Kare Kountry

Building a Greenhouse for Gardening and More

2007-05-12T17:30:00.000-04:00

A quick mosquito repellent

2007-05-12T17:22:00.000-04:00

Homegrown basil rubbed on the skin can repel mosquitos. If you're having a barbecue throw a little on the coals, it will keep them away better than a citronella candle.

State Outline Maps

2007-05-12T17:05:00.000-04:00

You can print any or all 50 states Click on title.

Homemade Garden Cart Plans

2007-05-12T17:01:00.000-04:00

You can get a pretty good idea how to build it by just looking at the
pictures.

What was the song hit the day that you were born?

2007-05-12T16:51:00.000-04:00

NU WAYS WIKI

2007-05-12T16:49:00.000-04:00

Alternative forms of energy will play a vital role in cooling the
earth and otherwise exploring new ways of doing things.

Join a potential global network of collaborators by clicking on title.

Bee/Hornet Cure

2007-05-12T16:47:00.000-04:00

The next time you get stung put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes. Somehow the copper in the penny counteracts the bite. It definitely does work.

Making a Flower Pot Grill

2007-05-12T16:44:00.000-04:00

SportsmanDIY

2007-05-12T16:33:00.000-04:00

This site can tell ya how to do just about anything...from building a bluebird house, to skinning a bear to how to build a stacked wood house... Click on title and see

A Budget Camper You Build From Plans

2007-05-07T18:13:00.000-04:00

Here is a interesting idea . . .

Keep Garden Tools Clean

2007-04-28T19:01:00.001-04:00

Keep you garden tools clean and rust free by keeping a bucket of sand handy. Brush off excess soil, then plunge your tool into the sand. The sand alone will scrub your tool clean. You can add a bottle of oil to your bucket of sand to lubricate and protect your tool. Many people use old motor oil. I like to use a cooking oil, but this isn't practical if you're bucket is accessible to wildlife.

How to visit Disney world on a budget

2007-04-28T18:59:00.000-04:00

Free Support Our Troops Dog Tags

2007-04-25T19:46:00.001-04:00

Send a "Dog Tag" in your name to a soldier in Iraq

I'm not ashamed of our troops -- are you?

VA Tech 4/16 Memorial Project

2007-04-22T17:42:00.000-04:00

This is a beautiful site.

Do It Yourself Dog Biscuits

2007-04-22T17:39:00.000-04:00

With all the problems with dog food lately here is a good way to make dog biscuits.

1/2 c rolled oats
2 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1 egg
1/4 c canola oil
2 T molasses
1/2 c water

Mix ingredients all together in bowl, roll out dough and use cookie cutters to make designs or just roll in cookie shapes. Bake 375 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Click on title to take you to other recipes for dogs.

Useful Tips

2007-04-07T17:26:00.000-04:00

# If someone has put permanent marker on your car, you would want to try a test area with either WD-40 or fingernail polish remover or both, depending on how long it has been on there.
# Plain white vinegar is a good substitute for fabric softener. Environmentally safe and non-alergenic, just add 1/2 to one cup as you would a liquid softener.
# Did you know there is a method to the madness when it comes to the color of the twisty-ties on bread? Each day has a different color twist tie,they go alphabetically by color. They are:
Monday = Blue
Tuesday = Green
Thursday = Red
Friday = White
Saturday = Yellow

Angel Food Ministries

2007-04-07T17:08:00.000-04:00

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief to communities throughout the United States.

Angel Food works through churches and community organizations in over 32 states. For further information, please take a few minutes to peruse their website by clicking on the title.

Freedom To Take Vitamins May End!

2007-04-07T15:49:00.000-04:00

Check the link to the National Health Alliance ad at the beginning of
the article. It illustrates the absurd consequences of the bills being
voted on soon.
http://www.nha2006. com/

Gardening Tip

2007-04-01T18:00:00.000-04:00

If you'll be planting seeds left over from last year, you can test their viability before planting. Sprinkling the seeds you want to use in the bottom of a glass or jar and then fill it with water. The seeds that float to the top are probably no good. Plant the seeds that stay on the bottom. (Once the seeds are wet, you'll need to get them in soil ASAP.)

PRESERVE NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

2007-04-01T17:58:00.000-04:00

To preserve newspaper clippings mix a large bottle of club soda with 1/2 cup milk of magnesia, soak for 20 min and let dry on a cake rack. It will last for years.

How to Get Books on the Cheap

2007-04-01T17:49:00.000-04:00

Library: before you purchase a book, "test read" it to make sure it is one that you will refer to time and again.
Library: Take advantage of inter-branch loans. In many cities, you can have books sent over to a branch convenient to you for free or a nominal fee.

