GEMINI-SKY's SparkPeople Blog

How to Make Yogurt in a Mason Jar

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:37:50 EST

From Prairie Homestead
There are lots of reasons to make your own yogurt. But the most important?

It’ll make you feel like a homesteading rockstar.

Oh yeah.

Okay… so maybe that isn’t the *most* important reason, but it sure is fun.

And besides the rockstar-thing, homemade yogurt is super nutritious (hello probiotic-goodness without all the flavorings and additives…) and p...

Easy Peasy Cultured Buttermilk

Wed, 8 May 2013 10:26:52 EST

Easy Peasy Cultured Buttermilk
{from our homemade pantry}

From Happy In Dole Valley...

I'm not sure why I haven't shared this sooner since making homemade buttermilk is about the easiest thing to do. Really! And if "easy peasy" isn't enough to entice you to try making your own, you should know that you'll save money, too, which is always a good thing. :)

Why use buttermilk?...

OMG Look What I Found !!!! A White Toad/Frog !!!

Sun, 5 May 2013 13:30:22 EST

I know ...Seriously !!!!

I had to show you all this white toad...In all of my almost 60 years of living in the country, I've never see such a thing.

He/She has bright yellow under it's l...

I Made Them !!! Homemade Pork and Beans !!! YUM

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:42:13 EST

Good Morning All...
Well, yesterday, I posted a blog on how to make and can Pork and Beans...
I couldn't wait to try it so I made then yesterday...
They look so Yummmy...
The pictures in the original blog are of the girl that originally posted the recipe.
Here are my pictures...
I made mine a little juicier...

My ...

Homemade Canned Pork and Beans

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:40:06 EST

How to Can Homemade Pork and Beans
by Rachel Paxton
From Creative Homemaking
www.creativehomemaking.com/recipes/p
ork-and-beans.shtml
Do go look at her site...Very interesting !!!!

Recently I have become very interested in food storage. In the past couple of weeks I have been doing a lot of reading about canning beans, and I found this great recipe for canning pork and beans. This recipe is definitely a keeper.

If you are workin...

Stuff you didn't know you didn't know!

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:36:59 EST

I Didn't Know some of this stuff !!!!!

Stuff you didn't know you didn't know!

And Very Interesting !!!!
------------
--------- --------- ---------
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Men can read smaller
print than women can; women can hear better.
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Coca-Cola was originally green.
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It is impossible to lick
your elbow.
...

April 8th 2013 Sunrises and Flowers Spring Has Sprung

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 09:12:15 EST

Good Morning All...
What a Beautiful Sunny Morning here in NE Ohio.
The next 5-6 days will be raining SOOOO I thought I'd get out and take some pictures this AM.

Here is the link for her Blog and Site...
Do go visit her as she has so many wonderful ideas....
myhealthygreenfamily.com/blog/wordpr
ess/plastic-wrap-alternative-diy-beesw
ax-cotton-wraps/

I was first introduced to beeswax-coated cotton wraps by Suzanne from Green Planet Parties. They quickly became an important part of our foo...

Oct. 9th 2012 My Pantry

Tue, 9 Oct 2012 09:49:48 EST

Good Morning All....
Woke up to 37 degrees outside !!!! Yikes !!!!
My hanging plants are all withered so today is ripping out the rest of the gardens, grinding leaves and mulching the gardens with them.
Hubby got a new toy at a yard sale this summer. It's a lawn vac that sucks up the leaves and grinds them. AWESOME !!!! It's huge so it's his job to run it and mine to load the J.D. Gator and take them to the gardens and dump and cover...
I still have pears left so it's ...

How to Make Grape Juice...with Steam .

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:55:23 EST

Hi All...Well, here you go !!!!
BUT First...

A Praying Mantis stuck in a spider web...I Saved Him !!!!

This is a picture of the box and the steamer itself.

My Steam Juicer.

Comes w...

September 2nd 2012 Goings On !

Sun, 2 Sep 2012 08:29:21 EST

Good morning Everyone !
Well, we got some of the rain up here near Cleveland, Ohio from Isaac. More coming today. That's OK as we surely did need some rain.
My garden is winding down a bit now...just beans, Patty Pan and a few zukes, pumpkins and tomatoes left. (hillbillys and beef steak and cherries)
I just love going out early am with my cup of coffee and a basket to collect my bounties.
Not sure if it's the fruit and veggies or the colors.
Speaking of colors, ou...

Prayers Needed

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 07:25:04 EST

I Recieved this in an email this Morning.
How could I Not forward that email and also, post it here.
Our Young Men and Women are doing what is asked of them.
I ask you to do what is Right.
Pray for them and Keep Them in Your Hearts and Mind.
After all...If it was't for them, we wouldn't have what we have...
OUR FREEDOM !!!!

We are asking everyone to say a prayer for " Darkhorse " 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in...

What is a Victorio Vegetable Strainer, You Ask ?

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:20:49 EST

Well here is a picture of the box of the one I just bought...

