Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cassie Lockwood is alone in the world since both her mother and father have passed away. She sets off on an adventure after the Wild West Show she has grown-up preforming in is closed for good. All she has is a wagon, 3 friends, and some various animals that do tricks.

Where will she go now that her life has changed so drastically? What will she find waiting for her when she goes to the ranch that her father owns half of? Will they accept her claim on the land?

This was a good book to curl-up and read. You can easily put yourself in her position as she leaves the only life she has ever known. To go on an adventure to see what fate will deal her next. This book carries you along on that adventure, keeping you wondering what might happen next.

Well written and a good afternoon read. I thank Bethany House for sending me a free copy. All they ask in return is for me to write a review on the book. I woudl suggest reading this book, or giving it as a gift.

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Merry Christmas!

Hello there friends.Come on in for a cup of tea! I even got some new tea just for company!
How are the holidays going? Are you having a wonderful time spent with friends and family? Are you getting some things done around the house that needed doing?? I sure have!
We have been baking up a storm. We have made alot of our favorites, Russian tea cakes, Peanut butter blossom, spritz, Peppermint bark. So far I have tried Dutch Spice- yum is all I can say! I also have some more to make but well there is still time as I don't go back to class until January 22nd.




We started with peanut butter blossoms of course. My favorite!

  


I have to say that I was really tired of rolling little peanut butter balls. The recipe made a ton!!





This year we decided to try and make spritz cookies.The recipe is really good it actually has honey in it. Thank goodness I found this cookie press early at a thrift store.

 



Here are the cookies, we also did like a cross one and a camel!

 



More spritz, they actually turned out yummy!

 


On to the next recipe. I was a baking freak! Here I am in my apron, I LOVE aprons! I actually need some more as I only have this one!





We started packaging the cookies to give out to neighbors. They were very surprised! 

 



These sugar cookies turned out very good, a new recipe. We used peppermint frosting on these and of course sprinkles! Yummo!

 




My little elf finally helped me on the frosting of the cookies! She actually cut the sugar cookies out as well. She loves to cook and bake! Oh did I mention eat them as well??

 



We could not find a rolling pin so we actually rolled out the cookies with this orange glass! LOL Hey you have to make do!

 



I hope you got some baking done for you and your family and friends.

 Have a wonderful holiday and I will share more pictures soon. I pray that all is well in your neck of the woods.
With love from Northwest Wisconsin!


Free Book Drawing! Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher

This is part of the Series: Where the Heart Lives
It was just published bu Zondervan in November 2012! So it is hot off the presses!

In the sequel to Belonging, Robin Lee Hatcher weaves a story of romance in the old west. With her dead husband’s half-brother threatening to take her Wyoming ranch, Julia Grace and drifter Hugh Brennan fight to hold on to her livelihood. Can two wounded hearts find a way to learn to trust again?

So if you would like to be put in the hat to win this book please leave me a comment and how to get ahold of you.

I will also be giving away the Belonging book by Robin Lee Hatcher on a separate post. I debated if I should give them away together or separately. I decide to go different drawings as some might have the first book Belonging and need the new one , Betrayal.

I would like to thank Zondervan for sending me a copy of each book for myself as well as a copy for my readers! This would be a great gift for yourself or a loved one!

I will draw the name of the winner on Wednesday 12-19 evening.

Book Giveaway! Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee

The Power of the Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee.

This is going to be one of about 5 book giveaways that I have ready to share with you!
All you have to do is leave a comment and please leave your e-mail so that I can let you know if you are a winner.

Bestselling author and pastor John Hagee’s new Bible prophecy book, The Power of the Prophetic Blessing, offers an exciting message of encouragement and blessing for today and for generations to come.

He says, “You have the ability, through the power of the blessing, to revolutionize your life. Every blessing recorded in Scripture is available to you for the asking. These blessings have the power to resurrect your dead marriage, bring supernatural joy, and provide you peace of mind.”

For God’s people, prophecy is a word of hope, deliverance, bounty, and richness for their life and family. When God blesses man, it is to bestow good health, abundant success, and prosperity, both materially and spiritually. Hagee shows how this powerful prophetic message of blessing flows throughout the Bible and can be used today to create an abundant and prosperous life. The Power of the Prophetic Blessing demonstrates your God-given power to prosper in challenging times. You were born to be blessed!

I would like to thank Worthy Publishing for sending me a copy for myself and also including a lovely copy for one of my readers!