Become A Book Reviewer: If you have an interest in a certain subject and can do a review on a couple of books for your local newspaper (or even start a blog on a particular subject that is somewhat popular) you can often get review copies of books on that subject for free. This often means getting books even before they are available to the public

Book Exchanges: Check local businesses for book exchanges. You bring in books you no longer want, and take away books they have that you would like to read.

Used Book Stores: For a nice compromise between new and utterly used.

Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, Flea Markets: All offer used books on the cheap. Once you've read them, you might be able to exchange them for store credit at a used book store if they're in decent shape.

Paperbackswap.com - trade your old books for new ones.

Library Sales: Check to see if your local libraries offer an annual sale. Or even a sale shelf. On the annual sales, they often sell the books by the box or bag on the last day.

Online: Half.com, Amazon.com, Ebay.com all have people selling used books.

Craigslist and freecycle: Check out these sites for books being given away and make a request on freecycle!

Read this article for more great ideas "Stop Buying Books" http://www.frugalforlife.blogspot.com/2007/03/stop-buying-books.html

Song written in Iraq

2007-03-21T14:45:00.000-04:00

"If I Die Before You Wake"
This is awesome...

This soldier video is new and different. It is moving and heartwarming.

10 Day Survival Kit for your vehicle

2007-03-21T14:39:00.000-04:00

No more tossing - a list of repair links

2007-03-21T14:37:00.000-04:00

THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO

2007-02-28T16:35:00.000-05:00

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST Subject: Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND Subject: Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

THIRD Subject: Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.

FOURTH How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 #
A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And Finally....FIFTH Directory Assistance
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

Paperless Printer for Free

2007-02-18T17:55:00.000-05:00

A data conversion tool than can convert almost any application data to pdf, html, doc, excel, jpeg or bmp including those created with drawing, page-layout, or image-editing programs. Awsome. A must try.

Global Warming discussed in 1958 You Tube

2007-02-18T17:53:00.001-05:00

This is a clip from an old movie. Very interesting.

Decorating with Vintage Magazine Ads

2007-02-18T17:48:00.000-05:00

Solar Energy Tax Credits

2007-01-26T18:18:00.000-05:00

Congress Extends Federal Solar Energy Tax Credits Through End of 2008

Cyndi's Catalog of Garden Catalogs

2007-01-26T18:13:00.000-05:00

Contacts and critiques of more than 2,000 catalogs from around the world. Is there a better service that could be provided to an avid gardener? Click on the Title to get you there.

Dave's Garden

2007-01-26T18:10:00.001-05:00

Dave's site is a gardener friendly destination. The plant database is billed as the largest in the world, "...with 86,188 entries, 58,365 images and 33,503 comments." You can search by name or plant characteristics or just browse through the pictures. Searches are limited if you are not a registered member, but membership is free. Click on the title to get you there.

Ginger Milk

2007-01-26T17:26:00.000-05:00

This sweet ginger-milk drink is wonderfully calming if you have an
upset stomach. Ginger-root is a well-known nature medicine, and is especially recommended for stomach ailments and motion sickness.

1 quart of goat's or cow's milk
1/3 cup sugar or to taste
3 knobs of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated finely.

Put ginger root into a saucepan and add the milk. Stir to mix. Bring the milk to the boil. Just before the milk begins to boil, whip it with a egg-beater to make it frothy. Pour through a fine sieve or tea strainer into mugs, add sugar to each mug and enjoy.

Winter is an important time to help the birds make it through.

2007-01-10T13:03:00.000-05:00

Place your feeders close to windows so the birds don't fly into them and so you can enjoy the entertainment.

Some of the bird seeds on the market have ingredients the birds don't like and even weed seeds. You might want to get a large tote and mix your own birdseed to attract a variety of species. This recipe will bless your ground and feeder types of birds and even get a few woodpeckers stealing those black-oil sunflower seeds.

Homemade Bird Seed Mix

1 part white proso millet
1 part cracked corn
2 parts black-oil sunflower seed (or twice as much as you did of corn or millet

Combine the seed, millet, and corn in a large container. Store in a dry trash can or storage can with a tight-fitting lid. This mixture can be offered in a tube, hopper, or platform feeder. Black oil sunflower seed is a great choice because it is higher in calories.

Reducing Our Use of Trees

2007-01-10T12:40:00.000-05:00

We can all do our part to use a fairer and more sustainable share of the Earth’s resources, taking action to preserve forests every day in our homes, with our friends and colleagues, and in our communities. Suggested First Steps:

USE CLOTH NAPKINS AND DISHTOWELS and forget about the paper versions forever.

USE CLOTH SHOPPING BAGS - They’re lightweight, collapsible, and can hang out in your car or slip inside a backpack without taking up too much room until you need them at the grocery store or other retail establishment.

