They Don't Bug Me Anymore!

We’ve had so much moisture this spring that the bugs are thick here at Marigold Meadows!  It’s difficult to work in the garden without fearing that you might be carried away by a swarm of gnats!  I’ve never been to Minnesota, but I’ve heard about their man-sized mosquitoes.  I think their cousins are living here on our farm.

The horses are pretty smart.  They are spending a lot of time in the barn where there is a breeze which somewhat keeps the annoying insects away.  While the barn is one of my favorite places to be, I do have things that need to be done.  However, in my efforts to make it through my “to do list,” it seems that I’m doing more fruitless swatting than accomplishing anything else!  So… as I’ve considered plants that are on my side against these pesky intruders, I think I’ve fashioned a insect repellant recipe that will make outdoor work and fun activities a little more enjoyable.

I knew that I wanted to stay away from DEET, the neurological damaging compound used in most commercial insect repellants.  I also knew that Catnip was an effective insect repellant, but I didn’t realize just how effective until I came across the researchers report given in 2001 at the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, that the essential oil in catnip is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET!  However, like all enterprises, those manufacturing insect repellants are interested in making money and catnip oil is not cheap!  Consequently, while I wanted catnip as my foundation, because of it’s costliness I realized that I needed to use it as a tincture or undiluted in minimal amounts.  Not having any catnip tincture on hand, I chose the essential oil of Catnip.

I decided to use witch hazel as a carrier because it is not oily.  No one likes dirt and sand sticking to their skin because of oily lotions and sprays.  I concluded that it is best to mix insect repelling oils in order for the end product to be most effective and least expensive.  Here is my non-oily, insect repelling end-product:

4 oz Witch Hazel Extract

1 ounce Neem oil (purchase this diluted in olive oil)

80 drops Citronella essential oil

80 drops Eucalyptus essential oil

40 drops Lavender essential oil

20 drops Rosemary essential oil

20 drops catnip essential oil (may use 4 oz. Catnip tincture instead)

10 drops Lemongrass essential oil

10 drops Lemon essential oil

Mix in a spray bottle.  Shake well before each use.  Reapply as needed.

They don’t bug me anymore!  Try it and let me know how it works for you!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

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Hot Dog of a Man

We’ve met a man who is known in our community as, “Hot Dog”.  Hot Dog often attends music jams with his wife, who seems to be one of the most loyal, supportive persons I’ve ever observed.  While he mostly gets around in a wheelchair, when Hot Dog stands he is a very tall, big man!  Hot Dog is unable to speak clearly, but works very hard to communicate with those he is interested in.  He can tell you that he is “Hot Dog”.  Otherwise, under normal circumstances he only utters, “Yabba, yabba, yabba”.  However… it is simply amazing that at the jams, Hot Dog will pull himself up out of his wheelchair to stand and lead the crowd in singing “God Bless America”.  While it is obviously a struggle for him to get the words out, every word is quite clear!  His tenacity brings tears to my eyes every time.

A few weeks ago, I sang a closing song entitled, “Where Could I Go But To The Lord” written by James B. Coats.  Hot Dog’s eyes were glued to me as I sang:

Living below in this old sinful world,
Hardly a comfort can afford.
Striving alone to face temptations sore,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul,
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Neighbors are kind, I love them every one. 
We get along in sweet accord. 
But when my soul needs manna from above,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul,
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Life here is grand with friends I love so dear,
Comfort I get from God's own Word.

Yet when I face the chilling hand of death,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go oh where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul,
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

It was obvious that Hot Dog was listening, but I had no idea how deeply the song touched his heart.  After the jam, he got up out of his wheelchair and using his cane, Hot Dog made his way over to where the musicians were sitting.  He began to shake each one’s hand.  To my surprise, instead of shaking my hand, Hot Dog drew me to himself and kissed me on the cheek.  Looking me straight in the eye he spoke, “I lub you”.  I nearly broke into tears.  Using his unaffected arm, he lifted his limp arm.  It was obvious that Hot Dog had something very important that he wanted to communicate to me, yet all that he could utter was, “Yabba, yabba, yabba, stroke.”  Our hearts were connected at that moment and I knew exactly what he had on his mind.  He wanted me to know that as a result of his stroke he had learned a very important lesson; “Where could I go but to the Lord?”

