Posts
I am coming down with a cold, so pardon me while I.... *sneeze*. Okay, now let's get to the fun.
Wow! There were 48 entries for the skillet.
I used a random number generator and the winner is ... Number 10....
Beth Monson !
Congratulations, Beth! An email has been sent to you with details.
I'll be doing another giveaway soon, so watch for details!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
We found a farm. Let the games (er, negotiating) begin!
.
You know I grow a large garden on a farm. But did you know that the garden is grown on rented farmland? Yep, we live in town. My garden is about a 15 minute drive from our house. We've gone back and forth for years about purchasing a house in the country, where our sons can run and we can grow on our own property. Problem is, land around here is prime farmland and expensive. The taxes are high and properties are costly.
Still, when you have a dream it's hard to shake it from your skull.
I haven't mentioned this yet, so it's fresh news! Last week we made an offer on a rural property. Yes, I'm excited, but also scared out of my wits. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you!
We're bidding on a property in foreclosure.
You may be thinking, "Great! They'll get a good deal!". Which you would be right about. But.... when you buy a foreclosed property you can't have a contingency (which means, "here's my offer, but before I can buy it you need to wait for me to sell my current home"). Nope. If you already have a home, which we do, you'll have to buy it without selling your current home first (*gulp*). So, we could be carrying two mortgages for a while until our home sells.
How would we manage? Well, even though we're on a single income (my husband works in a warehouse), we're thrifty. We squirrel away money and have quite a bit of savings. We'd have to dip into it if we couldn't make both payments. We would qualify for the homebuyer's tax credit since we've been in our current home for over 5 years (that would also help replenish some savings). We'd probably be okay, even if our current home took a year or more to sell. We renovated our current home top to bottom, so I hope it wouldn't take a year to sell, but who knows. Another way we'd hope to make ends meet is by renting out a trailer on the new property.
The farm property.... let me tell you a bit about it. We first looked at it late last summer, but then it went to auction and sold. We figured that was the end of it. But a couple of weeks ago it was put back on the market. (This is beyond my understanding, but apparently it was purchased back by the bank from auction). Back to the property... Best of all, it's over 10 acres of land! At least 3 acres are woods, at least 4-5 is tillable for gardens. It's a rolling piece of land, very beautiful.
I have no idea what the former owners did for a living, but they put so much money into this place - it's crazy. There is the old 1880 farmhouse, which they renovated (but left some awesome original details which I'll tell you about later), and added a new 3 story addition. The house, with the addition, has 4-6 bedrooms. It's big. Which is also scary, because it's currently heated with only propane. We had a contractor go through it last week, and he estimated it would cost us $4000 per year to heat it with propane. $4000! I almost choked when he told me that. Don't worry, though, we had already planned to purchase a wood stove or two right away. By using a wood stove, the furnace would (hopefully) only kick in at a bit at night.
In addition to the house, there are two trailers. One is newer and salvageable, and has a newer pole building / garage. We'd rent that trailer out, probably to my in-laws. The other trailer we may need to get rid of, although I'm hoping it can be salvaged to house farm apprentices in the summer.
There is a garage with a lean-to that would make a great chicken coop.
An old barn on the property was renovated, and now has a steel roof and walls, horse stalls, and a few other rooms. The darn thing has it's own newer furnace. That's crazy, to heat that barn with propane. We sure wouldn't do that.(maybe I could eventually attach a greenhouse to it, and heat that for a few weeks in the spring with the furnace...just thinking out loud here).
I've saved the most unusual outbuilding for last. There is a poolhouse. Or at least, that's what the former owners used it as. My mother-in-law and I believe the poolhouse is actually an original mid-1800s log cabin that was re-sided and renovated inside. The inside setup still looks like an original log cabin of our area, with the sleeping loft up top. But, it's now renovated & modernized and has it's own kitchen, pipe for wood stove (stove is gone), stained glass windows, tanning bed (ha! me? no thanks), attached sauna (again, ha!), and indoor jacuzzi. The little kitchen is cool, but I would have rather been handed an original log cabin, ya know? Anyway, there is a wrap-around deck with another outdoor jacuzzi and a swimming pool.