I will draw a name on Weds. Please feel free to share this giveaway with your friends.

Book Giveaway.......Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher

This is part of the Series: Where the Heart Lives
It was just published bu Zondervan in November 2012! So it is hot off the presses!

In the sequel to Belonging, Robin Lee Hatcher weaves a story of romance in the old west. With her dead husband’s half-brother threatening to take her Wyoming ranch, Julia Grace and drifter Hugh Brennan fight to hold on to her livelihood. Can two wounded hearts find a way to learn to trust again?

So if you would like to be put in the hat to win this book please leave me a comment and how to get ahold of you.

I will also be giving away the Belonging book by Robin Lee Hatcher on a separate post. I debated if I should give them away together or separately. I decide to go different drawings as some might have the first book Belonging and need the new one , Betrayal.

I would like to thank Zondervan for sending me a copy of each book for myself as well as a copy for my readers! This would be a great gift for yourself or a loved one!

I will draw the name of the winner on Wednesday 12-19 evening.

Book Giveaway-The Power of the Prophetic Blessing

                        The Power of the Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee.

This is going to be one of about 5 book giveaways that I have ready to share with you!
All you have to do is leave a comment and please leave your e-mail so that I can let you know if you are a winner.

Bestselling author and pastor John Hagee’s new Bible prophecy book, The Power of the Prophetic Blessing, offers an exciting message of encouragement and blessing for today and for generations to come.

He says, “You have the ability, through the power of the blessing, to revolutionize your life.  Every blessing recorded in Scripture is available to you for the asking. These blessings have the power to resurrect your dead marriage, bring supernatural joy, and provide you peace of mind.”

For God’s people, prophecy is a word of hope, deliverance, bounty, and richness for their life and family. When God blesses man, it is to bestow good health, abundant success, and prosperity, both materially and spiritually. Hagee shows how this powerful prophetic message of blessing flows throughout the Bible and can be used today to create an abundant and prosperous life. The Power of the Prophetic Blessing demonstrates your God-given power to prosper in challenging times. You were born to be blessed!

I would like to thank Worthy Publishing for sending me a copy for myself and also including a lovely copy for one of my readers!

I will draw a name on Weds. Please feel free to share this giveaway with your friends.

Amos the chicken.... who is a rooster.

So I thought I would share some of the animals again with you as it has been awhile. Some of the animals have changed alot.
So remember when my friend Cris called in a panic as she had gotten baby chicks and was thinking they were all hens. Well then getting ready to leave for work she said she heard them crow.
So they came to live with us..... I never heard any of the three crow until this last week. Then I heard Amos go off.....it was not pretty at first. Just really loud, and totally out of tune! But later he was in the yard and I saw and heard him crow..... he was having fun with it.

Then the other night Mikhaila comes in with Amos and yes he likes to have his handsome comb petted and his little wattle rubbed! What a baby! Quite the ham for the camera too I might add!

More visual delights from Gingerbread Snowflakes!

So I had to share some more goodies from Gingerbread Snowflake. For all you Scandinavians- enjoy and go check out the links. Well the rest of us too, there are great things to go check out on the different links!
Enjoy! Go check out Gingerbread Snowflakes as well.


Celebrating St. Lucy Day!

 

 Once again the pictures did not show  up here so please click on their link and it will take you to the wonderful site of Gingerbread Snowflakes!

Spooner Advocate Column- December 13, 2012

Good Morning their friends- Wow! Do you like the snow out there? It sure did make everything pretty to look at. Please take your time driving around in weather like this, plan for extras time so that you are not in a hurry to get to your destination. Make sure you have some extra warm clothes in the car, a blanket in case the car breaks down. I know you have heard it before, but if you do not have to go out when it is bad weather, please don't. Your important and we want you to be safe!

This coming Thursday- December 13th- Spooner Memorial Library will be host a book launch and signing party on from 4-6 pm at the library, 421 High Street in Spooner, for Washburn County Historical Society's newest edition of county history. Volume V in the " Historical Collections of Washburn County and the Surrounding Indianhead Country." I am told by Sharon Tarr that one whole section of the book is made up of stories about Springbrook history and families! If you can't make the launch party but still want a copy you may purchase one at the Washburn County Information Center in Spooner, also at the Washburn County Historical Museum in Shell Lake or by calling the Museum at 715-468-2982. Thanks so much for sending me the info Sharon.

