Focused or Frazzled

Let’s see … start the laundry and load the dishwasher. And that’s before I head out for morning run and gathering of the horses for their morning feed. While those are running, put on the accounting hat, balance the books, (note to self… dont forget to throw laundry in dryer enroute to grocery shopping). After heading home, putting away the groceries, get the breakfast menu ready do last check around and last minute straightening up the house, before guests arrive.. When all that’s finished, get in a ride on either Gazi or Alle getting them ready for their next competitions. I mean G-d doesnt want me to give them up does He? My acquisitions of them for endurance and showing, respectively have truly been G-dincidences. Glancing at the watch, do the perfunctory grooming so I can tidy up, welcome guests, do do the welcome tour and fall into bed, thinking about all the things you still didn’t finish. Ah the joys of innkeeping even more so now since we’re in high season.

Sound familiar? Do you feel like all your minutes are accounted for before you even have time to think, carry on a meaningful conversation with your spouse, or relax? Rather than feeling like you actually participate in and enjoy your days, you’re being driven through life by all the things you must do?

Both Joani ’s fellowship and taking the time on Sundays for a bit of Sabbath has given me the proverbial food for thought .. In an effort to be the best innkeeper and wife or simply to serve God to the best of our abilities, we often find ourselves overcommitted, overextended. and str-r-r-retched . Is this the way God intended it? you wonder.

The truth is, God never intended us to live frazzled lives. But it takes faith, discipline, and persistence to manage time God’s way.
Frazzle = stress. And stress produces anxiety, frustration, , and crankiness.. In an effort to do it all, however, we forget what’s most important — and end up accomplishing nothing. As my DH always says “slow down to go faster”.

I’m convinced that the solution to our time problems can be found in Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

As I consider the phrase, “all these things will be provided for you,” I think of what provisions I need — peace, stability, and energy to do the things that are necessary.The key is to filter out the things that aren’t necessary and remind myself of my ultimate priority. Jesus didn’t say, “Seek first to complete your daily to-do list, clean the inn, ride the horses and to take care of your family.” Instead, He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”

Seeking first the kingdom of God is the most overlooked spiritual principle today. By trying to do so many things — even good things — we often leave little time to do the best thing. I’ve come to learn that just because something serves God’s kingdom doesn’t mean that I was meant to be the multi-tasking servant who is spread too thin. Instead, God promises that He will instruct us about the things He wants us to be doing if we are seeking Him each day. 1 Corinthians 10 :31 reminds us to do it all for the glory of G-d… Be it horses, the inn.. it’s ultimately all <i>his</i>

In Jeremiah 33:3, God tells us that He will answer us if we call out to Him and seek His direction. It doesn’t necessarily make worldly sense, and it isn’t always the natural thing to do. Sometimes it takes sheer discipline to turn to God first instead of turning to all of our responsibilities.

And when I feel the stress o meter rising, I can always be found reciting a Philippians 4:13 or a Shema. THere now I feel better

What spiritual quotes help you? Either way, do I hear an amen?

Hostess Anxiety Syndrome

When I lived in New York, I co-owned a catering company with my sister which we appropriately named Sibling Revelry. We planned soireees from 7 to 700, trust me we know signs and symptoms all too well of Hostess Anxiety Syndrome

Hostess anxiety may not have an entry in the Physicians’ Desk Reference, but the symptoms are obvious: fear that no one will show up, worry that those who do will stand around and blink at one another in silence, utter certainty that your guests will stop at 7-Eleven on the way home and hungrily devour a box of Hot & Spicy Cheez-its to fill the hole that your party food didn’t.

When you’re the hostess, meeting your own high expectations (and the lesser ones of your guests) is not impossible. And you can probably get away with a lot less work than you think — a little artfully arranged takeout here, a simple flower arrangement there, a bottle of red, a bottle of white, and you’ve got yourself a cocktail party.

Summer is a great time for casual, inexpensive entertaining, and I’m hoping some of my “hostess with the mostess” days will help your hosting anxiety. After all, why shouldn’t you have as much fun as your guests?

First the basics:
# Three to four weeks before the event: Extend invitations — by mail, phone, or e-mail.
# Two or three days before the event: Notify the neighbors. Nothing disturbs feisty Gregory Alisez next door more than the sight (and sound) of others having a good time. Do I have to tell him about our party in advance? And do I really have to invite him ? It’s always polite to warn the neighbors before you entertain, especially if you expect a big crowd. If your party will be outdoors and the nostalgic  Barenaked Ladies tunes will definitely carry, or if your guests will take up a lot of street parking, it’s even more important to spread the word. You cansay something like “We’re having a party this Saturday, and things might get a little noisy — although we’ll try to keep it down, of course. People will be driving over, so please don’t have anyone towed!” (Make a joke out of this.) A few days’ notice is OK — any longer, and they might forget. If you don’t normally socialize with the neighbors, you’re under no obligation to invite them.