Now, before you wonder how we have this much money, let me tell you that everything is pretty much trashed.
The place has been empty, we're guessing for at least 2 years and maybe up to 4 years. Teenagers were partying out there a couple of summers ago (our realtor lives nearby and remembers, lol). So, doors are kicked in, the central air unit was stolen, the trailers have a lot of indoor water damage (from side doors being left open for months, maybe years now, and rain & snow getting in). The pool is shredded, who knows if the hot tubs are usable or sellable, and the poolhouse (log cabin to me) has some rotted siding and missing doors. The decks around the cabin & pool may need to be torn down.
The main house is the best-kept building on the property. One of the doors is kicked in, some pipes were cut in the basement (maybe one burst), and there are a few other things. But compared with the other buildings the house is in good shape.
We have no idea about the well and septic.
So now you see why I'm freaking out....
The bank has finally dropped the price to 1/2 of the asking price before foreclosure. The amount we offered is much less than that even, and is not much more than what the land alone would cost. There is so much work to be done out there, and so many unknown variables, we figure that our offer is pretty realistic.
So, we'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted. Keep us in your prayers, that it will work out whichever way is best.
Thanks for reading the All-Natural-Mama Blog, home to Wishful Acres Organic Farm.
You know I grow a large garden on a farm. But did you know that the garden is grown on rented farmland? Yep, we live in town. My garden is about a 15 minute drive from our house. We've gone back and forth for years about purchasing a house in the country, where our sons can run and we can grow on our own property. Problem is, land around here is prime farmland and expensive. The taxes are high and properties are costly.
Still, when you have a dream it's hard to shake it from your skull.
I haven't mentioned this yet, so it's fresh news! Last week we made an offer on a rural property. Yes, I'm excited, but also scared out of my wits. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you!
We're bidding on a property in foreclosure.
You may be thinking, "Great! They'll get a good deal!". Which you would be right about. But.... when you buy a foreclosed property you can't have a contingency (which means, "here's my offer, but before I can buy it you need to wait for me to sell my current home"). Nope. If you already have a home, which we do, you'll have to buy it without selling your current home first (*gulp*). So, we could be carrying two mortgages for a while until our home sells.
How would we manage? Well, even though we're on a single income (my husband works in a warehouse), we're thrifty. We squirrel away money and have quite a bit of savings. We'd have to dip into it if we couldn't make both payments. We would qualify for the homebuyer's tax credit since we've been in our current home for over 5 years (that would also help replenish some savings). We'd probably be okay, even if our current home took a year or more to sell. We renovated our current home top to bottom, so I hope it wouldn't take a year to sell, but who knows. Another way we'd hope to make ends meet is by renting out a trailer on the new property.
The farm property.... let me tell you a bit about it. We first looked at it late last summer, but then it went to auction and sold. We figured that was the end of it. But a couple of weeks ago it was put back on the market. (This is beyond my understanding, but apparently it was purchased back by the bank from auction). Back to the property... Best of all, it's over 10 acres of land! At least 3 acres are woods, at least 4-5 is tillable for gardens. It's a rolling piece of land, very beautiful.
I have no idea what the former owners did for a living, but they put so much money into this place - it's crazy. There is the old 1880 farmhouse, which they renovated (but left some awesome original details which I'll tell you about later), and added a new 3 story addition. The house, with the addition, has 4-6 bedrooms. It's big. Which is also scary, because it's currently heated with only propane. We had a contractor go through it last week, and he estimated it would cost us $4000 per year to heat it with propane. $4000! I almost choked when he told me that. Don't worry, though, we had already planned to purchase a wood stove or two right away. By using a wood stove, the furnace would (hopefully) only kick in at a bit at night.
In addition to the house, there are two trailers. One is newer and salvageable, and has a newer pole building / garage. We'd rent that trailer out, probably to my in-laws. The other trailer we may need to get rid of, although I'm hoping it can be salvaged to house farm apprentices in the summer.
There is a garage with a lean-to that would make a great chicken coop.
An old barn on the property was renovated, and now has a steel roof and walls, horse stalls, and a few other rooms. The darn thing has it's own newer furnace. That's crazy, to heat that barn with propane. We sure wouldn't do that.(maybe I could eventually attach a greenhouse to it, and heat that for a few weeks in the spring with the furnace...just thinking out loud here).
