October just wouldn’t be the same without pumpkins; just try to imagine Fall without Jack-O’Lanterns, pumpkin pies, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin growing contests, and even giant pumpkin regattas.

To celebrate, Farmersalmanac.com is full of fun and informative articles, recipes and video on these largest of all fruits (yes pumpkins are a fruit).

You’ll even find some pumpkin trivia, like the following:

• The word ‘pumpkin’ comes from the Greek word, ‘pepon’, which means “large melon.”
• The earliest pumpkin pie made in America was not today’s version. Pilgrims and early settlers made pumpkin pie by baling a hollowed out a pumpkin, filled with milk, honey and spices.
• Morton, Ill., home of Libby’s Pumpkin products, is popularly considered to be the “Pumpkin Capital of the World.”
• Illinois grows the most pumpkins, with residents harvesting about 12,300 acres of pumpkins annually.
• Pumpkins were believed to be a remedy for freckles and snakebites.

Of course, if I were ever bitten by a snake, I doubt I’d scream for a pumpkin (at least not initially).

Technorati Tags: pumpkins, giant pumpkin regatta. Farmers’ Almanac, Pumpkin Pie

by jdlugozima
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If one of your fall traditions is “leaf peeping”, you may have to search harder this year for those famed rustic orange, brown and bronze colors.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the next few months will be wet and stormy (see fall forecast). And, this fall weather will negatively impact the process for changing leaf color.

“That’s not to say there won’t be some spectacular leaves, it’s just that there may be less of them,” said Peter Geiger, editor of the Farmers’ Almanac.

He noted that bright, sunny autumn days, with moderately cool nights, are conducive for creating the rich hues that leaf watchers adore.

Fortunately, FarmersAlmanac.com has cut out some of the leg-work for finding beautiful foliage. We have posted this chart of the of the best times to view foliage by state.

You can also watch video about why leaves change color, hosted on our site that we share with WeatherBug.

Enjoy your leaf viewing!

Technorati Tags: foliage, Farmers’ Almanac

by jdlugozima
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Every business has its high points. For Sandi Duncan and me, the release of the 2008 edition is what we work for for over a year! It begins our dialog with readers and fans that continues all year. While our method of predicting weather is a well-kept secret, the weather for the upcoming year is no longer under lock and key- it’s here and it’s interesting and full of crazy weather.

You may ask “why is the 2008 edition released now?” Well …

* We have 16 months of weather starting with September 1st.

* In many parts of the country the seasons are changing. Yes, it is still warm, but I am already hearing from folks with their observations of nature and the upcoming winter. A future blog will talk about the Top 20 Signs of a Hard Winter.

* We try to precede the first snowfall. Placing ourselves in stores now gives our readers an opportunity to “prepare for winter”.

* And while some of us hate to see it go, the summer is coming to an end.

Our 2008 Farmers’ Almanac is in stores today. In addition to weather, I have always considered us to be an authority on smart living. Fun and favorite items in this issues include:

> What’s That Smell - think you have a skunk in your backyard? Check again. It might just be skunk cabbage, corpse flower, voodoo lily, or another unassuming plant that may have a pretty flower but a fowl smell!
> Greenhouse Gas Emissions - At the Farmers’ Almanac, we stay away from politics. But, there is no question each of us can live smarter and help the environment at the same time. We like to think we were green before anyone knew what green was about. In the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac, we address a growing concern over greenhouse gas emissions and preserving our great earth. It’s a must read.

> Peak foliage - we have a calendar that outlines the peak foliage times thought the US. Plus a great article on why leaves change color each year.
> Butter vs. Margarine - the great debate– who wins?

> Create a Year of Wellness - from heart disease to cholesterol to home safety. Each month offers suggestions for living well.

> My favorite - Farmers’ Almanac Wedding Weather Contest - bring us your soggy, your cold and your miserable. Called a Brides Best friend, we offer long range predictions. But, not everyone consults the Farmers’ Almanac for “their” day and many times the sun doesn’t shine. So, look for our Worst Wedding Weather Contest. If you or a friend had less than sunny conditions (or extreme heat), go to <http://www.farmersalmanac.com/worstweddingweather/ . Submit your story online and enter a chance to win a second honeymoon on Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, an LL Bean gift certificate or Dinner for Two. Lots more on this one as we hope to have America vote for the best of the worst weather wedding days.

