Home gardening offers ways to trim grocery costs [Survival Today, an on going thread]

Dallas News.com ^ | March 14th, 2008 | DEAN FOSDICK

[nw_arizona_granny]

Americans finding soaring food prices hard to stomach can battle back by growing their own food. [Click image for a larger version] Dean Fosdick Dean Fosdick

Home vegetable gardens appear to be booming as a result of the twin movements to eat local and pinch pennies.

At the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta this winter, D. Landreth Seed Co. of New Freedom, Pa., sold three to four times more seed packets than last year, says Barb Melera, president. "This is the first time I've ever heard people say, 'I can grow this more cheaply than I can buy it in the supermarket.' That's a 180-degree turn from the norm."

Roger Doiron, a gardener and fresh-food advocate from Scarborough, Maine, said he turned $85 worth of seeds into more than six months of vegetables for his family of five.

A year later, he says, the family still had "several quarts of tomato sauce, bags of mixed vegetables and ice-cube trays of pesto in the freezer; 20 heads of garlic, a five-gallon crock of sauerkraut, more homegrown hot-pepper sauce than one family could comfortably eat in a year and three sorts of squash, which we make into soups, stews and bread."

[snipped]

She compares the current period of market uncertainty with that of the early- to mid-20th century when the concept of victory gardens became popular.

"A lot of companies during the world wars and the Great Depression era encouraged vegetable gardening as a way of addressing layoffs, reduced wages and such," she says. "Some companies, like U.S. Steel, made gardens available at the workplace. Railroads provided easements they'd rent to employees and others for gardening."

[nw_arizona_granny]

It takes a little more time but the pix really add to the instructions. Maybe it will make more people see the thread, too.<<<

I agree, but we must be careful on the number of photos, or I will not be able to read the thread.

Some internet connections do not handle photos well and I have one of them.

There are threads here, that I love, but cannot read, as it freezes my computer.

And people have posted things to me that even freeze my ping file, so I never could go back past those posts, that is why I don’t mess with learning to post photos.

There are still quite a few of us on dial up internet conditions and there will be more, as people cut costs.

Are you listening to the Paul Harvey news? He just reported of a father / son arrest in Minnesota, for selling pot from a hotel room.

5 suitcases, of pot, value $100,000.

They said they had to go out of state, as in Calif. they have Medical Marijuana now and there is no market for illegal pot.

[nw_arizona_granny]

What a beautiful tribute.<<<

Thank you.

[nw_arizona_granny]

“Using a pastry blender or 2 knives,”<<<

Sorry that never worked for me.

How in thunder, does 2 knives work? LOL, not for me.

I have the Pastry blenders, but prefer my wire whips.

I found in an old mining dump, a potato masher, that some one made, the handle was smooth wood, 4 thicker wires come down and form the support for a 3 inch square of woven BALING wire, that is woven to form 1/4 inch or a little larger square holes.

I always imagined some wife saying “Well if you want mashed potatoes, then get me a masher...”

I also found a small egg beater, attached to a tin cup, LOL about the right size for one egg, and it was a store bought contraption.

Bill hated it that I went around collecting baling wire, but I did it any way, as some of it is fine and copper and sometimes it was the common wire.

LOL, when they switched to using the thick twine, I saved that and made rugs, crocheted out of it.

Once we had been out in the desert about 5 days, just prospecting and camping, I had found choice wire the night before and as I rolled it up, Bill said “You are not going to put that in the camper.”

The next day, when we broke camp, the truck would not move.

The clutch had lost a cotter key, in the connector.

And we didn’t have an extra.

Poor Bill, he crawled from under the truck and asked “Where did you put that baling wire in the camper?”

LOL, baling wire makes a fine cotter key.

[nw_arizona_granny]

I was thinking you would want those history sites.

[nw_arizona_granny]

https://ionmx.com/apps/display.aspx?t=d09-74-74-acc-3a32b&h=a251043646bb6e02fde592ac4ef3a238

The National Archives, Kew, Surrey, TW9 4DU, UK
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

History/writers ping.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/18198838/detail.html?treets=den&tid=2659747428813&tml=den_9am&tmi=den_9am_-1_10000112042008&ts=H

Grandfather Critical After Pushing Newborn To Safety
Police Say James Lewin Pushed Granddaughter Out Of Harm’s Way

POSTED: 4:57 pm MST December 3, 2008
UPDATED: 1:17 pm MST December 4, 2008

DENVER — A grandfather remained in critical condition Thursday after police said he sacrificed himself to save his newborn granddaughter.