LCO Community College is hosting a Holiday Baking and Cookie Exchange on Thursday December 20th from 5-8 pm. Dinner and all supplies are provided. Pre-registration is required by Tuesday December 18th. Register by calling Arlene at 715-634-4790 X196. LCO Community College is also hosting a Venison Jerky Making Workshop on Wednesday December 19th from 5-8 pm. Again the meal is provided and you will get to take some of the jerky home. Please call by December 17th to pre-register for this class, Arlene at 715-634-4790 X196. These are great classes to be a part of, come out and make some new friends!

The Palace Theatre in Spooner are having a free admission movie every Sat @ 1:00 pm. You do have to pick up a ticket from a business in town, Northwinds, Cat’s Meow, Spooner Advocate, Dec. 15^th will be Arthur Christmas. Santa will also be there on Dec. 15^th! If you are looking for a ticket call your favorite business and see if they have tickets to pick-up. A big thanks to The Palace Theatre for putting this on!

Feed-A-Family program has kicked off at The Lakes Community Co-op grocery store in Stone Lake. They are accepting donations to buy $10, $20, and $50 bags of groceries that will be delivered to needy folks the week before Christmas. The donations will be accepted until December 14^th, you can send your donation to The Lakes Community Co-op, W106 Main Street, P.O. Box 356, Stone Lake, WI 54876 Please make the check out to The Lakes Community Co-op and put “feed-a family” on the memo line. Last year 65 families received groceries and 75 seniors received fruit baskets from this wonderful program. If you or someone you know would benefit from this program please give Jim at The Lakes Community Co-op a call 715- 865-6989. Also if you know any youths that are in need of a hat, gloves, jacket or boots you can let Jim know that as well or call Marie’s Hide-away- the sooner the better!

The Christmas Fund is also accepting donations of money, new toys and new clothing at Spooner Advocate, Shell Lake State Bank, Washburn County Register, and Indianhead Credit Union. If you would like to send a monetary donation in please mail it to Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 321, Spooner, WI 54801. If you are in need of help please fill out an application before Dec 12^th, to receive help you need to reside in either the Spooner or Shell Lake School District. Forms can be picked up at Washburn County Register, Spooner Advocate, Washburn County Food Pantry, Washburn County Human Service Office in Shell Lake or Washburn County Public Health in Spooner. Delivery will be on Friday Dec 21^st from 9-1pm and an adult (or the recipients) will have to be there to accept.

I hope each of you are having fun getting ready for the holidays. Please keep in mind that it is not all about the gifts. Being with family, spending time with friends is the greatest gift you can give someone. Homemade gifts are wonderful to make with the kids and are a great to receive!

If you have news please let me know. Stay warm!

Spooner Advocate Column- December 6, 2012

Good Morning their friends- Sorry for missing the column last week,  with a broke down car I was not able to make it into town to get this to the Advocate. Don’t you just love how dependent we are on technology?? A huge thank you goes out to the Tripp family for helping me out with transportation, I appreciate neighbors like you!

So here I sit with a car that will not run. What am I to do? First I have to just think, well it could be worse. I am stranded at home, not on the road. Does it put a crimp in my day? Sure does! I am glad my daughter rides the school bus- I used to drive her into school everyday- at least that is not on my plate today. What do others do when they are without  a car? A lot of people do not have a car at all. What do they do?? So I called Namekagon Transit, they are the little white buses that you see going around from Hayward to Spooner, other destinations. So if you are like me and are having an issue with your car, or if you are carless- you can call Namekagon and schedule a ride. You do have to call 24 hours in advance to set-up a pick-up, the lady I talked to was very nice and walked me through the process. I have to say I think the price is good, I just wanted to let people know that this is an option. You never know when you would like to do some shopping or have an appointment and can’t get a ride with someone you know. To schedule a pick-up call 715-634-6633 or toll-free 866-295-9599

Spooner Memorial Library will be host a book launch and signing party on December 13, from 4-6 pm at the library, 421 High Street in Spooner, for Washburn County Historical Society's newest edition of county history. Volume V in the " Historical Collections of Washburn County and the Surrounding Indianhead Country." I am told by Sharon Tarr that one whole section of the book is made up of stories about Springbrook history and families! If you can't make the launch party but still want a copy you may purchase one at the Washburn County Information Center in Spooner, also at the Washburn County Historical Museum in Shell Lake or by calling the Museum at 715-468-2982. Thanks so much for sending me the info Sharon.

