April 27, 2013 Sheep to Shawl!!

Sheep to Shawl

The Lazy B Farm invites you to our Sheep to Shawl on April 27, 2013!


Come and join the fun!!

Details:

  • April 27, 2013
  • Furr Lane Community Center – Statham
  • (1357 Furr Lane    Statham 30666)
  • 10 am – 3 pm
  • $2 per person

Scheduled Events:

10:00 – Blacksmithing, woodturning, pottery, basket weaving, beekeeping, spinning and knitting demonstrations plus vendors with great items for sale!  Demonstrations will be held all day.

11:00 – Shearing sheep with electric shears

12:30 – Shearing an Alpaca

2:00 – Shearing sheep with hand shears

Spread the word!

Download and Print the Sheep to Shawl Flyer

 

“Real Food” Pizza

So a friend of mine told me about this 100 Days of Real Food Challenge and I agreed to do it with her.  Now, those of you who know me, also know my mantra is, I’ll grow the food but I won’t cook it!  Nice as that sounds, it really doesn’t happen in my home :-)

But when I discover something easy, I run with it!!  So is the case with this real food pizza that Ali made for me today.

Michael bought this pizza maker for the family for Christmas and it’s been used almost everyday since.  He bought it from Walmart and it was around $25.

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What’s great is that this devise will make individual pizzas and it takes 4 minutes to cook.  They’ve also made scrambled eggs and pancakes in this pizza maker.

Lauren or Ali makes the dough and then freezes it into individual balls.

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When they’re ready for a pizza, they pull out a dough ball, thaw it and proceed to make a pizza of their choosing.  It’s wonderful and they’ve been eating more veggies on their pizzas.

The girls have been using white flour for the dough… but in honor of the Real Food Challenge, I asked Ali if she would make the dough with ground whole wheat flour.  The pizza was terrific!!!  She used a little tomato sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers and some of our own pesto goat cheese.  It was so yummy!!  AND it fits the criteria for the Real Food Challenge :-)

Real pizza

Turkey Tails!

We’re not talking this kind of Turkey Tail…

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We’re talking this kind of Turkey Tail!

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I realize they both are wild in the woods and they both provide nutrition for our bodies,but these Turkey Tails are so much easier to catch and it doesn’t involve any blood!

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When I took the kids hiking recently, we found these all over the place along the trail.  I think they’re beautiful.

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Their beauty goes beyond the visual, they’re also medicinal!  For those of us who are always looking for “inexpensive” medicine in abundance, you should check these out.

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We’re fairly familiar with the importance of Shitake mushrooms and Reishi mushrooms, but the Turkey Tails seem to be the unknown treasures of the woods and they’re so abundant.

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As with any wildcrafting, be sure to do your homework before you head to the woods with bag in hand. (I put a link at the end of this blog to get you started)

There are 3 different types of fungi on this one log!

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Know how to identify the young Turkey Tails…

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From the old…

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Be careful where you pick.  There is a symbiotic relationship going on in this photo and far be it from me to interfere in an involved relationship!

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The leaves you see at the base of this tree are from the Crane Fly Orchid – they’re everywhere at this time of year in my woods.

The Crane-fly orchid is a native plant to the eastern half of the United States, growing from Texas to New York and Massachusetts, hardiness zones 4-10. It grows in the woodland setting and requires mychorrhizal fungus to grow along its roots to survive. The symbiotic relationship is interesting. The fungus gains carbohydrates from the orchid’s roots, while the orchid draws water and mineral nutrients from the fungi.

Even if you don’t use them for their medicinal properties, take time to admire their beauty…

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where they live…

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and how they grow…

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If you’re interested in learning more about the medicinal properties of Turkey Tails, here’s a link to start you off on your “knowledge” adventure.

 

 

Beaver Dams and LOTS of Rain!

