How lucky am I?I never win anything, but I was lucky enough to win Tansy's giveaway over at her blog, and as you can see she put together a lovely package. (Though not nearly as lovely as her lovely assistant.)
I love the cool bag made from a bag of scratch grains. There was also some rose petal jelly, raw honey, and pickled garlic, as well as some medicinal herb seeds, spicy homemade soap and lip balm. She even wrapped individual little packages for each of the kids—the little flower gnomes—which they had great fun with and immediately went down to our art center to craft some friends.
One of the coolest things about the package, however, was the packing material: shredded money! Okay, maybe we're total geeks, but we'd never seen this before, and all of us were marveling at it. And yes, it's legal. And no, I don't think Tansy shredded her own cash as the kids were wondering. You can, in fact, purchase shredded cash from the U.S. Treasury. Who knew? Well, besides Tansy? Too cool.
Thank you, thank you Tansy for such a fun gift package!
Now, to continue the joy and fun...
I'll be hosting a Touch the Earth Farm giveaway, which will include earthy things and little bits of our farm. To sign up for the giveaway, please leave a comment by August 15th, including what you like about reading this blog—yeah, just a little something for me. ;) The kids and I will choose a winner at random that weekend.
31 comments:
hahaha....the money was in the box that kathie sent me. maybe i started a new trend...sending the shredded money to the next prize winner!
and although i -eel (using ron's method o- showing missing keys)lu-ky to have won kathie's giveaway, i'm going to sign up here too! i really love your posts on your greenhouse and high tunnel be-ause i'm so envious o- them and live my dream vi-ariously through your posts!
What a fantastic bag of goodies, including the bag! i will never win your giveaway now as random winners are always closer to the end but I win by reading your blog. In fact, I have sent three friends to your blog just this past month for different farming research reasons. The one I sent last night was looking for info. about goats. I think you are the most thorough, organized researcher and doer that I know. Many talk, few DO. Your essays are inspiring and your ability to juggle so much inspires me to be ok with the little bit I juggle. I also love the local food entries and all pictures of pigs. Better stop now and leave room for others' gushing.
Danielle, I love your blog for the vicarious thrill it gives me! Let me explain:
You are living the life I hope to lead in the relatively near future. Our plans includ a small acreage, probably fewer animals, and working toward self-sufficiency. Your blog chronicles the lifestyle we are yearning to follow...
I found four huge bags of that shredded money at a yard sale several years back. I'm glad its been such a hit!
I love your blog for all its reality without sugarcoating. I've especially loved the simple living series recently. I'm a horrible commenter, but would love to be entered in the drawing!
What a lovely gift...I'll enter my name in your hat too!
Lisa in MN
We love reading about where the food in our weekly CSA delivery comes from, and the adventures you've had producing it!
--Jamie
I am also living vicariously through your posts as you are actually doing (as opposed to just thinking about) things I want to eventually do like the CSA, the self-sufficient lifestyle (with-in reality, I might add!). Your posts are informative and inspiring!
Oh man!! What a great gift box!! So cool! I remember going to the U.S. Treasury building in DC as a kid and they had a little gift shop where you could buy sheets of uncut bills or shredded money of either old bills or error-printed bills. My mom and dad didn't fall for such "gimmicks" so we left empty handed, but my brain was full of new info!
Anyway, I love your blog! I learn so much here, and I also aspire to so what you are doing. Someday (next year!) we will get chickens and goats will come next. When you wrote that post about the goats getting out of their pens and eating the wrong grains and getting bloated stomachs... well, I had no idea that could happen! Who knew eating the wrong stuff could kill them, and here I thought they could and do eat anything.
You are doing a great thing and it's even nicer when you share your discoveries with us! Thanks!
What I love about your posts are your enthusiasm and your penchant for philosophy. You also give me hope that some day I might be able to pull off some (though probably not all!) of what you do.
i love your blog because of the back to nature feel of it. it's my dream to be a goat farmer. i wrote a blog post about it http://nowenteringmomville.blogspot.com/ i have a giveaway going on at my blog, too right now. swing by!
I really enjoy your blog because you are talking about what all you are doin and not just talking. I admire ALL that you are doing and think you are doing an amazing amount of stuff. You are a role model for sustainable food production.
Cindy in FL
I love that scratch grain bag! Awesome.
I came to your blog originally by way of Madeline's blog. Us farmers have to stay together:)
I continued to read your blog because of the way you write and the things you write about. Seeing how someone else farms is always so interesting to me - I learn so much.
We too are getting into goats (actually going tonight to see a couple of does) and look forward to 'picking' your brain with questions! Like you didn't have anything else to do, right?
I love you and your family and your blog...as you know. But one of the things that always swirls through my brain as I read about yet ANOTHER major project you're starting is that damn "chiuahua on crack" phrase!;)
Where do I begin? I love the images of your beautiful farm that are forever etched in my brain and how your blog reminds me of that. I love that although your efforts sometimes intimidate me, they mostly inspire me.
One of the main reasons I love your blog above any and all other homesteading blogs is because of the way you live with your family.
Seeing that the principles of partnering with children can be played out exactly the same even with a very back-to-the-earth lifestyle, makes my heart happy.:)
I love the pictures, the detailed information, the passion and commitment and the philosophical musings I read here. I've already won by knowing you and being touched by "touch the earth farm".