I pray all the deer hunters had a great hunt. Hopefully a lot of deer were harvested to get folks through the winter. Nothing like a good pot of venison stew when it gets cold.

The Palace Theatre in Spooner are having a free admission  movie every Sat @ 1:00 pm. You do have to pick up a ticket from a business in town, Northwinds, Cat’s Meow, Spooner Advocate, Economart are just a few places to get tickets. Dec 8^th will be Madagascar, and Dec. 15^th will be Arthur Christmas. Santa will also be there on Dec. 15^th! If you are looking for a ticket call your favorite business and see if they have tickets to pick-up. A big thanks to The Palace Theatre for putting this on!

Feed-A-Family program has kicked off at The Lakes Community Co-op grocery store in Stone Lake. They are accepting donations to buy $10, $20, and $50 bags of groceries that will be delivered to needy folks the week before Christmas. The donations will be accepted until December 14^th, you can send your donation to  The Lakes Community Co-op, W106 Main Street, P.O. Box 356, Stone Lake, WI 54876 Please make the check out  to The Lakes Community Co-op and put “feed-a family” on the memo line. Last year 65 families received groceries and 75 seniors received fruit baskets from this wonderful program. If you or someone you know would benefit from this program please give Jim at The Lakes Community Co-op a call 715- 865-6989. Also if you know any youths that are in need of a hat, gloves, jacket or boots you can let Jim know that as well or call Marie’s Hide-away- the sooner the better!

The Christmas Fund is also accepting donations of money, new toys and new clothing at Spooner Advocate, Shell Lake State Bank, Washburn County Register, and Indianhead Credit Union. If you would like to send a monetary donation in please mail it to Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 321, Spooner, WI 54801. If you are in need of help please fill out an application before Dec 12^th, to receive help you need to reside in either the Spooner or Shell Lake School District. Forms can be picked up at Washburn County Register, Spooner Advocate, Washburn County Food Pantry, Washburn County Human Service Office in Shell Lake or Washburn County Public Health in Spooner. Delivery will be on Friday Dec 21^st  from 9-1pm and an adult (or the recipients) will have to be there to accept.

I hope each of you are having fun getting ready for the holidays. Please keep in mind that it is not all about the gifts. Being with family, spending time with friends  is the greatest gift you can give someone. Homemade gifts are wonderful to make with the kids and are a great to receive!

If you have news please let me know. Stay warm!

Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas)

I found this great story waiting for me in my e-mail box and had to share with you! Please give credit to Gingerbread Snowflakes. You should go to her website and sign up for the newsletter, Gingerbread Snowflakes

Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) in the Netherlands: History and Celebrations

 

 Go to Gingerbreadsnowflakes to  see the whole article and wonderful pictures. I had it up here on the blog but the photos were not showing up.

Submerged by Dani Pettrey

Bailey Craig ran away along time ago from her small hometown of Yancey, Alaska. She had made bad choices and felt major judgement due to those choices. When she gets a call that her aunt has died she has to face those same people that judged her so many years ago. The problem is that the only man she ever loved is also still living in Yancey. How will she be able to face him after all that has gone on between them?

Cole McKenna and his familyare co- owners of a successful business. He is a family oriented,and still is in love with Bailey Craig.It is very hard on him when he recovers Bailey's aunt's body from a plane crash.Will this bring Bailey back to Yancey? How will everyone treat her?

Cole and Bailey get asked by the local police to work on the case being Bailey understands the Russian language and some of the history and folklore of the area. Getting stuck working together brings all kinds of feelings up from the past.Can they deal with their feelings while trying to find out if her aunt was murdered and why? Does it have anything to do with the other murders that have happened in the area? This book takes you through history, mystery, love, forgiving and forgetting. The person that is reading the book can relate on so many levels as we have all struggled with love, being judged by others or the loss of a love one. Mix all those feelings along with a good mystery and you jave Submerged!

This was a really good book that I would recommend reading.I received it free of charge from Bethany House. All they asked in return was for me to post a book review. The opinions written here are solely my own.

The Hidden Truth by Judith Miller

Dovie is really struggling with her mother's death, she misses her mother and wonders if she really knew her or if she had ever really been happy. When her father gets transferred to Texas she decides to ask to see if she can go and visit her mom's family back in the Amana Colonies. Will her father allow her to go back there? Will they even let her come to visit being her mom and her cousin had not talked in years?