Guests
# Four to five square feet per person: Comfortable spacing for a cocktail party.
# 70 to 80 percent: Typical number of invitees who show up for a large party.

The Bar
# Three bottles for every four people: A generous ratio of wine to guests for a dinner party.
# Three to four (alcoholic) drinks: Average per-guest consumption for a two- to three-hour cocktail party.
# Forty guests or more: Consider hiring a bartender if you’re serving more than wine and beer.

Kids are adorable…when they’re in their jammies and asleep in their own beds, at home. How do I gracefully tell people that I don’t want them at my party?

Deal with this delicate issue in person or over the phone, rather than specifying on the invitation that kids aren’t welcome, Most guests will realize that cocktails or a Saturday-night dinner party aren’t kid-friendly occasions, but if you’re concerned, you can always clarify your position when guests call to R.S.V.P. Say something like “It will be so nice for all of us to have some grown-up time for a change” or “I hope you won’t have any trouble finding a sitter on a Saturday night.” When in doubt, have an afternoon bbq… then everyone’s happy.

Environmental responsibility is part of our modus operandi, so we’ve incorporated green practices Greening your next party doesn’t mean giving up electricity or preaching to your guests. It could be just purchasing locally grown food or using a caterer who uses local food. You don’t have to make a big deal out of it. How about:

Invitations: Paper-free invitations like those offered at evite.com are greenest. However, there are special occasions for which the cyber card just doesn’t cut it. In that case, look for recycled paper. You can’t tell the difference and it’s a better choice. You can also print your own invitations on Plantable Papers

Flowers: Shop local at the farmers’ market, if possible. Look for flowers with VeriFlora certification, a new eco-label certifying flowers are grown environmentally. Ask for them from your florist or buy them online at www.organicbouquet.com.

Plates: If you can’t use regular plates, look for eco-friendly paper plate replacements such as those made with corn, sugar cane or soy that are biodegradable. Earthshell makes biodegradable, disposable plates and bowls from potatoes, corn and limestone and is available at major retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart . Simply Biodegradable sells sugar cane-based plates and cornstarch utensils. Clear Creek Compostables sells 90 percent sugar-cane pulp and 10 percent paper plates that can hold boiling water .

When greening your next party, choose one or two areas to go eco and build on the results. Now go chill out,have a class chardonnay and enjoy the soiree

Hit the Road .. Lightly

Remember… “objects are closer than they appear”… including these clouds.

Packing for your summer travels can be a perfect lesson in “less is more”. The difference between packing for a two week European vacation and packing for an extended research mission on Marss simple: the number of garments that are actually essential. I recommend the following procedure. Take out everything you think you need and lay it on your bed.

Then put away 75% of it, replacing the entire rejected collection with one trial-sized packet of Tide. If you feel yourself losing your nerve in this process, remember these key points. A trial-sized packet of Tide weighs much less than a week’s worth of clothing. A suitcase larger than a carry-on might not even fit in the average European hotel room. Nobody on your travels will know if you’ve worn the same shirt for three days in a row. Nobody will know if you’ve washed your socks in the bidet over a beer in fifteen minutes. Furthermore, nobody cares.

If you’re still having trouble, try to remind yourself that the advantages are priceless. Road trips, whether going across country or only across your state, can be a lot of fun. But the trip can turn into a big hassle if you’re not prepared. Here are essential steps to take before and during your road trip to assure a smooth, enjoyable ride:

* Check For Problems Beforehand - Assure that your car is running smoothly before you leave. And make sure everything is filled properly, from air in your tire to oil. You don’t want to run into problems on the road, especially in remote areas.

* Fill Car With Gas - Top ‘er off. You don’t want to run out of gas in a remote area, or find yourself in a place where gas is a lot more expensive. Make sure to check your gas levels regularly throughout the trip.

* Stop For Stretches And Breaks - Breaks are a must, otherwise you’ll go stir crazy (and even risk dangerous blood clots). Stop every few hours and take a five minute walk. The outside air will also refresh you., not to mention that necessary “pause for the cause”.

* Carry All Needed Documents - Make sure you have all essential documents, including your license, car’s manual, your inspection and registration and your car club card. You’ll need these in case of any snafus.

*Bring Enough Money - Keep extra cash on hand in a concealed spot. You may prefer to stop at ATMs or use credit cards, but you may find yourself in a situation where someone, such as a tow truck driver or store, only accepts cash.