James Lewin, 65, was out Friday night walking with his wife, two grandchildren, his daughter and her husband. They were heading home after the annual Candlelight Walk and Tree Lighting ceremony in downtown Littleton.

Lewin was pushing his 12-day-old granddaughter, Sara, in a stroller. They were entering a crosswalk at South Price Street and West Church Avenue when a Dodge pickup truck turned from Prince Street onto Church Avenue and hit Lewin, police said.

Lewin pushed Sarah’s stroller out of harm’s way just before he was struck by the truck, witnesses said. The family’s Web site said the truck dragged Lewin 75 feet after it hit him.

Thanks to her grandfather’s quick thinking, Sara was not hurt.

“He pushed the stroller so hard, the stroller’s axle bent and the handle was broken from Jim shoving the stroller away,” said Carol Lewin, his wife.

continued.

I think this man needs a few Freeper prayers........
granny

[Rushmore Rocks]

Prayers up for a brave grandpa.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Glenn Beck: Disenfranchisement growing

December 3, 2008 - 12:30 ET

GLENN: Welcome to it. I'm glad you're here. This is my favorite season of the year and it's, this is an important time for America to renew herself and to reconnect. Please, please find the real meaning of Christmas this year. Don't make it about the stores and the buying of stuff and everything else. Please use this to reconnect with what the real meaning of Christmas is and that is helping others, serving others, finding yourself, starting all over again. You know, you may lose everything, I may lose everything but we still have each other and we still have our families, and tomorrow we're going to do a special show just on the real meaning of Christmas and I want to tell you some of the amazing stories that I have heard in the last couple of days from people that will, holy cow, if they can do it, you can do it. Overcoming our hardest obstacles. That will be on tomorrow's program.

Now, the reason why I am so impressed and I believe that the clock is ticking and I have a renewed sense of urgency. I want you to listen to this. I want you to listen to this news story. I'm going to read it verbatim and I want to see if any of this sounds familiar. Citigroup says gold could rise over $2,000 next year as the world unravels. Again, Citigroup says gold could rise over $2,000 next year as the world unravels. Gold is poised for a dramatic surge and the blast through $2,000 an ounce by the end of next year as central banks listen carefully as central banks flood the world's monetary system with liquidity. This is according to an internal client note from U.S. bank Citigroup. The bank said that the damage caused by the financial excesses of the last 25 years was forcing the world's authorities to take steps that they had never tried before. This gamble was likely to end in one of two extreme ways, with either a resurgence of inflation and trust me, gang, trust me they're not talking about regular inflation or a downward spiral into Depression, civil disorder and possibly wars. Both outcomes will cause a rush for gold.

Quote: They are throwing the kitchen sink at this, said Tom Fitzpatrick. The bank's chief technical strategist. Quote: The world is not going back to normal after the magnitude of what they have done. When the dust settles on this, the world will, it will see that it will either work and the money they have pushed into the system will feed through an inflation shock, or it will not work because too much damage has already been done and we will see continued financial deterioration causing further economic deterioration and the risk of a feedback loop. We don't think that this is the more likely outcome. I do. But each week as it passes and each month passes, there is a growing danger of a vicious circle as confidence erodes. This will lead [I'm still quoting from Citigroup]: This will lead to political instability. We are already seeing countries on the periphery of Europe under severe stress. Some leaders remember, Citigroup is talking about the crazy edges of Europe. But see if any of this sounds familiar. Some leaders are now at record levels of unpopularity. There is a risk of domestic unrest starting with strikes because people are feeling disenfranchised, end quote. May the heavens open up and sing praises, hallelujah, finally someone with some credibility is talking about disenfranchisement.

Quote: What happens if there is a meltdown in a country like Pakistan, which is a nuclear power? People react when they have their backs against the wall. We're already seeing doubts listen to this: We are already seeing doubts emerge about the sovereign debts of developed AAA rated countries, which is not something you can ignore. So you know, developed AAA rated countries are countries like America. Gold traders are paying close attention to reports from Beijing that China is thinking of boosting its gold reserves from 600 tons to near 4,000 tons in a way to diversify away from paper currencies. What does that mean? Whose paper do they hold? Ours. They hold our currencies. If they are talking about going from 600 tons of gold to near 4,000 tons of gold, they need to sell their currencies and their treasuries. What does that do to the American dollar? "Oh, no one will ever do that because they need us." Everyone is in survival mode. Mr. Fitzpatrick said Britain had made a mistake selling off half its gold at the bottom of the market between '99 and 2000.