It is my understanding that Hot Dog was once a very stoic man and quite intimidating to most, especially his wife.  Today, when my brother Art sings, “I Wouldn’t Change You if I Could,” Hot Dog’s gaze locks onto his wife’s face with tears streaming from his eyes.  It’s amazing to me what the hand of God can do to a man’s heart.  I don’t know who this man used to be, but what I do know is that today… he’s a Hot Dog of a man!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

Simply Udder-Full

I sneak a little dab of molasses into our dairy goat’s “lactation supplements”.  She not only loves it, it’s proving to be quite effective!  Peggy’s now producing so much milk that it’s difficult to keep up! 

Brother Art is making me a cheese press; however, while waiting for it to be completed, the freezer and refrigerator shelves are lined with jars full of delicious, creamy milk.  Maybe I should go into business selling my herbal milk-enhancing concoction and call the product, Simply Udder-Full!

A few days ago, I decided that I had to do something with some of this milk!  So, I made cottage cheese which does not require a press.  What an easy & fun project.  No more hormone, antibiotic-filled cottage cheese is gonna make it’s way into this house!

Hey!  I have an idea!  I could develop a full line of dairy products:  Simply Udder-Full Cottage Cheese, Simply Udder-Full Cheddar, Simply Udder-Full Swiss, etc!  OK.  OK.  One step at a time.  For now…. perfecting the Cottage Cheese is good enough!

I’ll give you the basics of my Simply Udder-Full Cottage Cheese secrets, if you promise not to tell:

1 Gallon Simply Udder-full Milk

1/8 Cheese Rennet Tablet (not Junket)

2 Tbsp. “warm to your wrist” water

Heat milk in a long, shallow, non-aluminum pan (my 15.5” x 9.5” x 3.5” Stainless steel roaster works great) over medium-low burner until it feels warm to your wrist.  Crush the tablet in the warm water and stir to dissolve.  Stir warm rennet water into warm milk.  Make sure that you stir from every angle and in every corner of your pan in order to mix thoroughly.  In approximately 30-45 minutes, touch the “milk” gently with the tip of a sharp knife.  A miracle should have occurred; the “milk” should have gelled.  It is now called “curds”.  Draw a long knife through the curd vertically and then horizontally to make about ½” squares.  Make certain that you cut all the way through to the bottom of the pan.  The squares will begin to giggle and the liquid whey will begin to rise to the surface. Drain the curds in a colander lined with butter muslin or cheesecloth.  Squeeze more whey out by using the pressure of your hands.  Keep checking the consistency, being careful not to make the cheese too dry.  Add salt to taste.  Refrigerate

Tips:  I prefer butter muslin which is thicker and sturdier than cheesecloth.  The muslin can be rinsed and then sterilized in boiling water and reused multiple times.  I’ve found the most economical cheese rennet and butter muslin at www.Caprinesupply.com

I’ve tweaked these steps a bit to develop my secret recipe, however, this is enough information to get you started making your own cottage cheese in a matter of minutes!  I promise; it’ll be close to being Simply Udder-full!

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845

If I Were Your Brother

I came across a song on YouTube by the Spinney Brothers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISzIWkg-fUY) entitled, “If I Were Your Brother”.  While I immediately thought of my brother, Art who has been such a help and inspiration to me, the song is filled with many applications to our relationships with one another as brothers and sisters in Jesus;

If I Were Your Brother

If I were your brother would you hold out your hand?

In these times of trouble beside me please stand.

If I needed courage would you see me through?

If I were your brother I’d do that for you.

If I were your brother would you show me the way

And help with the answer should ever I stray,

And grant me forgiveness for things I may do?

If I were your brother I’d do that for you.

CHORUS:

If I were your brother I’d love no one more.

There for each other like brothers are for,

And gladly I’d lay down my life, it’s true,

If I were your brother I’d do that for you.

If I were your brother would you open your door,

Make me feel welcome in rich or in poor?

And there at your table could I sit there too?

If I were your brother I’d do that for you.

CHORUS:

If I were your brother I’d love no one more.

There for each other like brothers are for,

And gladly I’d lay down my life, it’s true,

If I were your brother I’d do that for you.

Because I’m your brother I’ll do that for you.

How often do we consider the honor that is ours to demonstrate Jesus’ love for one another as brothers and sisters?  Personally, I have to be mindful to not allow my agenda get in the way of this privilege.  Too often, I get so focused on tasks, which are seemingly important, that I even become irritated when my schedule is interrupted with the needs of others.  Like Jesus, I want to be willing to “lay down” my life for my brothers and sisters and to see my relationships with them as more important than accomplishing something. 

  

Whole-Heartedly,

Bonnie

P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:

             Bonnie Jaeckle

             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life

             Diagonal Progress

             505 Jefferson St.

             Diagonal, IA 50845