* Get Directions - You may not be one to follow directions, but it’s always good to have a map and compass in the car. Do a mapquest before you leave . You can also supplement these with a GPS system, but GPS systems aren’t fail proof.

* Have An Itinerary - You don’t have to have a specific itinerary, but it’s good to let someone know that you’ll be in Iowa by Tuesday. Leave your number, possible route and other important information with a person at home. Always good to have a plan.

Remember… less is more… vacation travel is supposed to de-stress you… Check here for a detailed list on making your travel (and life) simpler as you take the lead out.

To Market to Farmer’s Market We Go

Good friends, good food, hobnobbing in town… what else is there? When it comes to enjoying everything that your community has to offer, few places are better than your local farmers’ market. It is here that you can meet friends, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or lunch, and—most importantly—connect with the people who grow your food. Local farmers’ markets are a great way to find a wide variety of locally grown, in-season produce. We hit it again as part of the Whitehall Frontier Days extravaganza Gosh so much great stuff in one small town.

Farmer’s markets are making a difference in the way we are eating and are growing in popularity all the time. This is an excellent trend and I hope it continues.1. FreshnessWhat better way to spend part of your Saturday or Sunday (or Mon-Fri) than paying a visit to your local farmer’s market? Going to the market is a mix of culture, community and of course, free tastings.

Listed below are some tips to help you make the most out of the food you buy and the experience you enjoy, (they are not in any particular order). If you have any more to add, please let us know.

• When was this picked?- Usually farmers pick their produce the day before or the morning of the farmer’s market. Knowing when it was picked will give you an idea of how ripe it is. Generally speaking, farmers want to harvest produce when it’s perfectly ripe, so you shouldn’t have to wait very long before you can eat it. It’s not a bad idea to ask. Also here is a guide on how to choose perfectly ripe fruits and veggies.

• Where’s the farm?- This is another important question to ask. Our assumption is that all the food at the farmers market was grown locally. This is not always the case. If the food was trucked in from hundreds of miles away, then shopping at the farmers market will be no better than shopping at the supermarket.

• Organic- Not all the foods at the farmers market are organic. The best practice is to ask. Many times, local farm representatives will tell you that their food is “organic,” despite the fact that they do not carry a “certified organic” label. The reason behind this is that for some small farms these certifications cost a lot of money that can prove financially prohibitive. In general I trust the farmers at the market, and in most cases, I think their hearts and practices are in the right place. If they say their produce is organic, I believe them. However, even if the food is not organic and was grown conventionally (using pesticides and fertilizers) and locally, this is still a good thing and definitely the next best choice in environmentally friendly agriculture.

• Sustainable- If you’re interested, you can ask your farmer if they perform crop rotations and employ bio-diversity on their farm. These practices usually help the farm become a closed loop where the plants, animals and soil all benefit from each other.

• Are those free range eggs- There is a stand at our farmers market that sells eggs. If yours has one also, it may not be a bad idea to ask all of the above plus whether the chickens are allowed to roam about freely. I noticed the last time we were at the market the egg stand put up a sign that listed all of these answers, so they must get these questions frequently.

• Is it in season- Because most food at the farmers market is grown locally, generally it’s in season. Just in case you are curious, here is a link to check what’s in season in your area.

• Recipes and Storage- Who better to ask how to prepare and store the food than the person that grew it? Farmers usually enjoy the produce they grow and have some good tips and tricks on cooking it and making it keep for awhile. Who knows, you may even walk away with an old family recipe.

• Make a list and check it twice.- Sometimes the excitement of the farmers market can send us into a buying frenzy…I think cheap, fresh food has that effect. However, stick to the list. If you’ve got your meals planned out for the week, get those necessary ingredients first. After that, you can check out some other treats. The key is not to buy so much food that it spoils before you can eat it. Since most of the produce is ripe when you buy it, it’s shelf life is probably only a few days.

As long as the earth exists, planting and harvesting, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never stop.
Genesis 8:22

Sing along the campfire

It’s hard to imagine a camping trip without a campfire they go hand in hand. Cooking over the hot coals and then firing it up and sitting around and singing campfire songs or just listening to the crackling sound of the wood burning. So warm, toasty and relaxing, what would camping be like without it? So many food favorites can be cooked over a campfire and hot coals. Most of the time all that is needed is aluminum foil. Using foil is also easier on clean up just cook, eat and toss. How convenient is that?

Let’s go over some tips about creating a campfire and the safety issues First find a level spot and clear all debris and avoid areas with overhanging branches that could cause a fire hazard.

You’ll need to construct a fire ring. Gather rocks and make a round ring to build your fire in. Always have a bucket of water, shovel and fire extinguisher nearby and ready to put out a fire.