Dovie not only struggles to find out who her mother really was, how she was raised. But she has to adjust the way she lives her life as life in the Amana Colonies are very different than her life in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dovie finds her new life both challenging as well as full-filling. She has some big lessons to learn about her mom, colony life, love and family.

Karlina loves working with her father and the sheep in East Amana. She struggles when a new shephard comes to help her father with the sheep. Will the new shephard work out? Will her cousin come and like being in East? Karlina struggles within her own life as she does not fit the "normal" woman in East, she does not like to do the "woman" duties expected of her.

Will the cousin's find happiness? Will they workout the mysteries that each seems to be experiencing with the men that they have started having feelings for?

I really felt this book was well written. It leads you through lives that have not always gone the way the people wanted them to turn out. It is well written, leading you through the book- wanting more.

I recieved this book for free from Bethany House. All that they asked me was to post a book review, weather that be a good or bad review. The opinions here are solely my own.

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

Ellie Moore wants to be an actress so bad. When an opportunity comes along that she wants so badly, does she have the talent to talk the men into giving her a chance. Can she pull off the biggest act of her life? Can she go to a totally different state and help solve a crime as a Pinkerton agent?

This is a great book set in 1881, crime, mystery,love, danger. Take the adventure with a young woman that has to make the decision of her life that will ultimately change her life forever. Will she make it through the dangerous assignment that she has taken with the Pinkerton agency? Will she find out who is committing the crimes? Will she catch the criminals? How will she achieve that alone in a new town and brand new to being an agent. Come along as Ellie finds quite the adventure in Arizonia. Can Ellie help  Steven save his business? Will he ever feel the same way towards her as she feels towards him? Or will he be mad at her deception?

I really liked this book, it was a good read that kept you guessing what was going to happen next. This would make a good book for someone in your list for the holidays.

Bethany House did supply me with a free copy of this book. All they asked in return was for me to post a book review of what I thought of the book. These are solely my opinions.

The Messenger by Siri Mitchell

This is a good curl-up book, I started reading and just had to finish it! Hannah, who is a Quaker really struggles between her faith and her heart. Her brother ends up in trouble but she is unable to help or comfort him due to her faith. Will she follow her heart? Or will she do as she is suppose to as a Quaker and not pick sides?

Jermiah is a Colonial spy and really asks some hard things of Hannah. She is put in the hot spot on more than one occasion for her beliefs. She has to come to terms with what she believes and how she will be able to balance those beliefs with being able to help out Jeremiah and her brother.

This book is set in Philadelphia under the British Occupation. It makes you wonder what you would have done in the same position. What are your core values? Are you willing to change those values or work with them to achieve something that is dangerous but is worth changing?

I would recommend you grabbing the book for with yourself or as a gift for someone on your holiday list.

I did receive a copy of this book from Bethany House free of charge. Thank you very much! All they ask of me is to post  my own personal review on the book, either positive or negative.

Hayward Piecemakers Quilting Guild- Nov, 2012

I joined the Hayward Piecemakers Quilting Guild awhile back and when we had our last meeting- November 12th I finally was able to wear my name tag! Yes, that's right I FINALLY got it quilted! Are you proud of me or what!!! LOL I have to say I was pretty happy as I had been trying to get it done and with being in school and all the other obstacles in life I have not been able to sew the name tag OR make it to a meeting. It was great being able to see all the lovely ladies, see what beautiful projects that they have been working on. Of course that day I did not have my camera, so no pictures of the wonderful projects. However I will walk you through the making of the name tag.


The pieces were cut into squares already, so I just made sure they were squared up. Then cut diagonal.




Did the same with the other colors. I had to make sure to keep the colors in their own piles as each color is a different size.




Now some would use the paper pattern and just sew the fabric to it and then later take the paper off. Not me as I have not done that before. I was on a time limit and I did not want to mess up. So I just pieced it like I have learned to do. So the white will be the center with the dark blue pinned in position for sewing.




Bad picture, my camera is going. I need to get a new one quickly! But here you see the red id sewn on two sides, then pressed out. Now the other two pieces are pinned and once sewn you will then press out.





As you see here each color has been sewn, then pressed out. The little triangles you see are trimmed off before you pin the next color in place.




I like to pin the next color on first and then what I do is trim it to make sure that it is straight and the little triangles are off.





Press them out. I am a presser. I like to know what it looks like and if it is straight. Whatever you are comfortable doing.




