I enjoy making stuff like this. I wanted to make these for our Christmas Event on December 5. There is very little, if any profit in them, but it makes me happy to make them. I do use mostly (75%) organic, whole ingredients.
I started with slicing and dehydrating a bag of oranges.
I did this over the weekend. To me, nothing says "ber" weather, like the smell of something in the dehydrator. Al made jerky when I was done with the oranges.
Then today, I gathered all the spices I bought last week from Golden Harvest bulk store in Merrill. I used some spices I had here too. I had the table full of things, to do like an assembly line to fill each bag.
Next, I mixed up the dry ingredients. You can't mess this up. I just put in 2 T of each and like 1/2 C of cinnamon. I looked for the "warm" spices and those that smell like Christmas.
Mix together and put 1/2 T in your bag first.
My husband cut the whole nutmeg for me. I used whole allspice, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, cloves, orange slices and cedar sprigs off my tree. Just a little bit of each, pinch or two, you can't mess it up.
I used "treat bags" $1 for 20 with twist ties. Added jute and a tartan ribbon. I made over 30 of them. The last time I made these for sale was maybe 4 years ago for a sale we did. At the time I charged $2 a bag. After adding all the costs, I will have to charge $4 a bag. Not sure if that is too steep, but everything to make these (and so much more) have gone up. If I don't sell any, I'll give them away for gifts.
Did you know that tulips on average only bloom 3-5 years? I had a beautiful showing of tulips for 2 years. This past spring, only a few came up. So, I ordered some new ones from Baker Seeds - Heirloom and Rare. They are nestled into some fresh dirt, waiting for spring.
Remember several weeks back, I did a quick pickle? I said I wanted to do a quick pickle of my beets. Well, here are the only 2 beets I harvested. Believe it or not, even in raised beds, the deer pulled them all up. I did roast these and added to a kale salad. Next year I guess.
My husband, Al, is moving along raising all my beds to a height I can reach with my scooter. I am still doing it! I hope to keep gardening, even if I am in a mobile wheelchair.
I was sworn to secrecy about what we did next. I'm married to a military minded, German heritage, police science educated, port security Coast Guard - kind of man, swearing to secrecy is part of our marriage, haha. Anyway, we went on vacation! No one really knew, we didn't say anything, until we came home.
We met our children in Williamstown, Kentucky. Our Christmas gift to them for several years has been an "experience" like a vacation. So far, we've only been to the UP of Michigan, which we all LOVE. However, this year, we went farther. I was a bit worried with my mobility issues. I shouldn't have, it was so accessible. We stayed in a super nice, one level, Airbnb.
This attached game and media room was amazing! The grands really loved it. The sliding doors opened to a patio and fire pit area. I could get around easily with my walker and wheelchair.
The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum!
Both places were very mobile friendly. We had the best time! So thankful for the experience. The Ark is incredible.
We have been back home, but I still don't know what day it is. It's always hard going back to a routine.
An interesting fact about me, that you may not know, is I come from a long line of .... don't trust the government, type. My mom's side is Scotch/Irish and my dad's Native American - both had reasons not to trust. Today, I just say, I'm awake more than most. So....if you've not been living under a rock....you may have heard about Operation Fortress. The 90 day military base sustainability orders. Not only in the USA, but MANY countries alerting their people of saving 72 hour rations of goods in case of (fill in). So, those words are horns in preppers ears. Now, I mentioned earlier, that I was married to Mr. "sworn to secrecy" so I'm not at liberty to share ALL we've been doing for a decade or more. I can show you a great deal we squirreled away. Organic, whole oats, 50 pounds. A few branches, a match, a pot of water from the creek - we'll be good. I say that jokingly, but you really should think ahead.
I am awake enough to know, if the government is containing our military for 90 days, we best plan longer. I would be remiss to say, I don't plan for this world, I plan for the next. Even Jesus told the parable of the lamps and oil. It's not for fear we do this, we don't live there. If we find ourselves there, we will be prepared. Don't live scared, live prepared.