Gather the materials needed to create a successful campfire

• Tinder – small twigs, wood shavings, dry leaves or needles. This should start to burn immediately with a lighted match.
• Kindling – small sticks one inch around or less. Small dry branches lying on the ground will work well.
• Fuel – larger wood that keeps the fire going.

Key elements required for a fire to burn properly. When one of these three things are removed, the fire stops burning.

• Fuel – material that will burn
• Heat – enough heat to bring fuel to ignition
• Air – to provide oxygen to burning process

Start with a couple hands full of tinder loosely piled in the center of your fire ring. Determine the direction of the wind, with your back to the wind, protected by the cup of your hand, ignite tinder with a match. Discard used match into the fire.

Slowly add more tinder. You may need to blow softly at the base of the fire this will provide the oxygen to the burning process. Once the tinder has fully started to burn, slowly add some smaller pieces of kindling. Keeping it close together but allow space for air to circulate. Gradually increase the size of the kindling you add to the campfire. When you have a good fire going, add the fuel one piece at a time.

Safety is the most important part of the campfire. Couldnt resist throwing in a quick Ten Commandments.. that is our 10 Commandments of Safe Campfiring

1. Thou shalt never build a fire near tents or other flammable items.
2. Thou shalt never start a fire with a flammable liquid such as gas or oil. - Definitely could lead to a bad hair day or worse, no hair day
3. Thou shalt never leave a fire unattended.
4. Thou shalt build only a fire the size you need.
5. Thou shalt completely extinguish the fire before leaving the campsite.
6. Thou shalt scatter ashes or ember out.
7. Thou shalt sprinkle with water and stir with a stick. Repeat until all ashes are out.
8. Thou shalt drench charred logs.
9. Thou shalt repeat above 3 commandments until all ashes and logs are completely cold.
10. Thou shalt pack it in… pack it out.

When you’re done feasting. now you dont even have to “walk on egg shells.” Use ‘em… Our Fish Creek frugal tip,.. when cleaning pots and pans while camping, a handful of broken eggshells is a good substitute for steel wool.

Now you’re cookin’ - git ‘r done.

Getting grilled … naturally

We’re ready to go berry picking and want to spit watermelon seeds over the back fence.

Barbecues, gardens, and brats oh my.  June is Outdoor Home Month here at the inn

Decisions, decisions, gas or charcoal, Portable built in? BBQ season is firing up fast. It’s burn, baby burn time.
What to look for when buying a charcoal grill:

1. * A tightly fitting domed lid so you can do indirect grilling
2. * Vents on the top and bottom for adjusting the airflow and, thus, the heat.
3. * A hinged grill grate, which makes it easy to add wood chips to the coals
4. * Front loading charcoal grills are good when you want to smoke a lot of food or grill over wood.
5. * Sturdy construction and optional side tables.

What to look for when buying a gas grill:

1. * At least two heat zones, so you can indirect grill.
2. * A built-in gas gauge and thermometer.
3. * An easy to empty and clean drip pan.
4. * A smoker box with a dedicated burner (optional, but a nice feature)
5. * A rotisserie attachment with a dedicated burner (optional, but a nice feature)
6. * A side burner (optional, but a nice feature)
7. * Side tables (you can never have enough work space

Two Fish Creek Finds are the portable Weber” Baby Q packs alot of punch for a wont burn up your wallet either.

With the new Solar Grill by Tammock you can barbecue electricity, gas or brickettes. So they say, just unfold, aim at the sun, and start grilling.

How does it work? The Solar Grill has a flexible mirror, which focuses the sun beams on the barbecue cup allowing it to heat up. If it actually works, this thing sounds handy for camping or on the balcony where regular barbecues are a hazard or forbidden. Eco friendly and frugal for the environment.

Whichever you choose, better for the land, and way tastier is grass-fed organic beef. It has less fat on it than conventionally raised corn-fed cows and leaner beef cooks faster, so organic beef will tend to need less time on the grill. It will also continue to cook even after you remove it from the heat and let it “rest” for a few minutes before eating it. Here, some simple tips to bring out the best from organic beef.

• Ask the butcher for smaller and thicker steaks. That way you can get a nice “crust” on the outside without overcooking the inside. This is particularly true for the popular tenderloin cut — because it does not have a lot of intramuscular fat, it is particularly vulnerable to overcooking.
• Experiment with shorter cooking times. I always recommend the more “tender” cuts, since they need less time to cook and yield a juicy steak. Ribeyes and strip steaks top my list.
• When possible, ask the butcher for the “center” cuts — they are the most tender. More affordable pieces, such as skirt and flank steaks, are delicious as well. A simple overnight marinade, preferably with some acidity (i.e., vinegar or lemon juice), greatly enhances the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
• If you’re grilling Porterhouses or T-bone steaks, make a simple sauce (a barbecue sauce, glaze, or vinaigrette) ahead of time. Both cuts feature part tenderloin and part strip steak — two cuts with very different cooking times — divided by the bone in the center. To compensate, sear them on the grill and immediately coat them in your sauce of choice for an added burst of flavor and moisture.
• Additional food for thought… tips here.

