Kamis, 30 April 2015
Barn Hop 66
Welcome to the Monday Homestead Barn Hop where youre invited to link up your blog with your very best post of the week; something happening at your homestead or something of interest that will help benefit fellow homesteaders. Plus, each of the 3 Homestead Barn Hop hostess selects her favorite post of the week to highlight the following week. So be sure to visit all three blogs because the "Featured Homestead" could be YOURS!
If youve been featured in the past...
If youve been a featured blogger on the Barn Hop, either today or in the past, we now have a special button for you should you wish to add it to your sidebar stating that youve been a featured blogger! You can find it on my button page by clicking the hen with the blue barn on my sidebar that says "HR Buttons". Its a good idea to link it back to the page where you were featured so your readers can see where youre actually mentioned. (These buttons do not have a code since it needs to be linked to the page youre featured in and it will change from week to week. Just copy the button or drag it to your desktop).
Join The Barn Hop!
Jill @ The Prairie Homestead
Kendra @ New Life on a Homestead
and Amy @ Homestead Revival...
...invite you to link up and share your homesteading adventures!
Did you share any cool new homesteading tips on your blog this week? If so, we’d love to have you link up below! Even if you don’t have a blog, we always welcome your comments!
Please remember that the Homestead Barn Hop is meant to be a place to share homesteading related encouragement and inspiring ideas specfically related to homesteading. In an effort to keep our weekly round-up clutter free, links which are not specifically homestead related, and any promotions such as giveaways, contests, carnivals, etc, will be deleted in order to maintain the integrity of the Barn Hop. Please remember this is a family friendly link up. Any pictures or posts linked to the hop which aren’t appropriate for our children to view or read will also be deleted immediately. We’re pretty conservative, so we ask that you use good judgment and err on the side of caution.
Make sure that you link to your Barn Hop post, not your blog’s main page, so your guests won’t have any trouble finding your great tips!
We would also appreciate it if you would link back to the Homestead Barn Hop in the post that you share! Feel free to grab the banner at the top of this post to link back to us with.
Want a chance to be a “Featured Homestead” next week?
Occasionally there is a problem posting due to glitches in the internet or the Linky Tools. If you have difficulties posting and it does not show up immediately, please wait a little while and try re-posting (this helps avoid double posting). Were sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, be we do not have absolute control over the internet. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
A Week in Farm Photos March 23rd 29th
Spring has sprung! We have daffodils and hyacinths blooming, baby chicks in the coop, egg production is booming and everything is turning green. Life is good. Everything always seems so rosy, like anything is possible each spring. Farm living just can't be beat and I am truly blessed to be able to be doing something I love and to have met such wonderful people along the way. It seems that each week brings new and exciting opportunities. It's impossible to be anything but deliriously happy in the spring on a farm. Enjoy these photos from our week.
[continue reading]
How To Make Starter Strips for Bee Hive Frames
At the last minute, Ive decided to make wax starter strips for my bees instead of installing pre-made wax foundation in the frames. After reading Fruitless Fall, Ive been convinced to be brave and try a more natural way of beekeeping, allowing the bees to do what they would naturally do if they were unattended in the wild.
Lets face it... God designed these marvelous creatures to know exactly what their needs are in terms of cell size and who am I to redirect that to fit a commercial form? On their own, they will draw a smaller cell which seems to resist the Varroa mites much better. Yes, Ill have to do some things differently as a result of my decision, but since Im new at this, now is the time to learn. Better to train rather than have to retrain, right?
Since I waited until the day my bees were scheduled to arrive to do this, I did not have any "pure" beeswax to use for this project (in other words, beeswax that was sure to be chemical free). However, I did have the wax foundation that I had originally purchased, so I decided to improvise and use that for the starter strips.
One stir stick is not long enough, so I had to cut another section to fit.
Next, I broke up some of the original foundation into small pieces after removing the inset wires.
The wax melts at around 160 degrees, so this worked well, but it cooled too quickly. I tried setting the jar in a pot of water on the stove and that was much better, but finally, I picked up a cheap small pot that Ill use only for this purpose. I placed the wax directly in this pot and kept it on the lowest setting on my stove top and it worked the best.