WRAP ALL GIFTS IN REUSABLE MATERIALS (cloth scraps, scarves, or cloth bags) or in waste paper (newspaper comics, brown paper bags, etc.) that will then be recycled.

BRING REUSABLE CONTAINERS TO RESTAURANTS for take-out, instead of relying on their disposable paper and plastic containers.

ELIMINATE JUNK MAIL - Call or write to catalogs, nonprofits, magazines, and other companies and ask them not to share your name. When you do receive junk mail, call the company and ask it to remove your name from its list. Contact the Direct Marketing Association (www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html) to remove yourself from as many lists as possible.

PAY YOUR BILLS ONLINE - Most credit cards and many utilities now offer online payment options that can help you reduce your use of envelopes, checks, and paper bills. If online billing isn’t an option, or if you prefer to receive paper invoices for your records, you can call your credit card company and ask it to stop including junk-mail “inserts” with your statement.

RECYCLE ALL WASTE PAPER - If your town doesn’t offer curbside pick-up, find a recycling facility near you at www.earth911.org.

BUY RECYCLED OR TREE-FREE - whenever you must purchase a paper product, including computer paper, manila folders, sticky notes, toilet paper, etc. Every paper product you might need has a recycled or tree-free version available. This site has a directory of places to shop: www.ecobusinesslinks.com/recycled_paper.htm

Frugal Exercise

2007-01-10T12:28:00.000-05:00

There are many ways to get fit without spending a lot of money. The following are easy, inexpensive ideas for getting in shape.

Walking - You can walk in your neighborhood. You can walk to do errands. You can walk at the mall. Just slip on a pair of shoes and start.

Videos - Exercise videos are available from the library, come in a multitude of levels and skill sets and can be done in the comfort of your own home. There are also many local, national and cable TV exercise shows on each day that you can follow along with at your own pace. Tape them if you have to, in order to exercise at your convenience.

Stair climbing - You can do it the old fashioned way and climb real stairs. Many buildings, sports stadiums, outdoor parks and maybe even your own home have stairs that you can climb for free as many times as you want.

Weight lifting - Lift canned goods, old (well sealed) milk containers (half or full gallon sized) filled with water or basically any other item that has some weight to it and a handle of some sort.

Jumping rope - Jump ropes are fairly inexpensive, or as they did in the "olden days," use a piece of rope.

Calisthenics - Use plain old-fashioned calisthenics such as sit ups, push ups, squats, etc. All of these can be done in your own home at absolutely no cost.

A field - Get your kids or a friend and play catch with a base ball, kick a soccer ball back and forth, toss around a football, or play tag. Anything that gets you moving and works up a sweat is exercise!

Play tennis or basketball - Many cities have free outdoor (and occasionally indoor) tennis and basketball courts for the public to use at no charge.

Ride a bike - The old bicycle you have gathering dust in your garage can be dusted off, tuned up and used to ride on quiet country roads, nature trails or any other out of door location that is reasonably safe for cyclists. Be sure and wear your
helmet!

Swim, roller skate, or ice skate - Many communities have recreation centers that charge very little to use their pool and skating facilities. Check out their prices; often mornings or mid-week cost even less than the more popular weekend and evening sessions.

Getting in shape and staying healthy doesn't have to be expensive. You can use the items you have on hand, along with a healthy dose of motivation, to lose weight, get healthy and put together a successful exercise program for next to nothing.

Free File - Your Link to Free Federal Online Filing

2007-01-09T17:30:00.000-05:00

USDA: Food & Nutrition Service

2006-12-26T22:31:00.000-05:00

Despite the abundance of foodstuffs in the United States, many individualsand families go hungry on a regular basis. There are a number of public andprivate organizations working to address this problem, and the USDA's Food &Nutrition Service is just such an organization. Their website allows personsworking in this area to learn about their various nutrition assistanceprograms through their online newsroom, their specific program areas, andtheir "Spotlights" features. For a brief introduction to their currentinitiatives and work, interested parties should browse on over to thenewsroom, where they can learn about recent grant awards, state food stampparticipation rates, and disaster assistance. After that, visitors may wishto look at the multimedia materials within the "Eat Smart. Play Hard"feature designed for young people. Here they can learn about the foodpyramid and how to eat balanced meals everyday. [KMG]>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006.http://scout. wisc.edu/

Stop Child Poverty

2006-12-26T22:30:00.000-05:00

A number of international organizations are committed to helping end childpoverty, and one of the best known of their number is the Global VolunteerNetwork. Through their advocacy work and the Stop Child Poverty campaign,they are dedicated to the proposition that child poverty can be completederadicated. Through sections titled "Learn It", "Live It", and "Pass it On",visitors to this site will learn about the "big picture" of child povertyand how they can become directly involved in any number of volunteerprojects. The "Pass It On" area is quite fine in this regard, as visitorscan look over a message board where they can discuss the campaign, and thenuse a zip-code search engine to find volunteer opportunities in their area.[KMG]>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006.http://scout. wisc.edu/