Herbed Chuck Steaks… of course a recipe…

INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
2 pounds beef chuck steaks, well trimmed

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, water, oil, thyme, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Add the steaks, mixing well, and let marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours.
2. Prepare an outdoor grill with an oiled rack set 6 inches from the coals. On a gas grill, set heat to medium.
3. Remove steaks from the marinade and reserve the marinade. Grill 14 to 20 minutes for rare, 20 minutes for medium, or 26 minutes for well done, brushing with reserved marinade. Remove from grill and carve into thin slices.
And for dessert ..peaches and cream. These are a cinch when you’ve already got a grill fired up. A peach’s natural sweetness will caramelize to a luscious glaze after just a little grill time. Plop them atop a scoop of your favorite sorbet or frozen yogurt for a luscious, low-cal dream come true.

Ingredients

* 2 each peaches
* 1 teaspoon canola oil
* 2 scoops nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt or fruit sorbet
* 1 tablespoon toasted unsweetened coconut

Cooking Instructions

Preheat grill to high. Brush peach halves with oil. Grill until tender. Place 2 peach halves in each bowl and top with a scoop of frozen yogurt (or sorbet)

And since sundown begins the Sabbath, you shall be grilled in the
Ten Commandments of BBQ

1. * Know thy cooking methods: direct and indirect.
2. * Thou shalt not peek under the lid.
3. * Thou shalt not add volatile fuel to the fire.
4. * Remember the air vents and keep them open.
5. * Honor the gray-ashed briquet.
6. * Thou shalt not flip food more than once .
7. * Thou shalt not pierce meat with a fork.
8. * Burned barbecue is bad barbecue.
9. * Thou shall control flare-ups with a closed lid, not a spray bottle.
10. * Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors’ secret barbecue recipe, ribs, steaks, burgers, chops nor any food which they grill.

Bag it with Traveling

Whether you’re traveling overseas, or just cross the country… less is more But don’t let me tell you why. Here’s a variety of authors around the web offering sage wisdom on why you should travel with one bag.1. You Can Usually Buy Clothing On The Road

Sharpen your packing skills and save yourself loads of travel stress. Choose light, wrinkle-free fabric clothing. Make sure that some of your clothing does double-duty: a sarong can be used as a skirt and beach cover-up.

Place clothes in a plastic bag and squeeze out excess air. Always pack a swimsuit, and wear layers on the airplane (which saves room in your suitcase). And remember: You can usually buy needed clothing on the road. — from National Geographic Traveler

2. You Will Conquer Your Fear Of The Unknown

People overpack because of timidity and fear of the unknown, both largely results of inexperience. Pack your chosen bag with the items you plan to take. Put on the shoes you plan to wear.

Then take a one-hour walk around town, ideally including an ample assortment of stairs, poor walking surfaces, and the like. Stop for brief rests as necessary, but don’t spend the hour in a café! If you’re still happy at the end of your excursion, make your travel reservations. — from OneBag.com

3. All Your Luggage Is Carry-on

When your luggage is carry-on you won’t lose your luggage, you bag doesn’t get thrown, dropped or otherwise abused, and if you have a tight connection you know your bag will be with you, wherever you end up. If you really need to change your clothing (or get something out of your bag) you can. You will spend less time fighting with your bags, have less to keep track of, and less to worry about losing. — from Verber.com

4. You Can Discover What Is Truly Essential

Packing light offers less tangible but very real benefits. It’s a chance to pare down and simplify our lives, to discover what is truly essential and what is not. It’s a reminder that we’re more than the sum of our possessions. There’s really no difference between packing for a week and packing for a month or longer. — from San Francisco Chronicle

5. You Don’t Have To Worry About Lost Luggage

In this age of airline fare wars, globalization, and the euro, traveling across multiple borders is increasingly common. Combined with the horror stories of lost luggage that never made it to the baggage claim, the option of traveling with just one bag is becoming more and more attractive.

Unless your trip is highly specialized or requires carrying certain items, it is possible to travel and even live indefinitely out of one bag. — from WikiHow

6. Your Transportation Options Are Flexible

Transportation becomes simpler because you don’t have to find someone who can transport a number of large bags. For example, some remote towns use motorcycles as taxis. Imagine trying to hold onto a number of huge bags on the back of a motorcycle.