Taking a small paint brush, I dipped it into the melted wax and painted a strip onto the stir stick and underneath side of the frame.
It quickly cooled and hardened enough to keep any stir sticks in place while providing a wax foundation for the bees to begin drawing their comb.
According to Bush Farms, "Bees need some kind of guide to get them to draw straight comb. Any beekeeper has seen them skip the foundation and build combs between or out from the face of the comb, so we know that sometimes they ignore those clues. But a simple clue like a beveled top bar or a strip of wax or wood or even a drawn comb on each side of an empty frame will work most of the time." Im thinking my bees are wonderfully bright and will do so accordingly! I can hardly wait to see!
I thought that if I used this method I would have to crush and strain to get the honey out, but apparently, you can still put the frames in an extractor. Just start slow and build up speed when more of the honey is out of the comb. Either way, it should be good if they build up enough honey.
Beekeeping is so fascinating. It really is amazing to watch these creatures up close and observe their ways. How Rowan Jacobson could write Fruitless Fall and not see Gods hand in it is beyond me. Its apparent in every step of the process that a wise and orderly Creator made bees to testify of Him in all that they do!
Read More..
Lets face it... God designed these marvelous creatures to know exactly what their needs are in terms of cell size and who am I to redirect that to fit a commercial form? On their own, they will draw a smaller cell which seems to resist the Varroa mites much better. Yes, Ill have to do some things differently as a result of my decision, but since Im new at this, now is the time to learn. Better to train rather than have to retrain, right?
I began by inserting a paint stir stick in the groove at the top of each frame.
One stir stick is not long enough, so I had to cut another section to fit.
You want it to stretch all the way across your frame. Others have commented that they have to sand down their sticks a bit to fit, but I found that my worked perfectly. In fact, some were just a bit loose. Not to worry, the next step takes care of anything that might fall out.
Next, I broke up some of the original foundation into small pieces after removing the inset wires.
I used a mason jar and stuck it in the oven on 170 degrees which was as low as my oven would go.
The wax melts at around 160 degrees, so this worked well, but it cooled too quickly. I tried setting the jar in a pot of water on the stove and that was much better, but finally, I picked up a cheap small pot that Ill use only for this purpose. I placed the wax directly in this pot and kept it on the lowest setting on my stove top and it worked the best.
Taking a small paint brush, I dipped it into the melted wax and painted a strip onto the stir stick and underneath side of the frame.
It quickly cooled and hardened enough to keep any stir sticks in place while providing a wax foundation for the bees to begin drawing their comb.
According to Bush Farms, "Bees need some kind of guide to get them to draw straight comb. Any beekeeper has seen them skip the foundation and build combs between or out from the face of the comb, so we know that sometimes they ignore those clues. But a simple clue like a beveled top bar or a strip of wax or wood or even a drawn comb on each side of an empty frame will work most of the time." Im thinking my bees are wonderfully bright and will do so accordingly! I can hardly wait to see!
I thought that if I used this method I would have to crush and strain to get the honey out, but apparently, you can still put the frames in an extractor. Just start slow and build up speed when more of the honey is out of the comb. Either way, it should be good if they build up enough honey.
Beekeeping is so fascinating. It really is amazing to watch these creatures up close and observe their ways. How Rowan Jacobson could write Fruitless Fall and not see Gods hand in it is beyond me. Its apparent in every step of the process that a wise and orderly Creator made bees to testify of Him in all that they do!
chicken coop designs small
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| chicken coop designs small |
When building small chicken coop designs, it really is imperative to take into account some of the vital design elements in order to construct the most ideal house which is perfect for perfect growth and development of the particular chickens. Always bear in mind that this health with the chickens is vital on the success of your respective poultry-raising endeavour.
For this specific reason, it really is best to build small chicken coop designs by maintaining in mind the and maximum comfort of the actual chickens in order to elevate healthy and also heavier chickens. Take notice that chickens are often sold according to certain amount every weight. Therefore, the bulkier the chicken the larger sales you are going to create; and that includes more earnings for you.
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| chicken coop designs small areas |
Therefore, when you are planning to build small chicken coop designs you have to keep the cows healthy by comfortable existing; such as noticing enough room that allow each and every chicken to propagate its wings through day time. Congested hen house is not healthy setting as the cows are not secure; making your chickens fully anxious most of the time.