I use it to make Tomato Sauce.
It's function is to separate the skins and seeds from the juice and pulp of the tomatoes.
First you Boil your tomatoes til they are really soft.

Then fill thetop hopper with the boiled tomatoes, crank the handle...

July 11 (7-11) Well, Yesterday was My and Meyer's Lucky Day

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 08:06:45 EST

Good Morning Everyone !!!
FBS 122
Loving the morning cool air. I have my windows and doors open...How Wonderful !!!!
We'll be in the high 80's in the next few days and 90's by friday !!!!
Getting 5 doz ears of local corn today from Becky. Sounds like a Freezing day !
I tried my dried green beans in some soup yesterday...I couldn't believe it !!! The cooked up just like as if they were canned...What a tasty surprise...
I may dry some of that corn.

My an...

July 3rd 2012 Garden, Canning and Such

Tue, 3 Jul 2012 07:12:39 EST

Just wanted to share what I've been doing...Via Pictures

Planted Hens and Chicks in Jimmy's old work boots with Annaliese...

My Tomato Garden Day 1...46 plants here ...One of my many gardens.

Tomato Garden Today..This Morning.

(C)alls you just to say "HI"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust "be"...

June 8th 2012 Some Pictures for You...

Fri, 8 Jun 2012 08:10:34 EST

Here are some pictures for you. Some funny and This Mornings Sunrise !!!!

When Venus was crossing the Sun, DH got out 4 prs of sunglasses, I call it His Redneck Sun Viewing Technique...

Let's add some Binoculars to those 4 pairs !!!!

This Mornings Sunrise...

The BEST Video on What Diabetes Is, BS & A1C Testing

Thu, 7 Jun 2012 11:54:59 EST

I just ran across this Video on the Diabetes Health Website and How Awesome it Is !!!!

It's a Very Basic Explaination...A Must for all Diabetics to help you understand what's going on in your body.

Please do click on the link below....

scriptyourfuture.org/diabetes/

I started a thread with this video on all the Diabetes Teams I'm on..that's how Wonderful I think this video is....

May 25th 2012 Brother and Crohn's

Fri, 25 May 2012 05:51:01 EST

Just a quick little request for prayers for my brother David.
He was diagnosed with Crohns in 1990 while in the Air Force, stationed in the Netherlands.
He went to an air Force hospital in Germany for Surgery during Dessert Shield. Then got kicked out when Dessert Storm Started and was sent back to the Netherlands. he was dismissed from the military for Medical reasons after his 11 year career.
In 1995 he had a colostomy and has been doing amazingly well ever since...Till thi...

May 24th 2012 My Morning Walk in My Yard...

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:17:42 EST

This is what I saw this morning....

Hoot...One of my 4 cats went with me...

Happy Mothers Day

Sun, 13 May 2012 07:33:44 EST

My Cousin just sent this to me. I thought you would all enjoy it...

'We cannot see her but she is with us still. A mother is more than a memory. She is a living presence. Your mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well; she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.

Happy Non Mother's Day

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:06:28 EST

Yeah !!! Job is Done...Today buying a new dishwasher.
I know you don't all know me well, but I have a brother that is a disabled Vet turned drug addict. When My Mother was very ill, in 2000, I was taking care of her and of him...
I bailed him out of jail and financially many times, called the morgue more times than I would like to remember, had him live with me, (thinking I could control all this, NOT) Paying both of their bills...etc.etc.etc.
Well, Mom is now gone and he's...

Well, Yesterday I Lucked Out

Tue, 1 May 2012 08:07:48 EST

Good Morning Everyone. Happy May 1st !!! And Summer is on the way !!!! Can't Wait .
Well, yesterday I Lucked Out.
I went into our local CVS store to get a gallon of milk.
As I was walking in, I remembered that CVS is having FREE Diabetes Testing.
Glucose Levels, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, HDL, Trigicerides, Feet exam AND A1C...
I was waivering if I should just go and do it and many times I said No to myself.
I walked in and went right back to the Minute Clinic...

I Started a New Spark Team Today !!!

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:53:33 EST

I do belong to many Diabetes Management Teams and 1 Canning, Freezing etc. team.
That team, our leades (all 3) are MIA...2 of them since 2009. I tried like heck to get to be Co Leader.
When the Inactive Leader message came up, I applied...No Word to this day and that was at the end of March.
Emailed 2 of the Leaders shortly there after and Nothing.
The Inactive Leader message disappeared but none of the 3 posted anything on the team message boards...
What to Do, What...

Feb 27th 2012 Chardon High School

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:59:22 EST

Gosh What to say to the students and parents today?
Chardon High School is up the street from us and is a Quaint Quiet Town. Know for it's small town atmosphere and is a Maple Sugaring area.
I've been watcing TV all day and the news is just getting grimmer by the minute.
5 Students shot and 1 dead. And just a few minutes ago, a second student had died.
Hug your Children and Family Members....
OXOX to All of Them.