Sandi Duncan. Philom.. and I will be doing our media blitz. during the next few weeks. Today, I will be sharing the honors with Mickey Youmans of FATV. We have not only expanded our efforts online but through our TV partners. We hope to connect with you and always welcome comments electronically.

Buyer Beware - the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac has a green/ orange cover. Be sure to get your copy today http://store.farmersalmanac.com/

by pgeiger
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In a recent blog I mentioned a Best Day for fishing and other activities. A couple questions were posed about what this is all about. Many years ago before any form of communication helped people, activities were timed according to observations. These activities became connected with the position of Moon and the Sun.

It is believed that the Moon has greater force during certain parts of the cycle and less powerful at other times. Thus in early almanacs and continued today is a Best Days Calendar. This is found on our website and a longer listing in the Farmers’ Almanac (pages 86 -87). It is also part of our popular Planting By The Moon Calendar. Old timers swear that if you follow these rules, it will you help live a more “orderly life.” Some of the signs pertain to the Zodiac, others to the moon or both in doing certain things.

The fact is I get hundreds of requests each month from people who remember a grandparent or elder telling them they should wean a child, plant a root crop, quit smoking or some other task according to the “signs.” This information has always been part of our publication. Can you do things outside of the “rules” - sure - but this information is based upon a tradition that the moon and sun impact our lives.

Recently, when I was putting a fence in at a friends house I made sure we did it during the time listed in the almanac because the dirt settled more firmly around the post. It was hard work made easier by using this calendar.

If you have never looked, check out our Best Days Calendar on the web or in the Farmers’ Almanac. Try using this as a guide to an organized life. You might just like it. The one activity I offer no advice is surgery. Hundreds of years ago, people bled to death during surgery. So, it was important to do it during a time when blood flowed less. Today it is not an issue and, with all the lawyers into the world, I don’t dispense medical advice.

If you use the signs, let me know how it works for you. What sign do you follow and what are the results? Have a wonderful weekend, and Happy Father’s Day to all Dads.

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by pgeiger
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If you grew up in the 60s, there were many battles over the US Flag. How is it displayed, how is it retired; even issues of burning the flag in defiance were part of the news. Today is Flag Day and as with other aspects of the U.S. Government, there is a story behind the story.

There were very few public ceremonies honoring the flag until June 14, 1877, when it was first flown from every government building for the centennial of the flag’s adoption. After that, many citizens and organizations advocated the adoption of a national day of commemoration for the flag. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson unofficially proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. Coincidentally, he proclaimed “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem until 1931 and only in 1949 did President Harry Truman sign the legislation that made June 14 of each year Flag Day. June 14 is designated as a day of national observance for all Americans, but it is not a federal holiday.

Since then, the President proclaims the commemoration each year and encourages all Americans in the country to display the flag outside their homes and businesses. Usually, during Flag Day, the flag is flown from all public buildings, speeches are made in public places and ceremonies take place in towns or cities.

Enjoy today - be proud of your flag.

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by pgeiger
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Father’s Day was the idea of Sonora Louise Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Sonora, one of six children, wanted to pay tribute to her father, who after the death of her mother, raised Sonora and her five siblings on his own. After listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day in 1910, Sonora approached the speaker in regards to a similar day to honor fathers. On June 6, 1910, during the meeting of local ministries at Spokane’s YVCA building, Mrs. Dodd presented a petition that the third Sunday in June be set aside as a national Father’s Day. The ministers endorsed the petition, and it soon gained the attention of many national figures including Woodrow Wilson. In 1914, Congress endorsed Father’s Day. Then, in 1971, a proclamation by President Richard Nixon established Father’s Day as an annual national observance.

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June is the leading month for weddings. So, it is a good time to evaluate the phrase “A bride supposed to wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” This wedding tradition comes from an English rhyme describing the custom of a bride to wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Something old signifies continuity and could be a piece of lace, jewelry or a handkerchief. Something new signifies optimism for the future and is often an article of clothing or the wedding rings. Something borrowed represents happiness, which is often a piece of jewelry from a happily married relative or friend. Something blue signifies fidelity, loyalty and love. In early biblical times, blue, not white symbolized purity. Both the bride and the groom usually wore a band of blue material around the bottom of their wedding attire. The six pence was originally presented to the bride’s father who places a coin in the bride’s show prior to leaving home for the church.