This one was pinned and then sewn. I did this as some people will sew and then trim. Some people pin and then trim.




This is what it will look like before pressing it out.




After pressing out. Wish the camera was doing better pictures, but you get the idea!



Squared up.



Then you get to put the strips on that go around the name and the square.




Half done, now do the other two sides.




So this is what the badge is going to look like. I will write my name on the white piece. But before doing that I have to bind it.





Here I am folding the edge over and pinning it. Then I will start sewing.




Here is the back, you can see I like little stitches. This is my first attempt at doing a binding. I was amazed at how long it took me to do just this little bit! My friend Anita can bind! She is super fast. Maybe some year I will be half as good!





Done sewing! The edges are straighter than they look! LOL




Complete for the meeting. Have my name on there and the Guild pin. At some point I may use some floss and stitch my name. For now it is just fine.

I was pretty happy that I got it done AND I won the drawing for wearing my name tag! I never win anything! I was super excited!
Do you belong to a guild? Are you in the Hayward, WI area? You are welcome to come to  our meeting. The next Hayward Piecemakers meeting is January 14th at 10:00 am at the Hayward Library.



Advocate Column not published in the paper.

I am putting this in the blog as it never made it into the paper this week as I could not make it to town to jump on Wifi! Ugghh I really need internet at my home just for these situations!! Sorry all you readers, I have heard back when you don't see the column in the paper. I value you reading my article every week. Let me know if you have info to put out there for the neighbors.

Good Morning their friends- Well we did get some snow over the weekend. I am sure there are people out there that are happy about that. I think it looks really pretty but I have to say the older I get the more I dread dealing with it. I look back at being a kid and I remember being outside for hours on a snow mobile, cutting wood or just playing. Now I have to gear up to go out, I have turned into a baby! I think it’s the responsibility that goes with knowing if the car does not start, YOU are the one that has to figure out what to do!

So here I sit with a car that will not run. What am I to do? First I have to just think, well it could be worse. I am stranded at home, not on the road. Does it put a crimp in my day? Sure does! I am glad my daughter rides the school bus- I used to drive her into school everyday- at least that is not on my plate today. What do others do when they are without  a car? A lot of people do not have a car at all. What do they do?? So I called Namekagon Transit, they are the little white buses that you see going around from Hayward to Spooner, other destinations. So if you are like me and are having an issue with your car, or if you are carless- you can call Namekagon and schedule a ride. You do have to call 24 hours in advance to set-up a pick-up, the lady I talked to was very nice and walked me through the process. I have to say I think the price is good, I just wanted to let people know that this is an option. You never know when you would like to do some shopping or have an appointment and can’t get a ride with someone you know. To schedule a pick-up call 715-634-6633 or toll-free 866-295-9599

I pray all the deer hunters had a great hunt. Hopefully a lot of deer were harvested to get folks through the winter. Nothing like a good pot of venison stew when it gets cold.

The Palace Theatre in Spooner are having a free admission  movie every Sat @ 1:00 pm. You do have to pick up a ticket from a business in town, Northwinds, Cat’s Meow, Spooner Advocate, Economart are just a few places to get tickets. Dec 1^st will be Alvin and the Chipmunks- Chipwrecked, Dec 8^th will be Madagascar, and Dec. 15^th will be Arthur Christmas. Santa will also be there on Dec. 15^th! If you are looking for a ticket call your favorite business and see if they have tickets to pick-up. A big thanks to The Palace Theatre for putting this on!

Feed-A-Family program has kicked off at The Lakes Community Co-op grocery store in Stone Lake. They are accepting donations to buy $10, $20, and $50 bags of groceries that will be delivered to needy folks the week before Christmas. The donations will be accepted until December 14^th, you can send your donation to  The Lakes Community Co-op, W106 Main Street, P.O. Box 356, Stone Lake, WI 54876 Please make the check out  to The Lakes Community Co-op and put “feed-a family” on the memo line. Last year 65 families received groceries and 75 seniors received fruit baskets from this wonderful program. If you or someone you know would benefit from this program please give Jim at The Lakes Community Co-op a call 715- 865-6989. Also if you know any youths that are in need of a hat, gloves, jacket or boots you can let Jim know that as well or call Marie’s Hide-away- the sooner the better!

