Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

The chickens it seems are convinced that Spring has arrived in Sugarcreek. The warmer weather has them venturing out from the safety of the barn, and we find them out looking for a tasty springtime treat. They strut around the yard clucking loudly as they make their way across the driveway, behind the barn and even into the horse pastures.

The cats too have broken out of  their winter cacoon,and we no longer find them curled up in a ball under their blankets in the garage. Instead, we open the door to feed them and find them ready at the door. Ready to pouce and play in the spring like weather.Later in the day, we find them curled up on the porch enjoying their noontime nap.

The horse's whinny has become more robust as they gallop across the pasture to greet us. They search for the tiny green shoots of the spring grass they know will soon cover the pasture with lush forage. I watch the farm animals and I am swept up by their excitement. I find a small hand shovel and begin scraping the earth looking for the newly emerging flowers. Spring, I think, is not that far away. 

Sanity is a rare commodity these days. Disgusted we turn off the news as the anchorman touts the unemployment in our county as over 10%. We consider ourselves lucky as he adds the comment that the surrounding counties are upwards of 12% and more. Not bad for a hard days work. We are still less than 1/2 that of The Great Depression.   

People here in Sugarcreek and the surrounding towns are shocked. Shocked at how quickly the economy has swallowed their jobs, homes and livelihoods. We should be proud though shouldn't we? As Americans we have allowed politicians to pledge 900 million dollars to the people of Palestine while ignoring the cries of their own people.

I find myself outside again staring at the stars. Looking for some sort of guidance. The problems facing many of us today are monumental. Peace and serenity can only be found  far away from the blaring television. I hear the wind and I listen for some message of hope. I know it is there somewhere in the stillness of the night.   

It's early here.Too ealy for even the sun to rise as we greet yet another frigid morning in Sugarcreek. It is bitter cold. Just how cold I am not sure. I have stopped looking at the thermonmeter and only catch pieces of the weather forecast. It is that time of year when I start looking outside to see the weather and the wonders of Mother Nature. 

Spring for me holds much promise with the anxious bulbs that peek through the frozen ground and the welcome return of the robins. I can tell we are getting close when I see the daffodils up about  a 1/2 inch and one plump robin at the feeder looking a little out of place. Soon the bulbs will burst forth providing a canvas of color that only Mother Nature can create.

Not long after the emergence of the early spring flowers baby birds will hatch. Watching the mother birds teach their young to gather food and learn to fly provide us with hours of entertainment. We also enjoy a host of springtime wild bunnies.Sometimes we name our springtime guests. We have had Dory the mourning dove, Hopper the robin, and Thumper the baby bunny.

As I put the dog out this morning I stop and look up into the early morning sky. I look for the Big Dipper and some of the more familiar constellations. I barely even notice the cold. As I watch the twinkling stars I  remember of a story one of my students told me, and I can only smile. 

This past year we had a bad wind storm which knocked the power out in our area.While most of the students were complaining about no t.v., no video games and the fact that they had to go to bed early becasue they had no lights one students voice rose above the others. I listened while she told the story of how she had seen "the most beautiful thing".

She told the story of how out of boredom she and her Mom had stepped outside and with no street lights she had been able to see something for the first time. Something that we sometimes take for granted. Just above their house they noticed the evening sky. She was amazed at how brightly the stars had twinkled and just how dark the evening sky was. Normally, this magnificant veiw would have been washed out by the street lights.

So as I start my day filled with thoughts of peace and solitude I am determined to hold onto these no matter what craziness this day will bring.  Should I  begin to fret or worry about things I can not change I need only look to Mother Nature for Inspiration.

The midwest has always been considered the heartland of America. From it's gentle rolling pastures to it's simple way of life. It has for many years and  for many people held the promise of the American Dream.

We moved here years ago hoping to give our children a slower pace of life and an opportunity to build a closer relationship with the land. For the most part it has been a rather pleasant experience. We were able tfind a small Amish farmhouse in a place most people only dream about.

We are nestled in the small community of Sugarcreek, Ohio and are surrounded by some of the most generous people in Ohio. From the Amish to the English each caring for themselves and their neighbors. It is unique here and in my opinion one of the  best hidden treasures of this great country.

Lately, I have found myself very saddened by what I see happening here as well as in other parts of the U.S.. As I have said in previous posts the current state of the economy has dealt  devistating blows to many communities. Daily we see and feel it's disasterous effects. We watch helplessly as our friends and neighbors as well as ourselves loose jobs, homes and sometimes faith.

We like many others were taught that the American Dream was  within everyone's reach. That by working hard and living a clean life we would always be able to provide for ourselves as well as to help out our neighbors. As I learn that a co-worker has recently borrowed  money to pay property taxes even though the loan will not be paid by the time she needs to borrow more money to pay her taxes yet again; I can only shake my head. Or maybe it's the 63 year old gentleman with diabeties who has just lost the job he  loyally held for the past 15 years  and  no longer has health insurance to pay for  the insuln he needs.