People have started to question the value of government debt, end quote. Meanwhile, our leaders are saying pay no attention to debt. Meanwhile, the Fed which unbeknownst unfortunately to a lot of people, the ones who hold our treasury notes, the ones who it's backed by the Fed that is a treasury note, a promise the Fed will not release any information on how much gold it holds. The Fed won't allow any accounting on what they actually have. Citigroup said the blastoff was likely to occur within two years and possibly as soon as 2009. Gold was trading yesterday at $812 an ounce. It is well off the all time peak of $1,030 in February, but has held up much better than other commodities over the last few months referring to its historic role as a safe haven store of value and a de facto currency. Gold has tripled over the last three years in value, vastly outperforming Wall Street and European, it says bonuses here but it can't be bonuses, stocks.

Okay, look, here's the thing. Citi does this sound familiar? Does this, have you heard this maybe a year ago from anybody? This is a huge, huge development. This is Citigroup saying this and when somebody like Citigroup says this, it causes a shock to the system. It causes a shock to the market. So hear me clearly. They are not telling you the full truth, just like the President won't tell you the full truth because they know what it means if they panic. They know what it means if they say something that causes people to panic. This is the next level in getting people prepared for what's coming.

Let me go through this piece by piece. Gold could blast through $2,000 an ounce by the end of next year. It is going to blow through. You mark that down, Stu, if we're still on the radio in 12 months, it will go through $2,000 an ounce. The bank says it's caused by the financial excesses of the last 25 years. That is true. The gamble is going to end in one of two extreme ways: Either with a resurgence of inflation they are not talking about inflation. Study the Weimar Republic. They are talking about hyperinflation. You cannot inflate the world's money supply to the point that we have. They are lying to you. They are trying to take this down let's look at them in the best possible light. They are trying to take this system down as slowly as they can so you can prepare, but I'm telling you you are running out of time to prepare.

You must prepare your household, you must prepare your children, you must do logical, well thought out things to be able to prepare your family and please do not do them in a panic fashion. I don't tell you these things to panic you. I tell you this with a sense of urgency so you may move with a sense of urgency and it is the same reason why CitiBank is telling you this today. They say it's either going to be inflation or a downward spiral into Depression, civil disorder and possible wars. They are talking about this on a global scale. They don't say that this is the United States but, gang, there's trouble coming. They are throwing the kitchen sink at this. This is what I told you a year ago. I said there's going to come a point to where they're going to open up these valves so far that nothing will react. The stock market won't react, nothing will. And they've got to turn those valves the other way because if they don't turn them the other way and shut this money supply off and do it quickly, you are going to have massive inflation.

Well, not only have they not shut those valves off, they've opened them up even more. You cannot do these things. No matter what our arrogance tells us that, "oh, well, we've got it under control; oh, well, this will happen or this will happen," these people are trying to change the course of a hurricane and they're making it worse, unless you prepare. I told you a year ago, I told you when I pulled out of the market, I got a phone call, this is over a year ago and I said I pulled everything out. And I got a phone call and they said, you're telling people to pull out of the stock market, you are only making things worse. I said nobody's listening to me, nobody's listening to me at this point. I'm just telling you what I've done, you make your own decision. But you know what and I prayed about this because I felt I almost felt in a way like a betrayer of my country because I thought, how am I pulling my money out?

We need to be able to have jobs, we need to be able to build. And it came to me, there must be someone with something left to be able to restart. You must protect your family. You must protect these things because you're going to need to be able to restart. There's got to be somebody left to be able to say, "Okay, let's pick ourselves back up." The world is not going back to normal.

This is a quote: The world is not going back to normal after the magnitude of what they have done. That's Citigroup: The world will not go back to normal after the magnitude of what they've done. This is what I told you three weeks ago when I said the G20 were meeting. I said they're dropping framework. It's a new world order. They know. They know what's coming. They are saying, "We just need to see what we can do." No, they are not. They are dropping in the new world order. If I know it, if my sources are good enough and I'm smart enough, a guy who never took an economics course in my life, can look at all of these things and say, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, no way out, you're blocking all the exits, you know they do. They see it. This will lead to political instability, and they talk about European countries like Hungary, there is risk of domestic unrest starting with strikes.

