Buckeye Blog
Nov. 5, 2009
Wooly Worm Weather

Posted in Of Interest...

Using wooly worms (Pyrrharctia isabella) to predict winter is old American folklore that traces its history back to early Americana. Supposedly, Native Americans taught the pioneers to read wooly worms to predict winter weather. Wooly worm is the common name for the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth. They are also called wooly bears.

Step 1
Look for wooly worms under rocks and inside hollow logs.
Step 2
Examine the wooly worm, paying attention to its bands of colors. The wooly worm will curl into a ball when touched or threatened. When they crawl, they can crawl very quickly!
Step 3
Wooly worm forecasters say that the size of the brown band of color will tell you what kind of winter is coming. Legend says that the thinner the brownish red bands, the harsher the winter will be. If the wooly worm is mostly brownish red in the middle, winter will be mild.

Step 4
Wooly worm enthusiasts claim an 85 percent success rate over the last few decades. Scientists tend to disagree and say wooly worm weather prediction is as unscientific as using groundhogs to predict winter weather. The groundhogs likely side with the wooly worms.
Step 5
Whether or not you believe in the power of wooly worms, they can be a fun project for children and adults.

{from
www.ehow.com}

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Nov. 5, 2009
Old Farmer's Almanac ~ A Quiet Sun, a Cold Winter

Posted in Of Interest...

A Quiet Sun, a Cold Winter

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a colder-than-normal winter. One contributing factor is sunspots—or the lack of them!

This year and next, sunspot activity will be very, very light. Whenever this phenomenon has occurred in the past, the result has been a cooling influence on Earth. Solar experts believe that the Sun will remain calm for another year.
See sunspot activity for 2009.

Robert B. Thomas, who founded this Almanac in 1792, believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots and solar radiation. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun. Click here to read “What Are Sunspots?


To this day, the Almanac uses three disciplines to predict the weather: meteorology, climatology, and solar activity. (See How We Predict the Weather.)

If you’re interested in learning more about the Sun’s effect on our climate, read “The Influence of Solar Activity on the Weather.

Or, join this forum: “Are Sunspots Disappearing?

Seasons of the Sun

Learn about the discovery of the 11-year solar cycle and its importance in predicting the frequency of sun spots and the strength of solar storms.


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Nov. 4, 2009
Homemade Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Posted in Homeschool Kitchen

Sweet & simple...

Mix together & store in an air-tight container:

1 c. 20 Mule Team Borax
1 c. Baking Soda

~ Use 2 TB. each load.
~ If your plastics come out clouded, use just A DROP of liquid dish soap.


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Nov. 2, 2009
Amish French Toast

Posted in Homeschool Kitchen

Here is a family favorite I thought I would share w/you.  Our family has had the pleasure of going to Holmes County, Ohio ~ the largest Amish settlement in the world ~ a few times.  Once my dh and I enjoyed the most wonderful long weekend at an Bed & Breakfast there.  The husband had grown up Amish but left them to marry.  Their B&B was built by his Amish family members and looks just like an incredible Amish home.  The difference being that the whole 1st floor is made up of lovely, themed guest rooms (we stayed in Grandpa's Room) w/a good 1/3 of the 1st floor being a HUGE country kitchen and a wonderful country gathering room w/several tables and chairs (for those incredible breakfasts and freshly made pie in the evening!) and a relaxing living-area w/a fireplace, piano and comfy couch and chairs.  There is also a wrap-around porch.  The family that funs the B&B has the entire upstairs as their own "house."  That, of course, is a private area.    It's been a while since we've been there, if you're interested, I believe it's called Miller Haus.  It sets on the highest knoll of Holmes County.

Anyway...one of our incredible breakfasts while there was Amish French Toast!  I have made this from-time-to-time ever since!  If you try this, you will be in food heaven!    Let me know how you LOVE it! 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Amish French Toast

eggs

milk

butter

bread

syrup

powdered sugar

 

~Mix w/fork 2 eggs and enough milk to cover (this you will do as necessary for each slice of bread)

~Melt butter into med/hot skillet (do this for each serving.  IF you MUST use margarine, use one that is non-hydrogenated like Earth Balance – I have to do this for one of my girls)

~Crack egg into skillet

~IMMEDIATELY soak a slice of bread in the egg/milk mixture and lay on top of the egg in the skillet; fry for about a minute or so until bottom egg is cooked through.

~Flip egg and bread – together – and let bread toast on other side.

~You MAY need to flip over on each side again until egg is fried to your satisfaction.

~Move egg/toast to a plate and top w/syrup and powdered sugar.

~ENJOY!!!!!!!!!


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Nov. 2, 2009
OHIO Voters ~ One More Reason to Vote "NO!!!" on Issue 2!!!

Posted in Legislation

One more reason to vote "NO!!" on Ohio Issue #2: this gov't over-sight will be an Ohio CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT!! Not just an ordinance or run by a board of lawyers telling farmers what they can/can't do in Columbus...but an Amendment!

VOTE "NO"!!!!!!


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Nov. 2, 2009
The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #51 ~ 11/2/09

Posted in The Simple Woman Daybook


For Today...

Outside my window...Lovely, crisp fall morning. Sunshine but colder temps. Gorgeous leaves falling & blowing across the yard & driveway.

I am thinking...about things I need to do.

I am thankful for...a generous local frig repair man who had to come back out this morning & didn't charge me for it b/c he knows my DH had been out of work for 6 months. God bless him!

From the kitchen...a frig w/ice! :-) Peanut butter/jelly on homemade bread for lunch, probably pasta & sauce for supper.

I am wearing...jeans, black slip-over shirt, camel-colored cardigan. Look! No hoodie on a Monday morning! roflol!!

