By Deborah S. Tukua
www.hollycreekbooks.com

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the swimming season for many through out the country. Exercising caution and care will help make time spent in the water enjoyable. Here are some safety tips to follow from the American Red Cross.

· Never swim alone or allow your child to swim without supervision. A person in distress in the water needs help within the first six minutes.
· A nonswimmer requires a considerable amount of shallow water to play in, without steep drop-offs. Mark off safe swimming areas, if possible or explain the swimming boundaries to children.
· A nonswimmer should not go in water above shoulder height even with the use of floatation devices.
· Swimmers should always swim diagonally across a current and with its flow, even though they may come to shore some distance from their entry point. This fact is particularly true of river and tidewater swimming, where currents run parallel to shore.
· Don’t swim when you are overheated or overtired.
· Keep basic rescue lifesaving equipment readily available such as a ring buoy or backboard.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Technorati tag= safety, swimming

by Farmers Almanac Staff
No Comments »

by: Suzanne Harris
www.goodnaturedearthling.com

1) A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz of warm water drunk first thing in the morning to help relieve symptoms of arthritis and stiff joints.
2) A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in your water bottle sipped all day to rehydrate your cells faster than plain water.
3) 1/4 cup mineral rich apple cider vinegar in your chickens’ water helps make their egg shells harder.
4) A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in water gives you the minerals of the apple: calcium, magnesium and more. In fact, calcium and iron are taken in by the body more readily when ingested with acidic food: apple cider vinegar, tomatoes, oats, all citrus and even fats and meats are acidic. Want extra vitamins and minerals? Make and use herbal vinegars!

Vinegar acts as a solvent to extract vitamins and minerals from herbs and fruit as well as the essential oils and flavors. The acidic nature of vinegar releases the iron and calcium and makes them easy for our bodies to take them into our cells. Pregnant mamas, women during menses and menopause, growing teens, those dealing with health issues such as iron deficiencies, arthritis and bone loss are nourished by the liberal use of plant vinegars. Many people report having more long lasting energy and an overall feeling of well being with continued use of herbal vinegars.

Drizzle your vinegars on:
Cold noodle salads, stir fry, fruit, spinach and/or field green salads, cooked greens.
Marinate seafood, pork, chicken, beets and other vegetables. Makes an ideal marinade!
Mix with ketchup, mustard, brown sugar or molasses, hot peppers, chopped onions and garlic for a delicious homemade BBQ sauce.
Combine with olive oil for dipping crusty bread!
Try a ¼ cup of plain apple cider vinegar or peppermint infused vinegar in a tub of lukewarm water to relieve the itch of athlete’s foot and fungus.
Cool a fever or hot flash by dabbing the vinegar on your pulse points, forehead, back of the neck and knees.

To make your mineral rich herbal vinegar:
Finely chop edible wild and garden plants of your choice. Pack the plant material tightly into a pint jar. Fill completely with apple cider vinegar. Add a layer of waxed paper between the jar and lid (if metal lid) to keep the lid from rusting. Let the mix stand on your counter for 3 weeks to a month. Strain and enjoy!
Suggested combinations:
• Peppermint and red clover.
• Garlic, onion, oregano, thyme and parsley.
• Nettles, yellow dock leaf or root, dandelion leaf and root.
• Blueberries and raspberries
• Chives, dill, and basil
• Wild or garden violet leaves, oxeye daisy flowers and leaves, pineapple weed flowers
• Chickweed, lambsquarters and nasturtium flowers
• Motherwort and Mugwort
• Lavender flowers and fennel leaves, flowers or seeds
Here’s a recipe for tasty pickled Dandelion flower buds. Now, there’s a great way to “get rid of” your weeds!!!
Pickled Dandelion Flower Buds - mmm mmm!
Dandelion flower buds – tightly closed…not ones that have simply closed up for the night, but ones that have not yet opened.
Garlic – chopped
Onion – chopped
Ginger – chopped
(amounts depending on the size of jar)
Tamari or Soy Sauce
Apple Cider Vinegar
Put about a half inch of garlic, onions and ginger on the bottom of the jar. Fill with dandelion buds about a third of the way up. Add another half inch of garlic, onions and ginger. Add another third of dandelion buds. More garlic, onions, ginger, and then fill jar with dandelion buds.
Pour 1 part tamari or soy sauce to 3 parts apple cider vinegar into the jar. Cover with a plastic lid or put a bit of waxed paper between dandelions and metal lid so the vinegar will not rust your lid shut!
Let it sit for 3 weeks on your counter. No need to ever refrigerate your pickled buds. Use as a condiment like any pickle, mix into tuna, egg, green or potato salad and enjoy straight from the jar!