I've saved the most unusual outbuilding for last. There is a poolhouse. Or at least, that's what the former owners used it as. My mother-in-law and I believe the poolhouse is actually an original mid-1800s log cabin that was re-sided and renovated inside. The inside setup still looks like an original log cabin of our area, with the sleeping loft up top. But, it's now renovated & modernized and has it's own kitchen, pipe for wood stove (stove is gone), stained glass windows, tanning bed (ha! me? no thanks), attached sauna (again, ha!), and indoor jacuzzi. The little kitchen is cool, but I would have rather been handed an original log cabin, ya know? Anyway, there is a wrap-around deck with another outdoor jacuzzi and a swimming pool.
Now, before you wonder how we have this much money, let me tell you that everything is pretty much trashed.
The place has been empty, we're guessing for at least 2 years and maybe up to 4 years. Teenagers were partying out there a couple of summers ago (our realtor lives nearby and remembers, lol). So, doors are kicked in, the central air unit was stolen, the trailers have a lot of indoor water damage (from side doors being left open for months, maybe years now, and rain & snow getting in). The pool is shredded, who knows if the hot tubs are usable or sellable, and the poolhouse (log cabin to me) has some rotted siding and missing doors. The decks around the cabin & pool may need to be torn down.
The main house is the best-kept building on the property. One of the doors is kicked in, some pipes were cut in the basement (maybe one burst), and there are a few other things. But compared with the other buildings the house is in good shape.
We have no idea about the well and septic.
So now you see why I'm freaking out....
The bank has finally dropped the price to 1/2 of the asking price before foreclosure. The amount we offered is much less than that even, and is not much more than what the land alone would cost. There is so much work to be done out there, and so many unknown variables, we figure that our offer is pretty realistic.
So, we'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted. Keep us in your prayers, that it will work out whichever way is best.
Thanks for reading the All-Natural-Mama Blog, home to Wishful Acres Organic Farm.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Happy Weekend
This weekend I plan on doing some housecleaning & home projects, cooking up a few deep-dish pizzas (click if you missed this recipe, it's so good!), and starting some eggplant seeds in large containers.
This year, I plan on starting about 2,000 vegetable plants from seed (click here to see the varieties I'm growing). I hope to offer a few different sizes of plants, so I'm staggering my seed-starting dates. Eggplants take a long time to grow from seed, so they need to be started first. I'm planting the first into large 16-ounce cups. In two weeks I'll start more in a smaller pot, and again with an even smaller pot.
That's it for me. What are your weekend plans?
This year, I plan on starting about 2,000 vegetable plants from seed (click here to see the varieties I'm growing). I hope to offer a few different sizes of plants, so I'm staggering my seed-starting dates. Eggplants take a long time to grow from seed, so they need to be started first. I'm planting the first into large 16-ounce cups. In two weeks I'll start more in a smaller pot, and again with an even smaller pot.
That's it for me. What are your weekend plans?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Today is the last day to enter the All-Natural-Mama's giveaway for a new cast-iron skillet!
If you haven't entered the contest, click here to do so.
I'll be announcing a winner tomorrow!
If you haven't entered the contest, click here to do so.
I'll be announcing a winner tomorrow!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Whole Wheat Spiced Zucchini Bread
This is a great recipe for zucchini bread. I adapted it to include whole wheat flour, less sugar, and less oil.
If you're wondering why in the world I am posting a recipe for zucchini bread in February, when there is no zucchini in our gardens..... well, we have boxes full of the stuff in our freezer. I froze tons of zucchini last summer (just shredded it or diced it or sliced it and tossed into the labeled freezer bags). I need to start using more of it!
If you don't have bags of zucchini in your freezer, you can always buy some in the grocery store or bookmark this recipe to use next summer.
Whole Wheat Spiced Zucchini Bread
(makes 2 loaves)
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup nuts (optional)
Stir dry ingredients together. Beat the eggs with the sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients. Stir in the zucchini, adding raisins & nuts if desired. Divide between 2 greased 9x5 loaf pans and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.
Delicious. Enjoy!