Auto and Truck Repair and Advice

2006-12-26T22:29:00.000-05:00

George G. Scott, Jr. has been an auto mechanic for over thirty years, and hehas also found time in his busy schedule to create this website dedicated toproviding both the average person and future auto mechanics with informationabout car and truck repair. While the site does contain some banneradvertisements, there is plenty of fine free material here as well. Visitorscan begin their journey by looking into areas titled "How Your Car Works".After that, they can look over an alphabetical list that includes sageadvice on everything from alternators to water pump repair. The site isrounded out by a fun collection of sounds of cars in "trouble", including abad motor mount of 1994 Saturn and the valve train tapping of a 1993 Isuzu
Rodeo. [KMG]>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006.http://scout.wisc.edu/

David Rumsey Map Collection: Antique Atlases

2006-12-26T22:28:00.000-05:00

The world of antique maps and atlases is a wide one, and includes such finevolumes as the exquisite atlas of New Spain created by Alexander vonHumboldt in 1811 and Mitchell's School Atlas of 1847. These atlases andhundreds more can be viewed at this site, provided courtesy of the DavidRumsey Historical Map Collection. Online since 2000, the antique atlassection is divided geographically into smaller sections that cover NorthAmerica, Africa, and Europe. After clicking on over to one of thesesections, visitors will be presented with a complete list of the availableatlases. As the site utilizes the powerful Insight Browser, visitors canscroll around on each document at their leisure, zooming in and out alongthe way. [KMG]>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006.http://scout. wisc.edu/

Hummingbirds

2006-12-26T22:23:00.000-05:00

Living all the way from the rocky coast of Nova Scotia to the forests ofBrazil, hummingbirds can be found in a vast range of climates. Recently, theNational Geographic Magazine created this multimedia portrait of these hardycreatures and placed it online for the general public. On the homepage,visitors can read a brief overview essay on the lives of hummingbirds, andthen continue on to over of the site's six primary sections. These sectionsinclude a photo gallery, an "On Assignment" area which includes field notesfrom staff photographer Luis A. Mazariegos, and a "Learn More" area, whichincludes links to relevant websites. The real highlight of the site is thenarrated tour by Ernie Franzgrote into the lives of different hummingbirds,including the violet-capped, the purple-crowned, and the marvelousspatuetail. [KMG]>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006.http://scout.wisc.edu/

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2006-12-26T22:22:00.000-05:00

While many writers have to wait decades, if not centuries, after their deathto receive critical or commercial success, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow waslucky to achieve both during his lifetime. Born in Portland, Maine in 1807,he was a figure of national prominence by the 1850s, and a much-belovedprofessor at Harvard. Recently, the Maine Historical Society created thisfine tribute to the man and his work. The site is divided into seven primarysections which include an extended biographical essay about his life andwork, information about his family and his homes in Portland and Cambridge.Of course, any site about Longfellow would be incomplete without a generousselection of his poems, and this site has that particular detail wellcovered. In the Longfellow poems database, visitors can view a sortable listof his works, which can be arranged by poem title, first line, andpublication date. [KMG]>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006.http://scout. wisc.edu/

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

2006-12-26T22:19:00.000-05:00

Living and coping with depression or bipolar disorder can be difficult, butthere are a number of high-quality online resources that can be very usefulto those with these conditions, or for those who work directly with theseindividuals. The homepage of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance(DBSA) can be of great help in this area, as their site includes everythingfrom their "Real Recovery" podcasts to such basics as factsheets on bothdiseases. A good place to start here would be with any of the five primarysections, which include crisis intervention resources and recovery steps.Visitors can also view many of these materials in Spanish and they may alsowish to sign up to receive the DBSA's electronic newsletter. [KMG]>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006.http://scout.wisc.edu/

Support our troops - sponsored by Xerox

2006-12-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

1. Go to their website:
">http://www.letssaythanks.com or click on the title above.
2. Pick out a thank you card.
3. Xerox will print it and send it to a soldier who is serving in Iraq.
4. You can't pick out who gets it, but it's going to a member of our armed services.

2006-12-26T00:13:00.000-05:00

And you thought I was frugal

2006-12-25T18:03:00.000-05:00

Cable Shows for Free

2006-12-25T17:55:00.000-05:00

How I Get Cable Shows for Free
http://sharonhr.blogspot.com/2006/11/how-i-get-cable-shows-for-free.html

PIN NUMBER REVERSAL

2006-12-25T17:23:00.000-05:00

If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.
For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321. The ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine.
The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber,
the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.
This information was recently broadcasted on TV and it states that it is seldom used because people don't know it exists.