A parody, to the tune of Hey, Jude. By: Beth Donovan

Sun, 9 Oct 2011 08:42:02 EST

Has anyone seen one of todays Daily Blogs Email?
This is So Awesome that I just had to share it.
I found myself Singing Along !!!!

By: Beth Donovan : 10/7/2011 6:00 AM

A parody, to the tune of Hey, Jude.

Hey you, I know it’s bad,
You’ll have to get strong to make it better,
Remember to always lead with your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.

Hey you, don't be dismayed,
Your body’s made to go out and mov...

June 23rd 2011 My Late Brother's Birthday

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:13:06 EST

No I'm not going to get all sentimental but my older brother, Jerry, died in May 1983, of a brain tumor. He was 31, almost 32.
My Stepson just got home from work and had me come outside and see this wonderful Rainbow ( as I was in my home office on Spark)
Look at What My Brother Sent me...I've been thinking about him all day ! ! !

<...

Mother's Day May 8th 2011

Mon, 9 May 2011 07:33:48 EST

What a Wonderful Day.
DH took me to breakfast and then to Sam's Club. Got home and put everything away and put the meat in my Food Saver bags to head to the freezer..
Got a Wind Chime from my Step Daughter and Family from No Carolina, hung it on the porch.

My step Son that lives with us, got me 3 RubberMaid Glass Storage Containers..Love them ! ! !

Plan for some New goals and a RENEWAL Commitment of your current goals.
Here are a few pictures I took this morning...Enjoy ! ! !

These are Snow Drops...They appea...

March 17th 2011 The ABC's of a Sparkling Pal

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:03:07 EST

First of all...Happy St' Patrick's Day to Everyone...Irish or Not ! ! !

Top of the Mornin' to Ya...

I "stole" this from another Sparker (Momfan) I sure hope she doesn't mind....

The ABC's of a SPARKling PAL...
A. ACCEPTS you as you are...
B. BELIEVES in you....
C. CHOOSES you....
D. DOESN'T give up on you...
E. EMAILs you....
F. FORGIVES your mistakes....
G. GIVES you support...
H. HELPS you when you need it........

Feb 2 2011 Ground Hog Day & Grandma Artino's Birthday

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 10:22:59 EST

I don't know much about Ground Hog Day other than something about his shadow. I always get it wrong with which is correct...6 more weeks of winter if he sees his shadow or 6 more weeks of winter if he doesn't?????
But Today is my Grandmothers Birthday...Bear with me as this is such a great story and it's on my mind...So here goes....
Serafina Davita was born Feb 2nd 1885, yes 1885.
To back up a bit...her mother had a best friend and they agreed that if one has a girl and one h...

Sunday Dec. 18th "Giving"

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 07:47:20 EST

Good Morning Everybody.
As I sit at my computer and reading Mother Natures "My Morning Cup Of Solitude" Blog...
" Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
It made me think of all the fun work, baking, shopping, wrapping, labeling, shipping, decorating, cooking, inviting, cleaning,,,,etc. etc....
Well, this is our final week to prepare for the Big Day. As I was doing all of my preparations, all I could think of was how h...

Welcome Lucas James...11-30-10

Thu, 2 Dec 2010 07:29:58 EST

First I MUST Thank Everyone for your continued support and Love while I've been awol these past few weeks. I've been re=evaluating my priorities and needs and actually are getting more things accomplished than I thought.
I'm feeling Great and feeling well Loved........

NOW for the GREAT News...Our second Grandchild, Lucas (Luke) James was born this past tuesday at 9:15pm, 8 lbs 6oz, 20" long, 10 fingers ...

Nov 23 2010 Extreme Home Makeover on Dec 5th

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:56:21 EST

Hi All, Just wanted to let everyone know that the Extreme Home that my Hubby worked on, will be aired on Sunday, December 5, 2010 • 8:00 pm ET • ABC NewsChannel 5 (our Local channel)
They are also having an hour show prior to the actual show, ...
Well, they said it better than I could so here's what the builders site says...
Tune in early at 7:00 pm for a locally produced, special program for a behi...

Tomorrow Nov 11th, Is Veteran's Day ! ! ! Our True HERO'S

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:41:21 EST

232
This past week I have been Pleasantly inundated with emails, Stories of Our Hero's, the One's that make Our Land Free and Peaceful.
It always brings a tear to my eyes, to think of The Men and Women of our Country, Children of Our Families and Neighbors, People Just like You and Me, that have gone to other parts of the world, unfamiliar territory and did a job that I cannot even imagine.
Tomorrow is One Day That WE Have the Pleasure to Acknowledge the Task They h...

Nov 6th 2010 Just Some Thoughts

Sat, 6 Nov 2010 09:15:39 EST

Actually, I had recieved this in an email from my Sister-in-Law but had seen it before.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.. So love
the people who treat you right.. Forget about the
ones who don't. Believe everything happens for a
reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both
hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life
would be easy, they just promised it would be
worth it.

Friends are like balloons;...