It's a touchy-feely thingy..ya know?
It's
all
good......
I am amazed at what a fantastic operation you have going on in your life. I've found much inspiration from reading about your trials and triumphs of farming. I'd be pleased to be added into the drawing!
To be honest, Danielle, your blog kicks my butt! I read here to keep myself reminded of where I want to be. You so often say the things I have been thinking about (I'm having deja vu just writing this! Hmmm...), but much more eloquently and more fully than I have the time or mental energy for right now. My energy is going to learning all the things you are already doing, and pining away for the time I can start Doing, too.
There, have I boosted your ego enough to get that goodie bag?! ;-)
I love your blog because I find you amazing. I just don;t know how you do it all. On top of that you are non-stop like my husband ( twin souls) and as passionate about your farm and children as he is.
You are an inspiration in so many ways. As a mother, a farmer, a planner, a "do-er", a writer, a wife and I just find you and your family amazing.
LOve you blog!
The flower gnomes are the best.
I visit because I always come away with a smile or having learned something new, often times both.
Folks, I'm humbled and even a bit uncomfortable by the wonderful things that have been said about me and my little ol' blog. I don't quite know what to say other than thank you.
Of course, brown-nosing has no effect on the hat. ;)
The great thing about this has been getting to hear from folks who've been reading along. I'm so incredibly pleased to hear from new readers and old friends.
Jamie, too funny that you found my personal blog—not hard, I guess. One of my other CSA members reads it as well, and it always feels a bit odd to not have the "professional" facade there. The thing I really love about having such a small CSA is that often members become good friends.
QuiteContrary, I checked out your blog, and I wouldn't know what to do with that fancy giveaway bag if it came up and bit me on my a$$. lol But I do like your style! Gorgeous blog.
I'll admit that I was hoping to find out what my readers liked: the philosophical musings, the practical how-to's, the food or the animals, the screw ups, the fears, the failings. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself—and mostly I am—but it's still nice to imagine an audience of some sort.
I like keeping up with what my friends are doing and learning new things from you. I get ideas of what I want to do once we move.
I like your to do lists in the sidebar. I stole your idea of the Monthly Summary to use in my blog. I love reading about your life and your farm.I am beginner homesteader, Your Blog inspires me to do more.
Carolyn
we have been lucky enough to receive packages from tansy--aren't hey the best? so warm and lovingly put together.
Jamie, too funny that you found my personal blog—not hard, I guess. One of my other CSA members reads it as well, and it always feels a bit odd to not have the "professional" facade there. The thing I really love about having such a small CSA is that often members become good friends.
Hope you don't mind that I read it! I just love to see the "story" (and all the hard work) behind the delicious items we get to eat each week. Our family is so appreciative of the food you provide. Living in "the burbs" it's nice to be able to connect with the land in even a small way.
Great goodie bag. I am glad you won. What a nice thing for Tansy to do!
The thing that I like best about your blog is that when I come to read, there is *always* progress. You are always moving forward and you post about your less than successful endeavors as well as your successes.
I do so enjoy your blog.
K :)
Danielle...I've always enjoyed your writing for its thoughtfulness and clear, clean and simple way of getting your opinion out. You're not afraid to try something new to you and very thorough in your research when taking on a new adventure. Plus your food posts just make me drool all over the damned mouse pad...
Ya'll would make great neighbors.
peace
Delurking to say "ditto" to the other comments. And unlike other sustainable farming bloggers, you're almost in the same growing zone as I am -- probably a bit warmer and drier, though.
Your blog is a true inspiration, even for those of us who do not live on a farm. I'm especially enjoying the independence days-- the concrete details of how you strive for self- (or community, really)sufficiency & to eat local comes off as a soul-fulfilling challenge rather than a scary, end-of-the-wold exercise in deprivation. Thanks so much!
A great blog, Danielle. Since we are soon moving to our own small farm, I especially enjoy seeing how you integrate farm life into family life. And the cow. :)
that is so cool about the money...:) never heard of that before.
okay...one of the main things i love about your blog is how inspiring you are. i learn new things just about everytime i read it and feel inspired to try some of your ideas.
we are working on self sufficiency on our little space here in austin, so reading your blog helps to affirm our choices. thank you so much!!!
Wow that is a great package from Tansy! I would love to know how she makes bags out of the grain bags because I have a bunch of them saved.
I love your blog because you are an inspiration and I learn so much from your posts. I am new to the farming life and have lots to learn. I have even went back and read some of your archives and that is where I got the idea to make pesto. Sad to admit but before that I didn't even know what it was.
I would love to be a part of your giveaway. ~Kim
Danielle- I love this blog mostly because it allows me to live vicariously through you- here in my suburban bungalow in Pittsburgh on 1/5 of an acre. I also enjoy learning from your experiences, have become more aware of the food I feed my family and the profound benefits of eating locally. My kids take a gander at your posts from time to time and fantasize that we are living your life. one day....maybe...
We love reading your blog for your insights in being self sustainable and giving back to your community through the CSA as well as through advice and support. You are such a wealth of information and your posts on food never fail to make my mouth water. Mostly because I know they are all made with the freshest ingredients possible.
And finally, as fellow unschoolers, I get a kick out of seeing what a natural, homegrown spontaneous, joyful life your kids live.
Thanks for sharing :)
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