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Roses are Red

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Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Turtle

Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Top 10 Simple Living Blogs

I am always looking for new ways to live more simply. The idea came way before I ventured into the blogging world, but since I’ve jumped into these muddy waters, I’ve found some great guidance along the way. When these people speak, I always listen up. No, I don’t follow everything word for word, but the spirit of their word really sticks. I must not be the only person to think that way, one of these has over a half a million people reading every day.

1. Down to Earth: Rhonda lives in Australia and has become a simple living rock star worldwide. She shares every activities such as bread making, knitting, organic gardening and needlework. She also shares the best collection of soap making and frugal cleaning recipes that I have found online.
2. Mother Load: Amy is the founder of Mom Advice. I must admit that I first heard of Amy on a national morning show quite some time ago. Amy features things that any mom, or non-mom can use such as recipes, freebies, financial help and much much more. My favorite day of the week is Wednesdays because of Amy’s Notebook, a collection of links that she shares for simple living resources found in the blogging world.
3. Simple Mom: Live simply, stay sane. Life Hacks for home managers. That’s the tag line for this blog, and it really sums it up nicely. While checking out this blog, be sure to check out her downloadable Daily Docket. It is a lifesaver in my house.
4. Flylady: If you don’t known it yet, Marla isn’t a blogger, but the biggest expert out there on simple living and home organization. She has the largest yahoo group out there, and a huge following. She’s a world renowned author, public speaker and mentor. For many families in this world she is an angel in disguise. She has resources for menu planning, daily routines, exercising and much more.
5. Zen Habits: A blog dedicated to simple living, productivity, organization, family, and simplicity. If you are wanting to take the stress out of your life, read Leo’s blog. I’ve found so many of his tips that help take the stress out of my life.
6. Put Things Off: Nick will help you work smarter, play harder and kill time. He’s the author of a wonderful e-book ToDoodList which will help you in your everyday and long term plans and the biggest thing for me is that he has the best system for keeping your inbox clear. Nick subscribes to the Moleskine instead of the PDA phone idea. Pencil and paper have never failed us, why pick up something that needs recharging?
7. The Simple Dollar: Trent describes his blog as a exploration of personal finance, and after hitting financial Armageddon, he is trying to get a grip on his spending habits. He shares his many tips with the world even down to homemade laundry detergent.
8. Soule Mama: This blog celebrates family, and most especially children and their mothers. Amanda has so many wonderful crafts and activities to share with your children. This is a must read for anyone with bored children this summer.
9. Wise Bread: Wouldn’t we all love to live large on a small budget? I know that I would, and really its all I’ve got! This community of writers shows you everything from never having to buy ketchup again and how to stop paying for everything you buy twice. The posts are as varied as the writers and readers. What a wonderful community!
10. Well there isn’t a ten, not yet. Please comment about your favorite Simple Living Blog, and we can add more simplicity to all of our lives. There are hundreds of blogs out there, speak up!

This article was written by Christi Wheat for www.PolkaSpotFarm.com and republished at Associated Content

Menu for May 18-24

Hi all! Be sure to check out my frugal post on Homemade Laundry Detergent. Add the ingredients with your grocery list for this week and add one more step to your search for simple living.  Also be sure to subscribe for upcoming stars giving us their best tips for organic gardening.

Now on to the business at hand. This week is the last week of school, so I’m planning some fun things because no one looks forward to the last week, just the week after? right? So read on for a great recipe to add to your collection and fun for almost summer!

Monday: Sausage Dogs with homemade buns.

Tuesday: Chicken and fruit kabobs

Wednesday: Mashed Potatoes (recipe below) for a chicken dinner at church, and a surprise Ice Cream sundae buffet!

Thursday: Pancakes, sausage, bacon Oj and fruit!

Friday: Kids are gone so probably a grilled chicken salad.

Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Serves 15

Ingredients

• 5 pounds of potatoes
• 1 block (8 oz) of low-fat cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup low fat sour cream
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup milk (or more if desired)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Peel potatoes and cut into small cubes.
2. Throw the potatoes in a large pot filled with cold water.
3. Cook for 25 minutes or until fork-tender.
4. Drain the potatoes and put them back into the hot pot.
5. Add cream cheese, butter, milk, and salt
6. . Mash with a potato masher or use a hand mixer to whip the potatoes.
7. Spoon mixture into a freezer-safe container and label.
8. Thanksgiving Day: Put potatoes in the fridge 1-2 days before to allow them to completely thaw.
9. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray and put potatoes in the slow cooker.
10. Brush the top of the potatoes with a tablespoon of butter and sprinkle with paprika.
11. Cook on low for two to four hours.
12. If you would rather bake these, bake the potatoes at 350 degrees for thirty to forty minutes or until completely hot.