Technorati tag= garlic,calcium

by Farmers Almanac Staff
12 Comments »

© By Deborah S. Tukua
www.hollycreekbooks.com

Culinary seed flavors and suggested uses in seasoning foods follow:

Anise Seed – Strong licorice flavor used whole or crushed in cakes, cookies, shortbread, pastries, applesauce, fruit salad, stewed fruits, beef stew and sausage.

Caraway Seed – Pleasant tasting with slightly sweet undertones used in rye bread, sauerkraut, biscuits, marinades for meats, chowders, roast goose and lamb.

Celery Seeds – Slightly bitter flavor used in pickling, dips, breads, tomato juice beverages, stuffings, and egg dishes.

Coriander Seeds – Slightly lemon flavored used whole in sweet pickles, and punch. Crushed coriander seeds are used to flavor cookies, bread, pastries, rice pudding, waffles, meat sauces and marinades.

Cumin Seeds – Spicy flavor used whole or ground in Spanish rice, chili, tamales, tacos, burritos and other Mexican dishes as well as cheese dishes and shish kebab marinades and barbecue sauce.

Dill Seeds – Pungent flavor, very aromatic, highly used in pickle making, green beans, sauerkraut, soups, dips, and salad dressing.

Fennel Seed – Slightly licorice, anise flavored used in egg and seafood dishes, soups, meatballs, Italian sausage, and salad dressings.

Mustard Seeds – Highly pungent in flavor, used as seeds or dried, ground in pickle-making, relishes, corned beef, coleslaw, potato salad, sauces and egg dishes.

Poppy Seeds – Pleasant, nut-like flavor used in salad dressings, cakes and other baked goods, and fruit compotes.

Sesame Seeds – Nut-like flavor used toasted or untoasted. Sprinkle on top of breads, crackers, casseroles, cookies, and fold in dips and stuffing. To toast sesame seeds, place on a tray in a 350°F. oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

For more great cooking tips in sizable portions, you’ll want to reserve a copy of Deborah’s book, Pearls of Kitchen Wisdom today. It’s on sale now at the FATV shop.

Technorati Tags= seeds, seasoning,culinary

by Farmers Almanac Staff
1 Comment »

8 Key Tips for Rose Gardening
1. Roses need 4 to 6 hours a day of direct sunlight.
2. The soil should be well drained, never muddy.
3. The ideal soil is lightly acidic, between 5.8 and 6.2 pH.
4. Mulch adds nutrients to the soil, keeps down weeds, and holds in moisture. Pine straw is the ideal mulch for roses and other acidic plants.
5. Fertilizer should be first applied in early spring and every 6 weeks from that point on until summer’s end.
6. When planting a new rosebush, prune it more than normal to help the shoots get off to a strong start.
7. Prune roses in the coolest months that freezing weather does not occur.
8. When watering roses, always water the soil, not the leaves. Never water after sunset to discourage black spot disease from forming.

-Tips excerpted from Pearls of Garden Wisdom by Deborah Tukua and Vicki West. These and hundreds more gardening tips, garden gifts and cooking from the garden recipes are found in this book, available here at the FATV shop.

Technorati tag= roses, pruning

by Farmers Almanac Staff
No Comments »

© By Deborah S. Tukua
www.hollycreekbooks.com

Spring-cleaning and yard sales offer a great opportunity to organize your garage, making it a safe place for the whole family. Here are a few ideas:

· If there are inside stairs or steps leading to the garage from the house, paint the treads a light color and use reflective strips of tape on each tread, in case children forget to turn on the light. Install a handrail or banisters on stairways.
· Storage shelving units should be bolted to the wall to avoid toppling over.
· Heavier objects should be stored close to ground level.
· Store rakes, shovels and sharp garden tools on wall mounts when not in use.
· Provide a separate, designated area in the garage for storage of children’s toys.
· Provide a plastic storage bin with lid to keep balls and skates off the garage floor when not in use. Mount skis and skateboards on the wall or store in a locker.
· Keep paint thinner, pesticides, turpentine and automotive oil and fluids stored in a locked cabinet or on a shelf above the children’s reach.
· Install a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher in the garage.
· Do not house a lawn mower or gasoline containers in a garage that has an appliance with a pilot light.
· Store ladders above children’s reach.
. Always open the garage door, examine the driveway and walk completely around the car before getting inside and driving off.