Remember the traveler’s motto: It’s better to bring half of what you think you need, and twice as much money. — from Verber.com

7. Because Rick Steves Says So

You’ll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags, “Every year I pack heavier.” The measure of a good traveler is how light she travels. You can’t travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two. — from Transitions Abroad

The InnSide Scoop

As summer approaches, the chances of having far-flung friends and family calling to let you know that they will be in your area sometime in the next few months is high. For most people, this means there will be an expectation that you will at least offer your home, a piece of the fllor or closet as a place for your friend or family member to rest his/her/their head(s). If only the responsibility as a host(ess) ended there! Fear not, your intepid innkeeper has a medium size innside scoop to make the visit pleasant for all involved:

Take time off for your guest

Good excuse to take some R&R anyway. Let ‘em know when those time(s) are so there’s no room for misunderstanding. It is easy for a houseguest, especially one that has not visited in some time, to assume that the host(ess) will not only be sitting at home preparing for the visit, but will also have absolutely no plans other than spending time with her when they arrive! Good host(ess) that you are, however, this will not have to be a serious concern of your houseguest. Instead, arrange to be home, certainly when the guest is due to arrive, and also at least some of the time that your guest will be staying with you. You may want to take the first day or two off, or save the one on one time for the end of your houseguest’s stay. Either way you do it, your guest will appreciate it.

Provide an area for houseguests to claim as their own (for the duration of their stay) their own “home away from home” as it were.
Whether it’s a fold up cot in the livingroom, or the computer room turned into a guest room, your guests will appreciate having a space in your home where they can call home-temporarily. Ideally this would be a separate room but even if it’s a foldout sofabed, arrange things so that your guests can use this area as if it were their bedroom for their stay, and keep their luggage and other belongings with them in this space. It may not be the most comfortable arrangement , but your guests will sure appreciate their own “space”.

Nothing like ye ol “care package.“.. You may not be in the innkeeping biz , but towels, toiletries, and the usual sundries are a nice touch. If you happen to know said houseguest well, you’ll know for example, if they’re allergic to scented products, have any dietary restrictions, or love reading hunting magazines. If you are able to, you can provide all these things that would make the stay that much more pleasant for your guest-be it an extra blanket for someone who is always cold or some bottles of water in the room of a guest who is always thirsty at night. A lot of things that make people comfortable are very inexpensive and if you can provide some of these, your houseguest will remember your hospitality long after they’ve returned to their own home. Definitely a good thing for our business, actually

Be a concierge

You know those handy information centers that are usually located around local area chambers, train stations and airports, providing car rental options, maps and answering other questions? We have a lew of those brochures here for your handy dandy use. If you can’t drive your friends or family to every sight they want to see, or take part in every activity they want to do, provide them some options for transportation: you can loan them a spare car (if you have one), or give them info on local outfitters if they’re bird watchers or want to take a “guided tour” of the National Parks. If they are hikers or cyclists, an appropriate map, with an indication of areas where good bike/walking paths are, might be handy. If you know know the directions to the various places your guest will want to see, use a highlighter to mark the directions clearly for your guest. Sometimes, it’s the simple things.

Don’t foget the (not so) little things
Depending on how comfortable you are, you may want to provide your guests with a key to your house so they can come and go as they wish. You might also want to offer them the use of your laundry facilities and encourage them to ask you for any items they may have forgotten or might need. Some houseguests will also want to know what sorts of “house rules” you’d like them to abide by, including how late they can be noisy till, whether or not they can use your phone without asking (and how you want to handle long-distance phone calls) and which bathroom you prefer they use, for example. These may be small things but to a guest staying in a home they are not accustomed to, spelling out some of these things might be helpful. Encourage your guests to ask you questions if they are not sure.

“HOSPITALITY, n. The virtue which induces us to feed and lodge certain persons who are not in need of food and lodging.”
Ambrose Bierce

GreenHouse Guidance

We often get questions about our greenhouse; since we’re blessed to have on one site here …

Greenhouses are structures which provide the ideal growing environment for flowering plants as well as vegetables. There are many styles and basics you need to know before you begin building greenhouses. Ask yourself a few questions to determine what type of greenhouse you want to build and how much money you want to spend. What purpose the greenhouse is going to serve.When building greenhouses you can build on a steel base or a pressure treated lumber base. For the hobby greenhouse builder you may decide to build on a flat surface of ground and have a polyethylene covered frame. This type structure will do well if you only want to get a jump on the season by starting your own seedlings. An aluminum frame can be erected to accommodate the polycarbonate panels. This provides strength to the structure while the polycarbonate panels allow for internal lighting and an increase in temperature.

