mittens. Today at 3 in the afternoon it was not even 40 degrees. So it has been so cold the last few days I barely have gone outside. I love to be outside ......... usually but this cold is not usual. I have managed to start my walking program again and I have managed to walk for 45 minutes with my music but I do walk faster just to stay warm and keep the joints working. I know that I feel better when I get out there but tonight they are calling for freezing rain or snow over night for us I hope they are wrong but if not I may be walking in boots tomorrow.<br />
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So what do you do when it is so cold out that you want to stay in? Me I just want to keep those knitting needles or crochet hooks working , as I have an addiction to yarn and I must satisfy it by handling it, making it into something pretty and warm. If I am not feeding my addiction then most likely I am in the kitchen baking. Thank goodness my husband does not mind me baking, in fact he encourages it ........ a lot. I love to make bread and I used to do it the old fashioned way of mixing and kneading it by hand . Well for Christmas I got a new best friend and now I have found that he loves to help me with the bread !! I gladly let him and he does an wonderful job, much better then I can do it.<br />
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So I found this fabulous recipe for whole wheat hamburger buns that I make but I have found that the recipe also makes wonderful bread . This recipe will make one good size loaf if you let it rise for about an hour and them shape it and rise it in a pan for about a half hour and then bake it in a 375 degree oven for about a half hour. <br />
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So below the first picture is the recipe for the buns, It really is delicious and I have found that I just recycled a large tuna can and washed it very well and I use that to cut out the buns , place them together on a pan , let them rise for about 20 to 25 minutes and them bake them , You really must try this recipe they are soo good .,<br />
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Hamburger Rolls <br />
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<ul>
<li>2 tablespoons rapid yeast, room temperature</li>
<li>1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110 F)</li>
<li>1/3 cup oil</li>
<li>1/4 cup sugar</li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1 1/2 – 2 cups all purpose flour</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.grocerybudget101.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=228&d=1306160714" id="attachment228" rel="Lightbox_0"></a> In a medium size mixing bowl (or kitchen aid mixer) dissolve yeast in
water, add oil and sugar, set aside undisturbed for 5 minutes. Add egg,
salt, and enough flour to form a soft dough.<br />
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Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and
elastic, adding remaining flour as needed. (Do not let rise) Divide into
8 pieces, forming each piece into a ball. Place dough balls approximate 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. (or use parchment paper) <br />
Cover loosely with a clean towel and let rest 20 minutes. <br />
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Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.<br />
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This next recipe is so wonderful and I found it on a lovely blog called Rosa's Yummy Yums. She has the best recipe's and this one is hers. <br />
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So if you prefer a no wheat flour roll here is another very good very easy recipe that makes up quickly and easily.<br />
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<span style="color: #33ff33; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1 Cup (240g/ml - 250g/ml) Water, lukewarm</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">2 Tbs (30g) Unsalted butter, at room</span><span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> temperature and creamed</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1 Egg (~63g)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">3 1/4 Cups (433g) Plain white flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1/4 Cup (53g) Castor sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1 Tsp Salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1 Tbs Instant yeast</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1 Egg yolk (+ 1 Tsp water)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Sesame seeds</span><br />
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<span style="color: #33ff33; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">Method:</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1. Sprinkle the yeast into the water and leave for 5 to 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir to dissolve.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">2. In a big bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">3.
Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured working surface and knead
for about 10 minutes until you've made a soft, smooth dough.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">4. Place the dough in a clean and lightly greased bowl.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">5. Cover it with a towel and let rise for about 1 (or1-</span><span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">1/2) hour, until </span><span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">doubled in size.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">6. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape each piece into a flattened ball.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">7.
