It's beginning to look like Christmas

My husband and I had a great time making the barn wreath today.
 It is such fun doing things with each other, and at the same time decorate the barn for Christmas time. We so enjoy are farm animals.
Just wanted to share with you all and wishing you All a Very Merry Christmas to you from us at the Sunflower Critters Farm..

In Christ Love; Debra & Bruce  Luke 2:24 Glory to God in the highest!

MaryJanesFarm Honey Popcorn Balls

Wanted to share this recipe from MaryJanesFarm. What a great magazine to get if you can. Lot's of down to earth ideas and so much more.
Here is the recipe:
3/4 cups honey
3/4 cup sugar
1 t. salt
1/2 cup water
3 quarts popped popcorn
2 T. melted butter

Directions:
 1. Add sugar, salt and water to a 3 quart pot and stir until liquid reaches 300F, which will be a very brittle stage.
2. Add honey slowly, stirring until blended.
3. Cook until liquid reaches 240 (about one minute)
4. Pull liquid over popcorn and mix with a wooden spoon.
5. Working quickly, drop two large spoonfuls of popcorn onto a buttered cookie sheet.
6. As they cool, form into balls (rub fingers in butter to keep the popcorn from sticking to your hands.)

YUMMY!!! Hope you enjoy this recipe!!
Please check out MaryJanesFarm you will love it , oh and it would be a wonderful gift for your loved ones..

Merry Christmas to All,
Deb

Pet Turkey

My pet turkey ! He is such a baby. Follow's me everywhere when I'm outside. Love's to be patted and be picked up and held. Who would of thought a turkey would loved to be loved.
God has blessed me so with all my farm animals.

Toothpaste

Here are some of the toothpaste recipes that I 
use:
4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 or 1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of your favorite  essential oils such as , cinnamon, peppermint,  spearmint 
.Add enough water about 1 or 1 ½ teaspoons to get 
a toothpaste texture. Keep in a small covered container so it wont dry out. 

The baking soda cleans the teeth, removes stains, 
and does not damage tooth enamel. It is also is antibacterial and neutralizes 
plaque acids. The salt helps to draw out agents that contribute to decay. Salt 
also helps to lesson the reactions of sensitive teeth from hot or cold curbs 
bleeding from the gums.


Here is a natural whitening toothpaste:
1 teaspoon of baking soda to enough hydrogen 
peroxide to make a paste. Use it to brush teeth for 2 minutes.

Here is other ways you can whiten your teeth is 
to cut a fresh strawberry or raspberry and rub this on your teeth. 


If you make it your self to is more healthier and  I get great joy out of making and using the products that I make.
Hope you enjoy making your own toothpaste. Please let me know how you make out. 
God Bless; Deb

Something I made with my new twig machine...Had so much fun! What nice gifts for family this year.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Hope you had a wonderful day. My family came up and we had a great Thanksgiving. We raise turkeys and we had one for a dinner. Yummy! And it was picture perfect say so myself. Hope you thanked God for the many blessings He brings into your lives.
God Bless;
Joshua 24:15  Choose you this day whom ye will serve.

Thank you all for being so patient with me...My computer had gotten fried with a electrical storm and hoping soon be able to buy one. In the mean time that's why there haven't been much posted on my blog. Hang in there....I sure miss posting picture's etc. to you all.
Soon and very soon, Lord willing....
Happy Thanksgiving to you all....
God Bless You All
Deb

The Lord turn His face toward you.  Numbers 6;26

Philippians 4:19  My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Goat whole-Milk Ricotta

1 gallon Goat Milk
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

In a double boiler, heat the goat milk to 195 degrees. Slowly stir in the vinegar. Do not add more vinegar than what the recipe calls for. If at this pint the whey is still milkly, heat the milk a bit more, to 205 degrees.

Gently place the hot curds in a cheesecloth-lined colander and let them drain for a minute or two. Then place the hot curds in a bowl and add the butter and baking soda and mix until the butter is all combined.

It's ready to use or eat! You can store it in the refrigerator, covered for 1 week.

This is so Yummy warm!

I think I know why I couldn't post things..Had to switch over to updates on the blog site. So far so good. Praise the Lord!

My husband signed me up to "Goat Cheese School" for a full day. Had a blast and learn a lot. Made Feta couple of day's ago. Yummy! It came out so good. I thank the Lord for a Wonderful Husband He has given to me. Love him so....much.

Peanut Butter Shave

When Camping if you ever need to shave use peanut butter for cream. For best results avoid shaving with chucky peanut butter....