I am reading...still reading the "Yukon Quest" 3-books-in-1 book. Got side-tracked but I'm back to it now.

I am hoping...for miracles!

I am creating...a peaceful home.

I am hearing...the radio.

Around the house...both DDs are off work today! They stayed up late last night catching up from their weeks - I could hear them talking & laughing (a wonderful sound) until late/early - so I'm going to let them sleep as long as they want. That doesn't happen much these days & I just enjoy knowing that they're in the house.

One of my favorite things...a cozy house, a cup of hot coffee in hand, lounging on the couch or love-seat while watching a DVD w/my family.

A few plans for the rest of the week...laundry, taking DD#1 to work/home, taking my mom to the eye Dr for a post-op check-up. Making re-fills of laundry detergent, toothpaste, dish washer detergent...several things have run out all at once.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

These are the items I use to make laundry detergent.

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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Oct. 29, 2009
Altering Our Biographies

Posted in Kim's Articles

2 Cor. 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

A blogging friend of mine recently had an entry that told about someone’s distant ancestor who was a horse thief in Montana, who also robbed trains, was chased down by the famous Pinkerton Detectives, and who eventually hanged for his troubles back in 1889.

I suppose someone in his family tree didn’t want to be associated with such a “fellow lacking in character,” and he decided to alter his great-great uncle’s biography…uh…just a smidge:

[He] was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, [he] passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."

After getting a good giggle out of the story, the Lord put the thought into my head:  “That is exactly what I did for you.  I altered your biography when I shed My blood on the cross.”

Before I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, at the age of 23, I was a BAD, misguided, utterly foul person.  But once Christ came into my life – once HE forgave me of my sins – I became a brand new person!  HE completely altered my biography and has written His version into the Lamb’s Book of Life!  All of the old crud has been erased and each page has been replaced with HIS loving grace.

The Author of Life has a personal interest in MY story!  He is helping me to write new chapters of love, devotion, prayer, ministry and out-reach that is read by everyone who comes into my sphere of influence.  That can be a heavy load to carry, but He has assured me that His burden is light and that He will be with me all the way.  I may fail and drop a few bricks from my load from time-to-time, but He is always there to forgive me and help me start all over.

I’m so grateful that the Lord is in the business of altering our biographies.  With His help, I’m hoping that my life will be a story worth reading by my descendants.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><


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Oct. 27, 2009
I am Overwhelmed...

Posted in Family News from the WOLFpack


...by the goodness of God!

This morning, as I was driving home after taking DD#2 to work, I passed the home for sale w/the closed gift shop attached to the barn that I've been praying about starting my bulk food business in. As always, I pray, pray, pray for God's gracious miracle of provision & wisdom. I need God's provision & wisdom b/c, as many of you know, my DH was laid off from April until about 3 weeks ago when he started a 2 month temp job. As he received no severance pay, ALL of our savings are completely & utterly depleted. But I'm operating on faith in the provision of my dear & mightly God to provide...daily needs AS WELL AS in the desires of my heart about the business.

God knows that my favorite season is fall - in Ohio the colors are magnificient, but w/our cool summer & fall rains, this fall has been one of the most beautiful & longest lasting I can ever remember in my 50 years. So, as I was driving home, after once again passing the house/business that is on my heart, & praying as I always do when passing it...my country drive home took me past some of the most incredible beauty! We are past our 'peak' of 'high color' & now are settling down to the earthy & almost palpable deep golds, rusts/browns & burgandies. Oh, the glory!!!

Tears came to my eyes & I began to praise the Lord for the beauty of His creation. For how BLESSED I am to have eyes to see this beauty! For ears to hear the praises of His people & the music of all nature praising His Name in the song of the birds, the falling rain, the wind in the trees! For the sense of smell that I can appreciate the comfort of the scent of fallen leaves mingling w/fireplace smoke wafting through the air during a walk! For the sense of touch that I can appreciate the comforting warmth of a favorite sweater against the chill of the fall air, & the love felt while holding my husband's hand. For the sense of taste that I may savor the seasonal goodness of cider, pumpkin pie or fresh-baked bread. And even for the "6th sense" of a soul saved from eternal serperation from the loving God Who created it all for His children to enjoy!

Thank You, Lord! I am overwhelmed by Your goodness today.


Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><


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Oct. 26, 2009
Abraham Lincoln Quote...

Posted in Of Interest...

"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
~~Abraham Lincoln


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Oct. 26, 2009
The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ #50 ~ 10/26/09

Posted in The Simple Woman Daybook


For Today...

Outside my window...beautiful sunshine & glorious fall color! A carpet of leaves in our yard so thick you can't see the grass! :-)

I am thinking...I need to get off here & do some housework.

I am thankful for...still having a house to clean! Yesterday's opportunity to lead worship at church. When you've done something every week for years & then take a break, you realize what a blessing & priviledge it is.

From the kitchen...DD#2 is off work today & treating me to lunch; not sure about supper, yet.

I am wearing...jeans, burgandy sweat shirt.

I am reading...II Cor.

I am hoping...for the Lord to knock me in the head w/the answer to a prayer! '-)

I am creating...a peaceful home; a household of faith.

I am hearing...the radio, DD#2 puttering around.

Around the house...need to call someone to look at our leaky frig; praying it won't cost what we don't have.

One of my favorite things...walking outside in the crisp fall air smelling the leaves mixed w/the fragrance of neighbor's fireplace smoke. You don't need $$ for that!

A few plans for the rest of the week...taking DD#2 to/from work, laundry, checking on my mom, caring for my family...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is titled: "1700's Cabin Scene" & think it's lovely.

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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