Birthday Calendar

2006-12-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

This is fun. Click on the title and put in the actual date of your birth. All sorts of statistical info and events that happened on that day will appear. Have fun...and if it's your Birthday, have a Happy One!!!!

Furniture Made from Bike Parts

2006-12-25T09:30:00.000-05:00

Check this out at http://www.bikefurniture.com/

Bookswapping and Frugal Gifts

2006-12-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

2006-11-30T17:30:00.000-05:00

It's Never Too Late To Live Happily Every After

After Christmas Sales

2006-11-07T22:33:00.000-05:00

After Christmas sales can be a great way to save money on things you would buy anyway, without paying full price.

If you want to get some great deals but you also want a lot of selection, you'll want to show up in the store pretty early on December 26th. You can get deeper discounts if you wait several days or a week for the stores to mark items all the way down to 75% off. The down side of waiting is that the item you want may be gone if you wait too long.

You can often find good buys at grocery and drug stores a week or two after Christmas because there's not as much demand for after Christmas items in those stores.

Here are some of the things to consider as you visit after Christmas sales:

Buy new Christmas decorations for next year.

Buy "Baby's First Christmas" items (pajamas, bibs, ornaments, etc.) for those friends and relatives expecting babies in the next year.

Purchase holiday craft items. Christmas ribbons, needlework, and other craft supplies are often marked down to 75% off. Get started on those projects and get them done early. Don't forget to get enough red ribbon and craft supplies for Valentines day.

Buy Christmas chocolate to freeze for year-round baking.

Christmas isn't just red and green any more. You can get every color under the rainbow now. If you are decorating a room or having a special party, such as an anniversary you can purchase your supplies for 75% off.

Purchase gifts for next Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day and teachers' gifts.

If you have a wedding coming up, look for decorations with your wedding colors after Christmas.

You can also get tablecloths and napkins for your household on clearance after Christmas. You can buy these at up to 75% off and use them every day.

Look for wrapping paper for other occasions. Stores have colored and white tissue paper and wrapping paper that isn't necessarily just for Christmas. You can also buy Christmas paper for next to nothing after Christmas and save it for next Christmas.

2006-11-07T18:40:00.000-05:00

Auld Lang Syne

2006-11-07T18:38:00.000-05:00

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup o' kindness yet
for auld lang syne.

And here's my hand my trusty frien',
and gie's a hand o' thine;
we'll take a right gude-willi waught
for days of auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup o' kindness yet
for auld lang syne.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

2006-11-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

Great Green Goods Christmas Cards
http://www.greatgreengoods.com/category/holiday-cards/
Christmas Cards Hobbycraft Handcrafted Christmas cards
http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/xmas06/xmas_cards.htm
Card Making @ Circle of Crafters.com
http://www.cardmaking.circleofcrafters.com/christmas.html
Card Inspirations
http://www.cardinspirations-usa.com/demo/demo10.htm
My Craft Book Christmas Cards
http://www.mycraftbook.com/List.asp?subcategoryID=14
Iris Folding Christmas Cards http://www.irisfolding.circleofcrafters.com/christmas.html
Handcrafted Greetings Christmas Cards http://www.cardsandcrafts.freeservers.com/embrinst.html
Stitching Cards Free Holy Wreath Pattern
http://www.stitchingcards.com/product.php?xProd=102&xSec=5
Card Making Ideas and Verses
http://www.cardmaking.info/58428.html
Punch Art Christmas http://www.fabulousfoods.com/crafts/paper/cards/xmas/treepunchxmas.html

GIFT GIVING

2006-11-06T15:30:00.000-05:00

50 Great Green Gifts

http://www.greenlight-digital.com/greenlight/iss05/?pg=18
Reused Gifts are Better

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25720.asp
101 Gifts to Make

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/giftgiving/a/120400a.htm
Crafty Moms Homemade Gift Ideas

http://www.crafty-moms.com/gift_giving.shtml
Five Christmas Gift Baskets You can put together

http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/5-christmas-gift-baskets-you-can-put-together-for-an-inexpensive-but-thoughtful-gift.html
Christmas Items to Knit & Crochet

http://dishandwashclothmania.wordpress.com/christmas-items-knit-and-crochet/

Holiday Gifts to Charity

2006-11-06T13:04:00.000-05:00

FirstGiving.com is a Web site that allows you to select a recipient charity and then set up a giving page where friends and loved ones can donate to your cause, in lieu of purchasing gifts. The FirstGiving.com site is good for birthdays, anniversaries, as well as the holidays, and can also be used in memory of someone or to fundraise in connection with a sporting event or personal goal.
Altgifts.org is the creative gift-giving Web site of Alternative Gifts International, which helps you divert your holiday giving dollars to someone in need in all parts of the world. For example, for the price of an iPod you can purchase supplies for a hospital in North Korea, or for the price of a video game you can purchase a wheelchair for someone in Cambodia. Altgifts.org provides an entire online catalog of creative giving options.
NetworkforGood.org makes it easy to give to any nonprofit you like – or several all at once. They keep track of your donations and provide all the tax information you need.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2006-11-05T13:43:00.000-05:00