It is usually important to note that you need to avoid chickens via being pressured because it could significantly get a new quality regarding meat that you will be going to create. Hence, comfort and ease is essential; and also you must bear this in mind then you increase the risk for designs of your chicken coops.
Another necessary design element is correct ventilation. Chicken is quite responsive to temperature. They dont like to blossom in incredibly hot issue; as well as in an atmosphere that is very cold. For this reason, you must supply provisions that may keep the chicken coop warm through cold time; and properly ventilated throughout hot periods in order to conserve the temperature simply within the comfy range.
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| small chicken coop plans and designs ideas |
Power in resources is another crucial aspect of the layout that you must in addition consider. Garden chicken coops are usually created from used resources. Well, that is certainly fine after they are still outstanding in high quality and strong. It is important that your hen house is made of powerful and strong materials simply because may be numerous predators about waiting for the best time to assault their victim.
In order to keep your chickens safe along with well attached from a variety of predators; you should build your coop durable and strong. Take note which some potential predators or innovators like foxes could tear down mild materials; for this specific reason it can be best to avoid utilizing weak and also inferior rank construction components.
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| small backyard chicken coop designs |
Bear in mind the actual aforesaid design components when building small chicken coop designs; your insights thus are very valuable in building a perfect house for the chickens.
Valentine Conversation Heart Hand Warmer DIY Tutorial
snowgo
I went as a reporter with the News-Miner. The paper rented one snowmachine for me and John, the photographer, and since he had more experience, he drove. His response to any threat -- of bogging down in deep snow, mostly -- was to gun it. Knowing what I know now, his instinct or training was probably right, but at the time it seemed like a jerky ride. After tipping over repeatedly on overworn trails, I tried driving and promptly tipped us over, camera gear, notebooks and all. The thing I remember most was struggling to breathe with the air fouled by a thousand two-stroke engines.
The second time was last winter, testing out my friend Marks new-used Polaris. I took it up to 30 miles an hour, nervous as ruts in the snow tugged at the skis. Ian took it up to 60.
I still consider snowmachines kind of stupid, at least for recreation. Moving under your own power is more rewarding, and while it wont get you as far, certainly allows for a deeper appreciation of the landscape, without any of the smoke and noise. "Im not usually like this!" I wanted to tell the one hiker we passed on the trail this weekend in the White Mountains. (Mark and Ian and I went about 25 miles on Saturday, out on a mixed-use trail from Wickersham Dome until the ruts and tussocks and slush made the riding less fun.)
So why do it? I guess to experience something thats such a big part of Alaska life, used for hunting, trapping, and travel. To open the door for new explorations, or at least gain the skills to make them possible.
And, Ill admit, its pretty darn fun.
Udderly Natural Care
There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to udder care for livestock. Many even claim to be "natural". For my goats, I wanted the most basic thing I could find that would actually work. Thankfully, I didnt have to look far.
For months, Ive been using a couple of recipes I found on a really great blog, Freedom Acres Farm. And thankfully, I can report that weve not had one bit of problem with any udders around here! I really do think the wisdom of using the natural ingredients, along with thoroughly milking the goats out each time, has allowed our goats to be mastitis free. And Lord willing, theyre remain that way!
The second recipe incorporates essential oils. After attending the Vintage Remedies on-line conference this month, I learned just how powerful these oils really are! I knew they had a few properties that were good for us, but I just didnt realize their full potential! Since then, Ive decided to take the Family Herbalist course and learn even more (I like to know the why and how of things, I guess)!
Prior to milking, I wipe down the udder and teats with a baby wipe. I know that isnt particularly natural, is it? Its driving me nuts... using paper towels and/or baby wipes. None of it really has made me say "Ureka! Thats it!". So Ive succumbed to convenience until I find the right solution. (I think I better just get over it.)
Next, I milk and then follow with these much more natural solutions...
Udderly Natural Teat Spray
15-20 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)
12 oz. water
Add water to a spray bottle and then add GSE. Shake gently before each use.