This economy not only effects Americans finacially, but it also effects the inner sanctum of family traditons. Recently, an Amish man took the life of his wife and son. He lived a few towns over and when he heard his daughter would be relocating to our community he could bear no more. You see in the Amish community they do not send their older parents and relatives to nursing homes. They build an addition onto the farmhouse, called a dowdi house, and they live out their final years at home with their family. To this gentleman having his daughter leave the family home with her husband who had no choice but to relocate after he losing his job found it too much to bear.

I am not too sure where we as Americans are headed and honestly the uncertainty is unsettling at best. For those who are currently facing the brunt of this recession/depression my heart goes out to you. May God bless you and your families.

Once again the MSN article referenced in our blog " Why you should know where your food comes from" is back on the front page of MSN.com. this morning. It is listed in the week in review section and is entitled "You're eating ....What?" I am not sure how long it will stay there, but hopefully long enough for those who are interested will have a chance to read it.

Also, my apologies to those wh tried to follow the links provided in our blog. While I am trying to understand the intricacies of the computer, I must admit I am still not that savvy.The link to CARMINE will not completely load unless the #'s at the end of the web address are written. You can get there by clicking at the end of the web address given in the blog on the far right so that the entire address loads. If not type the #'s section in the address bar after the address.

For the article on SHELLAC you must take out the period after the word dept. in the address bar or it will sent you to an empty page on the University of Iowa's website.

Computers sincerely confuse me, but  I am trying to get the hang of it. Thankfully I don't have to make a living using them!

This morning I read an interesting article on MSN.  Apparently a natural substance currently used as a coloring additive in some yogurts, juices, and other products has a rather bizarre origin. The natural coloring used in these products is  CARMINE. While CARMINE is seemingly harmless I am not too sure many people would want to eat it if they knew what it was.The FDA acknowledges that CARMINE is derived by the  crushing  and processing of dried Dactylopius Coccus Costa  which is a beetle.

.The article also discussed another additive  used on jelly beans, gummy bears, fruits and vegetables to give them all their glossy finish.This additive  is SHELLAC. This additive is of the same family of perservitives used for protecting the finish of wood etc. SHELLAC is made from the excrement of the Laccifer locca, which is yet another bug. Personally,I am not too excited about eating the excrement of anything.

What I found most interesting is that when you look for the article now it is gone. I tried to show a co-worker the article this afternoon, and it seems to have vanished. I am wondering if corporate greed has caused so much pressure, or fear of yet another food boycott that the article was pulled.

I did find two other articles that referred to both additives. The article concerning CARMINE was written by Natural News.com and can be found at http://www.naturalnews.com /002043.html . The article was written in October of 2004, and apparently although it was suggested, no move was made at that time to remove the additive. Recently vegetarian groups have asked that if it will not be removed to at least have the package clearly marked with the word CARMINE, so that others would know just what they were ingesting.

The article concerning SHELLAC can be found at http://www.ent.iastate.edu/dept/courses/ent211/use/shellac. The article is written by the Iowa State Department of Entomology.

Just thought  you'd like to know what wonderful things are added to some of the foods we eat. 

I have been trying to come up with a cheery post for our blog. Unfortunately the way things have been happening around here it is difficult. Ohio like many other states is being devistated by the current downfall of the economy. Businesses are laying off by the hundreds, or worse closing their doors forever. Unemployment is sky rocketting and foreclosures are on the rise.

This past Friday the school where I have been teaching  for the last several years notified us that it will be closing at the end of this school year. An institution that has for the past 100 hundred years provided a  solid acedemic as well as spiritual  course of study for its community will now end. I realize that we are yet another statistic in this downward economic spiral, but still it stings a bit.

Like many others we are no stranger to adversity or having to tighten our belts. We are braced to do all that we can to provide for ourselves, the animals that depend upon us, as well as for those that we serve in the community. The thought that continues to run through my mind is the staggering number of people who are being devistated by this economy. It both amazes and saddens me.

This morning I was looking through my emails trying to find some inspiration. I came across one that my sister had sent. Maybe you've seen it. It is called "Hummingbird Fly Zone". While putting out new food in a feeder this lady in Louisiana was visted by these tiny creatures. I bet it made her day. I know it made mine.

Enjoy!

     A few days ago we awoke to the phone ringing at the crack of dawn.It was the superintendent of the school where I teach. School was delayed due to poor road conditions and the impending storm. One by one we straggled downstairs, and turned on the television. Our youngest son took a front row seat to veiw the closings and delays that flashed on the screen.  

A little while later the phone rang again. School for me had been cancelled, and only delayed for the children. I could almost feel their eyes boring into my back. I assured them they  too would have a snowday. Well, they've had not only one snowday but two. They may have yet another tomorrow as the forecast calls for even more snow!