With all this rain, I was beginning to get a little, okay, a lot worried about the pond on the property next to us.  The land belongs to friends of ours who live in CA and we’re supposed to be keeping an eye on all of it.

We’ve been over there a couple of times in the last month or two and each time the water level was little bit higher.  The visible problem?  A huge, impressive beaver dam.  It was blocking the overflow for the pond.  The water was rising because of rain and because the pond is spring fed.  This is what I saw when Michael and I saw when we went to see the pond today.  The water was starting overflow the earthen dam – not a good sign at all!  If that earthen dam goes, so does the whole pond!photo[9]

This is the beaver dam – quite impressive!

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Michael and I got to work trying to tear through some of the structure to allow the water to start flowing.  This would take the majority of the pressure off of the earthen dam.  I’ve never really looked at a beaver’s dam up close and it truly is an amazing structure.  I can’t imagine the amount of water pressure against that wall of stick and mud and nothing was coming through!  Those beavers dragged everything over to make that dam – rocks, twigs, grass, vines, mud, logs….  It would have been fascinating to have been able to watch them construct that dam.

I love playing in the rain and I love being with Michael, so in spite of getting soaked and muddy, we had a great time!  Michael even said he wouldn’t mind staying for a long time playing, I mean working, on the dam :-)

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Even Jack was having a good time playing in the water!photo[4]

After Michael and I made several breaks in the top of the beaver dam, we looked behind us….

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We made Jack a little nervous with the amount of water that was flowing.  After all – he was trying to protect his “herd.”

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And since boys will be boys, Michael got into the water just to see how strong the current was….

It was impressively strong!  Michael could hardly stand for this picture.photo[1]

We followed the creek to the back of our farm.  It was great seeing  all that water flowing again.  And I’m really glad Michael and I were able to control how fast it flowed!!

Just another wonderful adventure on a rainy day on the homestead :-) photo

 

 

 

 

Dave

I’m often asked what my husband, Dave, does for work.  I’m always stumped a bit how to answer since he does so much!  He and I are certainly those 2 people who are “opposites” but our strengths compliment each other.

Dave is a whiz when it comes to multimedia.  He’s a videographer and photographer.  He writes, edits, and produces nationally syndicated radio shows.  He travels all over the world “capturing” video and pictorial blogs for different ministries.

Dave also writes music!  He’s been playing the piano since he was 3 and he has his Master’s Degree in Piano Performance.  He plays beautifully!  He seems to know when life is extra stressful for me.  When I crawl into bed, he’ll go to the piano and play me to sleep…  some of my favorite moments.

Most importantly – Dave is a phenomenal DAD!!  I always wondered why the Lord gave us 5 girls, especially when I’m not so “girlie.”  I don’t really like to do all those girl things like shopping, baking, etc.

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We have 5 girls because Dave is an amazing father to his girls.  While I’m running around “doing”, Dave can be found sitting quietly at the kitchen table having a deep discussion with one of the kids.  He’s also a great dad to Michael, our only son.  There’s special bond since those two are the only males in a household drenched in estrogen.IMG_4921

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He and I have had 27 years together and in spite of the normal ups and downs, life has been very good together.  He’s my level-headed realist when I get super excited about a new idea.  He’s the quiet strength behind this family; the comic relief when I’m taking life a little too serious;  and my sounding board when I need someone to help me work through problems.

Dave is our spiritual leader and a true example of a godly man and father.  He’s our rock and provider and the one who makes us all laugh!

So if you find me hesitating when I’m asked about Dave and what he does, this is why!  How do you simply describe such a talented, multi-faceted man?

I love you, Dave!

**to see Dave’s photography, check out his website!

 

 

 

 

When Waves Come Crashing In…

Life is crazy the next couple of weeks… some of it my doing, some of it not.  I have been learning of late, when the waves of life begin to churn

and the details of the day seem to be overwhemling

and bigger than I am…

When I begin to feel the spray from the waves of life as they speed closer…

It’s then I am reminded…

Breathe.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

… the Creator of all and the source of wisdom and strength to calm your seas…

Servants Among Them…

I arrived yesterday in NH to visit my sister and her family. Today my nieces and nephew had their homeschool co-op.