The Christmas Fund is also accepting donations of money, new toys and new clothing at Spooner Advocate, Shell Lake State Bank, Washburn County Register, and Indianhead Credit Union. If you would like to send a monetary donation in please mail it to Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 321, Spooner, WI 54801. If you are in need of help please fill out an application before Dec 12^th, to receive help you need to reside in either the Spooner or Shell Lake School District. Forms can be picked up at Washburn County Register, Spooner Advocate, Washburn County Food Pantry, Washburn County Human Service Office in Shell Lake or Washburn County Public Health in Spooner. Delivery will be on Friday Dec 21^st  from 9-1pm and an adult (or the recipients) will have to be there to accept.

I hope each of you are having fun getting ready for the holidays. Please keep in mind that it is not all about the gifts. Being with family, spending time with friends that is the greatest gift you can give someone. Homemade gifts are wonderful to make with the kids and are a great to receive!

If you have news please let me know! Stay warm!

Foaming Handsoap for SEVEN CENTS A BOTTLE!

Ok I am sharing this as it is some great advice. She has done all the homework and just breaks it down in an understandable way. Please go to her website for more great posts. Busy At Home

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Foaming Handsoap for Only SEVEN Cents! : Simple, Healthful and Inexpensive to Make at Home!!! Posted: 17 Nov 2012 08:54 PM PST Since I’m always on a never-ending quest to save money in our family budget, it will come as no surprise to any of you, that I’ve found another way to make a daily-use necessity, at home.  What WILL surprise you, and to be honest, knocked my socks off, (It’s okay.  I prefer to be barefoot, anyway.) is that it would be totally irresponsible, NOT to do it, now that I know what I know.  :)  I’m just like you and understand it’s so convenient to grab those cute bottles of liquid or foaming handsoap and throw them into the cart as I shop.  Our family needs one in all three bathrooms, at the kitchen sink, by the sink in the basement and one at the sink in the laundry room.  I don’t know many families that don’t go through lots of handsoap.  And if we’re honest, most of us buy liquid, or foam, because we don’t like the mess that inevitably comes with putting a bar at the back of the sink.  The problem is that if we’re going through a bottle a month in each bathroom and the kitchen and two or three a year in the laundry room and the basement, it starts to add up.  And when I look at the back of the soap bottles, the ingredient label makes me flash back to a horrifying vocabulary quiz in high school chemistry! “Oxychloroparaboliemysterygoopysoapystuff”and other indiscernible things that I am actually allowing my family to rub on their skin, multiple times a day!  There has to be a better way. I designed and printed labels, then attached them to the bottles with clear contact paper. This homemade, foaming handsoap took about 10 seconds to make and cost me a whopping $.07! The cost of the soap you buy doesn’t affect the chemically-ness of them.  Expensive soaps seem to have the same cast of characters as the cheaper brands.  And it’s pretty challenging to find any handsoap, body wash, shampoo, lotion or even toothpaste, that doesn’t include something called “triclosan”.  Sadly, it can even be found in some clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys.  It’s definitely worth checking your labels! Triclosan is a pesticide added to these products to make them “antibacterial”.  While I tend to be skeptical about the forthrightness of government agencies, especially the FDA; when even THEY feel like a product needs some closer scrutiny, I don’t want to knowingly purchase products that contain it.  The FDA’s own report, updated in August 2012, says, “Animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation.”  WHOA!  I would think this would be a huge red flag for a family that deals with PCOS, diabetes, thyroid problems or any other endocrine system related disorders.  They also say, “Other studies in bacteria have raised the possibility that triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics.” and “At this time, the agency does not have evidence that triclosan in antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water.”  (Read the full FDA report here.) To be fair, they have carefully sandwiched those statements in miles of verbiage saying that there are no conclusive studies about the effects on humans.  Hello!!!  Don’t YOU want the evidence to be conclusive – one way or the other – BEFORE you apply it to your family or allow them to ingest it in toothpaste or chew it off their toys?  I sure do!  The fact that the FDA is, currently, actively investigating the potential dangers is enough for me, at this point.  I don’t need pesticide in my pj’s.  And I sure don’t need it in my handsoap! Notice that the active ingredient in this bottle of handsoap was Triclosan. I picked this up off the shelf at Walmart - their typical store brand, but most brands will have it. The red arrow is pointing to the refill line. I just wanted you to note that for foaming handsoap you don't want the bottle full to the top with liquid. You need enough air space to lather up your foam as you pump. So, is there a healthy, effective alternative that doesn’t bust the budget?  