Over the years there have been certain slogans that stand out in our memory and almost become part of our every day language. Burger King’s “have it your way” campaign is one of those catchy ones that really worked well. You knew after watching those commercials that you could go in and order a burger “your way” even though it was “fast food.”

Well - if you could have it your way — the Farmers’ Almanac that is — how would you like it? Would you order more weather, hold the astronomy, extra recipes? Is there something you really like about the print edition? Or is there something you think we’ve missed?

At this time of the year, we start thinking about the 2010 edition. Before we start assigning stories, I thought I’d ask you –our web visitors - if you had any suggestions on how we could make the Farmers’ Almanac Your Way.

To quote another very famous and popular ad slogan (but change it slightly) GOT IDEAS?

I’d really appreciate your feedback regarding the print edition of the Farmers’ Almanac. Do you like the articles? What would you like us to add or take out? What about hints - should we add more green or frugal tips?

Share your ideas here or feel free to e-mail direct at sduncan@farmersalmanac.com. This is your Farmers’ Almanac and your chance to help us make it even more “your way.”

Thanks!

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by sduncan
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I hav recently been asked if we had any suggestions for homemade, more natural cleaning products for the house. Here ae a few suggestions form past Farmers’ Almanacs:

Vinegar and water make a great window cleaner

Borax and water make an effective all-purpose cleaner

Baking soda is an earth-friendly, inexpensive way to remove baked-on, burned-on foods in pots and pans, and when mixed with vinegar acts as a super drain cleaner.

What’s your favorite alternative cleaner?

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by sduncan
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Ever wonder why old barns are usually red in color? Red is (or, perhaps, was) a popular color for barns due not to its color shade but for its usefulness.

Many years ago, choices for paints, sealers and other building materials did not exist. Farmers had to be resourceful in finding or making a paint that would protect and seal the wood on their barns. Hundreds of years ago, many farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil, which is an orange-colored oil derived from the seeds of the flax plant. To this oil, they would add a variety of things, most often milk and lime, but also ferrous oxide, or rust. Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color.

When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition.

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by sduncan
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In each new edition of the Farmers’ Almanac, we continue to share “Philosofacts” and a “thought of the year” with our readers. These witty one liners (part philosophical, part fact) have been a Farmers’ Almanac tradition for many, many years.

Here are a few thoughts or philosofacts that I thought might inspire or give you a chuckle. Enjoy.

Happiness sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.

Don’t carry a grudge; it’s too heavy a load for anybody.

Defeat isn’t bitter if you don’t swallow it.

Life is like a mirror—we get the best results when we smile at it.

Beware of half-truths—you may get hold of the wrong half.

The size of your foot has very little to do with your ability to get it into your mouth.

Learn to profit by the mistakes of others; you can’t live long enough to make all of them yourself.

People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
Got any good philosofacts? Be sure to share them with us here.

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philosofacts, inspiration, words of wisdom, Farmers Almanac

by sduncan
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