My sister sweet-talked me into teaching her Botany class to the 4th graders, which really didn’t take much cuz I love teaching about bees!

Later, we went to the lunch room.  There was a huge line of ladies surrounded by their children waiting to talk with the lady at the counter.  Debbie, my sister, took me into the back area and this is what I saw…

Apparently, there is a gal who is a part of this co-op whose ministry and service to all the families is to bring in milk from a local dairy.  When I spoke with Laura, the gal who does all this, she said this is her way of helping out the families who have decided to homeschool their kids.  She realizes that families who commit to homeschooling make a financial sacrifice along with all the other sacrifices.

This milk, in glass bottles, is picked up the day before its shelf pull date.  Laura carts all of the leftover milk from the dairy to the co-op and families get in line to buy milk.  25¢ a pint/50¢ for a quart or half gallon.  I asked how much the farmer usually received for all the milk he sent over, it didn’t seem like a lot to pay for milk direct from a dairy.  Laura told me none of it went back to the farmer.  Once the  expenses were paid back for hauling the milk and returning glass bottles, the rest of the money went to help out families within the co-op who were struggling financially.

Over in the other part of the cafeteria, I noticed this stack of crates.

Another lady who is involved with the co-op, picks up day old bread and brings it with her on Tuesdays.  There is a small fee charged for the bread.  Again, this bread would have been thrown out but one lady realized how much good she could do with a little bit of effort.  While I was standing there, I overheard some of the ladies talking about taking some of the bread to those who were ill, shut-ins, or financially hurting.

The ripple effect from the kindness and ministry of these ladies goes way beyond those involved in the co-op.  I applaud the companies who aren’t afraid of liability and will give away their food to help others.  I applaud these women who take time out of their busy schedules to serve others, and I applaud the families who share their  blessings with others in their community who are in need.

To me, this is the ultimate in sustainable living and giving.

 

2012 – 2013 Beekeeping Series

Lazy B Farm

Beekeeping Workshop Series

The motivation for this series is to equip those who are serious about beekeeping as a hobby and want to acquire their own bees.

We will begin with the very basics of beekeeping and build upon that knowledge with each class.  Weather permitting, we will be working in the bee yard for a portion of each class.

There will be 7, 3-hour classes in this series, starting promptly at 9 am and finishing at noon.  If the morning class fills, we will have an afternoon class which will meet from 1pm – 4pm. The classes will begin in November and end in June with the Honey Harvest.   There is no class in December.

Class I:  ( November  10th )  Honey Bee Biology; Equipment, Tools and Clothing

Class II:  ( January 12th )  Apiary Location; Codes and Regulations; Honey Processing Houses; Beekeeping Products and Services

Class III:  ( February 9th )  Feeding your Bees; Foraging Plants for Bees

Class IV:  ( March 9th )  Yearly Management of your Apiary

Class V:  (April 13th)  Installation of Nucs and Packages; Brood Diseases

Class VI: (May 4th)  Adult Diseases; Parasites

Class VII: (June 8th)  Honey Harvest!  You will learn by doing.  We’ll cover three different ways to remove bees from your super frames, and then take the supers to the garage to begin the extraction process.  Each student will leave with a jar of honey.

Cost for the Beekeeper’s Series:  $200 per person for 7 classes, 21 hours of instruction.  There is a 10% discount per person for 2 or more family members.

( these classes individually will be $40 each )

*this price does not include the Bee Certification exam fee of $40.

Because this class is limited, there is a $50 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot in the class.  The remainder will be due on or before the first class in November.

Contact:  Cyndi Ball     Cyndi@thelazybfarm.com    770-289-2301

For the sake of family…

Spring is an incredibly busy time around this family and farm.  The kids are coming to the end of their school season- finals, performances, recitals, projects due.  And this year, two of my children are graduating – Michael from high school and Victoria from Athens Technical College.