Well, with the Lord's help, I completed 30 years of organizing this event. I will officially have a team next year to help me and for as long as the Lord allows.
The crowd was unbelievable - thousands. So many new people saying "where have I been the last 30 years?" I don't know...but, you've missed it. If you happen to come and started a conversation with me, I'm sorry if I never completed it. I feel I left so many people like that, as duty calling to another thing.
New this year was a FREE train ride.
Santa Ray - outside the post office. They had letters to Santa.
That is an overview of our booth along with 2 vignettes set up by local businesses.
I could NOT believe how much I sold. I went back and looked at before pictures to remember what was missing. Our booth did really well. I would say, the 2nd best EVER! Thank the Lord.
Everyone was happy, lots of positive feedback from vendors. The vendors even gave me thank you cards and flowers. On Tuesday, one vendor came into our little shop and told me that an hour after the event, while packing up, a customer came and bought another $350 from them and even unloaded the trailer for the stuff she wanted.
I was waiting for Al to come back and get me - I was the last load - hahah my scooter - and the fire department invited me to come and talk with them. The told me that they did very good and I said, "I'm not good with compliments, I don't need them," and they said....well, you're going to get them. I came home to this, on our Ringle community page from the fire chief.
Like I said...I don't do good with this kind of stuff. That is why I didn't go to the town meeting the following Monday. It is nice to hear, but I don't know what to do with "it."
After review of the social media "reach" - was over 327,000 views - we need to revaluate the other advertising. I have for 30 years put ads in newspapers - yet, this year more than ever we hear - "never heard of this." I don't know how as over 50% of our budget is advertising. Just some thoughts.
I bought these and some food from our 4H club. Some members had their own little table with stuff for sale. Of course, needle felting (smile).
We had some warm, sunny days earlier this week. So, Al prepared the Zinnia patch for next year.
I love the smell of earth, dirt.
I went to the orthopedic surgeon. It has officially been a year since breaking my femur. He said my leg finally fully healed and filled in with new bone.
I got back to aqua therapy. It was wonderful.
Justine and her family came for a load of hay so we made supper. I made a chopped kale, apple, craisin and candied pecans salad. I want to share how I made the pecans. I made a whole container full - none left. They all just loved them.
Start out with like 4 C pecans, put in a bowl.
Mix 1/2 C brown sugar, 1/2 C maple sugar (or white), 1 heaping T of cinnamon, 1 t of salt. Stir together well, put to the side.
Mix 1 egg white, 2 T of water and 1 t (give or take) vanilla in a bowl. Beat till white and frothy.
Pour this wet mixture over pecans, stir until coated. Add the dry mixture, keep tossing until all is covered.
Bake 300 for 40 minutes.
I also made a simple vinaigrette with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and garlic powder. So Good.
The next day, I made a wrap with left overs. The vinaigrette was even better next day.
I'll end with this picture of me and my grandson, Ezra. Lauren was around all day, but working in the 4H booth. I missed getting a photo with her.
I made that wreath to use as a decoration in a photo booth area for the Ringle Harvest Day on Saturday, October 10.
We've been eating all the things from our garden and our neighbor's garden preparing all of our meals together. Al is actually a good cook. The kitchen was my room, but now I'm forced to share it with him. We help each other.
So, with just the 2 of us, we tend to have leftovers. So, I took them all out and made a soup. It was actually good!
I'm not sure why, but I've been loving hot peppers this summer.
The squash with cinnamon and nutmeg. I made squash "drop muffins" - I made it up not sure what it was, other than good.
A few friends helped me mark all the booths for the event.
Wally and Melanie always have a cool display in their front yard! This year is is spooky clowns.
My week was working on the event. I have to say, I do all my own social media - no AI here. It takes so much time to come up with original content. I'm not the best with all the tricks and sometimes takes multiple times to post and share. However, my stuff doesn't look fake. I know it's easier, but I like to represent myself for myself.
I will share how the event went next week. I am praying I can stay safe and enjoy the day. 30 years - I can't believe it! My community honored me with a sign outside the town hall. I am so blessed to have so many others helping me make this little dream of mine a reality.
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