Got the Blues? My favorite garden accessory color (part one)...

When it is time to pick out a planter, a piece of furniture, or a color for a sculpture, you can safely bet that I will vote for BLUE.And 80% of the time, the shade of blue I can never resist is cobalt.Is it because it is so rare in nature?There really are no naturally blue foods..And Blue flowers are quite hard to name as well. Right now, I can't think of one that blooms in rich, deep blue.Maybe I love to use blue because it reflects and repeats the color of the sky... my Temple of The Big Blue Dome...Or maybe because it helps cool and contrast...

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Running for all the Wrong Reasons - a guest blog on Elizathon.com

It isn't every day I would put a photo of myself in a swimsuit 'out there' for the world to see! Like many American girls, I grew up with a list of insecurities regarding body image, being 'thin', and looking like the glossy images I saw in magazines... so brace yourself, here it is...gulp. Ok, so maybe I will put it at the bottom of the post, just so you have time to change your minds:)Not too bad for 43 I guess...and only willing to let dear friend Heather snap the shot a few weeks back while we were sunning, funning, wine-ing and dining in the...

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ATTRA: A wonderful resource for Homesteading!

If you don't know about this amazing resource, now is the time to get on their website and take a look around. Click here for a link to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. I remember when they were getting started back in the 1990's as a part of the National Center for Appropriate Technology; the wealth of information available through this organization is astounding!Whether you seek information on organic apple production, are interested in water and soil conservation, want to know more about keeping chickens, are looking...

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Natural Dyes for Eggs

Even though our chickens lay eggs that are naturally green, brown and pink, it just wouldn't be Easter without the ritual of dying eggs!It is not much more difficult than using the chemical dyes available in grocery stores, and much more fun and educational for the kiddos... Not to mention a great step toward a healthier and more organic home.The basics:1. Prepare one pan of water for each color you want to make, and add 3 Tablespoons of white vinegar per quart. Place uncooked eggs into each pan (be sure they are totally submerged in the water...

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Medicinal Herbs: 18 powerful medicinals you can grow

Check this link to an article at WebEcoist - it was fun and informative. 18 powerful medicinal herbs and their uses, all accompanied with photos and fun commentary:)From violets growing wild in your garden beds to tansy and catnip in the herb plot to the ever-controversial marijuana hidden in the national park just outside of town; you never know when a cure is staring you in the face!Enjo...

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Review: The Backyard Homestead

When I see a book that claims I can "Produce all the food (I) need on just a quarter acre", my cynical evil-twin rears her questioning head, purses her lips, slants her eyes and says, "yea, RIGHT". So of course I ran right out and bought a copy. Typical.But lo! The Backyard Homestead by Storey Publishing was a pleasant surprise! OK, so it may be a bit optimistic with its projections of harvesting 1,400 eggs, 50 pounds of wheat, 2000 pound of vegetables, plus fruit, nuts and meat on a quarter acre, but it does give the reader realistic basics on...

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Poop Power: Manure generates electricity in Vermont

Check out this link to Central Vermont Public Services! It is a wonderful example of maintaining a healthy ecosystem at the 'farm' level - using cow's waste products (ie, POOP) to power not only the dairy farms which produce the manure, but to generate electricity for the community as well! Three cheers for Vermont's efforts to help Guard'n the Plan...

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Mushrooms and forest animals

: : YEEESS! Finally, some new prints in the shop. I'm very excited about these two prints. I hope that they'll become favorites with little ones and adults alike. Check out the shop, there are some traditional kurbits in new color combinations available as well. And more to come....

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Building the Homestead- a photo history 2006-2010

U.G.L.Y. Yup, it sure starts out plain, so keep scrolling down! I am blown away by the changes! This is the first time to upload all of the photos and view them side by side. It just goes to show: you don't have to start with something fancy! All we started with was a dream for Forgotten Works; an interactive garden/gallery full of inspiration for gardeners and new homestead enthusiasts... October 2006 we moved our wee green bungelow to 7 acres of pasture; up from the lush creekbed where it had flooded twice. By Summer of 2007 it was yellow for...

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"Cottage Contemporary" - a new planter design from Forgotten Works

Check out our newest design - from 100% recycled materials found right in our own neighborhood! Half Pipe Planters are made from steel pipe discarded by the Texas oil and gas industry; powder coated in adorable antique aqua and paired with solid cedar from old fencing. Sturdy planters have bearing 'feet' to prevent rolling and come in narrow (4 inches) and wide (8 inches). Wide planters are long and short (24 inches and 14 inches approximate) Link to our Flickr page for more information HERE. We will have our Half Pipe Planters at the Mansfield...

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