If you're wondering why in the world I am posting a recipe for zucchini bread in February, when there is no zucchini in our gardens..... well, we have boxes full of the stuff in our freezer. I froze tons of zucchini last summer (just shredded it or diced it or sliced it and tossed into the labeled freezer bags). I need to start using more of it!
Frozen, shredded zucchini
If you don't have bags of zucchini in your freezer, you can always buy some in the grocery store or bookmark this recipe to use next summer.
Whole Wheat Spiced Zucchini Bread
(makes 2 loaves)
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup nuts (optional)
Stir dry ingredients together. Beat the eggs with the sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients. Stir in the zucchini, adding raisins & nuts if desired. Divide between 2 greased 9x5 loaf pans and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.
The spices make a dark bread
Delicious. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A few recently read books
1. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
This was an interesting read, although pretty gory. Not for the weak of heart! :-) It struck me as a true-to-life Pirates of the Caribbean, although more historically accurate. Takes place mainly in the infamous Port Royal, Jamaica as well as throughout the Caribbean. Lots of history written in, which I loved.
Corrupt officials, dirty pirates, treasure... a great way to spend a cold February night.
2. Angel Time by Anne Rice
I loved Anne Rice throughout my late teens and 20s. The Vampire Chronicles as well as her stand-alone novels were my favorite books for years. I adore the way that Anne writes so much great history into her novels.
Anne has since returned to her religious roots, and her current novels have a Christian theme. Angel Time is no exception. It is well written, as any Anne Rice novel is, and it includes a lot of history as well. A lost soul is currently working as a hit man but his guardian angel steps in and shows him a different path by transporting him back through time to the Middle Ages to intercede in a riot against wrongly-accused Jews. You won't be disappointed by this one, especially once you get to the part where he is transported to 13th century England to help the Jewish.
3. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
For fans of Nicholas Sparks (author of such novels as the Notebook), here is another winner. Yes, you'll cry. Yes, you'll be touched. In true Nicholas Sparks fashion, a story of young love and ordinary lives. The story of a rebellious teenage girl who is an amazing piano player & composer, it revolves around her rekindled relationship with her father as well as her first love.
I'm still reading this one, but am almost finished.
4. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.
*sigh*. I've saved the best for last. Ah, Jane; you either love her or hate her. I am of the latter persuasion (gosh, I'm even speaking like the wife of a gentleman in 1800 England).
I've watched the movies countless times (the Colin Firth BBC version of Pride & Prejudice
is my favorite). I've attempted to read the novel before but never finished it. I am so proud to say.... drumroll please.... that I finally read P & P from cover to cover. I made it!For those intimidated by the language of Jane Austen, I'll admit that it was easier for me to watch the movies first. There are several versions of movies for all her books. The most recent major motion picture version of Pride & Prejudice
starred Keira Knightly (also in Pirates of the Caribbean). There is a movie version of her novel Emma starring Gwenyth Paltrow
, and a brand-new version of Emma 
(a long miniseries) recently aired on PBS, but is available on DVD (I'm waiting for my copy to arrive as we speak) Other movies based upon her novels available include Sense & Sensibility 
(won several Grammys), Northanger Abbey
, Persuasion
, and Mansfield Park
.If you've never read Jane Austen, I really recommend you do. Especially if you're a woman. She is considered one of the top female authors of all time. Isn't it funny, I remember learning a lot in high school British Literature about Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, but never Jane Austen. She is overlooked, and it's too bad. I'm so glad I was introduced to her in my late 20s.
If you haven't entered my giveaway for the cast-iron skillet, it's not too late! The contest is open until February 5 (Friday), so sign up here!
Perhaps Jane Austen's family owned a similar skillet......
That's all for now! If you have any book recommendations for me, please leave a comment below. I'm always looking for great novels to read!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
No, we're not bootleggers...
My weekly column on The Renegade Farmer web site this week discusses my foray into wine making. If you'd like to read it, here's the link: http://therenegadefarmer.com/
Hope you're having a great Groundhog Day! No matter what the groundhog does today, spring is just around the corner! Woo-Hoo!!!
Hope you're having a great Groundhog Day! No matter what the groundhog does today, spring is just around the corner! Woo-Hoo!!!
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