Having trouble posting info...please be patient...

Hickory Barbecue Sauce

1 (20 oz.) bottle ketchup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. onion powder
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Store in refrigerator. Use on anything you want a barbecue flavor. Makes 3 1/2 cups.

Baking Powder

2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix together and use immediately. If you want to mix ahead of time, add 1 tsp. cornstarch and store no longer than one month.

Italian Seasoning

1/4 cup dried basil
2 Tbsp. dried marjoram
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 Tbsp. dried coriander
2 Tbsp. dried thyme
2 Tbsp. dried rosemary
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. sugar

Combine all the ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to 3 months.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp.nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ginger
1/8 tsp. cloves

Mix well. Makes 1 teaspoon. Use in any recipe calling for pumpkin pie spice.

Homemade Shake and Bake

4 cups flour
4 cups soda crackers, crushed
4 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
3 Tbsp. paprika
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix well and store indefinitely in the refrigerator in a covered container. Moisten the chicken pieces with milk or water. Pour about 2 cups mixture, or more if needed, into a plastic bag. Place chicken pieces, one at a time, in the bag and shake until evenly coated. Bake coated chicken pieces in a greased shallow pan at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Discard plastic bag with unused coating. DO NOT reuse extra coating that has come into contact with raw chicken!

Enjoy!

"Silly Putty" for kids!

"Silly Putty"

1 Tbsp. Borax
1 Tbsp. Water
1 Tbsp. of White glue

Mix Borax &Water together well. Then add white glue and mix well. Best mixing with your fingers. You also can add food coloring in the glue if you like a color silly putty.

This is so much fun making with my grandsons. Going to use this for Vacation Bible School crafts for the kids. Oh what fun we are going to have.

Scripture Cake!

This cake was created by President Madison's wife, Dolly. Dolly Madison was very fine and secretive cook, with deep religious convictions. She wrote this recipe so her imitators would have to read the Bible to bake the cake.

1 c. Judges 5:25(butter)
1 3/4 c. Jeremiah 6:20(sugar)
1/4 c. Proverbs 24:13(honey)
6 Job 39:14(eggs)
1 Kings 10:2(spices, 1 1/2tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. allspice, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. cloves)
3 teaspoon Amos 4:5(baking powder plus 1 tsp. baking soda)
1 tsp. Leviticus 2:13(salt)
3 3/4 c. I Kings 4:22(flour)
1 c. Genesis 24:11(water)(may substitute buttermilk)
2 c. I Samuel 30:12(raisins)
2 c. Revelation 6:13(chopped dried figs)
1 c. Numbers 18:8(chopped almonds)

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Heavily grease and flour 10 inch tube pan. In large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter until smooth. At low speed, add sugar gradually; beat in well. Clean beaters. Blend in honey at low speed. Add eggs one at a time, beating at medium-high speed after each addition. In another large bowl combine cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 3 1/4 c. flour. Add blended dry ingredients to batter alternately with buttermilk. Toss reserved flour with raisins, figs and nuts into batter. Pour into pan. Cut throught batter with a knife to distribute evenly. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until tests done. Let cool in pan 30 minutes, then turn our on rack to cool completely.

ENJOY!
Please leave a commit how you made out! Also love to see how many farmgirls have check out the recipe!

Homemade Deodorant

Just found this recipe my chat with farmgirls.
It is so true what she shared. The Lord made us to perspire because it is the natural way that your bodies get rid of the toxins. The antiperspirant deodorants are keeping these toxins in our bodies. Which can lead to a unhealthy body, and maybe even sickness.

Making your own you know what is in it!! And it is a natural clean!

Homemade Deodorant
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot
5-6 Tbps. coconut oil or (optional Tea Tree Oil about 5-20 drops)
which has natural antibacterial qualities.
Then mix this all up, and store in a small bowl with lid. If your home is warm this will cause your deodorant to be soft. But , if you want it to stay solid put it in the fridge ( in the fridge it is cooling and refreshing.) To use just apply under the arm.

Enjoy and please comment on how you think it works.

Computor is down!!

Last Wednseday we had a lightening storm and hit phone lines and guess what? Got my computor as well. Using someone elso off in on. So my blog will be up dated soon I hope.
God Bless and Have a great Week.

Cleaning and setting up my craft room

It was allot of fun setting up my craft room...
Know I can go and "Happy Crafting"

Tree Scrap Book

Christmas Tree scrap book. Great for Christmas Gifts. It has 6 pages. $7.00 plus tax/shipping
SOLD

Mitten Scrap Book.