1st Day - Donate toys to the U.S. Marines' Toys for Tots Program in your community.
2nd Day - Send a Care Package to a soldier or student.
3rd Day - Go caroling at Assisted Living Homes.
4th Day - Take blankets, quilts, coats, socks, gloves etc. to homeless shelters.
5th Day - Show random acts of kindness to the homeless who are on the streets.
6th Day - Invite friends whose families are out of the area to your family's Christmas dinner.
7th Day - Attend a church service, especially if you haven't done so in a long time.
8th Day - Visit Pediatrics, Oncology, and Surgical floors of your local hospital(s).
9th Day - Order a Christmas dinner from a restaurant and deliver it to a needy family.
10th Day - Make a donation to a charity such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
11th Day - Deliver food and other nonperishable items to your local food bank(s).
12th Day - Send a Christmas card to someone saying they're forgiven or seeking their forgiveness.
Have a Merry Christmas and remember to pray for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men!

Helpful Hints for all Holidays

2006-11-03T17:51:00.000-05:00

Living on a Dime Helpful Holiday Hints for all Holidays http://www.livingonadime.com/holiday-articles.htm

HOW MANY DAYS?

2006-11-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

THE CRAFTY CHRISTMAS

2006-11-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

Decorating and Project Ideas

Christmas Items

http://www.greatgreengoods.com/

Craft Ideas and Projects for Busy Moms

http://www.crafty-moms.com/christmas-crafts.shtml

Craft Site Directory Christmas Crafts

http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/Christmas/index.html

Craftbits Christmas Crafts

http://www.craftbits.com/viewCategory.do?categoryID=XMS

Christmas Craft Creations Free Projects

http://www.craftcreations.co.uk/pages/magazines/issues/issue39.mhtml

Freebies from EZ Craft Show

http://ezcraftshow.com/holidayfreebies.html

Christmas Place mats and runner to sew

http://mccallsquilting.com/golden/mg40_pattern/

Believe Magnet in Plastic Canvas

http://www.anniesplasticcanvas.com/features/feature_page.php?_id=122

Silver Bells Wreath

http://www.eco-artware.com/crafts/crafts_11_05.shtml

Candy Cane Potholder Knitted

http://www.anniesattic.com/knitting/content.html?content_id=446*

Wood Scrap Snowmen

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/xmas/scrapsnowmen.html

Snow Folks made from mittens

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/x mas/snowfolks.html

Make Earth Friendly Gift Wrap

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25408.asp

Wrap Up Your Holiday for Free

2006-11-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

Shirt Boxes: If you purchase clothes as a gift this year, remember that during the holidays many department stores offer at least one free box with your purchase. Decorate the box with existing pens, pencils, stencils, glitter, or paint you already have on hand. Use holiday pictures from magazines or newspapers and glue them in a collage around the box or feature just one on the top lid. You can also use duplicates or scanned copies of old family photos for decorating the box to give it a more personal touch.
Paper Bags: Gift bags are always popular, so why not decorate your own? On paper sacks use pens, paint or glitter you already have on hand and either staple or tape the bag closed to hide the contents.
Aluminum Foil: Chances are you already have this in your kitchen cupboard. In a pinch, it will make elegant gift wrapping.
Newspapers: This is an old stand by that works all year round. Use the comics, the sports section, the arts and entertainment section, etc. The newspaper also makes great lettering for gift cards. Just cut letters and holiday pictures from the paper and arrange on solid colored paper you already have on hand or recycle envelopes from opened mail by cutting out squares to make "To" and "From" labels.
Yarn: Chances are you have a few skeins hidden in a closet somewhere that can be used for wrapping. Use it for tying up the other packaging ideas listed here or as a wrapping paper alternative. When using it as packaging, wrap the yarn all around the item until it is completely covered and then tie off. You can even embellish the yarn with beads or feathers if you have these items left over from previous craft projects.
Calendars: The year is almost over, so put that old calendar to good use and recycle the pictures from the calendar for wrapping paper. You can also cut the calendar pictures into squares and add a smaller square of white or solid colored paper on top to create unique gift tags or thank you notes.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

2006-11-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

2006-11-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

Nativity Christmas Ornaments Plastic Canvas http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2nov2006.html

Reused Ornaments and Decorations for the Holidays http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25814.asp

Aluminum Can Star Ornament http://www.aluminouspublishing.com/recycling_aluminum_cans_star_ornament.html

Holiday Ornaments from around the world http://www.indigoarts.com/store3_ornament1.html

Ornaments and Suncatchers made from recycled Christmas trees http://www.ctstore.com/kensanta.html

PA Dept of Environmental Protection Recycled Christmas Ornaments http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/Recycle/Tree/Details2.html

Lightbulb Snowman Ornaments http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/xmas/lgtbulbsnwmn.html

CHRISTMAS FOOD

2006-11-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

Fun Winter Cookie Pops http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/recipes/winter_cookie_pops.shtml

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

2006-11-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas Traditions

http://www.aokcorral.com/christmastraditions.html

AN ORGANIZED CHRISTMAS?