With proper planning you can build your greenhouse that’ll require just a minimum of attention. If you have a lot of time to spend in your greenhouse then you may not be prone to install some of the automatic controls which cut down on daily maintenance. But if you are like most people you will want to be able to save as much time as possible. When building greenhouses there are automatic controls that can be installed to help maintain the best temperature for growing, provide artificial lighting, proper humidity, and ventilation. They are a g-dsend, by the way

Location, location, location . Finding the best location to build your greenhouse is as important as the structure itself. The best choice is an area located to the south and preferably a sunny location. Take care to stay far enough away from trees to eliminate the danger of falling limbs causing structural damage. Building your greenhouse to attach to your house can be of benefit since the greenhouse would benefit from the heat which comes from your house. Another important factor is to place your greenhouse where it will have the least exposure to wind. Because of the materials used in building greenhouses they are often susceptible to strong winds.

Always make sure you install proper ventilation for your greenhouse because the sun can heat the interior even in the winter months. Again a g-dsend here when I can just duck in there for some serenity in mid-winter. Bright, sunny days can cause the temperature to rise to a dangerous level and could lead to plant loss. Proper ventilation will allow for weather changes and help you to maintain a temperature which promotes healthy plant growth.

But if space is a major factor which is usually the case - quel est le problème - mini greenhouses can be a way to go

There are many different reasons as to why mini greenhouses are incredibly beneficial, and so if you are trying to decide on what greenhouse you should get, then there are several different things that you are going to want to consider so that you can make the best possible decision.

One of the most important things that you are going to have to consider is the fact of how much space you need in your greenhouse because after all, if you have lots of plants and you need more room than you are going to have to get a larger greenhouse, whereas if you do not have that many plants and thus do not need that much space then you can most likely work with mini greenhouses.

Gardening In A Small Space If you are limited on yard space yet you desire to grow some of your own vegetables, you might find that a miniature greenhouse is just what you are looking for. They don’t take up a lot of space and they are capable of functioning all year long. They are also handy when spring planting rolls around because you can start your own plant sets from seeds before they are ready to plant. When purchasing these plants from the store they can be quite expensive and often they do not live. Growing your own plants from seeds will be less expensive as well as producing a healthier plant.

Once you get your miniature greenhouse you will find that you will have some assembly to do. Usually the smaller ones are not very difficult to assemble if you follow the directions carefully. Some of the small ones are as small as 49” x 74” and come equipped with vents that are sensitive to the heat and will open and close accordingly. Assembly on the more simple models will take roughly six hours from start to finish.

After you assemble your miniature greenhouse there are many other items you might want to consider such as raised beds that do not allow your young plants to reach the ground or a heated mat that will produce enough heat to keep your young and tender plants from freezing. You can also purchase a bench system that will allow you to place your plants at varying heights. Miniature greenhouses will fit into small spaces which will allow the patio gardener to enjoy fresh vegetables and beautiful plants all year long.

One of the best things about mini greenhouses is the fact that they are so mobile, in that they are incredibly easy to move around when you have to do so.  Speaking of flexibility, t he metaphor of gardening has often been used to describe the spiritual experience we go through. Literally and figuratively, the garden is , growing, flourishing, bearing fruit, dying back and needing to be planted again and again.

I remember so many times beating myself up for not achieving self-imposed benchmarks of growth. Why is my riding not progressing as fast as I’d like.. why cant I lighten up more? , I should have been more joyful, more generous, more compassionate, less irritable, less selfish, less anxious, et cetera, et cetera.
Being in the greenhouse, , now I see spiritual experience in seasons of time where there is growth, followed by barrenness. I till my spiritual garden, water it, weed it. It bears fruit. Often the cold winds of life sweep through and I dry up. But I don’t worry about it. Spring always comes.
And the fruit will be as sweet and full of juice as ever. Food for thought.

Small or large… you’ll reap what you sow The frittata is so much more than an Italian omelette. It is often baked or cooked on the stove top. The variations are almost endless.This is an extremely easy vegetarian frittata. It makes a marvelous meatless meal.

Easy Garden Frittata Recipe from Allrecipes

Ingredients

* 3 Tbsp olive oil
* 2 medium potatoes, diced
* 1 cup broccoli florets
* 1 red bell pepper, chopped
* 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
* 1/4 cup roasted garlic
* 8 eggs
* 3 Tbsp milk
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Directions

1. In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the potatoes and vegetables; cook 5 minutes or until potatoes are browned, stirring occasionally.
3. In a bowl mix together the eggs, milk, and salt with wire whisk until well blended.
4. Pour the eggs over potato mixture and cover.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook 10 to 12 minutes or until center is set.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and replace the cover.
7. Let stand 5 minutes.
8. Cut into wedges and serve.