Notes: At Freedom Acre Farms, they use this recipe for cows and do it as a dip by putting it in a small dixie cup (4 oz. water with 5-7 drops GSE). For my very small goats (and only two at that), I felt I was wasting too much, so I purchased this excellent spray bottle from Hoegger Goat Supply that sprays upward rather than straight out. I just hold it under the udder along with the wipe I used prior to milking so as to catch the drips, and I spray.
Udderly Natural Daily Teat Balm
1 cup coconut oil
30 drops peppermint essential oil
30 drops tea tree essential oil
Incorporate essential oils into the coconut oil and place in a small mason jar (shallow with wide mouth is best). Apply after teat spray daily or as needed to prevent chaffing.
Note: I use this almost daily during the dry winter months, but if it isnt necessary, I wont use it. I also cut this recipe in half because it goes a long way and Id rather make a fresh batch periodically.
For those concerned... Ive never noticed that either of these formulas (or the cheap baby wipes) cause the milk to have an off taste. It makes me feel good knowing whats in it... every single ingredient.
I encourage you to visit Freedom Acre Farms and read more about their natural udder care for livestock, including a natural wipe prior to milking. These two recipes have certainly worked well... Im sure their natural wipes do, too!
Thank you Freedom Acre Farm!
Id love to hear about your natural udder care solutions!
Read More..
The second recipe incorporates essential oils. After attending the Vintage Remedies on-line conference this month, I learned just how powerful these oils really are! I knew they had a few properties that were good for us, but I just didnt realize their full potential! Since then, Ive decided to take the Family Herbalist course and learn even more (I like to know the why and how of things, I guess)!
Prior to milking, I wipe down the udder and teats with a baby wipe. I know that isnt particularly natural, is it? Its driving me nuts... using paper towels and/or baby wipes. None of it really has made me say "Ureka! Thats it!". So Ive succumbed to convenience until I find the right solution. (I think I better just get over it.)
Next, I milk and then follow with these much more natural solutions...
Udderly Natural Teat Spray
15-20 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)
12 oz. water
Add water to a spray bottle and then add GSE. Shake gently before each use.
Notes: At Freedom Acre Farms, they use this recipe for cows and do it as a dip by putting it in a small dixie cup (4 oz. water with 5-7 drops GSE). For my very small goats (and only two at that), I felt I was wasting too much, so I purchased this excellent spray bottle from Hoegger Goat Supply that sprays upward rather than straight out. I just hold it under the udder along with the wipe I used prior to milking so as to catch the drips, and I spray.
Udderly Natural Daily Teat Balm
1 cup coconut oil
30 drops peppermint essential oil
30 drops tea tree essential oil
Incorporate essential oils into the coconut oil and place in a small mason jar (shallow with wide mouth is best). Apply after teat spray daily or as needed to prevent chaffing.
Note: I use this almost daily during the dry winter months, but if it isnt necessary, I wont use it. I also cut this recipe in half because it goes a long way and Id rather make a fresh batch periodically.
I encourage you to visit Freedom Acre Farms and read more about their natural udder care for livestock, including a natural wipe prior to milking. These two recipes have certainly worked well... Im sure their natural wipes do, too!
Thank you Freedom Acre Farm!
Id love to hear about your natural udder care solutions!
Rabu, 29 April 2015
Barn Hop 71
Im excited to share a post from Old World Garden Farms this week!
Jim and Mary have worked really hard to build a lovely small business on their farm and yet, theyve still managed to put aside some food for the winter. What caught my attention was the way they stored their canning jars. Those of you familiar with the racks that rotate cans will recognize the concept, only this one works with the glass jars in an upright fashion...
Constructed to fit their jars precisely and with a gentle slant, jars carefully slide forward when one is removed for use. I could see this in a root cellar, basement, pantry, or just like Mary has it here, out in the open to enjoy all those colors! It sure makes it easy to do inventory (250 jars)!
Another plus... they made it from old shipping pallets, so I bet this project came in under $10. Theyve kindly shared how they did it, too. Just vist them at Old World Garden Farm.
If youve been featured in the past...