Technorati tag= cleaning, garage, safety

by Farmers Almanac Staff
1 Comment »

© By Deborah S. Tukua
www.hollycreekbooks.com

Need a little help coming up with something for Mom this Mother’s Day? Instead of ordering a flower arrangement from the florist, impress Mom with a simple wreath you can make in minutes. It’s so quick and easy; you might want to make several.

Easiest Ever Flower Wreath~
You don’t need to have lessons in floral design to make this simple, yet beautiful wreath. You’ll need to purchase a 13” willow wreath and two complimentary 4-foot silk flower garlands. A glue gun and glue sticks or sticky floral adhesive are also needed and enough ribbon to make a bow or purchase one already made.

Each garland will extend all the way around the wreath. Using a hot glue gun, affix the garland onto the wreath. Then, arrange the second garland around the wreath to fill in any blank spaces and glue it onto the wreath. If desired, add a bow in a matching color to the wreath.

(Wreath Example: Need help in selecting flower garlands? Daisies are a great spring flower. I used one garland of bright pink gerbera daisies and another garland containing pink roses and daisies and a hot pink bow. One wreath and two garlands from the Dollar Tree cost just $3.00, such a bargain and it turned out beautiful!)

Technorati tag= glue sticks, bargains

by Farmers Almanac Staff
1 Comment »

© By Deborah S. Tukua
www.hollycreekbooks.com

Instead of purchasing plants, consider hosting a plant trade day with friends and neighbors.

There are several ways to accomplish a plant trade. One way is to make a list of neighbors, friends and acquaintances who currently have flowers, herbs and or other plants in quantities to share and that would be willing to participate. To keep the garden gathering cozy and simple, select six people to invite. Send out invitations, asking your guests to bring six starter plants from their yard or garden. The plants should be kept moist and contain sufficient roots to successfully replant. Ask each guest to label each plant and give planting instructions so the receivers will know whether to plant in direct sun or shade. The recipients will also want to know when the flower will bloom.

With each guest bringing starter plants from her garden, everyone will receive healthy, tried and true plants acclimated to their climate to take home and plant. Sharing from your garden and your gardening knowledge is a great way to make friends and beautify your community, with little money invested.

And don’t forget to serve a cool slice of pie and lemonade in a cozy spot in your garden or terrace before the ‘green thumbs’ depart to give your guests an opportunity to exchange gardening tips.

~Great gardening advice abounds in Deborah Tukua and Vicki West’s book, Pearls of Garden Wisdom. Buy one now for Mother’s Day! Just click on the FATV shop.

Technorati tags: plant trade, gardening

by Farmers Almanac Staff
No Comments »

© By Deborah S. Tukua
www.hollycreekbooks.com

Besides growing blueberries for their wonderful taste, blueberries can be appreciated for their low maintenance requirements and their ability to endure cold temperatures. Blueberries can usually be grown without a need for pesticides or pest control. That is the case here in Tennessee.

Although it generally takes three to five years for a blueberry plant to generate a good yield, even the smallest of plants will produce some berries the first or second summer. Blueberry plants will reach a height of 10 to 12 feet when left unpruned.

If you planted blueberry bushes in the fall, the young bushes are already off to a great start, but spring isn’t too late to get those berry bushes in the ground. The ideal time frame to plant blueberries is when the plant is dormant, before the appearance of fruit, from autumn to early spring.

A few tips for blueberry growers:

· Select an elevated site to plant blueberries such as a hill. If one does not exist, plant blueberries in a raised bed.
· Blueberries need to be planted in a location that drains well.
· Test the soil before planting. Blueberries like an acidic soil with a pH range between 4.8 to 5.2.
· Space blueberry plants six feet apart.
· Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination.
· Water the plant after planting and top the soil surrounding the plant with sawdust mulch.
· Remove all flower buds at time of planting to encourage strong root development.
· Weed early in the spring, before harvest season begins.
· Keep a 2 to 3 foot weed-free circle surrounding each blueberry bush. This has been proven to increase the yield of berries produced.
· Young blueberry plants can easily be damaged by weed-eaters. To protect tender plants, place a thick tree protector around the base of each plant.

With a little care, an established blueberry plant will produce berries for 20 to 30 years before needing to be replaced.

Deborah Tukua is co-author of the book, Pearls of Garden Wisdom: Time-Saving Tips and Techniques from a Country Home. This lovely, resourceful, hardbound book is available now at the FATV shop.

Technorati tag= mulch, blueberries

by Farmers Almanac Staff
No Comments »