Great for Christmas Gifts . You decorate it inside. $7.00 plus tax/shipping
SOLD

Week-end scrapbooking!

My daughter and I had so...much fun this week end. Doing up mini scrapbooks for gifts and for our craft fairs. Here is some pictures of the ones I gotten down.

All Around Tote

Great Hand Bag! $20.00 each
SOLD

Goat Milk Soap

I just love making Goat Milk Soap! It is rewarding and at the same time makes the house smell so good.
The scents I have: Pumpkin & Clove; Lavender & Basil; Rosemary & Peppermint;
Happy Camper or another name "Bug Off" great for bug season.;
All soap Cost is $5.00(3-4oz.) bar/or three for $12.50  except Happy Camper"Bug Off" that is $3.00 smaller bar and it is a seasonal.

Also if you have a special scent you would love I will make a batch. But remember it will take 4-6 weeks for it to cure.

Granny Square Dishcloth

These handmade dishcloth makes a great gift. All colors! $2.75 each

Jean Pocket Note Holder

Handmade Yo-Yo's Great to put on your frig. $7.00

Quilts

I also make handmade quilts with I tack each one. This is one we bought the fabric in Alaska and I handmade it for my hubby.
If you would like a quilt made and what kind please contact me and I would be happy to make one for you. Cost on quilts will determine on style and pattern.

Table Runner or wall hanging

This is so much fun to make. The close up one is my son's engagement pictures and made this one for their engagement party. They just loved is and don't you agree they make a beautiful couple! Second: We went to Alaska for our 30th. anniversary and wanted to make something to remember are trip by for many years to come.
You send me pictures you would like in it and I can make a Great Memory gift for you.
Along with the theme. cost is $85.00

Wool Felted hand bag

This hand bag is , hand felted with wool fibers. $25.00
Special order please contact me.

Pin Cushion

Canning Jar Pin Cushion $8.00
Few pins included

Cute Decor for your Country Home

Snowman great to put on your Christmas tree or just hang around in your home.
Hearts have scented oils in it. Great for in your home or car! $3.00 each

Recipe Holders

Wood burning by me! Great for note's as well. $12.00 each.
If you like something special wood burned on, just contact me and I can see what I can do for you.

Rustic Signs

This signs are made out of wood. Hand painted by me. I can do special orders as well.
cost is $15.00-$20.00 each.

About Gift Shop

Welcome to Sunflower Critters...
When ordering there will be sale's tax and shipping added on to the price of purchase.
All my crafts are handmade by me in Maine! I do all kinds of crafts/hobbies.
Things I make or do : Wood burning,Painting rustic signs, knitting, crochet, wool felting, quilting, sewing to aprons, hand-bags, baby bibs, vests, etc., Mini albums, cards, water color cards/pictures and Goat Milk Soaps, lip balm, and I can do so much more things.
So Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions on my product or have something in mind for me to make for you special. My am is to make all my customers happy the best I can!

All Around Tote

$20.00 each. Sunflower and check also do Special orders .

Mini Album

$15.00 each plus shipping/tax

MaryJanesFarm Recipe for Roasted Dandelion Root "Coffee"

Roasted Dandelion Root “Coffee”

When brewed properly, dandelion root coffee closely resembles the rich flavor of traditional coffee, and it contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals.

1. Gather:
   One 5-gallon bucket of dandelion roots (to yield about 10 gallons of coffee).
2. Prepare the Roots:
   To wash the roots, fill the bucket with water and agitate the roots with your hands. Pour off the muddy water and repeat this process a few times until the water runs clear and you have a pile of luscious golden roots. Don’t worry if there’s still some dirt left on them—you’ll wash them again after chopping. With a sturdy knife, cut the roots into chunks. Put these into a large bowl (or sink), fill with water, then rub the roots and rinse until clean. Drain until fairly dry or pat with a towel. Chop about 2 cups of root chunks at a time in your food processor until they’re chopped into small, coarse bits.
3. Roasting the Roots:
   Spread the coarsely ground roots on cookie sheets about 1/2-inch thick. Place as many sheets as you can fit into your oven, set at 250°F, and leave the oven door slightly ajar to let moisture escape. The roasting process takes about 2 hours. Stir frequently and rotate the cookie sheets occasionally to ensure even drying and roasting. As the roots dry, they’ll shrink and darken to a rich coffee color—but be careful not to let them burn. Cool completely and store in glass jars. Flavorful additions such as anise, cinnamon, ginger, and carob can be added if you like.
4. Brewing the Coffee:
   You can either grind the roots in a coffee mill and brew in a coffee pot, or you can place the coarsely ground roots in a tea infuser and boil in a pot of water. Use 1 tablespoon of roasted roots for each cup of water (1/3 cup per quart of water). Adjust to your taste if you like it stronger or weaker. Add a dash of cream and sugar if you like, and enjoy a steaming cup of Roasted Dandelion Root Coffee!

