Happenings on the Ranch

Ten inches of snow.  That’s how much I measured this morning on the ground.  That doesn’t include what melted yesterday as it was falling but who’s counting?

And what was I doing at 5am this morning?  Outside feeding four ducks.  They had decided Friday before the storm hit that they didn’t want to go inside.  Instead, they went and hid somewhere and didn’t show their faces all day yesterday.  So this morning, instead of hearing roosters crowing outside my window, I hear, “quack, Quack QUACK!!”  Like, “Mom, we’re hungry!”  My fault they hid out all day?  No.  But, I am in charge of the food barrel, after all, so out I trudged.  They were happy ducks; I was a cold one.

I had originally planned to get the green onions and potatoes in the ground late last week.  But watching the weather forecast I decided to wait until Monday or Tuesday.  I’m hoping the sun will come out just enough to melt enough snow to give me some room to work with.  Right after that all the leafy greens go in the ground.  I’ll have to keep a close eye on the weather after they start to peak up their little sprouts and cover them up if the temp drops too low at night.  Ah, the unpredictability of spring in the Midwest!

Things to Consider when Deciding Whether to “Go Organic” for Your Pet

Many consumers are making the choice to eat only organic foods for the health of their family. Fears about pesticides, herbicides and antibiotics are prompting shoppers to buy organic produce and organically raised meats. For many people pets are considered important family members and concerns about what we eat may translate into fears about what our pets eat. With a desire to feed pets healthy, natural, organic and chemical-free diets, many consumers are turning to organic pet food as an option.  More …

Organic Foods Are Sometimes More Expensive but Don’t Have to Break the Bank

Many consumers are changing over to eating only organic foods and with good reason. Concerns about the use of chemicals, antibiotics and growth hormones have Americans looking more closely at their food. Unfortunately a lot of what we eat really isn’t food at all anymore. Fillers, excess sugar and the like make up most non-organic foods.

Often time organic foods are more expensive than their conventional counterparts, but it doesn’t mean you can’t feed your family a healthy organic diet while sticking to a budget. Starting with a few simple rules can help ease the adjustment and make your transition more successful.  More …