2006-11-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Organized Christmas
http://organizedchristmas.com/countdown.html

2006-11-01T22:48:00.000-05:00

You Are Comet

A total daredevil, you're the reindeer with an edge!
Why You're Naughty: You almost gave Santa a heart attack when you took him sky diving
Why You're Nice: You always make sure the sleigh is going warp speed

Which'>http://www.blogthings.com/whichofsantasreindeerareyouquiz/">Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

My Birthday is when?

2006-11-01T17:30:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving Day Interesting Facts

2006-10-01T22:57:00.000-04:00

1) Every year the President of the United States, "pardons" a turkey on the night before Thanksgiving. This tradition began more than 50 years ago with Harry Truman and has continued ever since. The pardoned turkey lives its remaining days at the Kidwell Farm, a petting zoo in Virginia.
2) Americans consume about 18.5 pounds of turkey each year.
3) There are three U.S. cities named after the turkey: Turkey, TX, Turkey Creek, LA, and Turkey, NC.
4) There are eight cities in the U.S. named after the cranberry.
5) There are 20 U.S. cities named Plymouth.
6) At one time, both the turkey and the bald eagle were national symbols of America.
7) According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one-sixth of the 300 million turkeys sold each year are sold for Thanksgiving.
8) Turkeys have great hearing, but no external ears.

October 31st - What to Do

2006-10-01T20:45:00.000-04:00

This is a very good article all Christians should read. Especially if you participate in celebrating Halloween. Click on the title to go to this article.

The Pilgrims' Menu for the First Thanksgiving

2006-10-01T19:56:00.000-04:00

Foods That May Have Been on the Menu
Seafood: Cod, Eel, Clams, Lobster
Wild Fowl: Wild Turkey, Goose, Duck, Crane, Swan, Partridge, Eagles
Meat: Venison, Seal
Grain: Wheat Flour, Indian Corn
Vegetables: Pumpkin, Peas, Beans, Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots
Fruit: Plums, Grapes
Nuts: Walnuts, Chestnuts, Acorns
Herbs and Seasonings: Olive Oil, Liverwort, Leeks, Dried Currants, Parsnips

What Was Not on the Menu
Surprisingly, the following foods, all considered staples of the modern Thanksgiving meal, didn't appear on the pilgrims's first feast table:
Ham: There is no evidence that the colonists had butchered a pig by this time, though they had brought pigs with them from England.
Sweet Potatoes/Potatoes: These were not common.
Corn on the Cob: Corn was kept dried out at this time of year.
Cranberry Sauce: The colonists had cranberries but no sugar at this time.
Pumpkin Pie: It's not a recipe that exists at this point, though the pilgrims had recipes for stewed pumpkin.
Chicken/Eggs: We know that the colonists brought hens with them from England, but it's unknown how many they had left at this point or whether the hens were still laying.
Milk: No cows had been aboard the Mayflower, though it's possible that the colonists used goat milk to make cheese.
Source: Kathleen Curtin, Food Historian at Plimoth

2006-10-01T17:32:00.000-04:00

There is always, always, something to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving: Ideas, Crafts, Clipart, Food, etc.

2006-10-01T14:18:00.000-04:00

1) Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids - Turkey Craft Ideas
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/thanksgiving_crafts.htm
2) Fall and Thanksgiving Crafts
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/thanksgiving.html
3) 4Free Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts!
http://rats2u.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving_crafts.htm
4) Thanksgiving Crafts
http://www.makingfriends.com/Thanksgiving.htm
http://www.womansday.com/holidaycrafts/7109/thanksgiving-crafts.html
5) DLTK's Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/thanksgiving/
6) Craft Library: Thanksgiving Recipes & Crafts ...
http://www.homeschoolzone.com/pp/turkyday.htm
7) Thanksgiving Crafts for kids.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/
8) Kids Domain Crafts - Thanksgiving Crafts
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/_Thanks.html
9)Native American Thanksgiving History and Recipes.
http://www.2020tech.com/thanks/temp.html
10) Pumpkin Recipes and History
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art24245.asp
11) Knit Turkey Hat Pattern (free)
A fun hat that knits up to look like a turkey can be "stuffed" for a centerpiece.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fiber_arts/54084
12) Great Pilgrim Site: Sail 1620 all sorts of history.
http://www.sail1620.org
13)Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/thanks/color.html
14) Info on Native Americans & their culture including the Fall Harvest Festival.
http://www.nativetech.org
15)Cheap --but Fun -- Thanksgiving!!!
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6618.asp