If youve been a featured blogger on the Barn Hop, either today or in the past, we now have a special button for you should you wish to add it to your sidebar stating that youve been a featured blogger! You can find it on my button page by clicking the hen with the blue barn on my sidebar that says "HR Buttons". Its a good idea to link it back to the page where you were featured so your readers can see where youre actually mentioned. (These buttons do not have a code since it needs to be linked to the page youre featured in and it will change from week to week. Just copy the button or drag it to your desktop).
Join The Barn Hop!
Jill @ The Prairie Homestead
Kendra @ New Life on a Homestead
and Amy @ Homestead Revival...
...invite you to link up and share your homesteading adventures!
Did you share any cool new homesteading tips on your blog this week? If so, we’d love to have you link up below! Even if you don’t have a blog, we always welcome your comments!
Please remember that the Homestead Barn Hop is meant to be a place to share homesteading related encouragement and inspiring ideas specfically related to homesteading. In an effort to keep our weekly round-up clutter free, links which are not specifically homestead related, and any promotions such as giveaways, contests, carnivals, etc, will be deleted in order to maintain the integrity of the Barn Hop. Please remember this is a family friendly link up. Any pictures or posts linked to the hop which aren’t appropriate for our children to view or read will also be deleted immediately. We’re pretty conservative, so we ask that you use good judgment and err on the side of caution.
Make sure that you link to your Barn Hop post, not your blog’s main page, so your guests won’t have any trouble finding your great tips!
We would also appreciate it if you would link back to the Homestead Barn Hop in the post that you share! Feel free to grab the banner at the top of this post to link back to us with.
Want a chance to be a “Featured Homestead” next week?
Occasionally there is a problem posting due to glitches in the internet or the Linky Tools. If you have difficulties posting and it does not show up immediately, please wait a little while and try re-posting (this helps avoid double posting). Were sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, be we do not have absolute control over the internet. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
the power of green building
John Davies, a geophysicist and research director at the Fairbanks-based Cold Climate Housing Research Center, got a little choked up today talking about green building. Well, to be fair, he got choked up recounting how Desmond Tutu, at a green building conference last month in Boston, explained to a bunch of builders how the election of Barack Obama had restored "the worlds" faith in democracy. Whatever. In any case, Davies passion for green building was clear.
Davies was giving a primer on the relatively new LEED program for residential buildings (and, more generally, the benefits of building smart) to a Democratic party group here in Fairbanks. The residential certification program, put together by the US Green Building Council, follows the commercial LEED program thats been in place for years. It takes into account everything from site selection and building materials to air quality and energy use. Builders must meet basic criteria in all fields, then earn the extra points needed for certification by doing extra things within any field. Certification comes in different levels -- silver, gold, and platinum -- and can even apply to entire neighborhoods.
The way Davies described it, green building done right is a win-win all around. Its healthier, better for the environment, and saves money. Even if the upfront construction cost is higher, the energy savings make up for the higher costs. (Combined mortgage and utility costs are typically lower, Davies claimed.)
got me thinking. Surely people consider the "operating cost" of a home before buying or building -- but not like they consider the miles per gallon on a car. I asked Davies about this after and he said people often dont consider operating costs, and would have a hard time estimating those costs if they did. Davies likes the idea of requiring an energy audit upon sale of a house, or even a Energy Star-like rating for a house -- stick it on the breaker box.
When I asked why anyone wouldnt go green, his first answer was "sloth." People have other stuff to do, he said. But its also a lack of education, he added. Home builders need to know how to design and install the stuff, and homeowners need to know how to maintain it.
Davies tossed out some impressive numbers on green building -- 30 to 60 percent less energy, 70 percent less waste -- and mentioned Obamas ambitious plans for greening the economy. But echoing Tutu, he also warned against aiming too low -- billions of people using small amounts of finite resources wont work in the long run. "Less bad isnt good enough," he said.
We need zero-emissions homes, zero-energy homes, Davies went on. "Its a pretty daunting challenge."
When he first considered the challenge, Davies recalled, he thought, "Zero-energy homes in Fairbanks? How the heck do we do that!?" But thats what we need.
Davies got kind of serious. I could see the former state lawmaker in him.
"We have to get to sustainability," he said, "or eventually Mother Nature will get her revenge."
Read More..