The most recent  winter storm all but crippled this tiny town. It began as sleet and freezing rain, which later turned to snow. The world outside is covered in a thick sheet of ice. 

This morning as  I headed out to check on the animals I find the cats in the garage curled up in their usual lump. Since the weather has turned cold they have no desire to go outside, especialy in the morning. They find a way to curl up under their blankets and remain there toasty warm and sound asleep. I am sure they are dreaming of summer, chasing mice and sniffing the catmint that grows rampant here. I head to the barn and a stray has found it's way to the soft bed of hay.He drowsily looks down at me.  I start  thinking  that the cats have the right idea....

 It's a great day for a cat nap...      a, very, very  long one!

I heard an interesting trivia question on the news this morning. "What does an under 30 year old do hundreds of times a day that an over 30 year old does less than 10 times a day?" Hmm I was stumped. I usually am at that hour of the morning anyway, but I listened as others guessed things like sneeze, burp etc. No that's not it. Hmmmm. The answer was to come later in the broadcast, so I headed out to the barn. We've had a stray cat hanging around the barn the last week or so, and it's been so cold I feel complelled to feed it. Even my husband who normally gets upset with me about such things was worried about the cat. 

Curious I look in the shed  and there was no cat. I head in the barn still no cat. I was relieved to know the cat had moved on, or so I thought. Heading back into the house what should come bounding across the frozen and snow covered yard.. the cat. I was somewhat honored that the cat chose me to rub up against until I realized it was not me the cat wanted, but the bag of food in my hands.So much for gratitude.

Once inside I head downstairs to grab some clothes out of the dryer when I hear this hiss, drip, hiss coming from the furnace. We have an Amish furnace, and besides the firebox there are many other things on there we can not identify. So every now and again we have to call the plumber. They are more accustomed to the workings of our primitive heating system.  

 Finally off to work and my car starts with a groan. Cold weather is so hard on cars sometimes. I get in and the gauges are flashing. I switch cars with my husband for the day not wanting to tempt fate.  I am still thinking of the trivia question. Could it be scream? Lord, knows I am ready to. All those little things were begining to stress me out. No, the answer was not scream. I decided to listen on the way in to find out just what was it people over thirty did less than those under thirty?

As I am driving I am mumbling about the cat, the furnace, the car and whatever else,  I catch a flash of orange out of the corner of my eye. I am getting closer to the city limits and now the roads are paved.I wonder if it is a hunter who did not realize he had crossed into the city limits. As I look closer I realize it is a man dressed in bright orange ski pants.I slow down and look a little closer. He is homeless. He is dressed in torn and soiled clothing somehow braving the cold. In one hand he holds a steaming cup of something, and in the other a plastic bag with his belongings.

I am wondering just what was it that had me so stressed this morning? Here I am in a warm vehicle, and actually have a job to go to. This man has less than 1/2 of what I have yet he didn't seem stressed at all. It's those little things that make me crazy, and those other little things that make me smile. 

Oh, the answer to the trivia question was....LAUGH

Wishing you joy and laughter in those little things.

We finally received our first real snowfall of the season. It's probably a good thing since I have been working outside up until a few days ago. The ground had not yet frozen so I took the opportunity to move a huge heirloom rose to a spot where it could grow without getting in the way.It took me the better part of the day to get it's roots out and relocate it. As I worked I snacked on the sweet rose hips ones I had snacked on through the fall. I decided I should leave some for the animals and birds that eat them. I think they were getting frustrated with me as I ate them longer into the season than I normally would have. I like to munch on things when I work and the tasty rose hips were just the right snack. They are loaded with vitamin C.

 Now that the weather has changed it's time for indoor projects. I spent most of the weekend drying,  and sorting  seeds for our use as well as to share with others. It won't be too long before he ground can be worked and the newly planted seeds emerge holding their promise for a yummy harvest. I also find it fulfilling and inspiring to grow from seed, and watch the cycle from begining to end. No matter how many times I do this I am still amazed. We offer a few of the seeds on Local Harvest, and hope to add a few new ones this year. Just now I am working with Aunt Molly's Husk Tomato, Heavenly Blue Morning Glory, and some Lamb's ear. If you have the opportunity to grow from seeds it is well worth the investment.

Even if you don't have land you can still grow many seeds in containers. Here are some Lamb's ears I grew indoors. They sit happily on my windowsill stretching to reach the rays of sun. I like to grow in the winter and set the plants out when the weather is warmer. It keeps my hands in the dirt and my soul in the garden  so to speak.

It also reminds me of a saying on a windchime my husband gave me some years ago,"To plant a graden is to believe in the future." -author unknown.

Wishing you a warm winter and a bountiful harvest !

Double R Farm