I can't stop taking photos of the big, big moon on our mountaintop homestead!

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In which I share my favorite posts from this blog's Facebook page.

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"

Psalm 8:3-4

* I'm ridiculously excited because I finally have some boxes to unpack! (Translation: Hubby finally had time to unload some boxes from our shipping container and bring them to the house.) The kids are finally sleeping with sheets! (They've been in sleeping bags on their beds.) And I have a few more cooking utensils and pans! It's the little things, people.

* I took this photo last Thursday. It's an apple blossom. (!)
We had two potted columnar apple trees at our suburban home, but when we moved them to the new homestead, they got eaten by deer and were generally neglected. I really thought one in particular was going to die. But when the chicks were still in the brooder in the house, I emptied their dirty (i.e. poopy) water into some of my potted plants, including the dying apple tree. Now, typically you would not put fresh chicken manure on any plant, because it can actually "burn" or kill them. But I figured the chicks were pretty little and there wasn't a ton of poop in their water, so it would be okay. I was right! The apple tree not only revived, but it's growing new leaves, and yes, blossoms! The other plants I water with poopy water also rapidly shot out new leaves and blooms. Animal manure is the best fertilizer!

* If you've read my children's chapter book Midnight Ride Without Paul Revere, and you liked it, would you please take just a minute right now and leave a review? It will make a huge difference in whether or not Amazon suggests or lists the books for other readers. Thank you so much!

 * How many years of your life will you spend shopping? And how much stuff will you throw away? 17 Staggering Statistics About Our Shopping Habits.

Mornings on the homestead are often foggy now.

* If you're thinking of joining Swagbucks, now is THE time to do it! If you join using this link, Swagbucks will give you (and me) 300 Swagbucks each! But you must join before 9/30/16 to take advantage of this offer. Learn more about Swagbucks and how I use it to get free giftcards by clicking here.

* Pretty soon, you won't even be able to buy medicated chick feed without a vet. Flea and tick treatments, either. And all those wormers and things homesteaders regularly buy at the feed store for their livestock? Gone.

* Not surprising, but definitely depressing. FDA finds Round Up found in U.S. honey.

* How the sugar industry bought scientists to put our health complaints on fat, instead of sugar. A cautionary tale.

* Many common kitchen herbs are good medicine, and thyme is among them. For best results, dry your own, or buy a brand that is as fresh as possible.

* Herbal tea for painful periods.

* Be sure to show this video to your kids! Inspirational, for sure!

* Why Tylenol is not a great choice if your child was just vaccinated.

* Last week, as an introduction to our study of the election process, the kids and I read Duck for President. I can't recommend it enough, especially for lower elementary. It's laugh out loud funny, and is a great intro into the basic election process.

* A super easy way to teach your kids to tie their shoes. 



Oldies But Goodies:

* Now's a terrific time to harvest dandelion roots. Here's how - and how to use them! 
* This is so easy! How to Clean Ceilings & Walls - even in a greasy kitchen. 
* Tips for Teaching Kids to Sew.