Dandelion & Dandelion Coffee

by Rosalee de la Forêt

Before we get to the dandelion coffee, or should I say dandelion "coffee," let's learn a bit about dandelion.

Volumes could be written on the many uses of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – indeed they have been!

This common weed is often hated and poisoned by those preferring a “weed free” lawn, while those of us in love with dandelion and its many uses happily support it taking over our lawns.

This plant was purposefully brought to North America by Europeans not wanting to leave this valuable resource behind. Every part of the dandelion can be used as food or medicine, making back door herbalism simple and easy, as it should be.

When the first spring leaves pop up out of the ground they can be harvested heavily and eaten fresh with salads, made into a delicious pesto, or dried for tea.

The leaves are highly nutritious, containing large amounts of vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and many more vitamins and minerals. The French call this plant pissenlit, which alludes to its strong diuretic properties.

A tea of dandelion leaves is a great way to flush excess water from the system. (Of course, before using this effective remedy we always want to make sure the water retention is caused by a non-serious condition like sitting on an airplane too long.)

When eaten with meals, the bitter taste of the leaves helps to promote digestion by stimulating bile to relieve indigestion and other digestive disturbances.

The root is a great ally for the liver. It can be tinctured or eaten fresh in a variety of recipes. We'll see below how to make dandelion coffee. Dandelion root can help clear up acne and other skin disruptions with the root cause being a stagnant liver. Most herbalists agree that long-term use of dandelion is needed for best results.

The flower can be eaten in salads, or fried up as fritters. An oil made from dandelion flowers is warming and can be applied externally to relieve arthritis and other aches and pains.

Lastly the latex, or sap, from the dandelion stems can be used topically on warts. Apply several times daily for best results.

My favorite way to enjoy dandelion is by making dandelion coffee with the roots. This beverage doesn’t contain the caffeine found in coffee, but does have a rich, dark taste similar to coffee.

Like burdock, dandelion’s strong diuretic activity makes it an inappropriate choice for someone with low blood pressure or excessive urination.

Now, on to dandelion coffee...

---

Dandelion Coffee

Prior to decocting the dandelion root, roast the dried chopped root in a cast iron pan until it is fragrant and has changed color from being off-white to light and dark brown.

For each 8 oz of water you are making, use 1-2 teaspoons of the roasted root.

Add the root to simmering water and continue to simmer while covered for 7–15 minutes.

The resulting brew will be darkly colored.

Try dandelion coffee with cream, and many people enjoy adding honey as well.

I can not wait to try it out this week. I'm also going to try the dandelion greens for supper tonight. What I like about this is: it is good for your health. My liver count is always up and down. So it will worth it all if it does help my liver, as the info says. Found this information at www.learningherbs.com/dandelion_coffee.html

Another place you can find a recipe for dandelion root coffee is in Mary Jane's Outpost book (p. 203)

So yesterday my hubby dug up dandelions root for me. Last night I washed, and this morning I will be chopping and roasting the roots...

With coffee going up what a great way to save on making your own coffee and the best thing of it all dandelion coffee is so much better for you then the one's in the store. I roasted some this morning and it has a sweet aroma, like screw pine. (used in Asian cooking). Or the next closest scent would be like baked vanilla or a fresh croissant.

I will get back to you on what it taste like!

In a few days I will post dandelion Jelly/Jam...

If it is good for our health , why not try it out.

My Son's Wedding!

Bride: Mrs. Crystal Swan
My son: Joshua Swan
Grooms side
Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Swan

Wedding Cake

My Son's Wedding!

April 30th. at 4 pm my son Wedding Day!
What a wonderful day and beautiful Bride and handsome Groom.

"Easter Egg Hunt"

We had family up for Easter and always do an Easter egg hunt with grandchilren. Just for fun! This year the rooster and henny penny got in on it.
We had so...much fun watching the rooster and hen's getting at the eggs as well. Oh! We also had fun watching grandson's hunting all around the farm grounds for eggs. But they did have some help with the rooster and hen's.