Now grow up!

A Slacker’s Guide to Gardening

We are so blessed here to have our onsite greenhouse .. .it’s the perfect complement to the farmer’s market I love the *idea* of gardening, making things grow and thrive and eating the freshest of vegetables and fruits.

Sadly, the fantasy doesn’t always live up to the reality.

This whole gardening thing is fairly new to me, but these are some of the things I’ve learned in my quest to reduce the amount of work.

1. Pick your plants and seeds carefully. You’re looking for words like “Perennial” and “Enthusiastic self-seeder.” aka Things You Won’t Have to Plant Again. “Thrives on neglect” is another good one.

2. Don’t pull up weeds in a section of garden until you’re ready to plant that section. Nature abhors a vacuum, and if you pull weeds up without putting in new things, all it means is new weeds will come up and you’ll have to pull them, too. Besides, from a distance, who can tell? Hell, they’re green, aren’t they? When in doubt, throw in some marigold seed. Not only are they green, but they have pretty flowers and they are a natural insect repellent.

3. A remarkable number of garden problems can be solved by the addition of two things: water and mulch. By mulch I don’t mean gravel and bark and stuff; that takes work. I mean, stuff from the chicken house, old hay, newspapers, things like that. The mulch stops the weeds and holds in the water, resulting in Less Work.

4. Get animals, such as chickens, ducks, rabbits, or goats. What you clean out of the garden, give to the animals. What you clean out of the animals’ pen, dump in the garden. The circle of life. It’s a beautiful thing. (However, do keep the animals and the garden away from each other; the animals may have a different idea from you on what constitutes a ‘weed,’ and this can result in More Work.)

5. Redefine your idea of ‘weed.’ If you can eat it, it’s not a weed, it’s a vegetable. If I could get into the whole eating dandelions thing, I could save a hell of a lot of time.

6. If it’s ripe, pull it. Don’t wait for it to be perfect. If you do, either some damn bird or animal or insect will get to it before you do, or it’ll bolt or die or turn into a baseball bat or something, resulting in Wasted Work.

7. For every outdoor spigot you have, get one of these from somewhere. It’s called a manifold, and it lets you turn one faucet into four. Collect all the garden hose you can—garage sales are good. Then pick up a bunch of these. It’s called a soaker hose, and it’s a hose with a bunch of holes in it. The difference is that these are there on purpose.

Run a length of garden hose from all the new faucets to all the garden spaces, and surround them with soaker hoses. From then on, watering consists of sauntering outside, turning on a spigot, moving a switch on the selected faucet, and having a beer while you wait.

If you really want to be lazy, put battery-operated timers on each of the faucets and set them up to run on different days. Yes, this is all some work to begin with, but it’s just once a season. Leave them out there all winter. So what if it cracks? It’s just a $10 hose, and that way you won’t have to take it down in the fall and set it up again in the spring.

8. Especially if you do #7, set your lawnmower to 3 inches. At least. And say, maybe pick up some hose repair kits while you’re at it.

9. If you have a drip irrigation system, a couple of times a year it’ll suddenly quit working. You’ll think the well ran dry. You’ll think your neighbor was stealing your water. You’ll worry about the dwindling aquifer. You’ll look fruitlessly for leakage. Nine times out of ten, the connector between the hose and the system has gotten clogged with dirt or earwigs or something. Check it first. And check both sides.

10. For God’s sake, don’t get green-handled garden tools, gloves, etc. I spend half my time in the garden trying to find the damn things. Wait til May and get pink ones, even if you’re a guy. Better still, wait til August when they’re on sale. Ponder the notion of pink garden hose while you’re at it.

11. When it gets over 90, there are only two jobs I do. First, I mow the lawn, because I have a riding mower and no matter how hot it is, at least I’m sitting down. Besides, it has a cup holder. Second, I do things involving water—fixing the irrigation, hosing off the house and trash cans, etc.—because at least that way if I get wet it feels good.

12. If you’re uncoiling something dark for the first time—hoses, edging, etc.—pick a nice day, leave the damn thing in the sun for a half hour and go have a beer. You’ll both be a lot happier.

13. Practice the following phrases:

“I’m xeriscaping.”

“I’m creating natural habitat.”

“It’s a native plant garden.”

But in the “green segment”… do check out this handy dandy watering can for your container gardens or seedlings. Don’t let the flowers dry out with this classically designed recycled copper watering can. Handcrafted from hammered recycled copper.

$49.00 at Gaiam