Meal type: dinner

CulinaryTradition: USA (General)

My rating: 4.0 stars

For more menus go to Orgjunkie.com

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I tell a lot of people about making my own laundry detergent, and they are always asking how it works and all kinds of questions. I recently ran out of washing soda and have had a hard time finding it around here. The last box that I bought was through Amazon, but really who wants to pay for the shipping, it really just cuts down on the saving and being frugal is the main reason I started using it. Its really fun to make, works better than most comercially bought products and frugal. How can you beat that?  Well The Simple Dollar taught me how to make it, so I’ll let him teach you from the new video.

The Simple Dollar Makes Laundry Detergent

*Note: After some research, Soda Ash used for pools is the same exact thing as washing soda. I’m going to see if we have any left from last year and price it at Walmart and pool supply stores. I’ll let you know what i find.

My new alarm clock doesn’t have a snooze button

This is Uncle Harvey being held by Austin. Uncle Harvey is the cutest little guy, and we are lovingly calling him Flash because he runs like lightening. Welcome to the farm Uncle Harvey.

You never know what the future may hold

There is always a future, especially here at Polka Spot Farm. In the near future you will be seeing a lot more of the farm life, including our new rooster Uncle Harvey. Uncle Harvey is a young rooster that has a lot of energy and has been literally running all over the farm his first few days here. I can’t wait to catch him still enough for a photo shoot. Y’all will love him!

There will be a lot of changes around the blog too, mostly design changes. Karen from Simply A Musing Designs will be starting on my design sometime in the near future. If you are looking for blog design, she’s really awesome! For my blog future, think chickens!

I’m in the mood to get my hands dirty lately, so I’ve asked for a little help on the organic gardening front. If you are interested in organic gardening, this is going to be the place to learn from the experts. I have at least 3 experts lined up for guest posts right now! I’m so excited. We are lining things up to start  soon. Get your manicures now and enjoy them so that we can get down and dirty later.Hopefully we can get some sponsors for giveaways during this time. If you have something you want reviewed or promote that has anything to do with gardening, please let me know as soon as possible.

Subscribe to my feed, just so you won’t miss out on anything. This summer is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to get started!

There’s a fly in the milk

Well not anymore, and it really wasn’t in the milk….really. But I did have a few fruit flies and tried a method that had failed for me before to get rid of them. Well the problem before is that I didn’t do it right. Duh! I used about a cup of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon or so of honey and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Most of these little buggers have taken their last swim in the bottom of the cup. Hope the last few are gone soon.

This is a Works for Me Wednesday post.

Its a real LIVE flower!

Wordless Wednesday is also Here and Here.

The Impromptu Interview

While talking to my friend Amber from Come Here Little Bug today, she decided to do an impromptu interview about my blog.  We have lots of fun, and have for a few years now. She brings out the silly side of me, not that it really is that hard or anything. So here’s my first Q and A.*

Amber: Okay interview time:  what is your mission for your Polka Spot Farm blog
Christi: rofl! how did I know this was coming
Its about living simply and simply living.
Amber: well, i was sitting here thinking if shes asking people to be on her blog they might want to know what shes all about…so i figured i would give you a chance to think about it
Christi: Just throwing out tips that are eco and budget friendly, and things that just work

Amber: okay the questions get harder.  what makes you an authority on eco and budget friendly

Christi: I learned a lot as the daughter of a farmer and being a single mom.
Its getting back to basics. My father used cow poop, and mostly natural things, and I remember a lot, but what I’m telling everyone is that I’m learning, and teaching on the way
Amber: what makes you special in comparison to other eco friendly bloggers
Sweets: I don’t expect anyone to be over the top. I’m not over the top with anything, so why take things to the extreme. I”m not that special, I’m just me.
Amber: Why POLKA SPOT FARM
Christi: Cause that’s where I live, and its cute! You have to add some fun to everything, or its not…fun
Amber: yes, but how did you come up with the name
Sweets: We were trying to come up with the name, and it just stuck. I painted my mailbox polka spotted, dots are over done and spots aren’t perfect, dots are.
Amber: how is eco budget friendly polka spot farming working for you?
Sweets: its going great I”m home with my kids we’re eating and enjoying the outdoor and ah….the bills are paid! lol

Amber : There ya go now you have your very first question and answer post to put on your blog

Sweets: lol ok! I can go put that up
*edited because we are girls, and other things come up!

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