Davies was giving a primer on the relatively new LEED program for residential buildings (and, more generally, the benefits of building smart) to a Democratic party group here in Fairbanks. The residential certification program, put together by the US Green Building Council, follows the commercial LEED program thats been in place for years. It takes into account everything from site selection and building materials to air quality and energy use. Builders must meet basic criteria in all fields, then earn the extra points needed for certification by doing extra things within any field. Certification comes in different levels -- silver, gold, and platinum -- and can even apply to entire neighborhoods.
The way Davies described it, green building done right is a win-win all around. Its healthier, better for the environment, and saves money. Even if the upfront construction cost is higher, the energy savings make up for the higher costs. (Combined mortgage and utility costs are typically lower, Davies claimed.)
got me thinking. Surely people consider the "operating cost" of a home before buying or building -- but not like they consider the miles per gallon on a car. I asked Davies about this after and he said people often dont consider operating costs, and would have a hard time estimating those costs if they did. Davies likes the idea of requiring an energy audit upon sale of a house, or even a Energy Star-like rating for a house -- stick it on the breaker box.
When I asked why anyone wouldnt go green, his first answer was "sloth." People have other stuff to do, he said. But its also a lack of education, he added. Home builders need to know how to design and install the stuff, and homeowners need to know how to maintain it.
Davies tossed out some impressive numbers on green building -- 30 to 60 percent less energy, 70 percent less waste -- and mentioned Obamas ambitious plans for greening the economy. But echoing Tutu, he also warned against aiming too low -- billions of people using small amounts of finite resources wont work in the long run. "Less bad isnt good enough," he said.
We need zero-emissions homes, zero-energy homes, Davies went on. "Its a pretty daunting challenge."
When he first considered the challenge, Davies recalled, he thought, "Zero-energy homes in Fairbanks? How the heck do we do that!?" But thats what we need.
Davies got kind of serious. I could see the former state lawmaker in him.
"We have to get to sustainability," he said, "or eventually Mother Nature will get her revenge."
Herb Rx Natural Remedies for Respiratory Issues in Chickens
Chickens have extremely complex lung and respiratory systems. That can unfortunately lead to problems affecting their breathing that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Some signs of respiratory distress are labored breathing, wheezing, watery eyes or nostrils, shaking the head, squeaking noises, sneezing or coughing.
[continue reading]Barn Hop 40 The Great Holiday Event!
A huge THANK YOU is in order to some wonderful people who helped make this week happen... our lovely sponsors and a list of prizes theyve donated (and be sure to note the discounts being offered as well!):
MONDAY
Rick & Kimberlee of Anderson Family Farms – 8 oz. Goat Milk Lotion (Scent of winner’s choice)
Brad Stieg of Tattler Canning Lids – 2 dozen lids
TUESDAY
Jill Wright of Lilla Rose - $15 gift certificate
Kate Tjete of Modern Alternative Mama – 4 ebooks
WEDNESDAY
Joan Strohn of Momos Retro Fashions – apron of winner’s choice
Wardeh Harmon of GNOWFGLINS – eBook or free month’s subscription
Wardeh Harmon of GNOWFGLINS – eBook or free month’s subscription
THURSDAY
Daniel & Abby Jo of Forgotten Way Farms – washer plunger
* Daniel & Abby Jo are offering a $5-20 discount on their drying racks for orders placed before January 1 (and shipping is included!). All orders placed by then will be in a drawing for an $25 gift certificate on future merchandise from Forgotten Way Farms.
Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship – Everything Beans eBook
*Katie is offering a 25% discount to Homestead Barn Hop readers through Dec. 19th for all her eBooks! Just use code HOMESTEAD25!
FRIDAY
Anne Voskamps book - One Thousand Gifts
Chaya & Wilson of Pantry Paratus – counter top composter
*Chaya is offering $10 off any $60 order through Dec. 30th to Homestead Revival readers! Just use code HR10!
SATURDAY
Ashlyn Perkins of Print Candee – $15 gift certificate
Karen of Hometown Seeds – Emergency Suvivial Seeds Packet
* Daniel & Abby Jo are offering a $5-20 discount on their drying racks for orders placed before January 1 (and shipping is included!). All orders placed by then will be in a drawing for an $25 gift certificate on future merchandise from Forgotten Way Farms.
Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship – Everything Beans eBook
*Katie is offering a 25% discount to Homestead Barn Hop readers through Dec. 19th for all her eBooks! Just use code HOMESTEAD25!
FRIDAY
Anne Voskamps book - One Thousand Gifts
Chaya & Wilson of Pantry Paratus – counter top composter
*Chaya is offering $10 off any $60 order through Dec. 30th to Homestead Revival readers! Just use code HR10!
SATURDAY
Ashlyn Perkins of Print Candee – $15 gift certificate
Karen of Hometown Seeds – Emergency Suvivial Seeds Packet
SUNDAY
Lauren of Emergency Essentials – Three Day Lite-Emergency Kit
UPDATE: Back Yard Food Production - To be announced!
UPDATE: Back Yard Food Production - To be announced!
• For the Best Dressed Homestead...
Rod Carpenter of Franklin Springs - Homestead Blessing "Household Skills Collection" DVDs
• For the No Blog Drawing...
Tara Freys Blogging For Bliss!
Id like to encourage you to visit our gracious sponsors who have donated these wonderful prizes! Each of them has a great selection of quality items that would make awesome gifts for family or friends. We have gotten to know these individuals throughout the year and they are quality people who are working very hard in a very tough economy. is another way we can support the homesteading community!
Rules of the Event
With so much going on this week, I want to make sure everyone understands the rules so there isnt a misunderstanding (which would put a damper on the party - and we dont want that!).
• To enter the Daily Drawings, you must link up your blog (one time, please) on the Great Holiday Barn Hop between Dec. 12th and midnight Dec. 18th using the linky below. Blog posts should be holiday related. We encourage you to be festive and talk about something pertaining to the holidays. The limit is only your imagination! Family traditions, hunting the perfect Christmas tree, favorite holiday foods, animal care while on holiday vacations, etc. Please keep all photos and posts "Rated G" for all audiences. (Thank you very much! If in doubt, please dont post it.)
• A drawing will be held each day at 5:00 p.m. PST for one to two items. You can view the daily winner(s) on one of our facebook pages. A complete list of winners will be published on Monday, Dec. 19th on the regular Homestead Barn Hop. The sooner you link up, the more chances you have to win an item!
• To enter the Best Dressed Homestead, link up a post and include a * or • before the title. For example:
• Lighting Up the Coop!
* Deck the Barn with Boughs of Holly
• House Tour - A Christmas Wonderland
• Best Dressed Homestead entries will be judged by the Homestead Hostesses and a winner will be selected. (entry is separate from the Daily Drawings, so you could actually link up once for the daily drawings and another for the Best Dressed Homestead. So to further clarify... You may link up a total of two times- one random drawing entry, and an extra entry for best dressed homestead. Any non-holiday related posts will not be accepted this week. Lets keep it festive!)
• To enter the No Blog Drawing, please leave a comment below with your email address. Any entries without contact information will not be included in the drawing. You only need to enter on one of the four blogs (not all four, please!). When leaving your email address, you may leave it in the following format: homesteadrevival at sbcglobal dot net. Participants who have a blog will not be counted.
Add A Button To Your Blog
Dont forget to share this event with others! We want to enjoy some great homesteads this week! For those participating, weve included a special button for your post or sidebar...
For those who need the html code for this button:
<a href="http://s838.photobucket.com/albums/zz307/amywalker63/?action=view&current=I-Participated--Holiday-Barn-Hop.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz307/amywalker63/I-Participated--Holiday-Barn-Hop.jpg" border="0" alt="Great Holiday Barn Hop"></a>
Join The Barn Hop!
As youre hostesses, were very excited to have you join us for this fun event! Thank you to all who have made this year so memorable through your comments, blog link ups, emails, and support! So many of you have added our buttons to your blog, mentioned us in your posts, and spread the word through various social media. Were feeling very blessed this Christmas season and we want you to know how grateful we are!
Now lets BARN HOP!
Jill @ The Prairie Homestead
Kendra @ New Life on a Homestead
Megan @ A Blossoming Homestead
and...
post was updated on Dec. 12, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. PST.
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