There is!  And how would you feel if I told you, that you can trade in that chemical-laden, $2 or $3 (or more) bottle of handsoap for one you make at home in about 15 seconds, that is made with all-natural organic ingredients AND costs only $ .07?  Really!!!  It’s only $ .07!  Yeah, I thought you might like that.  :)  I’ll give you the recipe and then, I’ll show you the math.  You don’t have to pay attention to the math.  I’m just OCD, about that kind of stuff – lol. … . Print Foaming Handsoap Rating: 51 Yield: 1 cup of hand soap Ingredients 1 cup water 1 teaspoon Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap Instructions To obtain foaming handsoap bottles, I buy the cheapest foaming handsoap sold at Walmart [Equate brand for $1.67]. Then I dump out the soap and thoroughly rinse the bottle and pump. Not only is this the cheapest foaming soap I've found, it has a cap made to easily screw on and off. Many of the more expensive brands don't. If you can find a less expensive source for foaming soap bottles, be sure to let me know. Once you have the number of bottles you need, you will just keep re-using them. Frugal and good for the environment! Pour one cup of water into a foaming handsoap bottle. Add 1 teaspoon, any fragrance, Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap. Stir gently. Put the pump back in your bottle and label for use. It's that simple! Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin 2.0 http://busy-at-home.com/blog/foaming-handsoap-for-only-seven-cents-simple-healthful-and-inexpensive-to-make-at-home/ .. … Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is certified fair trade and made with all organic oils.  I’ve never tried another brand, so I can’t recommend another.  What I know is that they are so concerned with purity, no chemicals and health at Dr. Bronner’s, that I don’t want to try another brand.  Remember that list of chemical alphabet soup listed as ingredients on the store-bought soap?  (See the label pictured above.)  Here’s the ingredient list on my Dr. Bronner’s Citrus Orange Castile Soap: Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Orange Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Lemon Oil, Organic Lime Oil, Citric Acid, and Tocopherol.  When I read the list, there were two ingredients I didn’t immediately know, so I looked them up – potassium hydroxide and tocopherol. Potassium hydroxide is potash or lye and none is left after oils are saponified into soap and glycerin.  What is saponify?  :)  I wanted to know, too.   According to Merriam Webster, to saponify is to convert (as fat) into soap.  It refers to the chemical reaction that happens when vegetable oil is mixed with an alkali (like lye or potash).  None of the alkali remains when the soap is done. The second ingredient I questioned was tocopherol.  Tocopherol, a fat-soluble vitamin (Vitamin E), is a naturally occurring antioxidant which can be isolated from vegetable oil.  (Source: CosmeticsInfo.org) The ingredients on my Citrus Orange Castile Soap. Phew!  Not only can I now say I know what every ingredient in my soap is, I am confident that they are safe for my family.  Take a look at that store label, again, and see if you can have the same confidence.  I’m so excited to have found this inexpensive and healthy product.  I also use Castile to make some of my household cleaners and eliminate chemicals there, as well. Okay, so now….the math.  If you live in a larger city, that has a health food store, you can purchase Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap there and it may be even less than what I pay for it.  Since that isn’t an option for me, I purchase it online.  Currently, the least expensive place I have found is Netrition.com.  They have flat rate shipping of $4.95, so I ordered three 32 ounce bottles, at one time.  The total cost with shipping was $40.92. $40.92 ÷ 3 = $13.64 per 32 oz bottle There are 192 teaspoons in 32 fluid oz.  I can’t help it…..I just need to know these things.  :) $13.64 ÷ 192 = .07104 7¢, people!  Only 7¢ to make a bottle of foaming hand soap! You can TOTALLY do this! It’s sad to need to state this, but in the age we live in, I feel the need to categorically state that I am neither a scientist or a doctor. The statements made in this post are my own opinion and you need to weigh the evidence and determine the best options for your own family.  I am excited to share with you the things that work well for my own family and point you to information you may not have been, previously, made aware of.  Busy-at-Home readers are some of the smartest, most talented and frugal women (and men) I have had the privilege to converse with; and I love being able to bring you information that has benefited my own family and to learn about what has worked for yours. You all rock! Seriously. In the marketplace of ideas, we may not always come to the same conclusions, but we respect one another’s best intentions to do what we believe is best for our own individual families.  I wanted you to have this information, and this recipe, so you had an alternative for your family, should you find what you read, to be useful.  I hope it serves you, well.   Hope your day is blessing-filled!   ~Glenda