16)Thanksgiving for All

http://thanksgiving4all.blogspot.com/
17) Moms Break Thanksgiving

http://holidays.momsbreak.com/Freebie-Thanksgiving-Sign.html

18) Plaid’s Thanksgiving Projects

http://www.plaidonline.com/projectSearchResults.asp

19) National Day of Thanksgiving

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46488.asp/zzz
20) Thanksgiving Invitation

http://www.modpodge.com/projectDetail.asp?projectID=1683

THANKSGIVING CLIP ART
1) Designed to a T
http://www.designedtoat.com/thanksgiving.htm
2) Free Christian Clip Art & Thanksgiving Pictures
http://clipart.christiansunite.com/Thanksgiving_Clipart/
3) Free Clip Art of Holidays: Thanksgiving Directory
http://www.iband.com/clip/cliparttgdir.html
4) Free Thanksgiving Powerpoint Template
http://www.templateready.com/Specials/Thanksgiving.html
5) Marvelicious Thanksgiving Borders
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/9402/bg11.html
6) My Free Clipart - Thanksgiving
http://www.myfreeclipart.com/clipart/thanksgiving/turkey.html
7) Thanksgiving Clip Art from A Kids Heart (Zip Files)
http://akidsheart.com/holidays/thanks/tclip1.htm
8) Thanksgiving Graphics and Wallpaper
http://www.holidaygraphics.com/thanksgiving/

Food for the Thanksgiving Feast
1) Thanksgiving Feast
http://www.womansday.com/holidaycooking/10866/holiday-cooking.html
2) A Mom’s Love Thanksgiving Menu http://www.amomslove.com/hg-recipes-thanksgiving.html

3) Family Fun Thanksgiving http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/special/minisite/thanksgiving-main/

4) Quickest and Easiest Thanksgiving Dinner Menu http://busycooks.about.com/od/thanksgiving/a/quickThanksgivi.htm

5) Making your first Thanksgiving Dinner http://20ishparents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/firstthankgivingdinner.shtml

6) A Low Fat Thanksgiving http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/holidayrecipes/a/lowfathols1104.htm
7) Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/thanksgiving/vegetarian.html
8) The First Thanksgiving http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=872&display_order=1&mini_id=1083

9) Diabetic Friendly Pumpkin Tart
http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/dessert/piestarts/pumptart.html
10) )Brite Ideas Thanksgiving Recipes

http://www.brightideas.com/thanksgiving/recipes/

2006-10-01T13:30:00.000-04:00

God Didn't Promise Days Without Pain, Laughter Without Sorrow, Nor Sun Without Rain, But He Did Promise Strength For The Day, Comfort For The Tears, And Light For The Way

2006-10-01T11:47:00.000-04:00

Everyday is a Gift

2006-10-01T11:00:00.000-04:00

I Have Learned That Being With Those I Love Is Enough

Smith Reunion

2006-10-01T10:30:00.000-04:00

We will be having the first Smith Reunion on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at the old homeplace in Augusta, WV. Bring a potluck dish to share and a lawn chair for sitting. We will eat around 3:00 p.m. All family and friends of the Amos Henry and Lorena Edna Smith Family are invited to attend. Come fellowship and enjoy a great day. All hunters are welcome to come earlier to hunt. If you have any questions or comments , you can email me at karekountry55@yahoo.com.

2006-10-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Families are like

Old Quilts,

Although they tend to unravel at times each can be stitched back together with love

Get the Best Deals for Black Friday

2006-10-01T09:41:00.000-04:00

www.blackfriday.info
http://personal-finance.savingadvice.com/2006/11/12/how-to-get-the-best-black-friday-deals_17161/
bfads.net/adscans
http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com
http://bfads.net/www.blackfridayads.com
http://www.dealtaker.com/

America Recycles Day

2006-10-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

Please remember that November 15th is America Recycles Day! Be sure to get all of your recycleables together!

Visit http://www.americarecyclesday.org/ for info on America Recycles Day.

Other sites that recycle:
Sandals handcrafted from used tires, recycled bicycle inner tubes, and hemp. http://www.splaff.com/
A unique range of drinking glasses fashioned through the ingenious patented method of inversion of reclaimed bottles http://www.greenglass.com/
Handbags made from recycled candy wrappers, food packages, and soft drink labels. For every bag they sell, they plant a tree. http://www.ecoist.com/
Outdoor fleece blankets made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. http://www.bluelotusblankets.com/