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In keeping with wedding traditions, here is something of interest. Why a best man?? In some societies a would-be groom had to abduct the bride of his choice. To make sure he would not be disturbed, while carrying her off the love of his life, a good friend accompanied him to fight off anyone who might attempt to try and stop him.

More traditions to follow.

Enjoy your weekend.

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by pgeiger
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Ever wonder what does the “D” in D-Day stand for?? D-Day is actually a military term for the day an operation’s exercise starts. Of course, the most famous D-Day is June 6, 1944, when the allies stormed Normandy in World War II. Most sources reveal that there is no significance to the D letter, other than the fact it provides a point of reference, D+1, etc. The military also uses H-Hour for the time an operation will start.

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Why do bees and wasps sting? Protection is the main reason bees and wasps sting. Mice and other bees often raid a hive and steal honey. The bee uses its stinger to kill the raider. One bee’s venom can kill a mouse many times its size. One kind of wasp uses its stinger to provide food for its young. The female wasp will inject her stinging fluid into a caterpillar to paralyze it. She then lays eggs in the helpless creature. The baby wasps will hatch and feed on the caterpillar until they are big enough to go off on their own.

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How to keep fresh-cut flowers flourishing? Don’t cut flowers with tight buds. Wait until they loosen before picking, or they won’t open. Scissors are fine for cutting flowers with woody stems, such as roses, but a sharp knife is better for soft stems. After you snip the flowers from their plants, snip the ends again before placing in water. Try adding a tablespoon of sugar to the water, especially for lilacs and tulips.

Some believe that a copper penny in the water is good for prolonging the life of all flowers. Change the water every other day. Keep cut flowers in a somewhat cool place as this will help keep them from wilting.

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by pgeiger
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As an almanac editor and Philom., from time to time I get asked a question that I can’t answer. Here is one from B.D. located in Oregon. Apparently, several people, in her office were looking for the meaning of a word. Read below.

Back in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s we pick strawberries and put them in hallecks but cannot find that word in a dictionary or even a close definition. It was the word of the day at work and most staff haven’t a clue. Can you help? I may have the spelling wrong, but have tried haleck, halleck, hellack hellack, etc.

I thought this would be a slam-dunk by asking my 85-year-old mother. She worked on the almanac for 40 years and was around in the decades in question. She didn’t know and asked her 90+-year-old group.

Our best guess is that it may be a regional term maybe something from the West Coast. Does anyone have an answer to the meaning of the word hallecks?? If so, pass it along.

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by pgeiger
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Here’s some good news about something sweet to eat.

WebMD reports that: “One cup of pineapple has only 74 calories and provides 94% of your RDA of vitamin C. It’s also high in manganese, an important mineral for the body’s muscle tone and nerve and bone health.”

Of course, cutting pineapple is no easy task. Here are a few steps that we find useful:

1) Use a sharp knife and a cutting board.

2) Remove the stalk first

3) Cut the bottom and the tops off

4) Remove all the prickly skin by slicing it off in thin pieces (leaving a cylindrical sphere of the native fruit)

5) Then cut the fruit in small or large slices

by Farmers Almanac Staff
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Tired of paying top dollar for toothpaste made with baking soda? Try this recipe to make your own.

You’ll need to purchase vegetable glycerin from a drug store. If you can’t find it on the store shelves, ask the pharmacist to order it for you.

In a small container measure 10 T. baking soda and 5 to 6 T. glycerin and stir. Add 1 to 2 t. of peppermint flavoring and combine.

Spoon out as needed and apply to toothbrush. To ensure good oral hygiene, give family members their own little jar and baby spoon.

~Toothpaste recipe excerpted from Deborah S. Tukua’s book: Pearls of Country Wisdom: Hints from a Small Town on Keeping Garden and Home.

Technorati tags: toothpaste, Farmers’ Almanac TV

by Farmers Almanac Staff
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