Gang, Amy just called in 15 minutes ago. She was a caller. She just called in, and I specifically and I didn't point it out then. I hadn't read this article. I didn't point it out then and I wasn't wildly overt. Anybody who has ears heard. I said, listen to her voice. I said that for a reason, because I want those who are listening, those who have ears to listen and eyes to see. I needed you to hear Amy, a regular person just like you, so angry and so sad on what's happening. She knows it. Americans, your gut is telling you this. Don't dismiss it. Follow your gut. If China would make that one move, no one's lending us any more money. So all of the things that we borrow has to be purchased with something else. You want prescription drugs? Okay, we can't borrow the money from China anymore. We need $500 billion more, half a trillion dollars more for a stimulus package so we can train people to go out and buy a new television set to keep the economy going? No one is going to borrow no one is going to lend us that $500 billion. We're at the end, gang. We're at the end of that game. So how do they pay for it? They print it because governments can do that.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Lord, please put Your Hand of healing on this dear man and mend his broken body. In the Holy Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Sweet-Smelling Prints

Tie a few sachets for coworkers, or use them individually as stocking stuffers.

Sweet-Smelling Prints How-To
In a photo-editing program, draw four 4-inch squares. Import a different pattern into each square. Print squares onto printable paper-backed cotton, following manufacturer's instructions; cut out. Stack 2 printed squares or 1 blank square and 1 printed square, right sides facing. Sew around all sides, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance and leaving a 1-inch opening on 1 side. Turn pillow right side out. Fill with lavender, cedar, or balsam; stitch closed.

Return to Patterns by Pixel.

First Published: December 2007

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

From:

Organza Sachets

Sometimes you'll open your closet to find that moths have dined on your clothing, leaving holes in the fabric as their calling card. Mothballs are an effective way to prevent damage, but their distinct smell is unpleasant. However, certain herbs, such as lavender, tansy, and wormwood, not only are sweet smelling but also have moth-repellent properties. Combine these herbs in a sachet to put in closets or drawers; organza sachets are easy to make and are a lovely, practical holiday gift.

Tools and Materials
Two 4-inch squares of organza
Matching thread
Sewing needle
Pins
Lavender, wormwood, cedar, or patchouli
Rosemary, tansy, cinnamon, or cloves
Pouch
Funnel
Mixing bowl
Pinking shears
Decorative ribbon

Organza Sachet How-To
1. Pin together two 4-inch squares of organza, and sew a tight zigzag stitch around the perimeter, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance; keep a 1-inch opening on one side.

2. Mix 2 parts of either lavender, wormwood, cedar, or patchouli with 1 part of either rosemary, tansy, cinnamon, or cloves. Pour the mixture into the pouch with a funnel.

3. Sew the opening closed with a tight zigzag stitch, and trim the edges with pinking shears. Make three or four sachets, and tie them together with a decorative ribbon to present as a gift.

First Published: April 1998

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Patternsby Pixel

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Swiss Meringue Buttercream for Cupcakes

Makes about 9 cups, enough for about 28 cupcakes
2 1/2 cups sugar
10 large egg whites
4 cups (8 sticks or 2 pounds) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Place sugar and egg whites in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, and whisk until sugar has dissolved and egg whites are hot to the touch, about 3 minutes. Test by rubbing the mixture between your fingers; it should feel completely smooth.

Transfer bowl to mixer stand. Using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until mixture has cooled completely and formed stiff and glossy peaks, about 10 minutes.

Add the butter, one piece at a time, and beat until incorporated after each addition. Don't worry if the buttercream appears curdled after all the butter has been added; it will become smooth again with continued beating. Add vanilla, and beat just until combined.

Switch to the paddle attachment, and beat on the lowest speed to eliminate any air pockets, about 5 minutes. If using buttercream within several hours, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature in a cool environment. Or transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator, up to 3 days. Before using, bring buttercream to room temperature, and beat on the lowest speed with the paddle attachment until smooth, about 5 minutes.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Chocolate Cupcakes

Prep: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour Makes 12
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
Easy White Icing
Sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.

Into a medium bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with sour cream and beginning and ending with flour.