Place the buns on greased baking sheets, cover with a towel and let
rise 30 to 40 minutes, until they're quite puffy and doubled in size.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">8. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">9, Glaze the buns with the egg yolk and water mixture, then sp</span><span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">rinkle with sesame seeds.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">10. Bake the buns for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are golden brown.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc66cc; font-family: trebuchet ms;">11. Remove them from the oven and cool them on a wire rack.</span><br />
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So I hope you all are staying warm and cozy inside this winter. Well I must be going , so I will see you soon. <br />
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<br />Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-23272697262085269162013-01-26T12:37:00.000-05:002013-01-26T12:37:00.008-05:00BRRRR who turned down the heat?Well I know it has been a while. I have not even one good excuse for my not being here. I have been busy with knitting and crochet projects for the grandchildren , donations and just for me . <br />
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SO.......... I awoke yesterday morning to a bit of an ice storm coming to my neck of the woods. Now I live in South Carolina, as you know. We have very mild winters here............ usually. This past couple days though mother nature had plans of her own I guess. I was the lucky recipient of this yesterday and the cold temps were crazy.<br />
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Yes that is ice, and you did not dare walk out on the deck yesterday or you would have immediately tumbled . I had to go out the front door and all the way around to the backyard to open up my chicken coop and by last night we had more ice yet. This morning .......... it is now all melting and just wet . Crazy weather we have here and I hear by Tuesday it is supposed to be 72 degrees. Yes crazy weather this winter here in the south .<br />
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So I have been working on knitting projects for donations , family and friends and it seems that all of the sudden (I suppose that winter has a hand in this ) I have people wanting to order my knitted fingerless mitts . I love to knit these as they are so easy and quick to make ..<br />
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Also I have had a couple orders for my knitted slippers , so wonderful on a cold winters night to keep those toes toasty. I need to keep those needles going non stop as my yarn stash grew from just a couple of very small totes to a large tote and a rainbow of colors. I was a very lucky recipient of a donation and I felt very blessed to receive it. Since my husband is still on disability and I am not able to work as I am ab out 50% legally blind the one thing I LOVE to do is knit and crochet and try to make anything I can from scratch rather then to buy because money is very short here. I also love to knit items to donate to charity such as mittens and scarfs for the homeless shelters. I truly enjoy this anytime of the year and I know it is much appreciated.<br />
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As for those grand chldren ...... they are growing by leaps and bounds . My littlest angel Alyssa is getting so big and is just about one step away from crawl. She is the happiest , easygoing little angel , always a little ray of sunshine.<br />
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Then there is my son in the army. He will be done and out of the army in May and he and his family will come home to South Carolina to live finally. It has been way too many years since he and his family have been home and I can not wait to see them again and to spend time with and watch my grandson Xavier Lee grow. He will be 4 this August and I can not wait to see him again. <br />
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So that is what I have been up too as of lately. I hope that you all are doing well and staying warm this winter. Me I am doing very well and yes I am staying warm and just busily knitting down this stash of yarn. As much as I LOVE to knit and crochet......... it makes me a bit sad as I know that when it is gone I will have no more yarn to play with , but until then I will continue to make those mittens and scarfs to donate and enjoy every minute of it too! See you soon. take care and be kind to one another !! <br />
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<br />Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-90882011956415881972012-11-16T10:31:00.001-05:002012-11-16T10:52:22.517-05:00Where did fall go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh my goodness, in the blink of an eye it seems fall has gone and the holidays are around the corner already. I have been so busy getting ready for the Christmas season preparing gifts for the grand kids , and thinking of what to send them since they live so far from me. I know that something homemade is a must gift. So they are getting something to keep them warm on those cold winter days , and something tasty to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa . I am busy making blankets and goodies and my crochet hooks and knitting needles are very busy . I will have to post pictures soon of them. I LOVE to knit and crochet and it is seldom that I do not every day. I love the feel of yarn in my hands, I LOVE yarn I admit it I am so addicted . I love all the colors , the softness and the gratification as a simple skein of yarn turns into a beautiful little gift. I love looking at all the colors , the patterns that I can create for gifts . I need no excuse to buy more yarn , I have plenty, but I can never have enough , there is always another project in mind that I must have more yarn for. It is my weakness, my guilty pleasure and I am lucky that I can indulge in the shopping spree now and then for more yarn . So home made yarn gifts will be coming for the kids big and small this year for Christmas , so that I can use the yarn and I have and............ to give me a reason to buy more !! Yes I freely admit it I am a yarnaholic and Red Heart and Lion Brand are my fix . So I will post pics very soon , but for now I must do more crocheting, one gift down , another half done and 3 more to go !! Happy Crocheting to you ! In the picture is one of the things I am working one, I love this pattern , so easy, it is a granny square pattern but in rows. It works up very fast and has the warmth of a<br />
giant granny ! <br />
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<br />Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5580342891236539017.post-87103934039376810352012-10-20T20:33:00.000-04:002012-10-20T20:33:25.566-04:00Oh my goodness what a summer for me !!<span style="color: #990000;">Wow I had NO idea it has been soo long since I have been here. So much has happened and I was soo busy making baby girl things this spring , I am the very proud grandma of Alyssa Jean Effrick. She was born on August 19, 2012 in Michigan. I was lucky enough to be able to fly to Michigan and spend 11 weeks with my daughter and 2 beautiful granddaughters . I had not seen them in over a year and it was such fun. Plus I was there to meet my 3rd beautiful granddaughter Alyssa. She is also named for me , her middle name is also mine. This is Alyssa , and Alexis my oldest granddaughter . </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">This is my second granddaughter Gabrielle she is 6 and Alyssa </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">And of course there is Miss Alyssa who is now 2 months old and growing so fast.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Before Alyssa came I spent months working on little girl things and that is why I have not been here in so long . I had so much fun learning how to make tiny little things for babies. Here is a pretty good selection of what I made minus all the things I made while I was in Michigan for her but this gives you an idea what I was busy with . </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">I also had made her 3 blankets and some spit rags and a Raggedy Ann and Andy quilt but I guess I forgot to take a picture. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"> Now I am working on making her a pretty Christmas dress and mittens and scarfs for the girls since they have winter and I do not here in the south . </span><br />
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Sunflower 🌻 Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17922725456453723301noreply@blogger.com0