Dave is always busy with his work but spring seems to bring in more work – which is a very good thing but it all adds to life here at home.

I’m reminded too, at this time of year, that I was given a major wake up call last spring – a trip to the hospital.   The banner still hangs in my bedroom…

I’ve made a lot of changes, I’ve been trying to sleep more and exercise, making some time to be quiet.  I find it very difficult to keep up with these changes in the spring.  The sheer nature of farming demands so much more during this season.  Lots of baby animals who require more attention.  Lots more Homestead Tours because of the baby animals :-)  The garden to put in, bees to tend to if we want any honey this year, and basic maintenance to keep everyone happy and healthy.

Being a mom and wife, homesteading, and running a business requires a lot of juggling.  Sometimes I don’t do very well and all the balls drop.  Other times I can keep them all in the air but it takes so much effort.

I think the hardest part about all of this is that I love what I do.  I love my family and want to create a happy, content home for all of them.  I love homesteading – growing plants and animals.  And I love sharing my passion with others and helping to see them succeed in their endeavors.

I believe this is where the decisions are made, not based on emotion, but on priority and commitment.  Outside of my faith, my family comes first.  Admittedly, there are periods when the lines of where my commitment lies become fuzzy.  But if I’m careful to listen to comments or watch behaviour from Dave and kids, I know when I’m out of whack.

Balancing is tough – very tough.

Yesterday was a day of introspection while I worked alone outside.  Those moments of quiet are good for me.

I made some decisions for the sake of my family…

I took some items off the calendar.

I made a menu so I could start cooking a little more.

I instituted my weekly meetings with the kids again so I can be fully apprised of all that’s going on in their lives.

I’m organizing some family outings for the summer.

These decisions and others may seem small but they matter.  My family matters.  And they need to know that from me.

I’m asked by other women – “how do you do it all?”  I don’t.  Something or someone, at times, gets the bare minimum.  Even though my priorities get out of line, at least I know what they are and eventually, with the honest communication of my family, I’m helped to get those priorities back in order.

It’s been a while since I’ve been in this Candid Corner.  But I wanted to take the time to share what’s been on my heart for the last several days.  If there are meaningful relationships in your life that matter… welcome to the juggling act!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Summer Workshop: Healing with the Five Elements

Healing with the Five Elements

An Introduction to the Healing Concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine

With Patricia Kyritsi Howell, RH (AHG)

July 21 & 22, 2012  Statham, GA (near Athens)

To register online click here

About the Workshop

The Five Elements concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine serves as a metaphor to express the patterns that permeate every living thing. This class series explores the distinctive ways that elemental energies create symptoms of health and disease in the body, mind and spirit.

Using this simple, easily understood framework, you will begin to recognize patterns of strength and weakness in a radically new way. At this two-day seminar, you’ll learn about the Five Elements and the way they are expressed in health, personality/character and psycho-spiritual well-being. Topics covered also include depressive states associated with each element, along with lots of information about how to support each element with herbs, diet and lifestyle.

This seminar is for those new to the concept of the Five Elements or if you want a better understanding of this rich, multi-dimensional way of viewing the world around us and within us.

Registration Information:

Dates/Time: Saturday and Sunday July 21 & 22, 12:30 to 6:30 PM each day.

Location: Lazy B Farm     1938 Parker Drive,  Statham, Georgia 30666

Cost: $120 for the full weekend. If room allows, it may be possible to attend Saturday only. Contact us for details.

Registration: $50 deposit requested to hold your place. Balance due upon arrival or you can register online through our Eventbrite page.

 

Patricia Kyritsi Howell has more than 20 years experience as a clinical herbalist, author and teacher. Learn more at www.patriciakyritsihowell.com or visit WildHealingHerbs.com