Pour batter into cups, filling each 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool in pan 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then spread with Easy White Icing using a table knife or small offset spatula. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Monogrammed Slippers

Children will especially adore their personalized pairs. Covered buttons with delicate lowercase letters (left, top) are embroidered in a satin stitch. Felt patches with satin-stitched initials (left,middle) are tacked to the slippers with French knots. Calligraphic letters embroidered in French knots (left, bottom) have a raised, nubby look. You can also make a monogram without embroidery by tracing the outline of a letter onto felt, cutting it out, and gluing or hand-stitching it to the slipper.

Slipper How-To
Draw a circle on a piece of felt or melton wool, then draw a letter in the circle using transfer paper or working freehand. Clip the fabric into an embroidery hoop. With embroidery floss, embroider the letter in satin stitch, French knots, or another favorite stitch. Remove fabric from hoop, cut out the circle, stretch it over the button (following the instructions from a covered-button kit, available at sewing stores), and catch the edges on the teeth in back. Snap the front of the button to the back half, and sew onto a slipper.

Satin Stitch How-To
At an angle or straight across, these side-by-side stitches fill in the outlines for a shape. Pull the needle through to front at 1. Insert at 2; pull needle back through at 3, right next to 1. Keep stitches tight and flat for a smooth finish.

French Knot How-To
These are useful for creating a raised point of interest. Pull needle from back of fabric to front at 1. Holding thread taut with one hand, wrap it twice around needle; insert needle again close to 1, keeping thread taut as needle is pulled through to back.

[Velveeta]

Indeed he does! Prayers for James Lewin.

[Quix]

AMEN AMEN!

THANKS.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel08/holidayscams120108.htm

Press Release

For Immediate Release
December 1, 2008

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

Holiday Season Cyber Scammers Target Victims

The FBI is reminding people this holiday season that cyber criminals continue to aggressively seek ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers are using several techniques to fool potential victims including sending unsolicited e-mails that contain attachments such as electronic greeting cards containing malware (malicious software), setting up spoofing websites that look like legitimate commercial sites, and unleashing phishing and vishing attacks where individuals receive e-mails asking for personal data.

“These cyber scammers will do whatever they can to steal your money and personal information this holiday season and are trying many different ways to commit these crimes. The best way to protect yourself is to report these scams to law enforcement or the Internet Crime Complaint Center, IC3,” said Shawn Henry, Assistant Director, FBI Cyber Division, Washington, D.C.

In the greeting card scam, the cards, which are also referred to as e-cards or postcards, are being sent via spam. Like many other Internet fraud schemes, the criminals use social engineering tactics to entice the victim, claiming the card is from a family member or friend. Although there have been variations in the spam message and attached malware, generally the spam directs the recipient to click the link provided in the e-mail to view the e-card. Upon clicking the link, the recipient is unknowingly taken to a malicious webpage.

Spoofing scams are when criminals create a false or shadow copy of a real website or e-mail in a way that misleads the recipient. All network traffic between the victim’s browser and the shadow page are sent through the spoofer’s machin e. This allows the spoofer to acquire personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and account numbers.

Even though the e-mail looks like the real thing, complete with authentic logos and working web links, it’s a fak e. The website where you’re told to enter your account information is also fak e. In some instances, really slick spoofers direct you to the genuine website, then pop up a window over the site that captures your personal information. The information entered does not go to the legitimate site, but rather to the spoofer’s account. The information you entered will most likely be sold to criminals, who’ll use it to ruin your credit and drain your account.

In phishing and vishing attacks, individuals report receiving e-mails or text messages indicating a problem with their account. They are directed to follow the link provided in the message to update their account or correct the problem. The link actually directs the individuals to a fraudulent website that looks legitimate where their personal information, such as account number and PIN, is compromised.

Other reported scams have included victims receiving an e-mail message asking them to complete an online survey. At the end of the survey, they are asked for their personal account information to allow funds to be credited to the account in appreciation for completing the survey. Providing this information will allow criminals to compromise the account.

Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of cyber fraud:

* Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
* Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
* Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
* Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
* Always compare the link in the e-mail to the link that you are actually directed to.
* Log on to the official website, instead of “linking” to it from an unsolicited e-mail.
* Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify if the e-mail is genuin e.

To receive the latest information about cyber scams please go to the FBI website and sign up for e-mail alerts by clicking on one of the red envelopes. If you have received a scam e-mail, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov. For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI’s New E-Scams and Warnings webpage.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks to you.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thank you, I knew you would understand.